Thank you, Madam Chair. No, just in regards to carbon tax, what are -- where the carbon tax revenue sharing in regards with the communities that they're going through a tough time right now because of fuel costs, the gasoline costs, to run the hamlet -- to run our hamlets, for heavy equipment and just general labour for the community for watching the roads and the -- you know, the water/sewer companies having to buy increased costs in fuel when, again, you know, our carbon tax -- or carbon that -- is only 0.05 but -- across our territory. I mean, like I said before, they should be paying us in regards to cleaning their air for them.

The biggest thing that I have -- the issue that I have with this is why is it taking so long to give the carbon sharing to the communities in regards to the cost offset for the fuel, gasoline, and the high cost of trying to do businesses in the local hamlet? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Bill 78, Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Act, received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on March 29th, 2023, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment for review. Bill 78 is intended to enable programs that support the goals of preventing waste at the source, diverting waste from disposal, and improving waste disposal practices.

In the committee's review period, the committee heard from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and his staff on June 1st, 2023. The committee was able to have a thorough discussion with the Minister and officials about concerns regarding the Minister's authorities when it comes to waste reduction and resource recovery. The committee negotiated language for five motions to amend Bill 78 with the government.

On July 5th, 2023, the committee held its clause-by-clause review where five amendments were concurred with by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

I would like to thank the committee for its hard work on the review of Bill 78. Individual Members of my committee might have comments. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Bill 74, Forest Act, received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on March 2nd, 2023, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment for a review.

The review period for Bill 74 was extended to 180 days rather than the 120 so the committee could proceed with a thorough review of the first co-drafted legislation of the Northwest Territories. Indigenous governments co-management bodies. The Government of the Northwest Territories worked together to create Bill 74. The bill was the first piece of legislation to be reviewed under the process convention of the introduction, consideration, and enactment of bills drafted pursuant to the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol.

Bill 74 is a second attempt at this legislation that did not pass in the 18th Assembly. It was important for this committee to be thorough in its review to ensure people had their voices heard when they weighed in on this bill. The committee held public hearings in Yellowknife, Whati, Fort Simpson, Enterprise. The committee also received six written submissions. This enabled the committee to get a solid understanding on how the intricacies of the proposed forest management legislation would impact communities, individuals, businesses, and non-governmental organizations.

The committee developed 37 motions to amend the bill and brought them forward for the consideration of the technical working group comprised of the Government of the Northwest Territories and representatives from the Indigenous governments.

The committee held many negotiation sessions with the purpose of seeing where the technical working group stood on the issues and why, and to have the opportunity to do the same.

On August 11th, 2023, the committee held a historic clause-by-clause review of Bill 74 with the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and representatives of the technical working group. The committee moved 28 motions to amend Bill 74. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change concurred with 22 of those motions. It is committee's belief that Bill 74, as amended, is an even stronger and even more representative piece of our legislation.

I would like to thank the committee -- the best committee in the whole Legislative Assembly -- of economic development and environment, for its hard work and my co-chair Mr. Ron Bonnetrouge for all the hard work he's done with me. And I thank him and the rest of the committee.

The review of Bill 74, as well as the work of the legal experts and the committee staff to comply with the tight deadlines outlined in the process convention and guided the review of this bill.

Individual Members may have additional comments or questions, Madam Chair. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, from seldom to regularly, I want my Minister to ask the RCMP superintendent on a go forward on next steps of Frank Gruben. We need answers. I need a plan, a go forward plan, so I could give it to his mother. So I'm requesting the Minister to pick up the phone, either today or tomorrow, just to get the update, so we could update the family. So please and thank you. Have -- show a little bit of empathy and do your job. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what we have -- I guess what -- like I said, somebody knows something. Like the Minister said, somebody knows something. There's $8,050 reward out there for something. And we really just want to bring this to a closure, to bring Frank home back to the Delta and to Aklavik, back to his mother. I really need my Minister to step up to the plate and talk to the superintendent on a go forward -- he doesn't have to tell us in the House. The RCMP could go to the mother and just tell Laura what's happening because she doesn't hear -- like, she didn't hear anything, no updates because of the fire. And I understand that. There's a lot of things going on across our territory. But they have to go see her and let her know the next steps. And are we able to -- I guess, before winter sets in down here in the South Slave, are we able to do another search? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is my justice Minister who represents us as this House with the RCMP, and the RCMP have a signed contract with us. All I'm asking for is what is he able to do in regards to bringing forward to see -- get an update for the family. I know the RCMP are checking on the family because I talked to Laura. So now can this Minister reassure this House, and reassure me, that he's able to talk to the new superintendent of the RCMP to see the go forward steps on the file because we've been away from the -- the community's been under fire evacuation for a few months now. So what's the next steps? Are they -- is it active? So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yeah, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I asked questions in regarding to the missing person of Frank Gruben. And the reason why I used his name a lot in my Member's statement was to make him humanized in regards to when you're bringing it up, you're not just hearing a name or looking at a picture, this is a human being. I really want to thank the Salt River First Nation, all the volunteers for what they did in the community. But, you know, with the fires that we've just been through and all the -- you know, it's almost unbearable for the last six weeks for the community. Where is this case now with the RCMP and what are they doing next to try to bring Frank home to his mother? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, second by the Member of Hay River South, that the Committee Report 75-19(2), Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures Report on Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 2, be received in the Assembly and referred to Committee of the Whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Introduction

