Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this recommendation relates to the transition allowance that former Members are entitled to when they leave office. While I understand and appreciate the intention of this recommendation, it would make the calculation of the transition allowance unnecessarily complicated and may bring it out of line with the coolingoff period that applies to all Members when they leave office. I think the transition allowance is fine as it is and therefore I recommend defeat of this motion. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, this recommendation is a little confusing as one of the duties of an Electoral Boundaries Commission laid out in legislation is to recommend the names of electoral districts. As we will see a little later, the commission has recommended a minor change to the name of one district. I am not certain that we have adequate time to complete this review and change legislation prior to the next election, Madam Chair, but I support the recommendations. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this Assembly recommends that if a Member is removed from a committee, the $2,000 stipend would be removed and prorated to the date of removal. If they become a Member of another committee, the stipend would be reinstated once they become a Member of that committee. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, I support this motion. This is a useful document for those thinking about running for office, and it should be updated in time for the next election. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It sounded like that was just kind of a generalization so there wasn't any really specific answer, I guess, with respect to, you know, any restrictions by the federal government. But I'll move on.

Mr. Speaker, residents and businesses are concerned that they are required to cover the cost above the advanced payment received for damages and then submit receipts for reimbursement for the other half. The only way for many to accomplish this is through a loan as many do not have the funds available. I'd like to ask the Minister is this a federal or GNWT requirement, and...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I support this motion.

Madam Chair, I recommend that this motion be accepted. I know that even minor adjustments to the electoral boundaries can be problematic for both Members, candidates, and most importantly residents. But some of the ridings in Yellowknife have grown much more rapidly than others and rebalancing is required. The same is true to a lesser extent in Inuvik. We strike independent Commissions to do this work for us to try and keep politics out of these important decisions. Madam Chair, I support the recommendations. Thank you.

I move that this Assembly recommends that the basic indemnity payable to every Member, with the exception of the Speaker, Premier, and Ministers, be reduced by $4,000.

And further, that Members, with the exception of the Speaker, Premier, and Ministers, receive a stipend of $2,000 for each standing committee they are a member of, to a maximum of $4,000. If a Member sits on more than two committees, there will be no additional stipend paid. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I guess, I look at this and I listen to the discussion and I think about the people out there that will probably never come to this building, don't feel welcome in this building and, you know, will probably never talk to some of you as MLAs here. And, you know, I guess coming from Hay River, coming from a you know, a community again, my office is on main street. I get people in there that again, that walk by and just come in. And I probably get, you know, 20, 25 people a day coming through there. Some of them just to drink coffee and other ones to actually you know...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's been a few months here since flooding occurred in Hay River, and people want to get back in their homes. So Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister what is the staff complement and duties of those persons currently assisting residents and businesses affected by the flood in Hay River? Thank you.