Louis Sebert

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can advise that the amount held is in excess of $2 million, broken down as follows: $1,550,000 is held as a guaranteed investment certificate under the water licence; $250,000 is held as cash under the surface lease; and an additional $275,000 is held as cash under land use permits, for a total amount of $2,075,000. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 25, An Act to Amend the Residential Tenancies Act, be read for the second time. This bill amends the Residential Tenancies Act to adjust the definition of "tenant," provide authority to rental officers to correct minor errors in their orders and decisions, require that orders and decisions of rental officers be filed in accordance with the regulations, allow for regulations to establish methods for filing orders and decisions of rental officers, and address inconsistencies and improve the clarity and...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, June 1, 2017, I will move that Bill 29, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017 be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, an important element of the Open Government Policy was public engagement. We went around to the communities, and one of the things we did hear was concerns about, when information was provided by the public, how it was dealt with by the government. We wanted to make it clear that there were different types of engagements with the public. There were sessions in which information was merely provided, and others that we were seeking their input and engagement, so that helps us form legislation and policy. Engaging with the public is an important element of what we have been doing...

One of the commitments of this legislature and included in our mandate, of course, which was developed by all of us together, is to establish the office of an ombudsman. We have sent a legislative proposal to standing committee, and we are looking forward to their response.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The road involved, of course, does not only go across territorial lands, but also part of a national park. Now, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada will sign the decision letter for the Prairie Creek road environmental assessment, and we will contribute to the decision process, so it is a combination of us working with them once this is determined. I do share the Member opposite's concern about this. I think we all recognize that there can be downsides to development, but hopefully there is a sufficient regulatory system and security in place to allay...

Yes, I understand that the most recent cost estimates were carried out in 2013, where it was found that the current site liability is $9 million, and I understand that the way that we are looking at this is we are ensuring that the proponent is in compliance with all current security requirements. However, as the project proceeds, there may be a need for more security in the future.

Mr. Speaker, as a government we have committed in our mandate to improve access to justice by making family law duty counsel services available to assist people representing themselves in court. Today, I would like to provide an update on how this government is meeting and exceeding that commitment with an initiative to assist residents involved in civil or family justice matters. As Members are aware, the Legal Aid Commission piloted an initiative to provide basic legal advice on civil matters. The outreach lawyer held weekly clinics in Yellowknife and delivered service clinics in 19...

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Coroner's Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. I'd be happy to make that commitment.