Debates of May 26, 2025 (day 59)

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Question 708-20(1): Northwest Territories Trespass Legislation

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to follow up on my oral questions to the Minister of Justice I had asked last Thursday, and it was with respect to sharing information about a Trespass Act, and he had said that there was a pile of work being -- pile is my word, but pile of work that's already been done on this particular initiative, and I had asked him specifically would they share that information so I could move forward on my own Trespass Act seeing that the government isn't moving forward swift enough in response to the particular problem.

So the question specifically is, again, would the Minister be willing to share the background information they've been correlating and getting ready to create a legislative proposal, would he be willing to share that with my office so we can move forward on this initiative? Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member from Yellowknife Centre. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

No, it was my fault. Minister of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my answer last week on Thursday, I committed to sharing an update on the current process and where we were at which the department did share with all of the Members of this House on Friday. I am happy to be able to stand up here today and say that I've had a conversation with the Department of Justice this morning, and we have -- I've directed them to advance the Trespass Act on a more aggressive timeline than I had proposed last week and that work is underway. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Almost forgot to clap, Mr. Speaker; I was so in shock. Well, Mr. Speaker, it's nice to see government in action is actually two words, so it's -- thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, perhaps the Minister could update us what does that actually translate into. In other words, what timeline is he now proposing? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated last week, the three pieces of legislation that we're proposing to advance at a quicker timeline than was originally thought, the Trespass Act is probably the least complex of the three pieces of legislation so my discussion with the department was to move this forward. Obviously, it takes -- requires collaboration from all of the Members of this House in order to meet the proposed timeline, but we're hoping -- shooting to have the bill brought to the floor in the fall sitting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister of Justice. Final supplementary. Oral questions. Member from Great Slave.