Legislative Reports

• Kirk MacDonald,MLAfor announced the launch of a New Mactaquac, Minister of Business Brunswick parliamentary channel dedicated to broadcasting proceed- • ,MLAfor ings to keep the public informed of Kennebecasis, Minister of Energy the important work of the House • ,MLAfor and the province's elected represen- Hampton-Belleisle, Minister of tatives. The Legislature acquired a Supply and Services and Govern- professional broadcasting system ment with five state-of-the-art cameras located throughout the chamber Retiring to the backbench were: and operated remotely by Rogers New Brunswick ,MLAfor Television, the company commis- Tracadie-Sheila, , sioned to manage the new channel. ince the adjournment of the MLA for Tantramar and Marga- The new channel will be offered in SThird Session of the Fifty-Fifth ret-Ann Blaney,MLAforSaint both official languages on televi- Legislature of New Brunswick on John-Kings. sions with secondary audio pro- December 23, 2005, Ber- The Final Report of the Electoral gramming (SAP) features in major nard Lord, shuffled his Cabinet, an Boundaries and Representation Com- centres across the province. Ques- Electoral Boundaries and Represen- mission saw the boundaries of 20 of tion period will continue to be tation Commission completed its the province's 55 electoral districts shown on the community channel mandate and released a final report, revised and the names of nine elec- in the smaller communities. The As- the House resumed to elect a new toral districts changed as a result of sembly will also approach satellite Speaker shortly before the budget public input. Major changes were providers to expand coverage was brought down, and a special made in the Moncton-Dieppe area, throughout the province. channel began broadcasting and in western New Brunswick in The House resumed in the fore- gavel-to-gavel coverage of legisla- the electoral districts of York, noon March 28 and elected Mr. tive proceedings, giving New Woodstock, Carleton, and Victo- Malley to be Speaker, subsequent to Brunswickers access to the political ria-Tobique. The commission, the resignation of Speaker Harri- process and their elected officials. which began its work last August, son. As a result of Premier Lord's re- released a preliminary report on The House resumed in the after- structuring of government follow- November 21, 2005, followed by the noon when Finance Minister ing a “Five in Five” initiative final report on February 20, 2006. Jeannot Volpé,MLAfor announced a few days earlier in the On February 21, , Madawaska-les-Lacs, brought state of the province address, a MLA for Miramichi-Bay du Vin and down his third budget, stating: number of new Ministers were former Government Whip, an- “This budget supports our vision of sworn in as Members of the Execu- nounced his intention to sit as an In- New Brunswick and our balanced tive Council on February 14: dependent Member, bringing the approach. It builds on our results standings in the House on that date and our policies, further imple- • Claude Williams, MLA for Kent to Progressive Conservatives, 27; ments our commitments, takes South, Minister of Education Liberals, 26; and Independents, 2. steps in meeting the Premier's Five • , MLA for Oromocto- On March 23,Deputy Speakers in Five Initiative and makes new in- Gagetown, Minister of Post-Sec- Cy (Richard) LeBlanc,MLAfor vestments for people.” ondary Education and Training Dieppe-Memramcook and John Highlighted in the 2006-2007 Betts, MLA for Moncton Crescent, budget:

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 39 • $2.46 billion for record invest- getthatmentionseverythingbut House Leader Harrison regarding a ments in health and senior care, a solves nothing.” He submitted that letter from Abel LeBlanc, MLA for 75 per cent increase since 1999; the budget neglected to address job Saint John Lancaster, published in • $893 million for record invest- creation, affordable housing, the the Telegraph-Journal on April 6, ments in Kindergarten to Grade uncertainty facing mills in the prov- 2006, which characterized the elec- 12 education, including 240 new teaching positions; ince, the cost of nursing home care tion of the Speaker as a sham. In giv- and post-secondary education, the ing notice of his motion to refer the • Over $100 million in energy relief, lack of spaces in community col- matter to the Standing Committee including the rebate of the pro- vincial portion of the HST on leges, the prolonged care of special on Privileges, the Government home electricity and heating fu- needs children, the clean-up of mu- House Leader claimed the com- els; nicipal harbours, or the lack of sup- ments in the letter demonstrated • $28.8 million more for senior care, port for small business owners. contempt, disrespect, and called including covering nursing home He was critical of the numbers into question the legitimacy of the health care costs and fully pro- contained in the budget. While ac- Speaker and the proceedings in the tecting the value of seniors' knowledging a $5 million increase House. Opposition House Leader homes; in spending on special education, he Lamrock argued that the letter con- • $17 million in additional personal submitted that New Brunswick is cerned only the process by which income tax reductions for New one of only two provinces to cut ed- the Speaker came to Office and that Brunswickers, resulting in 50,000 it did not reflect negatively on the New Brunswickers removed ucation in real dollars. He agreed from the income tax rolls since more money is being spent in the Speaker himself but was critical of 1999; budget, an increase of 1.7% from the the government. However, Speaker Malley found that the remarks re- • $20 million in tax reductions for previous budget, but stated that this New Brunswick businesses, in- was inadequate when inflation rose flected on the Legislature as a whole cluding the reduction of the New by 2.5%. He further stated “when I and on the Office of Speaker and Brunswick small business income look at this budget, we have a gov- made it more difficult for the tax rate to 1.5 per cent; ernment that cannot even meet its Speaker to fulfill his duties by di- • $25 million over five years for a own priority areas, a government minishing the respect owed to the new Wellness Infrastructure that cannot deliver change, a gov- Office and to the institution. In rul- Fund; ernment that has been given $1.6 ing that a prima facie case of con- • $15 million for regional economic billion more in revenue and has not tempt had not been made, Speaker development funds in Miramichi, delivered a single bit of Malley ruled that it would not be Restigouche-Chaleur and the transformative change.” productive to allow the matter to go Acadian Peninsula; On April 7 Speaker Malley cast forward for a debate and would • $26 million over two years in tax his first deciding vote following a only serve to give more significance relief and incentives as part of the division on the budget motion. In to the remarks than they merit. $250-million, five-year Forestry Speaker Malley noted that the letter Assistance Support Package to casting his vote in the affirmative, help the forestry sector; Mr. Speaker stated that : was in poor taste and did a disser- vice to the House and the Office of • $9.2 million for culture, including the Speaker; the Member subse- an additional $1 million for the Questions of confidence are of Cultural Policy and a new book such importance that an ex- quently apologized to the House. policy; pression of nonconfidence On April 13, Speaker Malley an- should clearly be stated by a • A 27.8 per cent net debt-to-GDP majority. In addition to my re- nounced his intention to rejoin the ratio, for the seventh consecutive sponsibilities as Speaker, I Government caucus while continu- annual reduction; have a responsibility to the ing to fulfill the duties of the Office constituents of my riding of • A $22.2 million surplus for an- Miramichi-Bay du Vin and to of Speaker in a fair and impartial other balanced budget. the people of New Brunswick. manner, bringing the standings in In this instance, I am guided by the House to Progressive Conserva- In his response to the budget the principles of the Speaker's speech, Opposition House Leader casting vote, on questions of tives, 28; Liberals, 26; and Inde- Kelly Lamrock, MLA for Frederic- confidence. pendent, 1. ton-Fort Nashwaak, pinch hitting On April 11, Speaker Malley Among the government bills in- for Finance Critic Michael Murphy, ruled on a question of privilege troduced were Bill 34, to amend the characterized the budget as “a bud- raised earlier by Government Municipalities Act introduced by Lo-

40 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 cal Government Minister room is the former home of the wherein he asked them to express Rose-May Porier, and Bill 35, to Legislative Council, or New Bruns- their view as to whether he should amend The Residential Tenancies Act wick's Upper House. contest the next general election introduced by Justice and Con- (due later this year) as a New Demo- sumer Affairs Minister . crat, Liberal or independent candi- The amendments would give mu- Diane Taylor-Myles date. The following day Mr. Hardy nicipal bylaw enforcement officers Researcher excised (Mayo- the tools necessary to ensure that Tatchun) from the caucus for hav- negligent landlords address issues ing conducted a similar, if less for- of health and safety in residential mal, survey of his constituents. As a properties including ticketing land- result the party standings were lords for violations and undertak- now: Party 10, NDP 3, Liber- ing repairs where a landlord fails to als 2, and three independent mem- do so, with remedial costs being bers. added to the owner's property tax Given the reasons for the change bill. in the NDP caucus speculation was Bill 47, An Act to Amend the Mem- high that Mr. McRobb and/or Mr. bers' Conflict of Interest Act, intro- Yukon Fairclough would join the Liberal duced by Opposition Leader caucus. On March 16 Mr. McRobb , would prohibit he last submission outlined cer- did so, giving the Liberal caucus the any member of the Executive Coun- Ttain changes to the composition same number of members as that of cil from accepting any salary, finan- of party caucuses in the Yukon Leg- the NDP. Mr. Fairclough, however, cial assistance, or any other benefit islative Assembly. These changes remained an independent member from a registered political party or a included the resignation of Haakon as the 2006 Spring Sitting began on registered district association. In in- Arntzen (formerly the independent March 30, 2006. troducing the Bill, Mr. Graham member for Copperbelt, and before However, on May 1, 2006 Mr. noted that the Conflict of Interest that the member for Fairclough announced that he had Commissioner would have the dis- the same constituency), the election joined the Liberal Party caucus. This cretion to approve such a salary if of Liberal Party leader Arthur changed the House standings to: certain conditions were met. The Mitchell in the Copperbelt by-elec- Yukon Party 10, Liberal Party 4, Bill was referred to the Standing tion; and the resignation of Peter NDP 3 and one independent. As a Committee on Law Amendments Jenkins (Klondike) from the gov- result the Liberals have now sup- for review. erning Yukon Party cabinet and planted the NDP as the official op- On April 26, the Opposition caucus. Mr. Jenkins now sits as an position. independent member. House Leader gave notice of his in- During the controversy over As a result the House standings – tention to move a motion of changes within the NDP it has also which had been Yukon Party 11, non-confidence in the Speaker. The been revealed that the minister of NDP 5, Liberals 1 and one inde- motion was expected to come up for Education, and Justice, John pendent member during the 2005 debate in May during the two hours Edzerza (Yukon Party, McIntyre- Spring Sitting – were Yukon Party reserved on Tuesday and Thursday Takhini), spoke with Mr. Hardy 10, NDP 5, Liberals 2, and one inde- for Private Members' Motions. during the fall of 2005 on the pros- pendent by the end of the 2005 Fall Restoration continues in the Leg- pect of Mr. Edzerza leaving the Yu- Sitting. islative Council Chamber. Used al- kon Party caucus for the NDP. Mr. most exclusively by committees in This, however, was not the end of Hardy indicated that his party recent years, the newly restored the changes. On February 28 the could not accept a member who had room promises to reveal the original leader of the official opposition, been elected under another party's elegance of the 1882 Second Empire ( Centre, banner. Mr. Hardy suggested Mr. sandstone building. The meticulous NDP) announced that his House Edzerza either sit as an independent and diligent work of conservators leader, Gary McRobb (), member or resign and contest a uncovered rich colours and details, had been dismissed from caucus. by-election as the NDP candidate. including the discovery of paint McRobb's transgression came in the Mr. Edzerza has stayed with the Yu- chips from the original ceiling. The form of a letter to his constituents kon Party.

