Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Section 77(1) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, I wish to advise the House that I have a conflict of interest in Bill 30, Health Statutes Law Amendment Act. This bill amends the Public Health Act to clarify that the Commissioner may make regulations respecting cremation and crematoria. Mr. Speaker, my spouse is a funeral planner and, as such, has a private interest in this bill. I will excuse myself from the Chamber during consideration of this matter. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Duly noted. You may be excused while we are dealing with Bill 30. Second reading of bills. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that Bill 30, Health Statutes Amendment Act (Cremation Services) be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Public Health Act to clarify that the Commissioner may make regulations respecting cremation and crematoria. This bill also amends the Vital Statistics Act to define cremation and crematorium and prohibit cremation except by a funeral planner in a crematorium operated by a funeral planner. Merci, Monsieur le President.
Masi. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Member for Frame Lake.
Merci, Monsieur le President. I'm pleased to recommend the Health Statutes Amendment Act, Cremation Services, Bill 30, for the consideration of this Assembly. This is a private Member's bill which proposes amendments to the Public Health Act and to the Vital Statistics Act. All Canadian jurisdictions except the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have legislation for cremation. The private Member's bill does not seek to create new powers with respect to cremation. It does not create any new regulatory structure to govern the performance of cremation. Above all, the private Member's bill does not require cremation. It does provide greater clarity for anyone designated to offer funeral services in the Northwest Territories, enabling service providers to include cremations within the existing system. Specifically, amendments to the Public Health Act will create the ability to make regulations for cremation and crematoriums, amendments to the Vital Statistics Act will define cremation and crematoriums and ensure that only a funeral planner can carry out cremations that are to take place in a crematorium.
I would like to thank all MLAs in this House for the unanimous support of the first reading of this bill and second reading. I believe that is good example of how consensus government can work. I look forward to your continued support in a public review of the bill through the Standing Committee on Social Development. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed?
---Carried
Bill 30 has had its second reading and is now referred to the committee. Second reading of bills. Minister of Finance. For the record, the Member for Yellowknife Centre has returned for the remaining of our procedures. Minister of Finance.
