Legislative Reports

adorning the premises of the as well as the elimination and recy- Parliament Building; the interior or- cling of electronic waste. naments on display in this heritage The Member for Arthabaska and building; the history of the Parlia- Chairman of the Committee on De- ment Building; the Central Tower of mocracy and Peace of the Parlia- the Parliament. mentary Confederation of the In the same perspective, the sec- Americas (COPA) Jean-François ond season of Mémoires de députés Roux, led an electoral observation was launched last September 9. This mission to Guatemala, from Sep- n September 24, 2007, the new programme features former Qué- tember 5-10, 2007. Over twenty par- OLeader of the Parti Québécois, bec parliamentarians providing liamentarians hailing from Pauline Marois, was elected in the sensitive and sometimes Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Surinam Electoral Division of Charlevoix, humourous insight into the more and Venezuela also took part in this which had become vacant last Au- memorable events of their career. mission. gust 14 following the decision by To mark this event, the invited Interns to step down. Ac- guest was former Minister Victor cordingly, the composition of the Charles Goldbloom, who was the Assembly stands as follows: Qué- first Cabinet member to hold the of- The interns of the Jean-Charles- bec Liberal Party, 48 Members; Ac- fice of Minister of the Environment Bonenfant Foundation for 2007- tion démocratique, 41 Members; in 1973. 2008 are Julien Domingue, Bache- lor of Applied Political Studies, Parti Québécois, 36 Members. Interparliamentary Relations Two former Members passed Nicolas Fontaine, Bachelor of Biol- away in September 2007. Carrier ogy, Mathieu Fraser, holder of a Last August 12 to 15 at the 47th An- Fortin was the Liberal Party Mem- Master's Degree in History, nual Meeting of the Eastern Re- ber for the Electoral Division of Alexandre Paré, Bachelor of Politi- gional Conference of the Council of Sherbrooke and Minister of Labour cal Science, and Alexandre State Governments (ERC) Presi- from 1963 to 1966, and Fabien Regimbal, Bachelor of Law. The in- dent Michel Bissonnet welcomed Cordeau, of the , ternship programme, which spans a some 800 delegates to Québec City was the Member for the Electoral ten-month period, comprises three to discuss the theme Regional Chal- Division of Saint-Hyacinthe from elements: the discovery of the Na- lenges, Innovative Opportunities: 1976 to 1981. tional Assembly and a comparative Sharing State-Province Expertise and study with other Canadian and for- National Assembly channel to take part in workshops on agri- eign parliamentary institutions, the culture, trade and border security alternate twinning with a Member To further enrich the program with the United States, education, from each of the three parliamen- schedule of its channel, last July the energy and the environment, crimi- tary groups and, finally, the draft- Assembly launched seven new nal justice, health as well as trans- ing of a research paper on the video vignettes on the services it portation. parliamentary institutions of Qué- provides to Members and citizens At the conclusion of the meeting, bec. and on its heritage conservation. important resolutions were These vignettes focus on the follow- adopted, particularly with regard to Francine Boivin Lamarche ing themes: the broadcasting of par- climate change, the passport re- Secretariat of the National Assembly liamentary debates; the National quirement at the Canada-United Assembly's communications tools; States border, the promotion of the parliamentary institution's Li- train and maritime transportation brary; the statues and ornaments

WINTER 2007/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 53 Standing Committees in pursuance of the duties conferred Election took place on October 9th. upon it by the Standing Orders. Last The results were: 43 Progressive Autumn began with the launching September 18, it heard the Deputy Conservatives, three Liberals and of consultations. For the past sev- Minister of Sustainable Develop- one New Democrat elected. eral years now, the triennial plan- ment, Environment and Parks, as There was a judicial recount in ning of immigration in Québec (in well as the chief executive officer of the District of the Isles of Notre terms of volume and composition) RECYC-QUÉBEC concerning resid- Dame which had been held by has been the object of general con- ual waste. On 26 September, the Leader of the Opposition Gerry sultations. In keeping with this Committee examined the financial Reid as there was a difference of practice, the Committee on Culture, commitments of the Auditor Gen- only seven votes between the Pro- within the framework of an order of eral for the period from April 2006 gressive Conservative, Derrick the Assembly, has been holding to March 2007. It also took the op- Dally and the incumbent. Upon public hearings since September 18 portunity hear the latter on his completion of the recount on No- on the consultation document 2006-2007 annual management re- vember 8th Mr. Dalley, the Progres- "Planning for 2008-2010 Québec Im- port and on his 2006-2009 strategic sive Conservative candidate, was migration Levels" produced by the plan. Furthermore, last October 10, confirmed as the Member for the Ministère de l'Immigration et des the Committee heard the Deputy District by a 12-vote margin. Communautés culturelles. An Minister of Transport on the annual In the District of Grand Falls - on-line consultation is also being management report of this ministry. Windsor - Buchans the election had held concurrently for this year's ex- For more information on the pro- to be postponed owing to the un- ercise, thus increasingly aiming to- ceedings of the standing commit- timely death of the Liberal candi- wards cyberdemocracy. tees, please visit the Internet site of date, Dr. Gerry Tobin, on October The Committee on Institutions the National Assembly of Québec at 1. The seat was won by Susan followed in these footsteps and, by the following address: Sullivan, the Progressive Conser- order of the Assembly, held a gen- www.assnat.qc.ca. vative candidate, at the election on eral consultation, along with an November 6th increasing the num- on-line consultation, within the Anik Laplante ber of Progressive Conservative framework of the consideration of Secretariat of committees seats to 44. Bill 9, An Act respecting the safety of Translation: Sylvia Ford The Members elected on October persons on certain premises and amend- Secretariat of the Assembly 9th were sworn on November 1st. ing the Act respecting safety in sports. Roger Fitzgerald,Memberfor This bills aims particularly to pro- Bonavista South, was acclaimed hibit the possession of firearms in Speaker. Mr. Fitzgerald was twice the buildings and on the grounds of acclaimed as the other candidate for childcare facilities and educational the District of Bonavista South, institutions and in conveyances Clayton Hobbs had to withdraw used for public transportation and from the campaign because of ill- school transportation. Public ness. Jack Byrne was elected Dep- hearings began October 10. uty Speaker and Chair of In accordance with the obligation Committees and Tom Osborne was stipulated in the Sustainable Develop- elected Deputy Chair of Commit- ment Act (R.S.Q.., c. D-8.1.1), as- tees. sented to in 2006, the Government Newfoundland and Auditor General Reports presented last September its Sus- Labrador tainable Development Strategy pro- ject and ordered the Committee on On September 14th the Auditor Transportation and the Environ- n 2004 the House of Assembly General tabled a review of Constit- ment to hold special consultations Iamended the House of Assembly uency Allowance Claims for the pe- beginning on October 17, as well as Act to provide for fixed election riod 1989-90 to 2005-06. The review an on-line consultation. dates quadrennially on the second identified inappropriate expendi- Tuesday of October. The Forty-Fifth The Committee on Public Admin- tures and claims for which there General Assembly was dissolved on istration carried out several orders was no documentation or inade- September 17th and the General quate documentation. The Auditor

