Consensus reached on five clauses in proposed Kahnawake Tobacco Law

04/06/2016

The Kahnawà:ke Legislative Coordinating Commission (KLCC) would like to update the community on the results of last evening’s meeting on the proposed Kahnawà:ke Tobacco Law.

The agenda consisted of Section VI, which pertains to the proposed Kahnawà:ke Tobacco Regulatory Commission. Consensus was reached on the following clauses: Guiding Principles; Guidelines; Structure; Term of Office; and Eligibility.

Much of the draft was accepted ‘as is.’ Additions or changes were minor in nature, mostly for clarity or to strengthen the document. The only major change was the proposal to add three ‘observer’ seats to the nine-member Commission – one each for the Longhouse at 207, Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke and the Mohawk Trail Longhouse. The proposal was accepted, with only two people objecting.

Over thirty community members participated in last night’s meeting, which was the third in the First Hearing phase of the Community Decision Making Process. The next meeting will continue at the point where last night’s meeting concluded and will include the remaining clauses of Section VI (‘Kahnawà:ke Tobacco Regulatory Commission’): Elections; Election of General Commission Members; Election of Industry Members; Removal from Office; Resignation; Vacancy; Interim Commission; Officers; Quorum; Meetings; Remunerations and; Conflict of Interest. Section VI, which is the most lengthy in the proposed law, has seen 13 of its 49 clauses completed so far.

The date, time and place for the next meeting will be announced shortly.