An eye on division
Nunavut legislation to top agenda as fifth session sits

Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 20/98) - Members of the legislative assembly can expect to spend most of the next three weeks passing legislation to prepare for Nunavut.

This fifth session, a continuation of the last sitting, and the next session in September are important as the new territory rapidly approaches, said Finance Minister John Todd.

"We'd better keep focused on trying to get as much done as we can and to try and assist the interim commissioner in getting some of the government up and running for April 1, 1999," Todd said last Friday.

During this session, MLAs are scheduled to figure out how they're going to go about creating a business plan and budget for two new territories.

They will look at their economic implementation plan and make minor changes to the Financial Administration Act.

Work also has to be done on the Territorial Court Act and Justice of the Peace Act. A number of legislative papers will be tabled for the next session, set for September and October.

"I think our agenda is full. We've got to work collectively with a real determination to make some of this stuff happen. I can't see a heck of a lot of new stuff coming forward," said Todd.

Diamond discussions however, will likely continue.

"The government as a whole is generally pleased with what the industry's done, but I think we've got to be vigilant and make sure that jobs and the benefits that come from value-added (activities) come to the territories," he said.

Doug Schauerte, legislature deputy clerk, said a number of bills are on the order paper, including one regarding the fate of the NWT Power Corporation after division.

The minister responsible for the corporation, Charles Dent, plans to make an announcement early in the session to address how plans are proceeding for the split April 1, 1999.

The standing committee on government operations is scheduled to presenting its report on public hearings into the legislation as well.

Bill 15, the Adoption Act will also be reviewed, said Schauerte.

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