This is page numbers 3361 - 3382 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

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Minister. Tabling of documents. Notices of motion. Motions. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President.

WHEREAS this Legislative Assembly is required to appoint alternate members to the Board of Management in accordance with section 36 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;

AND WHEREAS Rule 89 requires that the Assembly appoint a Board of Management in accordance with section 26 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act;

AND WHEREAS there are currently two vacancies for alternate members of the Board of Management;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North that the following members be appointed as alternate members of the Board of Management: Mr. Rocky Simpson, the member for Hay River South; and, Ms. Caroline Cochrane, the Member for Range Lake.

AND FURTHER that the following members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Government Operations: Mrs. Lesa Semmler, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes; Ms. Caitlin Cleveland, the Member for Kam Lake; Mrs. Frieda Martselos, the Member for Thebacha; and Mr. Rylund Johnson, the member for Yellowknife North. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. The motion is in order. To the motion?

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

Motion. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS the proceeding of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories and all of its Standing and Special Committees are conducted in accordance with the Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS the current Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories were adopted on February 12th, 2021;

AND WHEREAS the Rules of the Legislative Assembly have been reorganized;

AND WHEREAS a copy of the revised and approved Rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories was tabled in this House on December the 7th, 2021 and identified as Tabled Document 527-19 (2);

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that this Legislative Assembly repel the rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories originally adopted on February 12th, 2021, and adopt the newest version of the rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories identified as Tabled Document 527-19(2);

AND FURTHER that the new rules of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, upon adoption of this motion, come into effect February the 2nd, 2022.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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

Motions. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when this House adjourns on December 9th, 2021, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022;

AND FURTHER, that any time prior to February 2nd, 2022, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that this House should meet at an earlier time during the adjournment, or at a time later than the scheduled resumption of the House, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as if it had been duly adjourned to that time.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

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

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

Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Consideration of Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Bill 23, Bill 29 with Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes in the chair.

---SHORT RECESS

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

Page 3380

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

I now call Committee of the Whole to order. Member for Hay River North.

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

Page 3380

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to take a moment and say that for every word we speak in this House, there is a group of interpreters who are saying those same words. And so they have been with us this whole time and they have been busy, they have been working very hard, and I want to take a moment on our last day to make sure that we recognize their work and I would like the House to join me in giving them a round of applause. Thank you, Madam Chair.

---Applause

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

Page 3380

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Member. Member for Frame Lake, what is the wish of committee?

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

Page 3380

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Madam Chair. That's a pretty hard act to follow. But I move that the chair rise and report progress.

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

Page 3380

The Chair

The Chair Lesa Semmler

The motion is in order and is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried. I will now rise and report progress.

---SHORT RECESS

Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole

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The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

May I please have the report of Committee of the Whole. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole

Page 3380

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 23 and Bill 29 and would like to report progress, and, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole

December 9th, 2021

Page 3381

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Do we have a seconder? Member for Frame Lake. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Third reading of bills.

Madam Clerk, will you ascertain if the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, the Honourable Margaret Thom, is prepared to enter the Chamber to assent to bills.

Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole

Page 3381

The Commissioner Of The Northwest Territories Hon. Margaret M. Thom

Mahsi, please be seated.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, good afternoon.

[Translation] Thank you, it is good to be here and see all of you. It seems so long that I was to thank you for your hard work and your patience during these challenging times. I want to say thank you. [Translation Ends].

It seems such a long time to see each and every one of you again. It seems so long ago that I was here addressing you, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and your patience during these challenging times.

As we enter the festive season and what is our third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to face many challenges.

The challenges will continue and I believe that is what gives us courage, gives us strength, and it gives us the opportunity for personal growth. In spite of the challenges, we must keep moving forward with the best of our abilities and always remember the accomplishments that we have each made - both personally and professionally.

The last two years during this pandemic has been very difficult, particularly to those of us who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic or other reasons. We mourn the loss of loved ones, we celebrate and cherish the ones present, and we must have faith and hope for the future and excitement for the ones yet to come.

As you journey home for this well-deserved break with your families, friends, and your constituents, know that you are going to make cherished memories. Memories are precious.

