Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have just a straight question, actually, to the Minister. What is the present requirement? In other words, how many months does the nurse from other jurisdictions have to be in the NWT before she is registered?

The reason I am asking the question is that there is a requirement for not more than 24 months. That is two years. What is the present length right now before that nurse can be registered?

Thank you. Madam Minister.

Mr. Chairman, the act now in its statement authorizes the board to issue a temporary exemption certificate only for a fixed term of two years, and it does not permit the board to grant a temporary exemption certificate, for less than two years, so if they put out a temporary certificate, the way it reads now, it is for two years. The desire is to have the option that if they only need it for three months, then they can have it for three months. It is to be able to give them less than two years, but presently it is two years.

Thank you. Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. However, with this new act, this requirement no longer will be necessary. How am I going to be assured that these nurses will be certified in other jurisdictions before they are hired with that exemption in the North?

Madam Minister.

I am having a little problem in understanding the question. If the question is, how can we be assured that the nurses are qualified? they would have had to have their certification showing that they have passed all their legitimate exams to be authorized to work in this capacity, so you would not even be considered unless that was so. That is my understanding.

Mr. Arvaluk.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am referring to clause 3, clause (3.1), employment. A person who holds a temporary exemption certificate may be employed. In other words, they do not need to be certified in the North to be certified because this act will allow them to have a certificate of exemption. If there is no certificate required for the Northwest Territories for that period of time, at least can we be assured that they will be certified when they are coming in from another jurisdiction, by that jurisdiction?

Thank you. Madam Minister.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to have the opportunity to bring in the official from the department because I want to be very clear. That question was asked before, and my understanding is that they have to be certified, but to give you the proper answer in detail I would like an official to be brought in.

Thank you. Is it the wish of the committee, then, that we invite the official to assist Madam Minister? Is that agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Sergeant-at-Arms, could you assist the witness? Madam Minister, would you introduce the witness please?

The witness is the assistant deputy minister, Elaine Berthelet.

Thank you. Mr. Arvaluk.

I guess my concern here is, I think the question was asked and the answer was that nurses have to be qualified to practise in the NWT. In the past, we made a practice of having registered nurses to practise, especially in the small communities because there are no doctors. When they are coming into the NWT from other jurisdictions, say Manitoba, going to a small community in the Keewatin, would they at least have to be registered nurses registered in that jurisdiction before they are accepted to work in the NWT, to qualify under clause (3.1)?

Ms. Berthelet

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, the nurse coming from another jurisdiction within Canada would be required to show evidence that she has received registration in that province and is a member in good standing. The information would be exchanged between the province from which she is coming, and the NWT Registered Nurses Association, who would review that information.

Thank you. Are there any general comments? Is it the wish of the committee that we go clause by clause?

Agreed.

Thank you. Clause 1. Agreed?

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Thank you. Clause 2. Agreed?