Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On behalf of the government and as the Minister of Health and Social Services I would like to speak briefly in favour of this private Member’s public bill, Bill 19, Donation of Food Act. The proposed bill would exempt the donor, including individuals and businesses, from liability when donating food provided that the donor does not intend to injure and is not reckless. The bill does not apply to a person who distributes donated food for profit.

Mr. Chairman, the current Public Health Act regulates the safety and sanitary handling and preparation of food, but it is not designed to provide food donor protection from liability. This stand-alone piece of legislation will be able to fill that gap. The Public Health Act and its applicable regulations will continue to ensure that donated food is handled in a safe manner and applies to any establishment where food is served to the public.

Mr. Chairman, the bill before us today is consistent with other food donor protection legislation enacted in nine other jurisdictions in Canada. The legislation, when enacted, will be a useful tool in reducing wasted food, especially perishable products like vegetables and dairy products that are most frequently disposed of by retailers and food distributors. Rather than ending up in landfills, nourishing food will be distributed to those who are most in need. Given that all jurisdictions have substantially similar legislation, we feel confident that it can be safely implemented in the North.

Mr. Chairman, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Wendy Bisaro, Member for Frame Lake, for bringing this bill forward and all the other Members who have supported it. I would also like to personally recognize the valuable contribution of Mrs. Ruby Trudel, a well known Yellowknife resident who has taken on not only this latest

worthwhile initiative but many other public health and wellness issues over the years for the benefit of our residents, not only in Yellowknife but all over the North.

This legislation will go a long way in providing legislative assistance to our partners like the Mrs. Trudels in our communities large and small who volunteer their time and resources to provide food to those in need.