Thank you, Madam Speaker. Bill 5, the proposed Mine Health and Safety Act, was referred to the Standing Committee on Legislation on April 7, 1994. The committee began its review and deliberations on this bill on September 6, 1994 and held public hearings in Yellowknife. As Members of the Assembly are aware, this bill has been anticipated for quite some time and, due to its scope and the nature of its provisions, it has been a somewhat controversial issue for the past few years.
Bill 5 continues to be a controversial issue, as the committee heard from a variety of witnesses during the public hearings. Due to the number and nature of the concerns expressed, the committee was unable to complete its review of the Mine Health and Safety Bill as planned.
As a result, the Standing Committee on Legislation respectfully requests an extension to report on the review of Bill 5. The importance of Bill 5 and its potential impact on the mining industry and the health and safety of mine employees has prompted the need for further review.
It was felt by the committee and recommended to the Minister that the bill should be referred to the Mine Occupational Health and Safety Board, established under the current Mining Safety Act. The extension of the reporting period would allow that board's review of the proposed legislation to be completed and the findings reported to the Standing Committee on Legislation by October 10, 1994. The committee will then be better able to complete its review and report to the House prior to the end of the Sixth Session of the 12th Assembly.
Madam Speaker, your committee therefore requests unanimous consent to waive rule 70(1) to permit the Standing Committee on Legislation to complete its review beyond the 120 days allowed by the rules.
Madam Speaker, that concludes the interim report of the Standing Committee on Legislation on its review of Bill 5, the Mine Health and Safety Act.
Motion To Receive And Adopt Committee Report 3-12(6), Carried
I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, that the interim report be received by the Assembly and adopted.