Thank you. With me today, I have Mr. Brad Patzer, assistant deputy minister Attorney General with the Department of Justice. Thank you.

Thank you. I will now turn to the chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, the committee that reviewed the bill for any opening comments on Bill 7.

I will now open the floor to general comments on Bill 7. Yes, I'm going to go to the -- sorry, I'm going to go to the Member from Frame Lake.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, Bill 7, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2024, received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on June 12th, 2024, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review. Bill 7 introduces amendments across a range of existing legislation in the Northwest Territories. These changes are administrative and technical, aimed at improving the clarity, consistency, and accuracy of both English and French language versions of the legislation. The clause-by-clause review of Bill 7 was held on October 2nd, 2024, with the Minister of Justice. During its review, the committee moved four motions to amend the bill, with concurrence from the Minister on all of them.

I want to thank the committee for its work on the review of Bill 7 and, in particular, to committee staff also who brought forward thoughtful changes for committee's consideration. Individuals may have additional comments or questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I will now open the floor to general comments on Bill 7. Any comments? Seeing none. Does committee agree that there are no further general comments?

Can we proceed to clause-by-clause review of the bill? Committee, we will defer the bill number until after consideration of the clauses. There are 33 clauses in the bill, and we will review them in groups. Please turn to page 1 of the bill.

Clauses 1 to 10, does the committee agree?

Thank you. Clauses 11 to 20. Does the committee agree?

Clauses 21 to 30. Does committee agree?

Thank you. Clauses 31 to 33. Does the committee agree?

Thank you. Committee, we will now turn to the bill number and title. Bill 7, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2024, does the committee agree?

Thank you. Committee, to the bill as a whole, does the committee agree that Bill 7, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2024, is now ready for third reading?

Thank you. Does the committee agree that this concludes our consideration of Bill 7, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2024? Committee agree?

Thank you. I want to thank the Minister and your witnesses. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witness from the chamber.

Moving on. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters. Committee Report 9-20(1), Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 8: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. Committee, we have agreed to consider Committee Report 9-20(1), Standing Committee on Social Development Report on Bill 8: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Act. I will go to the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Development for any opening comments. I'm going to go to the Member from Monfwi.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act, was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development on June 12th, 2024. Throughout the committee's review, the committee received positive feedback from students on this proposed change to the student loan. The committee also heard caution from the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to make sure decisions were being made from an evidence-based perspective but ultimately informed the committee that the loan element increase would be something that the department could support. However, when the committee discussed the topic of Northwest Territories' students advancing themselves academically, the committee could not ignore the many aspects of the Northwest Territories' education system that needs to improve so that Northwest Territories' students from all regions and communities have every opportunity to fulfill their academic potential. In particular, our Indigenous students require and deserve dedicated unwavering support from the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The committee has made recommendations to ensure that support be provided by the Government of the Northwest Territories. Individuals may have additional comments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. I will now open the floor to general comments on Committee Report 9-20(1). Is there any questions from Members? Seeing no further comments, Member from Monfwi. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this committee recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories increase education funding to Indigenous communities and Indigenous students in the Northwest Territories to improve the education outcome of Indigenous students. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you.