This is page numbers 3027 – 3066 of the Hansard for the 17th Assembly, 4th 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 community.

Topics

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. Mr. Moses.

Feedback from the Public and the GNWT

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Nadli. The overwhelming majority of submissions supported Bill 24 and, indeed, a return to restricted sales at the Norman Wells liquor outlet.

Of course, the latter is not the issue at hand, which is solely how a plebiscite may be requested.

In all the small communities, people pointed out that bootlegging has increased since restrictions on sales were lifted in Norman Wells. Bootlegging is predominantly in hard liquor, much of it in small “mickey” bottles, which reportedly sell for $85 each in Tulita. Two RCMP officers attended the hearing in that community. One confirmed that calls for service were up since restrictions were lifted in Norman Wells.

Bootlegging is against the law but difficult to control. Police are not able to intercept it all. Alcohol is smuggled into communities by plane, boat, road and snowmobile. Bootlegging was cited as a serious problem in every community, including Norman Wells.

Changes proposed in Bill 24 are not considered to be “the solution” that will stop bootlegging in any community. Rather, there was consistent opinion that the provisions of Bill 24 would help reduce bootlegging.

People in every community spoke passionately about the impact of alcohol abuse, which include many deaths and hair-raising close calls. People spoke of living in fear, of police being unable to respond quickly to complaints, and of the tactics bootleggers use to avoid being caught.

In Fort Good Hope, elder Gabriel Kochon spoke of the deaths of his son and nephew. “Today,” he said, “there are children 8 years old [who are] drinking.”

The committee heard time and again that children and elders are suffering the most.

Opinion on Bill 24 was more divided in Norman Wells, but the majority of speakers supported it, including several young people.

Nevertheless, Bill 24 was strongly opposed by the Norman Wells Chamber of Commerce, the contractor who runs the liquor outlet on behalf of the NWT Liquor Commission, and several other individuals.

Opponents of the bill consider that it interferes in a business, sets up a regime unique to the Sahtu region, and that involvement in plebiscites by other communities is unfair to residents of Norman Wells and will not stop rampant alcohol abuse. The Chamber of Commerce labeled the bill “unconstitutional.”

The committee considered this objection but does not accept its validity. The committee carefully considered applicable human rights legislation in the Northwest Territories as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The committee does not believe that the bill denies residents any good, service or accommodation on the basis of prohibited grounds of discrimination, or that it

otherwise constitutes unlawful discrimination without a bona fide and reasonable justification. Further, the committee notes that the Northwest Territories Act grants the Legislative Assembly the authority to legislate intoxicants in the Northwest Territories.

Some of the arguments against the bill were echoed by the Minister of Finance. In a letter to the committee on September 26th , he stated that he

and his Cabinet colleagues will not support the bill. The Minister cited his desire for consistency of plebiscite policy across the Northwest Territories.

For clarity, the Liquor Act mandates the Finance Minister to regulate sales of alcohol. The NWT Liquor Commission, which contracts and supplies all liquor stores in the territory, also operates under the authority of the Minister of Finance.

Standing committee members were impressed by the submissions they received in every community, and found considerable merit in the arguments both for and against Bill 24.

The committee agrees that fundamental democratic principles must be upheld. In this case, that means a request for a plebiscite should come from communities comprising more than half the population of the Sahtu. An amendment to this effect was made during the public hearing in Yellowknife on October 16, 2013, with the consent of MLA Yakeleya, Bill 24’s sponsor.

However, the will of the people, as expressed in four lengthy public hearings, was loud and clear in support of Bill 24. What committee members heard was in fact a cry for help, which brings us to some important matters well beyond the scope of the bill.

I’d like to pass the report on to my colleague Ms. Bisaro.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Moses. Ms. Bisaro.

Other Matters

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The committee reviewed dozens of police reports from every community in the region. These monthly summaries from the RCMP are further testament to the carnage wrought by alcohol abuse, the suffering endured in every community, and the burden on police and other government services.

In a year, calls for service to RCMP in the Sahtu are approximately equal to the population of the region: 2,750 calls in 2012. Alcohol is a factor in most crimes and complaints.

Far more alarming is the number of assaults. In 2012, RCMP recorded 255 assaults in Sahtu communities. This is almost one assault for every 10 residents of the region.

In the first five months of 2013, RCMP recorded 120 offenses under the Liquor Act in Sahtu communities.

In Deline alone, a community of about 550 people, there were 43 recorded occurrences of bootlegging in this same period.

In every community the committee heard pleas for programs to help deal with the impact of alcohol abuse. As one man succinctly put it in Norman Wells, “You need help, where do you get it?” There must be effective ways to escape violence and to get well.

People eloquently described the need for safe houses, residential and on-the-land addictions treatment, and more education about alcohol and addictions.

In addition, people want better control of bootlegging. This includes more severe penalties for bootleggers.

It is abundantly clear that alcohol abuse is a societal issue that can only be reduced through a coordinated approach by individuals, families, schools, communities and various government departments. Ultimately, community leaders must lead the way in dealing with addictions issues and helping police deal with bootlegging.

The committee was persuaded that its recommendations must go beyond the limited scope of Bill 24. The integrity of the government is at stake. The same is true for community leadership. There will be no success in dealing with alcohol abuse without local ownership of the problem, local solutions and local action.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pass the reading of the report to my colleague Mr. Dolynny.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Mr. Dolynny.

