Debates of August 20, 2007 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The committee agrees that there is a need for legislation and policy to deal with substance abuse, trafficking and bootlegging of illegal substances and other undesirable and illegal activities the SCAN legislation attempts to address. 

However, the committee believes that Bill 7, in its current form, has too many deficiencies to be successfully amended and passed during the short time available to the Members of the 15th Assembly prior to dissolution.

Other northerners also thought that the process was too rushed, like Ms. Debbie Raddi of Tuktoyaktuk who said, “I myself feel it is too rushed. In order for something to work properly, it has to be properly looked into.”

Ms. Raddi’s comments are particularly relevant given the weight and depth of the concerns raised and the need to have the concerns addressed in a coordinated multi-departmental approach. The committee also believes that further work is required in program design to address the realities of life in the NWT, particularly in the smaller communities, and that further thought has to be given to the diversity and transportation challenges our vast territory presents for running a successful government program of this nature.

As Members, we cannot dismiss any of the concerns that are brought to our attention through the committee process without full deliberation and consideration.  Nor should we, as legislators, characterize these concerns as representative of a vocal minority in order to justify the approval and passage of legislation like this. The committee believes that the questions and issues that were brought forward by the public warrant thoughtful and meaningful response.

We are disappointed that this government has chosen to ignore the committee process and the views of the many northerners who took the time to appear before committee and has decided to proceed without the concurrence of the standing committee simply because they have the numbers.