Legislative Reports
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Legislative Reports health-administration costs. and families from hydro rate increases caused by the • More community-based police Premier’s interference in and more Crown prosecutors; Manitoba Hydro; and • Introduction of stronger laws • That the speech fails to to ensure that criminals are not acknowledge that for 11 years benefiting from the supports the government has wasted offered to law-abiding citizens; money on bloated health-care • The launch of a new program, bureaucracy and boardrooms Manitoba modelled on the successful at the expense of front-line care; auto-theft initiative, to and intensively track violent, high- he Fifth Session of the • That the speech fails to assure risk offenders and keep them parents that their children are T39th Legislature began from reoffending; learning the skills they need to on November 16, 2010 with • A series of measures designed succeed in today’s workforce; the presentation of the NDP to protect consumers and government’s 14th Speech when buying new homes, • That the speech continues the from the Throne. Delivered by condominiums, vehicles and government’s divisive policies Lieutenant-Governor Phillip Lee, cell phones; of neglecting or penalizing the address highlighted a range • A new program to improve Manitoba’s farm families and of government commitments and the infrastructure and rural communities; and proposals, including: programming of community • That the speech fails to centres throughout the acknowledge the chaos in province; Manitoba’s child welfare • Elimination of the small business • A further increase to the system; and tax on December 1, 2010 minimum wage; and • That while the speech contains • A new approach to trade • New nutrient reduction targets many good ideas offered by promotion that will reflect the to improve the quality of water members of the opposition, it increasing importance of global in Lake Winnipeg; fails to convince this House trade links with Brazil, Russia, that they will actually be India and China, the so-called Official Opposition Leader implemented; and BRIC nations; Hugh McFadyen’s non-confidence • That the current government • The launch of a broad amendment to the Address in has failed in its promises to consultation process to help Reply motion included a number Manitobans, and as a result, parents help their children of observations and commentaries it is now clearer than ever excel by utilizing things such on the government’s plans, that it will require a new as plain-language report government to deliver positive cards, standardized in-service including: results on crime reduction, days and improving student • That the government’s Throne fiscal responsibility, job attendance; Speech failed to acknowledge creation, tax relief, protection • A new pension plan for that after 11 years, violent crime from rate hikes, access to child-care workers to be is rising, waste is rampant and family physicians, support for implemented on December 1, past health-care promises have farm families, the cleanup of 2010 been broken; and Lake Winnipeg, better sports facilities and infrastructure, • The establishment of quick- • That the speech endorses large stability within Child and care clinics staffed by nurse ongoing deficits and rising debt Family Services and other practitioners; which will result in higher taxes goals that are supported by all for Manitoba families; and Manitobans. • A new ambulance helicopter; • That the speech failed to Following the defeat of • Legislation to cap protect Manitoba seniors Mr. McFadyen’s amendment on CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/SPRING 2011 51 November 26, 2010 by a vote of Auditor General’s Office and yeas 19, nays 33; on November 29 follow-up reports on previously the main motion carried on a vote issued recommendations – as of yeas 25, nays 18. well as meetings of the Social & Economic Development and Justice The fall session saw the committees to consider legislation. introduction and passage of a number of bills, including: On November 5, 2010 Premier • Bill 2 – The City of Winnipeg Greg Selinger announced the Charter Amendment Act appointment of Jennifer Howard as Ontario (Winnipeg Police Service the new Government House Leader. Auxiliary Cadets) Act, which , Governor In advance of the general avid Johnston amends The Charter to General of Canada, made his enable cadets in the recently election scheduled for October 4, D first official visit to Ontario, which established auxiliary cadet 2011 a number of members was marked by a welcoming program to perform additional announced they will not be duties and enforce provisions ceremony at the Legislative seeking re-election including, of Acts specified by regulation. Assembly of Ontario on December David Faurschou – first elected 2, 2010 where he was greeted • Bill 3 – The Victims’ Bill of in 1997; Peter George Dyck – first Rights Amendment Act (Denying by Premier Dalton McGuinty, elected in 1995 and Rick Borotsik Compensation to Offenders and , Speaker of the – a former MP, first elected in 2007. Steve Peters Other Amendments) Act, which Legislative Assembly of Ontario; amends the Victims’ Bill of All three MLAs indicated they will and , Lieutenant Rights so that compensation serve out the rest of their terms. David C. Onley payable to a victim of crime Governor of Ontario. may be denied or reduced if Additionally, Kevin The Governor General received the victim has been involved Lamoureux resigned his seat in full military honours, including in illegal activity in the past. It the legislature this fall to seek also recognizes the entitlement a 21-gun salute, the “Viceregal to compensation for witnesses (and ultimately win) a seat in the Salute” and the inspection of the of a criminal incident and House of Commons representing guard of honour, composed of amends several provisions to the riding of Winnipeg North. soldiers from the 32 Canadian clarify eligibility for various types of compensation, The current party standings in Brigade Group and the Governor including compensation for the Manitoba Legislature are: NDP General’s Horse Guards. counselling services. 36, Progressive Conservatives 19, In the Lobby of the Legislative • Bill 7 – The Polar Bear Protection one Independent Liberal, as well Building twinkling with Amendment Act (International as one vacancy. Christmas trees, against the Polar Bear Conservation Centre) Act, which establishes the After 26 years of service to backdrop of red-robed children International Polar Bear the Manitoba Assembly, Deputy from the Thomas Street Middle Conservation Centre at Clerk Bev Bosiak retired at the School Choir assembled on the Assiniboine Park Zoo. The end of 2010. The first woman Grand Staircase, Speaker Peters, centre will display polar bears Premier McGuinty, and the in a natural environment and to sit at the Manitoba Table, support polar bear conservation Ms. Bosiak leaves a legacy of Lieutenant Governor in turn research and education. expertise and dedication as an offered words of welcome to the example for her successors. Governor General. His Excellency A higher than usual number addressed the Members of of bills – nine in total – passed The fifth session of the 39th Provincial Parliament and through all legislative stages Legislature will resume at the call guests gathered in the Lobby, this fall session, receiving Royal of the government. outlining in his remarks the Assent on December 9, 2010. Rick Yarish three pillars defining his term in Standing Committee activity Clerk Assistant/Clerk of Committees office: to support families and this quarter included two children, to reinforce learning meetings of the Public Accounts and innovation, and to encourage Committee – to consider reports philanthropy and volunteerism. on the Winnipeg Regional Health While the ceremony was Authority, the operations of the taking place in the Lobby, the 52 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/SPRING 2011 House was in session directly of HD-compatible flat-screen The Committee undertook the above. To ensure that the monitors in the Members’ lobbies. annual pre-Budget consultation Governor General’s visit was not process and conducted hearings Committees disrupted in any way by the bells in London, Windsor, Thunder that signal divisions, the House The Standing Committee Bay, Timmins, and Ottawa adopted a motion that any votes on Estimates completed its the week of January 24 and be deferred until the following consideration of the 2010- in Toronto on January 31 and sitting day. Even the two quick 2011 expenditure estimates of February 1, 2011. The Committee rings of the division bells that selected ministries and offices. will meet on February 24 to write signal adjournment of the House By an Order of the House dated its Report on the pre-Budget were dispensed with that day – October 26, the Committee was consultations. the first time this has happened authorized to alter the order The Standing Committee on as far as anyone can remember. of consideration of selected Justice Policy conducted public 150th Anniversary of Queen’s Estimates and to present its hearings on Bill 172, An Act Park report on all Estimates considered to amend the Ticket Speculation no later than Wednesday, Act. The Committee held one The year 2010 marked the 150th November 24 instead of the third day of public hearings on anniversary of Queen’s Park, Thursday in November, as set out November 25, 2010 and clause- site of the Legislative Assembly in the Standing Orders. by-clause consideration of the of Ontario. An Ontario Heritage The Standing Committee on bill on December 1, 2010. The Trust plaque honouring the Finance and Economic Affairs bill was reported as amended anniversary was unveiled by held public hearings on the later that day. This Act had not Her Majesty the Queen during following bills, all of which were previously been amended since her visit to Queen’s Park in July, reported back to the House with its introduction in 1914. and has now been permanently certain amendments and received installed on the legislative The Standing Committee Royal Assent: grounds.