Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm here to present Bill 78, Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery Act.
I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment for review of this bill. Based on the feedback from committee, several amendments were made to the bill before us today.
Bill 78 presents a significant step forward in modernizing the Waste Reduction and Recovery Act. This legislation will allow the GNWT to use the most current tools to effectively manage recycling and waste reduction in the NWT. New tools include
- an expanded scope for advisory committees;
- enabling extended producers responsibility program;
- the ability to declare waste disposable bans for specific materials;
- expand authority to delegate administrative functions and enter into agreements;
- provisions enabling the GNWT to select waste facility operators based on competitive process, clarify requirements on environment funded contribution and distribution; and
- update enforcement inspection provisions.
These changes were identified through the development of the NWT Waste Management Strategy, which includes input from individuals, organizations, businesses, and governments across the NWT. Targeted engagement on the proposed changes occurred throughout 2022, and the public engagement on the legislation was conducted December 2022 through January 2023.
That concludes my opening remarks. I look forward to answering any questions Members may have. Thank you.