Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, I would like to report on our review of Bill 17, An Act To Amend the Territorial Hospital Insurance Services Act.
This bill should increase the ability of health boards to retain physician services within their budgets without impacting on the individual physicians. On June 2, 1997, we held a public hearing on the bill with Minister Arlooktoo filling in for Minister Ng. No public stakeholders expressed concerns with the bill. During the review, the Members received reassurance from the Minister that these changes will not negatively effect the boards ability to recruit physicians. The Minister also indicated that the boards will continue to follow the government's hiring policy. The Standing Committee on Social Programs has completed its review and has no major concerns with the proposed Bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.