David Ramsay

Thank you, Madam Chair. To my right is Mr. Mark Aitken, assistant deputy minister, Attorney General’s office. To my left is Brian Asmundson, public trustee, Northwest Territories.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I just wanted to mention to the House that it’s the last time Ms. Kemeys-Jones is going to be appearing at the witness table at the Legislative Assembly. I want to thank her for all her work and I’m sure Members join me in thanking her very much for all her years of dedicated service to the people of the Northwest Territories. Thanks.

---Applause

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to appear before the committee today to assist in your review of Bill 59, Estate Administration Law Amendment Act.

The Estate Administration Law Amendment Act is an omnibus bill that would amend four separate acts that deal with estate administration: the Children’s Law Act, the Guardianship and Trusteeship Act, the Intestate Succession Act and the Public Trustee Act.

A primary focus of the proposed amendments is the changes necessary to ensure that existing legislation is consistent with the new Estate Administration Rules of the Supreme Court of the...

Thank you. They’re usually working off their fines anyway. So now they’d be having the ability to work off the surcharge as well. So we don’t anticipate any further workload. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, I would.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, we can do that and we will do that. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents, entitled “2014-2015 Grants and Contributions Results Report, October 2015,” and “NWT Community Futures Program 2013-2014 Annual Report.” Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. To my right is Ms. Shirley Kemeys-Jones, assistant deputy minister, Office of the Solicitor General; and to my left, Cherie Jarock, legislative counsel, Department of Justice.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to be here today to talk to you about Bill 63, An Act to Amend the Victims of Crime Act. I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Social Programs for its review of the bill.

In 2013 the federal government gave assent to Bill C-37, Increasing Offenders’ Accountability for Victims Act. As a result of those amendments, offenders are now allowed to use fine option programs to work off surcharges. In response, Bill 63 would amend the territorial Victims of Crime Act to allow offenders to resolve their surcharges by means of the NWT Fine Option Program.

Thes...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank the Member and thank the committee again for their input into the bill. We certainly listened intently to the questions that came up at the committee review and appreciate the Member’s input into the bill you see before you.