R.J. Simpson

Thank you, Madam Chair. I am here today to present Bill 72, Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act.

The purpose of Bill 72 is to permit the Government of the Northwest Territories to file a lawsuit to recover from manufacturers and distributors of opioid drugs, the past and future health care costs incurred on behalf of Northwest Territories' residents for opioidrelated illnesses. The opioid crisis has incurred substantial costs to federal, provincial, and territorial governments who have spent increasing amounts on health care to address the fallout of opioid over-prescription.

Brit...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Residential Tenancies Act provides for any person who fails to comply with orders or directions of the rental officer to be charged with a summary offence under section 91. That charge would be heard in territorial court and, if found guilty, would result in a fine not exceeding $2,000 for individuals or $25,000 for corporations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The rental office doesn't I guess is not a conduit for environmental health. So this is something that I can confer with the Minister of health on and get her take on it but right now that is not something that happens. They're two different entities and two different departments. Thank you.

Thank you. So I cannot commit to spending money that won't come to the Government of the Northwest Territories any time soon. I expect this to be years away if we get any type of money. And who knows what the landscape will look like by then. Perhaps Indigenous governments will be delivering health services themselves so it might be a different discussion. But the idea of this legislation is to allow us to participate in a class action lawsuit open to federal, territorial, and provincial governments. I don't think there's anything stopping Indigenous governments from starting filing their own...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I can't speak on behalf of Cabinet but I can say no, I'm not content. And if I could, you know, will a new building into existence, I would do that. But, unfortunately, I don't have that ability. I do understand where the Member is coming from. I would like to see the same changes that she would like to see. But, unfortunately, we're up against the constraints of, you know, the reality that we are in, so. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. So if the GNWT pays the costs, then it's my understanding that those costs could be recoverable. But I don't believe and, again, this is not my area. But it's not my understanding that the reimbursements like the Member is talking about are commonplace. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And like I've stated before, it depends on the technical condition of the school. So there are many buildings in the territory that need replacing. There's many capital needs. And structures and deficiencies are addressed when they can be addressed when they get to them. Thank you.

Thank you. This is costs that are incurred by the GNWT only. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I mean, I'm not the chair of AOC. I can't invite someone to attend a meeting that is not my meeting. So, once again, I mean, the Regular Members do have a role in this House. It's not just to stand up and ask questions. They do have power as a standing committee, and they can use that. So I recommend that this discussion, which happens in the House quite often, must be happening up in the Eagle Room of AOC, and so I would recommend that they get together, and they make that request to the commanding officer. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

That is for the law clerk, I believe the Member said?