Sandy Lee

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Without having had a chance to look at the letter I don’t know how final it was, but listening to Mr. Premier I think that there might be a wee little tiny bit of room open there. So could I ask the Premier, could I take his answer to mean that he’s encouraging his department to work with this group to see if there are any other avenues and perhaps he could commit to asking the MACA department to look at that further? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I read that subsection 2(2) and it says, “they shall seek the opinion of another medical professional who specializes in the area of the conflict.” It says they shall seek but it’s not clear to me whether the medical advisor or the worker will have the same say on who that third medical opinion should be. Is that the correct way to do that? Is that the sound medical opinion to say that both parties have equal power? It doesn’t say they have to agree.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The committee agrees that there is a need for legislation and policy to deal with substance abuse, trafficking and bootlegging of illegal substances and other undesirable and illegal activities the SCAN legislation attempts to address. 

However, the committee believes that Bill 7, in its current form, has too many deficiencies to be successfully amended and passed during the short time available to the Members of the 15th Assembly prior to dissolution.

Other northerners also thought that the process was too rushed, like Ms. Debbie Raddi of Tuktoyaktuk who said, “I...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don’t disagree that there have been good responses and a number of people being involved. My specific point is that often, or sometimes, people that participate in this process are left out right at the end. People may tell the interviewer what they feel are problems at workplaces or what could be improved, whether it be communication or otherwise, but when the solutions come about, they don’t have as much say on what the solutions are and how they should be implemented. I am asking the Minister to give us an assurance that those 345 people and more...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to that, I understand there will be other processes involved in allowing the staff to have an input into the process in the findings as well as hopefully in the plan of action. Mr. Speaker, I believe very strongly that there will be some issues that need to be worked out, and the best way to do it is to have as much input as possible from the stakeholders, especially the staff. So I'd like to ask the Minister what is the plan for the Minister and the hospital to invite that input. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Even if there is a port, we will still need to supply the mines by road. The only way to do that in the most efficient way is by extending the winter road. The way to do that is to build some infrastructure in the entry point where there are soft spots and really shortens the winter road season. There are other parts throughout the ice road that needs enforcement that this government can do to extend the ice road and to be able to withstand some of the warming trends. So, Mr. Speaker, I would like to say, for the record, that I support the joint committee’s...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Overall the committee supports Bill 15. We believe it achieves an appropriate balance between personal, community and territorial responsibility.

The committee did, however, note that many critical provisions that will determine the success of the new Liquor Act will be placed in regulations. These provisions include maximum quantities that may be transported by individuals who are not licence or permit holders, the types and brands of liquor to be kept for sale in liquor stores, the operation of liquor stores, rules and procedures regarding plebiscites, and the powers...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to seek unanimous consent to waive Rule 93(4) and have Committee Report 4-15(6) moved into Committee of the Whole for tomorrow.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Social Programs undertook extensive consultations on Bill 7, the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, also known as SCAN, in all regions of the Northwest Territories, and heard from 42 different persons and organizations.

Despite the initial excitement at the community level on the department’s first round of consultations in November and December 2006, it became obvious to committee members as we proceeded that residents had serious reservations with the final version of the legislation.

The concerns raised by residents of the Northwest...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, there is still a sense out there that, from some staff members or people involved, they would like to see more transparent and a more inclusive process with this. I think if we are going to be successful in addressing some of the issues that may come about, that it is imperative that we make sure that everybody feels involved, that they had a real say and not only a real say on identifying issues but also on how to implement the changes. Could the Minister give me an assurance today that all of the staff who participated in this...