Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Standing Committee on Social Programs held a public hearing on August 15, 2011, to review Bill 20, Vital Statistics Act.
This is an important new act to replace one that was seriously out of date, and sets out the process of registering the most important events in people’s lives: births, deaths, marriages, adoptions and name changes. It is modern legislation that takes into account recent court rulings respecting same sex partners and other matters. There are provisions for electronic records and more efficient administration.
Following the clause-by-clause review with the Minister, a motion was carried to report Bill 20 to the Assembly as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
This concludes committee’s general comments on Bill 20. Individual committee members may have questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.