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 41 Premier Fentie did not follow Mr. pursuant to Standing Order 75, the to that which is in effect in Saskatch- Hardy's example and expel Mr. three House leaders met to deter- ewan. The motion was not adopted Edzerza from the Yukon Party cau- mine the length of the sitting. On that day, as the government moved cus for talking with the NDP. Pre- April 11 the government House an amendment that had not been mier Fentie suggested that Mr. leader, Brad Cathers (Lake Laberge, agreed to by the normal hour of ad- Hardy's eviction of Mr. McRobb Yukon Party) informed the Assem- journment. and Mr. Fairclough had been pre- bly that the House leaders could not On November 14 the government cipitous. He said Mr. Edzerza has reach agreement on the length of the brought forward its own version of contributedmuchtothegovern- sitting. As a result the Speaker, Ted Mr. Hardy's motion, one that incor- ment and has much more to contrib- Staffen, declared, pursuant to porated the amendment proposed ute. Standing Order 75(3), that the 2006 on November 9. This motion passed These issues received a substan- Spring Sitting would last 30 sitting unanimously on that day. tial airing in the Assembly on May 3 days, the 30th sitting day to be May On April 5, 2006 the Minister of when members debated Bill No. 24, 2006. Justice, Mr. Edzerza, introduced 112, Act to Amend the Legislative As- Nine government bills were in- and received first reading for Bill sembly Act. This private members' troduced during this Sitting. These No. 67. The bill received unanimous bill, introduced by Mr. Hardy on bills were: support at all stages, passing sec- April 13, proposed to prohibit a ond reading on April 27, being re- • member elected as a member of a Bill No. 18, Interim Supply Appro- ported by Committee of the Whole priation Act, 2006-07 given party from joining the caucus on May 1, and receiving third read- of another party during the course • Bill No. 19, Third Appropriation ing on May 4. With the passage of of a given legislature. The second Act, 2005-06 the Safer Communities and Neigh- reading debate proved acrimonious • Bill No. 20, First Appropriation Act, bourhoods Act Yukon becomes the with various allegations of im- 2006-07 third Canadian jurisdiction, behind proper motive and nefarious behav- • Bill No. 66, Act to Amend the Secu- Manitoba and Saskatchewan, to iour being exchanged between the rities Act pass such legislation. opposition caucuses. Despite this • Bill No. 67, Safer Communities and The Municipal Act provides that the bill passed second reading on a Neighbourhoods Act Yukon municipalities will hold vote of 14-1. Both the Yukon Party • elections this October. However, and Liberal caucuses said they Bill No. 68, Act to Repeal the Physio- therapists Act Bill No. 71 was required to allow the voted for the bill to give it more dis- Town of Dawson City to hold mu- cussion in Committee of the Whole. • Bill No. 69, Canadian Blood Services Indemnification Act nicipal elections by June 15, 2006. In Oddly, the only member to vote a controversial move the Yukon • against second reading was Glenn Bill No. 70, Act to Amend the In- Government had removed the pre- come Tax Act (2006) Hart (Riverdale South), a Yukon vious council from office in April Party cabinet minister. There was • Bill No. 71, Dawson Municipal 2004 due to financial irregularities. more acrimonious debate in Com- Election Act (2006) The government had appointed a mittee of the Whole before the As- trustee to run the municipality since sembly reached its normal hour of Bill No. 20 is the main appropria- then. adjournment. The bill may be re- tion act for the 2006-07 fiscal year. Despite the controversy engen- called for debate on May 17, which Through it the Government of Yu- dered by the government's policy in is the next day when opposition pri- kon is seeking authority to spend dealing with Dawson City, the bill vate members' business has prece- $793 million for the twelve months passed through the Assembly dence. ending March 31, 2007. It is the larg- rather quickly. All members real- 2006 Spring Sitting est appropriation bill in Yukon's ized that whatever their differences history. it was in the best interest of Dawson The 2006 Spring Sitting began on The impetus behind Bill No. 67 City that it become self-governing March 30. Pursuant to Standing Or- was a motion brought forward by as soon as possible. After introduc- der 74 the government introduced Mr. Hardy on November 9, 2005. tion and first reading on April 3, the all the bills it wanted to see dealt The motion urged the Yukon Gov- bill received second reading on with during this Sitting by the fifth ernment to develop a Safer Commu- April 10. The following day the sitting day, April 6. Subsequently, nities and Neighbourhoods Act similar Dawson Municipal Election Act

42 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 (2006) was reported by Committee hills-Rocky View). Former Provin- for 12 departments. This amount in- of the Whole, received third reading cial Treasurer Jim Dinning,who cluded a $1,000,000,000 payment to and was assented to by Commis- left politics in 1997 and former Cabi- the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust sioner Geraldine Van Bibber. net Minister Mark Norris, who was Fund. The Assembly also approved Four private members' bills were defeated in 2004 have also an- interim estimates totalling also introduced during this Sitting. nounced their intentions to run. $6,384,900,000. They were Bill No. 111, Act to Repeal There is speculation that Preston At the time of writing, 15 Govern- the Dawson Municipal Governance Manning may announce his candi- ment Bills and 1 Private Members' Restoration Act, the aforementioned dacy. Public Bill had been passed by the Bill No. 112, Bill No. 113, All-Party One candidate, Dr. Oberg, was Assembly. Committee on Appointments Act, and removed from Cabinet and sus- Government Bills Bill No. 114, Yukon Ethics and Ac- pended from the Progressive Con- countability Act. So far, Bill No. 112 is servative caucus for six months Some Bills before the Assembly in- the only private members' bill to be following remarks made to his con- clude: brought forward for debate. stituency association. Dr. Oberg re- • Bill 1, Alberta Cancer Prevention portedly told members of the Legacy Act, creates and expands Floyd McCormick association that he would not be cancer screening and detection Deputy Clerk asking them to support Premier programs; creates a virtual cancer Klein at the March 31, 2006 leader- institute to coordinate research in the province; and promotes the ship review. He now sits as an coordination of public, private, independent in the Assembly. provincial, national and interna- Spring Sitting of the tional cancer research and screen- Twenty-Sixth Legislature ing programs. • Bill 4, Daylight Saving Time On February 22, 2006, Lieutenant Amendment Act, 2006, extends Daylight Saving Time in Alberta Governor Norman L. Kwong deliv- in accordance with legislation ered the Speech from the Throne. passed in the United States, be- The Speech outlined the Govern- ginning with the second Sunday Alberta ment's pledge to reduce the inci- in March and ending the first dence of cancer and mortality from Sunday in November, commenc- ing in 2007. n April 4, 2006, Premier Ralph cancer by improving cancer preven- • OKlein announced that he tion, screening and research initia- Bill 20, Freedom of Information and tives. It also outlined the Protection of Privacy Amendment would be retiring in September Act, 2006, makes eight amend- 2006. The Premier stated he would government's plans in areas such as ments to the Act including the fol- remain in office until his successor health, education and the environ- lowing; limits access to is chosen which is anticipated to oc- ment. Other highlights include: ministerial briefing material for cur sometime in November 2006. five years; limits access to records • relating to audits of the chief in- The Premier's announcement oc- the exploration of new uses for coal and clean coal technology; ternal auditor of Alberta for 15 curred following a Progressive years; enhances the security of • Conservative convention at which new legislation to protect chil- Albertans' personal information time the Premier received an ap- dren exposed to drug manufac- by making it less vulnerable to turing and trafficking in their proval rating of 55.4 per cent. collection by foreign agencies; homes; and increases penalties for dis- To date, the following individu- • closing personal information to als have announced their intentions new standards for seniors' lodges, supportive living and foreign courts. The opposition to seek leadership of the Progres- long-term care facilities; has expressed significant criti- sive Conservative party: former cism regarding the amendments • Ministers Ed Stelmach (PC, Fort changes to legislation to protect limiting access to ministerial in- people from family violence. formation and audit information. Saskatchewan-Vegreville), Dave Hancock (PC, Edmonton- • Bill 24, Fiscal Responsibility Whitemud), Lyle Oberg (Ind, During the Spring Sitting, the As- Amendment Act, 2006, amends the sembly approved supplementary Act to increase the limit of the use Strathmore-Brooks), and Private of non-renewable resource reve- Member Ted Morton (PC, Foot- estimates totalling $1,354,485,000

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 43 nue to $5.3 billion from $4.7 bil- about same-sex marriage; the duced by Tony Abbott (PC, lion for budgetary purposes. Marriage Act by allowing clergy Drayton Valley-Calmar), pro- • and marriage commissioners to posed a requirement for minors Bill 26, Mandatory Testing and Dis- refuse to perform marriages be- aged 15 and under to obtain writ- closure Act,replacestheBlood tween persons of the same sex ten consent of a parent or guard- Samples Act (a Private Members' wheretodosowouldviolate ian prior to receiving medical Bill in 2004 which has not yet been their religious beliefs or moral treatment. During Second Read- proclaimed). The Bill allows values and not to be liable for any ing debate a hoist amendment front-line medical workers, po- action arising from that decision; was agreed to after several Mem- lice officers, firefighters, and cor- and the School Act by allowing bers raised concerns about mi- rectional officers to require a students not to attend and teach- nors being denied access to blood sample from an individual ers not to teach that part of a medical care. Concerns were also whose bodily fluids they have course that has in its curriculum raised that the legislation was too come in contact with. that marriage may be the union of broad given that the intent of the • Bill 28, Local Authorities Election persons of the same sex. sponsor was to address the issue of access to abortions by minors. Amendment Act, 2006, amends the • Bill 210, Election (Fixed Election Act by setting and outlining stan- Dates) Amendment Act, 2006, • Bill 206, Designation of Child Ac- dards and processes for the elec- sponsored by Kevin Taft (Lib, cess Exchange Centre Act,intro- tion of municipal councils and Edmonton-Riverview) amends duced by Alana DeLong (PC, school board trustees. The legis- the Election Act by requiring that Calgary Bow), proposed the des- lation incorporates recommenda- an election be held in the province ignation of facilities in Alberta as tions from an investigation into of Alberta on the third Monday in centres where children can asso- voter fraud regarding the use of November every four years, be- ciate with their parents or guard- special ballots in the 2004 munici- ginning in 2008. ians. These facilities would be pal election in Calgary. subject to the same regulations as Private Members' Public Bills day care facilities. A hoist amend- A motion that the Chair now ment was moved after both the leave the Chair was moved during Minister of Justice and Attorney One Private Members' Public Bill Committee of the Whole consider- General and the Minister of Chil- was passed by the Assembly: ation of Bill 201, Human Tissue Gift dren's Services outlined projects (Notification Procedure) Amendment currently in place to deal with the • problem the legislation was ad- Bill 203, Railway (Alberta) (Heri- Act, 2006, introduced by Ron tage Railway) Amendment Act, dressing. Several Members also 2006, sponsored by LeRoy John- Liepert (PC, Calgary-West). The outlined issues that the Bill poses son (PC, Wetaskiwin-Camrose), Member is now the sponsor of a for rural communities. Government Bill on the same topic. amends the Railway (Alberta) Act Budget 2006 by creating a special designation Hoist amendments were moved for heritage railways so that they in connection with the following are not subject to the same regula- On March 22, 2006, Shirley tions as freight and short line rail- Private Members' Bills: McClellan, Minister of Finance, ways. presented the Budget and the esti- • Bill 202, Environmental Protection mates for the 2006-07 fiscal year. Two Private Members' Public and Enhancement (Methamphet- amine) Amendment Act, 2006, Revenue for the 2006-07 fiscal year Bills before the Assembly include: sponsored by Ivan Stang (PC, is estimated to be $32.4 billion and West Yellowhead), proposed total resource revenue is expected • Bill 208, Protection of Fundamental amendments that would penalize to be $11.35 billion. The Minister Freedoms (Marriage) Statutes individuals who release waste projected total expenditures of Amendment Act, 2006, sponsored generated by the manufacturing by Ted Morton (PC, Foot- of methamphetamine into the en- $28.31 billion in 2006-07. Surplus hills-Rocky View) would, as in- vironment. The Bill was hoisted revenue is estimated to be $4.1 bil- troduced, amend three statutes to during Second Reading consider- lion. The Budget increases the base add provisions concerning ation after the Minister of Envi- budget for the Department of same-sex marriage. The Bill ronment explained that the Health and Wellness by 7.7 per cent would amend the Human Rights, changes proposed in the Bill Citizenship and Multiculturalism could be done by regulation. An- to $10.3 billion which accounts for Act by not allowing anyone to be other reason given for the hoist 37 per cent of the Budget. Funding deprived of any benefit or subject amendment was that the scope of for Advanced Education (which to any sanction for exercising the legislation was limited only to oversees post-secondary education their freedom of speech or of con- methamphetamine drugs. programs) will increase by 19 per science and religion by express- • Bill 204, Parental Consent to Medi- ing or exercising their beliefs cent to $2.2 billion while program cal Treatment for Minors Act, intro-

