Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to have reviewed Bill 8, Emergency Management Act. We consulted broadly with all governments in the Northwest Territories responsible for providing municipal services in the Northwest Territories, and we held public meetings in Hay River, Enterprise, and Yellowknife, in addition to meeting with the mayor and council members in Inuvik.

Several issues were raised during our public consultations. The act changes the existing process so that Ministerial approval is required to renew a state of local emergency. We heard general acceptance for this proposal, which ensures that the Minister is aware and can bring territorial resources to bear on continuing emergency situations in municipalities.

Another key proposal in Bill 8 is to extend indemnity to local authorities and volunteers working on their behalf so that they are not liable for damage caused by any actions taken in good faith during an emergency response. The committee agrees with this proposal and heard no objections from municipalities to it.

The committee also heard a concern that section 18(2) of the bill authorizes the head of a local authority to act on behalf of the local authority where there is urgency in declaring a state of local emergency, but the act does not define the head of a local authority. The committee determined that it would be important in the implementation of Bill 8 to make the meaning of the provision clear to municipalities.

Therefore, the committee encourages the Minister, when implementing the new legislation, to ensure that municipalities are aware, if they do not already know, that section 18(2) of the bill refers to the mayor, or anyone acting on behalf of the mayor, rather than the senior administrative officer.

Finally, Bill 8 clarifies an existing provision in the Civil Emergencies Measures Act by setting out the circumstances under which the Minister might require a municipality to reimburse the GNWT for expenses paid out on behalf of the municipality during an emergency.

We heard some concern that section 13(2) of the bill provides that the Minister's decision on the matter is final. The committee had some discussion of this provision, and on the basis of the rarity of its past use, and the clarifying circumstances under which repayment might be required, the committee is satisfied with this provision as written.

Therefore, on the basis of our consultation, committee recommended no changes to Bill 8 as drafted. Individual Members may have additional comments or questions as we proceed with consideration of this bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair.