Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted a public review of Bill 1, Legal Registries Statutes Amendment Act on January 22, 2003. The committee would like to thank the Minister of Justice and his officials for presenting the bill. The bill will make several substantive amendments to the Condominiums Act, Land Titles Act, Securities Act and Societies Act, which will increase efficiencies in a number of processes and clarify some areas of uncertainty in the law. The committee applauds the Minister's efforts to make these changes which will help to save time, money and possibly avert the need for litigation on issues where the law is at present unclear. Bill 1 will also make technical amendments to these acts, as well as the Business Corporations Act, Devolution of Real Property Act, Factors Act, Garage Keepers Lien Act, Personal Property Security Act. Finally, the bill would repeal the Firearms Control Agreements Act which no longer has any effect.
During a public review, the committee and the Minister agreed to three minor amendments of a technical nature. Mr. Chairman, following the committee's review, a motion was carried to report Bill 1, Legal Registries Statutes Amendment Act, to the Assembly as ready for Committee of the Whole as amended and reprinted. Individual Members may have additional questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.