This is page numbers 6187 - 6288 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was public.

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Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6263

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

Mr. Chair, I request that you rise and report progress. Thank you.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6263

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Ms. Green, do you wish to move a motion?

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6263

Julie Green

Julie Green Yellowknife Centre

I move that the chair rise and report progress. Thank you.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6263

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

There is a motion to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is defeated.

---Defeated

I will sit here in this chair and keep going. Clause 50.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6263

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Clause 51. Mr. Testart.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6263

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. This clause governs benefits prescribed in respect to measures to provide benefits to people of the Northwest Territories. What is the practical instrument force that is contemplated by this clause? Is it a socio-economic agreement? Can the Minister confirm that? Thank you.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6263

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, it is, but we still need the flexibility. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6263

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Testart.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6263

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. What does that mean, we need the flexibility? I am unclear on that. I wasn't proposing any changes to this. I was asking: is it a socio-economic agreement? What flexibility is the Minister indicating in his response? Thank you.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Legislation needs to be built in a way that can be flexible to allow for the evolution of tools we use to maximize benefits. What tools we use and how are best left to regulations. That is because the industry is dynamic and people are dynamic and the kinds of benefits available are dynamic. It is a fast-changing industry. Adding a prospective list to the legislation would actually undermine our government's ability to be dynamic enough and act in the best interests of the residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6264

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Mr. Testart.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. I am not sure what list the Minister is referencing. There is list that is being proposed. I am asking very clear questions about what this means because I am hoping to get a clear policy intent for the public that is listening to these proceedings. If the Minster could be careful to understand the questions and I will be careful to read them clearly. This section is quite broad in its application. If I am to assume that this is to legislate socio-economic agreements, what is the government's vision for this? Is it to legislate socio-economic agreements to be binding on industry? Thank you.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6264

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. It is a tool which is currently under review. As I have stated to the Members during this Assembly, this is part of the reason why we approached this provision with flexibility in mind. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Mr. Testart.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Flexibility is one way to put it. I would call it intentionally vague. The committee received evidence that that is what was intended here: to make it intentionally vague so it could be plugged by regulations. My concern is that this is so wide-reaching, it could cover every aspect of the mineral cycle, including exploration. Can the Minister confirm that the intention of the section is solely restricted to the conditions that cause socio-economic agreements to arise, namely production? Thank you.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Our current practice is not to have it for exploration, but we want to see it for construction phase and operations and, lastly, the closure section. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Mr. Testart.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th, 2019

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Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you. That was very clear. That is what industry is looking at when they see a section like that that is so vague you could drive a truck through it, having that kind of certainty. If a socio-economic agreement is so signed that is governed by this section, if a company or mining project isn't able to meet the terms of the agreement, will regulations be drafted to create some sort of penalty if the agreement is breached in any measurable way? Thank you.

Recorded Vote
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

Page 6264

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister.

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Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

August 20th

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Wally Schumann

Wally Schumann Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Our current SEAs are best efforts. Government is working with the mining proponents together to meet targets and using the collaborative approach. This has all been done without legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chair.