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Home , Akulliq, Allan Rumbolt, Amittuq, Bernard LeBlanc, Enuk Pauloosie, Interim leader (Canada)

Legislative Reports

-Mandating that elections be tember 8, 2008 Ralph Eichler (PC – held every four years in Lakeside) brought forward a mo- October; tion to debate the issue of flooding -Establishing an annual mailing and excess moisture conditions expense budget for caucuses which had created severe chal- and Members. lenges in several regions of Mani- toba, including the negative impact § Bill 38 – The Balanced Budget, Fiscal on the agriculture sector, local gov- Management and Taxpayer Account- ability Act, which replaces The Bal- ernments, businesses and citizens. Manitoba anced Budget, Debt Repayment and On September 10, 2008 Kevin Taxpayer Accountability Act and estab- Lamoureux (Independent Liberal – lishes new requirements for fiscal ac- Inkster) initiated a debate on Air he 2nd session of the 39th Legis- countability and balanced budgets. ’s announcement of plans to lature adjourned to the call of § Bill 45 – The Teachers’ Pensions Amend- T close its flight attendant base in the Speaker on October 9, 2008 fol- ment Act – which changes the Teacher’s pension cost-of-living ad- Winnipeg. lowing a busy fall sitting. justment through the pension adjust- A number of Bills held over from ment account. The Manitoba Public Accounts the spring session proceeded this § Bill 47 – The Centreport Canada Act – Committee met in September and fall through Report Stage and Con- which creates CentrePort Canada, a October to consider Auditor Gen- private-sector focused corporation eral’s reports on Hecla Island Land currence and Third Reading. The focussed on developing and promot- House spent a great deal of this time ing Manitoba’s inland port. The cor- and Property Transactions, a re- on Report Stage, with close to 100 poration will build on the province’s view of the Workers Compensation well-established network of air, rail, Board, as well as the Manitoba Pub- Report Stage Amendments being sea and trucking routes. considered in September and Octo- lic Accounts for the last fiscal year. Additionally, the House passed ber. The Committee expressed a desire the following Private Member’s to meet again before the end of the Several Government Bills re- Bills: year. ceived Royal Assent before the end From October 16 to 19 2008, of the session, including: § Bill 232 – the Public Schools Amendment George Hickes Act (Anaphylaxis Policies) (sponsored Speaker hosted the § Bill 17 – The Environment Amendment by Erin Selby – NDP, Southdale) 30th Commonwealth Parliamen- Act (Permanent Ban on Building or Ex- which requires school boards to de- tary Association (CPA) Canadian panding Hog Facilities), which prohib- velop an anaphylaxis policy to meet Regional Seminar. Held at the its the construction or expansion of the needs of pupils who have serious confined livestock areas for pigs and allergies. Fairmont Hotel and the Manitoba pig manure storage facilities in speci- § Bill 300 – the Royal Lake Of The Woods Legislature, the seminar featured fied areas of Manitoba. Yacht Club Incorporation Amendment business sessions covering the fol- § Bill 37 – The Lobbyists Registration Act Act (sponsored by Heather lowing topics: and Amendments to the Elections Act, Stefanson –PC,Tuxedo)which amends the object of the club and re- the Elections Finances Act, the Legisla- w tive Assembly Act and the Legislative As- peals provisions about issuing stock Urban Rural Disconnect in the club. sembly Management Commission Act, w Newfoundland and Labrador which introduces a wide range of amendments, including: Audit Committee -Requiring the registration of The House also devoted some w Rural Development Initiatives in people who lobby the govern- time to the consideration of two Prince Edward Island ment, government agencies or Matters of Urgent Public Impor- w Nurse Recruitment and Retention Members of the Legislative As- tance, debated with the unanimous sembly. agreement of the House. On Sep- w The Role of Private Members’ Legislation and Public Policy

