Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee

on

Social

Programs

has

been

considering Bill 36, Health and Social Services Professions Act. Members may recall last week we read a five-

page report on the committee’s review

of Bill 36 that was presented to the Legislative Assembly on March 5, 2015.

By motion, the House received the report and it was moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration. The committee commends the Minister for developing the bill as a result of five years of hard work by the Department of Health and

Social Services, professional stakeholders and the public.

The committee believes the act will enhance public safety,

improve

the

level

of

care

and

professionalism in the Northwest Territories and bring our jurisdiction into step with other parts of Canada. During the committee’s review of the bill, comments were received from over a dozen stakeholders. Overall, these stakeholders believe this legislation will enhance public safety and improve the level of professionalism in our jurisdiction.

The committee’s substantive report on Bill 36 elaborated on stakeholder comments and included several

recommendations

pertaining

to

implementation of the new legislation.

The standing committee would, once again, like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the review of Bill 36. A clause-by-clause review was held on January 19, 2015. Following the committee’s review, a motion was carried to report Bill 36 as amended and reprinted to the Legislative Assembly as ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.

Mr. Chair, this concludes the committee’s opening remarks on Committee Report 12-17(5) and on Bill 36. Individual Members may have comments or questions as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.