This is page numbers 5257 – 5290 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 5th 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 ombudsman.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Mr. Ramsay.

Bill 41-17(5): An Act To Amend The Partnership Act
Second Reading of Bills

November 5th, 2014

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Monfwi, that Bill 41, An Act to Amend the Partnership Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Partnership Act to clarify that registration requirements in respect of partnership and business names apply to all partnerships and businesses operating in the Northwest Territories, including when registrations are to be made and renewed. It sets out restrictions on names that may be registered and set out, administrative provisions that are similar to provisions in the Business Corporations Act, include a right to seek a judicial review of a decision made by the registrar before the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories, specifies specific offenses in relation to each partnership class, make consequential amendments to the Business Corporations Act, Liquor Act and Northwest Territories Business Development and Investment Corporation Act, and make other amendments to improve clarity and readability. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 41 has had second reading. Mr. Ramsay.

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 42, An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Residential Tenancies Act to reduce the retention period for inspector reports from three years to 18 months, require landlords to provide receipts to tenants and former tenants on request, clarify that subsection 51(5) applies to both tenancies which begin as a fixed term and of periodic tenancies, permit termination of a tenancy agreement in circumstances where family violence has occurred, provide a remedy for improper termination of a tenancy agreement resulting from a notice of rent increase, clarify that a condominium corporation may apply to a rental officer to terminate a tenancy and evict a tenant, provide that a tenancy agreement for subsidized public housing is reinstated when an eviction order is denied, permit orders and decisions of a rental officer to be enforced as a judgment of the Supreme Court, and allow for regulations to establish fees for making applications under the act. The bill also includes a consequential amendment to the Condominium Act.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Mr. Hawkins.

Robert Hawkins

Robert Hawkins Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I certainly do speak in favour of the principle of the bill, but I do feel that the Residential Tenancies Act update is missing some critical components. I’ll just leave it as simple as that, for example, the Hotel Keepers Act allows someone to be let go, removed, and evicted where the update of the Residential Tenancies Act shows that it’s well thought out that people are protected, and I would assume that the update would have considered these types of remedies.

The example I provide to somebody is that there are folks out there who can only rent in certain spots, and in some cases, in our communities, they can only rent in hotels, and some hotels lease residences for month to month but they come with no rights. The Residential Tenancies Act is being updated here and it would have been a great time to amalgamate, actually, the two bills, and it probably would have been to everyone’s great advantage.

A person renting from a landlord has more rights if they rented in my house than they would if they rented at a hotel because they come with no rights. The issue, really, I’m saying that I agree with the updates provided by, I’ve seen the preamble of the bill, and I have no disagreement with that. I just see it as an issue where we’ve missed a real opportunity to give people rights who need them.

In summary, if a person rents month to month from a hotel, they can be evicted at any time, their stuff can be taken, and they have zero rights. Normally, you would suggest to point them to the rental and tenancy office but they have no authority to deal with that particular issue. I’ve dealt with this issue recently and I’ve found that there is a huge gap. I’ll be taking it up with the particular committee, but I did think that I wanted to remind people with the principle of this bill that we have a huge advantage to taking just a small step forward to provide people protection that deserve it. That’s all.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 42 has had second reading and is referred to committee.

Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Item 21, report of Committee of the Whole. Item 22, third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable George Tuccaro, is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills.

George Tuccaro Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon.

I’d like to take a moment to encourage all residents to honour the service and sacrifice made by members of the Canadian Armed Forces as we approach Remembrance Day next Tuesday.

As I look ahead to the coming holiday season and the celebration of Christmas, I would like to wish each and every one of you a joyous and safe holiday season filled with hope, good health, inspiration and time with your families and friends as we enter into the coming New Year of 2015.

One of my favorite quotes and I think it is very fitting for the coming holidays: “Life will take you many places, but it’s love that brings you home.” I would like to wish each of the Members of this House safe travels and a busy, productive time as you continue your work in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation for the people of the Northwest Territories.

Assent To Bills
Second Reading of Bills

George Tuccaro Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories

As Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:

• Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Education Act

• Bill 27, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2014

• Bill 29, Human Tissue Donation Act

• Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act

• Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act

• Bill 33, An Act to Amend the Elections and Plebiscites Act, No. 2,

• Bill 34, 2015 Polling Day Act

• Bill 35, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2014-2015

• Bill 39, Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 4, 2014-2015

• Bill 40, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2015-2016

Thank you, merci beaucoup, mahsi cho, quanani, koana.

Assent To Bills
Second Reading of Bills

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Before we adjourn today, colleagues, I would like to thank the Pages who have helped us out during this sitting. I know I speak for all Members when I say thank you for a job well done.

---Applause

It is always such a pleasure to have our northern youth join us in the Chamber.

For those young people who would like to learn more about government, you may want to consider

participating in our upcoming Youth Parliament. Youth Parliament is scheduled from May 4 to 8, 2015. Detailed information will be posted on the Assembly website in the New Year.

Colleagues, every year on November 11th ,

Canadians pause for a moment of silence to honour and remember the women and men who have served and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. I have seen Members wearing poppies during the past weeks as a symbol of remembrance, a symbol that is particularly meaningful to all Canadians this year.

I encourage all NWT residents to take a moment, wherever you may be on November 11th , to

acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve our country.

Members, when we leave here today, some will continue to work in the capital, some will return to work in their constituencies and committees will prepare for meetings in December. The work of government does not end when we conclude today.

However, we will not meet again formally and in this Chamber until the New Year. So although it may be a little early, please let me take this opportunity to wish all the residents of the Northwest Territories a happy holiday season and a healthy, safe and peaceful New Year.

Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

Tim Mercer Clerk Of The House

Orders of the day for Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at 1:30 p.m.:

1. Prayer

2. Ministers’

Statements

3. Members’

Statements

4. Returns to Oral Questions

5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

6. Acknowledgements

7. Oral

Questions

8. Written

Questions

9. Returns to Written Questions

10. Replies to Opening Address

11. Petitions

12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

14. Tabling of Documents

15. Notices of Motion

16. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

17. Motions

18. First Reading of Bills

19. Second Reading of Bills

20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of

Bills and Other Matters

21. Report of Committee of the Whole

22. Third Reading of Bills

23. Orders of the Day

Orders of the Day
Orders of the Day

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Accordingly, this House stands adjourned until Wednesday, February 4th , at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 5:04 p.m.