This is page numbers 5877 - 5944 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 report.

Topics

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Bill 40 is now ready for third reading. Does committee agree that this concludes our consideration of Bill 40?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. Thank you to the witnesses and to the Minister. Sergeant-at-Arms, you may escort the witnesses from the Chamber. Committee, we have agreed to next consider Bill 41, Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act. I will once again turn to the Minister responsible to introduce the bill. Minister Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to introduce Bill 41, the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act. As with Bill 40, the development of Bill 41 has been a result of significant time and effort by the Department of Health and Social Services and would not have been possible without the input and contribution from the Standing Committee on Social Development, as well as many members of the public. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Members of the Standing Committee on Social Development for the time that they have taken to ensure that this bill received a comprehensive review. I wish to acknowledge the time and effort that members of the public took to develop submissions and share research.

There are national concerns around tobacco use and the increasing prevalence of vaping products. The primary purpose of Bill 41, the Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act, is to deter the uptake of tobacco and vaping in the NWT, to encourage individuals to quit using these items, to denormalize smoking, and to prevent early initiation of adolescents to addictive products and substances.

Bill 41 would repeal the existing Tobacco Control Act and replace it with a modern piece of legislation that regulates and restricts access to both tobacco products and vapour products and accessories. This bill would restrict access to these items by raising the legal age of purchase to 19, resulting in consistent framework for regulated substances in the Northwest Territories, including cannabis and alcohol. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Does the chair of the Standing Committee on Social Development have any opening comments? Mr. Thompson.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Similar to Bill 40, with Bill 41, we would like to thank the Minister and the department and their staff working with the Legislative Assembly staff. I would also like to thank the committee and people who did their submissions to help us make this a better bill moving forward. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister, do you have witnesses who you would like to bring into the chamber?

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

I do, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Sergeant-at-Arms, please escort the witnesses into the chamber. Minister, would you please introduce your witnesses for the record?

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Thank you, Mr. Chair. On my left is Heather Ruptash, who is the senior policy analyst at the Department of Health and Social Services, and on my right, Laura Jeffrey, legislative counsel, Department of Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Minister. Welcome, again, to the witnesses. General comments on the bill from committee? Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

Thanks, Mr. Chair. In the Minister's opening remarks, he says that the bill would restrict access to these items by raising the legal age of purchase to 19. Can the Minister or somebody tell me what is the legal age of purchase right now? Thanks, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Minister Abernethy.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Sorry, Mr. Chair. The Member faded out in the last couple words of his question. I want to make sure that I get it right. Can I get him to please repeat it?

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

The Member asked: what is the current legal age of purchase? Minister.

Glen Abernethy

Glen Abernethy Great Slave

Eighteen, Mr. Chair.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Mr. O'Reilly.

Kevin O'Reilly

Kevin O'Reilly Frame Lake

That's okay. Thanks.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you. Anything further in terms of general comments from committee? Seeing none, does committee agree that we proceed into a clause-by-clause review of the bill?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. There are 51 clauses. Does committee agree that we consider the clauses as groups of five?

Some Hon. Members

Agreed.

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Thank you, committee. I will call out the clauses. If you agree, please respond accordingly. Please turn to page 5 of the bill. Clauses 1 through 5.

---Clauses 1 through 51 inclusive, approved

The Chair

The Chair R.J. Simpson

Agreed? Thank you, committee. I will return to the bill number and title: Bill 41, Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act. Does committee agree?