Merci, Madame la Presidente. Your Standing Committee on Roles and Procedures is pleased to provide its report on remote sittings.
Introduction
The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures is pleased to report on remote sittings.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented new difficulties and challenges to legislative assemblies. On June 10, 2020, the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act was amended to add Section 4.1 which:
- Allows the Legislative Assembly to conduct all or part of a session by video- or teleconference if the Speaker believes exceptional circumstances require it.
- The Speaker may allow a Member to participate remotely for all or part of a session.
- A Member participating remotely may vote as though they were present in person.
Background
During the debate on this amendment, it was noted the Speaker would need some guidance on how and when to use his or her discretion. On August 12, 2020, the Speaker wrote to the committee with three questions for consideration:
- What exceptional circumstances would warrant conducting a sitting by way of teleconference or videoconference?
- In what circumstances would it be appropriate for the Speaker to authorize an individual Member to participate in all or a portion of a sitting by teleconference or videoconference?
- What practices, policies, or rule amendments would be required to address the situation of a Member appearing and voting by teleconference or videoconference who loses their connection?
The committee discussed each question at length, and this report lays out the committee's position and recommendations on each question, as well as other changes to the rules that should be considered.
Madam Speaker, I'd like to turn it over now to the Member for Hay River South to continue the report.