(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
WHEREAS the Arctic is a place where persons can go on expeditions to challenge the forces of nature;
AND WHEREAS these adventures have caused problems when expeditions must be rescued after becoming lost, injured, or short of supplies;
AND WHEREAS the latest Weber-Malakhov expedition emphasizes some of the problems with the rescue costing about $200,000;
AND WHEREAS rescue efforts have direct implications for the people of the Northwest Territories in the form of additional direct and indirect costs to the government, the safety risked for community people, the armed forces personnel and the RCMP;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the federal government have recognized that these problems have existed for a long time;
AND WHEREAS during the 1 1th Legislative Assembly, Bill 41 was passed, which amended the Travel and Tourism Act to include a regulation making authority whereby the Minister could make regulations regarding non-resident travellers;
AND WHEREAS the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism has not yet established such regulations;
AND WHEREAS It is important that legislative action be taken to provide for the provision of posting of bonds or insurance by adventurers and the use of the Northwest Territories guides;
AND WHEREAS there is a need to amend the Scientists Act concerning the regulating of science research and research expeditions;
AND WHEREAS it is important that this legislation be introduced as soon as possible;
NOW THEREFORE, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik, that this Legislative Assembly urges the cabinet to proceed immediately to prepare the necessary amendments to the Travel and Tourism Act and the Scientists Act, to regulate adventurers in the
Northwest Territories;
AND FURTHER, that the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism consider making regulations under the Travel and Tourism Act to provide interim measures until the amendments to the Travel and Tourism Act and the Scientists Act are introduced. Thank
you.