Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to speak to a number of concerns related to the perspective of the Liquor Board where the Liquor Act and the regulations are silent.
The NWT’s Liquor Board is made up of nine members appointed by the Minister. Members are selected on a regional basis to ensure that there is fair representation. Looking at this closely, I notice that there is a clear gap in board representation in the context of fair representation. Quite simply, there is no representative from the hospitality industry formally included. The only way someone from the hospitality industry can be on the Liquor Board is simply by chance. That doesn’t seem fair or reasonable, when considering the matter.
The Liquor Board issues licences and permits and is responsible for regulating our licence and permit holders and their operations. Among other roles, the Liquor Board advises the Minister on liquor policy, legislation and administration in the NWT. Undoubtedly, an industry rep would bring considerable value to the board’s discussions and functions as they work to fulfill them.
Some people may cry foul if someone from the hospitality industry was on the board, but one person out of nine can hardly be a deciding factor to create that conflict. On the conflict matter, we have a conflict of interest guideline that would apply to them no less than anyone else.
Many of our territorial boards make special allotment to ensure industry reps are included in some form. By way of example, the WSCC has both business and labour as reps. Accordingly, could it not be argued that both have singular focuses to grind away at the other perspective rather than bring insight and understanding to the table? I believe that they’re both valued on that board and I would think it would be less a board without them.
As well, while looking into the rules that govern the Liquor Board, residency requirements of both the chair and the board members is silent. If you are a member of a public board in the NWT, I expect, as many Northerners expect, you should be a current resident of the NWT. I do respect that there may be occasions when that need arises that we must seek representation outside of the Territory, but that is a very rare circumstance. I believe all boards and commissions should have territorial residence written into their rules. However, by and large every agency needs good people and I believe Northerners living in the North are the people that can represent us on our boards. As it stands, to be a member on the Liquor Board, residency is not a requirement under the Liquor Act or its regulations. As many others are concerned over the years that someone could see that someone who is on this particular board leaves the North, is once again rolling out the paternalistic attitude our Territory has been fighting for many years.
Later today I will have questions for the Minister who is responsible for the Liquor Board regarding this and other matters.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
