Mr. Minister.

Is this committee agreed that Bill 21, an Act to Amend the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Act is ready for third reading. Agreed?

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. We will deal with Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Mining Safety Act. Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to introduce Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Mining Safety Act. This amendment to the Mining Safety Act will enable the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories to set fees for certificates or permits issued and for an examination administered or any service provided under the Mining Safety Act. The intention of this amendment is to enable the Government of the Northwest Territories to extend its cost recovery program to the examinations and permits its issues under the Mining Safety Act. Implementation of the amendment will require the preparation of regulations which will stipulate the services from which fees will be charged. The regulation has been drafted to set fees for the following services: examination for shift bosses and blasters; certificates for shift bosses and blasters; and permits for the operation of diesel equipment underground. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Mr. Koe.

Comments By Standing Committee On Legislation

Mahsi, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Legislation reviewed Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Mining Safety Act, at its public meeting on March 18, 1993. The committee would like to thank the Minister of Safety and Public Services, the Honourable John Todd and the deputy minister for the Department of Safety and Public Services for presenting this bill and responding to committee Member's questions and concerns.

The Mining Safety Act regulates occupational health and safety procedures for people working in and around mines in the Northwest Territories. The act and the regulations under the Mining Safety Act requires certain mine employees pass written examinations and obtain certificates to carry out their duties, and requires that permits be obtained for certain activities in

and around mines. Currently, the department does not charge fees for these certificates, exams or permits.

This bill would amend the Mining Safety Act to specify that the Commissioner may make regulations setting fees for certificates, permits, examinations and services provided under the act. Committee Members questioned the Minister with respect to the new fees which would be instituted, the administration of the new fees and the consultation by the Minister with the mining industry.

On March 18, 1993, the Standing Committee on Legislation carried a motion to report Bill 22, An Act to Amend the Mining Safety Act, to the Assembly as ready for committee of the whole. This concludes my remarks on Bill 22, Mr. Chairman. I invite other committee Members to make additional comments on this bill. Qujannamiik.

Thank you. Would the Minister like to invite his officials in? Are there any general comments? Member for Thebacha.

General Comments

I would like to ask the Minister why he is posing a fee when it was never done before?

Mr. Minister.

We are posing a fee for the cost recovery for the cost of running the examinations. The fee is consistent with other jurisdictions across Canada. What we are doing, as I have said to the Standing Committee on Legislation, is a revenue initiative in an effort to recover the costs associated with the examinations.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

Why was this fee not imposed earlier, the retrieving of the cost of the examination? Why, in tough times, are examination fees being proposed?

Mr. Minister.

It is a difficult time. It is a difficult time for government and individuals. The fact of the matter is, I do not know why it was not done in the past. We have brought forward this bill because we think it is appropriate at this time to find some additional revenues to cover the cost of the examinations. It is consistent with other jurisdictions across Canada.

Member for Thebacha.

I am fed up hearing that bills are being developed because they are consistent with other jurisdictions in Canada. That is the uniqueness of the north, we do not have to follow exactly everything which is done in the rest of Canada. Has the Minister brought this to the attention of the different mining industries with regard to informing them that they are now going to be charging a fee, and receiving the recovery costs on the examinations of these certificates which will be issued? Has the Minister advised the public of this significant change? Thank you.

Mr. Minister.

First of all, the reason for proposing the bill is not because it is consistent. The reason we are proposing the bill is clear, it is a cost recovery initiative with respect to the examinations. The Standing Committee on Legislation advertised their view of the bill. The industry had an opportunity, at that time, to make a comment. I am not sure whether they did or not. Perhaps the chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation could advise us whether they did. There was provision made for public input through the Standing Committee on Legislation procedure.

Thank you. Member for Thebacha.

Seeing as the chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation and the deputy chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation are not in the House, I would like to ask someone, and it is usually the Minister who is responsible for bringing this bill to the House, and not the chairman of the Standing Committee on Legislation, they are recommending passage of it, but it is the Minister who wants this bill passed, so he should have the answers. Was there any response to advising the public on this particular bill? Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.