This is page numbers 1563 - 1592 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd 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 work.

Topics

Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act
Second Reading Of Bills

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Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I just would like to rise in support of this bill. I am sure my colleague, Mr. Simpson, is happy to see that this bill will pass first reading today and we will, ultimately, I believe, lower the small business tax rate. I really think the backbone of our NWT economy in recovery must be our small business. As we enter into a world and compete in a world where capital increasingly gets held in the hands of large businesses, I think we as government have to do everything we can to support our small businesses. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act
Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

To the principle of the bill.

Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act
Second Reading Of Bills

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Some Hon. Members

Question.

Bill 16: An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act
Second Reading Of Bills

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The Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 16 has had second reading and is referred to the Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly for review. Second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 15, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2020; Committee Report 4-19(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report; Committee Report 5-19(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories; Minister's Statement 77-19(2), National Housing Co-investment Fund; Tabled Document 165-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 1-19(2), Report on Long-term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 166-19(2), Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Committee Report 2-19(2): Report on the Long-term Post-Pandemic Recovery, Recommendations to the GNWT; Tabled Document 181-19(2), Capital Estimates 2021-2020, with Member for Hay River South in the chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

I call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the will of the committee? Mr. Norn.

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

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Mahsi, Mr. Chair. Committee wishes to consider the following documents: Committee Report 4-19(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report; Committee Report 5-19(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories; and then Bill 15, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2020. Mahsi, Mr. Chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you. Does committee agree?

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, committee. We will take a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

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

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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Committee, we agreed to consider Committee Report 4-19(2), Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report. I will go to the chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations for any opening comments.

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

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Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Our report was read into the record, so I do not have any substantive comments to add. I would like to thank the committee for their work on this report. Individual members may have comments on this report and its recommendations. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. I will now open the floor to general comments on Committee Report 4-19(2), Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission Annual Report. Seeing no comments. Ms. Martselos.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories investigate and take the necessary steps to solve the issues and remove the barriers that prevent the alignment between building codes and standards and the Human Rights Act. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Martselos. The motion is in order. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm glad to see you in that seat today. I'd just like to speak in support of this motion. The GNWT Department of Infrastructure on our good building practices has done a lot of great work in including disability and accessibility standards. However, that work we're very much leaders on has not made it into the private sector. Presently, there is a gap in this area. There is the national building code. Builders go out, they build something, and they think it's compliant with human rights law, and it's not. That can cause a lot of frustration for people who are building buildings to find out they followed a code, and it can actually end them up in human rights court.

The GNWT has done this work in the Department of Infrastructure, but we have not really translated it into the private sector. Some of that work is beginning. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has the fire prevention sections of the building code but not the rest of it. I really do believe we need a northern building code and a building standards act, and part of that work needs to make sure that contractors know that following the national building code doesn't always mean your building is accessible. There is work being done at the national level; there is work being done by GNWT. We have to put it all together and make sure that contractors know where those line up. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Johnson. To the motion.

Some Hon. Member

Question.

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion carried.

---Carried

Ms. Martselos.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Chair, I move this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories enhance digital access and inclusion for people living with disabilities in the Northwest Territories by reviewing current practices in serving the public and identifying measures to improve the existing situation with the goal to reduce the number of complaints to the human rights commission on the grounds of disabilities. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Member

Question.

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion carried.

---Carried

Ms. Martselos.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to the recommendations contained in this report within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Ms. Martselos. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.