Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As is the usual case, our comments are contained in the preambles to motions that we will be presently. The first one has to do with the office of the Fire Marshall.

Mr. Chairman, this Assembly approved a motion that Cabinet re-examine the relevant safety acts, and that a process be put in place to ensure reasonable safety standards are followed. The office of the Fire Marshall is monitored and an expeditious appeal mechanism is put in place.

The Minister has advised Cabinet that the motion should not be followed. However, the Minister did not outline the reasons for this position during committee hearings. Acknowledging that the current legislation follows a southern model, that may not consider unique N.W.T. conditions, and that further discussion is required with local fire chiefs and industry participation.

The committee recognizes that the N.W.T. has some of the highest fire loss statistics in the country, and does not wish to take away from the personal safety requirements. We also recognize that the federal fire code has a major part to play. However, the committee has been told by the public of examples that call the current system into question. For example, doors that exit outwards are not practical in eastern Arctic snow storms, requiring two layers of gyproc for fire protection, and permitting them to be covered with more flammable pine, is contrary to the trades recommendation, of gas inspectors, insisting on a non flexible propane connector. This has actually led to a dangerous uncoupling situation, and requiring 1.5 R-rated fire doors that remain open all the time, and requiring 1.5 R-rated fire doors connected to a more flammable separating wall, of over 5/8" gyproc. Trades people believe the rules change irrationally for different situations and different days, and businesses have had to spend additional funds, or lose sales as a result of rules in what appear to be non life threatening situations.

We fail to understand the governments reluctance to put a process in place to ensure reasonable safety standards are followed, to allow appeals and to monitor the office of the Fire Marshall.