Thank you. Tabling of documents.
Mr. Speaker, can we go back to the recognition of visitors in the gallery, please.
Member from the Sahtu is asking unanimous consent for recognition of visitors in the gallery. Seeing no nays, recognition of visitors in the gallery. Mr. Premier.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We've been honoured to be joined by a delegation today from the Tlego'hli Got'ine government. I am not quite sure all who's in the building but I will recognize the list I have here. I see President Sherry Hodgson; vice-president Heidi Hodgson; treasurer secretary Jackie MacDonald; director Laurel MacDonald; director Lisa MacDonald; chief negotiator, a former MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew; elder and community advisor Margaret MacDonald; legal counsel David Rolf; and, advisor Paul Tan. I am excited to welcome them to the Assembly for a celebration on their self-government agreement Act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from the Sahtu.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the Premier for that announcement. I too would like to share my pleasure in recognizing the delegation from the Tlego'hli Got'ine government, starting with Sherry Hodgson, the President of the organization; Heidi Hodgson, the vice-president; Jackie MacDonald, Treasurer Secretary; Laurel MacDonald, director; Lisa MacDonald, director; Ethel Blondin-Andrew, chief negotiator; Margaret MacDonald, elder and community advisor; and legal counsel David Rolf; and, advisor Paul Tan. Welcome to the Assembly and welcome to the celebration on the self-government status.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to recognize the Tlego'hli Got'ine government that are here, and also former MP Ethel Blondin. It's good to see her here. Welcome. And also I would like to recognize Bertha Kavik, one of the translators here as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. Member in the -- Premier recognized this exciting moment, and we're looking forward. We'll try to get everything done by 2 o'clock so we can have your celebration so something that you well deserve. So welcome to our Assembly.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I suspect we'll all welcome this motion.
I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that notwithstanding Rule 2.1, when the House adjourns on Friday, March 6, 2026, it shall be adjourned until Wednesday, May 27, 2026;
AND FURTHER, that any time prior to May 27, 2026, if the Speaker is satisfied after consultation with the executive council and Members of the Legislative Assembly that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier or later time during the adjournment, the Speaker may give notice;
AND THEREUPON, the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Yellowknife North. Motions. Oh sorry, Motion's in order. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? Motion carried.
---Carried
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,.
I move, seconded by the honourable Member from Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh, that Bill 46, Prevention of Proceedings that Hamper Expression on Matters of Public Interest Act, be read for a second time.
I am pleased to introduce the second reading of Bill 46, Prevention of Proceedings that Hamper Expression on Matters of Public Interest Act. This is a bill to encourage people to express themselves on matters of public interest and to promote free and open debate on those matters. Another word for this type of legislation is anti-SLAPP legislation. A SLAPP is a strategic lawsuit against public participation. SLAPPs are lawsuits used to delay or silence individuals who speak out on matters of public interest.
The bill offers protection to people being sued in court for expressing themselves on matters of public interest. The purpose is to protect innocent people from being bullied or gagged by lawsuits just for speaking their mind. This type of legislation exists in many jurisdictions across Canada. This House adopted a motion to develop this type of legislation back in the 18th Assembly.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this important and long overdue bill through the House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from the Mackenzie Delta. To the motion.
Question.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is moved to committee.
---Carried
Committee, I now call the Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee wishes to consider Committee Report 39-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 3. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Does committee agree?
Agreed.
Thank you. Committee, will proceed with the first item. Committee, we have agreed to consider Committee Report 39-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 3. I will now go to the chair of the Standing Committee on Procedures and Privileges for any opening comments. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, in November and December of 2025, the committee received correspondence from Speaker Thompson requesting a review of certain rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. Specifically, the committee was asked to consider time allowed for closing debate, length of time for oral questions, the role of the Speaker when a Member proposes an emergency debate, and if the rules should be changed to clarify process regarding reporting bills that have been referred to a standing committee for consideration. The committee continues to examine the process regarding reporting bills but has considered the remaining matters and has delivered its report to the House on March 4th, 2026. Individual Members may have additional comments. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you. I will now go to the floor to general comments on Committee Report 39-20(1). Seeing no further comments. Member for Great Slave.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that this committee recommends that Rule 3.5(1) of the Consolidated Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly be amended to replace, quote, "subject to the following conditions", end quote, with quote, "if the Speaker is satisfied that the following conditions have been met", end quote. Thank you, Madam Chair.
The motion is in order. To the motion.
Agreed.
Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? All those abstaining? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Thank you, committee. Do you agree that you have concluded consideration of Committee Report 39-20(1), Standing Committee on Procedures and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 3?
Agreed.
Thank you, committee. We will now conclude consideration of Committee Report 39-20(1) Standing Committee on Procedures and Privileges Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, No. 3.
What is the wish of the committee? I will go to the Member for Inuvik Boot Lake.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I move that the Chair rise and report progress.
Thank you. The motion is in order. There is a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and is non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.
---Carried
Member from the Dehcho.
Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Committee Report 39-20(1) and would like to report progress with one motion carried and that Committee Report 39-20(1) is concluded. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River South, that Bill 34, Trespass to Property Act, be read for the third time. And, Mr. Speaker, I request a recorded vote. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Justice. To the motion.
Question.
The Member for Thebacha. The Member for Yellowknife South. The Member for Kam Lake. The Member for Hay River North. The Member for Hay River South. The Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. The Member for Nunakput. The Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh. The Member for Dehcho. The Member for Sahtu. The Member for Yellowknife Centre. The Member for Range Lake. The Member for Inuvik Boot Lake. The Member for Monfwi. The Member for Frame Lake. The Member for Great Slave. The Member for Mackenzie Delta. The Member for Yellowknife North.
All those opposed, please stand. All those abstaining, please stand.
Thank you. Colleagues, the result of the recorded vote: 18 in favour, zero opposed, zero abstention. Third Reading -- the motion is passed.
---Carried
