WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories has recently expanded the NWT Beverage Container Program to now include milk and milk substitutes and liquid milk and milk substitutes product containers;
AND WHEREAS Members of the 16th Legislative
Assembly have identified a vision and goals for the Northwest Territories that references healthy, educated people with a focus on prevention by promoting healthy choices and lifestyles;
AND WHEREAS the NWT Food Guide clearly identifies the need for children and adolescents to consume up to four servings of milk or milk substitutes each day to aid in the development of strong bones and teeth;
AND WHEREAS milk contains some naturally occurring and healthier forms of sugar, and also contains nutrients such as protein, calcium and Vitamins A and D;
AND WHEREAS drinks with added and highly refined sugar generally don’t have such healthy nutrients and are higher in calories because of all the extra sugar which can lead to weight gain, tooth decay or other health risks;
AND WHEREAS it is widely acknowledged that residents of the Northwest Territories already contend with an extremely high cost of living;
AND WHEREAS the changes to the Beverage Container Program include the introduction of a refundable deposit and a non-refundable handling fee on milk containers that will increase costs and negatively impact individuals and families who rely on milk as a nutritious staple;
AND WHEREAS the handling fees, which makes up approximately 43 percent of the total surcharge, are non-refundable and will lead to increased costs for all consumers;
AND WHEREAS approximately 30 million beverage containers were returned in 2009 and only 1.5 million milk containers are projected to be returned in 2010, which would be less than 5 percent of all containers returned under this program;
AND WHEREAS the government is already providing financial assistance to NWT-based municipalities, organizations, businesses and individuals to develop innovative, alternative and progressive methods of recycling paper products;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Sahtu, that the Government of the Northwest Territories take immediate action to alter the Beverage Container Program by eliminating the collection of the non-refundable handling fee for milk containers and provide a corresponding and suitable level of financial assistance to the Environment Fund, if required, to assist in covering program expenses and improvements to waste reduction and recovery programs. Mahsi.