Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to present Bill 15, Elections and Plebiscites Act, on behalf of the Legislative Assembly's Board of Management. This bill will combine the current Elections Act and the Plebiscites Act into one act with the core components of each being maintained. The new act allows for a reorganization of the major components of the existing acts, the updating of definitions and language, clarification of some existing provisions, the addition of new provisions to address such matters as campaigning, access to multiple dwelling sites, restricting the use of electoral information, restricting campaign signs and campaigning near polling stations, contributions and expenditures and provisions respecting the holding of plebiscites.
Madam Chair, the new act also established the first Monday in October every four years as the permanent general election day for the Northwest Territories, commencing with Monday, October 1, 2007.
Finally, Madam Chair, the act provides an improved framework for the conduct of elections and plebiscites in the Northwest Territories. Madam Chair, that concludes my opening remarks and I would be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have with respect to the Elections and Plebiscites Act. Thank you, Madam Chair.