Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate that my colleagues would like to hear “question,” but I have a few comments that I’d like to make first. I’d like to just say at the outset that I am totally in support of this bill. I think it would be a little strange if anybody realized that I was not.
Many of us have known for quite some time that perfectly good food often goes to waste. Usually it goes to the community dump, generally due to policies and standards established by food businesses and restaurants. We also see an awful lot of food that goes to waste because we have too much food and too few attendees at any number of social functions.
Some people seeing this need have started to rescue that food, ensure that it is fit for consumption and then pass it on to needy organizations. In Yellowknife the Salvation Army and the Centre for Northern Families are a couple of recipients, as examples.
This bill will enable this good work to continue, and it will allow a fledgling program in Yellowknife to expand well beyond its current size. That will be to the benefit of all residents of the NWT at some point in time. They will provide liability protection to persons or organizations who donate or distribute rescued food.
Lastly, I am in support of the bill, and I would ask for the support of all Members of this House.