Glen Abernethy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to make a few comments with respect to the principle of this bill. I am not 100 percent convinced that this bill is actually ready for second reading. There has been a lot of talk in the community about the bill and the concerns different groups have had. There is no question in my mind, Mr. Speaker, that the bill does need to be replaced. The existing bill needs to be replaced. It is old. It is antiquated. It doesn’t meet the needs of the people of the Northwest Territories clearly. I have to applaud the department. They have been working on this bill for...

Mr. Speaker, thank you for that and thanks to the Minister for his response once again. I have a quick thought. The Minister was talking about working with the NWT Arts Council. The NWT Arts Council has spent significant amounts of money over the last 10, 20 years, whatever the case may be, to support our northern artists to have the new initiatives. I would like the Minister to talk with the NWT Arts Council to see if there is an opportunity to do a curative show on the history of the NWT Arts Council and all the projects they supported. Will the Minister consider that as an option for a...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. By supporting curative shows here in the Northwest Territories, we are opening local artists to significant opportunities of a national level through Canada Council sponsored shows, training opportunities and international events. Mr. Speaker, these, by default, increase the national and international awareness of the NWT, which is great for tourism. Support for artists is a win-win scenario. As such, I would like to thank the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment for committing to begin the work on facilitating curative shows of northern arts and crafts here in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last October I made a statement in this House and asked the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment a number of questions regarding the possibility of facilitating curated art and/or craft shows and exhibits here in the Northwest Territories. A curated show is usually one where a collection of items, such as paintings, are pulled together by a professional body who has an interest in displaying this certain body of work in order to highlight the cultural and historic value. The body of work is usually researched and its significance is outlined as part of the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Monday there is going to be a referendum in Yellowknife on the Con Mine community energy system. I’ve talked with City officials to get a firm understanding of the project proposal and I want to share that information to help voters make a wise decision.

It’s important to be clear what the vote is or isn’t and what citizens are being asked to approve. This vote is not a final investment decision or a vote to go ahead with the project. Referendum approval would allow the City to talk to partners in a meaningful way. It would give the signal of serious intention private...

Agreed. Thank you, committee. Bill 2 is now deemed ready for third reading. What is the wish of committee? Mrs. Groenewegen.

I’ll now go to Mr. Beaulieu to respond to the general comments made so far.

Thank you, committee. That’s all the clauses. Let’s turn to page 1. Bill 2, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act. Agreed?

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Ms. Bisaro.

Consideration begins on page 1. We will defer the bill number and the title and go straight into clause-by-clause. Is committee agreed?