Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Conclusion
During the course of this review, the Honourable Alfred Moses, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, twice advised the committee that he would not consider amendments that committee was proposing to the bill because the department had not consulted with their partner organizations on the committee's proposals.
While acknowledging that it is the Minister's prerogative to concur with committee's amendments or not, committee reminds the Minister that standing committees have the authority to carry out their own consultation on a given bill and to propose amendments to that bill. Committee encourages the Minister to ensure that MACA's partner organizations understand that, when the department is consulting on the development of the bill, that consultation is only one of at least two consultations that will take place, with the second being the consultation done by the standing committee. Committee welcomes input when it is consulting on bills and is always happy to hear from the GNWT's partner organizations on legislation that is before committee.
The committee thanks the public for their participation in the review process and everyone involved in the review of this bill for their assistance and input.
Following the clause-by-clause review, a motion was carried to report Bill 18: An Act to Amend the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole. This concludes the standing committee's review.