54 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / WINTER 2007 stated in the Report that he is confi- dence" the Access To Information And dent that with the adoption of the Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPPA) Green Commission Report and the now applies to the House of Assem- restoration of independent scrutiny bly and statutory offices. Personal by the Auditor General and Comp- and constituency records of a Mem- troller General and the hiring of ber; records of a registered political professional accountants to staff the party; House of Assembly records Corporate and Members' Services the non-disclosure of which is re- Division of the House of Assembly quired for the protection of the priv- the financial management and ileges of the House and records controls have significantly connected with the investigatory House of Commons improved. functions of Statutory Offices are On September 17th the Auditor among those records which are ex- n August 14, 2007, mid-way General table a report pursuant to empt from ATIPPA. Othrough the summer adjourn- section 16 of the Auditor General Act The ATIPP co-ordinator and se- ment and in anticipation of the Sec- which allows the Auditor General nior privacy analyst for the House ond Session of the 39th Parliament, to "inquire into and report on a per- of Assembly has received 174 re- Prime Minister son or organization that has re- quests for information since Octo- shuffled his Cabinet for the second ceived financial aid from the ber 9th when the sections of the time, reassigning a number of key government of the province or in re- House of Assembly Accountability, In- portfolios. Peter MacKay replaced spect of which financial aid from the tegrity and Administration Act relat- Gordon O'Connor as Minister of government of the province is ing to the application of ATIPPA to National Defence and Maxime sought." The House, by Resolution, the House and related offices came Bernier replaced Mr. MacKay as had requested that the Auditor into force. Minister of Foreign Affairs. General investigate and report on At the beginning of September, the Prime Minister announced that the Government's decision to invest Whistle Blower Legislation $15 million in the installation of a fi- he would recommend to the Gover- bre optic link between St. John's and nor General that Parliament be pro- The House of Assembly Accountability Halifax. The Auditor General con- rogued. The official announcement, Integrity And Administration Act in- cluded, inter alia, that there was no however, came only on September cludes measures providing protec- evidence that the was in- 14, 2007, when the Governor Gen- tion for whistle blowers within the volved in the project; that although eral prorogued the First Session and House of Assembly service. The the Department concerned had not set the date for the opening of the Premier made a commitment dur- complied with the Guidelines for Second Session as October 16, 2007. ing the election campaign to intro- Hiring External Consultants nor the The time for the Throne Speech was duce similar legislation for Atlantic Procurement Agreement it set in the evening in a subsequent Government as a whole. It is ex- had complied with the Public Tender proclamation, issued on October 4, pected that this legislation will be Act; that Government had exercised 2007. introduced when the House next due diligence in assessing the pro- sits. In the September 17, 2007 by-elec- posal and negotiating the final The Deputy Premier, Tom tions, conducted in a climate of con- agreement although the initial as- Rideout advised on October 17th troversy regarding veiled voting, sessment process at the department that the Forty-Sixth General Assem- the Outremont seat left vacant by level had been weak and that the bly would open in the Spring of the departure of Liberal Jean Province had received good value 2008. Lapierre was won by New Demo- for its investment. crat and former Liberal Minister Thomas Mulcair. Access To Information And St-Hyacinthe--Bagot elected Bloc Protection of Privacy Act Québécois candidate Ève-Mary Elizabeth Murphy Thaï Thi Lac, who replaces Yvan Clerk Assistant Pursuant to Recommendation No. 6 Loubier, also a member of the Bloc. of the Report of Commissioner J. In Roberval-Lac-St-Jean, Conserva- Derek Green "Rebuilding Confi-

WINTER 2007/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 55 tive Denis Lebel replaced Michel related to the economic statement. House returned to business during Gauthier, who had retired. With the adoption of the motion, the the week of November 12, 2007. Parliament was convened for a government is now able to intro- new session on October 16, 2007. duce legislation to implement the Legislation While awaiting the arrival of the measures outlined in the economic statement. Usher of the Black Rod to summon Of the 63 government bills intro- the members of the House to the duced in the First Session of the 39th Senate Chamber for the Speech Committees Parliament, 27 had not yet received from the Throne, a number of events Royal Assent at the time of proroga- occurred in the House of Commons: On September 11, 2007, the Stand- tion and thus died on the Order Pa- the Speaker announced vacancies in ing Committee on Access to Infor- per. With the adoption of a motion several ridings, two of the three mation, Privacy and Ethics on October 25, 2007, the govern- newly-elected Members were intro- instructed its clerk and research ment was authorized to reintroduce duced, a question of privilege was staff to prepare a draft report on its some or all of these bills within the raised, and the Speaker made a access to information request for the first 30 sitting days of the Session. statement regarding Private Department of Foreign Affairs and Provided that the bills are in the Members' Business. International Trade internal report same form as they were at proroga- As they had done in the previous entitled “Afghanistan 2006: Good tion, they will be deemed to have Throne Speech, the Conservative Governance, Democratic Develop- been considered and approved at government set out five new priori- ment and Human Rights”. The clerk all legislative stages completed at ties: strengthening Canada's sover- was also instructed to bring the the time of prorogation. eignty, building a stronger draft report to the Committee once On October 18, 2007, the Minister federation, providing more effec- it has been reorganized in the new of Justice, Rob Nicholson, tabled an tive economic leadership, improv- session. omnibus bill targeting violent ing the environment and continuing The Standing Committee on Pro- crime. Bill C-2, An Act to amend the to tackle crime. The New Demo- cedure and House Affairs met on Criminal Code and to make consequen- cratic Party and the Bloc Québécois the morning of September 13, 2007, tial amendments to other Acts, groups announced that they would not to hear testimony from the Chief together five bills from first session, support the Throne Speech, leaving Electoral Officer, Marc Mayrand on namely C-10, C-22, C-27, C-32 and the Liberals to decide the fate of the the question of veiled voters. Later C-35. (Three of these bills had been government. On October 24, 2007, that day, the Committee unani- adopted at third reading and sent to the Liberals abstained from the final mously adopted a motion calling the Senate during the First Session vote on the motion for an Address in upon the Chief Electoral Officer to of the 39th Parliament.) Opposition ReplytotheSpeechfromthe use his discretionary powers to re- critics have characterized the omni- Throne, thus avoiding the defeat of quire facial identification at polling bus bill format as “ineffective”, con- the government. stations, in the September 17, 2007 tending that three of the lapsed bills On October 30, 2007, Minister of by-elections. This was communi- could have been adopted more Finance, Jim Flaherty, tabled a No- cated to Mr. Mayrand by letter, but quickly by way of reinstatement. In tice of Ways and Means motion and he rejected this unanimous call to a motion adopted by unanimous the text of an economic statement. reverse his decision. The Committee consent on October 26, 2007, the Bill Soon thereafter, he held a press con- also considered the legitimacy of was deemed read the second time ference during which he unveiled a electoral campaign financing dur- and referred to a legislative com- “mini-budget”, outlining $60 bil- ing the 2006 campaign. Little prog- mittee. The legislative committee lion in cuts to personal and corpo- ress was made on the matter before was established, Rick Dykstra rate taxes, as well as a one Parliament was prorogued. named chair, and the committee percentage point cut to the GST. The On October 31, 2007, the House was ordered to report the Bill back three parties in Opposition con- concurred in the First Report of the to the House by November 23, 2007. demned the proposed tax reduc- Standing Committee on Procedure Also on October 26, 2007, Bill C-6, tions, seeking instead renewed and House Affairs, setting out the An Act to amend the Canada Elections program investments. Nonetheless, membership for the standing com- Act (visual identification of voters) the Liberals abstained again on the mittees. Committee organization was introduced and read a first vote on the Ways and Means motion meetings took place when the time. Other bills to amend the Can-

