This is page numbers 4315 - 4334 of the Hansard for the 18th Assembly, 3rd 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 cannabis.

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

I understand that the roadway itself is on GNWT land, but the city maintains the road.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Frame Lake.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Merci, Monsieur le President. Well, I appreciate the response from the Minister. Since this is GNWT land which is right next to the roadway itself, what are we doing, then, to deal with the tailings that are there? Because there are all-terrain vehicle tracks, and the stuff is being spread out. It's our responsibility. What is the Minister doing about it?

Louis Sebert

Louis Sebert Thebacha

Yes, as I mentioned, the roadway is apparently owned by the GNWT. I perhaps can get back to the Member opposite after I have spoken with ENR also about this, as well as my own department. I think a more detailed response would be necessary. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Finance about the regulations for private sales that he has brought forward. I have taken a look at them, and the concerns I have heard from other people who are interested in a business: you need to sign a lease; you need a have a development permit; you need to have an extensive criminal background check; and this is all before you start the application process. These seem to be incredibly onerous and incredibly hard to get retail businesses off the ground. Does the Minister truly believe that this meets the goals of the standing committee's recommendations that privatization be an element of our cannabis regime? Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Minister of Finance.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we want to be sure that those who are seriously interested are fully qualified candidates to be vendors of cannabis, so I believe it is a fair deal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Quoting from the first part of the vendor designation section of the regulations, the Minister needs to be satisfied that "the operation of a cannabis store by the person would be economically viable."

The Minister is going to determine the market conditions before the market is allowed to determine those conditions. I don't know of any other business that is run this way or permitted this way. Can the Minister clarify what these regulations mean by economic viability of a potential applicant?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Much like with any business venture, the vendors would come forward with a business plan, and they would see whether there is a market for the product or not. Through the early work that we are doing, using the liquor store model, I think it would be a good determination of what type of market is out there.

One thing we don't want to see happen is those getting into the business thinking that it is a cash cow, when a lot of us know that it may not be. We just want to make sure that they know what they are getting into, and that it is a viable operation for them.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Earlier the Minister commented that the Liquor Commission has made $5,000 in the first hour of sales. It seems like a very viable operation. Again, why is the Minister putting a criterion that he needs to be the one to determine if the business is going to be successful before that business is allowed to exist?

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

Yes, the Member is correct. I did say that there was a good uptake at the beginning and made over $5,000 already, but it is now 14 hours into the legalization of cannabis. Maybe once the excitement wears off, the novelty wears off, or it is not the flavour of the day, there might be some changes, and it might get back to business as usual.

The Minister does make the final determination. I am not going to sit there and decide whether this business is viable; I would rely on the recommendations of those that would provide some technical and financial advice. I don't make the ultimate decision as to whether this business is going to go or not. I would listen to recommendations, like most good leaders do. I would listen to recommendations and make an informed decision based on that.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am certainly not questioning the Minister's judgement or the advice he receives from the quality staff in the public service. My question is: why are the regulations worded in a way that is putting -- I mean, the Minister is telling us now, Mr. Speaker, that he is not sure if this business is going to continue to boom or if it is going to go down. It doesn't sound like the Minister is aware of the economic viability of cannabis in the Northwest Territories. How are business owners or entrepreneurs who look at these regulations given comfort that the Minister is not going to say no because he is worried about them failing? Let the market decide. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Robert C. McLeod

Robert C. McLeod Inuvik Twin Lakes

That is exactly what we are trying to do. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. [No English translation provided.] Item 8, written questions. Item 9, returns to written questions. Item 10, replies to the Commissioner's opening address. Item 11, petitions. Item 12, reports of standing and special committees. Item 13, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 14, tabling of documents. Item 15, notices of motion. 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 7, Chartered Professional Accountants Act; Minister's Statement 19-18(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process; and Tabled Document 215-18(3), Capital Estimates, 2019-2020, with the Member for Hay River North 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

Page 4333

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

I call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of committee? Mr. Testart.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 4333

Kieron Testart

Kieron Testart Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I move that the chair rise and report progress. Thank you.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 4333

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. Testart. There is a motion to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

I will rise and report progress. Thank you, committee.

Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters

Page 4333

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

May I have the report, Member for Hay River North?

Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 4334

R.J. Simpson

R.J. Simpson Hay River North

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Bill 7, Chartered Professional Accountants Act; Minister's Statement 19-18(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process; and Tabled Document 215-18(3), Capital Estimates, 2019-2020, and would like to report progress, and Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.

Report Of Committee Of The Whole
Report Of Committee Of The Whole

Page 4334

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi. Do we have a seconder? Member for Sahtu. The motion is in order. All those in favour? All those opposed?

---Carried

Masi. Item 22, third reading of bills. Mr. Clerk, orders of the day.

Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day

Page 4334

Deputy Clerk Of The House Mr. Ball

Orders of the day for Thursday, October 18, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.

  1. Prayer
  2. Ministers' Statements
  3. Members' Statements
  4. Returns to Oral Questions
  5. Recognition of Visitors in the Gallery
  6. Acknowledgements
  7. Oral Questions
  8. Written Questions
  9. Returns to Written Questions
  10. Replies to the Commissioner's Opening Address
  11. Petitions
  12. Reports of Standing and Special Committees
  13. Reports of Committees on the Review of Bills
  14. Tabling of Documents
  15. Notices of Motion
  16. Notices of Motion for First Reading of Bills
  17. Motions

- Motion 21-18(3), Extended Adjournment of the House to October 23, 2018

  1. First Reading of Bills
  2. Second Reading of Bills
  3. Consideration in Committee of the Whole of Bills and Other Matters

- Bill 7, Chartered Professional Accountants Act

- Bill 8, Emergency Management Act

- Minister's Statement 19-18(3), Aurora College Foundational Review Process

- Tabled Document 215-18(3), Capital Estimate, 2019-2020

  1. Report of Committee of the Whole
  2. Third Reading of Bills
  3. Orders of the Day

Orders Of The Day
Orders Of The Day

Page 4334

The Speaker

The Speaker Jackson Lafferty

Masi, Mr. Clerk. This House stands adjourned until Thursday, October 18, 2018, at 1:30 p.m.

---ADJOURNMENT

The House adjourned at 3:19 p.m.