Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee's report was read into the record on Tuesday, May 31st, 2022. Bill 40 received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on November 26th, 2021, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review.
Near the end of the Committee's 120-day review period, the Government of the Northwest Territories' Department of Health and Social Services identified issues with the bill that could require substantial amendments.
On March 28, 2022, committee sought and received an extension for our review period and indicated that we were willing to work collaboratively with the Minister of Health and Social Services to make improvements to the bill.
On May 16, 2022, the standing committee was pleased to have a public hearing with Dr. Katherine Breen of the Northwest Territories Medical Association to hear their views on Bill 40 and on the work that had been done to improve the bill.
On May 19, 2022, the standing committee held a public hearing with the Minister of Health and Social Services and completed its clause-by-clause review of the bill.
Ten motions were carried by the committee and concurred with by the Minister. The committee thanks the Minister and department for their hard work and collaboration to improve this bill.
Individual Members may have comments on the report, and I would like to thank committee for their dedicated work in seeing this bill through to today. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.