Question.
Debates of June 4th, 2015
This is page numbers 6419 - 6480 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 public.
Topics
Bill 65: An Act To Amend The Safety Act
Second Reading Of Bills
June 4th
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Some Hon. Members
Bill 65: An Act To Amend The Safety Act
Second Reading Of Bills
June 4th
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The Speaker Jackie Jacobson
Question has been called. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Bill 65 has had second reading and is referred to standing committee.
Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 66, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act; Committee Report 16-17(5), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2013-2014 Public Accounts; and Committee Report 19-17(5), Report on the Review of the Auditor General's Report on Corrections in the NWT, with Mr. Bouchard 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
June 4th, 2015
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The Chair Robert Bouchard
I'll call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Ms. Bisaro.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. We would like to consider Bill 66, Committee Report 16-17(5) and Committee Report 19-17(5).
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
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Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act currently provides survivor benefits to a Member or a former Member's dependent children if they are less than the age of majority or if they are under the age of 25, unmarried and attending school or university on a full-time basis.
The amendments to the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act will broaden the definition of a child to include an adult child who is dependent on a Member or a former Member for the necessities of life. This definition mirrors the Canada Income Tax Act definition of a child and will entitle a Member or a former Member's adult dependent child to survivor pension benefits.
These amendments were drafted at the request of a current pensioner and are supported by the Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly.
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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
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The Chair Robert Bouchard
Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the House.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. Can you please introduce your witnesses.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left I have Kelly McLaughlin, director, legislation division, Department of Justice; and my right-hand man, Mr. Tim Mercer, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.
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The Chair Robert Bouchard
Thank you, Mr. Blake. I'll open with general comments to the bill. Mr. Dolynny.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Daryl Dolynny Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to welcome Mr. Blake to the witness table, and colleagues.
Just some housekeeping items with respect to this act. When something like this comes into play it will definitely factor into the quantities, the dollar figures in the pension fund and make changes thereof. Has there been any actuarial performance done as to what impact this may have on our current plan?
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Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The pension plan actuaries have reviewed these amendments and have provided their view that the potential implications of the amendment are speculative. In other words, there's no certainty that they will ever be called upon for use, and if they are called upon for use that they will have a negligible impact on the actuarial evaluation of the pension plan.
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Daryl Dolynny Range Lake
I appreciate the response to that. To the question of timing, if this bill goes through here, when does this bill become enacted in terms of affecting... I assume, it was brought forward by one of the pensioners. When would this trigger any type of monetary flow?
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Frederick Blake Jr. Mackenzie Delta
Thank you, Mr. Chair. This will come into effect immediately at assent.
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The Chair Robert Bouchard
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Committee, we're on general comments on Bill 66. Committee is agreed we'll go to clause-by-clause review of the bill?