This is page numbers 1163 - 1212 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was report.

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Great Slave, that Bill 10, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 7, 2010-2011, be read for the second time.

This bill makes supplementary appropriations for infrastructure expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Bill 10 has had second reading

---Carried

Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 11, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 4, 2010-2011, be read for the second time.

This bill makes supplementary appropriations for operations expenditures for the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Bill 11 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; Committee Report 3-17(3), Official Review of the Office of the Language Commissioner’s Report; Committee Report 4-17(3), Review of the Status of the Auditor General of Canada; Committee Report 5-17(3), Rules and Procedures Report, with Mr. Dolynny in the Chair.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Welcome back committee. I’ll call committee to order here. We’ve got three orders on the Order Paper today. We have Committee Report 3-17(3), Standing

Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Office of the NWT Languages Commissioner Annual Report 2010-2011; Committee Report 4-17(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Review of the Status of the Auditor General of Canada; and Committee Report 5-17(3), Standing Committee on Government Operations Rules and Procedures Report. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Menicoche.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin A. Menicoche

Kevin A. Menicoche Nahendeh

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The committee would like to consider Tabled Document 2-17(3), Committee Report 3-17(3), Committee Report 4-17(3) and Committee Report 5-17(3).

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Does committee agree?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

With that, we will go to opening comments for Committee Report 3-17(3). Before we do that, Mr. Hawkins.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Oh, no. To that issue.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

As I indicated, we will be going to opening comments for Committee Report 3-17(3). Mr. Nadli.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Government Operations has submitted its Report on the Review of the Language Commissioner’s 2010-2011 Annual Report. The report, which includes four recommendations, was read into the record by the chair of the committee. With Members’ unanimous consent, the motion was passed that moved the report into Committee of the Whole for discussion today.

There are 11 official languages in the Northwest Territories. The committee appreciates the efforts of the Languages Commissioner, Ms. Sarah Jerome, to receive complaints and inquiries, promote the rights, status and privileges of official languages speakers, and make recommendations for legislative change.

The committee supports the Commissioner’s recommendations for a better understanding of the NWT Official Languages Act within the public service and greater sensitivity to the needs of Aboriginal official language speakers who are affected by the history of silencing and language laws associated with residential schools.

As required under the Official Languages Act, the standing committee will conduct a review of the act in 2013. Members intend to revisit and update previous recommendations for legislative change. Pending this review, the committee wishes to obtain the government’s response to the Languages Commissioner’s legislative recommendations. These recommendations, listed as three and four on page 20 of the Commissioner’s report, include

consideration of the needs of official language speakers living or travelling outside designated areas where their languages are indigenous, placing a positive obligation on the government to protect as well as promote official languages and ensuring that Aboriginal language protection measures are contained in legislation and not just in policy.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. We’ll open up the floor to general comments on the committee report. Seeing none, Mr. Nadli.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that this committee recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories report to this House on measures taken in 2011-2012 and planned actions for 2012-2013 to ensure that the public service understands, respects and honours the provisions of the Official Languages Act.

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. We’ll just give a second to circulate that motion. A motion is on the floor. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Question is being called. Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Nadli.

Committee Motion 23-17(3): Sensitive Terminology Around Official Languages, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories refrain from the use of the word “regime” in documents concerning official languages;

And further, that the Government of the Northwest Territories consult with residential school survivors and Aboriginal language communities on other terminology that may act as a barrier for Aboriginal people in asserting their rights under the Official Languages Act;

And further, that the Government of the Northwest Territories ensure that public servants are aware of the sensitive terminology in speaking and writing in the area of official languages.

Committee Motion 23-17(3): Sensitive Terminology Around Official Languages, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

A motion is on the floor. To the motion.

Committee Motion 23-17(3): Sensitive Terminology Around Official Languages, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Committee Motion 23-17(3): Sensitive Terminology Around Official Languages, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Question is being called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Nadli.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories review and respond to the Languages Commissioner’s recommendations for legislative change, which read as follows:

3. That the Legislative Assembly continue to move

forward with the concept of a service-based model as suggested by the development of the proposed Official Languages Services Act. However, in moving forward, consideration must be given to:

(a) the fact that not all speakers of an official

language reside in a designated area;

(b) that residents in the Northwest Territories

travel in order to receive services; and

(c) the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest

Territories and the Government of the Northwest Territories have a positive obligation to promote and protect official languages.

4. That the Aboriginal language protection regime

be contained in legislation and not just become part of government policy or protocol.

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

A motion is on the floor. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Question is being called. Motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. Nadli.