56 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / WINTER 2007 ada Elections Act have been intro- lightly, Mr. Cullen had not been ob- the people of Burma for political duced by the government this structed in the performance of his freedom. session (Bills C-16 (expanded vot- parliamentary duties and therefore ing opportunities) and C-18 (verifi- no prima facie breach of privilege Catherine Gérin-Lajoie cation of residence). Several private could be found. Procedural Clerk Members' bills aimed at amending House Proceedings the Canada Elections Act have also Private Members' Business been introduced this Parliament: Bills C-203 (telephone, fax and During the last session, the Speaker Internet service to campaign of- ruled that several private Members' fices); C-341 (military dependants); bills before the House would re- C-353 (date of general election); quire a Royal Recommendation. On C-419 (closed captioning); and October 17, 2007, the Deputy C-465 (identity of electors). Speaker, Bill Blaikie, reminded the House that the Speaker's rulings Privilege and comments made during the First Session regarding these bills Prince Edward Island On October 16, 2007, the Official would continue to apply in the Opposition House Leader, Ralph current session. he First Session of the Goodale, rose on a question of priv- On June 13, 2007, the Standing TSixty-third General Assembly ilege alleging that the Speech from Committee on Human Resources, opened on July 6, 2007, and ad- the Throne had been leaked to the Social Development and the Status journed to the call of the Speaker media. He sought to have the cir- of Persons with Disabilities re- that same day. The Session re- cumstances of the leak investigated ported back to the House Bill C-284: sumed on October 16, 2007, with the and the responsible parties identi- An Act to amend the Canada Student presentation of the Budget Address fied. On October 23, 2007, the Financial Assistance Act (Canada ac- by Wes Sheridan, Provincial Trea- Speaker of the House, Peter cess grant). The Committee had de- surer; and adjourned to the call of Milliken, ruled that there was no leted the title of the bill and all its the Speaker on November 2, 2007. procedural authority for the claim clauses. On October 29, 2007, the In total, the Assembly sat for 13 that premature disclosure of the sponsor of the Bill, Geoff Regan, days to date this Session. Speech from the Throne constituted proposed three motions at report Mr. Sheridan presented his first a breach of the privileges of the stage to restore the bill's title and budget address as Provincial Trea- members of the House. clauses.The Speaker has ruled that surer on October 16, 2007. In his ad- On October 18, 2007, NDP MP if the Motion No. 2 is adopted by the dress to the Legislative Assembly, Nathan Cullen rose on a question of House, the bill would require Royal he characterized the budget as a privilege, contending that Richard Recommendation before the ques- bridge between the former and the Harris had impeded his ability to tion on the motion for third reading current administration. Budgetary function as a Member of Parliament could be put. commitments made in the spring of by stating that someone other than 2007 by the former government he was the de facto Member of Parlia- Other Matters were largely respected in the new fi- ment for his riding of nancial plan. The Treasurer indi- Skeena-Bulkley Valley. Specifically, By unanimous consent, the House cated priorities identified during Mr. Cullen noted, Mr. Harris had of Commons adopted a motion on the election campaign, including a held interviews and issued a press October 17, 2007, granting honorary reduction in the gasoline tax, an im- release stating that people of citizenship to Nobel Peace Prize provement to the disability tax Skeena-Buckley Valley should con- winner Aung San Suu Kyi, the credit, and a freeze on owner-occu- tact the Conservative candidate leader of Burma's National League pied residential property tax Sharon Smith “when they have for Democracy. The House noted assessments would be imple- concerns or issues with the govern- Ms. Suu Kyi remains one of the mented. ment.” On October 30, 2007, the leading forces in the continuing Health and Social Services and Speaker ruled that while the allega- struggle for democracy and human Seniors expenditures continued to tions were not to be dismissed rights and a symbol of the desire of account for the largest share of the

