Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Securities Act, has had first reading.

---Carried

Bill 8 has had first reading. Item 19, second reading of bills. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 6, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2012-2013, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill makes supplementary appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territoires for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Bill 6 has had second reading.

---Carried

Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 2-17(3), Commissioner’s Opening Address: Creating the Conditions for Success; Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act; Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act; Committee Report 1-17(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2010-2011 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories; Committee Report 2-17(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2010-2011 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report, with Mrs. Groenewegen in the chair.

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. Colleagues, we had the items before the committee just read by the Speaker. I would like to ask what is the wish of the committee. Mr. Hawkins.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Your loyal committee would like to review Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act; Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act; Committee Report 1-17(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2010-2011 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories; and, finally, time permitting, Committee Report 2-17(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2010-2011 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Is committee agreed?

We will resume that business after a short break. Thank you.

---SHORT RECESS

I’ll call Committee of the Whole to order. The first bill before us today is Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. I’m going to ask Minister Jackson Lafferty if he would please introduce his bill. Mr. Lafferty.

I am pleased to introduce Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. The purpose of this legislation is to raise the maximum aggregate of the principal amounts of all student loans that may be made by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The maximum aggregate principal amount of student loans that the government may lend under the Student Financial Assistance Act is currently set at $36 million. The amendment proposes to increase this amount to $40 million for the fiscal year 2012-2013 and thereafter. This change is required to allow the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to continue providing student financial assistance at current benefit levels.

We trust that members of the committee will agree that this amendment is appropriate and necessary.

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

I’d like to ask the Minister if he would like to bring witnesses into the Chamber.

Yes, Madam Chair.

Does committee agree?

I’ll ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the witnesses to the witness table.

Minister Lafferty, for the record, would you please introduce your witnesses?

Mahsi, Madam Chair. With me to my left is Gloria Iatridis, acting deputy minister of Department of Education, Culture and Employment; and to my right is Tricia Ralph, legislative advisor. Mahsi.

Thank you, Minister Lafferty. General comments on Bill 1. Do Members have any general comments?

Detail, thank you. Please turn your attention to page 1, Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. Clause 1.

---Clauses 1 and 2 inclusive approved

Does committee agree that Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, is now ready for third reading?

Thank you, committee. Bill 1 is now deemed ready for third reading. I’d like to thank Minister Lafferty and his witnesses for their attendance here today. I’ll ask the Sergeant-at-Arms if he would like to escort the witnesses out of the Chamber. Thank you.

Please turn your attention to Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act. I’d like to ask MLA Blake if he would like to introduce the bill. Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to provide opening comments for Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act. Madam Chair, Bill 3 authorizes the Speaker, on the recommendation of the Board of Management, to designate a chairperson and deputy chairperson of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. In certain circumstances, the commission may designate an acting chairperson.

Madam Chair, the Human Rights Act is administered jointly by the Speaker, the Legislative Assembly and the Minister of Justice. The Speaker’s role in administering the act is limited to the administration of the Human Rights

Commission and the Adjudication Panel. These amendments all relate to that function and do not adversely affect the rights of individuals.

I would be pleased to answer any questions you might have. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Blake. I’d like to ask the Member if he would like to bring witnesses into the House.