Julian Morse

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I think I would need a little bit of time just to speak with committee staff and make sure that my response is in order with everything required of me as a chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Actually, Mr. Speaker, I made my point already, and it's on the record. I'll just leave it at that.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is a bit of a difficult one. I understand that the Member's speaking to his point of order; however, in accordance with Rule 3.2, paragraph 3(o), the Member's alluding to matters discussed during a confidential meeting of a committee. And so this puts us in a bit of a difficult situation where we're raising a point of order and speaking to the reasons for that point of order on things that are discussed during committee. Committee hasn't reported back on the bill yet. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am at this time in support of the motion and support the motion coming forward as written. I mean, it sounds -- I appreciate that explanation from the Finance Minister, and, you know, it unfortunately sounds like this is all hinging on a bit of a technicality in terms of how it was claimed, what was claimed, whether it was proceeding during the emergency. I think the thing that was clear to me is during the 2023 evacuation, a lot of things were up in the air. There wasn't very much clarity for a lot of people involved, I think GNWT staff, various NGOs...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I certainly am pleased to hear that the Minister's staff have been meeting with encampment residents. I would note that the residents themselves felt that the meetings were not as frequent as the Minister has said in her answer. But I am pleased to hear that they've been meeting.

Mr. Speaker, what kind of opportunities are being provided to potential occupants of this facility to have influence over its design, location, and construction? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this spring, an encampment was established in Yellowknife's downtown which caused a significant amount of public concern. It was quickly apparent we were right back where we left off last fall, and the situation was just as untenable this time. However, this year, something changed.

Peter Adourian, a lawyer representing residents of the encampment, approached the GNWT to see if they could work together to identify a better solution. This quickly resulted in an orderly dismantling of the encampment and moving it to a mutually agreed-upon location which was...

Just very quickly, Mr. Speaker, the Member for Yellowknife Centre suggested that the committee can hold the bill hostage. I would just note that...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for granting me a bit of time to prepare a response, Mr. Speaker. I would like to inform you and the House that the committee is ready to present a report as early as next week summarizing its review of Bill 26 to date and explaining the reasons the bill has not been reported back as of yet.

Mr. Speaker, the committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, October 20th.

Mr. Speaker, Rule 8.3(2) states that a committee may request an extension of its review, not that it must. The rules do not state that a committee must report a bill back as ready or not or seek an...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, your committee would like to report on its consideration of Bill 22, the Legislation Act.

Bill 22 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on March 12th, 2025, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Government Operations for review.

The standing committee completed its clause-by-clause review of the bill with the Minister of Justice on September 12th, 2025. Committee moved to amend two clauses, and the Minister of Justice concurred with both motions.

Mr. Speaker, the committee reports that Bill 22, legislation Act, is ready for consideration...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I too would like to recognize counsellor Tom McLennan visiting from city council and from the Frame Lake riding, and also extend a special welcome to his father Sandy McLennan who is visiting Yellowknife. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.