WINTER 2007/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 57 provincial budget at just over $495.8 spect to the responsibilities and li- didates were introduced to mem- million, or 39.4% of the total operat- ability of an owner of a dog. An bers in the House on October 30, offense and penalty provision has ing expenditure of almost $1.26 bil- been included in respect of an 2007: Laura Morrell is the Legisla- lion dollars; followed by Education owner of a dog who fails to exer- tive Assembly's Research Librarian; at $247.7 million, or 19.7 % of the cise reasonable precautions to Ryan Conway is the Research Offi- total. prevent the dog from biting or at- cer; and Melissa Keefe is the new tacking a person or a domestic an- Committee Clerk. Full texts of the budget address, imal or behaving in a manner estimates of revenue and expendi- than poses a menace to the safety Committee Activity ture and supporting schedules are of persons or domestic animals. available on the province's website By-Election The Standing Committee on Agri- at www.gov.pe.ca/budget. culture, Forestry and Environment Significant Legislation Charles McGeoghegan (Liberal) will be reviewing the implementa- was elected in the by-election of Oc- tion and potential impacts of a A number of pieces of significant tober 15, 2007, for the district of Bel- province-wide ban on the use of legislation received Royal Assent fast-Murray River, a seat left vacant cosmetic lawn pesticides over the during the Session. They include: by the resignation of former pre- next several months. The Commit- mier, Pat Binns on August 31, 2007. tee will report in the spring 2008 • Tobacco Tax Act (Bill No. 2) sets The by-election win gave the Liber- Session. out the tax rate on the purchase of The Standing Committee on tobacco and defines various of- als 24 of the 27 seats in the legisla- fences relating to the sale, pur- ture. Community Affairs and Economic chase, possession, marking and Mr. McGeoghegan was sworn in Development has been mandated transportation of tobacco. As on October 31, 2007, and took his to conduct public hearings on the is- well, various punishments in- seat in the House for the first time sue of Sunday shopping to solicit cluding fines, imprisonment, and the views of the Islanders. The seizure, with regard to illegal traf- that same day. Prior to entering fic in tobacco are specified. public life, Mr. McGeoghegan was a Committee will hold public hear- ings throughout the province and • fisherman and a competitive arm An Act to Amend the Employment make its report, including any rec- Standards Act (Bill No. 6) received, wrestler. with unanimous consent, its three ommendations for legislative New Positions for the PEI changes, in the spring of 2008. readings on November 18, 2007. Legislature The Act amends the Employment Standing Committee on Fisher- Standards Act to provide job pro- ies, Intergovernmental Affairs and tection for members of the reserve In September 2007, the Standing force of the Canadian Forces. It Committee on Legislative Manage- Transportation has been instructed, establishes the right of employees ment, Chaired by Speaker Kathleen by motion of the Legislative Assem- who have worked for an em- Casey, announced its approval for bly, to conduct a thorough review of ployer for at least six months and the re-establishment of a Legislative the collapse of Polar Foods Interna- who are in the reserve force to tional Inc., a business failure which take unpaid leave to participate Library and Research Service to in military training or active ser- support the work of Members, cost Island taxpayers approxi- vice. Employees are required to House Committees and House Offi- mately $31 million. This Committee give their employers reasonable cers. In addition, a new part time will also be reporting its findings in notice for their leave of absence. the spring 2008 sitting. In addition, the Act provides for Committee Clerk position was es- the reinstatement of the em- tablished in anticipation of an ex- Participate in PEI ployee upon return from military panded role for standing service or training. committees in reviewing issues and In late August, government • An Act to Amend the Real Property public policy initiatives. launched a new initiative calling for Assessment Act (Bill No. 14) pro- Recruiting efforts started imme- public participation in over 70 of the vides for owner-occupied resi- diately with advertisements placed province's agencies, boards and dential property tax assessments in all the daily and weekly newspa- to be "frozen" for the years 2008 commissions. A website is under and 2009 at the same level as that pers in the province. Applications development which will contain a assessed in the year 2007. were received from all across Prince profile of each organization and Edward Island, as well as from sev- • An Act to Amend the Dog Act (Bill will include qualifications, length No. 18) adds provisions with re- eral other provinces. Successful can- of term, current make-up, nomina-

58 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / WINTER 2007 tion requirements and vacancies. sibility Council and Air Canada In order for Ontario to change its The Premier indicated that the pro- Centre Accessibility Committee. electoral system, the Mixed Mem- cess is intended to fill openings, and Mr. Onley had little time to settle ber Proportional (MMP) system to provide Islanders with informa- in before being called upon to dis- would have to attain a double ma- tion on their agencies, boards and solve the 38th Parliament on Sep- jority, consisting of: commissions, engaging them in the tember 10, and issue the writs for governing process. the 39th provincial general election. • At least 60% of all the valid refer- endum ballots cast prov- Report of the Indemnities and The election resulted in the Lib- ince-wide; and Allowances Commission eral Party under Dalton McGuinty • winning re-election, and little More than 50% of the valid refer- endum ballots cast in each of at Effective as of the first day of the change in the composition of the least 64 electoral districts. commencement of the Sixty-third House. The Liberals took 71 seats General Assembly, MLAs on Prince (up 3), the Progressive Conserva- The MMP received only 36.9% of Edward Island began receiving a tives under John Tory took 26 seats the ballots cast and achieved more base salary of $62,500 (tax free ex- (up 1) and the New Democratic than 50% support in just 5 of 107 pense allowance has been elimi- Party of Howard Hampton kept 10 electoral districts. nated). Previously, compensation seats in a Legislative Assembly that had consisted of an indemnity of had grown by 4 seats due to the re- The 39th Parliament resumed on $36,689 plus a tax-free expense alignment of electoral districts. November 28, 2007, with the elec- tion of a Speaker. allowance of $12,000. While the election did not pro- duce a dramatic change from the Trevor Day Marian Johnston previous Parliament, it was the first Committee Clerk Clerk Assistant and time in 70 years that the Liberal Clerk of Committees Party won back-to-back majorities in Ontario. This was last accom- plished under Premier Mitchell Hepburn in 1937. The race in the riding of Don Val- ley West was likely the most ob- served of the election. It pitted 2 highly respected parliamentary in- cumbents against each other, the Leader of the Progressive Conser- Senate vative Party, Mr. Tory, and Ontario Kathleen Wynne, the Minister of he Governor General, the Senate Education. In the end, Ms. Wynne Tand the House of Commons-the ummer 2007 was a quiet time at took the riding for the Liberals. three components of Parliament-as- SQueen's Park as the Legislative Also on the October 10 ballot (ac- sembled in the Senate Chamber on Assembly was prorogued on June 5 tually a separate ballot placed in the October 16 for the Opening of the and all focus shifted to the future same ballot box) was a referendum Second Session of the Thirty-ninth general election legislated to occur question on electoral reform. Parliament. In keeping with tradi- on October 10. Ontarians were asked “Which elec- tion, the Governor General read the During the break, however, the toral system should Ontario use to Speech from the Throne, but on this David C. Onley was installed as elect members to the provincial leg- occasion, and for the first time, the Ontario's 28th Lieutenant Governor islature?” The choices were: Speech was read by Her Excellency on September 5. A champion of dis- Michaëlle Jean early in the evening ability issues, he was Canada's first • The existing electoral system for broadcast during prime time senior newscaster with a visible dis- (First-Past-the-Post). television. ability. He has chaired the Govern- • The alternative electoral system The Speech outlined the Govern- ment of Ontario's Accessibility proposed by the Citizens' Assem- ment's agenda for the new session Standards Advisory Council, and bly (Mixed Member Propor- and included sovereignty and secu- served on both the SkyDome Acces- tional). rity, environmental protection, eco-

