Jackson Lafferty on Committee Motion 28-16(6): Amend Subclause 10(2) Of Bill 10, Carried

In the Legislative Assembly on August 23rd, 2011. See this statement in context.

Committee Motion 28-16(6): Amend Subclause 10(2) Of Bill 10, Carried
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

August 22nd, 2011

Jackson Lafferty Monfwi

Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here to present about Bill 23, Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act.

It has long been recognized that tobacco exposure is linked to serious health conditions in both smokers and non-smokers, including emphysema, heart disease and several types of cancer. The NWT has a very high rate of smoking and the need for many patients to travel south for treatment results in very high costs for our government.

This legislation would permit the GNWT to file a lawsuit to recover from past and future health care costs for smoking-related illnesses directly from tobacco companies. Currently all Canadian jurisdictions, with the exception of Yukon and the Northwest Territories, have enacted this kind of legislation. Nunavut was the first of the three territories to pass cost recovery legislation in November of 2010.

Mr. Chair, I would be pleased to answer questions that Members may have regarding Bill 23.

See context to find out what was said next.

Jackson Lafferty on Committee Motion 28-16(6): Amend Subclause 10(2) Of Bill 10, Carried

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