Glen Abernethy

I move that this committee recommends that the “housekeeping” amendments, which are identified by the Chief Electoral Officer on pages 42 to 45 of the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer, with the exception of his recommendation 21, be considered by legislative drafting during the preparation of the other amendments.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer provide the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures with recommendations for additional specific enforcement powers for the Chief Electoral Officer, and substantiation for each of those powers.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Elections and Plebiscite Act be amended to define the term “sponsor” as a person or organization that pays for, provides or incurs the cost of the campaign material bearing their identification. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer develop detailed recommendations to replace the provisions for advance polls in communities without returning officers and fewer than 500 residents, with a new special voting opportunity, and report back to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer identify options for a clearer definition for the term “broadcasting” and report back to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer ensure that for the next general election there is an improved signage to clearly identify the location of polling stations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank my colleague Mr. Bromley for bringing us to this point in the report.

The committee heard a number of concerns about the valuation of signs reused from previous election campaigns. The committee believes it is unfair to value reused signs at their full cost for the purposes of calculating campaign expenses. Instead, reused signs should be valuated using a consistent standard based on accounting principles that reflect depreciated value.

The committee heard that some polling stations, particularly in the city of Yellowknife, were not as clearly identified...

I move that this committee recommends that the Public Service Act be amended so that the authority to grant leave to an employee who wishes to seek nomination to be a candidate resides with the deputy minister accountable for the administration of that act, rather than with the Minister.

Madam Chair, I move that this committee recommends that the Chief Electoral Officer develop a standard phrase to be used to identify sponsors on campaign material, and include that information in guidelines for candidates. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document, entitled 2012 Annual Report on the Public Utilities Board of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.