Merci, Monsieur le President. I love Private Member's bills. I had one successful bill in the last Assembly and another before the House now. They are an important mechanism to advance policy and the public interest when Cabinet will not do so or has other priorities.
As easy as it is here to get a Private Member's bill to the floor, that's not the case in many other places.
I recently became aware of a Private Member's bill before the House of Commons in Ottawa sponsored by the Member, the Member of Parliament for Churchill-Keewatinook-Aski Ms. Niki Ashton, that has a good chance of getting to a Standing Committee.
Bill C-245 would amend the Canada Infrastructure Act to accomplish a number of things in the interest of NWT residents.
The goal of this federally established institution is to invest $35 billion in priority sectors - public transit, clean power, green infrastructure, broadband, and trade and transportation, including a new target to invest $1 billion in Indigenous infrastructure across these areas.
However, there are some shortcomings with the existing Canada Infrastructure Act including the following: ·
- An overwhelming focus on leveraging private and institutional investment with no explicit priorities or criteria;
- A board without Indigenous or northern representation requirements; and
- Limited public reporting.
- I can say that Bill C-245 fixes most of these issues with three pages of simple amendments. These include:
- Insertion of climate change mitigation and adaptation into the purpose of the legislation;
- A clearer set of functional principles for the bank's operation with more a public investment focus;
- Clear priorities for the Bank including investments in northern and Indigenous communities and projects that are not harmful to the environment;
- A requirement for First Nations, Metis and Inuit membership on the board; and.
- Special annual reports on the implementation of these new priorities.
I will have questions for the Premier on whether Cabinet supports this Private Member's bill and the improvements it will bring to the Canada Infrastructure Bank in the interest of NWT residents. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
