Kieron Testart

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As our report notes, the committee worked with the government to amend the bill to remove the provisions for a cannabis advisory council, as there was no clear indication of what it would be used for and there was a concern that it would allow an unelected body to weigh in on policy decisions that are more properly vested in the standing committee in our unique consensus system. However, there still is need for an internal government approach to future cannabis-based products, high-potency cannabis products, and licensed establishments for cannabis consumption.

As we have...

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Again, I think this is an important piece of the puzzle that we need to resolve. I would like to ask for a recorded vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I move that this Assembly recommend that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a fully costed implementation plan for Bill 6, Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act, including multi-demographic public education, enforcement planning, and expected cannabis revenues;

And further, that this plan be returned to the Standing Committee on Government Operations and the Standing Committee on Social Development for review prior to legalization day;

And furthermore, that the final plan be made available to the public. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to getting an update on those results. On to the reporting of the action plan. There has been little to no reporting of this action plan that ended in 2016-2017. Will the Minister commit to providing Members of this House, and also the public, with an update that clearly articulates what education renewal has achieved and what the department is going to do moving forward? There are no updates on the website, which is where the public are going to get their information. Can the Minister commit to fixing that, and getting information out to the public...

There are, of course, a lot of discussion around a bricks-and-mortar facility. I know that, at this time, that is not really in the cards. That is what we have heard loud and clear. There is good evidence to support that. We are looking at the former Stanton Hospital site. Are there going to be any additional detox or aftercare programs operated through that lease once the new hospital opens?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. With the first round of calls to the National Trade Corridors funding from the Government of Canada, with this project not being included in that funding, where does this get us? We are putting the work into this study right now. Does the government believe that is going to get us any closer to success when we are looking for federal dollars? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I spoke of a constituent of mine who undertook a tremendous amount of grassroots advocacy for local options for addictions treatment in the Northwest Territories. I would like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services if he can speak to the aftercare programs that the government is currently operating and in the process of reviewing. He has spoken about it on the floor in the House before, if he can give this House an update. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Under the "Taltson expansion, pre-construction," the amount is $200,000. Could the Minister just speak to what that entails? Thank you.

That is good to hear. I think it would be unfortunate if we had kind of a one-and-done approach to this issue, and fairness to employees of the public service is always first and foremost on my mind. Nothing further. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The GNWT proposed that cannabis be sold only in existing liquor stores for at least two years, with all business conducted through the Northwest Territories Liquor Commission and all expenses and revenues flowing through the Liquor Revolving Fund. The GNWT's initial consultation revealed that "preferences for the retail sales system were mixed, with little over half of survey respondents supporting the liquor commission model and others wanting opportunities for private stores or dispensaries."

However, this is not consistent with public views expressed during our tour...