Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2018-2019 Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission's annual report and commends it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations Committee has reviewed the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission. The committee thanks Mr. Charles Dent, chair of the Northwest Territories Human Rights Commission; Ms. Deborah McLeod, director of Human Rights; and Mr. Sheldon Toner, chair of the Adjudication Panel for their appearance before the committee on June 1, 2020.

The Human Rights Act requires the commission to prepare annual reports. These reports include information on the numbers and grounds of complaints filed. The Speaker tables the report in the Legislative Assembly. Once tabled, committee reviews the report.

The commission's 2018-2019 report highlighted its focus on accessibility and outreach. It also addressed recent changes made to the Human Rights Act. The commission's work and recommendations are reflected in committee's observations. In our report, committee makes recommendations to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities to government buildings and information on the Internet.

The committee acknowledges the unique circumstances of this year's review of the commission's report. The COVID-19 global pandemic created challenges for everyone, and particularly those living in vulnerable circumstances. The committee noted that inclusiveness and accessibility are critically important in government responses to the pandemic.

I will now pass the reading on to the Member for Kam Lake.