Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried

In the Legislative Assembly on February 11th, 1994. See this topic in context.

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 102

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker, thank you colleagues.

WHEREAS, violence against all people, especially elders and disabled people, men, women and children, and violence within the family in particular, is occurring at levels which are tragic and destructive, not only to those directly affected, but to all of northern society;

AND WHEREAS, family violence consists predominantly of violence by men against women and children;

AND WHEREAS, violence includes physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse;

AND WHEREAS, violence has, for too long, been tolerated, the incidence of violence denied, and its effects minimized;

AND WHEREAS, the practice of violence is transmitted from generation to generation; children and youth are educated by experience and example to practice violence;

AND WHEREAS, everyone is entitled to live free from violence;

AND WHEREAS, family violence will only be contained and reduced if northern society refuses to continue to tolerate its occurrence;

AND WHEREAS, this Assembly has heard representation from women's groups, the aged and disabled, and discussed the issue of family violence in committee of the whole;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that this Legislature adopts the principle of zero tolerance of violence against all people and endorses the goal of eliminating family violence by the year 2000;

AND FURTHER, that this Legislature invites all northern leaders, such as leaders of aboriginal organizations, municipal governments, trade unions, boards and agencies and societies, to make a similar commitment by adopting this declaration in spirit and in practice. Thank you.

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 102

The Speaker

Thank you. Your motion is in order. Point of order, honourable Member for Yellowknife North, Mr. Ballantyne.

Point Of Order

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 102

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Madam Speaker, I think there's a typographical error in the first "whereas." It says, "WHEREAS violence against all people, especially elders and disabled people, men, women and children..." The intent, I think, of the mover and seconder was to say that although we condemn violence against all people, we recognize that certain people in society are more vulnerable than others. I believe the word "men" in the first line of the first "whereas" should have been deleted.

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 103

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 103

The Speaker

Thank you. Your point of order is noted, Mr. Ballantyne, however, it's up to the Member to put forth his "whereases" as read into the record. If the Member chooses to amend the "whereases", then I would suggest it be done accordingly. However, it's not a point of order because the "whereases" have been read into the record. Thank you. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 103

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The seconder to the motion, Mr. Stephen Kakfwi, Member for Sahtu, and I conferred on this and we have agreed to eliminate the word "men" from the motion. Thank you.

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 103

The Speaker

Seconder to the motion, are you agreed to the amendment?

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

February 10th, 1994

Page 103

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Yes, it was the intention to have dropped the word "men." It was just in retyping that it was once again included. So both the mover and myself agree the record should show that the word "men" was not included in the first "whereas." Thank you.

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 103

The Speaker

Thank you. The motion, as presented, eliminating the typographical error including the word "men" in the first paragraph. Motion 11-12(5), as presented, is in order. Any further discussion? To the motion.

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 103

An Hon. Member

Question.

Motion 11-12(5): Declaration On Family Violence, Carried
Item 15: Motions

Page 103

The Speaker

Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

---Applause

It wasn't carried unanimously because everyone in the room didn't place their hand up. A recorded vote can only be called prior to the call of the vote. Thank you.

Item 16, first reading of bills. Item 17, second reading of bills. Item 18, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 1-12(5), Towards an NWT Mineral Strategy; Tabled Document 2-12(5), Building and Learning Strategy; Tabled Document 3-12(5), Towards a Strategy to 2010: A Discussion Paper; Tabled Document 5-12(5), Declaration of Family Violence; and, Tabled Document 11-12(5), First Annual Report of the Languages Commissioner of the NWT for the Year 1992-93, with Mr. Whitford in the chair. Thank you.