Committee Motion 13-18(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 – Roles, Duties And Powers Of The Chief Electoral Officer, Carried

In the Legislative Assembly on October 19th, 2017. See this topic in context.

Committee Motion 13-18(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 – Roles, Duties And Powers Of The Chief Electoral Officer, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This is Recommendation 10 from our report. I move that this Assembly recommends that the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended as needed to provide:

• that the Chief Electoral Officer is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly;

• that the Chief Electoral Officer shall take an oath affirming that she or he will impartially and faithfully exercise the powers of the Chief electoral Officer and perform all duties fairly, objectively, and with due care;

• that no proceeding may be commenced against the Chief Electoral Officer or a person acting for or under the direction of the Chief Electoral Officer for anything done or omitted in good faith in the exercise, intended exercise, or performance of a duty, responsibility, or power under the act;

• that the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer for Elections NWT is established to ensure impartial administration and conduct of elections and plebiscites;

• that the Chief Electoral Officer administers and manages the business of Elections NWT;

• that the Chief Electoral Officer shall examine all statements, reports, forms and other information filed with the Chief Electoral Officer;

• that the Chief Electoral Officer shall publish reports filed pursuant to this act on Elections NWT's website or in such manner determined to be effective by the Chief Electoral Officer;

• that the Chief Electoral Officer shall formulate policies regarding the conduct of elections;

• that the Chief Electoral Officer may prescribe forms for use under this act;

• that the Chief Electoral Officer may engage the services of professionals or experts such as counsel or accountants as necessary to carry out the Chief Electoral Officer's duties under this act within the appropriation for Elections NWT; and

• that the Chief Electoral Officer shall submit annual estimates of the funds required to operate Elections NWT to the board of management via the Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 13-18(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 – Roles, Duties And Powers Of The Chief Electoral Officer, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

October 19th, 2017

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. There's a motion on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. O'Reilly.

Committee Motion 13-18(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 – Roles, Duties And Powers Of The Chief Electoral Officer, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Just very briefly. The purpose of this motion is in response to the White Paper that the Chief Electoral Officer submitted, and that was sort of looking at election administration in the NWT in a broader sense comparing us with some other jurisdictions. The committee is not recommending acceptance of all of the recommendations of that report, but this motion is an effort to help clarify some of the roles and duties of the Chief Electoral Officer in terms of modernizing our approach to elections and his or her role into the future. I think this will provide the kind of authority that the office needs to move forward in a more efficient and effective manner. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee Motion 13-18(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 – Roles, Duties And Powers Of The Chief Electoral Officer, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly. To the motion.

Committee Motion 13-18(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 – Roles, Duties And Powers Of The Chief Electoral Officer, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Question.

Committee Motion 13-18(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 – Roles, Duties And Powers Of The Chief Electoral Officer, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Mr. O'Reilly.