Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are here today for the Standing Committee on Government Operations and the Standing Committee on Social Development report on the review of Bill 6, Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act.
Introduction
In April 2017, the federal government introduced two bills to legalize cannabis in Canada. Bill C-45 deals with federal licensing and oversight of the cannabis supply chain, including all production and distribution, and sets regulatory standards to protect public health and safety. Bill C-46 sets out offences and procedures relating to impaired driving.
To avoid having this default federal framework imposed on the Northwest Territories when the Government of Canada legalizes cannabis across the country, it is necessary for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to adopt its own framework. To create these rules, which pick up where federal legislation leaves off, the GNWT introduced Bill 6, the Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act. Bill 6 proposed two new laws for cannabis control: the Cannabis Products Act; and the Cannabis Smoking Control Act. To address drug-impaired driving, it also proposed amendments to current provisions of the territorial Motor Vehicles Act. This omnibus bill is the proposed legislation under review here.
Our Review of Bill 6
On March 1, 2018, Bill 6 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories and was referred to the standing committee for review. The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviews activities of the Department of Finance, which will administer the Cannabis Products Act once it becomes law. Similarly, the Standing Committee on Social Development reviews activities of the Department of Health and Social Services, which will administer the Cannabis Smoking Control Act once it becomes law. These committees also share membership with the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment, which reviews activities of the Department of Infrastructure, which in turn administers the Motor Vehicles Act. For this reason, the standing committees, operating as the "joint committee," with no pun intended, have worked together to review the bill.
Between April 23 and May 4, 2018, we travelled to 16 communities, holding 16 hearings. We also met with students at six schools to gather input from Northerners. These communities and schools are listed in an appendix. We received 15 written submissions, and have undertaken our own research, including a review of proposed cannabis legislation and best practices across the country.
In our review, we have assumed that the federal enabling legislation will be passed. Neither the standing committees nor the Government of the Northwest Territories may change or overrule this federal legislation. As Regular Members, our approach to Bill 6 has focused on the need to ensure that, as much as possible, territorial cannabis legislation best reflects the wishes of the people of the Northwest Territories.
Our report is divided into two portions. First, we will discuss what we heard from the public hearing during our tour. Then we will discuss what we did, a combination of motions to amend the bill and policy recommendations to the GNWT. The bill debated in the House after we have formally submitted our report to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly will reflect the changes we have made.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to pass the reading of this report to the Member from Kam Lake. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.