The department recognized there is a need for the inter-agency group. The NTHSSA will formalize an inter-agency group with the mandate to monitor the impact of the new admission policy and establish regular meetings. This collaborative approach will create a formal venue for all parties to meet regularly, to raise issues, and to address concerns related to the operation of the centre and public safety.

In October, a Good Neighbour Agreement was signed between NTHSSA, sobering and day centre, other stakeholders, including the City of Yellowknife, the RCMP and Department of Justice, and individuals and business owners in the direct vicinity of the centre. Meetings with the community service agencies are ongoing as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The program evaluation was recently publicized, August 2019. All those providing services to the clients who visit the sobering and day centre would have been able to review the evaluation recommendations. The evaluation recommendations were added to the RP released over the summer for a service provider for the sobering and day shelter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I have been there. I have had a tour of the facility myself. When clients come into the centre, they are asked, and it is a self-assessment. When you come in and you say, you know, that the operator will ask if you have, if you are homeless or if you are here for what type of service, and if you self-declare that you are homeless, then you will be provided, and you will be allowed in the centre.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Operating the sobering and day centre is not without challenges, and the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services authority and the operator of the centre are working hard to make sure these changes to ensure programming is meeting the needs of the clients who are homeless and not receiving services from any other service providers. I would like to let the Member know that the day centre and sobering centre have been allowing people to come in and warm up during this cold snap. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

In addition to steps to control so that other youth do not consume these products, we are focusing on providing the public with information on vaping. In October 2019, the department created a Frequently Asked Questions for parents. The Department of Education, Culture and Employment distributed this to schools across the Northwest Territories. This work began with the request from a school principal and is an example of how working together with our partners can be valuable in addressing an issue, just like when some of the other Regular MLAs in the Assembly worked with the last Assembly on the bills themselves. The Office of the Chief Public Officer is preparing communications and social marketing material.

In March 2019, the department and the Northwest Territories Association of Communities delivered a workshop for healthcare providers, artists, community leaders, educators, and youth. From this came the creation of The Dope Experience. This workshop series will be delivered in communities across the Northwest Territories during the 2019-2020 school year and will address vaping as well as cannabis and other substance abuse. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I ask that I just clarify and get back to the Member at this time.

The act will be brought into force March 21, 2019. The regulations being developed to bring the acts into force do not go so far as completely banning flavoured vaping products in the Northwest Territories at this time. We are actively working to identify the right approach to banning flavoured vaping products. Our public health officials are talking with the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health to support a federal ban on flavoured vaping products. Chief Medical Officers of Health across Canada are now calling on the federal government to ban flavoured vaping products outright. Before moving forward, the Northwest Territories regulations banning all sales on flavoured vaping products would want to engage with the public. We also want to carry out more research to make sure we have everything properly addressed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bill 40, Smoking Control and Reduction Act, was passed August 2019, and its regulations include prohibiting smoking and vaping in public places, including those areas where children and youth ordinarily gather; prohibiting smoking and vaping in motor vehicles if someone under the age of 19 is in the vehicle; and requires retail outlets that sell these products to conspicuously post health warnings inside the stores.

Bill 41, Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act, was also passed in August 2019 and its regulations include banning the promotion, advertising, and display of tobacco and vaping products wherever children and youth have access and increasing the legal age at which tobacco and vaping products may be purchased from age 18 to 19. Regulations are being drafted to bring these acts into force March 31, 2020. The regulations are almost done; however, time is needed to communicate the new requirements to retailers to the public. Regulations address in greater detail public places where smoking and vaping are prohibited, what products cannot be displayed, and health warning signs that must be posted. The regulation also addresses penalties, though we want to focus our efforts on educating and supporting NWT residents in making healthy and informed decisions about using these substances. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That is our ability, to have a look at that, and I will get back to the Member with any progress on the review. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.