Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to have an opportunity today to speak with the Members of the committee about Bill 24, Midwifery Profession Act.

This bill and the related midwifery practice framework will assist departmental officials, Health and Social Services authority officials and health care providers to enhance choices in birthing services for residents of the Northwest Territories. The act will regulate the practice or registered midwives throughout the Northwest Territories. This act also addresses many issues that have been identified by stakeholders as obstacles to the implementation of safe and effective midwifery practice in the Northwest Territories.

Some of the key provisions of the bill are concerned with describing the requirements for registration as a registered midwife, describing the practice of registered midwives, authorizing the Minister to establish or adopt a midwifery practice framework, setting out the powers of the registrar to register persons as registered midwives and issue certificates authorizing the establishment or adoption of a code of conduct for registered midwives, setting out a procedure to be followed on the review of conduct of registered midwives, authorize and establishment or adoption of a continued competency program for registered midwives and setting our rules respecting various aspects of the practice of registered midwives, including the use of the title "registered midwife."

The bill responds to the need outlined in NWT Health and Social Services System Action Plan 2002-2005. To update the legislative framework to protect the safety of the public and define roles and responsibilities in the system. This legislation is necessary to support and to promote midwifery profession in the NWT and ensure the health and safety of the public.

The department expects that this legislation will provide women with greater choice for safe birthing services closer to their home communities and ensure greater integration of midwifery services with other health resources throughout the Northwest Territories.

I would like to thank the Members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs for consideration of this bill and look forward to discussing Bill 24 with Members of committee of the whole. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.