Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nunakput, that Bill 12, Nursing Profession Act, be read for the second time. Mr. Speaker, this bill provides for the continuation of the Northwest Territories Registered Nurses' Association, the professional association for nurses as a registered nursing association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The bill also provides for the regulation of the profession by the association and requires, with some exceptions, that persons engaged in the practice of nursing be registered with the association. The bill consequentially amends a number of acts. Some of the key provisions of the bill are concerns of the following matters:

• • describing the scope of the practice of registered nurses and nurse practitioners;
• • setting out the powers of the association to manage its affairs, including the powers to make bylaws, to elect and appoint members to its governing body, and to register members and issue certificates;
• • authorizing the association to establish or adopt the mandatory competence program for its members;
• • setting out the duty of the association to review the conduct of its members;
• • providing for the possible termination of the functions of the association with respect to the nurses in Nunavut;
• • setting out rules respecting various aspects of the practice of the profession, including the use of the title Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner;
• • providing for the enforcement of the practice restrictions set out in the act;
• • providing for certain transitional issues, including the continuation of membership in the association.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.