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures (Committee) is pleased to report on its review the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. With the 19th Legislative Assembly coming to end the Committee has reviewed the current Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly (the Rules) and is making recommendations to better streamline administrative functions of the parliamentary process of the Northwest Territories. Committee is also making recommendations that the rules be updated to recognize the adoption of the Consensus Government Process Convention on the Introduction and Enactment of Bills Drafted Pursuant to the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol.

BACKGROUND

The Process Convention on the Introduction, Consideration and Enactment of Bills

Drafted Pursuant to the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol was signed by Premier, Chair of Caucus and Chair of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight on March 6, 2023 and was tabled in the Assembly on March 8, 2023.

The Process Convention includes the extension of the referral to standing committee for bills drafted pursuant to the Protocol from 120 to 180 days, the timelines for the consideration of proposed committee amendments and the attendance of IGC representatives in standing committee meetings, in Committee of the Whole and at the formal Assent ceremony following Third Reading of a bill. It is important to note that although The Rules do not address Legislative Proposals, the Process Convention on Standing Committee Review of Legislation does outline the process.

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures has recommended that the Process Convention on the Introduction, Consideration and Enactment of Bills Drafted Pursuant to the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol continue with the 20th Assembly. To help create consistency for the next Assembly:

Recommendation 1 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the Process Convention on the Introduction, Consideration and Enactment of Bills Drafted Pursuant to the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol be renewed in the 20th Assembly to maintain and further develop relationships with Indigenous Governments.

The 20th Assembly should familiarize themselves with the Process Convention and look to enhance this important methodology in the development of land and resources legislation for the Northwest Territories. Examples include the extension of the referral to standing committee for bills drafted pursuant to the Protocol from 120 to 180 days, the timelines for the consideration of proposed committee amendments and the attendance of IGC representatives in standing committee meetings, in Committee of the Whole and at the formal Assent ceremony following Third Reading of a bill. To help promote that integration:

Recommendation 2 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that, when the Process Convention on the Introduction, Consideration and Enactment of Bills Drafted Pursuant to the Intergovernmental Council Legislative Development Protocol is renewed, consideration be given to further integration of the Process Convention into the Rules of the Legislative Assembly.

Administrative Changes to the Rules

The Committee is also recommending changes and clarity to help streamline the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly.

Distribution of the Orders of the Day

Rule 1.6(6) requires the Clerk to “distribute the Order Paper for the day to each Member and to the Speaker”. However, by convention it is typically referred as the “Orders of the Day”. This is a change to create consistency in the rule book and provide greater clarity for members during house procures. To ensure consistency:

Recommendation 3 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 1.6(3) be amended by deleting “Order Paper for the day” and replacing it with “Orders of the Day” and that the title of rule 1.6(6) be amended to read “Distribution of the Orders of the Day”.

Law Clerk's Responsibilities

Rule 1.6(8)(c) requires the Law Clerk to “review within 15 days from the close of each Session all legislation enacted prior to it's distribution”. This is part of a statutory requirement of the Northwest Territories Act and is not required in the Rules. For simplicity:

Recommendation 4 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 1.6(8)(c) be deleted.

Raising a Question of Privilege

Rule 1.7(3) requires a Member to raise a question of privilege “immediately after the words are uttered or the events occur”. However, Rule 1.7(6) states that the Speaker will rule whether the matter was “raised at the earliest opportunity”. To ensure consistency:

Recommendation 5 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 1.7(3) be amended by deleting “immediately after the words are uttered or the events occur that give rise to the question” and replacing it with “at the earliest opportunity”.

Committee Reports Deemed Read

In recent years it has become practice to have long Committee Reports deemed read in their entirety and printed in Hansard. This is often done after an executive summary of the report, including any recommendations, is read in the house. In practice the motion to have the report deemed read has proceeded without notice; however, the Rules do not expressly permit this. To ensure clarity:

Recommendation 6 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the following be added after Rule 6.1(2)(m): “(n) to have a Committee Report deemed read and printed in Hansard in its entirety.”

First Reading of Bills

Rule 8.2(3) relates to a Bill being deemed read at First Reading; however, the wording in the rules is unclear and does not reflect the practice in the house. To ensure clarity:

Recommendation 7 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the wording of Rule 8.2(3) be deleted and replaced with “When the Sponsor of a Bill presents it for first reading the Bill will be deemed read for a first time.”

Board of Management

Rule 9.2(5) requires the Board of Management to be established in accordance with the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. As the establishment of the Board is required by law it is redundant to also require it in the rules. To ensure consistency:

Recommendation 8 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 9.2(5) be deleted.