44 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 support for Education will increase Gene Zwozdesky was appointed of the Legislative Assembly of Al- by 6.7 per cent for a total of $5.3 bil- Government House Leader while berta on March 15, 1906. On March lion. In the 2006-07 fiscal year, Edu- Minister of Justice and Attorney 15, 2006, Speaker Kowalski hosted cation expenses account for 26.9 per General Ron Stevens and Minister current and former Members of the cent of the Budget. Funding for In- of Municipal Affairs Rob Renner Legislative Assembly at a noon frastructure programs will be in- will serve as Deputy Government hourreceptionintheLegislature creased by 45 per cent to $13.3 House Leaders. Building. Following the reception, a billion over the next three years. special ceremony was held in the Other Events Other elements of Budget 2006 in- Assembly honouring 100 years of clude: democracy. To mark the occasion, On March 13, 2006, Speaker Ken • an additional $1 billion to be Lieutenant Governor Kwong, Kowalski hosted a ceremony in the placed into the Heritage Savings Speaker Kowalski, former Member Trust Fund in the 2006-07 fiscal Legislature Building Rotunda rec- Speaker, Premier Klein and Leaders year; ognizing Alberta's Francophone of the Opposition parties spoke of • community. Les Rendez-vous de la a reduction in the corporate tax the achievements of the Assembly rate from 11.5 per cent to 10 per Francophonie is a celebration of the and the contributions of current and cent; province's French culture and his- former Members over the last 100 • tory. Joining Speaker Kowalski funding for 80 new RCMP offi- years. cers, 25 prosecutors and several during the recognition ceremony judges; were Premier Klein, Premier of Al- The day was highlighted by a gala dinner attended by 475 guests • a base operating spending in- berta; Harry Chase, MLA, Cal- crease of 8.3 per cent; gary-Varsity, representing the and hosted by Speaker Kowalski. That evening, over 200 current and • Official Opposition; Raj Pannu, the assumption that prices will be former Members were presented $50.00 US a barrel for oil and $7.50 MLA, representing the Third Party Cdn per gigajoule for natural gas. Opposition; Jean Johnson,Presi- with commemorative medallions dent, Canadian Francophone Asso- for each term served as an MLA since 1905. A series of plaques trac- Cabinet Changes ciation of Alberta; and Denis Ducharme, MLA, Bonnyville-Cold ing the history of the first 25 Legisla- Lake, Chair, Francophone Secretar- tures as well as the history of the Premier Klein announced changes iat. province prior to 1905 were also un- to the Cabinet on April 5, 2006. A On March 13, 2006, Speaker veiled at the dinner. Guests were new Cabinet position of Associate Kowalski unveiled in the Assembly presented with a coffee table book Minister of Infrastructure and Alberta's Westminster chairs which highlighting the Legislature Build- Transportation and Minister Re- were copied from Augustus Welby ing. A new Legislative Assembly tie sponsible for Capital Planning was Pugin's design of the chairs that and scarf have also been created to created, bringing the number of continue to be in service in the New commemorate the centennial. Cabinet Members to 25, including Palace of Westminster. Conceived Their Excellencies, the Right the Premier. as a Legislative Assembly Centen- Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Gov- Ministers changing portfolios are nial project three years ago, three ernor General of Canada and Mr. Ty Lund, Minister of Infrastructure dozen chairs were fabricated by Jean-Daniel Lafond visited the and Transportation and Gary Mar , craftsmen who were employees of Legislature on May 4, 2006. Her Ex- Minister of International and Inter- Alberta Infrastructure and Trans- cellency addressed the Legislative governmental Relations. portation. The chairs, all individu- Assembly and guests from the New Ministers are: Denis ally numbered and embossed with Speaker's Chair. It was the first time Herard, Minister of Advanced Edu- Alberta's Mace, have been placed in in Alberta's history that a Governor cation; Denis Ducharme, Minister the lobbies and lounges of the General took the throne inside the of Community Development; House. Chamber. George VanderBurg, Minister of On March 13, 2006, the Assembly Government Services; and Barry approved a motion to allow former McFarland, Associate Minister of Member, Ray Speaker, onto the Infrastructure and Transportation, floor of the House to address the As- Micheline Orydzuk and Minister Responsible for Capi- sembly to mark the occasion of the Clerk of Journals/Table Research tal Planning. 100th anniversary of the convening

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 45 vices, replacing the Member for In March 2006, Québec delegates Orford, Pierre Reid. participated in the meetings of the The Member for Taillon, Pauline Executive Committee of the Parlia- Marois, who had been in politics for mentary Conference of the Ameri- twenty years, resigned at the begin- cas (PCOA) and of the Executive ning of the sitting, on Monday, Committee of the Network (Puebla, March 20, 2006. A few days earlier, Mexico). the Member for Pointe-aux-Trem- As part of the delegation for Rela- bles, Nicole Léger, announced she tions With the United States he first session of the 37th Legis- would end her term of office on June (DANRÉU), Québec parliamentari- Tlature was prorogued on Friday, 1, 2006. ans took part in three activities dur- March 10, 2006. The Lieuten- On April 10, 2006, a by-election ing winter 2006: the meeting of the ant-Governor's address and the de- was held in the electoral division of Legislative Summit of the Commit- livery of the Opening Speech by the Sainte-Marie-Saint-Jacques. Martin tees on Agriculture (Tempe, Ari- Premier for the second session took Lemay, representing the Parti zona, January 20-22, 2006), the place on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. Québécois, was the candidate re- meeting of the Executive Commit- The twenty-five hour debate on this turned. The composition of the As- tee of the National Conference of speech was interrupted by the Bud- sembly now stands as follows: State Legislatures (Santa Barbara, get Speech, on Thursday, March 23, Québec Liberal Party, 73 Members; California, January 27-28, 2006) and and concluded in time to allow for Parti Québécois, 45 Members; Inde- the mission of the Canada/United the adoption of one quarter of the pendent, six Members, five of States Committee of the Eastern Re- estimates of expenditure before whom are from the Action gional Conference on “The Western April 1, 2006. It should be noted that démocratique du Québec; and one Hemisphere Travel Initiative the full speeches are available on the vacant seat. (WHTI)” (Washington, D. C., Janu- Internet site of the National Assem- ary 31-February 2, 2006). bly, under the heading “Travaux Interparliamentary Relations As part of the delegation for Rela- parlementaires”. tions With the French Community At the second sitting of the new The steering committee of the Net- of Belgium/Walloon Region/Bel- session, the Government House work of Women Parliamentarians gium (DANRB), Québec MNAs Leader moved a motion to return to of the Assemblée parlementaire de participated in the 19th Session of the Order Paper nineteen of the la Francophonie (APF) met in To- the Joint Committee of the National twenty-six bills that had remained ronto, , on January 18-19, Assembly/Parliament of the French there at the end of the first session. 2006. The committee more particu- larly discussed the implementation Community of Belgium held in Changes in the Assembly of the Convention on the Elimina- Québec City from March 28 to April tion of All Forms of Discrimination 2, 2006. On this meeting's agenda The Premier of Québec, Jean Against Women. were the comparison of electoral Charest, carried out a minor Cabi- Québec parliamentarians also systems and the school dropout net shuffle on February 27, 2006. took part in other APF activities: the issue. The new Member for Outremont, Meeting of the Committee on Coop- Finally, the beginning of 2006 Raymond Bachand, was given the eration and Development was marked by two activities in re- duties of Minister of Economic De- (Délémont, Jura, March, 14-16, lation to interparliamentary coop- velopment, Innovation and Export 2006); the Meeting of the Committee eration: a fact-finding visit of those Trade. His predecessor, Claude on Education, Communications responsible for documentation ser- Béchard, became Minister of Sus- and Cultural Affairs (Antana- vices, libraries and archives of par- tainable Development, Environ- narivo, Madagascar, March 21-22, liaments and assemblies benefiting ment and Parks and Deputy 2006); the Meeting of the Confer- from the special support of the No- Government House Leader, replac- ence of the Section Presidents of the ria programme of the Assemblée ing the Member for Chomedey, America Region (Augusta, Maine, parlementaire de la Francophonie Thomas Mulcair. Finally, March 21-24, 2006) and the Meeting (APF), from January 30 to February Henri-François Gautrin was of the Committee on Parliamentary 3, 2006, and, from February 20 to 24, named Minister of Government Ser- Affairs (Ottawa, March 27-29, 2006). 2006, a working visit of the directors of legislative services of parlia-

