Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Public Service Act, No. 2, be read for the second time. The bill includes comprehensive amendments to update the legislative framework for the operation of the public service of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The proposed amendments clarify roles and responsibilities under the act, reflect modern public sector practices and aim to improve the act's clarity and readability. The bill also includes provisions to formalize in legislation the process for safe disclosure of wrongdoing by public service employees. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Member from Range Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Although the contents of the bill or the intentions of the bill are not things I'd necessarily oppose, what these things will do to the Public Service Act don't address a fundamental flaw with the legislation, and it is a flaw that creates risk to ongoing Charter or potential Charter challenge related to how the act is structured around collective bargaining. I won't get into detail on this, Mr. Speaker, because I don't want to drag into the House's time, but it's something that the public and the House is well aware of. Until this is addressed, it's like adding a new storey to your house when the foundation is cracked. And this is a fundamental aspect of the bill, and I cannot support legislation that does not meet the first test of is this actually Charter compliant and until -- as long as there is an open question on that, I will not support changes to the Public Service Act until that fundamental deficit is corrected. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Range Lake. To the principle of the bill. Principle of the bill. To the principle of the bill.
Question.
Question has been called. The question is shall Bill 32 be read for the second time. All those in favour, please raise your hands. All those opposed, please raise your hands. All those abstaining, please raise your hands. The motion is carried.
---Carried
Bill 32 has been read for a second time, is referred to the standing committee of the assembly for further considerations.
