On June 11, 2003, Bill 22, Waste Recovery and Reduction Act and Bill 25, Municipal Statutes Replacement Act were referred to the Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development for public review.
The Committee held public hearings in Inuvik, Aklavik, Hay River and Yellowknife.
The following is the committee's report on Bill 22 and on Bill 25, and reflects the views of committee members and those of the people and organizations that took the time to appear at the public hearings or to make written submissions.
Bill 22, Waste Recovery And Reduction Act
Introduction
The Standing Committee on Governance and Economic Development is pleased to report on its review of Bill 22, Waste Recovery and Reduction Act.
The committee would like to thank the Minister and his staff for moving quickly to complete and introduce this bill in response to requests by Members of the Legislative Assembly to make it a priority.
The committee would also like to thank all the individuals who took the time to prepare submissions or to make presentations at our public hearings.
The committee heard a great deal of support for this long-awaited legislation, which will allow the government to establish waste recovery, reuse and recycling programs to deal with a wide range of materials. As Ms. Mary McCreadie stated, "This kind of thing is good for our environment, it is good for our people, it helps reduce the direct short and long-term costs for garbage and landfill sites, and it helps reduce the less direct short and long-term costs for the health of the people, animals, water and our land." Ms. McCreadie's statement was typical of the positive comments made by witnesses.However, the committee also heard many questions and concerns about how the act would be implemented, particularly with respect to the proposed beverage container recovery program.
The Minister has indicated that the first program to be developed under this proposed act will be for the recovery of beverage containers, such as pop cans, tetra packs and bottles. The department has already undertaken some public communication and consultation on this proposed initiative and, as a result, many people had comments and questions that were specific to beverage container regulations that may be developed pursuant to this bill, rather than to the bill itself. The committee, therefore, felt it was necessary to take the opportunity to report comments and recommendations on the development of these regulations in addition to its findings on the bill.
Public Review
The committee held public hearings in Yellowknife on August 26th and September 17 to 18, 2003, in Inuvik on September 2nd, in Aklavik on September 3rd, and in Hay River on September 8th. During the clause-by-clause review, which took place on September 18th, four motions to amend the bill were carried by the committee and concurred with by the Minister. All four motions were of a minor and non-substantive nature. Following clause-by-clause review of the bill, a motion was carried to report Bill 22 as amended and reprinted back to the Assembly as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
Consultation
As Members and some witnesses noted, Bill 22 leaves many important issues to be addressed by regulations approved by the Executive Council. It became very clear to the committee that more public communication and consultation is essential before the government proceeds with any regulations, including regulations for a beverage container recovery program. Most people who appeared at our public hearings asked what opportunities they might have to provide input on the regulations, and some had very legitimate concerns about the effect the regulations could have on their businesses, which they do not feel the department has addressed to date.
Bill 22 does provide for the establishment of an advisory committee. Many witnesses took note of this and suggested it could be a vehicle for stakeholder representatives to participate in developing programs and regulations.
Members were pleased that the Minister committed to establishing the advisory committee quickly so they will have the opportunity to be involved in the development of regulations for the beverage container program as well as subsequent regulations. Members also support the suggestion of Mr. Ray Massey, who represented the Inuvik Recycling Society, that the advisory committee's mandate should include reviewing and making recommendations on project applications for money from the environment fund.
In order to be effective, Members would suggest this committee will need representation from stakeholders such as distributors, retailers, environmental organizations and not-for-profit groups and businesses involved in recycling, and would include some individuals with experience working on waste reduction and recovery programs. Members would also like to stress that this committee must have membership from small communities.
The committee would caution that while the advisory committee could play a significant role in the development of regulations, this should not be seen as taking the place of broader public consultation and communication, which will also be critical to the success of programs.
Because of the significance of these regulations and their impact on NWT residents and businesses, Members would also urge the government to consult with all MLAs before finalizing any substantive regulations.
Mr. Speaker, I would ask at this time that my colleague from the committee, Mr. McLeod, to continue with the report.