Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when it comes to the illicit drug trade, it is all about money, power, and control for those higher on the food chain, and all about access to drugs and the high it provides for those addicted. Life is unimportant to those in the drug trade, as many of us have attended numerous funerals and services for friends and family murdered because of it. Families are being torn apart with little or no consequence for those responsible. It is time for this government to provide our frontline enforcement and health workers with the tools needed to effectively deal with the illicit drug trade and addictions.
Mr. Speaker, all levels of government continue to talk about how to address the drug problem. Billions of dollars is being spent on drug enforcement and addictions treatment yet the problem is only worsening. Over the last several decades the tools used by the enforcement personnel to combat the drug trade continue to be eroded. The public, although not pleased with what is happening, are often reluctant to get involved due the possibility of retaliation by what is a wellorganized criminal element.
Mr. Speaker, as I said previously, it is about money, power, and control. We have seen photos of piles of cash confiscated by the RCMP. What we do not hear and see is when, due to insufficient evidence or a technicality, that same cash is given back to the person it was confiscated from or allowed to be used to pay for that accused's legal counsel.
Mr. Speaker, I want this government to consider and pursue a piece of legislation that would aid in our fight against the manufacture, distribution, and sale of illicit drugs in the NWT. Mr. Speaker, the legislation I am talking about is that of civil forfeiture; legislation that would allow for the seizure and ownership transfer of property without compensation when the property is suspected of being acquired through an illegal act or used to commit an illegal act. The property, if retained, could be placed in a trust where it may be used to compensate victims, support addictions programs, support crime prevention initiatives, and for other productive uses.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation is used throughout most of Canada, including Nunavut, and we need it enacted here if we expect any chance of winning our fight against the illicit drug trade.
Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Members' statements. Member for Great Slave.
