Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I’m pleased to introduce Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act. The purpose of this legislation is to substitute the definition of the term “week” that is contained in section 1 of the Employment Standards Act.
The Employment Standards Act will come into effect on April 1, 2008, and will replace the Labour Standards Act, which currently regulates employers and employees in the Northwest Territories.
Section 1 of the Employment Standards Act defines “week” as the period between midnight on the Saturday and midnight on the following Saturday. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment has determined that this definition complicates administration and compliance with the act.
The bill repeals the existing definition of “week” and restores the definition currently used in the Labour Standards Act. The proposed definition for “week” is “a period of seven consecutive days.” This amendment will simplify administration and compliance with the act without impacting employee rights or employer obligations.
We trust that members of the committee will agree that this amendment is necessary and appropriate. We will be pleased to answer any questions the members of the committee may have. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.