WINTER 2008-2009/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 33 Barnhart read the prorogation instead forced them to wait until The 3rd session of the 39th Mani- speech. next year for relief. toba Legislature began on Thurs- The second session of the Sas- Procedural Matters day, November 20, 2008 with a katchewan Assembly opened later . that afternoon. Under the title “A In the opening days of the session, stronger Saskatchewan, a better the government took advantage of a Rick Yarish life”, The Lieutenant Governor out- new rule that permitted a public bill Clerk Assistant / lined the government's plans for en- considered in a previous session to Clerk of Committees suring continued economic growth be reinstated to the Order Paper in and the participation of all the following session if done within Saskatchewanians in the province's five sitting days of the commence- new prosperity. ment of the fall session. On October Brad Wall laid the foun- 23rd, Government House Leader dation for his administration's plans Rod Gantefoer gave notice that he a day earlier with the announce- would be moving the reinstatement ment of income tax reductions, an of Bill No. 9 - The Superannuation additional $1 billion to pay down (Supplementary Provisions) Amend- the provincial debt and a 50% in- ment Act, 2008. The motion to rein- crease in infrastructure invest- state the bill was subsequently Saskatchewan ments. The Throne Speech adopted and the bill was replaced enumerated a number of further on the Order Paper at the same stage initiatives, including: it had reached during the previous ne week before the scheduled session. Pursuant to the Rules of the fall opening, the Leader of the O w New educational and training Assembly, the bill is designated a Opposition and former Premier, programs particularly targeted at specified bill and the amount of Lorne Calvert, announced that he engaging First Nations and Métis time previously spent considering would be stepping down as leader people and a commitment to en- it is carried forward to the current of the Saskatchewan New Demo- able libraries to expand their ser- vices and programs; session. cratic Party. Mr. Calvert first en- tered the Assembly in 1986 and w Equitable income support and Assembly Officer served in the of Roy services for persons with disabili- ties; Romanow before himself becoming In a letter dated October 22, 2008, the NDP leader and Premier in 2001. w Environmental programs to con- Chief Electoral Officer Jean Ouellet He represented a Moose Jaw con- trol greenhouse gas emissions, a submitted his resignation to the comprehensive water manage- stituency from 1986 until 1999 and Speaker effective immediately. Mr. ment plan and exploring further Ouellet had held the position since has been the MLA for Saskatoon the potential of clean coal and Riversdale since 2001. Mr. Calvert nuclear energy; 2004 after serving in a variety of will continue to lead his party until w electoral positions with Elections Democratic reforms to restrict Canada and Elections Saskatche- a new leader is chosen at a conven- government advertisement prior tion in June 2009. to provincial elections and the wan. Speaker Don Toth announced election of nominees for appoint- that the position will be filled in an Fall Sitting ment to the Senate. acting capacity until a new Chief Electoral Officer could be selected Saskatchewan politicians reassem- Mr. Calvert responded on behalf through a national competition. bled in Regina early on October of the Official Opposition by chal- 22nd to welcome a new colleague lenging the Premier to explain how and to prorogue the first session. the government's approach would Margaret (Meta) Woods Doyle Vermette was formally pre- make Saskatchewan “this year Clerk Assistant sented in the Assembly by Mr. country”. It was Mr. Calvert's asser- Calvert and deputy leader Pat tion that the government's agenda Atkinson before taking his seat to did little to address or alleviate the hear Lieutenant Governor Gordon pressures facing the populace but

34 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/WINTER 2008-2009 w Bill No. 63, Act to Amend the Se- Inverarity (, Lib- niors Income Supplement Act eral) and Mr. Cardiff - are currently finalizing their report, which is due In addition, Steve Cardiff to be tabled in the Assembly on (Mount Lorne, NDP) introduced a Thursday, November 20th. private member's bill, Young Worker Protection Act, which has been des- Special adjournment motion ignated Bill No. 109. Standing Order 75(1) stipulates that Private Member's Motion the House shall sit a maximum of 60 days per calendar year. As the The recent federal election was the House sat for 32 days in the 2008 n October 8, the Premier of Yu- subject of debate on October 29th, Spring Sitting, 28 days remain avail- Okon, (Watson the first private member's day of the able for the Fall Sitting. Given the Lake, ), pursuant to 2008 Fall Sitting. Steve Nordick October 23rd start date the House Standing Order 73(2), informed the (Klondike, Yukon Party) moved: would have to adjourn by Thurs- Speaker, Ted Staffen,thathe day, December 11 at the latest. THAT this House urges the wished to have the 2008 Fall Sitting to re- However, on October 29th