Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is fairly obvious that at the 11th hour here, people are looking at what is being proposed and the late submission by NTI after repeated requests for their input and that there is some confusion, at least in some sections. Mr. Chairman, this bill has been worked on as one of four particular bills to update the Child Welfare Act. I can understand if there is a need to take a time out here to make sure we are all clear on a process, given the response to NTI's late submission. Mr. Chairman, there is absolutely no way at this juncture that we should be pulling this bill to put it back through another ten-year process or six month process. This Legislature does not have the time and I think we have a fundamental obligation to the children of the Northwest Territories to update our adoption laws. This does not infringe on custom adoption. There has been extensive public consultation on this bill. It is important to take the time out to look at how we are going to deal with NTI's response and possible amendments, but Mr. Chairman, there is no way that I could support having this bill pulled at the very best, bring it into the House and vote on it possibly Monday, when we get our chance to touch base on these other late-breaking events. Thank you.
Michael Miltenberger on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on May 29th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
May 28th, 1998
Page 1497
See context to find out what was said next.