Rules of the Legislative Assembly

PETITIONS

47 (1) Petition presented

A petition to the Assembly may be presented by a Member during a sitting of the Assembly by filing it with the Clerk, or in the manner set out in Rule 47(2).

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(2) Procedure for petitions

A Member may present a petition under the item “Petitions”. The Member shall make a brief statement summarizing the contents of the petition, the number of handwritten signatures, the number of electronic signatures, and the number of signatories resident in the Northwest Territories; and shall sign his or her name on that statement. A Member shall not exceed five minutes in presenting a petition.

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(3) Reported by Clerk

Every petition presented under Rule 47(1) shall be reported to the House by the Clerk under the item “Petitions”.

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(4) No debate on presentation

No debate shall be allowed on the presentation of a petition.

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(5) Review by Clerk

a) No Member may present a petition unless it has previously been reviewed by the Clerk as to form and content.

b) The Clerk shall determine that every petition shall:

     i) be addressed to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories;

     ii) contain a clear, proper and respectful request that the House take some action within its authority and not                contain irrelevant statements;

     iii) be written, typewritten or printed on paper of usual size;

     iv) have its request appear at the top of every sheet, if it consists of more than one sheet of signatures; and

     v) contain the names, community of residence and signatures written directly on the petition and not pasted or            otherwise transferred to it.

 

(6) Member is responsible for petition

A Member presenting a petition shall be responsible for any impertinent or improper matter that it contains.

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(7) Form of petition

Signatures on a petition must be handwritten, or they must be electronic signatures obtained from the Legislative Assembly e-petitions site.

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(8) Petition referred to Committee

A Member may, after notice, move that a petition be referred to a Standing or Special Committee which shall report its recommendations to the Assembly.

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(9) Clerk delivers petitions

The Clerk shall deliver copies of all petitions presented to either the Speaker or the Minister responsible.

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(10) Response to petitions

The Speaker or the Minister responsible shall provide a response to a petition within 60 calendar days of its presentation. The response shall be tabled at the earliest opportunity.

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