The Chair Rocky Simpson

Question has been called. Member for Hay River North.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you. I have a question about this recommendation. It recommends that the Mace be put in its place, which is here in the Assembly on its perch. In the event of a remote sitting, would this tie our hands in any way? If the reason we are having a remote sitting is because we cannot get into the building, would it cause any issues for Legislative Assembly staff? How is that contemplated? Thank you.

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, committee did turn its mind to this matter. Of course, we have recommended remote sittings only in limited circumstances. I think I mentioned the public health emergency and a state of emergency under the Emergency Measures Act or if the Speaker is satisfied that the health, safety, or well-being of a Member might be compromised, so already, remote sittings are only contemplated in a limited set of circumstances, recognizing that one of those might be if we do not have a building to meet in any further.

We did not go as far as to say that staff had to be here, in this building, even if we were meeting remotely. I think that is an operational level of detail that we did not really need to get into, and I think that we want to leave some discretion for the Speaker in how the House might conduct itself, including where the Mace might be appropriately displayed. There is provision in here for the Mace to be placed in a symbolic place. It could be in the lobby or in another location as part of a video-conferencing platform. I do not think we wanted to get too prescriptive but to try to maintain the dignity of the House by having the Mace or a representation of the Mace in some way as part of the proceeding. I hope I have answered the question. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. Are there any further questions? Question has been called, so all those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? Motion carried.

---Carried

Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move this committee recommends that the rules of the Legislative Assembly authorize the Speaker to allow a Member to attend all or a part of a session remotely when that Member is unable to travel due to a state of emergency being declared in the Member's home community, the Member is under an order of the Chief Public Health Officer prohibiting travel, or the Speaker believes travel would put the Member's health or safety at risk. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. The motion is in order. To the motion. Member.

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. Yes, just very briefly, committee did turn its mind to this, and we only wanted to allow Members to participate remotely for a very narrow set of reasons but also give the Speaker some discretion if people are taking discretionary travel, even business travel related to the Assembly. Sitting here is really a privilege and a duty, and we want to make sure that MLAs make every effort to come here in person. We prescribed a very narrow set of circumstances under which a Member could participate remotely. Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair Rocky Simpson

To the motion.

The Chair Rocky Simpson

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

---Carried

Member for Frame Lake.

The Chair Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Member. The motion is in order. To the motion.