Mr. Speaker, can the Premier provide some concrete examples on what efforts the executive has done throughout the 19th Assembly to support the decentralization of public service jobs away from the capital? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I spoke about the importance of decentralization of government jobs and services. Can the Premier confirm if it's a priority of the executive and of Cabinet to promote and support the decentralization of public jobs -- public service jobs away from the capital? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about government decentralization. This is something that I have spoken about several times throughout this term and something that nearly all members have spoken about at one point or another.

Mr. Speaker, decentralization of government jobs and services is a priority of this Assembly. It is a concept and practice that is vital to strengthening small communities and regional centres. For far too long, the Government of the Northwest Territories has normalized and made it standard policy across all departments to centralize all or most government jobs and services to the capital. This has severely limited what type of services are offered or available in communities. This practice removes the option for all people who reside outside the capital from accessing most services from their home communities or regions.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, the decentralization of government jobs has required people, in most cases, to relocate to the capital to work in certain public service positions. And that's a point that was raised in the affirmative action committee report that was read in the House just yesterday. As deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations, I heard direct testimony from many residents across the NWT who mentioned that decentralization of public service jobs is a barrier for them seeking employment in that sector.

Fin closing, Mr. Speaker, all throughout this Assembly I have heard dozens of stories from people across the NWT who were forced to go to the capital whether for medical travel purposes or even to relocate in order to take a new job. In this day and age, people should not have to do that all the time but let's be honest here, it's cumbersome, it is stressful, and inconvenient for residents to have to travel to the capital for every little thing or for jobs that can be located in their communities and regional centres.

I could go on about this, Mr. Speaker, but I will leave it at that. I will have questions for the Premier later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Chair. On my left is Glen Rutland, our deputy clerk. And on my right is Christine Duffy, legislative counsel.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to appear today on Bill 76, An Act to Amend the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act.

The amendments proposed in this Act are in response to Motion 70-19(2). Members passed that motion on November 3rd, 2023.

Madam Chair, this bill amends the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act to establish a commission within two years of the 2023 general election. Normally a commission would not be required until after the 2027 general election. However after this House rejected the recommendations from the most recent commission, it was decided to require a commission after the 2023 general election.

The Act requires a commission to be set up every second Assembly. If passed, commissions will now be created after the 2023 and 2031 general elections.

Madam Chair, the legislation already required a commission to be created within the first two years of an Assembly. The Act was left this way as part of the transition report and we recommended to the next Assembly to create the commission earlier within the first 18 months.

Bill 76 also expands the size of the commission. The commission has been three people - a current or retired judge and two public members. Members were concerned this did not provide enough room for a broader range of views on the commission.

If passed, Bill 76 expands the members from three to five people.

Bill 76 also changes who can serve as chairperson of the commission. The Act currently provides that a current or retired judge of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories chair the commission. Given limited judicial resources, this can be a challenge. Bill 76 allows for a current or sitting judge but also allows for an appointment of a person who is qualified to serve as a judge. This means a lawyer with more than ten years' experience will be eligible to serve as chair. This ensures that the commission has legal knowledge at their disposal. This is important as the commission's recommendations could ultimately affect someone's constitutionally-protected voting rights.

Finally, in recognition of concerns raised by members in the public about riding names, Bill 76 has geographic and place names as to what the commission needs to consider when electoral boundaries and names of ridings.

Finally, the bill makes minor amendments to modernize language used in the Act. This includes moving to gender-neutral language. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, I will have the clerk explain.

Thank you. No, it will not.

On my left is Tim Mercer, clerk of the Legislative Assembly. On my right is Christina Duffy, legislative division, Department of Justice.