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Mr. Speaker, twice a year we all adjust our clocks by one hour. First we move them forward, and then we move them back. People have always questioned the wisdom of this annual tradition, but in recent years a number of jurisdictions have taken concrete steps towards eliminating seasonal time change. On Monday, April 4, the Government of the Northwest Territories will begin a six-week public engagement to help us determine when and how we will eliminate seasonal time changes.

The Therapeutic Community is an innovative approach taken by the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Corrections Service to support people in custody to be successful in their rehabilitation and reintegration. Today, Minister of Justice R.J. Simpson celebrated the opening of the South Mackenzie Correctional Centre Therapeutic Community.

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Mr. Speaker, the new Corrections Act came into force on October 29, 2021. The new Act modernizes the Northwest Territories’ corrections legislation to incorporate modern practices and approaches, shifting the focus of the legislation to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of people in the corrections system through a supportive environment.

Today, Minister of Justice, R.J. Simpson announced the judicial appointment of Jeannie Scott to the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories. This appointment is effective October 8, 2021.

Ms. Scott holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University, a Masters of Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University, and a Bachelor of Laws from Ottawa University.  She was called to the bar in Ontario in 2009 and the Northwest Territories in 2010.

Today, R.J. Simpson, Minister of Justice, announced that amendments to the territory’s Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP Act) are now in effect. These amendments  will strengthen access to information and privacy protections for NWT residents.

R.J. Simpson, Minister of Justice, today announced that the Hamlet of Fort Liard has been selected to host the Community Safety Officer Pilot Program.

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Today the Minister of Justice, R.J. Simpson, announced new regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act to replace those put in place on April 9, 2020 to help tenants impacted by COVID-19. The new regulations will allow for the establishment of rent repayment plans to ensure tenants have a reasonable timeframe to pay back rent that has accumulated from March 18, 2020 to January 31, 2021 as a result of the pandemic.

Diane Archie, Minister of Infrastructure issued the following reaction on behalf of the Government of the Northwest Territories to news about Air Canada route changes:

“This morning, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) received notice that Air Canada is suspending all passenger operations to the Yellowknife Airport (YZF) until further notice. This change will take effect January 23, 2021.

In the Northwest Territories, we entrust the RCMP with the responsibility to support every citizen’s rights to safety and security; and, we also entrust them with the right to take away a citizen’s liberty in response to unlawful activity. That is a tremendous power and responsibility.