I wish you sincere blessings of the season and Happy Holidays. Mahsi.

Now as the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, I am pleased to assent to the following bills:

  • Bill 24: An Act to Amend the Revolving Funds Act
  • Bill 30: An Act to Amend the Aurora College Act
  • Bill 31: An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act
  • Bill 32: An Act to Amend the Northern Employees Benefits Services Pension Plan Act
  • Bill 33: The National Indigenous Peoples Day Act
  • Bill 36: An Act to Amend the Territorial Court Act
  • Bill 42: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022
  • Bill 43: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 2, 2021-2022
  • Bill 44: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures and Borrowing Authorization), No. 4, 2020-2021
  • Bill 45: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2022-2023

Mahsi Cho, Thank You, Quyanainni, Merci Beaucoup, Koana.

Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole

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Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Madam Commissioner, on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, all the MLAs, and most importantly the residents of the Northwest Territories, we extend our warmest Merry Christmas Greetings to you and your family for your service to the Northwest Territories. Colleagues, please join me in applause for the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Mahsi.

---Applause

Report On Committee Of The Whole
Report On Committee Of The Whole

Page 3381

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Colleagues, on behalf of the House I thank the Commissioner, the Honourable Margaret M. Thom, for being here today. It is always a pleasure to have her in the Chamber.

Thank you also to the interpreters who have worked so hard throughout this sitting. We honour our official languages by using them. The interpreters make this possible for us. Mahsi.

Members, I also want to thank each of you. This sitting has been a challenging one. We have faced multiple delays starting this sitting due to COVID-19 outbreaks in our communities and within this building, and we have dealt with issues in this Chamber, but you have maintained your professionalism throughout. Mahsi. Thank you.

Despite the challenges, this House has done a lot of work and you should feel proud of what you have accomplished. I am particularly proud of our vaccination policies. As leaders within the territory, we have an obligation to lead by example.

Members, I believe we are doing that and I thank each of you for playing your part.

We have also seen many good debates and discussions during this sitting and in this House. We represent ourselves and our constituents and we will not always see eye to eye. That is okay. Conflict and disagreement are unavoidable in our line of work. It is required.

As Members, and the voices of our people, we should not seek to avoid these conflicts and disagreements; rather, we should seek to do so with respect for one another and for this institution. During this sitting, you have done exactly that. I thank you and congratulate you for doing so.

This House will not sit again until the new year, but we will remain busy. Our days will be filled with the ongoing business of committees and government and serving our constituents. Although we will be busy, i remind each of you to take time to reflect upon the holiday season and what it means to you.

Make time for your family and friends. While we are busy in this Assembly and with our duties, these are the people who support us and make it possible for us to do our important work. Show them that they are appreciated.

I know that the holiday season can be a difficult time for some people. If you are having a difficult time, please reach out. I assure you there are many people who want to help and will be there for you.

If you believe somebody else may be having a difficult time, please take the time to check on them and provide them the support they need. As Northerners, we help each other, support each other, and rely on each other.

As we celebrate the holidays, please remember to do so safely. Follow all public health orders, travel safely on our roads, and on the land. Thank you, colleagues.

Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day

Page 3382

Clerk Of The House Mr. Tim Mercer

Orders of the day for Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022:

1. Prayer

2. Ministers' Statements

3. Members' Statements

4. Returns to Oral Questions

  • Oeal Question 846-19(2): Addictions, Aftercare and Mental Health Supports Date of Question - December 1, 2021

5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery

6. Acknowledgements

7. Oral Questions

8. Written Questions

9. Returns to Written Questions

10. Replies to Commissioner's Address

11. Petitions

12. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills

13. Reports of Standing and Special Committees

14. Tabling of Documents

15. Notices of Motion

16. Motions

17. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills

18. First Reading of Bills

19. Second Reading of Bills

20. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

  • Bill 23: An Act to Amend the Public Utilities Act
  • Bill 29: Resource Royalty Information Disclosure Statute Amendment Act

21. Report of Committee of the Whole

22. Third Reading of Bills

23. Orders of the Day