Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, Bill 68, An Act to Amend the Child Day Care Act, received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on November 3rd, 2022, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review.
Bill 68 does not address the existing challenges of the Northwest Territories' early learning and child care sector or fix the damaged relationship between the sector and government. It does, however, put in place necessary basic rules, such as a certification process for educators, and allows the Northwest Territories to catch up with the other jurisdictions in this sector.
In the committee's review period, committee received nine written submissions and six verbal presentations. This enabled committee to have a thorough understanding of how Bill 68 affects child care operators and northern families. As a result, the committee was pleased to work with the department on several amendments to strengthen this bill for those it impacts.
The clause-by-clause review of Bill 68 was held on March 1st, 2023. The committee proposed seven motions. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment concurred with six of the seven proposed motions.
I would like to thank the committee for its work on the review of the bill 68. Individual Members may have additional comments or questions. Thank you, Madam Chair.