Thank you, Madam Chair. I am here to present Bill 36, an Act to Amend the Territorial Court Act.
Bill 36 proposes an amendment to the Territorial Court Act that would allow for more discretion in the appointment of a judge to the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee. The function of the advisory committee is to make recommendations to the Commissioner and Executive Council respecting the appointment of territorial judges. The Territorial Court Act currently requires that the committee be comprised of the chief judge of the territorial court and the next most senior territorial judge, two members of the Law Society of the Northwest Territories appointed by that body, and four persons appointed by the Commissioner and Executive Council who are neither judges nor members or former members of a law society in Canada.
This is problematic because it may be impossible for the next most senior territorial judge to sit on the committee in the event of serious illness, disability, conflict of interest, or even planned vacation leave. This could affect the quorum of the committee and frustrate the committee's ability to complete its work in a timely fashion.
To address this issue, the proposed amendment will allow the chief judge, in consultation with the other judges, to appoint the additional judge to the committee without requiring the judge to be the next most senior territorial judge.
This concludes my opening remarks, and I would be pleased to answer any questions that Members may have regarding Bill 36. Thank you.