Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 21/02) - A controversial bill, one that has bounced around the legislative assembly in form or another over the last five years, was passed into law Wednesday night.

Throughout its legislative history, the nuts and bolts of what would become Bill 5 during this session -- an act to amend the Adoption and Family Law Acts -- was a contentious and at times seemingly tedious proposition for MLAs, and not surprisingly, the legislative assembly adjourned for the summer a house divided.

The new law allows same-sex couples to adopt children, and entitles them to the same spousal benefits as heterosexual couples.

Dissenting MLAs fought to the bitter end, trying to refer the bill back to committee before reaching third reading Wednesday, but ultimately ran out of room to manoeuvre.

"The government is pushing this on people," a dejected Steve Nitah, the MLA from Tu Nedhe, announced.

"My elders want to know this ought to be done."

Although the bill easily passed 10-to-1, with Hay River North's Paul Delorey the lone vote of dissent, four others remain opposed to it.

Hay River South's Jane Groenewegen, Mackenzie Delta's David Krutko, and North Slave's Leon Lafferty, voted with their feet, and left before the third and final reading vote.

It has been a long wait for gay and lesbian activists to see the bill become.

Several supporters stayed late into the night Tuesday, only to see it deferred until Wednesday's agenda.

Krutko attempted to introduce a motion to have the bill referred back to the social programs committee on Wednesday, claiming the public had not been properly consulted.

As if there wasn't enough suspense already, the power went out before MLAs could vote on his motion.

Ultimately, however, the lights came back on, and MLAs returned to vote it down 10-5.

"We can only do so much to inform people and get them interested," said committee member, Range Lake North's Sandy Lee, before voting against Krutko's motion.

Out North spokesperson Zoe Raemer, said she was relieved the bill finally passed, but disappointed overall with the level of debate leading up to it.

"There was no quality to the debate," said Raemer.

"Sadly, it appears that we're still debating issues which other parts of the country, other parts of the world, have come to terms with some time ago."

"I found it interesting listening to the debate where members themselves, including Mr. Krutko, Mr. Lafferty, and others said, if this bill passed they would be embarrassed to be members of the legislative assembly.

"I have to say that in some cases I'm embarrassed to have them as members of my legislature."