WINTER 2007/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 59 nomic growth, modernization of the Senate approved the nomina- member's bills also completed their Canada's federation, and safe com- tion of Senator Rose-Marie journey through the legislative pro- munities as priorities. The Govern- Losier-Cool as Speaker pro tempore. cess during this fall sitting, receiv- ment remains committed to Senate Senator Losier-Cool will serve as ing Royal Assent before the House reform, as it was during the First Speaker when Speaker Noël A. rose on Thursday, November 8. Session of this Parliament. In partic- Kinsella is unable to attend a sit- These bills included: ular, two pieces of complex and con- ting. troversial legislation not passed By independent resolution • Bill 12 - The Employment Standards during the last session will be re-in- adopted on October 17, the Senate Code Amendment Act (Leave for Re- troduced: one to shorten Senators' servists) - which amends the Em- granted honorary citizenship to ployment Standards Code to tenure from a maximum of 45 years Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of provide job protection for mem- to eight years; and the other to allow Burma's National League for De- bers of the reserve force of the Ca- for direct consultation of voters in mocracy and a Nobel Peace Prize nadian Forces. It gives them a the selection of Senators. laureate. The idea for this resolution right to an unpaid leave to partic- ipate in training or active duty in Although the Speech was the was proposed in the Government's the reserves. highlight of the day, the Senate also Throne Speech in recognition of her • attended to other business. The ap- dedication to the cause of democ- Bill 15 - The Biofuels Amendment Act - which expands the Biofuels pointment of the Bert Brown who racy. The Dalai Lama, Nelson Act to include biodiesel and other was summoned to the Senate early Mandela,andRaoul Wallenberg types of fuels derived from bio- in the summer and sworn in on Oc- are also honorary Canadian citi- mass material that are specified tober 16 further demonstrated the zens. in the regulations. The Bill cre- Government's belief that Canadians ates the Ethanol Fund, which will Mary Mussell be funded by a portion of provin- must have a say in who will repre- cial gasoline tax revenues for sent them in the Senate. Senator Journals Branch eight years. The fund will be used Brown, a long time advocate of Sen- to pay grants to producers for de- ate reform, won an prov- natured ethanol produced and ince-wide Senate election in 2004. consumed in . This was only the second time in • Bill 16 - The Statutory Holidays Act Canada's history that an elected (Various Acts Amended) - which Senator was appointed to the Sen- establishes the third Monday in February as a statutory holiday to ate. In 1989, the people of Alberta be known as “Louis Riel Day”. chose Stan Waters who was sum- • moned to the Senate in 1990 and Bill 17 - The Firefighters, Peace Offi- cers and Workers Memorial Founda- served until his untimely death a tions Act - which establishes year later. foundations to honour The presentation of the pro forma firefighters and peace officers bill and the appointment of the Manitoba who have died in the line of duty as well as workers who have died Committee of Selection also occur in the workplace. on the first sitting day of the session. he first session of the 39th Mani- • Bill S-1 relating to railways, only re- Ttoba legislature resumed on Bill 19 - The Fair Registration Prac- September 25, 2007. In accordance tices in Regulated Professions Act - ceives first reading. It's purpose is to which is designed to help ensure symbolize the independence of the with the sessional order passed dur- that regulated professions and Senate and its authority to discuss ing our June sitting, the House im- people applying for registration matters not set out in the Speech mediately began consideration of to practise those professions are from the Throne. The Committee of the departmental estimates of ex- governed by registration prac- penditure in the Committee of Sup- tices that are transparent, objec- Selection is formed to nominate a tive, impartial and fair. The Bill Speaker pro tempore and to name ply flowing from the reinstated provides for the appointment of a Senators to serve on committees for budget. The entire budget process fair registration practices com- the session. It must report within concluded on October 25. missioner. five sitting days regarding the nom- In addition to completing the fi- • Bill 202 - The Apology Act, a pri- ination of the Speaker pro tempore nancial business, 21 government vate member's bill sponsored by which occurred on October 23 when bills and two opposition private Jon Gerrard (Independent Lib- eral - River Heights), Bill allows a

60 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / WINTER 2007 person to make an apology about “landmark legislation” gives legal a matter without the apology con- force to the Tsawwassen First Na- stituting an admission of legal lia- bility. tion Final Agreement. Under the agreement, the Tsawwassen people • Bill 209 - The Historic Highway No. will receive title in fee simple of 724 1Act, a private member's bill sponsored by Gerald Hawranik hectares of settlement land and (PC - Lac du Bonnet), designates some $16 million in cash transfers Provincial Trunk Highway No. over the next 10 years. The agree- 44 as the "Historic Highway No. ment also includes a long-term re- 1" to commemorate its historical newable harvest agreement for significance to Manitobans. salmon and crab, as well as a gover- • A sessional order identifies a se- nance model setting out the First ries of dates when certain steps in n October 1, 2007, Steven Point Nation's law-making authorities, the legislative and budget pro- cesses must be completed. Addi- Owas sworn in as 28th Lieuten- with provision for a seat on the re- tionally, the order outlines our ant Governor of British Columbia gional board of Metro Vancouver sitting schedule up to the spring during a historic ceremony in the (formerly the Greater Vancouver of 2008, as follows: legislative chamber. He served as Regional District). • The House sat from September an elected Chief of the Skowkale Immediately following first read- 25, 2007 to November 8, 2007 to First Nation for fifteen years and as ing, Kim Baird, the elected Chief of conclude the current budget pro- the tribal chair of the Stólo Nation the Tsawwassen First Nation, was cess and to consider the bills Government. He was appointed a re-introduced from the previous invited to address the Assembly session. provincial court judge in 1999 and from the Bar of the House, a rare as Chief Commissioner of the Brit- • event in the legislature's history. The House will sit from Novem- ish Columbia Treaty Commission in ber 20, 2007 to December 6, 2007 She described her presence as “sym- to hear and debate the throne 2005. One of Mr. Point's first legisla- bolic of true reconciliation…born of speech commencing the second tive duties will be to proclaim the hard work and hard-fought com- session of the 39th Manitoba leg- first urban, modern-day treaty ne- promises, so very painful to my islature. gotiated by a B.C. First Nation with community.” In her address, Ms. • The House will sit from no later the provincial and federal Baird urged both parliamentary than April 9, 2008 to June 12, 2008 governments. parties to support the treaty to consider the next budget and settlement. legislative agenda. Treaty Settlement Legislation At second reading, Mr. de Jong explained that Bill 40 is intended to The Standing Committee on The third session of the 38th Par- help achieve reconciliation for past Crown Corporations met in October liament resumed on October 15th, injustices, recognize the and November 2007. The commit- 2007, two weeks after the scheduled Tsawwassen First Nation's aborigi- tee considered several years of An- start date in the parliamentary cal- nal rights and title, and enable the nual Reports from endar. The first three bills intro- Tsawwassen people to become an and the Manitoba Public Insurance duced in the House related to the independent and self-reliant com- Corporation. treaty settlement with the Tsawwassen First Nation. They munity. Leader of the Official Op- were: position Carole James also spoke in support of the Final Agreement, but • Bill 40, Tsawwassen First Nation Fi- expressed some reservations relat- nal Agreement Act ing to the government's approach to • Bill 41, Final Agreement Conse- treaty-making and its handling of Rick Yarish quential Amendments Act, 2007 overlapping claims from other First Clerk Assistant / Clerk of Committees Nations. Another concern of the op- • Bill 42, Treaty First Nation Taxation Act position caucus was the proposed transfer of land from the jurisdic- tion of the Provincial Agricultural At first reading, Michael de Jong, Land Commission. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, explained that this

