I move, seconded by the Hon. Member for Sahtu, that Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancy Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill includes a number of amendments to update the Residential Tenancy Act and to streamline the application and hearing process, including amendments that would:

1) allow a landlord to require a pet security deposit from a tenant who keeps or plans to keep a pet on a rental premises;

2) require landlords to conduct inspection of rental premises at the beginning and end of tenancy and provide opportunities for tenants to participate;

3) allow interest rates on security deposits and pet security deposits to be set in the regulations;

4) limit the rental officer’s discretion to terminate a fixed-term tenancy before the end of the term in circumstances where the tenant has not breached obligations under the agreement;

5) provide the rental officer with the discretion to determine whether to mediate or proceed directly to a hearing when an application is received;

6) empower the rental officer to issue eviction orders;

7) allow the rental officer to conduct hearings by a method of telecommunication;

8) require the rental officer to make an annual report to the Minister, and require it to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.