Bob Bromley

Thank you, committee. We’ll move on to Committee Report 2-16(6), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Auditor General’s Report on NWT Health Programs and Services, 2011, Department of Health and Social Services. We will go into general comments. Seeing no general comments, does committee agree that we go to detail?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve received a copy of the recent e-mail from INAC’s Ottawa-based director of resource policy and programs updating agencies and groups on progress under the federal government’s May 2010 Action Plan to Improve the Northern Regulatory Regime. The memo refers to work on developing an NWT surface rights board act. I don’t recall committee receiving any information on this. Certainly I’ve heard nothing on any action that could redefine the jurisdiction of the NWT Water Board. I’m wondering if the appropriate Minister could tell me whether his department is aware of and/or...

Thank you, committee. I’d like to call Committee of the Whole back to order and we have before us Bills 3 through 6 and we’ll start with Bill 3, Electronic Transactions Act, as agreed, and I’d like to call on Minister Lafferty. Would you like to introduce the bill, Minister Lafferty?

Does committee agree that Bill 5, Write-off of Debts Act, 2010-11, is ready for third reading?

---Bill 5 as a whole approved for third reading

Please go ahead.

Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. So we’ll consider Bills 3 through 6. Committee agree?

Thank you, committee. Returning to page 1, on clause by clause, clause 1, clause 2.

---Clauses 1 and 2 inclusive approved

Does committee agree that Bill 3, Electronic Transactions Act, is ready for third reading?

---Bill 3 as a whole approved for third reading

I’d ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the witness from the Chamber. Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Possibly the largest source of pain, sorrow, and escalating associated social ills in the NWT is due to our substance abuse, and particularly with alcohol in the Northwest Territories. Wherever we travel and consult, especially in the Child and Family Services Act review, for example, we hear about these sorts of problems and the need for new and improved programs on alcohol abuse.

Justice Vertes I believe recently commented on this and the need to address this and what it’s costing our people and our systems. I do have a real focus on prevention, and that’s still my...