Robert C. McLeod

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do agree with the Member’s comment and I think this whole Assembly agrees with it. That’s why this Assembly has determined that in the life of the 16th Assembly the amount of money that we’ve put into youth is unprecedented in any Assembly before us. I think that goes a long way in showing that we do recognize that investing in youth is a very good issue and it’s something that we all support. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Elections Act, be read for the third time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, I would, Mr. Chairman.

Yes, I do, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to speak about the value of strong community governments in the Northwest Territories.

Responsive community governments are critical to support healthy, safe, and vibrant communities. To assist the community governments in their efforts, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs works closely with the NWT Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the NWT to provide training, resources, and opportunities for community governments to work with and learn from each other.

The NWT Association of Communities and the Local...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me today Mr. Mike Aumond to my left, deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs; Mr. David Kravitz is manager of community governance; Mr. Mark Aitken is director of legislation for Department of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am here to present Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Local Authorities Elections Act.

The amendments included in Bill 8 are intended to update and modernize the legislation to keep pace with the needs of local authorities in the Northwest Territories, and reflect the input of our partners, the NWT Association of Communities and the Local Government Administrators of the NWT. I would like to extend my thanks to these organizations for their advice and assistance, and to the participants on the peer review group who contributed a significant amount of time and...

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Monday, May 16, 2011, I will move that Bill 19, Cost of Credit Disclosure Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A strong volunteer sector contributes directly to sustainable, vibrant and safe communities, one of the priorities of this Legislative Assembly. I would like to speak today about the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs’ work to support the volunteer sector in the Northwest Territories and about the importance of volunteers to our communities.

MACA offers a number of programs intended to support residents in their volunteer efforts. Through the Volunteer Organization Development Contribution Program, MACA provides cost-shared opportunities for volunteers to seek...

In the past we had community liaison officers in some of the communities, but the funding for that was deleted in anticipation of the government service officers coming on board. I believe we have eight communities now that are piloting this particular program. The NWT Housing Corporation was working closely with the Executive as to what we see these folks doing on our behalf in the communities. I believe in one of the Member’s communities there is a government services officer. So this is a pilot project right now. Once we’re able to see the results of this, it may be something that is...