Legislation
The first Legislative Session took place in the basement of the Elks Hall in Yellowknife in the spring of 1954. A total of nine bills were passed, mostly amendments to existing legislation. The second session held in Ottawa saw a total of seventeen bills passed.
The biggest issue dealt with during this session was the question relating sales for Indians and Inuit which had been prohibited under a Northwest Territories law dating back to the Temporary North-West Council. The Prohibition meant that bootlegging was common place as well as consumption of alternate forms of alcohol such as shoe polish, anti freeze and vanilla extract resulting in needless deaths and endemic social issues. After debate the council agreed to change the regulations to allow liquor privileges to be the same for everyone. The federal government however disagreed and vetoed the changes.
Read more about this topic: 2nd Northwest Territories Legislative Council
Famous quotes containing the word legislation:
“There were two unpleasant surprises [about Washington]. One was the inertia of Congress, the length of time it takes to get a complicated piece of legislation through ... and the other was the irresponsibility of the press.”
—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)
“Being offended is the natural consequence of leaving one’s home. I do not like after- shave lotion, adults who roller-skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan. I do not, however, go around enacting legislation and putting up signs.”
—Fran Lebowitz (b. 1950)
“The wise know that foolish legislation is a rope of sand, which perishes in the twisting.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)