This is page numbers 1153 - 1196 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 seniors.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. Any abstentions. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 8 has had second reading. Second reading of bills. Minister of Finance.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 9, Supplementary Appropriations Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2020-2021 be read for the second time. This bill makes supplementary appropriations for operations expenditures of the Government of the Northwest Territories for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. Any abstentions. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 9 has had second reading. Second reading of bills. Minister of Justice.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 10, Temporary Variation of Statutory Time Periods (COVID-19 Pandemic Measures) Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. The Minister of Justice is seeking unanimous consent to proceed with second reading of Bill 10. Are there any nays? There are no nays.

---Unanimous consent granted

The Minister of Justice may proceed.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Sahtu, that Bill 10, Temporary Variation of Statutory Time Periods (COVID-19 Pandemic Measures) Act, be read for the second time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Question has been called. All those in favour. All those opposed. Any abstentions. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 10 has had second reading. Minister of Justice.

Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to waive rule 73(2) and have Bill 10, Temporary Variation of Statutory Time Periods (COVID-19 Pandemic Measures) Act move directly into Committee of the Whole for further consideration today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. The Minister is seeking unanimous consent to waive rule 73(2) and have Bill 10 move directly into Committee of the Whole for further consideration later today. Are there any nays? There are no nays.

---Unanimous consent granted

Bill 10 has been moved directly into Committee of the Whole for consideration alter today. Thank you. Item 20, consideration of Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters: Committee Report 1-19(2), Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment Report on Long-Term Post-Pandemic Recovery: Recommendations to the GNWT; Committee Report 2-19(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Long-term Post-Pandemic Recovery: Recommendations to the GNWT; Committee Report 3-19(2), Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Long-term Post-Pandemic Recovery: Recommendations to the GNWT; and Bill 10, Temporary Variation of Statutory Time Periods (COVID-19 Pandemic Measures) Act.

By the authority given to me as Speaker by Motion 1-19(2), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hour of adjournment to consider the business before the House with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

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

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Steve Norn

Steve Norn Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Marsi cho, Madam Chair. The committee wishes to consider the following documents: Bill 10, Committee Report 1-19(2); and Committee Report 3-19(2). Marsi cho.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Does committee agree?

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, committee. We will take a short recess and resume with the first item.

---SHORT RECESS

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I will call committee back to order. Committee, we have agreed to consider Bill 10, Temporary Variation of Statutory Time Periods (COVID-19 Pandemic Measures) Act. I will ask the Minister responsible for the bill to introduce it. Minister of Finance.

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Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Thank you, Madam Chair. I do have some opening remarks. I am here to present Bill 10, Temporary Variation of Statutory Time Periods (COVID-19 Pandemic Measures) Act. This bill authorizes the Commissioner and Executive Council to make orders to be registered as regulations that would result in the temporary variation of a date, deadline, or time period set out in the act.

We have heard, during the course of this sitting, that, in March, the Government of the Northwest Territories had to mobilize quickly to take measures required to respond to the immediate requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic, including transitioning the vast majority of employees to working from home; redeploying employees to areas of high need; and focusing government efforts on the essential areas of service.

In April, it became obvious that public bodies, councils, and other organizations in the Northwest Territories were having difficulty, or would soon be having difficulty, meeting statutory deadlines due to necessary changes in their operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emergency Management Act, or EMA, allows for the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs to make orders relating to a list of items to address various immediate aspects of an emergency situation, but, as set out presently, there was a concern that the authority in that act would not support orders that would address impacts to usual business operations.

The Department of Justice examined several possibilities for addressing the issues identified and had discussions with other departments to consider the best approach to addressing the concerns that were raised to them about compliance with statutory timelines. It was decided that a streamlined bill, focusing exclusively on temporarily varying dates, time periods, and deadlines, would be a prudent approach to addressing this issue.

The proposed bill does not amend any statutes. It enables orders to be made that would have the effect of temporarily amending timelines set out in other statutes. It allows orders to have a retroactive effect as far as March 24, 2020, which was the date that the state of emergency was declared under the EMA. Any temporary variation of a statute will remain in effect for a maximum of six months from now.

I would like to thank Members for expediting the review of this bill. Their cooperation was needed to have this bill considered here at this sitting. The input of Members has resulted in adjustments to the bill before introduction, to clarify its purpose and to limit its application. This bill is a novel approach to a novel problem, and I commend Members for working together to see it through.

That concludes my opening remarks, Madam Chair. I would be happy to answer any questions the Members might have.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Would you like to bring witnesses into the Chamber?

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Caroline Wawzonek

Caroline Wawzonek Yellowknife South

Yes, I would. I have one witness, please.

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The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witness into the Chamber. Minister, please introduce your witness.