This is page numbers 799 - 832 of the Hansard for the 14th Assembly, 5th 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 chairman.

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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

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Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have a few questions for the Minister and his department. As we know, just going through medical information we find out how homosexual males are the highest risk group for acquiring AIDS, hepatitis A and B and 17 other different diseases that are there. Now we are going to be exposing this to the child, of being able to contract these kind of diseases. Has the department made allowances or do they have a long range plan on how they are going to be able to take care of all these people when they get sick all at once? Can the Minister tell us what kind of plan he has in place for this?

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

I think, Mr. Lafferty, that is probably beyond the scope of this bill and some of that is probably hypothetical. Do you have another question, Mr. Lafferty?

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

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Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You might say the same thing for every question I have but I will try it. I will give it a try. I would like to just bring this out to the Members in this House. How do they tend to ensure that the environment we are putting these children in is not going to be harmful to them? Are there any records or well-conducted studies on the long-term outcome of children raised by homosexual parents? Are there any studies you are going by that guarantees these children will be in a good environment and there will be no harm coming to them?

As we know, these children cannot speak for themselves. We are the ones who are going to have to lead the way for them. We are the ones who are making the choice for them right now, because they cannot make their own choice.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Miltenberger.

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

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, there is a very rigorous process that is gone through with adoptions in terms of assessments and home visits and the checking out of the environment. The fundamental premise that the best interest of the child is first and foremost the most paramount. That is the process and approach that is taken in all cases. If the family setting is not deemed appropriate and the best interests of the child are not being met then the child will not be placed there. Thank you.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Lafferty.

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

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Leon Lafferty North Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. During the second part of his comments, the Minister talked about a solid home environment. Can the Minister give me an example of what a solid home environment is? Thank you.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Miltenberger.

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

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am not sure if the Member wants me to give him an example of a family that I think would be a solid home environment. What I think it is is one where the child will be loved, nurtured, supported, protected and allowed to develop to his full potential and that takes many forms, but I would suggest those fundamentals should be there. That is what this process ensures and is not up for debate today. It is already there in legislation. What we have today is one relatively small amendment, or definition. Thank you.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Lafferty.

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

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Leon Lafferty North Slave

No.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Any other comments? Are we ready for clause by clause?

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Mr. Krutko.

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

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David Krutko

David Krutko Mackenzie Delta

I would like to move a motion to report progress.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

There is a motion on the floor. It is not debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is defeated. What is the wish of the committee?

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

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Some Hon. Members

Clause by clause.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Clause by clause. If you would open your binders to tab 5. Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Adoption Act and the Family Law Act. Clause 1.

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

I am not sure how many nays. We are going to have a vote on this. Clause 1. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Clause 1 is agreed. Clause 2.

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

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Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Mr. Miltenberger.

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

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to propose a minor technical amendment.

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

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The Chair

The Chair Paul Delorey

Go ahead, Mr. Miltenberger, with your amendment.

Committee Motion 28-14(5): To Amend Clause 2 Of Bill 5 (carried)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

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Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I MOVE that subclause 2(5) of Bill 5 be amended by striking out proposed paragraph 37(4)(a) and by substituting the following:

(a) to take under the will under subsection (1) or paragraph (3)(b);