Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs met on Friday, May 16th, 2003, to review Bill 12, the Nursing Profession Act. The act provides a definition of nursing and in particular nurse practitioners. It establishes the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and gives the association the ability to govern themselves through the setting of bylaws and establishing competencies.

Committee Members noted this act was developed in close cooperation with the NWT Registered Nursing Association and the government is to be commended for this proactive approach. The changes bring the regulation of nursing in the Northwest Territories in line with the practices in other Canadian jurisdictions. Individual members of the committee may have questions or comments for the Minister as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.