46 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 ments and assemblies benefiting schools in 5 Québec regions of facts and the intervention prayed from the generalized support of the (Côte-Nord, Capitale-Nationale, for would be restricted to no more Noria programme. Montérégie, Nord-du-Québec and than 250 words. The President fur- Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean). During ther stated that this directive would Student Forum, Youth Parliament and President's Tour this tour, the students were able to be available the following day on exchange views with Mr. Bissonnet the Internet site of the Assembly, Over 140 participants hailing from on the themes of democracy and thus ensuring that all persons inter- 27 Québec cegeps took part in the Québec parliamentary life, thus im- ested in tabling a petition would be Student Forum parliamentary sim- proving their knowledge of the role informed before undertaking their ulation in January 2006, at the Par- of the National Assembly, its his- endeavour. liament Building. The bills tory and achievements, as well as Therefore, all petitions tabled in examined this year focussed on the the role of Members and of the Pres- the Assembly since the beginning of promotion of the role of Members, ident. the 2nd session are subject to the ap- sustainable development and the Rulings from the Chair plication of this directive. conservation of natural resources. Johanne Lapointe Cegep students examined these On November 23, 2005, the Presi- Secretariat of the National Assembly bills in parliamentary committee dent communicated to the Assem- before proceeding to their final pas- bly a directive relating to the tabling sage following a debate in the Na- of petitions after having noted that Standing Committees tional Assembly Room. Participants the texts submitted, particularly who did not have a Member's seat since the resumption of proceed- This spring, after having received took on either the role of clerk, press ings in the fall, contained a signifi- an order of the Assembly, the Com- agent or journalist; one of them was cant number of words. Standing mittee on Social Affairs held a gen- even given the duty of ser- Order 63 provides that a petition eral consultation and public geant-at-arms. shall make “a clear, concise, accu- hearings on the document entitled During the 4th Legislature of the rate, and temperate statement of the Guaranteeing Access: Meeting the Youth Parliament (composed of facts for which the intervention of Challenges of Equity, Efficiency and secondary 3 and 4 students), the ap- the Assembly is prayed”. Quality concerning the Government prentice Members and young clerks The Chair had never been re- orientations on health and social experienced significant events in quired, until this day, to interpret services. parliamentary life at the Parliament the word “concise” stipulated in In keeping with the Govern- Building: the swearing-in of Mem- this Standing Order; each petitioner ment's desire to improve the health bers, the debate on the opening thus interpreted it according to his and social services system's capac- speech of the session and oral ques- understanding thereof and peti- ity to adequately meet the current tion period. Three bills were dis- tions containing between 500 and and future needs of Quebecers, this cussed: the Act concerning the 1500 words were regularly submit- document presents avenues of reso- improvement of the health of Québec's ted. The tabling of such petitions lution to the numerous internal and youth (passed); the Act concerning substantially prolongs the period external pressures it faces as well as certain measures fostering the reduc- set aside for Routine Proceedings, the political response to the Chaoulli tion of Québec student debt (passed); which in turn has the effect of delay- case, rendered in June 2005 by the the Act concerning certain measures ing the proceedings of the Assem- , regard- fostering a peaceful climate in elemen- bly and of the committees. ing the private sector's place in tary and secondary schools (nega- President Bissonnet specified that health. tived). An interesting fact to be he deemed it advisable, for the By mid-April 2006, the Commit- mentioned is that, in addition to proper conduct of parliamentary tee had received 131 submissions having a student play the role of ser- proceedings, to provide a frame- and had heard 38 individuals and geant-at-arms, for the first time, two work for the length of the statement organizations that came to present participants were given the role of of facts contained in the petitions. their points of view on the solutions page. Inspired by the consensus reached advocated by the Ministère. Also, in Again this year, in mid-February, by the members of the Standing parallel with this open public de- the President of the National As- Subcommittee on Parliamentary bate, the Committee members had sembly began his tour of 14 high Reform, he stated that the statement the opportunity to examine the re-

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 47 sults of an on-line consultation of and heritage presentation; visited and member of the Committee on citizens with regard to the several places of worship recycling Transportation and the Environ- Ministère's document. Over 3572 in- projects. ment, took part in the meeting of the dividuals answered the five ques- On February 23, the members of the Committee on the Environment and tions on the proposals to improve Committee on Culture elected Dan- Natural Resources of the NCSL. the health and social services sys- iel Turp, the Member for Mercier For her part, Cécile Vermette, the tem. and Official Opposition critic for Member for Marie-Victorin, partici- The public hearings will continue culture and communications, as pated in the proceedings of the after the examination of the esti- vice-chairman. Elected by the ma- Committee on Economic Develop- mates of expenditure, in mid-May jority of the members of each parlia- ment, Trade and Cultural Affairs. 2006. mentary group, Mr. Turp replaces Mrs. Vermette delivered an address Within the framework of its order André Boulerice, former Member on a resolution concerning the of initiative on Québec's religious for Sainte-Marie-Saint-Jacques, Western Hemisphere Travel Initia- heritage, the Committee on Culture who resigned from politics last au- tive of the American Government selected two members, Bernard tumn. which will require all travelers who Brodeur, the Member for Shefford The Committee on Public Finance wish to enter the United States to and chairman of the Committee, launched a general consultation on have a passport or other accepted and Nicole Léger, the Member for the protection of investors in Qué- document. For the occasion, these Pointe-aux-Trembles, as well as a bec in the mutual funds sector. Members were accompanied by a Committee clerk to carry out a Close to a dozen experts were heard committee clerk and an study mission in Belgium and prior to the consultation, in a delib- interparliamentary relations advi- France, from February 5 to 10, 2006. erative meeting, to provide some sor of the National Assembly. orientation regarding the mandate. The choice of these two countries, The Assembly has been an inter- which have characteristics quite The consultation focuses on four national associated member of the similar to Québec since they are major issues: 1) governance short- NCSL since 2000 and has been tak- mostly Francophone and Catholic, comings; 2) problems related to the ing part in its activities for several was mainly based on their interna- exchange of information between years. Established in 1975, this non tionally recognized experience in audit organizations, police services partisan organization brings to- the conservation and enhancement and the Autorité des marchés finan- gether representatives from the leg- of the religious heritage. ciers; 3) investor indemnity; 4) the islative assemblies of the 50 United penalties imposed. This mission in Europe enabled States and territories. the Québec delegation to broaden Furthermore, the Committee will On April 11, in compliance with the Committee's reflection with re- examine the issues surrounding in- an order of the Assembly, the Com- spect to this complex issue in the vestor education, the role of the mittee on Transportation and the preparation of the report that will be Autorité des marchés financiers and Environment heard John Harbour, tabled in the Assembly in spring exit fees for fund investment with- chairman and chief executive offi- 2006. drawal owing to a change in man- cer of the Société de l'assurance au- ager. During this tour, the parliamen- tomobile du Québec (SAAQ), tary delegation held hearings com- It is important to note that the concerning the proposals for in- plementary to those conducted Committee is also holding an creasing insurance contributions. during the public hearings held in on-line consultation from its The head officer of the SAAQ pre- autumn 2005; developed its under- Internet site. The Committee hopes sented his opinion before the parlia- standing of the various church own- to hold its public hearings before the mentarians for more than an hour. ership characteristics and summer. Subsequently, two exchange peri- decision-making processes of par- Two Members of the Québec Na- ods totalling two and a half hours ish councils; compared different re- tional Assembly took part in the shared equally between the Mem- ligious heritage management and Spring Forum of the National Con- bers of the parliamentary group financing models; examined the ference of State Legislatures forming the Government and the property inventory methods and ar- (NCSL), which was held in Wash- Members in opposition enabled the chiving methods used abroad; ob- ington, D.C., from April 6-8, 2006. Members to further question Mr. served certain European initiatives On this occasion, Jean-Pierre Harbour on the announced in- with regard to religious tourism Soucy, the Member for Portneuf creases.

48 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 Within the framework of the spe- 2006-2007 Main Estimates and de- ministration Act and the Exemptions cial consultations of the order of ini- partmental business plans. Act. A new Statistics Act and Bills to tiative on highway safety in During the morning of February amend the Liquor Act, the Senior Cit- Québec, the Committee on Trans- 27, the Leadership Forum, izens and Disabled Persons Property portation and the Environment an informal body consisting of all Tax Relief Act and the Fire Prevention heard 23 individuals and organiza- MLAs, met to select a new member Act are presently under consider- tions on the subject. of the Executive Council of ation by Standing Committees of A noteworthy fact, Michel Nunavut, to replace Pangnirtung the Legislative Assembly. Substan- Després, the Minister of Transport, MLA Peter Kilabuk, who resigned tive amendments to the Nunavut was heard in compliance with from Cabinet in January. Elections Act were passed during the Standing Order 163, which stipu- MLA and fall 2005 sitting. lates that every committee shall MLA James Arreak The Legislative Assembly re- hear any minister who asks to speak were nominated to serve on Cabi- cessed on March 14. On March 15, to some matter that is before it for net. Mr. Netser was chosen in a se- Premier Paul Okalik announced consideration. cret ballot election following the appointment of Mr. Netser as Furthermore, over 830 citizens remarks from both candidates. A Minister of Environment and Min- answered the on-line consultation formal motion to recommend Mr. ister responsible for the Workers' by filling in the questionnaire on the Netser's appointment was made Compensation Board. Committee's Internet site. The Com- during the afternoon sitting of the The Standing Committee mittee members are currently pre- House. Ajauqtiit held hearings on April 6 paring the report that will On March 1, the Legislative As- on the most recent Report of the eventually be tabled in the Assem- sembly recommended by way of Languages Commissioner of bly. motion the appointment of the Nunavut to the Legislative Assem- members of the Nunavut Electoral bly, which was tabled in the House Martin Cardinal Boundaries Commission, which in March. Languages Commis- Secretariat of Committees was established pursuant to the sioner Johnny Kusugak appeared Translation: Sylvia Ford Nunavut Elections Act. Beverley before the Standing Committee to Secretariat of the Assembly Browne of Iqaluit, Senior Judge of respond to Members' questions on the Nunavut Court of Justice, serves his first report since being ap- as Presiding Member of the Com- pointed to the position. The Lan- mission. of guages Commissioner is one of five and Bernadette independent Officers who report to Niviatsiak of Rankin Inlet also the Legislative Assembly. The oth- serve on the Commission. The Com- ers are the Integrity Commissioner, mission has a mandate to examine the Information and Privacy Com- Nunavut's current electoral bound- missioner, the Chief Electoral Offi- aries and develop recommenda- cer and the Auditor General. The tions for consideration by the Standing Committee is chaired by Nunavut Legislative Assembly. The Com- MLA . The mission is required to report its other Members are Co-Chair Mr. he Third Session of the Second findings to the Legislative Assem- Kilabuk, Mr. Arreak, Kugluktuk TLegislative Assembly of bly by the fall of this year. MLA Joe Allen Evyagotailak and Nunavut reconvened on February On March 6, Mr. Kilabuk was ap- Sanikiluaq MLA Peter Kattuk. 21, 2006. Finance Minister and pointed by the Assembly to serve as On April 18, Governor General David Simailak Baker Lake MLA Deputy Speaker and Chairperson of Michaëlle Jean was in attendance delivered his first Budget Address the Committee of the Whole. He at the swearing-in ceremony for on February 22. The proceedings of also sits on two Standing Commit- Helen Maksagak, Nunavut's new the House during the Febru- tees of the Legislative Assembly. Deputy Commissioner. Mrs. ary-March sitting were dominated A total of six Bills were passed Maksagak previously served as by the Assembly's scrutiny of the during the February-March sitting, Nunavut's first Commissioner. The Government of Nunavut's including amendments to the Con- swearing-in ceremony took place in flict of Interest Act, the Financial Ad- the Chamber of the Legislative As-

