Thank you. To the motion. Member for Thebacha.
Debates of March 30th, 2021
This is page numbers 2603 - 2636 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 community.
Topics
Committee Motion 103-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Regulations for Electronic Voting, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Committee Motion 103-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Regulations for Electronic Voting, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2614
Frieda Martselos Thebacha
Thank you. I just want to make sure that we still have the option of voting by ballot. Is that going to be taken into consideration in this recommendation?
Committee Motion 103-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Regulations for Electronic Voting, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2614
Committee Motion 103-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Regulations for Electronic Voting, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2614
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Mr. Chair. Certainly, that was one of the issues that committee did consider. Committee was of the view that we always want to have in-person, paper ballots available for future elections. Certainly, for elders, seniors, that is what people are used to, and we don't want to take that opportunity away. There is nothing in this recommendation that requires electronic voting, but if there is electronic voting, we need to make sure that we have some clear guidance on how that will be done in the future. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 103-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Regulations for Electronic Voting, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2614
Committee Motion 103-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Regulations for Electronic Voting, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2614
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 103-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Regulations for Electronic Voting, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2614
The Chair Rocky Simpson
Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. O'Reilly.
Committee Motion 104-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Election Rebate Program, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2614
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that Elections NWT implement and administer an election rebate program as laid out in the report for candidates starting with the 2023 territorial election. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 104-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Election Rebate Program, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2614
Committee Motion 104-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Election Rebate Program, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Mr. Chair, I want to give MLA Green a lot of credit. She chaired in, at the last Assembly, a special committee on increasing the representation in women. One of the recommendations that they brought forward was that some consideration be given to a rebate program to sort of lower the barriers for women in particular getting into politics. Committee accepted a further presentation from Ms. Green on this topic, and we were happy to put forward the rebate program that she has recommended. I'll just list the criteria for that very quickly for members of the public and to refresh Members' memories about this.
- Fifty percent of eligible expenses to a maximum rebate of $3,000 per candidate;
- Candidate must receive a minimum of 5 percent of votes cast in that electoral district;
- Candidate's official agent must file their complete financial paperwork by the deadline;
- Acclaimed candidates would also be eligible for a rebate;
- Only cash expenses incurred by the candidate that are not offset by fundraising would be eligible;
- Committee recommends that alcohol and cannabis be excluded as eligible expenses; and
- The Chief Electoral Officer would also report on any rebate costs as part of the report on the conduct of the election.
That is what this is all about. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 104-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Election Rebate Program, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Committee Motion 104-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Election Rebate Program, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
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Julie Green Yellowknife Centre
Thank you, I appreciate the committee taking up this recommendation. It was a piece of unfinished business from the Special Committee to Increase Representation of Women in the Legislative Assembly, which was in the 18th Assembly. The idea is that this rebate would apply equally to men and women. It would lower the barrier of financial cost, the cost of being in an election, as a reason not to run and widen the pool of candidates who would be able to run. The total cost is very affordable, it's just over $55,000 based on the 2019 election, and yet, it would open the doors to additional people considering entering elected politics. I am appreciative of the committee's work on this report and for bringing this motion forward. Thank you.
Committee Motion 104-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Election Rebate Program, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Committee Motion 104-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Election Rebate Program, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 104-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Election Rebate Program, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
The Chair Rocky Simpson
Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. O'Reilly.
Committee Motion 105-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Email Addresses, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that "email address" be included under section 54(2) of the Elections and Plebiscite Act; and further, that email addresses should only be used to maintain or update the register of electors and not be shared with any candidate. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 105-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Email Addresses, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Committee Motion 105-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Email Addresses, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 105-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Email Addresses, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
The Chair Rocky Simpson
Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. O'Reilly.
Committee Motion 106-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Personal Information Held by a Public Body, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Mr. Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Elections and Plebiscites Act be amended to require a public body at request to provide the personal information held by that body. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 106-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Personal Information Held by a Public Body, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Committee Motion 106-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Personal Information Held by a Public Body, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake
Thanks, Mr. Chair. Just very quickly, the way the Elections Act reads now, there are some individuals who have information, say the Director of Medical Insurance, deputy minister responsible for student financial assistance, deputy minister of Justice, and they're named in the legislation. The Chief Electoral Officer recommended that there would also be additional information in the motor vehicle registry that would be very helpful in keeping our voters lists up to date. We are proposing some more general language so that the Chief Electoral Officer can acquire that data, with appropriate controls and consideration of privacy, to make sure that we have the best available voters lists for future elections. That's what this recommendation is about. Thanks, Mr. Chair.
Committee Motion 106-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Personal Information Held by a Public Body, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Committee Motion 106-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Personal Information Held by a Public Body, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
Some Hon. Members
Question.
Committee Motion 106-19(2): Committee Report 9-19(2) - Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on the Chief Electoral Officer's Report on the Administration of the 2019 Territorial General Election - Personal Information Held by a Public Body, Carried
Consideration Of Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Page 2615
The Chair Rocky Simpson
Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Mr. O'Reilly.