Rules of the Legislative Assembly
ORDER AND DECORUM
12 (1) Speaker to preserve order
The Speaker shall preserve order and decorum and shall decide questions of order.
(2) No debate or appeal of decision
In deciding points of privilege, order or practice, the Speaker shall state the applicable Rule or other authority. The Speaker’s decision shall not be subject to debate or appeal.
(3) Bowing to Mace
Whenever the Mace is on the upper Mace stand, Members shall upon entering, leaving or crossing the Assembly Chamber show respect for the rights of the people of the Northwest Territories to govern themselves by bowing in the direction of the Mace.
(4) Mace on the upper stand
Out of respect no Member shall pass between the Chair and the Mace when the Mace is on the upper Mace stand.
(5) Speaker putting question
When the Speaker is putting a question, no Member shall enter, leave or cross the Chamber, or make any noise or disturbance. If a Member enters the Chamber when a question has been put, not realizing this is the case, they shall not vote on that question.
(6) Member speaking
When a Member is speaking, no Member shall pass between that Member and the Chair, nor interrupt him or her except to raise a point of order or question of privilege.
(7) Referring to Members
Members shall refer to each other as “The Honourable Member for (name of constituency)” or as “The Honourable Member”. Members of the Executive Council and the Speaker may be referred to by the title “Speaker”, “Premier”, “Deputy Premier” or “Minister” as is appropriate to their position.
(8) No interruption of the Speaker
When the Speaker speaks, any Member speaking shall sit and the Speaker shall be heard without interruption.
(9) Use of electronic devices
The use of electronic devices is permitted in the Chamber provided they are operated silently, not operated as a telephone and conform to Appendix 1 – Directions Regarding the Use of Electronic Communication Devices in the Chamber.
(10) Dress of Members
When in the Assembly every Member shall be attired in traditional Indigenous attire or in a manner that does not offend the dignity of the Assembly.
(11) Food and beverages not permitted
Food and beverages, other than water, may not be brought into or consumed in the Chamber.
(12) Stand for adjournment
When the Assembly adjourns the Members shall stand and remain standing in their places until the Speaker has left the Chamber.