Thank you, Madam Chair. I am pleased to be here today to talk to you about Bill 62, An Act to Amend the Coroners Act. I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Social Programs for its careful review of the bill.
Bill 62 will amend the Coroners Act to create consistency in the powers that are afforded to coroners in the NWT and in other Canadian jurisdictions. The amendments will also:
● expand the investigative powers of coroners;
● expedite the investigative process where possible, in the interest of returning bodies to families in a more timely manner;
● clarify what personal information can be disclosed; and
● make minor improvements to various provisions of the act.
Delays in completing investigations can prove to be a hardship on the family of the deceased. The proposed amendments will help to strengthen the response times for those who need answers to provide closure.
In developing this bill, the department undertook consultations with the chief coroner, the Department of Health and Social Services and the NWT Information and Privacy Commissioner. The thoughtful input we received is much appreciated, as it helped to improve the bill before you today.
I would be pleased to answer any questions that Members may have regarding this bill. Thank you, Madam Chair.