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 49 sembly. The Governor General was reconvene on June 9 for the spring Legislation in attendance as part of her first offi- sitting of the House. cial visit to the territory. Bill 14, Electoral Boundaries Commis- The Standing Committee on Gov- Alex Baldwin sion Amendment Act passed third ernment Operations and Account- Director, Research and reading on November 15, 2005. The ability held hearings from April Library Services Act expands the mandate of the 25-27 on the most recent Report of Electoral Boundaries Commission the Auditor General of Canada to in its work in reconfiguring the the Legislative Assembly, which province's electoral boundaries. In was tabled in the House in Febru- addition to making recommenda- ary. Auditor General Sheila Fraser tions for redrawing the province's made her fourth appearance before electoral map for up to an addi- a Committee of the Legislative As- tional six electoral districts (for a to- sembly. The Standing Committee is tal of 85), the Electoral Boundaries chaired by MLA Commission is required to con- Hunter Tootoo. The other Members British Columbia struct an electoral map for both the are Co-chair and Cambridge Bay current first-past-the-post and pro- MLA Keith Peterson, Arviat MLA posed single transferable vote s outlined in the Legislative As- (STV) electoral systems. The Com- David Alagalak, MLA sembly of British Columbia's Levi Barnabas and Rankin Inlet A mission is required to make the rec- parliamentary calendar, Members ommendations for the revised North MLA Tagak Curley. A num- adjourned the first session of the ber of senior Government of electoral maps by February 2008 in 38th Parliament on November 24, order to ensure that British Nunavut officials, including the 2005. The eight-week fall session in- Deputy Minister of Finance, ap- Columbians have the information cluded the conclusion of the debate in advance of a second electoral re- peared before the Standing Com- on estimates, as well as the intro- mittee to respond to Members' form referendum. The referendum duction of several pieces of legisla- – originally scheduled to coincide questions concerning issues raised tion. The second session began in the Auditor General's Report. with BC's 2008 municipal elections sitting on February 14, 2006, and is – will be held at the time of the next On April 22, Speaker Jobie scheduled to conclude on May 18, provincial election in May, 2009. Nutarak passed away following an 2006. Bill 16, the Apology Act – which accident while hunting on the land The first session marked a more was originally introduced as a pri- in the vicinity of his home commu- cooperative working relationship vate member's bill by Lorne nity of Pond Inlet. A memorial cere- between government and opposi- Mayencourt,MLA(Vancouver mony for the Speaker was held in tion Members. On the final sitting Burrard) will allow for corpora- the Chamber of the Legislative As- day, both the Government House tions, governments and individuals sembly on April 28. Mr. Barnabas Leader Mike De Jong and Opposi- to offer an apology without fear of delivered the eulogy. All Members tion House Leader Mike legal liability. This is the first such and staff of the Legislative Assem- Farnsworth commented on the pos- legislation introduced in Canada. bly have appreciated the expres- itive tone the new agreement has Other bills receiving Royal As- sions of condolence that have been had on the workings of business in sent include: Bill 6, Northern Devel- received from legislatures across the house. Lieutenant Governor opment Initiative Trust Amendment Canada and as far away as Green- Iona Campagnolo congratulated Act, which provides additional land. the Members of the house for the ex- funds to the northern communities MLAs are scheduled to conduct traordinarily and unprecedented to help fight the pine beetle infesta- the Mid-Term courteous manner during the de- tion and diversify their economies; of the Executive Council of bates of the first session and com- Bills 7 and 8, Southern Interior/North Nunavut from June 6-8. This review mented that the Members had done Island-Coast Development Initiative will take place under the auspices of a remarkable job in bringing a new Trust Acts, which infuses more re- the Nunavut Leadership Forum. A sense of civility to public life. gional funds to create economic similar review was held during the growth and jobs; Bill 11, Workers First Legislative Assembly Compensation Amendment Act, (1999-2004). The Third Session will

50 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 which recognizes certain cancers as and have a majority of members on Visits occupational diseases associated a British Columbia parliamentary with long-term employment as a committee. The Special Committee On March 7, 2006 the Governor firefighter under the Workers Com- on Sustainable Aquaculture has General of Canada Michaëlle Jean's pensation Act; and Bill 11, the New been tasked to make conduct a com- made her first official visit to British Relationship Trust Act – which estab- prehensive reviews and public con- Columbia by visiting the Parlia- lishes a not-for-profit corporation sultations on the environmental ment Buildings and addressing and a seven-member board of direc- and economic impacts of Members of the Legislative Assem- tors to manage a $100 million fund aquaculture on the local and the bly. Her speech focussed on the his- to support First Nations capacity provincial economies; review op- torically-strong linkages between building. tions for sustainable aquaculture to British Columbia and Canada, as balance economic goals with envi- well as highlighted the important Parliamentary Committee Activities ronmental imperatives; and assess role multiculturalism plays in British Columbia's aquaculture breaking down barriers. The Special Committee to Appoint regulatory regime vis-à-vis other Brant Felker an Information and Privacy Com- jurisdictions. Committee Research Analyst missioner concluded its delibera- The Select Standing Committees tions and recommended the on Health and Education have both re-appointment of David been provided with interesting and Loukidelis for a second, six-year pertinent topics. The Health Com- term as British Columbia's Informa- mittee has been asked to make rec- tion and Privacy Commissioner. ommendations on effective TheSpecialCommitteetoAp- strategies to change behaviour and point an Ombudsman has com- encourage children and youth to pleted its work and unanimously adopt healthy lifestyle choices to recommended that Kim Carter be curb the rate of child obesity. The appointed as British Columbia's Education Committee will be find- Saskatchewan next Ombudsman. She will be tak- ing strategies to address the specific ing over for Howard Kushner, who challenge of adult literacy. In addi- he Assembly began its spring has completed his six-year term as tion, the Committee is to specifically Tsession on March 14th and pro- the province's Ombudsman. examine strategies to improve liter- ceeded to consider a number of spe- Parliamentary Committees have acy rates among aboriginal people, cial debates. The first took the form also been assigned to recommend English-as-a-Second-Language of an emergency debate on the chal- individuals to fill vacancies for two adults, and seniors. Both Commit- lenges faced by agricultural pro- other Statutory Officer positions. tees are to report back to the House ducers. Introduced by the Currently, a special committee has by November 30, 2006. Agriculture Minister, Mark been established to appoint a Merit On April 24, the ninth select Wartman, the motion called upon Commissioner, while the Select standing committee – the Select the federal government to provide a Standing Committee on Public Ac- Standing Committee on Children fair and equitable formula for the counts has been mandated to ap- and Youth – was established. The 2006 Canadian Agricultural Income point an Auditor General. creation of this committee follows Stabilization program with a disas- TheSpecialCommitteetoAp- recommendations from an inde- ter component and a minimum pointaMeritCommissioneris pendent review of B.C.'s child-pro- one-time cash payment of $200 mil- unique as it will be creating a newly tection system completed in April. liontoSaskatchewanproducers. established Statutory Office for the It is also expected that a new inde- The amendment moved by the Op- Legislative Assembly. Although the pendent children and youth repre- position agriculture critic, Bob previous Merit Commissioner was sentative – appointed to oversee the Bjornerud (Melville-Saltcoats), fo- appointed through a special com- child- protection system and report cused on the position taken by the mittee, it did not hold a Statutory directly to the legislature – will also provincial government by urging it Officer title. be established. “to take a leadership role in the fu- For the first time, a member of the ture design of Federal and Provin- Official Opposition will both chair cial agriculture programs by

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 51 attending the national negotiations in this capacity from December 1999 placed on government intervention as well as [by] properly funding the until March 2001 when he was ap- in the economy. His leader, Brad province's share of the programs”. pointed a legislative secretary for Wall, summed up the budget as Several members participated in the energy conservation and later en- “Sask Party light” in that his party debate before it was adjourned to be tered cabinet. had long advocated for business continued on a later day. taxes to be reduced but that what Budget The following day, a second was needed was the Saskatchewan emergency debate was held. This Party's plans to create jobs and keep On April 6th, Finance Minister An- motion concerned the urgency of young people in the province. drew Thomson delivered his first the nursing shortage in the province budget under the title “Building a DuringtheBudgetdebateon and was introduced by the Opposi- better future – Right here”. Four April 11th, Acting Speaker, Mr. tion Health critic, Don McMorris broad themes were identified. Prebble, was called upon to name (Indian Head - Milestone). The Firstly, business tax cuts amounting Allan Kerpan (Carrot River Valley) Health Minister, Len Taylor,re- to $95.3 million were to be imple- for his refusal to withdraw unpar- sponded with an amendment that mented to improve tax competitive- liamentary language. Mr. Kerpan recognized the challenges in the re- ness, attract and stimulate capital had opined that the government cruitment and retention of health investments and create jobs and op- had lied about its involvement in care professionals and encouraged portunities for youth. Communities SPUDCO. SPUDCO was a govern- a united support for the recommen- and farm families were to be as- ment initiative in the potato indus- dations of the “Working Together: sisted by increases in revenue shar- try which resulted in significant Saskatchewan Health's Workforce ing with municipalities, and by losses. An internal report found that Action Plan”. At the hour of normal additional funding for health, crop the government's financial risk and adjournment, the debate was unre- insurance, crime prevention and the nature of the private sector in- solved and held over for further highway improvements. Incentives volvement were not fully disclosed consideration on a later date. to encourage young people to build to the public. This was the first On March 16th, the Minister of their futures in the province in- naming in the Saskatchewan As- Learning, Deb Higgins, introduced cluded a freeze on university tuition sembly since May 1996. a motion to recognize the impor- increases until 2008, funding for Committee Business tance of child care and to express the 32,000 university seats and 34,000 Assembly's dissatisfaction with the training spaces, a tax credit for em- The start of the spring session saw a federal government's announce- ployed trades people and $100 mil- number of changes in the chairman- ment to withdraw its support for lion for student assistance. The ship of committees. Warren McCall families by canceling the early fourth theme centered on ensuring (Regina Elphinstone-Centre) has learning and child care agreements that the most vulnerable were not taken the helm of the Economy with provinces and to not fulfill left behind on the path to opportu- Committee while Sandra Morin commitments made by the previous nity by increasing funding for assis- (Regina Walsh Acres) now heads federal government. Ted Merriman tance rates, the Transitional up and Central Agencies (Saskatoon Northwest) then moved Employment Allowance and child Committee. Judy Junor (Saskatoon to amend the motion by urging the care subsidies. $18.2 million was Eastview) serves as chair of two federal government to continue to also provided to Project Hope to en- committees – Human Services and fund the current child care agree- hance treatment, detox beds, Secure most recently, the Private Bills ments in addition to implementing Care, outreach services and drug Committee. Finally, Joanne its new child care allowance. The programs. Crofford (Regina Rosemont) has debate continued throughout the The response of the official oppo- assumed the deputy chair position day until the amendment was de- sition was delivered by its Finance on the Public Accounts Committee. feated on a recorded division. The critic, Ken Cheveldayoff, on April The Economy Committee, under motion in its original form was then 7th. Pleased that the government the lead of Ron Harper (Regina agreed to. had implemented tax cuts, Mr. Northeast), initiated its review of Peter Prebble (Saskatoon Cheveldayoff argued that growth in regulations on April 28th. The scru- Greystone) was appointed Deputy the population and job areas would tiny of delegated legislation had Chair of Committees on March 16th. not be achieved unless changes previously been the mandate of the Mr. Prebble had previously served were made to labour laws and limits Special Committee on Regulations.

