Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am here today to discuss Bill 30, An Act to Amend the Human Rights Act.
I would like to thank the Standing Committee on Government Operations for their review of this bill and for the constructive feedback that they have provided. A number of motions were made in committee, and I am pleased that the bill has improved as a result.
Bill 30 amends the Human Rights Act to improve the delivery of human rights services and enhance the protection of human rights in the Northwest Territories. The amendments arise from recommendations by the Human Rights Commission's comprehensive review team, which brought together constitutional and human rights experts to review the NWT Human Rights Act on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
Specifically, the amendments proposed fall under four major themes: first, valuing and incorporating a restorative approach throughout the human rights system, and encouraging early resolution where possible; second, improving efficiency in operations by consolidating the commission and the director functions into one single agency, the Human Rights Commission; third, emphasizing the commission's responsibility to protect and assure the public interest through the identification of systemic discrimination and the application of broader systemic remedies; and fourth, affirming the rights of transgender and other gender diverse persons.
The bill will also make a number of non-substantive miscellaneous amendments to improve the clarity and readability of specific provisions of the act.
I would be pleased to answer any questions that Members may have regarding Bill 30.