All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

The motion is carried to clause 15.1. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. Minister Sebert, you may take your seat at the witness table.

Clauses 16 to 20. Does committee agree?

Clauses 21 to 23. Does committee agree?

Thank you, committee. Committee, to the bill as a whole. Does committee agree that Bill 14, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018, as amended is now ready for third reading?

Thank you, committee. Bill 14 is now ready for third reading. Does committee agree that this concludes our consideration of Bill 14?

Thank you, committee. Thank you to the Minister and his witness. Sergeant-at-Arms, you may escort the witness from the Chamber. Committee, we have agreed to next consider Bill 15, Document Formalization Service and Notice Reform Statutes Amendment Act. I will turn to the Minister responsible for the bill for any opening comments. Minister Sebert.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to be here today to discuss Bill 15, Document Formalization Service and Notice Reform Statutes Amendment Act. I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Social Development for its review of Bill 15.

This omnibus bill has the overall goal of improving access to justice for residents of the Northwest Territories by introducing a suite of amendments that will improve effectiveness, reduce inconvenience, and lower costs for the government and the public.

The Department of Justice has undertaken a comprehensive review of NWT statutes, regulations, and court rules with a view to modernizing and streamlining processes and reducing unnecessary barriers for the public. This review also gave consideration to legislation found in other jurisdictions.

The department consulted with all relevant departments, public agencies, and the Law Society of the Northwest Territories before advancing these amendments. There are also a large number of adjustments that relate to regulations, and those are being undertaken independently of the proposed amendments to these statutes.

The proposed amendments will:

• provide practical and straightforward options for the service of documents, including alternatives to the use of mail;
• update and simplify processes for giving notice to individuals and the public at large; and
• eliminate unnecessary legislative formalities, such as requiring documents to be attested to by a notary public or commissioner for oaths, or otherwise witnessed.

I would be pleased to answer any questions that the committee may have regarding Bill 15. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Sebert. I will turn to the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Development, the committee that considered the bill, for opening comments. Mr. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Minister, would you like to bring witnesses into the Chamber?

Yes, I would, please.

Thank you, Minister. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the Chamber. Minister, please introduce your witnesses for the record.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. To my left is Christina Brownlee, legislative counsel, and to my right, Mark Aitken, assistant deputy minister, attorney general.

Thank you. I will open the floor to general comments. General comments on Bill 14? Seeing none, we will proceed to a clause-by-clause review, deferring the bill number and title until after consideration of the clauses. Once again, we will consider the clauses in groups. I will call out the clause. If committee agrees to the clause, please respond accordingly.

Committee, please turn to page 1 of the bill. Clauses 1 through 5.

Thank you. Clauses 6 through 10.

Thank you. Clauses 11 through 15.