the of the First Session of the 32nd Leg- view the effects of recent government House leader, Brad islative Assembly convene on Octo- changes to the Canada Elections Cathers (Lake Laberge, Yukon Act regarding information vot- ber 23rd. The Speaker informed ers are required to present to Party) gave notice of the following Members of the Premier's request prove identity, to determine if motion: and the House met on that date. identification requirements need to be adjusted to prevent Legislation Northern residents from being THAT this House shall stand deprived of the ability to exer- adjourned from its rising on cise their democratic right to Thursday, November 6, 2008 Pursuant to Standing Order 74 the vote. until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, government introduced all legisla- November 12, 2008. tion to be dealt with during the Fall Fifteen of the House's 18 mem- Sitting by October 30th, the fifth sit- The intent of the motion was that bers spoke to the motion, many of ting day. The eleven bills intro- the House not sit on Monday, No- them recounting incidents of con- duced were: vember 10th so that MLAs could be stituents who were unable to vote in their electoral districts for Re- w due to new voter identification re- Bill No. 12, Second Appropriation membrance Day. On October 30th Act, 2008-09 quirements. After two and a half Mr. Cathers requested unanimous w hours of debate the motion was car- Bill No. 54, Electoral District consent to debate the motion. Unan- ried by a vote of 15-0. Boundaries Act imous consent was granted and the w Bill No. 55, Act to Amend the Social Select Committee on Human motion was adopted after a brief Assistance Act Rights debate. w Bill No. 56, Act to Amend the Terri- The adoption of the motion does torial Lands (Yukon) Act The Select Committee on Human Rights held 15 public hearings in 15 not alter the fact that the Assembly w Bill No. 57, Act to Amend the Min- Yukon communities during Sep- still has a maximum of 28 sitting ers Lien Act tember and October. It also received days available for the 2008 Fall Sit- w Bill No. 58, Act to Amend the 24 written submissions. Eight of ting. However, now the House will Quartz Mining Act those submissions came from indi- have to adjourn by Monday, De- cember 15th at the latest. w Bill No. 59, Forest Resources Act viduals, while the others were sub- mitted by a diverse group of entities w Bill No. 60, Act to Amend the Judica- CCPAC/CCOLA Conference ture Act including the Yukon Human Rights From September 7 to 9 the Standing w Commission, the Nacho Nyak Dun Bill No. 61, Act to Amend the Mu- Committee on Public Accounts and nicipal Act First Nation, and the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition. The com- the Office of the Auditor General of w Bill No. 62, Act to Amend the Ani- mittee members - Canada co-hosted the 2008 confer- mal Protection Act (Pelly-Nisutlin, Yukon Party), Don ence of the Canadian Council of

WINTER 2008-2009/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 35 Public Accounts Committees and 39th Legislature is scheduled to take was a member of the Committee on the Canadian Council of Legislative place on 13 January 2009. the National Assembly until 2003. Auditors. Yukon last hosted the Resignation of the President of Re-elected in 2003 and in 2007, he Public Accounts Committees con- the Assembly held the office of President of the ference in 1985. The conference ini- National Assembly, while acting as tially attracted 95 delegates, 12 On July 14, 2008, Michel Bissonnet chair of the Office of the National observers and 39 guests. However, notified the Secretary General of the Assembly and chair of the Commit- with the dissolution of the 39th Par- Assembly of his resignation as Pres- tee on the National Assembly. liament and the subsequent issue of ident of the National Assembly be- The contribution of Mr. Bissonnet writs for the federal election, dozens ginning on this date. Following his to the progress and outreach of the of registrants had to cancel their election as mayor of the National Assembly is considerable. plans to travel to . Con- Saint-Léonard borough, in In 2005, he was awarded the rank of ference highlights included a pre- Montréal, he also resigned from his Grand-Croix, the highest distinc- sentation by J. Derek Green, Chief office of Member on September 24, tion of the Ordre de la Pléiade. Dur- JusticeoftheSupremeCourtof 2008. First elected in the electoral di- ing the festivities of the 400th Newfoundland & Labrador, on his vision of Jeanne-Mance, in the gen- anniversary of Québec City, he re- Report of the Review Commission eral election of 1981, Mr. Bissonnet ceived