52 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 The restructuring of the committee ruary 27 after being appointed Min- was concerned, in particular, with system in 2003-04 resulted in the ister of Public Works and the interference to the sound system dissolution of the Regulations Com- Government Services. The decision which interrupts speeches being mittee and the transferring of its du- to place a high ranking Government made by Senators. A number of Sen- ties to the four policy field minister in the Senate, although ators supported his complaint, cit- committees. An orientation for controversial, was not without pre- ing the Rules of the Senate which Members and staff on the history cedent. Over the years, a number clearly ban such electronic instru- and practices of the review of dele- Senators have served as members of ments from the Chamber. Others gated legislation in Saskatchewan the Cabinet. Senator Fortier was for- suggested instead that the Senate took place on March 30th. mally sworn in and took his seat as a install proper filters to eliminate Member of the Senate on April 3. this interference. In his preliminary Margaret (Meta) Woods The appointment of the Commit- statement, the Speaker called on Clerk Assistant tee of Selection is a matter that must Senators to respect the Rules and to be dealt with promptly at the start of turn off these electronic devices. each parliamentary session. Its role Milestones is to nominate a Speaker pro tempore and to propose the names of Sena- Two highly respected Senators died tors to serve on all standing commit- before the opening of the new Par- tees. On April 6, the Senate liament. Senator Bill Doody ad- confirmed the nomination of Sena- vanced the interests of tor Rose-Marie Losier-Cool as Newfoundland and Labrador in Senate Speaker pro tempore. Senator provincial politics and later at the Losier-Cool held this position be- federal level in the Senate. Ap- fore from 1999 to 2002. A list of Sen- he Opening of Parliament is a pointed in 1979, he served as the ators nominated by the Selection special event steeped in tradi- Deputy Leader of the Government T Committee to serve on committees tion that is over three centuries old from 1984 to 1991. Senator Doody was also approved by the Senate the with the Governor General, the Sen- died on December 27, 2005. Senator same day. ate and the House of Commons Shirley Maheu, who ably repre- coming together. In keeping this Once established and organized, sented her home province of Que- tradition, the formal ceremony to committees are required by the bec, was summoned to the Senate in open the First Session of the Rules of the Senate to report any spe- 1996. In October of 2004 she became Thirty-ninth Parliament took place cial expenses incurred during the Speaker pro tempore, a position she on April 4. At that time, the Gover- preceding session. Most standing held until her death on February 1, nor General, Michaëlle Jean, read committees tabled reports of these 2006. the Speech from the Throne. expenses during the last week in The Senate also paid tribute to the Senator Noël A. Kinsella was ap- April. At the same time, the Senate late Ian Sinclair and Duncan pointed Speaker on February 8. also approved orders of reference Jessiman. Mr. Sinclair, who died on Summoned to the Senate in 1990, for some committees. With their April 7 at the age of 93 years was a Senator Kinsella has held numerous membership in place and other pre- Senator from 1983 to 1988. He was partisan positions, including Whip, liminary matters taken care of, these remembered for his service as Deputy Leader and Leader of the committees are ready to begin Chairman of the Standing Commit- Opposition. A university professor, work. tee on Banking, Trade and Com- Senator Kinsella also chaired the Speaker's Statement merce. The death of Duncan New Brunswick Human Rights Jessiman occurred on April 19. Ap- Commission and was President of In recent years there have been sev- pointed to the Senate in 1993, he was the Canadian Human Rights Foun- eral complaints about the use of active on numerous committees un- dation for many years. The Speaker wireless electronic devices in the til his retirement in 1998. of the Senate is appointed by the Senate. The point of order raised by On April 6, the Senate bid fare- Governor General on the advice of Senator Eymard Corbin on April 27 well to Senator John Buchanan who the Prime Minister. was the latest in a series of objec- retired on April 22. Senator Bu- Michael Fortier, a Montreal law- tions to the use of cell phones and chanan, who was premier of Nova yer, was called to the Senate on Feb- BlackBerries in the Chamber. He Scotia for 12 years before his ap-

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 53 pointment to the Senate in 1990, the second time over such an elec- pointed a panel of Chairs of Legisla- held the distinction of being the lon- tion was the Dean of the House, Bill tive Committees. gest-serving Conservative premier Blaikie (Winnipeg-Transcona, Legislation in the history of that province. NDP). Following a single ballot, the Presiding Member declared Peter Speaker's Parade On April 11th, the Government in- Milliken elected as Speaker of the troduced Bill C-2, An Act providing House, a clear indication of the con- On April 6, for the first time, the for conflict of interest rules, restrictions fidence Mr. Milliken enjoys from all Speaker's Parade opening the sit- on election financing and measures re- parties in his exercise of this office. ting took a new and longer route specting administrative transparency, It is worthy of note that no Con- through the Hall of Honour before oversight and accountability,the servativeMemberstoodforelec- entering the Senate Chamber. The much-discussed “Accountability tion, the number of government Parade consists of a member of the Act”, and the first Government Bill MPs currently being barely suffi- security staff, the Usher of the Black of this 39th Parliament. cient to ensure passage of any mo- Rod, the Mace Bearer, the Speaker, Consequential amendments in- tion with the support of any one of two Pages, the Clerk, Deputy Clerk cluded in the Bill would affect liter- the opposition parties. and Reading Clerk. The Parade will ally dozens of federal statutes. take the longer route every Thurs- The Speech from the Throne, de- Specific measures of the proposed day so that visitors to the Centre livered on April 4th, was of excep- Act include: a ban on corporate, un- Block can see the procession as it tional brevity, omitting much of the ion and large personal political do- passes down the Hall of Honour. usual rhetoric, and focusing on the nations; a five-year lobbying ban on fulfillment of the new Govern- former ministers, their aides and se- Mary Mussell ment's five main election promises. nior public servants; increased pro- Journals Branch On April 24th, following the pre- tection for government scribed days of debate, the motion whistleblowers; increased powers in respect of the Address in Reply to for the auditor general; extension of the Speech from the Throne was the Access to Information Act to some adopted by the House without a re- Crown corporations, federal foun- corded division. dations and agents of Parliament; On April 4, 2006, Standing Order and the creation of a new Officer of 81 was amended (for 2006 only) to Parliament – the “Procurement Au- facilitate the Business of Supply via ditor", charged with oversight of changes in tabling dates, etc.; it was the awarding of government con- House of Commons determined that 15 allotted days tracts. were to be designated for the period The Bill was introduced by Trea- ike its predecessor, the 39th Par- ending Dec. 8, 2006. sury Board President John Baird, Lliament is a minority Parliament. The following day, Standing Or- who described it as “the toughest of The new Conservative Government ders 104(2), 106(2), 108(3)(d), and its kind in Canadian history.” Sec- appears confident of its ability, de- 108(3)(e) were amended, increasing ond Reading of the Bill, will be fol- spite its slim plurality of 125 of the the number of Standing Commit- lowed by its referral for study to a 308 seats in the House of Commons, tees by four, requiring that the Chair legislative committee constituted, to form alliances with opposition of the Standing Committee on the pursuant to Standing Order 113(1), parties on an issue-by-issue basis in Status of Women be a Member of by concurrence of the House in the order to facilitate the passage of key the Official Opposition, and modi- Fourth Report of the Standing Com- legislation. In this, it is strengthened fying the mandates of the Standing mittee on Procedure and House Af- by widespread public antipathy to a Committee on Human Resources, fairs on April 28, 2006. premature end to this Parliament. Social Development and the Status Significant Government legisla- of Persons with Disabilities, and the tive initiatives introduced in the Opening of Parliament Standing Committee on Justice and House during the week beginning Human Rights. Monday April 24th, also included: On April 3rd, Members of Parlia- On April 28th, pursuant to Stand- Bills C-3, An Act respecting interna- ment gathered in the Chamber to ing Order 112, the Speaker ap- tional bridges and tunnels and making elect their Speaker. Presiding for a consequential amendment to another

54 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 Act; C-5, An Act respecting the estab- Committees of the House and in Afghanistan”, took place on lishment of the Public Health Agency of Standing Joint Committees of the Monday, April 10, 2006. Canada and amending certain Acts; House and Senate. By Order of the House, a minute and C-7, An Act to amend the National Membership lists must be pre- of silence was observed on Thurs- Defence Act. pared and reported to the House day, April 27, 2006, in memory of Bill C-3, also known as the Bridges within the first ten sitting days after four fallen Canadian soldiers in Af- and Tunnels Act, will give the Gov- the appointment of the Standing ghanistan. ernment exclusive authority over 29 Committee on Procedure and bridges and tunnels to the U.S. House Affairs. This requirement Gary Sokolyk which are currently controlled by a was satisfied with the presentation Procedural Clerk mix of public and private interests. of the First Report of the Committee Table Research Branch Its aim is to permit thorough and to the House on Wednesday, April coherent management of trade and 26, 2006, and the adoption of a mo- security at important border points. tion for concurrence in the report Bill C-5 provides for the establish- later that day. The election of Chairs ment of a “Public Health Agency of for the new Standing Committees is Canada” to assist the Minister of currently pending, with numerous Health in the exercise of his or her meetings scheduled. duties in relation to public health. On April 27th, the House con- The Bill also provides that the Gov- curred in the Second Report of the ernor in Council may make regula- Standing Committee on Procedure tions respecting the collection and and House Affairs, recommending Manitoba management of public health infor- that the guidelines for access to mation and the protection of confi- committee meetings by the elec- n March 6, 2006 the Manitoba dential information, including tronic media, contained in the Nine- OLegislature assembled as the personal information. teenth Report of the Standing Fourth Session of the Thirty-Eighth Bill C-7 seeks to respond to the Committee on Procedure and Legislature resumed. Finance Min- need for a fair, just and transparent House Affairs, which was pre- ister Greg Selinger delivered his parallel system of justice to meet the sented and adopted by the House speech on the NDP Government's unique requirements of the armed on May 16, 2001, continue in place seventh budget. The total operating forces. The Bill proposes: to clarify until the end of the First Session of expenditure for the 2006-2007 Bud- the roles and the responsibilities of the 39th Parliament. get was listed as $8.7 billion, an in- the Minister of National Defence Standing Order 87 requires that crease of 6.8% from 2005-2006. The and the Judge Advocate General; to the Order of Precedence for items of government based this year's finan- structure the system's investigative, Private Members' Business be de- cial plan on the following four prosecutorial, defence and judicial termined on the twentieth sitting “building blocks”: Growing Green, functions; to institute summary trial day, after a draw to establish the Growing Smart; Healthy Families, reform; to eliminate the death pen- List for the Consideration of Private Healthy Communities; Tax Savings alty; and to establish a “Canadian Members' Business. The aforemen- for Manitoba Families and Busi- Forces Grievance Board” and a tioned draw was held on Friday, ness; and Responsible Approach to “Military Police Complaints Com- April 7th, 2006, and the Order of Government Finances. Specific mission”. Precedence should be determined highlights from the budget in- on Wednesday, May 17, 2006. On cluded: Other Matters Monday, May 1, 2006, a take note debate was held on the subject of the • More hydroelectric development On Tuesday, April 4th, the House ongoing crisis in Darfur (Sudan). in partnership with Aboriginal adopted a motion respecting mem- and local communities On the evening of April 6th, the bership of the Standing Committee • third sitting of the new Parliament, New wind-farm projects, attract- on Procedure and House Affairs, ing $2 billion in potential invest- a take note debate was held on “ag- which is required by the Standing ment ricultural issues”. A second Orders (S.O. 104(1)) to serve as the • take-note debate, on the subject of New environmental enhance- striking committee for all Standing ment loan program for farmers “Canada's significant commitment

