Brendan Bell was first elected to the 14th Legislative Assembly on December 6th, 1999. Born on August 17th, 1971 Brendan has lived in the NWT since 1980. He now lives in Yellowknife with his wife Jill and their daughter Emily.
Prior to his election to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Bell was a business owner and also worked for a management-consulting firm in Yellowknife for several years. Brendan has Bachelor of Commerce and Masters in Business Administration degrees.
In the 14th Assembly Brendan was appointed Chair of Standing Committee on Social Programs, Chair of Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, and Chair of Special Committee on Conflict Process. He also served as a member of both the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight and the Special Committee on the Review of the Official Languages Act.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Jury Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Jury Act so that the sheriff may compile the jury list from records of the names and addresses of insured persons maintained under the Medical Care Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Debates of
, (day 16)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think those are a number of good questions. First, I agree that just because there is a self-government arrangement doesn’t meant he GNWT is able to take a step back approach and wash their hands of the need to encourage investment, encourage entrepreneurship and encourage the development of tourism businesses. We are doing that. Obviously we would like to do more and that’s where Tourism 2010 comes into play. We have a number of initiatives that speak to product development, speak to tourism training in all regions but require money and investment.
Mr. Speaker, a couple of issues. I think both of them were raised in the HR review. There were many, as Mr. Ramsay has pointed out a number of times, recommendations that we are moving forward with. I think communications have vastly improved at the facility. I think programming is ever improving, Mr. Speaker. Can we do more and can we do better? Yes, I believe we can, but I think we have a number of good programs in place, some recent media coverage, some speculation that we cancelled some programs. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we have reviewed some of our programs and are seeking to improve...
Debates of
, (day 16)
Mr. Chairman, it is a little different than the discussion I just had with the Member for the Sahtu because we are talking about the interim agreements. The section that talks about tourism licensing and the interim agreements. I don’t think speaks to employment. Of course, where there is a settled claim, often, as I mentioned, there is the provision to enter into an access and benefits agreement. It isn’t quite the same in the unsettled regions. I will certainly concede that. But these are the kinds of discussions we need to have as we sit down to talk about what happens. We try to make...
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The first level of appeal when an inmate has a concern is, as it should be, I believe, in the Department of Corrections. But sometimes the inmate won’t get the satisfaction they feel that they need there and would like to take it to the higher level. The Member has cited the provision that allows for that. We have never had, to my understanding, a staff person who fulfills that role. We have gone out for expressions of interest in the past and had people on contract. We no longer have somebody on contract. The department has advised me that we would seek to do...
Debates of
, (day 16)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I agree that it is a gem, and we have felt for some time that we hadn't done enough work there in order to make this park a reality, and that's why we've stepped up the efforts here. I appreciate the support of the Member. We have asked the committee to identify some candidates for us. I can certainly tell the Member that I envision the successful candidate I certainly hope will be a beneficiary who knows the area well. I think that's in everybody's best interest, so that's what we're aiming for. Thank you.
Debates of
, (day 16)
Mr. Chairman, I understand within the interim agreements that we set out with these regions, Dehcho and Akaitcho regions specifically, there are provisions that speak to exactly how tourism operator licences are granted and so we would follow the agreements. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Speaker, obviously the Member and I agree. Access to justice is critical. We need to make sure that those who can’t afford legal representation, when they are in legal need, have that access. We have had some concern.
The Members on the other side have raised questions continually about our caseloads and backlogs. I am happy to say that we are making some significant progress. We typically averaged well over 100 people on the waiting list. I think we have that down now, I understand, as of September 1st, south of 50, I believe, who are waiting to be assigned lawyers. We have a mixed...
Debates of
, (day 16)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. No, the tourism officers are in existence now. Their titles are not changing. They have this designation. So they aren't the creation of any new positions. Thank you.
Debates of
, (day 16)
Mr. Chairman, in terms of ongoing monitoring, we aren't out there acting to police the industry, and that's why I say that we do need communities to come forward, and the aboriginal organizations, on a complaint basis if they have concerns about an operator, they don't feel the conditions of it's 7(1)(a) and 7(1)(b) are being met. They need to bring that to our attention; obviously, to the proper authority in the Inuvialuit settlement region, as well. If they are significant concerns that haven't been addressed, then we wouldn't issue the renewal of the licence. Thank you.
