Thanks, Mr. Chair. I do appreciate the discussion and debate we are having. I think it is important for the public, as well. Mr. Chair, this is the third motion, third recommendation from the committee. I move that this Assembly recommends that the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended per recommendation 10 of the Chief Electoral Officer Report on the Administration of the 2015 Territorial General Election to reflect current practices of maintaining a permanent list of electors and further that the act be amended to remove references to identification of electors by gender. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Debates of Oct. 19th, 2017
This is page numbers 83 – 126 of the Hansard for the 18th 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 electoral.
Topics
Committee Motion 6-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Recommendation 10 Of The Chief Electoral Officer Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 6-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Recommendation 10 Of The Chief Electoral Officer Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. For the motion on the floor, motion is in order. To the motion. Minister Cochrane.
Committee Motion 6-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Recommendation 10 Of The Chief Electoral Officer Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Caroline Cochrane Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to take a moment to congratulate the committee on this work. I think it is very progressive that you are actually making the amendments to reflect the current beliefs around gender and inclusiveness, so just my appreciation to the committee for this. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 6-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act – Recommendation 10 Of The Chief Electoral Officer Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Mr. Minister Cochrane. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed.
---Carried
The motion is carried. Thank you, committee. Mr. O'Reilly.
Committee Motion 7-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Limit And Regulate Third-Party Election Advertising, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is the fourth recommendation. Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommends that the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended to limit and regulate third-party election advertising related to candidates and/or policy. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 7-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Limit And Regulate Third-Party Election Advertising, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.
Committee Motion 7-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Limit And Regulate Third-Party Election Advertising, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 7-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Limit And Regulate Third-Party Election Advertising, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed.
---Carried
The motion is carried. Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.
Committee Motion 8-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Absentee Ballots, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is recommendation five from the report. Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommends that the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended to allow for the option of electronic voting for absentee ballots to provide an elector who has requested an absentee ballot to cancel his or her application in favour of an ordinary ballot on polling day, and to extend the period for voting in the office of the returning officer. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 8-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Absentee Ballots, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. There is a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.
Committee Motion 8-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Absentee Ballots, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't want to speak on this at length, but I personally had heard a number of complaints about our students in particular not getting absentee ballots while they were down south studying. Certainly, it happened for my son. The Chief Electoral Officer did identify this as a problem and an issue, and she brought this forward as a recommendation, so I am more than happy to increase opportunities for our students to participate in our elections. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 8-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Absentee Ballots, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 8-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Absentee Ballots, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question
Committee Motion 8-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Absentee Ballots, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed.
---Carried
The motion is carried. Thank you. Mr. O'Reilly.
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. We are on to recommendation number six. I move that this Assembly recommends that the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended to replace the requirement for candidates to file statements from a bank or other financial institution with a practical, reliable requirement that ensures accountability and transparency; and further that the act be amended to provide the Chief Electoral Officer with discretion to extend elected candidates' deadline for filing accurate and complete financial statements for up to 15 calendar days. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
The Chair R.J. Simpson
Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. There is motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Mr. Chair. This is a recommendation where the committee actually, we had a very different recommendation from the Chief Electoral Officer, and I believe it was in her supplementary report to the general election where she had actually recommended that chartered accountants be signing off on the financial reports. Although we understand the intent behind her recommendation, the fact is that there are so few chartered accountants and that they are only in the larger communities that we believe that would have formed a barrier and a significant barrier for potential candidates, so we have gone with this alternate recommendation that I think will encourage more people to run in elections. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Caroline Cochrane Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate the effort that the committee has put into making this motion. I do have a little bit of difficulty with it. My only difficulty is that I recognize that the filing of reports and access to banks is an issue that I will not take -- it is a huge issue. My only concern is that it has really left it kind of vague because it just says "replace it with a practical, reliable requirement that ensures accountability and transparency." I personally would have preferred if there was something more concrete within this than just leaving it to whatever the interpretation of "practical" and "reliable" means to anyone. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. No, I accept the remarks from my colleague, and I think, you know, these motions basically serve as drafting instructions, and it will be up to the board of management to work with a law clerk, legal counsel to basically come up with wording that meets the spirit and intent of these. Look, I am not a lawyer, but it might be a statutory declaration or a place for a candidate and the official agent to sign off on the statements and have them notarized or, you know. Look, I am not a lawyer, but I think the intention is clear here. We do not want there to be unnecessary barriers in the way of encouraging people to run for elected office, but we also have to balance that with the need for accountability and transparency by having accurate financial statements. So I think that is the balance we are trying to achieve here, and we look forward to the work of our friends on the board of management in coming up with the appropriate language to implement the intent here. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Caroline Cochrane Range Lake
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, I appreciate the efforts. I do understand the intent of it, and I agree with the intent of it. I will abstain from this motion just because I do wish that there was something more concrete as a solution, so it is not that I oppose it. It is that I just find that it is not concrete enough for me. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Committee Motion 9-18(3): Committee Report 1-18(3): Standing Committee On Rules And Procedures Report On The Review Of The Chief Electoral Officer's Report On The Administration Of The 2015 Territorial General Election, Supplementary Recommendations And The White Paper On The Independence And Accountability Of Election Administration In The Northwest Territories - Amend Elections And Plebiscites Act Candidates Financial Statements, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Question