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 55 • New children's physical activity rural Manitoba and continuing to vestors lost millions of dollars in tax credit to parallel federal pro- ignore rural Manitobans. 2004-05 when the company stopped posal trading and was forced into receiv- • $60-million, three-year funding Jon Gerrard (Independent Lib- ership following allegations that it plan for universities and colleges eral - River Heights) moved a misled shareholders and overval- • Resources to fight crystal meth, sub-amendment to Mr. Murray's ued its assets. The fund was the ob- auto theft and gangs amendment on May 1, 2006. Mr. ject of an investigation and report • Reduction in farmland school tax Gerrard perceived a number of by the Auditor General of Manitoba increased to 60 per cent other shortcomings in the govern- (released in May 2005). ment's financial plan, including: • Business tax reductions to reach The government has stated that a $146 million annually public inquiry is not needed as the • failing to call a public inquiry into Auditor's report, as well as investi- • Personal income and property tax the Crocus Investment Fund gations by the Manitoba Securities cuts to total $472 million annually scandal; Commission, addressed the out- • $148 million summary budget • failing to take adequate measures standing questions and issues re- surplus forecast for 2006-07 to protect children in the care of garding the Crocus fund. • Manitoba Child and Family Ser- $110 million payment towards The opposition maintains that a debt and pension liabilities vices; public inquiry is necessary to deter- • failing to provide an effective mine the extent of government in- In his last budget speech as party strategy to deal with child pov- erty; and volvement in the collapse of the leader, on March 9, 2006 Official fund. They further suggest that the • failing to provide Manitobans Opposition Leader Stuart Murray Auditor General's report raises moved a motion expressing with the legal right to timely, quality health care. questions about when the govern- non-confidence in the government. ment became aware of “red flags” at The motion noted the opposition's Crocus. regrets that the budget ignored “the On May 9, 2006 Mr. Gerrard's This impasse over the Crocus is- present and future needs of sub-amendment was defeated on sue led to the delay in the debate on Manitobans”, listing a number of division,whileMr.Murray's the budget. In the first few sitting deficiencies, including: amendment was defeated on a re- corded vote of yeas 21, nays 34. The days of the budget debate, follow- ing (or during) question period the • failing to be accountable to main budget motion carried on a re- Manitobans for overspending corded vote of yeas 34, nays 21. opposition began to interrupt pro- and fiscal mismanagement; ceedings with a series of challenges Budget Debate to rulings of the Chair. Our rules al- • failing to be accountable for the low for almost all decisions of the dismal state of agriculture in While the rules allocate eight sitting Manitoba; Speaker to be appealed to the House days for debate on the budget, just for a recorded vote. Our rules also • failing to provide opportunities over two months passed in the Leg- allow the division bells to ring for for Manitoba youth to remain in islature this spring between the the province; up to one hour summoning mem- time of the Minister's budget speech bers for recorded votes. With this in • failing to be accountable for the and the final votes. The official op- mind several MLAs, including Offi- province's unprecedented level position Progressive Conservatives, of debt; cial Opposition House Leader Len in cooperation with the two inde- Derkach and Kevin Lamoureux • failing to provide adequate fund- pendent Liberals, orchestrated a se- (Independent Liberal - Inkster), be- ing for post-secondary institu- ries delaying tactics as a means of tions; gan to raise many points of order holding up the debate. The com- and matters of privilege. When • failing to be transparent and ac- bined opposition launched this ini- Speaker George Hickes ruled countable for health care spend- tiative after Premier Gary Doer did ing; against a point of order or matter of not agree to their calls for a public privilege, the opposition would • failing to be accountable for the inquiry into circumstances sur- then challenge that ruling, request- increased court backlog and pro- rounding the failure of the Crocus bation breaches; and ing a recorded vote and thus delay- Fund, a labour-driven investment ing house business for an hour • failing to provide a long-term fund. More than 33,000 Crocus in- strategy for the revitalization of while the division bells ring. This

56 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 process would continue until the children who have serious drug the new leader of the Manitoba Pro- hour of adjournment. In this man- problems. They can apply to have gressive Conservatives, garnering the young person taken to a safe ner, debate was delayed on the bud- and secure facility for up to seven support from 66.6% of delegates. get for many weeks. days, where his or her condition Mr. Schuler received 21.4% of the The impasse broke on May 1, would be assessed and stabilized, votes while Mr. Waddell came in 2006 when the opposition began de- and a plan for treating the drug third with 12% of delegate support. abuse developed. bating the budget. The House spent During this leadership process, a total of 22 sitting days occupied Progressive Conservative the party's membership grew to with the delaying tactics. Leadership Contest over 13,000 members. The Progres- sive Conservative party's last con- Legislation Following the resignation last fall of tested leadership race occurred in Mr. Murray as leader of the Progres- 1983 when Mr. Filmon became The spring legislative package fea- sive Conservative party, the race to leader. tures a number of high profile Bills, find a new leader began in earnest. including: The took Summer Recess place in Winnipeg on April 28 and • Bill 11 – The Winter Heating Cost 29, 2006. While speculation flour- According to a sessional order Control Act, which prohibits any passed last year, the House is sched- further increases in natural gas ished over the winter regarding po- prices for customers of Centra tential leadership hopefuls, three uled to sit until June 13, 2006. Gas during the 2005-06 winter official candidates emerged in the heating season, and allows the race. Rick Yarish government to limit such price in- The newest member of the House Clerk Assistant / creases in 2006-07. The Bill also Clerk of Committees requires Manitoba Hydro to es- (winning a by-election in December tablish a stabilization and 2005) Hugh McFadyen (PC - Fort affordable energy fund. Whyte), is a Manitoba native who • Bill 21 – The Public Health Act, has been involved in politics for which replaces the existing Act, many years as Chief of Staff to for- includes new and updated mea- mer Premier Gary Filmon and also sures to deal with health hazards, as an advisor to current Winnipeg communicable diseases, epidem- ics and public health Mayor Sam Katz.Mr.McFadyen emergencies. served as the critic for Intergovern- mental Affairs and Trade. • Bill 22 – The Elections Reform Act, Ontario encompassing several compo- Ron Schuler (PC - Springfield), nents, this bill includes an exten- began his political career in 1995 as he Ontario Legislative Assem- sive revision of The Elections Act, a school trustee and was first Tbly sat for three weeks, from written and organized to make elected to the Legislative Assembly February 13, 2006, to March 2, 2006 the Act clearer and easier to un- derstand. It deals with all aspects in the general election September before beginning the spring session of elections to elect Members of 1999. Re-elected in the June 2003 on March 23, 2006. the Legislative Assembly. The election, Mr. Schuler has served as In the Spring 2006 issue of Cana- Act proposes a number of critic for Labour & Immigration, En- dian Parliamentary Review,were- changes to the electoral system ergy, Science & Technology, (Kyoto ported on a number of Bills that intending to improve voter turn- out, strengthen the democratic Accord), Lotteries & Gaming and were before Committees. Some of process, prevent sitting members the Public Service Commission. these Bills have since received of the assembly from joining an- The only candidate who was not Royal Assent. Among them: other caucus, and completely re- currently a sitting MLA, Ken move the ability of the legislature • Bill 206, An Act to revise the Ontario to determine electoral bound- Waddell is the former mayor of the Municipal Employees Retirement aries. The amendments flow from rural Manitoba town of Neepawa. System Act, changes recommended by the Mr. Waddell is the publisher and chief electoral officer. editor of two weekly community • Bill 210, An Act to amend the Child and Family Services Act and make • Bill 36 – The Youth Drug Stabiliza- newspapers. complementary amendments to other tion (Support for Parents) Act is de- After the ballots were counted on Acts, signed to help parents deal with April 29, Mr. McFadyen emerged as

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 57 • Bill 27, An Act to amend the Arbitra- Health Canada in cafeterias they under which the amendments fall. tion Act, 1991, the Child and Family operate. The Bill was reported back to the Services Act and the Family Law Act • in connection with family arbitration Bill 95, An Act to Amend the Em- House, as amended, on April 24, and related matters, and to amend the ployment Standards Act, 2000 and 2006. Children's Law Reform Act in con- the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to providing infor- The Standing Committee on the nection with the matters to be consid- Legislative Assembly continued its ered by the court in dealing with mation to student employees about applications for custody and access, employment rights (Andrea review of the use of technology in Horwath, Hamilton East, on be- the Chamber, pursuant to an Order • Bill 21, An Act to enact the Energy half of the students of St. Ignatius of Reference received from the Conservation Leadership Act, 2005 of Loyola Catholic Secondary and to amend the Electricity Act, School, Oakville, Cardinal Carter Speaker. The Committee intends to 1998, the Ontario Energy Board Act, Catholic High School, Aurora, present its report to the Speaker in 1998 and the Conservation Authori- and Lisgar Collegiate, Ottawa.) the near future. ties Act, and This Bill would obligate employ- The Standing Committee on Gov- • ers to provide their student em- Bill 36, An Act to provide for the in- ployees with information in the ernment Agencies reviewed ap- tegration of the local system for the form of posters as well as booklets proximately twenty-one intended delivery of health services. on the Employment Standards Act, appointees to agencies, board and 2000 and the Occupational Health commissions in the past three On March 29, 2006, the Govern- and Safety Act. months. ment introduced Bill 85, An Act to • Bill 96, An Act to Amend the Educa- According to the Committee's Amend the Assessment Act, also tion Act (Kathleen Wynne, Don terms of reference under the Stand- Valley West, on behalf of the stu- known as the More Time to Appeal ing Orders, “the Committee is em- Act. The Bill proposed to extend the dents of Georgetown District High School). The Bill would im- powered to review and report to the deadline for complaints with re- pose duties on school boards to House its observations, opinions spect to the 2006 taxation year from ensure that every classroom has and recommendations on the oper- March 31, 2006 to June 30, 2006. The separate recycling containers for ation of all agencies, boards and paper, plastic and aluminium and Bill received Second and Third commissions to which the Lieuten- Reading on March 30, 2006 and that every school cafeteria has a recycling facility. ant Governor in Council makes Royal Assent on March 31, 2006. some or all of the appointments, On May 10, 2006, the Legislative All three Bills received Second and all corporations to which the Assembly met outside its regular Reading and were referred to the Crown in right of Ontario is a ma- meeting times (sitting from 9:00 Standing Committee on Regula- jority shareholder, such reviews are a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) for the purpose of tions and Private Bills. to be made with a view to reducing considering three Private Members' possible redundancy and overlap- Public Bills. All three Bills were de- Committee Activity ping, improving the accountability veloped by Ontario students in- of agencies, rationalizing the func- volved in a project initiated by CBC The House originally referred Bill tions of the agencies, identifying News called “Making the Grade”. 190, Good Government Act, 2006 to those agencies or parts of agencies The Bills involved, and their the Standing Committee on Social which could be subject to sunset sponsors, were: Policy. On April 6, 2006 the Bill was provisions, and revising the discharged from that Committee mandates and roles of agencies”. • Bill 93, An Act to Amend the Educa- and referred to the Standing Com- After a ten-year hiatus, the Stand- tion Act (Frank Klees,Oak mittee on the Legislative Assembly. ing Committee on Government Ridges, on behalf of the students On April 20, 2006, the Standing Agencies has decided once again to of Cardinal Carter Catholic High Committee on the Legislative As- School, Aurora). This Bill would review the operation of agencies, require school boards: to ensure sembly conducted public hearings boards and commissions. The Com- that pupils receive instruction in and clause-by-clause consideration mittee will be selecting the agencies, nutrition standards for healthy of Bill 190. The Bill is an initiative of boards or commissions they wish to eating; to establish a committee to the Liberal Government intended to review in the upcoming month. advise on what standards should promote good government and form part of the subject matter of The Standing Committee on Gen- amends various Acts which are set the instruction; and, to post a eral Government considered Bill 53, out in separate schedules. Each copy of the two publications of Stronger City of Toronto for a Stronger schedule is titled for the ministry Ontario Act, 2005. The purpose of

