Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that. I could see that interpretation of the word "shall" if that was included. Just one more question -- sorry, but I think these words are important because words are what matter in law.

In this same section, 27.2, subsection 1, on the fourth line, there is another "may" there. I just want to be assured that the word "may" is not to be interpreted in any way to make it discretionary to enter into an agreement. I believe I read somewhere else that these people who are practicing as a nurse practitioner have to be under a collaborative agreement, yet here it says "may together enter into an agreement." I am just wondering if that is optional in any way. I just want to be assured that it is not. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. I will direct the question to the Minister and see if that is his understanding of that wording in the agreement. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the term is in the permissive because it implies an effort to reach a collaboration and agreement among different parties to sign an agreement and initiate a collaborative practice. Therefore it is permissive because we need everybody to agree to sign on. It is not imperative because we cannot force people, practitioners, nurses or doctors, to sign unless they are satisfied that the scope of practice and all the other terms of the collaborative practice site are adequate. That is why it is permissive. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Then while the Minister cannot make these parties sign an agreement, the nurse practitioners could not practice unless there is an agreement signed?

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Chairman, this bill is an interim bill. It gives us the interim ability to initiate collaborative practice at certain sites, and it will be bound by the parameters of this bill until such time as we finish the further passing of the Nurses Act. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do not believe that the Minister answered my specific question because I do not believe that the fact that this is interim legislation makes any difference as to our responsibility, and my desire to learn exactly what this clause is meant to do. We know that legislative changes often take a long time. I think it is reasonable to assume that this legislation will be in place until such time as the permanent one comes, and even if the Minister has the intention of introducing the permanent legislation in the fall, who knows what is going to happen in the fall?

It is really important that we put on record exactly what is the power that the Minister is being given under this legislation. I want to be assured that there is a requirement -- and this is how I am reading it and I want to get confirmation on that -- for the nurse practitioners and medical practitioners, and whoever else is involved, to sign an agreement about what their practices are, and that the scope and extent of the practices that nurse practitioners will be engaged in are clearly stated and limited in scope as per the Minister's direction. That is how I understand section 27.2(1) to be and I want that confirmation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am not sure who the Member would like the confirmation from, but I can tell you that the intent is to do as the Member has indicated, to give us the legislative authority to proceed with this initiative within the clearly defined frame that is outlined in legislation as it is so stated here, as the Member has summarized.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Lee.

So is the Minister confirming that as far as he understands, a nurse practitioner has to have an agreement to practice as a nurse practitioner?

Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I will just comment and I will ask Ms. Cooper to speak as well. I have stated that and will get Ms. Cooper here to speak to that issue, and maybe that will give her the comfort she needs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Minister. Ms. Cooper.

It is on page 6, Ms. Lee. Ms. Lee.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess that is what I was thinking of because I did read this before and I wanted the Minister to confirm what I had already read. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Lee. Clause 20.

Clause 21.