Debates of February 10, 2006 (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question today is for the Minister of Justice and it's in regards to an issue that's been in the media a lot, and that has to do with the injuries from snowmobile accidents, Mr. Speaker. We live in a winter country and snowmobiling is something that a lot of people consider as an essential, as well as sports and recreation. But it is an area of activity that does see casualties and injuries and fatalities every year, Mr. Speaker. The national studies show that snowmobile injuries constitute at least 40 percent of all sports and recreation injuries, and half of those admitted for severe trauma, half of those accidents are also alcohol related. So I'd like to know, as a Minister of Justice, whether he's looked into this issue to see what, if anything, we can do as a territorial Legislature to change this situation. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Justice, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 376-15(4): Injuries From Snowmobile Accidents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a very serious and concerning problem not only across the North, but, indeed, in the entire country. More and more people are being hurt in snowmobile accidents, ATV accidents, and there is some merit in getting the word out to people so that they recognize they probably need to slow down and drive more safely, and be aware that at all times they need to be wearing helmets. Mr. Speaker, one of the things our government is doing, the Department of Transportation and the Department of MACA are working together to put together an education campaign and get out to the communities with this messaging, and talk to people about how we can be safer and reduce accidents on snow machines and ATVs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 376-15(4): Injuries From Snowmobile Accidents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, education might be one thing that can be done, but I'm not sure if that's enough. I think that is something that requires some legislative action, and it's definitely an area that is cross-jurisdictional because a snowmobile could travel from a municipality to a territorial land to federal land, and it is something that I think would require cooperation from three levels of government. Mr. Speaker, I walk my dogs everyday at Range Lake and the speed is just out of control, and I need to see that the Minister does something about that. Would the Minister consider looking at this and see what legislative action we can take? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Minister Bell.

Further Return To Question 376-15(4): Injuries From Snowmobile Accidents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, there are already laws on the roads and there are laws in municipalities. Enforcement, obviously, is a problem, very difficult, and there are more and more snow machines out there. So it's something that we can have some discussion around. But the Member is right; it crosses a number of jurisdictions: ours and municipal. I think the most important thing is to get out there and make sure people recognize the dangers. I'm not sure especially young people have a good sense of exactly how powerful these machines are and how much at risk they can be when they're speeding, even on open lakes which seem fairly smooth. There have been lots of cases where there are heaves in the ice and people have serious, serious accidents. So we are doing something. Transportation and MACA are working on this education campaign. We can talk to the various law enforcement agencies, but I would acknowledge, right now, that enforcement is a problem and it is difficult. Obviously not as easy as it is on roads for vehicles.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 376-15(4): Injuries From Snowmobile Accidents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, like I stated, I don't think education is enough. I don't think there's anybody who doesn't know that going on a snowmobile at 130 kilometres is not a good thing. It's not the right thing; it's not the legal thing. But I have watched enforcement officers coming and their equipment can't catch up with the speed of some of these distant snowmobilers. Mr. Speaker, I think that we need to have some legislative teeth, and I would asks the Minister to work with the municipal organizations and federal government, and take a lead on looking at what sort of areas we can make judicial action on. I think it takes legislative intervention, not just education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 376-15(4): Injuries From Snowmobile Accidents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do know that the Department of Transportation staff have met with the trail riders group from Great Slave Snowmobile Association. Those folks have endorsed this public education campaign, but they've also said that they'd be willing to be involved in an interagency working group that DOT plans to establish. In the longer term, there are a number of initiatives planned, but a discussion around legislation is certainly on the list and it is something that they are contemplating and want to discuss. So I do know that DOT plans to go out to the other snowmobile associations in the Northwest Territories, and I can assure the Member that legislation and legislative options are not something we're ignoring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 376-15(4): Injuries From Snowmobile Accidents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the legislative agenda of this Assembly is very, very thin, and I think I might have given the Minister of Justice something really chewy to work on for the remainder of this Assembly, Mr. Speaker. I agree; the snowmobile association is one of the stakeholders, but there's a lot more stakeholders that he should consult and that includes the federal Minister of Justice and the City of Yellowknife, from my point of view. So could he make the commitment to consult with them and come back with an action paper by the spring session? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 376-15(4): Injuries From Snowmobile Accidents

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, I think even probably before we start talking about the federal government, I'd be interested in making sure hunters and trappers are involved in this discussion because this is part of their livelihood and I think very important for them. DOT does plan to sit down with MACA; I mentioned that. They are going to bring in the RCMP, municipal enforcement, coroner's office, the chief medical officer, other snowmobile associations. They think they can have this group up and running by the end of the month, or next month. If we need the federal government involved, we can certainly bring them in. But I think as a starting point, we obviously need to bring in the hunters and trappers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.