Great Slave MLA Kate Reid questioned the territorial government’s efforts to reduce pressure on animal shelters at the Legislative Assembly this week.
Reid asked on Wednesday whether the GNWT, if unable to fully fund the NWT SPCA to provide services in the territory, would instead make spaying and neutering of pets mandatory (with exceptions for licensed breeders and dog teams).
Communities minister Vince McKay said the Dog Act, administered by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, did not provide the territory with the authority to make the spaying and neutering of pets mandatory.
McKay said the department is instead responsible for overseeing enforcement and operational issues related to pets, like setting standards of care and addressing issues such as prohibition, distress, abandonment, and dogs running at large.
He said any change to the responsibilities outlined in the act may require new legislation.
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Reid asked whether the minister would prohibit the sale of kittens or puppies with exceptions for licensed breeders. McKay said the act only governs provisions related to the care of dogs and does not apply to other animals.
“It also does not address the licensing of breeders, and therefore does not provide the authority to regulate or prohibit the sales of kittens or puppies,” he added.
To regulate the sale of animals or introduce breeder licensing, McKay said, new legislation would again be needed.
“This is a resource-intensive process that would involve policy development and jurisdictional research, legislative drafting, public and stakeholder consultation and review and approval through the Legislative Assembly,” he explained.
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“Given the significant resources required to develop, implement and enforce new legislation, the GNWT will continue to focus on existing legislative priorities and areas where there are clear authority and capacity to act.”
‘Not a current priority’
How the NWT handles animal welfare has become an increasing concern in recent weeks after the NWT SPCA – the territory’s largest animal shelter, based in Yellowknife and serving dozens of communities – expressed concern over its ability to remain in operation.
The SPCA has said it needs to find $150,000 to keep running in the short term and has asked supporters to lobby MLAs in the hope that the territorial government will provide core funding in the longer term.
The territory has resisted those calls. Earlier this month, Premier RJ Simpson said that while he would examine whether the GNWT could assist, there were many competing priorities and he thought it unlikely that money would be found.
“Not everything that happens in the Territories is government-supported, nor should it be,” he said on October 16.
“There are some things where the community people have to step up.”
One means of reducing pressure on the SPCA is to stem the flow of dogs from communities across the NWT who either require a home or some form of treatment.
On Wednesday this week, Reid asked whether McKay would instruct his department to help communities strengthen their capacity to develop and enforce pet rules and bylaws.
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McKay said community governments already have the authority to appoint bylaw officers to manage the activities of dogs under the Dog Act, and Maca offers a course that guides bylaw officers on how to implement the act.
“Maca also responds to community government requests as they arise, offering guidance and supports related to enforcement and interpretation of the act,” he said.
“While Maca remains committed to supporting communities within the existing mandate, the department is not currently planning a broader initiative to build capacity around pet containment rules or bylaws
“Developing and delivering such a program would require significant resources and long-term commitment and is not part of the department’s current priorities.”
