In the Legislative Assembly on February 21st, 2007. See this topic in context.

Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1076

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Minister of Justice. It is in follow up to these answers earlier that seem to suggest that the Standing Committee on Social Programs is very powerful and the Minister will follow the direction accordingly. Mr. Speaker, SCAN legislation, as we know, went through consultation from November 1st to January 19th. We did not receive the legislative proposal until February 5th. We had our long evening meeting last night. The Minister is stomping at the bit to see our response even though there are at least three remaining questions. But at the same time, Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Social Programs reviewed a legislative proposal on the Maintenance Enforcement Act which would prevent some of the parents, both Mom and Dad, who are not paying child support from obtaining a licence. We did that review on February 1st, 2006. We responded on March 7th, 2006. As of now, we are told that this legislation will not see the

light of day. I would like to know why it is that that committee response has not been heard in almost a year when SCAN legislation, the Minister wants a response in a week. Thank you.

Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Item 6: Oral Questions

February 20th, 2007

Page 1077

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

I would just caution Members not to make reference to legislation that is before the House. I will allow the Minister to respond to the question. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1077

Brendan Bell

Brendan Bell Yellowknife South

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Government, as Members know, has been working with committee members, with Caucus, to iron out the legislative priorities and legislative agenda. It has been pretty clear from our discussions -- I am not going to get into them in detail -- much of them in Caucus. It is probably not appropriate that I talk about that forum and the discussions here, but suffice it to say we did get the message very clear from committee as to what some legislative priorities were. I think we all recognize that there will be some delay in some of the smaller bills so that some of the bigger priorities can move forward and we can be assured that we will be able to deliver on those things in the life of this government. We are talking about things like the Liquor Act, Mr. Speaker. So we do aim to bring the priorities forward and move forward. Will the entire legislative agenda be accomplished before the end of the life of this government? I doubt it will, but we will certainly work as hard and as diligently as we can to get all of the bills brought forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1077

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Bell. I will caution Members if they are going to speak or ask questions on a document, that they should table it in the House before. Ms. Lee, do you have a supplementary question? Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In that exercise of waffling and avoiding, I did not hear the answer. I would like to know why, Mr. Speaker; a very specific question. I would like to know why a legislative proposal from the government that had responses from this side of the table has not received a response for over a year when he is willing to push every other thing? Is he saying that it is the fault of the entire Caucus that can't make that push, or does the Minister not have any power to control his legislative agenda? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Question 392-15(5): Legislative Priorities
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 1077

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Ms. Lee. I am going to rule that question out of order. We are asking questions on a document that is not before the House.

---Ruled Out of Order

Oral questions. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.