Committee Recommendations

Daryl Dolynny

Daryl Dolynny Range Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations therefore recommends:

1) that the Department of Health and Social

Services, the Department of Education and the NWT Liquor Commission increase awareness and prevention programs related to alcohol consumption and abuse. The NWT Liquor Commission must live up to its mandate to “promote the development of a healthy and responsible drinking culture,” and to “encourage and support the responsible use of alcohol;”

2) that the Department of Health and Social

Services make on-the-land addictions treatment available in every community in the Northwest Territories;

3) that the Department of Health and Social

Services re-establish a residential treatment facility in the Northwest Territories;

4) that the Department of Health and Social

Services provide detox programs for any resident who is referred;

5) that the Department of Health and Social

Services deliver coordinated after-care support in every community for those who complete addictions treatment programs;

6)

that the Department of Justice include identification of, and support for, safe houses as part of community safety plans;

7) that the Department of Justice consider

legislating stiffer penalties for bootleggers, and apply for forfeiture of vehicles and equipment used in appropriate cases;

8) that the Department of Justice deliver an

information campaign to raise awareness of potential penalties to bootleggers;

9) that the Department of Justice strengthen the

ability of RCMP detachments to identify and intercept bootleggers, and provide appropriate tools to detect criminal activity related to alcohol and drugs, such as infrared heat sensors and dogs;

10) that the Department of Justice and the

Department of Municipal and Community Affairs assist communities that wish to establish and operate community alcohol committees to help control access to alcohol;

11)

that the Department of Justice establish an effective mechanism for anonymous reporting of bootleggers and bootlegging;

12)

that the Department of Finance and NWT Liquor Commission ensure that liquor stores accepting orders from residents of other communities abide by local restrictions on importing alcohol;

13) that the Department of Transportation establish

thorough screening methods for passengers and cargo at all airports in the NWT, specifically related to assist detection of bootlegging;

14) that the Department of Finance, through the

NWT Liquor Commission, consider restrictions on sales of large quantities of spirits that are not supported by ongoing or special licences, and that individuals purchasing large quantities of spirits be required to identify themselves and sign for their purchases; and finally,

15) that a fixed percentage of the government’s

profit from liquor sales be allocated to augment addictions awareness and treatment programs.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I wish to turn it to Mr. Nadli to conclude the report. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. Mr. Nadli.

Conclusion

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is significant that Bill 24 provides the Finance Minister may hold a plebiscite if certain conditions are met; it does not require the Minister to do so.

Following the amendment mentioned earlier, members of the Standing Committee on Government Operations support Bill 24 as presented and recommend it as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

The committee understands the Finance Minister’s decision that under circumstances specific to this bill, Cabinet will not support it. The committee therefore respectfully requests that Cabinet abstain, or allow a free vote of its members.

Michael Nadli

Michael Nadli Deh Cho

Mr. Speaker, that concludes the report of the Standing Committee on Government Operations on the review of Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act. Therefore, I move, seconded by the Member for Frame Lake, that Committee Report 7-17(4) be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Nadli. To the motion.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called.

---Carried

Committee Report 7-17(4) has been received and will be moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration.

Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following three documents, entitled Traditional Knowledge Annual Report, Conference of Management Authority Species at Risk Annual Report 2012-2013, and Northwest Territories Species at Risk Committee Annual Report 2012-2013. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to table the following two documents, entitled Northwest Territories Coroner Service 2012 Annual Report, and the 2012-2013 Report of the Legal Services Board of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. Item 15, notices of motion. Mr. Yakeleya.

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, October 24, 2013, I will move the following motion: I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Thebacha, that, notwithstanding Rule 4, when the House adjourns on October 24, 2013, it shall be adjourned until Monday, October 28, 2013.

And further, at any time prior to October 28, 2013, if the Speaker is satisfied, after consultation with the Executive Council and Members of the Legislative Assembly, that the public interest requires that the House should meet at an earlier time during the

adjournment, the Speaker may give notice and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice and shall transact its business as it has been duly adjourned to that time. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. 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: Bill 3, Wildlife Act; Bill 13, An Act to Repeal the Curfew Act; Bill 14, An Act to Repeal the Pawnbrokers and Second-hand Dealers Act; Bill 15, Gunshot and Stab Wound Mandatory Disclosure Act; Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Justices of the Peace Act; Bill 17, An Act to Amend the Protection Against Family Violence Act; Bill 18, Apology Act; Bill 19, Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2013; Bill 21, An Act to Amend the Dental Profession Act; Bill 22, Territorial Emblems and Honours Act; Bill 24, An Act to Amend the Liquor Act; Tabled Document 70-17(4), Electoral Boundaries Commission, Final Report, May 2013; and Tabled Document 107-17(4), NWT Capital Estimates 2014-2015, with Finance Minister Mr. Miltenberger, Education, Culture and Employment, Transportation, NWT Housing Corporation. By the authority given to me as Speaker, by Motion 1-17(4), I hereby authorize the House to sit beyond the daily hour of adjournment to consider business before the House, with Mr. Dolynny in the chair.

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

October 21st, 2013

The Chair

The Chair Daryl Dolynny

Thank you. Committee, we’ll call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Ms. Bisaro.

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

Wendy Bisaro

Wendy Bisaro Frame Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We wish to continue with Tabled Document 107-17(4), NWT Capital Estimates 2014-15, to conclude, hopefully, the Department of Education and then Transportation, then, time willing, NWT Housing Corporation.

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 Daryl Dolynny

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Does committee agree?

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 Daryl Dolynny

Okay, committee, we’ll commence after 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 Daryl Dolynny

All right. Committee, welcome back. Committee, we are on capital estimates, activity summary, page 8-7, on Education, Culture and Employment, and with that, I have Mr. Yakeleya.

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

Norman Yakeleya

Norman Yakeleya Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to reiterate the pressing needs…