Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The standing committee has reviewed Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act. The committee begun its deliberations on May 16, 1994 and travelled to Fort Smith. Some of the Members went to Iqaluit and Yellowknife for public hearings.
The committee is satisfied that amendments to the Liquor Act will enable greater community participation and control in liquor restrictions. The committee feels that the bill broadens the act to protect current licence holders, but will grant the people in the communities more flexibility to deal with alcohol, so long as it does not impact on the licence holder.
The committee supports the bill because it enhances the ability to enforce ministerial orders prohibiting the sale and consumption of liquor during special events in the community. Further, the committee is in unanimous support of the change making the serving of a minor a strict liability offence.
However, the committee did have questions regarding enforcement components of the Liquor Act and was disappointed that this bill did not address this issue. The committee was informed by the Minister that a new statute was being developed that would address the enforcement issue. Its completion is anticipated within the next two years. The committee supports the amendments proposed in this bill and, on May 31, 1994, passed a motion that this bill is ready for consideration in committee of the whole.