58 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 the Bill is to give the City of Toronto and conducted clause by clause Report of the Integrity more autonomy in the decisions consideration of Bill 81, An Act to Commissioner and approved the that affect the City. The Committee implement 2006 Budget measures and recommendations contained held public hearings on the Bill on to enact, amend or repeal various Acts. therein. April26,May1,3,8,and10. All public submissions were di- When the federal general election Clause-by-clause consideration rected to Schedule H of the Budget was called for January 26, 2006, was scheduled for May 15 and 17, bill, which provides for an exten- three members resigned their seats 2006. sion of municipal election terms to run for the House of Commons: The Standing Committee on So- from the current three years to four. John Baird, Nepean-Carleton; Jim cial Policy considered Bill 78, An Act As directed by the time allocation Flaherty, Whitby-Ajax (both PCs); to amend the Education Act, the On- motion that governed the Commit- and NDP Member Marilyn tario College of Teachers Act, 1996 and tee's consideration of Bill 81, the Bill Churley, Toronto-Danforth. Mr. certain other statutes relating to educa- was reported back to the House on Baird and Mr. Flaherty were both tion. This Bill was introduced to set the following Monday, May 8, and elected as MPs for their respective provincial education outcomes and was reported without amendment. ridings. set clear goals for improved student Other Matters By-elections to fill the vacancies performance. were held on March 30, 2006. In The Standing Committee on Jus- On January 24, 2006, the Integrity Nepean-Carleton, Lisa McLeod, tice Policy considered Bill 14, An Act Commissioner Coulter A. Osborne, PC, was elected to replace Mr. to promote access to justice by amend- tabled his report regarding Baird, and Whitby-Ajax elected ing or repealing various Acts and by en- , Minister of ,PC.InTo- acting the Legislation Act, 2005. Two Transportation, and whether or not ronto-Danforth, the NDP candi- days of public hearings were held in he had breached the Members' Integ- date, Peter Tabuns, was elected. April, and additional hearings will rity Act or parliamentary conven- The new Members took their seats be held in September 2006. The Bill tion. The Commissioner's report in the Legislative Assembly on would reform the justice of the was in response to a request by John April 10, 2006. peace system and regulate Tory, MPP, Dufferin-Peel- During the March adjournment, paralegals. It would also amend the Wellington-Grey, Leader of the Op- the Legislative Assembly was con- Courts of Justice Act and the Limita- position. The report concluded that vened earlier than anticipated, re- tions Act, and create a new act that the Minister had “breached s. 11 of turning on March 23, 2006 when the would be a single source for rules the Act, and parliamentary conven- Government tabled its 2006 Budget. about Ontario's laws. tion associated with the establish- The Budget was debated March 27, The Committee is also consider- ment of management trusts by 28, and April 3, 2006 and adopted ing Bill 56, An Act to amend the Emer- allowing” the treasurer of his riding on April 4, 2006. gency Management Act, the association to continue as his On April 4, 2006, the Speaker in- Employment Standards Act, 2000 and trustee and by failing to disclose formed the House that he had re- the Workplace Safety and Insurance this under the Election Finances Act. ceived a letter of resignation from Act, 1997. The Bill was introduced to The Commissioner recommended Jim McCarter, Auditor General of provide the province with the emer- that “since this is a matter of first im- Ontario, effective June 9, 2006. Mr. gency powers needed to act quickly pression, … it would be unfair to McCarter was appointed Auditor and effectively in case of an sanction the Minister beyond issu- General December 15, 2004 after emergency situation. ing a reprimand under s.34(1)(b). serving as Acting Provincial Audi- Following eight days of public Upon the filing of this Report with tor from September 30, 2003. hearings during the winter, the the Speaker, that reprimand will be Chair of the Standing Committee on duly recorded.” The Commissioner Finance and Economic Affairs pre- also recommended that the Minis- Susan Sourial sented the Committee's Report on ter replace his trustee with someone Committee Clerk Pre-Budget Consultation 2006 to the who is at arm's length with the Min- House on Monday, February 27, ister. 2006. The report was debated on Febru- On Thursday, May 4, the Finance ary 15, 16, and 17, 2006. On March 2, Committee held public hearings on, 2006, the Legislature adopted the

SUMMER 2006 /CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 59 partment of Health and Social Ser- by the PEI Electoral Boundaries vices, the Office of the Attorney Commission in its final report, General, and the Department of dated October 5, 2004. In addition, Agriculture, Fisheries and the Committee solicited public in- Aquaculture. She has been a board put on the desirability of establish- member on the National Council ing fixed dates for provincial of Welfare, as well as the Canadian general elections. Association of Education. Ms. As a result of its deliberations, the Crane and her family operate a Committee made a number of rec- wild blueberry farm in Douglas ommendations to improve the pro- Station, Prince Edward Island. cess of adjusting electoral he Legislative Assembly opened Helen MacDonald (District 22, boundaries, including proposals for the Third Session of the T St. Eleanors-Summerside), was for legislative changes. Sixty-second General Assembly on appointed, by motion, to the posi- The main recommendation of the November 16, 2005. It adjourned to tion of Acting Deputy Speaker on Committee was that the area and the call of the Speaker on December April 5, 2006. Deputy Speaker boundaries of the existing 27 elec- 15, 2005, after 18 sitting days, and Andy Mooney (District 1, toral districts of the Province of was recalled on March 30, 2006. Souris-Elmira) is absent during Prince Edward Island be re-distrib- Changes in the House the spring sitting of the Legislative uted so as to balance, as far as prac- Assembly due to illness. ticable, community concerns as expressed during the public consul- Veteran MLA, ,was Appointments of Chief Electoral joined by family, friends and col- Officer and Deputy Chief tations, and that the deviation in ab- leagues on March 27, 2006, as he was Electoral Officer solute parity in the number of sworn in as a Cabinet Minister and electors in each of the 27 electoral Member of Executive Council. He as- Lowell Croken was appointed districts be limited to plus or minus sumed responsibility for the Depart- Chief Electoral Officer for the 15% as compared to the electoral ment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Province of Prince Edward Island quotient (that is, the total number of Aquaculture. Mr. Bagnall had previ- by the Lieutenant Governor in electors in the province divided by ously served as Government House Council on May 9, 2006. Since 27), with the exception of the district Leader, Chair of Government Cau- 1996, Mr. Croken held the position of Evangeline-Miscouche where the cus, Chair of the Legislative Review of Deputy Chief Electoral Officer deviation is permitted to be greater Committee, and Vice-Chairman of at Elections P.E.I. and is a career to accommodate the cultural the Standing Committee on Public civil servant. His appointment fills diversity of that area. Accounts. The agriculture, fisheries the vacancy created by the retire- During the public consultations, and aquaculture portfolio had been ment of Merrill Wigginton in the Committee received feedback the responsibility of the Premier fol- April 2005. concerning the advisability of hold- lowing the resignation of the former Norma Palmer was appointed ing provincial general elections at minister, Kevin MacAdam, in Febru- Deputy Chief Electoral Officer for fixed intervals and on fixed dates. ary of this year. the Province of Prince Edward Is- Proponents identified several ad- Premier also announced land by the Lieutenant Governor vantages of a fixed date system in- the appointment of Cletus Dunn in Council on May 9, 2006. Since cluding greater certainty for parties (District 26, Alberton-Miminegash) 1996, Ms. Palmer held the position and their candidates in preparing as Government House Leader and as Elections Officer at Elections their strategies and campaign poli- Chair of Government Caucus. P.E.I. and is a career civil servant. cies, economic efficiency of admin- istering predictable elections, and (PC) was elected in Committee Activity the by-election of March 20, 2006, for increased voter confidence in the the district of Morell-Fortune Bay, a process. The Committee also heard The Special Committee on Prince seat left vacant by the resignation of that the ability to call an election at a Edward Island's Electoral Bound- Mr. MacAdam on February 17, 2006. date of the government's choosing aries met six times during March could well constitute a significant Ms. Crane has been a career civil and April 2006 to conduct consul- advantage for the party in power. servant with the provincial govern- tations and receive opinion con- Others were opposed to change, ment since 1979 working in the De- cerning recommendations made

60 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / SUMMER 2006 and pointed out that the maximum duced by a Government back- time period between general elec- bencher and two of which were in- tions is already defined in legisla- troduced by NDP members. tion, and that fixed date elections There were three candidates at would open the door to lengthy and the Progressive Conservative lead- expensive campaigns. ership convention, namely, Wil- As a result, the Special Commit- liam Black, former President and tee on Prince Edward Island's Elec- Chief Executive Officer of Maritime toral Boundaries recommended Life, who is a newcomer to politics, that a referendum on the question of Nova Scotia Neil LeBlanc, a former Minister of fixed date elections be conducted in Finance, who was not a candidate in conjunction with the next provincial he 2005 Fall sitting of the Nova the last election, and Rodney Mac- general election. TScotia House of Assembly be- Donald who was Minister of Tour- gan on October 13, 2005, adjourned ism in the Hamm Government. The Other Matters on November 3, 2005, reconvened result of the first ballot was as fol- on December 8, 2005 and adjourned lows William Black – 742; Neil Speaker Greg Deighan announced on December 8, 2005. Just before the LeBlanc – 730, Rodney MacDonald the launch of a CD-ROM, entitled House met, several events of politi- 789 and there were 3 rejected bal- “Discover the Legislative Assembly cal importance took place includ- lots. Mr. LeBlanc was then dropped of Prince Edward Island” on April ing: from the ballot, and the results of 27, 2006. This educational resource the second ballot were as follows: is designed to promote a better un- • the announcement by Premier William Black – 855, Rodney Mac- derstanding and appreciation of the John Hamm that he would be re- Donald 1263 and 12 rejected ballots. work of the Legislative Assembly. signing after the Progressive The CD is interactive, allowing the Conservative Party had chosen a The new Government formed by user to navigate photos, video and new leader, Mr. MacDonald was sworn in on text at his or her own pace. It will be • the calling of a leadership con- February 24, 2006. Since the office of available at no cost to schools across vention by the Progressive Con- Speaker of the House became va- the province. servative party for February 11, cant as a result of Murray Scott be- 2006; and The re-designed website for the ing appointed as Minister of Justice Legislative Assembly (www.as- • the resignation of the former and Attorney General and the office sembly.pe.ca) was also made public leader of the Liberal Party, of Sergeant-at-Arms was also va- Danny Graham,asmemberof on April 27, 2006. The site receives cant, a special sitting of the House to the House of Assembly for Hali- fill these vacancies was held on many thousands of hits each month, fax Citadel. and is used on a daily basis by March 3, 2006. Cecil Clarke, MLA for Cape Breton North and Energy MLAs, their administrative and re- As a result, the standings in the search staffs, and members of the Minister in the Hamm Government, House, when it started its Fall sit- was elected Speaker and Kenneth public. The new look is designed to ting, were as follows: Progressive makethesitemoreusefuland Grantham was named Ser- Conservatives – 25, New Democrats geant-at-Arms. attractive. – 15, Liberals – 11 and Vacant – 1. Speaker Deighan attended the Shortly after the House met, Rus- Art Fordham Commonwealth Parliamentary As- sell MacKinnon, the MLA for Cape Assistant Clerk sociation mid-year meeting of the Breton West, left the Liberal Caucus Executive Committee held Douglas, to sit as an independent. Isle of Man, from May 3-7, 2006. Twenty-eight public bills were passed at the sitting, twenty-four of Marian Johnston which were introduced by the Gov- Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees ernment, one of which was intro-

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