Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Agreed.

Yes, thank you, Madam Chairperson. I am pleased to be here today to review the Nunavut Statutes Amendment Act, No. 2.

This bill seeks to amend the laws of Nunavut before they come in to force on April 1, 1999. Similar to the three division bills that I reviewed with this committee previously, this bill utilizes the authority given to the NWT Legislative Assembly under Section 76.05 of the Nunavut Act. This unique authority can only be used on the recommendation of the Interim Commissioner and after consultation with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.

Madam Chairperson, I am pleased to report this bill has been drafted with the cooperation of the Office of the Office of the Interim Commissioner and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. This cooperative approach was formally confirmed when the Speaker read the Interim Commissioner's letter of recommendation in the Legislation Assembly.

In addition, NTI also confirmed that they had been consulted on the development of this bill in a letter that I tabled in the Legislative Assembly on December 3, 1998.

Madam Chairperson, as with the three previous division bills reviewed by the committee, this bill was prepared in a collaborative fashion. I want to thank the Interim Commissioner and his staff, Nunavut Tunngavik and the GNWT Department of Justice for their hard work and cooperation in its development. It is also important to pay tribute to the efforts made by the professional associations in this process. Their input was invaluable. Madam. Chairperson, I have some specific remarks on the contents of this bill.

Similar to the Nunavut Statutes Amendment Act, this bill addresses the division-related consequences of acts which will be duplicated in Nunavut. These amendments are primarily technical in nature.

The proposed amendments to the Dental Profession Act, the Medical Profession Act, the Psychologists Act and the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association Act are designed to ensure the regulation and functioning of these professions continue smoothly and without interruption in Nunavut.

Amendments to the Legal Services Act have been drafted primarily to enable the GNWT and Interim Commissioner to come to an agreement on the provision of legal services in Nunavut.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson, I would be pleased to answer any questions that Members may have.

Thank you, Madam Chairperson. I am very pleased today to give the opening comments on the Special Committee from Nunavut Legislation on the review of Bill 21, The Nunavut Statutes Amendment Act. Madam Chairperson, we would like to begin by thanking Mr. Arlooktoo for introducing the bill and for the leadership shown by Mr. Arlooktoo with the Nunavut Caucus over the past several months, especially the last couple of weeks, with the amount of legislation we have had to do.

Madam Chairperson, the bill amends the Dental Profession Act and the Medical Profession Act to enable the review offices, the registrars and the registration committees set up in the Northwest Territories to carry out responsibilities in Nunavut.

As well, amendments are made to the Psychologists Act to allow the Association of Psychologists of the Northwest Territories to perform functions in Nunavut.

Now Madam Chairperson, the amendments to the Legal Services Act will allow Nunavut to enter into agreements with the Northwest Territories so that the Legal Services Board may administer the act in Nunavut. The agreement will also set out how the assets and liabilities of the board will be divided on the termination of the agreement. I think that is important to note that, Madam Chairperson.

Finally, amendments to the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association Act, will establish the Federation of Nunavut Teachers as the representative body and collective bargaining agent for teachers in Nunavut. Madam Chairperson, the special committee was satisfied, and I should say very satisfied, with the amendments proposed in this bill. They are appropriate and to be made in preparation for division. This concludes the special committee's comments on Bill 21, Nunavut Statutes Amendment Act, No. 2.

I would like to thank you and the committee for their time and we would like to now move into the next phase of the review of Bill 21 here in committee of the whole. Thank you, Madam Chairperson.

Yes, Madam Chairperson.