This is page numbers 515 - 539 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 4th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was tax.

Topics

Supplementary To Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 525

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Further Return To Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 525

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am more than prepared to discuss this with the Minister of Finance. As I had indicated last week, I am prepared to discuss the very same idea that was raised in the context of how we should support the volunteer firefighters. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 525

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 525

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have to direct all my questions to one Minister so I would like to state as my final question that this report had no mention of any dollars attached. In fact, it states that there are no dollars attached.

May I ask the Minister to work with Cabinet and the government to put some serious dollars behind this so we can improve the sports and recreation program? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 525

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Allen.

Further Return To Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 525

Roger Allen

Roger Allen Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I should talk about some of the processes we have considered. I think the important thing is to put this document in the Cabinet social committee, on their agenda. We want to work interdepartmentally with other ministries so we can try to get as much support as we can for this document as well as perhaps take the lead in fitness and in youth. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Question 164-14(4): Support For Elite Sport And Recreation
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Minister Allen. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Braden.

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Premier in his capacity of the comprehensive review of legislation to look at the definition of spouse and equal rights.

In earlier sessions I have asked about proposals to change the Adoption Act of the Northwest Territories so that same-sex couples will be able to get legal recognition of their rights and responsibilities in raising their families. Last week, my colleague from Range Lake pursued the same question.

I would like to go to the Premier again on this issue, Mr. Speaker, and ask, does the government support the principle of amending the Adoption Act to reflect these progressive changes and the rights of same-sex couples? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there has been a recent Supreme Court ruling on this issue and it is our government's intention to ensure that all legislation that is relevant to this ruling be reviewed and amended as quickly as possible.

Yes, the Supreme Court ruling must be complied with. Every government and jurisdiction across this country is undertaking the action to review legislation and come up with appropriate amendments to be brought forward by the respective governments to their legislatures. Thank you.

Return To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, along with other Members, commend the government for taking the initiative to do that broad review. I would like to press the point about the timing of bringing this review forward. It is comprehensive, I believe the Premier said last week that there are more than 30 acts that could potentially require amendments.

I want to be specific to the Adoption Act. Can the Premier advise on whether he can advance the timing of an amendment to this act? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a particular concern to the residents of the Northwest Territories. The two pieces of legislation that have been identified are the Adoption Act and the Family Law Act, as the Member has said. So these two pieces of legislation, I believe, require immediate attention. We have identified that to the officials. They are looking at how they can make the appropriate amendments to these two pieces of legislation and to advise us on what those would be.

We are waiting for indication of when they will be brought forward to us so we can act on them. It is our intention to do that as quickly as possible. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I should have asked, to be very clear on this point, is it the government's intention to advance amendments to these two acts prior to the comprehensive review and bringing in for adoption other acts that are required? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have indicated we would like to proceed with amendments to these two pieces of legislation as quickly as possible. We hope that the advice we get from the officials to be that; that we can proceed without waiting for the outcome of the more comprehensive review.

I cannot say that categorically, but it is our intent. It appears our legislation is not consistent with the Supreme Court rulings and so they are under question. We need to comply with them as soon as possible and these are the two pieces of legislation that have been identified for quick action. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

Bill Braden

Bill Braden Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is helpful information for myself and, I think, people in the Northwest Territories who have a direct concern in this. My question, given that there are at least two people, one couple, two people, in the Northwest Territories who have indicated that they are prepared to go to court to test this legislation for the Northwest Territories, is it the government's preference that this be dealt with here on the floor of this Legislature as an issue of public concern and policy, or that it would be better dealt with in the court? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 526

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Braden. The honourable Premier, Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 527

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, the legislation we have is open to legal challenge, we believe, as currently drafted. It is necessary for us to do this review and to take action to ensure that our legislation is consistent with the Supreme Court rulings. It is not really a debate about whether we want this legislation or not. It is a Supreme Court ruling about rights and benefits that should flow to extending rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples. We are trying to comply with that.

Our legislation is, we believe, currently open to challenge and so we must comply as quickly as possible, and we intend to do that. That is the direction that Cabinet has given. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Question 165-14(4): Adoption By Same-sex Couples
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 527

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Premier. Item 6, oral questions. The honourable Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Bell.

Question 166-14(4): Closure Of Territorial Treatment Centre
Item 6: Oral Questions

October 29th, 2001

Page 527

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Minister Antoine. Concerns have been brought to my attention, Mr. Speaker, following a meeting recently held in Yellowknife regarding drug and alcohol issues facing the youth of our community. The presenters at this meeting included addiction counsellors, members of the RCMP and also school personnel who work with youth at risk. There were presentations made by MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Drivers) and SADD (Students Against Drinking and Driving).

They had a lot of questions, Mr. Speaker, but the one I want to put to the Minister here today is, what is the rationale for the closure of the territorial treatment centre and when was this facility closed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Tony Whitford

Thank you, Mr. Bell. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Antoine, two questions there.