Thank you, Madam Chair. I am here to present Bill 67, An Act to Amend the Fire Prevention Act. The purpose of Bill 67 is to improve regulatory functions by creating a more authoritative plan review process that includes a formal avenue of appeal for plan review decisions. The bill also includes an exclusion of liability clause which protects statutory actors for actions or omissions done in good faith in the course of their duties.
In addition to these substantive amendments, this bill makes several housekeeping amendments to gender-neutralize language and fix non-substantive grammatical errors in the Act.
During the Standing Committee on Government Operations review of the bill, the Department worked with committee staff and the Department of Justice on three addition amendments to the bill. The Department is appreciative of the time committee took in reviewing the bill and proposing amendments.
The Department recognizes that Bill 67 does not address the need for a building standards framework in the Northwest Territories. While the Department anticipates proceeding with building standards legislation in the 20th Legislative Assembly, further research and engagement with industry stakeholders and community governments will be needed as part of advancing that work. That concludes my opening remarks and I look forward to hearing comments from Members and answering any questions the Members may have on the bill. Thank you.