Thank you, Mr. Chair. Earlier today the Standing Committee on Social Programs tabled its report on Bill 4, Health Information Act. Bill 4 is the product of work undertaken over the better part of a decade to develop health-specific privacy legislation for the Northwest Territories.

The Standing Committee on Social Programs commends the Minister for developing the bill. With its passing, the Northwest Territories will join a

growing number of Canadian jurisdictions that have enacted legislation of this kind.

During the review, written and oral comments were provided by numerous stakeholders and private citizens. Comments prepared by the Information and Privacy Commissioner were especially insightful.

The committee would like to thank all stakeholders and citizens who helped to strengthen the committee’s review of the bill.

The committee conducted a public hearing on the bill on February 20, 2014. A clause-by-clause review was conducted on March 10, 2014, during which the committee proposed and adopted two amendments with the concurrence of the Minister. A motion was then carried to report Bill 4 as amended and reprinted to the Assembly.

This concludes the committee’s opening comments on Bill 4. Individual Members may have questions or comments as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.