Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Legislation, to report on Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act.

Mr. Chairman, Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act, proposes to change the act to provide that the Minister may appoint by-law officers in municipalities where liquor is prohibited to be special by-law officers for the purposes of:

-entering and searching any vehicle for unlawful liquor;

-seizing any unlawful liquor found in a vehicle; and,

-directing a driver to stop his vehicle and park it for the purpose of a search for unlawful liquor.

It is important to note that the amendments specify that the officer must have reasonable grounds to believe that liquor is being kept or had in any vehicle, prior to stopping or searching it.

The standing committee held public hearings on this bill in Yellowknife on December 12, 1994. Although there were no presentations from the public, in responding to the Member's concerns, the Minister assured the committee that these amendments have come about at the request of various prohibited communities who have experienced difficulties in controlling the flow of liquor. In addition, the Minister explained that officers appointed as special by-law officers would undergo the necessary training, assessment and certification prior to undertaking these duties.

The committee passed a motion to amend the definition of municipalities in the bill to include charter communities.

Mr. Chairman, the Standing Committee on Legislation supports these amendments and passed a motion that Bill 10, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act, be reported to the Assembly as ready for consideration in committee of the whole, as amended and reprinted. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.