This is page numbers 5179 – 5220 of the Hansard for the 17th 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 services.

Topics

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 36 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee.

Mr. Miltenberger.

Michael Miltenberger

Michael Miltenberger Thebacha

I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Kam Lake, that Bill 37, Financial Administration Act, be read for the second time.

This bill replaces the Financial Administration Act. It establishes a framework for improved accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility in respect to public money and other money administered by government and public agencies. Consequential amendments are made to a number of other acts.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried.

Bill 37 has had second reading and is referred to a standing committee.

Mr. Ramsay.

Bill 38: An Act To Amend The Jury Act
Second Reading of Bills

November 3rd, 2014

David Ramsay

David Ramsay Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Jury Act, be read for the second time.

This bill amends the Jury Act to permit the sheriff to obtain names and addresses of prospective jurors for a French or bilingual trial from a jury list compiled in accordance with the regulations.

In addition, employees of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada are exempted from service as jurors.

The bill also includes a number of non-substantive amendments.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill.

Some Hon. Members

Question.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackie Jacobson

Question has been called. The motion is carried.

---Carried

Bill 38 has had second reading and is referred to committee.

Item 20, consideration in Committee of the Whole of bills and other matters: Bill 29, Human Tissue Donation Act; Bill 32, An Act to Amend the Pharmacy Act; and Committee Report 7-17(5), Report on the Development of the Economic

Opportunities and Mineral Development Strategies, with Mrs. Groenewegen 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

The Chair

The Chair Jane Groenewegen

I’d like to call Committee of the Whole to order. There are numerous things before committee today. 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, Madam Chair. We would like to consider Bill 29 and Bill 32.

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 Jane Groenewegen

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 Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. We will resume with that 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 Jane Groenewegen

I would like to call Committee of the Whole back to order. We have two small bills in front of us today. Bill 29, Human Tissue Donation Act. I would like to call on Minister Abernethy, the Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, if he would please do his opening remarks on Bill 29. Minister 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

I am pleased to be here today to discuss Bill 29, Human Tissue Donation Act.

I would like to acknowledge the role that both past and present MLAs have played in spurring this legislation forward. I would like to thank them for their dedication to bringing organ and tissue donation into the limelight and for their support as we continue to move forward on this important initiative.

This bill will replace the existing Human Tissue Act.

We heard Members’ concerns about the current act. We want to ensure that a comprehensive process is in place for NWT residents who wish to donate organs and tissues.

The new act will clarify and modernize definitions and processes for human tissue donation and transplantation and provide the framework for NWT residents to consent to donating organs and tissues.

Unlike the current act, the new act will allow for transplants between living bodies and outlines how residents can consent to the donation of their organs and tissues both during life and after death.

We recognize that donation can be a difficult decision for an individual or for a family to make and that the body should be treated with care, respect and dignity throughout the donation process. The new act also sets out fines and jail

time for individuals guilty of selling body parts or benefitting from the donation of organs or tissues.

Although this act will not establish an organ and tissue donation program, it will allow for residents to register their consent to donate tissues and organs after death through an online registry once one has been established.

The department continues to work with the Government of Alberta to make this online consent to donate registry a reality for NWT residents. We believe that having an online consent to donate registry is important in assisting residents to make their wishes to donate known.

However, it’s also important that residents speak with their family and loved ones about their wishes and ask for their support in case they are in a position to donate but are unable to speak for themselves.

We believe that the new act is a much needed step forward for organ and tissue donation here in the Northwest Territories and we want to keep this momentum going.

As we move forward with this legislation and our work with the Government of Alberta to partner on their online registry, the department will be rolling out an awareness campaign to support and promote organ donation by NWT residents.

I would be pleased to answer any questions Members may have. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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 Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. I will now call on Mr. Moses, the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs to please deliver the remarks that came about as the result of the review of Bill 29. Mr. Moses.

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

Alfred Moses

Alfred Moses Inuvik Boot Lake

Thank you, Madam Chair. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted its public review of Bill 29, Human Tissue Donation Act, on September 16, 2014.

A clause-by-clause review was conducted the same day. The committee thanks the Minister and his staff for presenting the bill.

Bill 29 is intended to replace the Human Tissue Act. It establishes the rules by which consent can be given to use human tissue for transplants, therapeutic purposes, medical education or research. In certain cases the bill requires approval from an independent assessment committee. The bill prohibits medical practitioners from determining death of a donor if they have any association with the proposed transplant recipient. It also prohibits commercial activity in human tissue and facilitates the establishment of inter-jurisdictional agreements.

The committee considered a late submission from Canadian Blood Services. The organization requested that Bill 29 provide the legal framework for the disclosure of personal health information to

an organization which maintains a registry for the donation of body parts or substances. The committee reviewed this matter and can offer assurance that the new Health Information Act will provide the appropriate legal framework. The committee would like to thank Canadian Blood Services for its comments on Bill 29.

Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 29 to the Assembly as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

This concludes the committee’s opening comments on Bill 29, and individual Members may have questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you.

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 Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Moses. At this time I would like to ask the Minister if he would like to bring witnesses into the Chamber for consideration of this bill.

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

Yes, Madam Chair.

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 Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Abernethy. 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 Jane Groenewegen

Thank you. I will ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to please escort the witnesses to the table.

Minister Abernethy, for the record, could you please 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

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Madam Chair. On my left is legislative counsel, Ms. Thomas-Druyan, and on my right is the deputy minister of Health and Social Services, Debbie DeLancey.