Debates of Oct. 29th, 2024

Mr. Speaker, I think I'm having a difficult time, and I'm sure this will be a personal joke back or a shot or whatever, but I'm having a difficult time understanding this little dance between what a real layoff notice is. Can you imagine the employees, the 32 employees there, hearing this message. 21 weeks is 150 -- or sorry, 40 -- 147 days. It's 153 days. In other words, six days difference between the end of March 31st. So those who follow the math quickly, is it's almost 21 weeks until the end of the budget year. Mr. Speaker, my question specifically to the Minister is can she make it absolutely crystal clear what the plan is in that facility. Because we left here in June that they would find a plan and support for those employees. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Instead of just receiving a notice in the mail, staff went there to personally speak with employees, to let them know what the options are going forward, because there is no more funding for that facility at the end of this fiscal year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Colleagues, our time is up for oral questions.

Recognizing the time, we've been here for a while, we're going to take a break so the -- our translators can rest, take a break as well. Thank you.

Returns to oral questions. Replies to the Commissioner's address. Petitions. Tabling of documents. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following document: Operating Plans for Northwest Territories Education Bodies for the 2024-2025 School Year Ending June 30th, 2025. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Tabling of documents. Minister of Finance.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to table the following two documents: The 70th Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Liquor and Cannabis Commission 2023-2024, and the 70th Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Liquor Licensing Board Enforcement 2023-2024. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Finance. Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document: The Northwest Territories 9-1-1 Service Annual Report 2023-2024. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Tabling of documents.

Notices of motion. Member for Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, October 31st, 2024, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the Legislative Assembly recommends the reappointment of Ms. Nicole MacNeil of Yellowknife as executive director of the Human Rights Commission during good behaviour for a term of four years as recommended by the board of management;

And furthermore, that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of the appointment to the Commissioner.

And Mr. Speaker, at the appropriate time I will be seeking unanimous consent to deal with this motion in the House today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Notices of motion. Member from Range Lake.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, October 31st, 2024, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, that the House call on the Auditor General of Canada to conduct a performance audit of all aspects of the management of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority in its delivery of health care services, including medical travel and the recruitment and retention of nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, and to prioritize this investigation;

And furthermore, that the Speaker formally transmit this motion and the contents of our proceedings in relation to this motion to the Office of the Auditor General of Canada for their consideration.

And Mr. Speaker -- that's fine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Notices of motion. Motions. Member from Yellowknife Centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to deal with the motion I gave notice earlier today. Thank you.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to consider the motion for which notice was given earlier today. Are there any nays? Seeing no nays, Member from Yellowknife Centre, you may proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Section 23(1) of the Human Rights Act provides that the Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, shall appoint an executive director of the Human Rights Commission to carry out the responsibilities set out in the Human Rights Act;

AND WHEREAS the board of management is tasked with recommending an individual to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Assembly is prepared to make a recommendation to the Commissioner;

AND WHEREAS the term of the current executive director of the Human Rights Commission is set to expire.

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that the Legislative Assembly recommends the reappointment of Ms. Nicole MacNeil of Yellowknife as executive director of the Human Rights Commission during good behaviour for a term of four years as recommended by the board of management;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Speaker be authorized to communicate the effective date of the appointment to the Commissioner.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. The motion's in order. To the motion.

Question has been called. All those in favour? Opposed? Abstentions? The motion is carried.

---Carried

Motions. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, October 31st, 2024 I will present Bill 15, Northwest Territories Indigenous-led Conservation Fund Establishment Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Notices of motion for the first reading of bills. First reading of bills. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to present to the House Bill 12, Business Day Statute Law Amendment Act, to be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.