Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Legislation, to report on the review of rewriting liquor laws in the Northwest Territories, a legislative action paper.

Background Information

In December 1993, the Minister of Safety and Public Services directed his department to conduct a comprehensive review of Northwest Territories' liquor legislation. Since that time, the liquor law review has sent out information flyers and questionnaires as well as petitioned the various groups and agencies that are directly affected by territorial liquor legislation, to respond with their ideas and concerns. Further, the liquor law review travelled across the territories to approximately 26 communities to hold public hearings. On November 14, 1994 the Minister tabled Tabled Document 2-12(7) "Rewriting Liquor Laws in the Northwest Territories: A Legislative Action Paper." A motion to refer the paper to the Standing Committee on Legislation for review was carried in the House on November 16, 1994.

Since receiving the tabled document, the standing committee, in cooperation with the Department of Safety and Public Services, has conducted public hearings with leaders in the Baffin, Beaufort Delta, Deh Cho and Yellowknife regions. As well, members of the public were invited to present their views. The public response was good and the committee heard presentations from a cross-section of interest groups.

Introduction

The Standing Committee on Legislation, under the authority given to it by this House, has completed its review of Tabled Document 2-12(7), entitled "Rewriting Liquor Laws in the Northwest Territories: A Legislative Action Paper."

The legislation in the Northwest Territories that formed the framework for our current Liquor Act was granted assent on May 17, 1983. The current regulatory model is based on the 1969 Choquette report which is now 25 years old. Many changes have occurred in the past 25 years. The liquor market has broadened and proliferated and the existing legislation has had a great deal of difficulty coping with the changes. Therefore the development of new, more progressive legislation was felt to be in order.

Overview

The legislative action paper on rewriting the liquor laws focuses on a series of five principles or concepts that the department feels will guide the development of a new Liquor Act for the Northwest Territories. Further, the action paper provides information on the wide and varied views that the liquor law review received during their consultation process. The paper however, does not provide a definite proposal for legislative action. The committee feels that the action paper did not go far enough in that it did not endorse a specific course of action for legislating liquor in the NWT.

Summary Of Issues

During the review of the legislative action paper, the standing committee heard, in every community visited, certain concerns that the people would like to see addressed in some manner in the new legislation.

a)Restriction On Non-beverage Alcohol

b)Bootlegging

Bootlegging, the illegal sale of liquor, was the topic most discussed in the communities that the standing committee had the opportunity to visit. Community leaders stated that bootlegging is the number one concern of those listed in the paper, that they would like to see dealt with in new liquor legislation. Witnesses felt that bootlegging affects those people in the community that can least afford the social and financial costs and therefore impacts on the social well-being of the community. In most cases, community leaders stated that stiffer penalties, high minimum fines, and significant prison sentences would assist in solving some of the bootlegging problems.

c)Establishing A Liquor Purchasing Permit System

In every community visited by the standing committee, it was suggested that access to large volumes of liquor could be better controlled. Witnesses endorsed the establishment of a system of permits to assist in the monitoring and recording of large volumes of alcohol in communities or regions. It was noted, however, that it would be more difficult in regions where liquor outlets are more prevalent and road transportation is available. This would also be more difficult in areas where law enforcement officials are scarce.

d)Developing A Proof Of Eligibility System

Some witnesses felt that a control system which identifies who is and who isn't eligible to purchase, possess or consume liquor, should be established. It was suggested that a proof of eligibility card be established. This card, much like a driver's licence which shows that one is qualified to drive, would show that a person is eligible to have liquor. This card would have to be shown at all licensed establishments and liquor outlets. It was felt that this would be a means by which authorities could further control bootlegging and the serving of minors.

e)Raising The Legal Drinking Age From 19 To 21

Although talked about extensively in all the regions, raising the legal drinking age was not supported by the witnesses who appeared before the standing committee. It was felt that raising the drinking age would only create other social problems for teens. Youth may experiment with illegal drugs and non-beverage alcohol if denied access to liquor. It was suggested that rather than raise the drinking age, public education campaigns on the effects of alcohol, which target northern youth, would be more effective.

f)Increased Control At The Community Level

Presently, the Liquor Act allows communities to exercise certain options for local control of liquor. All witnesses who appeared before the standing committee supported the broadening of these authorities. Witnesses endorsed the premise that minimum standards for liquor control would have to be set, however, community leaders stressed that each community best knows what would meet the local needs of that community and therefore the legislation should allow each community to tailor a liquor control system to their needs.

g)Community Allowed To Institute An Additional Surcharge

It was affirmed by a number of presenters that communities should be allowed to place an additional surcharge on the price of liquor sold locally and use the revenue from the surcharge to assist in the delivery of alcohol-related social programs. It was further suggested that for every dollar the local community raised from the surcharge, the government should match that dollar. Therefore, revenue generated from the sale of alcohol could be seen to be used for the public benefit.

h)Stripping In Licensed Establishments

The standing committee heard from two witnesses that the new Liquor Act should set standards for the types of entertainment that may take place in a licensed premises. The presenters stated that they felt that stripping should be outlawed in licensed establishments. Their expressed opinion was that some people view stripping, either by men or women, as an abuse of both the people who are watching, and those who are hired to strip. Although a consensus on this issue was not reached, it was suggested that each community should be granted the authority in the legislation to determine what type of entertainment would be allowed in the licensed establishments of that community.

Conclusion

The general public, in their presentations to both the liquor law review and the standing committee during its review of the action paper, has clearly stated their support for new and progressive liquor legislation for the Northwest Territories. Although unanimity was not reached on how the specific areas for change should be addressed in the new legislation, the standing committee encourages the government to begin the task of developing this legislation for introduction early in the life of the 13th Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, to conclude, also attached to the report is a list of witnesses who appeared before the committee. They are quite extensive so I won't read them all but I would like to say thank you on behalf of the committee for their valuable contributions.

Motion To Receive Committee Report 5-12(7) And Move To Committee Of The Whole, Carried

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Legislation. Therefore, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Natilikmiot, that the report of the Standing Committee on Legislation on its Review of the legislative action paper Rewriting the Liquor Laws in the Northwest Territories be received by the Assembly and moved into committee of the whole. Thank you.