March 25, 1999
(Government Services and Lands)

The following statement was issued today by Ernest McLean, Minister of Government Services and Lands. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I would like to take this opportunity to provide members with a status report on government's white paper entitled Challenging Responses to Changing Times: New Proposals for Occupation Regulation.

Government has been very active with respect to this white paper. The Department of Government Services and Lands, in conjunction with Health and Community Services; Justice; Human Resources and Employment; and, Forest Resources and Agrifoods, reviewed the report and the immense response to it. Recommendations were subsequently forwarded to Cabinet and accepted.

Proposed legislation will standardize procedures for the regulation of occupations and improve consumer protection. The intent is to present an omnibus bill which will amend 27 pieces of legislation. This legislation is now being drafted and will be introduced within three years. During this process, extensive consultation will take place with affected groups.

Key changes being proposed include a process to determine which new occupations should be regulated, a standard disciplinary process for all regulated occupations, and lay representation on self-regulatory boards.

As well, an interdepartmental committee with representatives from Government Services and Lands; Health and Community Services; and, Justice has been established to determine which new occupations should and will be regulated.

We are looking forward to working with all groups involved and to the introduction of the new legislation.

1999 03 25 3:00 p.m.