Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Briefly, I’ve got this motion here today. Throughout our public hearing process and through comments
through e-mails and phone calls that I’ve received on the proposed amendments to Bill 16, overwhelmingly people are saying across the Northwest Territories that it’s time the government move forward with comprehensive animal protection legislation.
My personal belief is it’s long overdue. The amendments to the Dog Act are long overdue. It’s a step in the right direction, but what we’ve heard is the society is not accepting of cruelty to animals in any way, shape or form, and this government has got to take action to protect animals of all variety in our Territory. Again, I don’t think we have to look too far to find a piece of legislation that might work or help us out in getting legislation here, and that’s in the Yukon. Mr. Menicoche talked about some high-profile incidents here in the Northwest Territories in the last number of years that have caused us a great deal of embarrassment on the national and international stage when it comes to abuse of dogs and animals in our Territory. We certainly need to get with the times.
The reality is it’s just not acceptable anymore to be abusing animals and we have got to move forward with this legislation. I know it’s late days in the life of this government but this has got to be part of the transition plan for the next government and has to be introduced early in the life of the 17
th
Assembly.
With that, Mr. Chairman, I certainly look forward to hearing any other comments on this from other Members. Thank you.