the rank of Officer of the on Constituency Allowances and was re-elected on six other occa- Ordrenationaldelalégion Related Matters. Many conference sions, in 1985, 1989, 1994, 1998, 2003 d'honneur de la République participants also took the opportu- and 2007. In addition to defending française for having distinguished nity to travel on the scenic White the interests of his riding, as early as himself as the Québec public figure Pass & Yukon Route railway from 1981, he was Official Opposition having excelled by his contribution Fraser, BC to Skagway, Alaska. critic in several sectors (communi- to France-Québec relations or to the cations, consumer protection, ac- Francophonie. Floyd McCormick cess to information, the taxi issue) The Société du 400e anniversaire Clerk and was a member of various stand- de la Ville de Québec wished to un- ing committees. derline the commitment of Mr. From 1985 to 1989, he was caucus Bissonnet and the importance he chair of the Québec Liberal Party granted to celebrating 400 years of and member of the Office of the Na- traditions and political institutions tional Assembly. From 1989 to 1994, in Québec City by awarding him the he was vice-president of the Na- commemorative medal of the 400th tional Assembly. During this pe- anniversary. riod, he was a member of the parliamentary committee to orga- Election of the new President of nize the celebrations surrounding the Assembly n November 5, 2008, Premier the Bicentennial of Québec's Parlia- Upon the resumption of proceed- met with Lieuten- mentary Institutions from 1990 to O ings, last October 21, under the ant-Governor Pierre Duchesne to 1992. Re-elected in 1994, he was presidency of the longest-serving ask him to dissolve the current leg- deputy whip for the Official Oppo- Member of the Assembly, islature. sition until 1997 and subsequently Henri-François Gautrin,Member The 38th Legislature had begun held the office of vice-chairman of for Verdun, the parliamentarians on April 5, 2007. At its dissolution, the Committee on Transportation elected their new President by on November 5, 2008, the Assembly and the Environment until 1998. secret ballot. was composed as follows: Québec Following the elections held in When the period for declaring Liberal Party, 48 Members, Action 1998, he was third vice-president of candidacies had expired, the official démocratique du Québec, 39 Mem- the National Assembly. Inciden- list contained the names of François bers; Parti Québécois, 36 Members; tally, he was the first vice-president Gendron, Member for Abitibi- 2 vacant seats. from the Official Opposition, a tra- dition that the Parliament has up- Ouest (PQ), and Yvon Vallières, Although subject to change, the Member for Richmond (QLP). opening of the First Session of the held ever since. In this capacity, he

36 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/WINTER 2008-2009 The day of the election, after the Change of allegiance hailing from Africa, America and first ballot, the Member for Europe came together on the occa- Abitibi-Ouest, having obtained a On October 23, 2008, two Members sion of the 400th anniversary of number of votes equivalent to the of the Action démocratique du Qué- Québec City. bec, Pierre-Michel Auger (Cham- majority of the valid votes cast, was This event was one among other plain) and André Riedl (Iberville), declared elected President of the parliamentary Francophonie activi- decided to change allegiance by National Assembly of Québec. ties held in Québec City from July 1 joining the Québec Liberal Party. Holder of a degree in education to 7, namely the 24th session of the and in business administration, Mr. Interparliamentary relations Assemblée régionale Amérique de Gendron has been a Member for 32 l'APF and the Conférence des years. He was elected as a Member During a ceremony held at the Na- présidents d'assemblée of the Parti Québécois in the elec- tional Assembly of Québec, on July parlementaire de la Francophonie, toral division of Abitibi-Ouest for 13, 2008, the French Government followed by the 34th session of the the first time in 1976, and he has wished to mark its friendly rela- APF, the meeting of the Network of been re-elected without interrup- tions with Québec by honouring 14 Women Parliamentarians and the tion ever since. During his career, he Quebecers who excelled in their Ordre de la Pléiade awards cere- has held several ministerial func- respective activities, in addition to mony in which 17 public figures tions, particularly those of Minister bringing an important contribution were honoured for their remarkable of the Public Service, Minister of to promoting France-Québec rela- contribution to the