Mahsi, Mr. Chair. I’m pleased to introduce Bill 65, An Act to Amend the Safety Act. Bill 65 proposes several amendments to the Safety Act. The objective of those consultations and this bill is to improve occupational health and safety.

The reasons for the amendments set out in Bill 65 are generally new occupational health and safety regulations have been developed jointly by the Northwest Territories and Nunavut for recommendation to their respective Commissioners where there are insufficient authority in the Safety Act for a small portion of proposed new regulations.

As well, Canada has enacted new Workplace Hazardous Information System legislation, called WHMIS, and amendments to the Safety Act are needed to allow harmonization with the federal legislation.

The treatment of the subject matter in this bill was the focus of extensive consultation over a period of September 2010 to March 2011 between representatives of industry; labour and public in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut were engaged in consultation aimed at reforming the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

Mr. Chair, these regulations apply to workplaces other than mines and some aspects of oil and gas operations. The consultation resulted in a report in excess of 1,000 pages and three volumes.

I’m pleased to answer any questions that Members may have pertaining to Bill 65. Mahsi.