Thank you. Does the committee agree? Thank you. We'll take a short recess and resume with the first item.
---SHORT RECESS
Debates of June 7th, 2024
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Topics
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Chair Richard Edjericon
Committee, we have agreed to consider Tabled Document 93-20(1), Main Estimates 2024-2025. We will now consider the Legislative Assembly.
Does the Speaker wish to bring witnesses into the House?
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Chair Richard Edjericon
Thank you. Sergeant-at-arms, please escort the witnesses into the chambers.
Thank you. Would the Speaker introduce his witnesses.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my left is Glen Rutland, clerk of the Legislative Assembly. And on my right is Kim Wickens, deputy clerk of the Legislative Assembly, deputy clerk members and precinct services.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Chair Richard Edjericon
Thank you. Does the committee agree to forego general comments on the Legislative Assembly?
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Chair Richard Edjericon
So if we could proceed to the details contained in the tabled document. Committee, we will defer the Legislative Assembly summary and review the estimates by activity summary, beginning with expenditure on behalf of the Members starting on page 8. Are there any questions? Seeing none, no further questions, please turn to page 9.
The Legislative Assembly expenditure on behalf of Members, operations expenditure summary, 2024-2025 Main Estimates, $10,512,000. Does the committee agree? Show of hands.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Chair Richard Edjericon
Thank you. Moving on to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer beginning on page 10, with information items on page 12. Are there any questions? No further questions, please turn to page 11.
Legislative Assembly, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, operations expenditure summary, 2024-2025 Main Estimates, $582,000. Does the committee agree? By show of hands.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Some Hon. Members
Agreed.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Chair Richard Edjericon
Thank you. Moving on to the Office of the Clerk, beginning on page 13 with information items on page 15. Are there any questions? I'm going to go to the Member from Great Slave.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Kate Reid Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Chair. So as a first-time MLA, I have noticed that in our regular work when we are broadcast to the public, both in our committee work and here on this floor, there have been issues with technical difficulties, audio/visual difficulties, and I was wondering maybe if the Speaker or his staff could speak to if any budget is contemplated in the Office of the Clerk for renewing the systems? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chair. With your permission, I'll turn discussion to Ms. Wickens, please.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Kim Wickens
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you to the Member for the question. So back in 2022, the Legislative Assembly instituted a phased approach to update both the broadcasting and interpretation systems within the Legislative Assembly. Prior to the 20th Assembly, what we did was upgrade all the interpretation systems so that Members could also be understood as well as speak their official languages in the Chamber as well as our committee rooms. The second phase of the approach is to actually update the technology within the Chamber. And there's no line item within the main estimates at this time. What we're doing is exploring options, and then hopefully you'll see that in the near future. Thank you, Mr. Chair
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Kate Reid Great Slave
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you to deputy clerk for that answer. I ask simply because it's important that the people of the NWT see and hear us and see our deliberations in all of our capacities. So making sure we have systems that work, pretty important. So that's more a comment than anything. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
The Chair Richard Edjericon
Thank you. Any Members that want to speak to on page 15? The Member from the Sahtu.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Daniel McNeely Sahtu
On page 15, more in the Office of the Clerk there. The summary, I'm looking at the House procedure and committees, and I see an increase in there, which is good. I just want some detail or clarification. Is it the Assembly committees that are getting this increase? Thank you.
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Shane Thompson Nahendeh
Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I thank the Member for the question. It's just for our reorganization as we move forward, so yes.