outreach of the Education and Minister of Natural tions or the Francophonie. . Resources. Furthermore, over the President Bissonnet was made an A few days before the resumption years, he has also assumed several Officer of the Ordre national de la of the fall parliamentary proceed- parliamentary functions, among Légion d'honneur de la République ings, within the framework of the them: Deputy Government House française, the First Vice-President, 12th Sommet de la Francophonie, Leader, Official Opposition House Fatima Houda-Pepin, received the the President of the French Repub- Leader, Third Vice-President of the insigns of Knight for her action in lic, Mr. Sarkozy, delivered an ad- Assembly, Interim Leader of the promoting interculturalism, dress before all of the Members Second Opposition Group. At the women's rights, the Francophonie gathered together in the Chamber of time of his election, Mr. Gendron and relations between the National the National Assembly before sign- held the office of House Leader of Assembly of Québec and of France. ing the distinguished visitors book the Second Opposition Group. They were awarded these honours and receiving the President's by General Jean-Pierre Kelche, By-election medal. Great Chancellor of the Légion d'honneur, within the framework of Parliamentary simulation The new Minister of Health and So- the 400th anniversary of Québec cial Services appointed by Premier City celebrations. The Intergenerational Parliament Charest, , general prac- was the final activity organized by The Premier of Québec, Mr. titioner since 1981 and coroner since the National Assembly to underline Charest, will be awarded the medal 1985, was elected on September 29, the 400th anniversary of Québec of the Légion d'honneur française in the electoral division of City. Its proceedings took place by President Nicolas Sarkozy, dur- Jean-Talon, following the resigna- from September 15 to 17 under the ing a later ceremony. He will re- tion of , last June honorary presidency of Jean ceive the highest distinction, that of 25. Leclerc, of the Société du 400e Commander of the Ordre national anniversaire de Québec, with the Resignation de la Légion d'honneur. participation of former Olympic On July 4, 2008, the presidents On Wednesday, October 22, Rus- skier Mélanie Turgeon, who acted and vice-presidents of 45 Parlia- sell Copeman announced his resig- as lieutenant-governor. ments of the Francophonie unani- nation as Member for the electoral Under the presidency of Mrs. mously adopted a final declaration division of Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. Houda-Pepin, over 100 representa- onthemeasurestotaketo Owing to this departure, there were tives from all generations (from 12 strengthen parliamentary democ- two vacant seats in the Assembly. to 80 years) and hailing from several racy. At the initiative of President regions throughout Québec drafted Bissonnet, these parliamentarians an Intergenerational Charter stating

WINTER 2008-2009/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 37 the ideals and aspirations of the par- Standing Committees public service pensioners especially ticipants and bridging the gap be- concerned by this matter. tween all generations. Various mandates were carried out by the standing committees of the Orders of Initiative The following themes were dis- National Assembly from August to cussed by the participants: The Committee on Social Affairs October 2008. The following is an held three days of public hearings overview. w the rights and duties of citizens; in Montréal on September 29 and 30 Orders of the Assembly w health, security, protection; and on October 1 within the frame- work of its order of initiative on w the environment and the living A motion was carried on May 14, environment; homelessness in Québec. On this oc- 2008 in which the National Assem- casion, the Committee members w education, socialization and em- bly ordered the Committee on Insti- heard thirty-five agencies and were ployment. tutions to examine and make a also able to hear homeless persons Internship programme report, by October 10, 2008, on the or those who had already been in nature and context of the signing of this situation. Approximately three Each year, the scholarship the contract granted to Attractions hundred people attended these programme of the Fondation Hippiques by the Government of public hearings. The Members also Jean-Charles-Bonenfant awards Québec, and hear the persons it took the opportunity while in five $18,000 scholarships and wel- deemed necessary. The Committee Montréal to visit agencies that help comes young Québec university on Institutions held public hearings