Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m pleased to be here to discuss Bill 44, An Act to Amend the Hospital Insurance and Health and Social Services Administration Act.
I appreciate the questions and concerns raised by community members and health and social services providers during public meetings hosted by the Standing Committee on Social Programs throughout the Northwest Territories.
The primary purpose of Bill 44 is to allow for the transformation of the health and social services system so that it can work as one system. This will be achieved by amalgamating all the health and social services authorities into a single territorial authority. While our role is obviously to move towards a single territorial authority, I want employees of Hay River Health and Social Services to know and be assured that we have heard their concerns and that this bill will allow us to bring Hay River into the territorial authority at a later date. The
department clearly respects those providing health and social services to the public and we will not infringe on the rights of workers, or their bargaining agents.
The development of this bill has been the result of a significant time and effort by the department and contribution of the members of the Standing Committee on Social Programs and the public have helped to strengthen and clarify this bill to make it a better bill. If passed, this bill would be a great accomplishment for the 17th Legislative Assembly.
Mr. Chair, I would be happy to answer any questions that Members may have.