Thank you, Member. Minister.

Thank you. The number one sick day is "spring ahead," so daylight savings. I'm not sure if I have the estimates of how much that costs the government on an annual basis, but we do see a significant cost to the GNWT. Thank you.

Thank you. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I think that reason alone is to get rid of the time change. It's also one of the most common sick days in the private sector, costing private businesses millions of dollars every year. When Alberta went out, 93 percent of Albertans wanted to get rid of it; BC, 90 percent. In almost every jurisdiction, it's been well over 75 percent to 90 percent of Canadians want to get rid of time change. Yukon went and did it. They went to permanent Daylight Saving Time. The Alberta government is ready to go. They're going to get rid of it. Can we just do this already? Is the Minister willing to get rid of time change and adopt a permanent Daylight Saving Time? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Thank you. If this bill passes, then there needs to be a period of public engagement, and then we can move on with doing that work. Thank you. I'm anxious. I'm looking forward for Alberta to do it so that we can do it. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes. I recognize the debate here is whether to do it if Alberta does it. I am of the view that we can do what the Yukon did and just do it anyways. I think permanent Daylight Saving Time is the way to go, not permanent standard time. Can I just get confirmation: the wording of this bill is slightly confusing to me, and I believe this is the case. We're scrapping the daylight savings regulations to create one standard time, but that standard time still could be Daylight Saving Time year round if we want it. Is that correct?

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Yes.

Member for Yellowknife North.

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Thank you. Unfortunately, no, I don't, but I can let the Member know that we'll be ready. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Member.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Regardless, if Alberta does this, we have to follow suit. Is the Minister willing to go out and get some public engagement before about support for this? I suspect, if we do poll the people in the NWT, there will be overwhelming support as has been the case in every other Canadian jurisdiction who has done this work? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Member. Minister.

Thank you. I've already talked to the department about getting a website and an email address going so that members of the public can provide their comments. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister. Are there any further general comments? Member for Hay River South.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm pleased to see this bill. We're not Alberta, and maybe they're waiting for us to make the first move. I am pleased to see that there's engagement out there. If it looks like we have to pull the trigger on it, then we do it. Then they'll probably follow right behind us. I'm looking forward to it. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister.

Thank you. I made some gambles today, but I don't know if I'm willing to make that kind of a gamble. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Minister. Are there any further general comments to Bill 13? Seeing none, we can proceed to the clause-by-clause review of the bill. Committee, we will defer the bill number and title until after consideration of the clauses. Please turn to page 1 of the bill. Clause 1 does committee agree?

---Clauses 1 through 5 inclusive approved

Committee, to the bill as a whole. Does committee agree that Bill 13, An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act is now ready for third reading?