The North-West Territories. [MARCH 7, 1876.] 461
THE NORTH WEST TERRITORIES.
On the motion of the
Hon. Mr. Mackenzie, the House went into Committee, Mr. Mills in the chair, on the Act respecting the
North-West Territories.
Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE stated that
in order to meet the views of his hon. friend opposite, he proposed to introduce a
preamable as follows:—Whereas it is expedient, pending the settlement of the North-West
Territories, to create a separate territory of the eastern portion of the North-West
Territories, therefore Her Majesty, &c.
With regard to the proposition made
by his hon. friend from British Columbia, that the territory north of British Columbia
and the 60th parallel should be provided for in this Bill, he would reply that having
examined the map carefully he found that this would not be as remote from the seat
of Government of British Columbia, as from the seat of Government of the North-West
Territories. They proposed in order to prevent any possible temporary inconvenience,
to give British Columbia magistrates current jurisdiction in that part of the territory
lying north of the Columbia and west of the Mackenzie River, and the 120th parallel.
This country would be placed
under the authority of existing laws.
He proposed to fill the blank in the 1st section by inserting after the word " district,"
the title Keewatin, which would be the name of the new territory, signifying the North
Land; also to fill up blanks in the 4th section, by inserting the words " not exceeding
ten, and not less than five."
Mr. KIRKPATRICK took objection
to the 6th clause on the ground that too much power would be given to the Lieutenant
Governor in Council—the power of amending or repealing any of the laws passed by the
Parliament of Canada. In the 11th section it was declared that certain laws should
be applicable to the District—criminal laws for instance, so peculiarly under Federal
jurisdiction. The power in question was greater than that conferred upon Local Legislatures.
He suggested in consequence that the last part of the 6th clause should be struck
out, as a year's delay respecting such legislation could do no harm.
Hon. Mr. BLAKE said there was no
no doubt a good deal to be said in favour of what the hon. gentleman remarked, but
there had been some experience of this kind of legislation before, and there was no
reason to suppose from it that there was anything improper in this clause. No ordinance
of the North-West Council would have force unless marked "urgent," and even then it
would be subject to disallowance. The proposition was simply to keep the
status quo in this territory until it was either annexed to Manitoba or otherwise dealt with
so as to be in possession of provincial rights and privileges.
The clause, and the two following,
were adopted.
On clause nine,
Mr. MOUSSEAU said this clause
seemed to empower the Government
of the New Province to repeal clause 11 of the Act of last Session securing separate
schools to the North- West Territories. He wished to know if this was the case.
Hon. Mr. BLAKE said the 11th
clause of the North-West Territories Act was not yet in force, and would not apply
to any of these territories until the Act was proclaimed. It was
462 Law Relating to Violence, Threats and Molestations. [COMMONS.]
a clause which could only come into
force practically in connection with a system of taxation, no provision for which
was made in this portion of the territories so long as it remained under this form
of Government. The future of these territories would be either one of two things —
they would be annexed to Manitoba, or they would be detached from Keewatin and re-
annexed to the North-West. In either case the rights of the minority would be protected.
There was no intention on the part of the Government to depart from the general principle
of the 11th clause. If the territories were attached to Manitoba they would be subject
to the laws of that Province; if to the North-West, they would come under the 11th
clause of the Act of last Session.
Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD — If I
understand it, by simply proclaiming the Act of 1875 this 11th clause will come into
force.
The clause and the following one
were adopted.
On clause 11,
Mr. BUNSTER moved to strike out
the provision prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors in the territory.
The motion lost and the clause was adopted.
The remaining clauses of the Bill were adopted without discussion.
On the motion to adopt the preamble.
Mr. SCHULTZ said a more euphonious name than Keewatin might have been selection, and he would
take occasion to suggest one before the third reading of the Bill.
The preamble was adopted and the Committee rose and reported the Bill as amended.
The amendments having been concurred in the Bill was read the third time and passed.
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