Question is being called.

---Carried

Does the committee agree that Committee Report 2-16(3) has been dealt with and concluded?

The next item for Committee of the Whole is Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act. At this time I would like to ask Mr. Lafferty if he has any comments in regard to the bill.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I’m pleased to introduce Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act. The purpose of this legislation is to update the Historical Resources Act and make a number of minor, non-substantive amendments.

The Historical Resources Act was originally enacted prior to establishment of a government department or agency with the mandate to identify and protect the Northwest Territories’ historical resources and heritage. The act was a means for the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories to fulfill this important role, in consultation with members of the Historical Advisory Board.

Since that time the Government of the Northwest Territories has established a program whose mandate is to identify and protect NWT historical resources and heritage. Professional staff in the Department of Education, Culture and Employment have assumed the role of the Historical Advisory Board, which has not operated for approximately 25 years.

This bill updates the Historical Resources Act to reflect the fact that the Historical Advisory Board is no longer necessary or functioning in administration of the act. This bill also makes amendments to update provisions of the Historical Resources Act that refers to the Commissioner’s responsibilities in administering the legislation. The amendments will make the Minister, rather than the Commissioner, the public officer responsible for the administration of the act.

The bill will also make a number of minor, non-substantive amendments to the act that have been identified by legislative counsel. We trust that the members of the committee will agree that the amendments proposed in this bill are appropriate.

I will be pleased to answer any questions that the members of the committee may have.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. At this time I would like to ask the deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs who received the bill if they have any comments. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act, on January 15th , 2009. The committee thanks the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

The bill eliminates the Northwest Territories Historical Advisory Board, recognizing the establishment of a branch within the department to fulfill the board’s function. The amended act also changes the public officer responsible for the legislation from the Commissioner to the Minister.

Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole. This concludes the committee’s opening comments of Bill 1. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. At this time I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the bill if he would like to bring in any witnesses.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Does the committee agree that the Minister can bring in his witnesses?

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses in.

For the record, Mr. Lafferty, can you introduce your witnesses, please?

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I have Dan Daniels, deputy minister of Education, Culture and Employment; Blair Barbour, legislative policy advisor for ECE; and also Ian Rennie, legislative counsel for Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Welcome, witnesses. At this time I’d like to call general comments on Bill 1. Bill 1 is in the grey binder. Detail. Can we move to page 1, Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act. Clause 1.

---Clauses 1 through 6 inclusive approved

Does the committee agree that Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Historical Resources Act, is now ready for third reading?

---Bill 1 approved for third reading

I’d like to thank the Minister and his witnesses. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you escort the witnesses out?

As we agreed, we’ll move to Bill 3, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act. At this time I would like to ask the Minister responsible for

Bill 3, Mr. Lafferty, if he would like to introduce the bill.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I’m pleased to speak today about Bill 3, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act. The purpose of this bill is to provide for the adoption in the Northwest Territories of the Convention on International Interest in Mobile Equipment and protocol matters specific to aircraft equipment.

The convention is designed to facilitate financing for the purchasing or leasing of high value mobile equipment, something that is particularly important at this time. Because such equipment moves from country to country, creditors face higher than normal risk that increase the cost of obtaining credit.

The convention contains core provisions that are meant to be supplemented by protocols appropriate to specific industries, the first of which relates to aircraft. Together the convention aircraft protocol provides for the establishment of an international registry for securing interest in long-term leases in aircraft and airplane engines. The registry in Dublin, Ireland, will generally apply in the Northwest Territories in place of the personal property registry under the Personal Properties Securities Act.

It is important to note that Canadian representatives play a major role in the devolvement of the convention protocol, so it is no surprise that the convention protocol and registry operate on most of the same principles as our Personal Properties Security Act. Canada has both creditors and borrowers in the aircraft industry. The convention protocol would benefit both by increasing the availability of lower cost credit. Lower financing costs for the aviation industry would ultimately benefit the general public.

The aircraft protocol applies to planes that carry eight or more persons and to helicopters transporting five or more persons, including used aircraft. As such, even smaller NWT operators wishing to buy, lease, or sell internationally may have better access to credit and protection of their interests.

The convention protocol can only be ratified by Canada once a majority of the provinces and territories have passed implemental legislation. To date, the federal Parliament and six provinces have enacted implemental legislation. The model act upon which the bill is based was the product of ongoing stakeholder consultation led by Transport Canada. The Canadian aviation industry supports Canada’s ratification of the convention protocol.

I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Social Programs for its review of Bill 3 and will be pleased to answer any questions that committee members may have regarding the bill.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. At this time I would like to ask the committee responsible for sponsoring the bill if they have any comments in regard to the review of the bill. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 3, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act, on January 16th ,

2009. The committee thanks the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

The bill implements the 2001 Convention on International Interest in Mobile Equipment and the protocol to the Convention on International Interest in Mobile Equipment on matters specific to aircraft equipment that Canada signed in March of 2004.

Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 3, International Interest in Mobile Aircraft Equipment Act, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole. This concludes the committee’s opening comments on Bill 3. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. At this time I would like to ask the Minister responsible for the bill if he will be bringing in any witnesses. Mr. Lafferty.

Yes, Mr. Chairman.

Is the committee agreed that the Minister can bring in his witnesses?

Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses in.

For the record, Mr. Lafferty, could you introduce your witnesses?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. To my left is Mark Aitken, director of legislation division, and Gary MacDougall, director of legal registries.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Welcome, witnesses. Any general comments regarding the bill? Clause by clause. Does the committee agree no general comments and we now go clause by clause?