Standing and Special Committees - Number of Members

Rule 9.2(6) sets the maximum number of Members of a standing Committee at six, other than the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. For Committees with six Members, a quorum of four Members is required. During the current Assembly it has, on occasion, been challenging for Committees with six Members to achieve quorum. To help ensure flexibility in the capability of Standing Committee to achieve quorum and set direction:

Recommendation 9 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 9.3(5) be amended by adding “With the exception of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight, three Members are required for quorum unless the Committee's terms of reference states otherwise.”

List of Members

Rule 9.3(2) requires the Clerk “distribute to every Members a list of the Members comprising the Committees and the Board of Management”. In practice this list is also made public on the Assembly website. To ensure consistency:

Recommendation 10 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 9.3(2) be amended by adding “and make the list available publicly” after the words “Board of Management”.

Notice of Meetings

Rule 9.3(6) requires the Clerk to “post notices of all Committee meetings in the Legislative Assembly office and circulate them to all Members”. With the adoption of the communication website Moodle in the current Assembly, Committee Members are advised of meetings by email notifications via the Moodle platform:

Recommendation 11 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the wording of Rule 9.3(6) be deleted and replaced with “The Clerk shall notify all Regular Members of upcoming meetings and ensure Agendas are available publicly”.

Members May Attend Meetings - Exception

Rule 9.3(11) permits “a Member, who is not a Member of the Executive Council or the Speaker, and who is not a Member of the Committee”, to “attend Standing Committee meetings and may address the Committee after its Members have spoken, according to any limits imposed by the Chair”. Rule 9.3(12) provides an exception to the above rules for “public meetings of Standing Committees or when a Member of the Executive Council has been invited to attend a Standing Committee meeting”. By stating that rule 9.3(11) does not apply for public meetings or meetings when a Member of Executive Council has been invited, 9.3(12) may be interpreted as preventing a Member who is not a Member of the Committee from attending or speaking in these meetings. To ensure clarity:

Recommendation 12 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the wording of Rule 93(12) be deleted and replaced with “All Members may attend public meetings of Standing Committees and may speak according to any limits imposed by the Chair.

Reports of Committees - Response to Report Most Committee reports request a response from Government. Rule 9.4(5) requires a motion to be moved in Committee of the Whole to require a response from Government within 120 days. Consideration of a Committee report and associated recommendations within Committee of the Whole can be a timeconsuming process, often with little debate or discussion around Committee's recommendations. To ensure clarity:

Recommendation 13 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 9.4 (5) be amended to read: The Government will be required to table a comprehensive response to a Committee report, including all recommendations, within 120 days, or at the earliest opportunity subsequent to the passage of 120 days when: a) A report requesting a response is adopted by the Assembly; or b) A motion is adopted by Committee of the Whole requesting a response.

Appearance of Witnesses before Standing or Special Committees Rule 9.6(1) allows Committees to invite witnesses “at the discretion of the Chair”. In practice witnesses are invited with concurrence of the Committee. To ensure consistency:

Recommendation 14 Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 9.6(1) be amended by deleting “at the discretion of the Chair” and replacing it with “with concurrence of the Committee”.

Appearance of Witnesses before Committee of the Whole

Rule 9.6(5) requires the adoption of a motion by the Assembly for a witness to appear before Committee of the Whole on matters other than consideration of bills or estimates. It is conceivable that Committee of the Whole could wish to have a witness appear, in a manner like a Standing or Special Committee. Amending the rules to allow Committee of the Whole to have a witness appear without a formal motion in the Assembly is consistent with the process for having witnesses appear before other Committees. To ensure consistency:

Recommendation 15 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 9.6(5) be amended by deleting “through the adoption of a motion of approval by the Assembly” and replacing it with “with concurrence of Committee of the Whole”.

Point of Privilege

There are several references in the Rules which guides members on the use of a “question of privilege”. However, by convention we typically refer to a “point of privilege” rather than a “question of privilege”. To create consistency:

Recommendation 16 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends Rule 1.7(3) be amended by deleting “question of privilege” and replacing it with “point of privilege”.

Recommendation 17 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends the Sub-Title for Rule 1.7(3) be amended by deleting “question of privilege” and replacing it with “point of privilege”.

Recommendation 18 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends the Sub-Title for Rule 1.7(5) be amended by deleting “question of privilege” and replacing it with “point of privilege”.

Recommendation 19 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends the Sub-Title for Rule 1.7(7) be amended by deleting “question of privilege” and replacing it with “point of privilege”.

Recommendation 20 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 3.1(5) be amended by deleting “question of privilege” and replacing it with “point of privilege”.

Recommendation 21 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 3.2(3)(b)(iii) be amended by deleting “question of privilege” and replacing it with “point of privilege”.

Recommendation 22 The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Rule 6.1(2)(f) be amended by deleting “question of privilege” and replacing it with “point of privilege”.

Conclusion

This concludes the committee report on the review of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly.