Debates of November 28, 2007 (day 4)

November

28

2007

Day

4

Speaker

Word

Members Present

ITEM 1: PRAYER

Assembly Members

Member Default

Hay River North

Member Default

Member Default

Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh

Member Default

Member Default

Member Default

Jane Groenewegen

Hay River South

Yellowknife Centre

Member Default

Jackie Jacobson

Member Default

Mackenzie Delta

Member Default

Jackson Lafferty

Member Default

Member Default

Yellowknife South

Member Default

Member Default

Robert C. McLeod

Inuvik Twin Lakes

Member Default

Kevin A. Menicoche

Member Default

Michael Miltenberger

Member Default

Member Default

Inuvik Boot Lake

Member Default

Norman Yakeleya

Topics

Member's Statement On Hay River Residents' Concerns Regarding Public Safety

Member’s Statement On Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Member’s Statement On Infrastructure Improvements For Tu Nedhe Communities

Member’s Statement On Office Space For Non-Government Organizations In Fort Simpson

Member’s Statement On Public Housing Rental Assessment

Member’s Statement On Renewable Energy In The NWT

Member’s Statement On Renewable Wind Energy Conference In Tuktoyaktuk

Member’s Statement On Rural Community Capacity Development

Member’s Statement On Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Member’s Statement On Space Limitations At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Member’s Statement On United Way Of Yellowknife

Minister’s Statement 2-16(1): Hamlet Of Enterprise

Minister’s Statement 3-16(1): Human Resources Efforts

Minister’s Statement 4-16(1): Homelessness Initiatives

Minister’s Statement 5-16(1): Minister Absent From The House

Question 29-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Concession Agreement

Question 30-16(1): Expansion Of Seniors’ Facility In Fort Resolution

Question 31-16(1): Rural Community Capacity Development

Question 32-16(1): United Way Of Yellowknife

Question 33-16(1): Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Question 34-16(1): Assistance For NGO Transition In Fort Simpson

Question 35-16(1): Policing Resources In Communities

Question 36-16(1): Space Issues At Stanton Territorial Hospital

Question 37-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Sachs Harbour

Question 38-16(1): Transfer Of Rental Assessment To NWTHC

Question 39-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Project Concession Agreement

Question 40-16(1): Emergency Health Services Response For Rural Communities

Question 41-16(1): Taser Gun Use By RCMP In The NWT

Question 42-16(1): Public Service Morale

Question 43-16(1): Addictions Treatment Program

Question 44-16(1): H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital Renovation

Question 45-16(1): Deh Cho Bridge Project

Question 46-16(1): Dialysis Machine For Deh Cho Region

Question 47-16(1): RCMP Detachment In Mackenzie Delta

Question 48-16(1): Emergency Response Services Study

Question 49-16(1): Trade Mission To China

Question 50-16(1): Invitation To Minister To Visit Nunakput Communities

Question 51-16(1): Renewable Energy Development Initiatives

Question 52-16(1): Status Of Fort Providence Ferry Crossing

Question 53-16(1): Tax Incentives For Caregivers Of People With Disabilities

Question 54-16(1): 2008 Arctic Winter Games

Question 55-16(1): Core Funding For Northern Arts And Cultural Centre

Question 56-16(1): Office Space For ENR And ITI In Constituency

Question 57-16(1): 2008 Arctic Winter Games

Question 58-16(1): Dementia Facility In Yellowknife

Question 59-16(1): NWT Transportation Infrastructure

Tabled Document 10-16(1): Interactivity Transfers Exceeding $250,000 For The Period April 1, 2007 To September 30, 2007

Written Question 1-16(1): Homeownership Programs In Inuvik

Statements

Member’s Statement On Safer Communities And Neighbourhoods Act

Yellowknife Centre

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to speak about the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, or SCAN as it is known, Mr. Speaker, that failed in the last Assembly. As we all know too well, most of our serious crime and violent crime in the NWT is related to the sale of drugs and the abuse of alcohol. There were many issues from many residents just about how the SCAN legislation would work and be implemented. There were also issues and concerns that arose about an individual’s due process rights that could be circumvented by the process implemented by SCAN. As well, there was legal access to justice that was a concern.

Mr. Speaker, none of these issues are insurmountable. Changes to SCAN could be made so the system is clear, and a better and a broader public information campaign could be done to allay fears from our northern residents.

Mr. Speaker, even though the previous Standing Committee on Social Programs could not support the bill as it was written at the time, they did clearly support the initiative and the concept of what the tool was doing, which was giving our enforcement people the right tools to do the job to solve some of these alcohol and drug problems.

Mr. Speaker, a balance needs to be found for the greater public interest to ensure the rights of everyone to live in a safe community. Mr. Speaker, the role in our jobs as legislators is to make decisions and to make good laws that make sense that provide and ensure the well-being and safety of all northerners.

Mr. Speaker, I personally don’t care if a drug dealer or bootlegger ever votes for me. Personally, I hope they never do, because I think we need to show the respect for our families and our people of the Northwest Territories, the respect that laws like this will take care of that problem and start to deal with it. Mr. Speaker, I have a family and I have children as well as many people in this room do. I think we need to start putting a safe environment first as a priority. I am asking this government to do the necessary public consultation to get this SCAN legislation back on the road and get good public input so we can develop a good public law to protect our families, Mr. Speaker. It is in everyone’s best interest. Thank you.

---Applause