Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, Bill 82, Legal Profession Act, received second reading in the Legislative Assembly on March 30th, 2023, and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Development for review. The standing committee held a public hearing with the Minister of Justice in Yellowknife on May 10th, 2023. Through public engagement committee received submissions from the Law Society of the Northwest Territories, a private resident, the NWT Metis Nation, and Deline Gotine Government.

Committee was concerned around the topics of: Access to justice, cultural safety training, public access to legal materials, regulating paralegals, and pro bono legal services. Committee was ultimately satisfied, however, that the submissions provided from stakeholders adequately addressed these concerns. As such, committee did not forward any motions to amend the bill.

Standing committee held the clause-by-clause review of Bill 82 on May 31st, 2023. I would like to thank the public for their time to meet with committee and for committee's work on the review of this bill.

Individual Members may have additional comments or questions. Thank you, Madam Chair.