Mr. Speaker, I have a return to oral question asked by Ms. Bisaro on May 19, 2011, regarding whether or not the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs has ever considered funding veterinary services and programs within the Northwest Territories.
Amongst other activities, MACA’s primary focus is community governments and providing community governments with relevant funding and legislative frameworks.
MACA administers the Dog Act, which has recently been amended to provide fines and punishment for conviction of cruelty to dogs. MACA does not have the authority or the mandate to look after the health of dogs or other animals. As a result, MACA has not considered funding veterinary programs and services in the NWT. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.