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Members' Handbook

OFFICERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

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The permanent officers of the Legislative Assembly are the:

  • Clerk;

  • Law Clerk; and

  • Sergeant-at-Arms.

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19. CLERK OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

The Clerk is appointed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories on the recommendation of the Board of Management and by motion of the Legislative Assembly. The Clerk is the chief permanent officer of the Legislative Assembly and exercises responsibilities in two major areas; parliamentary procedure and management.

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19.1 PROCEDURAL DUTIES

The Clerk is the chief advisor to the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and all Members on matters concerning the privileges, rules, practices and procedures of the Assembly, and coordinates the provision of procedural services by other officers of the Assembly.

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Specific duties include:

  • presiding over the election of the Speaker at the opening of a new Legislature or when a vacancy in that office occurs;

  • responsibility for conducting and recording all recorded votes of the Assembly;

  • ensuring the custody of all records and other documents of the Assembly;

  • preparing and distributing the Orders of the Day for each sitting day;

  • ensuring that Hansard is prepared and distributed as directed by the Speaker;

  • responsibility for all legislation, once it is introduced in the House, as it proceeds through all its stages and proceedings, and the certification of all Bills after passage; and

  • assisting Members in drafting Private Member’s Bills, motions, and points of order and privilege pursuant to the Rules of the Legislative Assembly.

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19.2 MANAGEMENT DUTIES

The Clerk directs the overall management of the Office of the Legislative Assembly.

 

Specific duties include:

  • Responsibility for the administration of services and payments to Members in accordance with legislation, regulations and Board policy;

  • direction and control of all of the officers and staff employed in the Office of the Legislative Assembly;

  • assigning Clerks and support staff to various Standing and Special Committees;

  • directing the preparation of the Assembly’s annual budget estimates for presentation to the Board of Management; and

  • serving as Secretary to the Board of Management.

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The Speaker and the Clerk of the Assembly have the power, duties and functions of a Minister and Deputy Minister with respect to the management and administration of the Legislative Assembly as described in the Public Service Act and the Financial Administration Act.

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20. LAW CLERK

The Law Clerk and/or the Deputy Law Clerk is presently a contract position with the Assembly. The Law Clerk is appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly.

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The duties of the Law Clerk include the following:

  • legal advisor to the Assembly, the Speaker, the Clerk and to Members individually on a confidential basis;

  • advising Members on the interpretation of legislation or any other questions of a legal nature concerning their work in the Legislature;

  • responsible for the content and form of all Bills and amendments before the House;

  • assisting Members in drafting amendments to Public (government) Bills;

  • reviewing all legislation under consideration, prior to certification;

  • legal counsel to Standing and Special Committees as directed by the Clerk; and

  • legal counsel to the Board of Management and the MLA pension plans.

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The relationship between the Law Clerk and a Member is that of solicitor-client, and solicitor-client confidentiality applies to any legal matter discussed with the Law Clerk.

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21. SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

The Sergeant-at-Arms is appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly and is responsible to the Speaker for the following:

  • security of the legislative precinct and the Members of the Legislative Assembly at all times;

  • administration of the Page Program;

  • security and safekeeping of the Mace and the furniture and fittings of the Chamber at all times; and

  • leading the Speaker’s Procession into and out of the Chamber at the opening and closing of each sitting day.

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