Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Chair, the Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to speak to Bill 20, the Ombud Act.
It began its consultations after the bill was given second reading. The committee wrote to invite input from a broad array of stakeholders and organizations in the Northwest Territories, such as municipal governments, chambers of commerce, non-governmental organizations, and professional societies. Committee also wrote to Indigenous governments in the NWT to seek their input, and in particular, to canvas their interest in accessing the services of the Ombud on a cost-sharing basis in a manner similar to that provided for the Yukon Ombudsman Act.
The committee held seven public hearings on Bill 20 in Inuvik, Norman Wells, Fort Resolution, Hay River, Behchoko, Ndilo, and Yellowknife. As well, committee received eight written submissions on the bill from the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, the Tlicho government and K'atlodeeche First Nation, former MLA Ms. Wendy Bisaro, Mr. Collin Baile, the NWT Seniors' Society, the NWT Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, and the City of Yellowknife.
On behalf of committee, I would to thank the communities who welcomed us on our travels and everyone who provided input on Bill 20.
The clause-by-clause review was held on October 25, 2018. At this meeting, committee moved 18 separate motions to amend Bill 20. Fifteen were carried with concurrence from the Minister, and three were defeated with no concurrence from the Minister.
Mr. Chair, the committee members intend to move some of these amendments in this Committee of the Whole clause-by-clause review. However, it has come to our attention that one of the amendments proposed during the committee's review to add a preamble to the bill is not in order with commonly accepted legislative process in rules and procedures. I will quote from Erskine and May, "If the bill is without a preamble [as it the case with Bill 20] the committee may not introduce one as an amendment." Therefore, one of the amendments that we were considering tonight will not be proceeded with, and the other amendments that were introduced at the committee stage will be brought forward by myself or other Members during this review.
With that, individual Members may have additional comment, but otherwise, I look forward to our debate on this important piece of legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.