WINTER 2007/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 61 At the start of committee debate sions are made for vulnerable Interest Commissioner was briefed on October 29, the Chair explained adults who are or become incapa- by incumbent H.A.D. Oliver before ble of managing their own affairs. that as it is a Crown prerogative to Similar legislation was originally embarking on the search for his suc- make agreements, parliament could introduced in the spring of 2006 cessor. The Committee has inter- debate, accept, reject or amend Bill (Bill 32) but did not proceed in or- viewed a number of applicants and 40; however, it could not amend the der to allow for additional is likely to make a unanimous rec- final agreement, except for technical changes to advanced care direc- ommendation to the Legislative As- tives and more extensive public amendments. and stakeholder consultation. sembly in the near future. To Subsequently, Bills 40, 41 and 42 facilitate a smooth transition, the House adopted a motion on Octo- were all reported complete with mi- Also introduced on October 23, ber 30 extending Mr. Oliver's term nor technical amendments. A hand- 2007 was a bill proposing major to December 31, 2007. ful of members from both sides of amendments to the Greater Vancou- the House abstained or voted ver Transportation Authority Act. In other committee-related busi- against the treaty settlement legisla- Transportation Minister Kevin Fal- ness, the Select Standing Commit- tion. con explained that Bill 43 replaces a tee on Public Accounts hosted the 28th Annual Conference of the Ca- Other Bills similar bill introduced in the spring sitting. It is intended to build a solid nadian Council of Public Accounts Committees. This was held in Victo- Three bills left on the order paper at foundation for an expanded, ria from August 19 to 21, in conjunc- the end of the spring sitting have high-quality public transportation tion with the 35th Annual now passed third reading. The bills system in the lower mainland, by Conference of the Canadian Coun- amend existing legislation and were establishing a new planning frame- cil of Legislative Auditors. In atten- debated during October 2007: work, governance structure, and funding measures for the Greater dance were delegates from most • Bill 27 proposes changes to the Vancouver Transportation Author- parts of Canada and observers rep- Business Practices and Consumer ity (TransLink). Bill 43 had not con- resenting the countries of Australia, Protection Act, 2004 to promote cluded second reading by the end of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ghana, fairness in the marketplace and Nigeria, Tanzania, and Thailand. prevent the charging of excessive October 2007. fees, or “debt traps,” for consum- Committee Activities Naomi Adams, Erin Bett, ers. The provisions will require payday lenders to be licensed, in Lindsay Gardner, Jeremy Wood line with the recent amendment This fall, the Select Standing Com- Clerks of Committee - Research to the Criminal Code; limit the fees mittee on Finance and Government that can be charged for cashing Services conducted its eighth con- government cheques; and require secutive pre-budget public consul- the full disclosure of the terms and conditions of loans. tations. The budget 2008 consultation paper contained six • Bill 28 makes targeted amend- questions, three of which asked the ments to the Securities Act as part of the drive to harmonize and public for responses on options to streamline securities laws across reduce greenhouse gases. The Fi- the country. It strengthens the nance Committee received some compliance and enforcement 5,800 submissions, about 2,700 powers of the British Columbia fewer than last year. Four methods Securities Commission; improves investor protection; and estab- of consultation were used: public hearings at 14 locations throughout lishes a new statutory civil liabil- he Fourth Session of the Second ity framework that is already in the province, written submissions, Legislative Assembly of effect in Ontario, Manitoba and on-line responses, and a flyer T Nunavut reconvened on October Alberta. mailed out to households around 23, 2007, for the fall sitting. The • Bill 29 amends the Adult Guard- the province by the Ministry of House adjourned on November 8, ianship Act in order to reflect mod- Finance. 2007. ern guardianship principles of Following its appointment dur- individual autonomy and dig- ThefallsittingbeganwithFi- ing the spring sitting, the Special nity. It clarifies and modernizes nance Minister and Baker Lake Committee to Appoint a Conflict of the laws governing how deci- MLA David Simailak's presenta-

