Legislative Assembly Draft Code of Conduct and Guidelines

Legislative Assembly Draft Code of Conduct and Guidelines

(YELLOWKNIFE) Monday, March 11, 2019 – On February 28, 2017, the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures tabled a report titled, “Are You Standing for Your People: Report on the Review of Members’ Conduct Guidelines.” This report was the committee’s response to a Motion adopted by Members of the Legislative Assembly directing it to conduct a comprehensive public review of the Members’ Conduct and Guidelines. The draft Code of Conduct and Guidelines were tabled today by Caucus Chair, Ms. Julie Green.

The report made six recommendations which were adopted by the Caucus of the 18th Legislative Assembly. Recommendations include: amendments to the Elections and Plebiscites Act requiring the Chief Electoral Officer to advise candidates of the existence and nature of the Conflict of Interest provisions of the Act and the Code of Conduct that will apply to them if elected; a comprehensive review of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, with amendments being introduced during the spring sitting; additions to the Code of Conduct to add specific and enforceable provisions; the expansion of duties of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner to include oversight of the Members’ Code of Conduct; and an addition of public consultation while the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures conducts its review of the Members’ Code of Conduct and Guidelines.

“This is a great first step on revisions to the Members’ Conduct and Guidelines, which hasn’t been reviewed since the 14th Legislative Assembly. The next steps are to introduce amendments to the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council (LAEC) Act and refer the Act to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, where they can conduct public consultations,” says Ms. Green. “I look forward to hearing the input of northerners on the LAEC Act and the Code of Conduct.”

For more information, please contact:

Danielle Mager
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Legislative Assembly of the NWT
P: 867-767-9130 ext. 12017
E: danielle_mager@gov.nt.ca 

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