Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I do. Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to have the opportunity to speak with the Members of committee about Bill 10 which proposes changes to the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act. The amendment will continue the Hay River Community Health Board as a board of management called the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, and exclude its employees from the public service.

The bill also consequently amends the Public Service Act to reflect the status of the employees. The amendment provides a legislative framework to bring the health and social services facilities in the Hay River area under a board of management that is appointed by the Minister without transferring Hay River employees into the public service.

This bill helps to fulfill the commitment made in the NWT Health and Social Services System Action Plan to standardize a process of appointing, orienting and training of trustees and to standardize an accountability framework. It also fulfills a commitment to establish a Hay River board of management under the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act, to help implement the action plan objectives.

The amendment is necessary to complete the process of bringing all GNWT health and social services facilities under boards of management that are appointed by the Minister under HIHSSA.

I would like to thank the Members for their consideration and support of this bill. I would now be pleased to answer any questions committee Members may have.