Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my Member’s statement I talked about the NWT Liquor Commission. The NWT Liquor Commission mission underlines the statement here to promote and develop a healthy and responsible drinking culture. That’s one of the missions.
I’m going to ask the Minister of Finance, responsible for the NWT Liquor Commission, in regard to the profits and the revenue that they make every year. Can the Minister consider offering a percentage, of 10 percent or so, to the Liquor Commission that would support their mission, something like they have with the Department of Health and Social Services smoking cessation program where the money goes directly to that program to help the young people to have that type of awareness in their use of alcohol?
Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In his Member’s statement the Member did mention the modest amount of money that he said he pulled from the report that the Liquor Commission spend on education. I think the number he mentioned was $38,000. I don’t have that report in front of me; however, I take very clearly the Member’s point. If there is an interest from the Social Programs committee and the Legislature as we look at developing the business case and the business plans for the upcoming cycle, then we’ll start as soon as we conclude this particular budget cycle. We would be definitely very willing and committed to having those discussions. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, I want to also say that that is the wish of the Members on this side, if the Minister will work with us. If I’m hearing correctly, is the Minister then willing to put that into the business plans for the upcoming session?
The critical issue is the need to do a better job in terms of educating people about responsible drinking or not drinking at all and pregnant mothers not drinking. We need to have that discussion about the best way forward. He has pulled a number out of the air, a safe 10 percent is what his comment was. I am saying let’s agree that that’s a discussion that needs to be had and let’s see what we collectively can come up with for the next business planning process about the best way forward, and not forgetting the fact that we want to continue to stay coordinated and work very closely with Education and Health and Social Services and all the work they do, as well, about education with responsible drinking and alcohol abuse. Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, the Northwest Territories Liquor Commission had sales of $46.3 million in 2011-12. When you go through the numbers, the revenue earned on that $46.3 million was about $24 million, so the number I pulled out of here is 10 percent of that. So that’s about $2.4 million I’m asking for. Would the Minister look at those types of numbers when it comes down to the business plans?
Mr. Speaker, I would point out, as I have numerous times in the past, that, in fact, what we spend on dealing with problems related to alcohol abuse dwarfs what little money we make selling it, in terms of health, social services, education, justice and housing.
Yes, we will have the discussion in a forum where we can, in fact, have a discussion in the House. I do acknowledge that we are prepared to do that and we’ll talk specifically about the Member’s suggestion, and what other suggestions may be there if it’s done with a broader committee and as well as the folks from the Liquor Commission and Finance. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
