Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins, you didn’t lose three-and-a-half minutes and you can spend many, many more. We can come back to you after your 10 minutes is gone. I can reassure you, it’s not limited to 10 minutes. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Another aspect of this mandatory education awareness program might be for somebody who is knowledgeable in such a program to actually go into the small communities and train someone or some agency within that community to deliver that, as opposed to sending people into the community to do it. It could be something that could be added on to an already existing function within the community; sort of a train-the-trainer type program. Would the Minister seek out the curriculum or format of these programs and see if it would be viable to train people in the small...

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Menicoche.

All right. Then I will ask the Sergeant-at-Arms if she will bring the witnesses in to the witness table.

For the record, Mr. Minister, would you please introduce your witnesses?

Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for that update. I would like to know, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister consider asking the registrar to require mandatory participation in a drug and alcohol awareness program before their licence is reinstated? I don’t believe this is something that would have to be included in legislation. This is something that could be introduced as a policy. Would the Minister consider asking the registrar to require that on a mandatory basis? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Roland. Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Allen. At this time, I will ask if the Minister would like to bring witnesses in.

Thank you, Mr. Delorey. Mr. Roland.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, about 1,500 people die in Canada each year as a result of impaired driving and thousands more are injured. Per capita, statistics are even worse in the North. In June of 2003, the last Assembly approved amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act targeted at impaired driving. The intent of these amendments, Mr. Speaker, was to put some teeth into the Motor Vehicles Act, to create tougher sanctions aimed at getting impaired drivers off the road, and encouraging drivers with alcohol dependency issues to get help.

There are several programs available in the NWT...