Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, on April 1, 2004, comprehensive changes to the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, Hamlets Act and Charter Communities Act will come into force. After years of development and consultation with community governments, the previous Legislative Assembly approved this legislation which provides municipal governments with a broad legislative framework that recognizes the important and diverse role they play in governing our communities.
Mr. Speaker, these new acts will dramatically change the rules under which municipal governments operate in the Northwest Territories. Under the new legislation, community governments will have broader bylaw-making powers. They will have the authority to plan for debt and investment, and to borrow money to support infrastructure development. In addition, the requirements for approval of activities by the Government of the Northwest Territories will be reduced, and there will be a corresponding increase in accountability of councils to the people they represent.
Mr. Speaker, these new laws also set out the purpose of municipal government and the roles and responsibilities of mayors and councils.
This legislation has been a long time coming. The process that has resulted in these acts began in 1995 when the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Northwest Territories Association of Communities jointly started the municipal legislative review. The purpose of the review was to identify the changes to legislation needed to keep up with other developments in community governance. The partnership approach between my department and the Northwest Territories Association of Communities was very productive and I would like to commend the association for their insights and advice throughout the development and approval of these acts.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise that this partnership is continuing as we collaborate on preparing communities for the implementation of the new legislation. Given the comprehensive changes that are included in this new legislative framework, it is important that affected community governments are fully informed and prepared for the implications. My department and the Northwest Territories Association of Communities have worked to develop an implementation plan that provides community leaders and administrators with the information they need to operate successfully under these new acts as of April 1st.
Mr. Speaker, this new legislation will provide our communities with greater latitude to deal with the challenges and opportunities facing them. My department looks forward to supporting communities as they move forward with this exciting new legislative framework. Thank you.
---Applause