This is page numbers 863 - 898 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 6th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was chairman.

Topics

An Hon. Member

Question.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Delorey.

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have not tried to work out all the details in relation to those three broad structural recommendations, because we believe that the assembly and the GNWT will need to consider a number of factors in putting these in place. Therefore, some flexibility will be required. However, to provide some guidance, we have made recommendations on matters that should be included in the mandates for the rules committee and for the GNWT ministry or department with responsibility for self-government implementation.

These recommendations are self-explanatory, and we begin with the matters that should be included in the mandate of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures.

We believe ongoing study is required on the emerging law-making powers of all governments. As our report states, concurrency of powers is the model being followed in most negotiations. As legislators, the assembly will increasingly need to be aware of other law-making authorities and implications which concurrent law-making powers will have on its own procedures and processes. For this reason, we believe further work will need to be done to identify, in a systematic way, the legislative issues flowing from self-government.

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommend that the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures conduct a comprehensive study of the legislative powers of the assembly and those set out in self-government agreements and relevant documents, in order to provide a framework for analyzing potential areas where overlap is most likely and where amendment or harmonization can reasonable be anticipated. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The motion is in order. To the motion.

An Hon. Member

Question.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Delorey.

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In addition to recommendation number four, which focuses mainly on what sorts of issues can be expected from the overlap of law-making powers, our next recommendation focuses on ways to deal with those issues in practice. In some cases, self-government agreements might include mechanisms for coordinating and cooperating. In other cases, there may be no clear mechanisms. We believe the assembly will need to consider options in this regard.

Paul Delorey

Paul Delorey Hay River North

Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommend that the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures examine options for formal and informal structures and procedures for coordinating and harmonizing legislation, policies and practices among northern governments, where no such mechanisms have been identified in a self-government agreement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, in particular, as each self-government agreement comes into effect, the assembly will need to be prepared to adjust to the new governance system in the context of its own procedures and operations, and in light of other self-governments already in place. The dynamics, particularly in relation to consultation requirements, will need to be carefully managed by all governments concerned.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures review current legislative procedures and processes to identify issues and options respecting:

A. Consultations among governments on their respective legislative initiatives;

B. Informing the assembly of ongoing legislative initiatives required to implement self-government agreements; C. Possible mechanisms relating to consent of an aboriginal party to territorial legislation, where such a requirement is set out in a self-government agreement; and,

D. The appropriate role of the assembly in any such consultation and consent processes.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The motion is in order. To the motion.

An Hon. Member

Question.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those against? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Ms. Lee.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, in preparing for implementation, it will be necessary to be aware of laws and procedures that will likely require amendment or change to comply with self-government agreements. For example, wildlife legislation might require changes as each self-government agreement comes into effect. These adjustments will be required on an ongoing basis.

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures identify current legislation and assembly rules which are likely to require amendment as a result of implementation of self-government agreements. Thank you.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Question is being called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Lafferty.

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Mr. Chairman, consistent with our report, we believe cooperation will be an important prerequisite to success in implementing self-government. We think there may be opportunities for the Legislative Assembly to help build capacity in relation to community and regional lawmakers. These opportunities could be explored in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders at the community and regional level.

Leon Lafferty North Slave

Therefore, I make a motion. Mr. Chairman, I move that this committee recommends that the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures consider an appropriate role for the Legislative Assembly in building capacity for legislators at a local or regional level through joint workshops, seminars, research functions and so on. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The motion is in order. To the motion.