the homeless. graduates for a ten-month intern- for this purpose last August 27, 28 The Committee is continuing its ship at the National Assembly and 29. During the three days of regional tour this autumn by which comprises three components: hearings, the Committee heard visiting the cities of Trois-Rivières more than a dozen persons, includ- and Gatineau, before concluding its w the discovery of the National As- ing Senator Paul J. Massicotte, proceedings in Québec City. Inci- sembly and a comparative study owner of Attractions Hippiques, the dentally, the Committee is holding with other Canadian and foreign Auditor General of Québec, the parliamentary institutions; an on-line consultation on home- Minister of Finance and the chair- lessness to allow all citizens to give w the twinning, in alternation, with man and chief officer of their opinion on this important a Member from the parliamentary Loto-Québec. group forming the Government issue. The Committee on Public Finance and an opposition Member; The Committee on Culture held also was given a mandate by a mo- w two days of public hearings within the drafting of an essay on the par- tion carried at the National Assem- liamentary institutions of Québec. the framework of its order of initia- bly last May 28. Pursuant to the tive aiming to examine the situation provisions of this motion, the Com- as regards the dubbing of movies mittee was to hear, before October The 2008-2009 interns are: and television series in Québec. The 21, 2008, the members of the work- Marie-Astrid Ospina D'Amours Committee is especially interested ing committee on the assessment of and Pierre-Olivier Legault- in the issues surrounding the DVD the cost of pension plan indexing. Tremblay, holder of a master's de- and new technologies fields. These The mandate of this working com- gree in international relations; hearings allowed the Committee to mittee, formed following a motion Olivier Bégin-Caouette,bachelor hear eleven persons and agencies carried at the National Assembly on of psychology, Marc-André directly related to this sector of October 16, 2007, was to determine Turcotte, bachelor of international activities. the main parameters and pertinent relations and international law, and facts relating to public and Statutory Orders Pierre-Luc Turgeon, bachelor of po- parapublic sector pension plan in- litical science. dexing. The hearing with the six The Committee on Transportation members of this working committee and the Environment held special Francine Boivin Lamarche consultations on two bills in Sep- Secretariat of the National Assembly took place last September 30. Sev- eral persons attended this sitting, tember and October 2008. Six days particularly the representatives of of public hearings were held on Bill the main associations of Québec's 92, An Act to affirm the collective na- ture of water resources and provide for

38 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/WINTER 2008-2009 increased water resource protection. At the end of the Spring session, Thirty persons and agencies came members of the Standing Commit- before the Committee members tee on Community Affairs and Eco- within the framework of these con- nomic Development agreed to sultations. The Committee then set undertake a review of rural devel- aside two sittings to hold special opment in Prince Edward Island. consultations and public hearings Over the summer, the committee on Bill 96, An Act to amend the Act re- met with representatives from the specting transportation services by newly-created Department of Rural taxi. This bill aims, among other Development to receive a briefing things, to improve the quality of Prince Edward Island on the Department's mandate. The handicapped accessible taxi ser- Department stated they would put vices. Eight groups were heard on he standing committees main- forth a rural development strategy this occasion. Ttained a busy and productive within the coming twelve months Accountability schedule during the last quarter. and noted that the committee's re- The Standing Committee on Ag- view of rural development would In pursuance of the authority vested riculture, Forestry and Environ- certainly benefit the Department in therein by the Standing Orders and ment held six meetings and their process. The committee de- the Public Administration Act,the received briefings on a variety of cided to solicit submissions from in- Committee on Public Administra- topics related to its mandate. The dividuals and groups from across tion heard the head officers of three committee members also partici- the province and held six meetings agencies. First, it heard the Deputy pated in a fact-finding