Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to provide opening comments on Bill 55, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 1. This bill makes a number of changes to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act to implement recommendations of the independent commission to review Members' compensation and benefits, as well as other updates required prior to the upcoming general election. Specifically, the bill proposes the following:
- Repeals the provision to defer the territorial general election to a later date in the event of an overlap with a federal election;
- Exempts certain Legislative Assembly staff and constituency assistants from jury service during session;
- Ties a number of important dates to polling day as opposed to the date set for the return of the writs of election;
- Amends the timing of the appointment and term of the independent commission to review Members' compensation and benefits;
- Makes the appointment process for the Law Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms the same as the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and enables the board of management to suspend these officers with or without pay; and
- Makes provision for the affirmation of various oaths.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. This concludes my opening comments on Bill 55, and I am happy to answer any questions that members may have. Thank you.