Brendan Bell

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.

Statements in Debates

Debates of October 23, 2006 , (day 13)

Madam Chair, as I stated in my comments, currently the exemption is $300, plus a further $100 per adult, $80 per child. This proposed amendment raises that to 30 percent of net salaries and wages. As I have indicated as well, this is something we took from other jurisdictions. This is where the bar sits in a number of other jurisdictions. Thank you.

Debates of October 23, 2006 , (day 13)

Madam Chair, for the record, we agree with the Member. She has made, what we think, is a reasoned argument. We know that we need to go to the judges, at any rate, to have the rules of court changed, so I would propose that what I do is direct my officials to sit down with the judges and propose that this be changed to allow this to happen, and I'm prepared to do that. So I think that's how we can best deal with this. The rules of court need to be changed. As the Member said, notice served to employees, the fact that another jurisdiction equals being served to the employee and I think we...

Debates of October 23, 2006 , (day 13)

I want to thank the committee again for their support in this, and thank the Member for her personal interest in this. Obviously her operational experience in the court system probably was behind a number of the suggestions that she was bringing forward in committee. I do believe that they have improved the bill and I think that that's good to see. I look forward to her questions and any other committee questions. Thank you.

Debates of October 23, 2006 , (day 13)

I would. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Debates of October 20, 2006 , (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not familiar with the specific program that the Member is referring to, but I will say that obviously we have an RCMP detachment in Behchoko. We are working very closely with the community to improve community policing in the entire region. I also am aware and know that MACA provides core operational funding to communities. Some of them have chosen to establish bylaw officer positions. I believe there are about 19 across the territory. So some communities are using funding from MACA in that regard, and I'm not sure if that avenue is open to Behchoko but that...

Debates of October 20, 2006 , (day 12)

Mr. Chairman, thank you. With me today, Mark Aitken is the director of legislation, Department of Justice. Thank you.

Debates of October 20, 2006 , (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The purpose of Bill 8, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2006, is to amend various statutes of the Northwest Territories for which minor changes are proposed or errors or inconsistencies have been identified.

Each amendment included in the bill had to meet the following criteria:

It must not be controversial;

It must not involve the spending of public funds;

It most not prejudicially affect the rights of persons; and,

It must not create a new offence or subject a new class of persons to an existing offence.

Departments responsible for the various statutes being...

Question 148-15(5): Safe Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Debates of October 20, 2006 , (day 12)

The answer is yes, Mr. Speaker, we're going to do everything we can to make sure we can pass this legislation in the life of this government. Obviously we're interested to hear what the Regular Members think about this. I'm sure they'll want to talk to their constituents. I think it's going to be a very positive and well received piece of legislation, which should enjoy the support of the House. So we think we can do it in this government. Thank you.

Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Debates of October 20, 2006 , (day 12)

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the urgency. I know it's a priority for the community, and as soon as our schedules can be coordinated, we will look to do that. So I'll have my office speak with the community. Some help from the Member will be wonderful and we'll make sure the two of us can do that. Thank you.

Question 147-15(5): Aboriginal Community Policing Program

Debates of October 20, 2006 , (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of things going on. We do have an Aboriginal Community Constable Program in the RCMP and there are four positions across the territory that have been earmarked, and that essentially is additional funding provided for positions where can have aboriginal officers trained and then take positions in communities. I believe there is one such position in Behchoko. The former Special Constable Program that the RCMP had, the Member's right, has expired. We have had a number of meetings and lobbied the RCMP to restart a program of this nature. The federal...