Rocky Simpson

Thank you, Madam Chair. Recommendation 16 speaks to Members leaving politics. I move that this Assembly recommends that Members receive a topup for every year they were in a position as Speaker, Premier, or Minister regardless of when they served in that position.

And further, that this topup not exceed the annual basic indemnity at that time.

The Member will receive one month of the Speaker, Premier, or Minister allowance for every year served in any of those positions with the topup calculated based on the current indemnity allowance paid to a Member holding one of those offices. The time...

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Legislative Assembly considers striking an advisory committee for the appropriate compensation to review all existing names on electoral districts, take into consideration culturally and historically appropriate factors, and to make recommendations, if any, for change. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, I support this motion. This does not increase any Member's pay above current levels but it will reduce a Member's pay if they refuse to sit on two standing committees or the Board of Management. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this Assembly recommend the reference document "So You want to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly" be updated and revised to ensure the information is current, visually appealing, and easy to read. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Minister for that. It's interesting that, you know, we have eight people really on the ground looking after $200 million roughly, which is probably bigger than some departments. So either we're going to have to reassess how we're managing things internally.

Mr. Speaker, what restrictions have been I'd like to ask the Minister what restrictions have been placed on disbursement of funding under the DAP program by the federal government? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I MOVE that this Assembly recommends that the MLAs be advised as to when they are approaching 60 days within being sworn in so they have time to decide about whether to access the supplementary plan to ensure they do not inadvertently miss the deadline. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The first recommendation is that the total number of electoral districts of the NWT remain at 19. The Commission is recommending some adjustments to the electoral boundaries in Yellowknife and Inuvik to balance the size of the constituencies in these multiMember communities.

I move that the existing electoral districts be maintained subject to necessary adjustments to boundaries between electoral districts within Yellowknife and Inuvik as recommended by the 2021 Electoral Boundaries Commission. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I support this motion. It makes it clear that all Regular Members are expected to share the workloads of standing and special committees equally. I should note that membership on the Board of Management will be considered as membership on a committee for the purposes of this recommendation.

The next motion I will introduce will add financial penalties for Members who choose not to sit on at least two committees other than the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight. Thank you.

Madam Chair, as MLAs we have to be accessible to our constituents; therefore, I think the Members' handbook should be amended to allow the Board of Management to consider such requests on a casebycase basis. I support this recommendation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Disaster Assistance Policy was established for a reason; that being, to provide financial support to those impacted by natural disasters that may not be covered through standard insurance policies. The flooding in Hay River is one of those occurrences where that financial support was required, and that support has been well received and appreciated by residents and business owners.

Mr. Speaker, it has now been several months since flooding occurred in Hay River. As we know, many residents have been displaced from their homes, with many continuing to live...