Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to thank the Member for Frame Lake for bringing forward this private Member's bill to propose amendments to the Vital Statistics Act and the Public Health Act, to provide some certainty that cremation can be authorized in the Northwest Territories. We do support the bill in principle.

Currently, NWT residents are sent south for cremation and are subject to a comprehensive legislative framework in Alberta. As the Member appreciates, an NWT regulatory framework for cremation will involve input from several departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories. If and when the bill is passed by this Legislative Assembly, I commit to working together with the Departments of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources, and Municipal and Community Affairs to develop regulatory changes that may be required.

It will be necessary for officials to consult with industry as appropriate and as is prudent. From a Health and Social Services perspective, we would consider regulatory amendments under the Public Health Act and, to be clear, these regulations would be restricted to sanitation standards, air quality, and other public health matters, but would not include specific rules around the business of crematoria, as it is beyond the scope of the Public Health Act.

We have not established a work plan or timelines, as this is a private Member's bill. However, if and when the bill passes, the department will make it a priority to meet with the other departments and map out the work required and the associated timelines, recognizing that we have a heavy mandate to commitments for many different areas in the government and this would have to fit in there. It might not happen as quickly as some want, but it is something that we will work towards. Thank you.