This is page numbers 6245 - 6300 of the Hansard for the 16th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was agreed.

Topics

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Bromley.

Public Education

One witness began his presentation by stating “I’d just like to touch on a key word and that key word is ‘education.’” The committee heard several comments on the same theme, which spoke to the need for public education on the responsibilities of dog ownership, and on traditional and modern dog care practices in the NWT. A Sahtu-based study provided with one written submission, strongly recommended that such programs target youth, who are often dogs’ primary caregivers.

Recommendation 3

The committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs initiate discussions with stakeholders on the development and delivery of a public education program on dogs, and, if and as appropriate, assist with the development and delivery of such a program.

Comprehensive Animal Protection Legislation

Several presentations and written submissions to the committee advocated for comprehensive animal protection legislation, which already exists in most other Canadian provinces and territories. Such legislation would protect not only dogs but all domestic animals. Currently the only means of prosecuting people who abuse animals other than dogs in the NWT are the Criminal Code provisions, under which it is very difficult to convict offenders.

Conclusion

Once again, the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure would like to thank all those who participated in the public hearings on Bill 16 and who provided written submissions. I also want to thank our staff: Ms. Collette Langlois, our director of research; Ms. Jennifer Knowlan, our committee clerk; and Alicia Tumchewics, our committee researcher, for all the work in helping coordinate the public hearings and taking in all the submissions that we received along the way.

The committee is pleased that this bill was brought forward during the life of the 16th Assembly and strongly encourages the government to follow through on its intent by devoting the necessary attention to the implementation of the new Dog Act and other recommendations contained in this report.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Member for Kam Lake, Mr. Ramsay.

Motion To Receive Committee Report 7-16(5) And Move Into Committee Of The Whole, Carried
Reports of Standing and Special Committees

February 28th, 2011

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Weledeh, that Committee Report 7-16(5) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The motion is on the floor. The motion is in order. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Question has been called.

---Carried

Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following document entitled Environment and Natural Resources Framework for Action 2008-2012: Status Report to December 2010.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger.

In accordance with Section 30 of the Northwest Territories Act I wish to table the Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Northwest Territories Health Programs and Services, 2011, Department of Health and Social Services, 2010.

In accordance with Section 30 of the Northwest Territories Act I wish to table the Report of the Auditor General of Canada on Northwest Territories Deh Cho Bridge Project 2011 and Department of Transportation.

Tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Thursday, March 3, 2011, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that this Legislative Assembly strongly recommends that the Minister of Health immediately order an independent external investigation covering all aspects of the Leishman incident, with recommendations, as necessary, to improve safety and security for all patients and staff and improve the overall quality of care for all patients receiving care with Stanton Territorial Hospital.

The Speaker

The Speaker Paul Delorey

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Item 16, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 17, motions. Item 18, first reading of bills. Item 19, second reading of bills. Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Tabled Document 4-16(5), Executive Summary of the Report of the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project; Tabled Document 30-16(5), 2010 Review of Members’ Compensation and Benefits; Tabled Document 38-16(5), Supplementary Health Benefits – What We Heard; Tabled Document 62-16(5), Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy; Tabled Document 75-16(5), Response to the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project on the Federal and Territorial Governments’ Interim Response to “Foundation for a Sustainable Northern Future”; Tabled Document 103-16(5), GNWT Contracts Over $5000 Report, Year Ending March 31, 2010; Tabled Document 133-16(5), NWT Main Estimates 2011-2012; Tabled Document 135-16(5), GNWT Response to CR 3-16(5), Report on the Review of the Child and Family Services Act; Tabled Document 156-16(5), Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 5, 2010-2011; Tabled Document 157-16(5), Supplementary Estimates (Operations Expenditures), No. 3, 2010-2011; Bill 4, An Act to Amend the Social Assistance Act; Bill 14, An Act to Amend the Conflict of Interest Act; Bill 15, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act; Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act; Bill 18, An Act to Repeal the Settlements Act; Bill 19, Municipal Statutes Amendment Act; Bill 20, An Act to Amend the Evidence Act; Minister’s’ Statement 65-16(5), Devolution Agreement-in-Principle, Impact on Land Claims and Protection of Aboriginal Rights; Minister’s’ Statement 88-16(5), Sessional Statement, with Mr. Krutko in the chair.

By the authority given me as Speaker by Motion 31-16(5), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hour of adjournment to consider the business before the House.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: tabled documents 4, 30, 38, 62, 75, 103, 133, 135; Bills 4, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20; Minister’s statements 65 and 88. What is the wish of committee?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Jane Groenewegen

Jane Groenewegen Hay River South

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We would like to continue considering the NWT Main Estimates, 2011-2012. We would like to start off with the Department of Health and Social Services and then go to Justice and the Legislative Assembly; following that, the supplementary appropriations. That would be TD 156 and 157.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Is committee agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

With that, we’ll take a short break.

---SHORT RECESS

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

I’d like to call the committee back to order. Prior to the break we agreed to continue on with Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Justice and the Legislative Assembly. With that, at this time I’d like to ask the Minister if she would be bringing in witnesses. Ms. Lee.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Yes, please, Mr. Chairman.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Is committee agreed the Minister can bring in her witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Sergeant-at-Arms, escort the witnesses in.

For the record, Ms. Lee, could you introduce your witnesses?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Sandy Lee

Sandy Lee Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have with me to my right Deputy Minister Paddy Meade. Further right is Mr. Derek Elkin, director of finance. To my left is Mr. Dana Heide, assistant deputy minister of operations.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Welcome, witnesses. We’re on page 8-7. Mr. Abernethy.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I seek unanimous consent to go back to page 8-29.

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

The Chair

The Chair David Krutko

The Member is seeking unanimous consent to return to page 8-29. Is committee agreed?

Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters
Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.