Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its Report on the Review of the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories and commends it to this House.

The Information and Privacy Commissioner is an Officer of the Legislative Assembly. The IPC operates independently of the Government of the Northwest Territories. The IPC reports to the Legislative Assembly. They provide oversight and enforcement of the government's duties under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy (ATIPP) Act. The IPC plays a similar role under the Health Information Act (HIA).

The ATIPP Act promotes government accountability. It balances the public's right to access information the government holds while protecting people's privacy rights.

People can make a complaint to the IPC about access to, or disclosure of, information. The IPC will investigate, mediate, or resolve these complaints. They also comment on privacy issues in proposed laws. The IPC also educates people about their rights. Under the ATIPP Act, the IPC files an annual report on her activities. This report can include recommendations.

The IPC has duties under the Health Information Act. This legislation applies to collecting, using, protecting, and disclosing personal health information. It applies to health information records. This includes both public and private health practitioners.

The Health Information Act requires that the IPC file an annual report. This report includes the IPC's activities under the HIA. They can also include recommendations made by the IPC that the government did not follow. It can also include recommendations or comments about the act.

The Speaker tabled the 2018-2019 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner on December 11, 2019. On May 27, 2020, the Standing Committee on Government Operations met with the IPC to review her report. This is committee's report of that review.

Acknowledging the Long Service of the IPC

In 1997, the Assembly appointed Elaine Keenan-Bengts as the first IPC. After four reappointments, Ms. Keenan-Bengts will retire on October 30, 2020. This makes her the longest-serving IPC in Canada. During her time, much has changed in how our government collects and uses information. This is also true for the technology used to process and hold that information.

Ms. Keenan-Bengts has served the people of the Northwest Territories well. She has been an advocate for both access to information and protection of privacy. The committee recognizes Ms. Keenan-Bengts' service and wishes her the best in her retirement.

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