Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am pleased to have an opportunity today to speak with Members of the committee about Bill 12 which proposes to create a new Nursing Professions Act.

The new act will provide for the continuation of the Northwest Territories Registered Nurses Association as the Registered Nursing Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, address many issues that have been identified by the department and the association in current legislation, and provide an up-to-date legislative framework for the regulation of the nursing profession. The act will also provide authority for the licensing and autonomous practice of nurse practitioners, key players in the primary health care model.

Some of the key provisions of the bill are concerned with:

- Describing the scope of 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, to register members and issue certificates;

- Authorizing the association to establish or adopt a continuing 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 nurses in Nunavut;

- Setting out rules respecting various aspects of the practice of the profession, including the use of the titles "registered nurse" and "nurse practitioner";

- Providing for the practice restrictions set out in the act; and,

- Providing for certain transitional issues, including the continuation of membership in the association.

In addition to the bill, the department is continuing work with the nurses association and other stakeholders on nurse practitioner prescription-making authority. Amendments to the Pharmacy Act are planned to permit a prescription-making authority that is more responsive to evolving nurse practitioner practice. These amendments will be introduced in the next Legislative Assembly at the earliest reasonable opportunity.

The proposed Nursing Profession Act fulfils commitments which were made to the nursing community and in the NWT Health and Social Services System Action Plan 2002-2005 to revise the legislative framework for nursing regulation. This new legislation reflects and supports contemporary nursing practices and will accommodate emerging nursing issues.

I have recently been advised by the Department of Justice of the need for a technical amendment to the bill and accordingly I will be making a motion to amend the bill during the committee's clause-by-clause review. I would like to thank the Members of the standing committee for their consideration and support of this bill. I would now be pleased to answer any questions the committee Members may have. In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge the strong support of the nursing association. Thank you.

---Applause