Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As promised in my Member’s statement today, I said I would table the NWT Seniors’ Society’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms for Older Adults.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Robert McLeod.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled GNWT Response to Motion 21-16(5), Flexible Transition Period for Rent Adjustments.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Item 15, notices of motion. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. The honourable Minister responsible for Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Friday, March 4, 2011, I will move that Bill 25, Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), 2011-2012 be read for the first time.

I give notice that on Friday, March, 4, 2011, I will move that Bill 26, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 5, 2010-2011, be read for the first time.

I give notice that on Friday, March 4, 2011, I will move that Bill 27, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2010-2011, be read for the first time.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in

Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 4-16(5), Executive Summary of the Report of the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project; Tabled Document 30-16(5), 2010 Review of Members’ Compensation and Benefits; Tabled Document 38-16(5), Supplementary Health Benefits – What We Heard; Tabled Document 62-16(5), Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy; Tabled Document 75-16(5), Response to the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project on the Federal and Territorial Governments’ Interim Response to “Foundation for a Sustainable Northern Future”; Tabled Document 103-16(5), GNWT Contracts Over $5000 Report, Year Ending March 31, 2010 ; Tabled Document 135-16(5), GNWT Response to Committee Report 3-16(5), Report on the Review of the Child and Family Services Act; Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act; Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act; Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act; Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Dog Act; Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act; Bill 18, An Act to Repeal the Settlements Act; Bill 19, Municipal Statutes Amendment Act; Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Evidence Act; Minister’s Statement 65-16(5), Devolution Agreement-in-Principle, Impact on Land Claims and Protection of Aboriginal Rights; Minister’s Statement 88-16(5), Sessional Statement, with Mr. Bromley in the chair.

I’d like to call the Committee of the Whole to order. We have before us for consideration today: tabled documents 4, 30, 38, 62, 75, 103 and 135, as well as Bills 4, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and Minister’s statements 65 and 88. What is the wish of committee, Mrs. Groenewegen?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Committee would like to deal with Bills 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and Minister’s Statement 65-16(5), Devolution Agreement-in-Principle, Impact on Land Claims and Protection of Aboriginal Rights.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. We’ll do that, but we’ll start with a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

Thank you, committee. I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. Prior to going on the break we agreed to review today Bills 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20

as well as Minister’s Statement 65-16(5). Does committee agree that we start with Bill 14?

I’ll now ask the Minister responsible for the bill, the honourable Minister of Justice, to introduce the bill.

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to be here today to speak to Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act. I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Social Programs for its review of this bill.

The Conflict of Interest Act defines the circumstances in which a council or board member is considered to be in a conflict of interest when participating in decisions of that council or board.

The current act automatically deems that a member has received a benefit -- what the act calls an “indirect pecuniary interest” -- in situations where the member is also an employee of the government with whom the contract or proposed contract is being made. This results in situations where members are forced to declare a conflict on decisions in which they would derive no direct benefit from their employers and the indirect benefit is so remote that no practical conflict exists.

The main purpose of the bill is to enable employees of the federal and territorial governments to actively participate on boards and municipal councils. Members will not have to declare a conflict of interest unless they stand to benefit from a decision of the board or council. The amendment removes the presumption that the member automatically stands to benefit from such a decision simply because they are employed by government.

The need to amend the Conflict of Interest Act has been raised by the Northwest Territories Association of Communities. The bill before you meets the commitment Justice has made to adjust the legislation to ensure that council and board members are free to participate effectively in matters and decisions of councils and boards.

I would be pleased to answer any questions that the committee members may have regarding Bill 14.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. I’ll now ask the chairperson responsible for the Standing Committee on Social Programs, which reviewed the bill, to make comments. Mr. Beaulieu.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs met on January 12, 2011, to review Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act. The bill was supported by the NWT Association of Communities and the Town of Hay River. A representative of Yellowknife Metis organizations also took part in the public hearing. Committee members thank all involved for their constructive input.

Following a clause-by-clause review, a motion was carried to report Bill 14 to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole. This concludes the committee’s general comments on Bill 14. Individual committee members may have questions or comments as we proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. Would the Minister of Justice like to bring witnesses into the Chamber?

Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.

Is committee agreed?

Sergeant-at-Arms, if I could please get you to escort the witnesses into the Chamber.

Mr. Lafferty, could I get you to introduce your witnesses for the record, please?

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. To my left is Mike Reddy, policy and planning division, and to my right is Mr. Mark Aitken, director of legislation division.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. I’ll now open the floor to general comments on Bill 14. Clause by clause? Is committee agreed that there are no further comments or that there are no comments?