The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Member for Sahtu.

Paulie Chinna Sahtu

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

WHEREAS the Order of the Northwest Territories was established in 2013 by the Territorial Honours Act recognizes individuals who have served with the greatest distinction and excellence in the field and endeavours benefiting the people of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS Section 2(1) of the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act provides for the creation of a Northwest Territories Honours Advisory Council to review nominations and recommendation of appointments to the Order of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS Section 21(2)(b) of the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act provides that the council be composed of not more than five members of the public appointed by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendations of the Board of Management;

AND WHEREAS Section 22(2) of the Territorial Emblems and Honours Act provides that the Members of the panel hold office at pleasure for a term not exceeding three years;

AND WHEREAS the appointment of the Members of Honours Advisory expires on June 1st, 2021;

AND WHEREAS the Board of Management is tasking with recommended individuals to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly to prepare to make a recommendation to the Commissioner;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, second by the honourable Member of Hay River North, that the following persons be recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories for reappointment to the NWT Honours Advisory Council:

• Ms. Sabrina Broadhead of Hay River;
• Mr. Danny Gaudet of Deline; and,
• Ms. Anne Peters of Yellowknife.

AND FURTHER, that the effective date of these appointments shall be communicated to the Commissioner by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Mahsi, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Motions. Notice of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Minister of Finance.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you, Minister. Pursuant to Rule 8.2(3), Bill 71, Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2023-2024, is deemed read for the first time and now is ready for second reading.

First reading of bills. Second reading of bills. Minister of Justice.

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that Bill 65, Builder's Lien Act, be read for the second time.

This bill repeals the Mechanics Lien Act. It replaces it with a new act that sets out modern law regarding builder's liens, an area of construction law. Specifically this new act sets out the following:

• trust provisions and the duties of owners, contractors and subcontractors and vendors as trustees of revenue received;
• details respecting how liens are created and calculated and how they can be applied as interest against land;
• holdbacks and finishing holdbacks to ensure that contractors and subcontractors are not left out-of-pocket and the consequences of non-payment of holdbacks;
• expiry, preservation and perfection of liens;
• rights to information about contracts, subcontracts, trust funds, substantial performance and accounts;
• examination and liability for not providing that information including for costs;
• discharge of a preserved or perfected lien;
• jurisdiction by the Supreme Court;
• appointment of trustees and their powers;
• priorities of liens over other interests and agreements;
• surety bonds, their use and the rights of action that they impart;
• miscellaneous provisions including acting in bad faith, abuse of process, service, how rules of the Supreme Court are applied;
• regulation-making authority; and,
• transitional provisions.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In my previous life, I've had the experience of dealing with our Mechanics Lien Act, and I just want to commend the Minister on getting this done. It was a severely outdated piece of legislation, and I'm quite excited to get this done and review it in committee. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Thank you. To the principle of the bill.

The Deputy Speaker Lesa Semmler

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion is carried. Bill 65 has had second reading and is referred to standing committee for further consideration.

---Carried

Second reading of bills. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member of Yellowknife South that Bill 66, An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act, be read for the second time.

This bill makes several amendments to the Property Assessment and Taxation Act. The bill adjusts and clarifies certain definitions. It also gives the director of assessments greater authority in respect of first assessment orders, corrections to the rolls, and carrying out supplementary assessments.

The bill updates provisions respecting municipal boards of revision, territorial boards of revision and the assessment appeal tribunal to extend terms of appointment, to adjust decision-making timelines, to allow for sole adjudication in certain circumstances; and, to change the title of "secretary" to "registrar."

The bill also gives municipal employees the ability to purchase property at public auction with the approval of municipal council. Thank you, Madam Speaker.