62 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / WINTER 2007 tion of the government's mid-year ruled that inadequate notice had Standing Committee when it begins fiscal update and introduction of been given for the motion and in- its hearings on this report on No- the 2008-2009 capital estimates. The vited the Minister to revisit the mat- vember 27. proceedings of the Committee of the ter when the House reconvenes for A number of formal motions have Whole during the fall sitting were its winter sitting. been considered by the Legislative dominated by Members' scrutiny of During the spring sitting of the Assembly during the Fourth Ses- the proposed capital estimates. House, Minister of Culture, Lan- sion. During its spring sitting, the A total of 68 bills have been guage, Elders and Youth and House unanimously adopted a mo- passed to date during the Second Amittuq MLA Louis Tapardjuk in- tion introduced by Environment Assembly. Eight bills were passed troduced Bill 6, Nunavut's pro- Minister Patterk Netser and sec- during the fall sitting and received posed new Official Languages Act onded by Tunnuniq MLA James assent. These included a new Work- and Bill 7, the proposed new Inuit Arvaluk to express the Legislative ers' Compensation Act, which had Language Protection Act. These bills Assembly's opposition to the pro- been introduced earlier in the year were subsequently referred to the posal of the United States Fish and by the Minister responsible for the Standing Committee Ajauqtiit for Wildlife Service to list the polar bear Workers' Compensation Board and scrutiny. Standing Committee as a threatened species under that Nanulik MLA Patterk Netser, and a Chair and Akulliq MLA Steve country's legislation. new Emergency Measures Act, which Mapsalak delivered the Commit- The House held a one-day sitting had been introduced earlier in the tee's interim report on its review of on September 17 to consider a mo- year by Community and Govern- the bills during the fall sitting. Fur- tion proposed by Cambridge Bay ment Services Minister and Rankin ther hearings on the bills are sched- MLA Keith Peterson and seconded Inlet South-Whale Cove MLA uled to be held in December 2007. by Hunter Tootoo. The motion cen- Levinia Brown. A number of bills were intro- sured Premier Okalik for certain In two cases, recommendations duced in the fall sitting. These in- comments that he made at a public have been made that certain bills cluded a proposed new Education event held earlier in the year. The that had been introduced earlier in Act, introduced by Education Min- Premier apologized for his com- the year not proceed any further in ister Ed Picco; a proposed new Mid- ments and urged all Members to the legislative process and be al- wifery Profession Act, introduced by support the motion, which was lowed to fall off the order paper. Health and Social Services Minister adopted unanimously. The Standing Committee on Infra- and Nattilik MLA Leona On November 8, the House unan- structure, Housing and Economic Aglukkaq; and a proposed new En- imously adopted a motion intro- Development, chaired by Rankin gineers and Geoscientists Act, intro- duced by Mr. Peterson and Inlet North MLA Tagak Curley, ducedbyPremierandJustice seconded by Ms. Brown that called C.M., recommended that Bill 5, An Minister . on the Government of Canada to in- Act to Amend the Local Authorities Auditor General Sheila Fraser crease the residency portion of the Elections Act, be allowed to fall off has submitted two reports during Northern Residents Deduction. the order paper. 2007 to the Legislative Assembly on The Fourth Session will recon- The Standing Committee on Gov- performance audits undertaken by vene on February 19, 2008, for the ernment Operations and Account- her office. In June, she appeared be- winter sitting. ability, chaired by Centre fore the Standing Committee on MLA Hunter Tootoo,recom- Government Operations and Ac- mended that Bill 13, the proposed countability during its review of her Nunavut Energy Efficiency Act,beal- report on the Financial Assistance lowed to fall off the order paper. for Nunavut Students program. Following the presentation on No- Committee Chair Tootoo presented vember 8, 2007, of Mr. Tootoo's re- the Standing Committee's own re- Alex Baldwin port on the Standing Committee's port to the House on November 7. Director, Research and review of the Bill, Energy Minister On November 5, Speaker Kilabuk Library Services and MLA Ed Picco rose tabled the Auditor General's report to move a motion to have Bill 13 re- on the Nunavut Business Credit ferred to the Committee of the Corporation. The Auditor General Whole. Speaker Peter Kilabuk is scheduled to appear before the

WINTER 2007/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 63 Premier designate Brad Wall October of 2006. Eugene McGinley quickly announced that his govern- resigned as Speaker of the Legisla- ment would introduce legislation to tive Assembly and was sworn in as set the provincial election date as Minister of State for Seniors and the first Monday in November ev- Minister of State for Housing. ery four years. He then announced was appointed Minis- that the next election would fall on ter of Human Resources. November 7, 2011. The cabinet was Three additional portfolios sworn in on November 21st. which were under the responsibil- Despite seeing his government ity of other ministers were an- defeated, outgoing Premier Lorne nounced as separate ministries: Hédard Albert, former Minister of n October 10th, the 25th Legis- Calvert retained a sizable caucus of Human Resources, was appointed lature was dissolved and a gen- experienced members. Several vet- O Minister of Wellness, Culture and eral election called for November eran members of his administration Sport and Minister responsible for 7th. The standings in the Assembly had chosen not to seek re-election the Francophonie; Carmel were 30 New Democrats and 28 and of those that did, all but five Robichaud, former Minister of members of the Saskatchewan were successful. Those defeated in- Family and Community Services Party. When all of the ballots were cluded Ministers Graham Addley, and Minister responsible for the counted, the Saskatchewan Party Lon Borgerson, Maynard Sonntag Status of Women, was appointed received 52% of the popular vote and Mark Wartman and a former Minister of Local Government and and a majority 38 seats in the As- Speaker, Glenn Hagel. Minister responsible for Commu- sembly. The New Democrats saw In anticipation of a delayed fall nity Non-profit Organizations, and its share of the popular vote fall to sitting in December, administrative , former Minister of 36% and 20 seats. The Liberal Party and procedural orientations were State for Seniors and Housing, be- under David Karwacki received offered to the newly elected Mem- came Minister of Family and Com- only 9% of the popular vote and no bers in late November. The first or- munity Services and Minister seats. The composition of the new der of business when the Assembly Responsible for the Status of Assembly will include seventeen convenes will be the election of a Women. Minister of Health, Mi- new Members and an eighteenth, new Speaker. Speaker Myron chael Murphy was appointed Gov- Bill Boyd, who returns to the House Kowalsky, who chose not to run in ernment House Leader replacing after not running in the 2003 general the election, will continue in office who retains his election. Women now hold thirteen until the day before the first session portfolio as Minister of Tourism of the total 58 seats, an increase of of the 26th Legislature. and Parks. two from the previous Legislature. The success of the Saskatchewan Margaret (Meta) Woods The Second Session of the 56th Party campaign was noteworthy for Clerk Assistant Legislature convened at 11 a.m. No- several reasons. Premier designate vember 27 when Members elected Brad Wall's government will be the former Deputy Speaker and first formed by the Saskatchewan long-time educator Party since the party's creation in as Speaker before recessing until 3 August 1997. The seats gained by p.m. for the delivery of the Speech the party included three in Regina, from the Throne by His Honour long a bastion of NDP strength, Herménégilde Chiasson, Lieuten- three additional seats in ant-Governor. and one each in Moose Jaw and Throne Speech Prince Albert. The in-roads made by the Saskatchewan Party in the The Throne Speech proposed a leg- urban centers suggested that the islative agenda to set in motion split between urban and rural vot- n October 31, 2007, Premier transformative change toward a ing patterns that were so evident in OShawn Graham announced self-sufficient New Brunswick. the 1999 and 2003 elections were the first changes to Cabinet since the Among the highlights: a balanced weakening. Liberal Government took office in budget for 2008-2009; the mandate

