Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.
WHEREAS hunting wildlife and marine mammals for food is a fundamental characteristic of the way of life for many people in the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS many people, and particularly aboriginal people, possess firearms to hunt for food and to engage in other aspects of a traditional lifestyle; AND WHEREAS the Parliament of Canada has, on June 13, 1995, given final reading to Bill C-68, An Act Respecting Firearms and Other Weapons;
AND WHEREAS this Assembly and residents of the NWT have expressed their opposition to firearms registration and penalty provisions of Bill C-68;
AND WHEREAS the federal government proposed, and received, approval of an amendment to Bill C-68 which purports to not abrogate or derogate from aboriginal rights or treaty rights;
AND WHEREAS NWT residents remain concerned that Bill C-68, despite the amendments, totally fails to adequately recognize the realities of how people live in the Northwest Territories;
AND WHEREAS Bill C-68 will now be considered by the Senate of Canada;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik, that the Legislative Assembly express dissatisfaction with Bill C-68 and indicate to the Senate of Canada that the amendments made to Bill C-68 do not satisfy the concerns of aboriginal peoples and other residents of the Northwest Territories.
AND FURTHER, that the Legislative Assembly call upon the Senate of Canada to hold public hearings in the Northwest Territories on Bill C-68 so that the residents of the Northwest Territories will have the opportunity to directly express concerns regarding a matter of considerable importance to the people of the north.