Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Recommendation 1
The Standing Committees on Government Operations and Social Development recommend that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a fully costed implementation plan for Bill 6, including multi-demographic public education, enforcement planning, and expected cannabis revenues; that this plan be returned to the committees for review prior to legalization day; and that the final plan be made available to the public.
Overall, we found that the GNWT did not adequately provide citizens of the Northwest Territories with information about the proposed framework for cannabis regulation, resulting in uncertainty for communities and citizens. This placed the committees in the unenviable position of serving as a source of public information on a government bill while it was under our review. Throughout our tour, residents asked about the impacts of cannabis legalization on our communities and our economy, on existing services, and on the social challenges we already face. We heard questions about enforcement responsibilities and training, public education, healthcare (including mental health and addiction counselling), guidelines for entrepreneurs and producers, and rules for plebiscites. We also heard clearly that residents want public education that targets not only youth, but also adults and elders. Legalization will affect all Northerners, and they deserve to be informed.
The implementation of cannabis legalization is a monumental task. An implementation plan, outlining such things as targeted communication initiatives (e.g. campaigns for children, youth, parents, elders, et cetera), timelines for vendor designation, enforcement training initiatives, follow-up community engagement, and inter-departmental and inter-agency collaboration, would provide a clear and accessible public roadmap. This is a natural next step in the GNWT's "way forward" for cannabis legalization.
Recommendation 2
The Standing Committees on Government Operations and Social Development recommend that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop curricula to deliver evidence-based health and safety education respecting both cannabis and alcohol through the territorial education system.
Residents of all ages emphasized the importance of education, and both the Public Health Association and the Nurses Association spoke to the importance of legislation and policy founded in principles of harm reduction. We are under no illusions: we know that Northerners of all ages currently use cannabis, and we feel strongly that multi-demographic public education is essential. However, we also know that, as elsewhere in Canada, young people comprise a significant portion of active users and that targeted education programming works. Consider the Don't Be a Butthead anti-tobacco campaign, which saw interactive educational modules delivered through territorial schools and which was praised during our tour. It is necessary that territorial health curricula reflect the realities of cannabis legalization and provide young people growing up under legalization with evidence-based information on cannabis and poly-substance use.
Recommendation 3
The Standing Committees on Government Operations and Social Development recommend that the Government of the Northwest Territories form an inter-departmental working group to prepare for the future regulation of cannabis-based products, including high-potency cannabis products, and licensed establishments for cannabis consumption.
With legalization, an illegal substance will become legal and available for recreational use. Accordingly, Northerners will be looking for safe, recreational places to consume cannabis, comparable to bars and lounges for alcohol. We also know that high-potency products are already available illicitly, while the legalization of edibles is expected within the next two years. The development of regulatory frameworks to address these matters will be a large task. Beginning this work now will help to mitigate operational challenges in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to turn the reading of this report over to the honourable Member for Nahendeh. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.