64 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / WINTER 2007 of Service New Brunswick to ex- the best model for a post-secondary Kenny remains one of the Deputy pand; government departments educationsysteminNewBruns- Speakers. will transfer customer-facing ser- wick and an accompanying imple- Opposition Reply vices to Service New Brunswick; a mentation plan early next year; new Provincial Health Plan to be in- amendments to the Workers' Com- In critiquing the Throne Speech, troduced; amendments to the Phar- pensation Act will respect presump- Opposition Leader Jeannot Volpé macists Act to enable pharmacists to tive cancer coverage for firefighters; stated that: “The speech from the prescribe certain drugs; midwifery minimum wage will increase to throne, like the Action Plan to be to be regulated; legislation to legal- $7.75 an hour by April 2008; a popu- Self-Sufficient, can be summed up in ize living wills and to provide for lation growth strategy to be intro- one word: hope.” substitute decision makers to make duced; investment initiatives to be Mr. Volpé noted that trusting in health care decisions; a Task Force introduced to support the agricul- hope is not taking control of the fu- on Access to Family Justice to report ture and aquaculture sectors to con- ture. People need leadership. He on options for increasing access to tribute to self-sufficiency; claimed that “'s Lib- justice in family law disputes; pay government to address the issue of eral government has no confidence day lenders legislation to set limits access to capital for new and grow- in New Brunswickers” noting that it on the cost of borrowing; manda- ing small businesses through the has canceled the tuition rebate pro- tory coroner's inquests for work- newly launched NB Growth pro- gram that promoted higher educa- place fatalities to be instituted; a gram; the result of the $2.5-million tion; it has cut the budget for Domestic Violence Death Review feasibility study into a potential sec- highway infrastructure by $60 mil- Committee to be established. ond nuclear generating station at lion; it increased small business Point Lepreau to be announced; Other highlights: A Commis- taxes by 500%, which will affect re- government to consider policy op- sioner on the Future of Local Gover- search, innovation, and new tions for community wind develop- nance is examining the structure product development. and organization of the province's ment initiatives and review NB According to Mr. Volpé, the local government; targeted prop- Power's renewable portfolio stan- self-sufficiency plan, like the Lib- erty tax relief to be introduced to dard to ensure that it reaches its eral government's speech from the help with the tax burden associated maximum potential in renewable throne, is not for all New with rising assessments; new per- energy; feasibility study to be Brunswickers-only for the friends formance-based standards for mu- launched into bringing natural gas on the campaign bus....He claimed nicipal wastewater effluent from to northern New Brunswick; the that during its first year in office, the wastewater treatment facilities to be Electricity Act to be reviewed to en- Liberal government systematically adopted; a Special Committee of sure that the utility structure and attacked the very foundations of Cabinet on Early Childhood Devel- the electricity market adequately re- prosperity in this province. opment and Care to be appointed; a flect the self sufficiency goals and long-term plan for early learning energy hub agenda;as outlined in In concluding, he noted that “the and child care to be tabled; the I'm the Charter for Change, initial fund- provincial economy is built on en- Ready for School initiative to be intro- ing of the $100-million Northern hanced productivity and competi- duced; government to establish and New Brunswick Initiative to im- tiveness. New Brunswickers must invest in 22 community schools in prove the economic infrastructure be given the necessary tools for 2007-2008, with support from local of the northern counties of our training and education. This train- communities and the private sector; province will be allocated in ing must meet their needs and those a Diversity in Learning initiative 2008-2009; a trust fund for the of business. It must also be ongoing will support trades and vocational Petitcodiac River to be established so that it enables people to con- education; a learning disabilities and planning to begin for the resto- stantly adapt to a changing world. strategy focussing on on early de- ration of the Petitcodiac River. The training will enable them to be tection and intervention to be Bernard LeBlanc moved the Ad- more productive, and this will raise launched; a literacy strategy to be dress in Reply to the Speech from their salaries. Once the employee released; a working group consider- the Throne which was seconded by makes a product, it must be deliv- ing the recommendations of the Joan MacAlpine-Stiles. The House ered to the client, who often lives Commission on Post-Secondary Ed- adopted a motion appointing Bill outside the province. That means ucation's report will recommend Fraser as Deputy Speaker. Brian that a good infrastructure and tele- communications system are

WINTER 2007/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 65 needed. When the product is deliv- committee for the consideration of On Opening Day, almost 2,000 ered, it usually generates taxable in- estimates instead of the Standing people watched via live webcast the come. A competitive taxation Committee on Estimates, allowing proceedings for the election of system enables businesses to keep government more discretion on Speaker and delivery of the Throne part of the profits to reinvest in mar- controlling the various stages of Speech. In addition, hundreds of keting or new technology. Innova- Government Bills, expediting the people watched the recorded pro- tion and new technology will enable passage of appropriation Bills ceedings via webcast later that day. businesses to make progress and in- through the House, and allowing The proceedings continue to be novate to become more competitive, the Opposition to set the agenda on available via the Legislative Assem- create opportunities in the market, Thursdays with regard to Opposi- bly website, www.gnb.ca/legis. and create even more jobs.” tion Members' Business The sculpture Britannia, which Mr. Volpé submitted this is the (Opposition Members' Public Bills has stood at the top of the central Progressive Conservative plan to and Motions). north entrance pediment of the Leg- build a more prosperous New The Select Committee on islative Assembly building for over Brunswick, building New Bruns- Wellness will hold public hearings 125 years, was recently removed as wick with New Brunswickers, by in January and February of 2008. part of an ongoing refurbishment of giving them the necessary tools and The Committee will travel to vari- the building's roof and masonry. by rewarding success instead of en- ous communities in the province to The sculpture had to be removed so couraging failure. hear from citizens on the impor- that the pediment roof could be re- tance of adopting and maintaining inforced, as it had greatly deterio- New Rules healthy lifestyles. In addition, the rated over the years. Conservation Committee will hold a series of repairs to the Britannia sculpture New rules outlined in the First Re- meetings aimed at engaging citi- will be carried out in the winter of port of the Standing Committee on zens and stakeholders in discus- 2008. Procedure tabled by Committee sionsonwellnessandon It is expected that the govern- Vice-chair and Min- understanding the interconnection ister of Education, were adopted ment will introduce the capital bud- between wellness and other public get and a number of initiatives and November 28. The new rules pro- policy areas. The Committee aims to pose to facilitate and expedite the pieces of legislation prior to the stimulate dialogue and to better Christmas break. transaction of business in the House identify the roles and responsibili- by capping debate on departmental ties of citizens, stakeholders and Loredana Catalli Sonier estimates at 80 hours, retaining the government as agents of change Clerk of the Legislative Assembly Committee of Supply as the main with respect to wellness.

66 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW / WINTER 2007