Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address an issue of some importance to every northerner. I refer to the impact of Fatal Accidents Act on parents who suffer the loss of a child. I am sure we all agree that there is nothing more devastating than the loss of a child. Mr. Speaker, we all know that we lose too many children to water trucks, snowmobiles, ATVs and other vehicle accidents in the Northwest Territories. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that the mother could not be compensated financially for her son's death because he did not contribute to her economic well-being. The legislation did not permit compensation for the grief and suffering of the parents. This decision, Mr. Speaker, exposes a flaw in the current Act and provides evidence this is not in tune with northern culture or practices.
This decision and this law reflect the European idea that only an adult is the bread winner for the family. Aboriginal culture puts more value on the child and this legislation fails to reflect the importance of the child in aboriginal communities, where children secure our future. It is not only our children's parents, brothers or sisters who may rely on the child. Later in life elders are clearly dependent on the children, not only to provide the necessities, but as to carriers of their culture. This legislation must be amended to include provisions to allow parents to make claims for nonpecuniary losses of care, guidance, companionship and other losses.
This amendment will not be the first of its kind in Canada. It is reflected in other jurisdictions such as Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Manitoba in making similar amendments giving greater importance to the children in our culture. I believe that the north must have higher maximum of damages given the unfairness of this law. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.