tour of a in September and October in a num- Minister of Revenue as well as the cranberry harvest in conjunction ber of rural communities. The com- chairman of the Société de with their investigations into the mittee will report its findings in développement des entreprises state of the industry in Prince Ed- November. culturelles concerning financial ward Island. The Standing Committee on So- support given to cultural busi- The Standing Committee on Pub- cial Development has maintained nesses. It then heard the authorities lic Accounts met several times this an active agenda in recent months, of the Ministère de la Santé et des fall with the Auditor General to re- as the committee was mandated by Services sociaux concerning the view his latest annual report to the the Legislative Assembly to review procurement process regarding Legislative Assembly. In addition, the safe use of cell phones in vehi- medical equipment and supplies. the committee is continuing to fol- cles. The committee was also asked Both of these hearings followed up low up on a previous audit con- by the Department of Health to re- on the observations made by the ducted of workforce incentive view proposed amendments to the Auditor General of Québec in his re- programs, the intention of which Smoke-free Places Act. For both is- port published in March 2008. was to facilitate a restructuring of sues, the committee sought public For further information regard- the provincial public service. At the input by advertising for submis- ing the standing committee pro- beginning of October, the Auditor sions and held several meetings to ceedings, please visit the Internet General informed the Standing meet with vested individuals and site of the Québec National Assem- Committee on Public Accounts that groups. Findings will be reported in bly at the following address: he had commenced an audit of the mid-November. www.assnat.qc.ca. Provincial Nominee Program. The The Standing Committee on Fish- program, administered by the pro- eries, Intergovernmental Affairs vincial government, has recently and Transportation concluded its Christina Turcot been the subject of media and com- review of the collapse of Polar Secretariat of Committees munity comment on the appropri- Foods International Inc., a business Translation: Sylvia Ford ateness of its management. The failure which cost Island taxpayers Secretariat of the Assembly committee will decide in the coming approximately $31 million. The weeks whether to embark on their committee's final report will be pre- own review of the program or wait sented to the House in the fall sit- until the Auditor General's audit is ting. completed.

WINTER 2008-2009/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 39 Second Session to Reconvene at a private college. This “outreach learn how each jurisdiction inter- ministry,” as the Manager termed it, prets their Legislative Assembly, The Second Session of the has three purposes: to introduce a and gather ideas that could be used Sixty-third General Assembly, potential new workforce to in interpretive and educational ef- which had adjourned on May 22, Hansard, to advocate the impor- forts at the Legislative Assembly of 2008, after 28 sitting days, will re- tance of transcribing generally, and Prince Edward Island. convene on November 12, 2008. to alert students about a potential Other Matters The resumption of the sitting will career path. In October there were mark the first time in the history of personnel changes within Hansard, As issues such as transportation, the Legislative Assembly of Prince requiring advertisements for posi- Edward Island that the members NAFTA and border security be- tions, interviews, and hiring. tween Eastern Canadian provinces have been recalled to a date speci- fied by a parliamentary calendar. In Legislative Library & Research and Northeastern states become in- Services the spring of 2008, the Legislative creasingly challenging, more Cana- Assembly unanimously adopted a dian leaders must develop solid Since the official opening of the Leg- leadership skills. The Council of recommendation from the Standing islative Library on May 22, 2008, its Committee on Privileges, Rules and State Governments' Eastern Re- staff have been busy establishing gional Conference's Robert J. Private Bills that there be a parlia- services, working with the standing Thompson Eastern Leadership mentary calendar, with the fall sit- committees, and dealing with re- Academy (ELA) helps them do just ting starting on the first sitting day search requests. It was also a very following Remembrance Day, and that. busy conference season. Laura Mor- Paula Biggar, Deputy Speaker of the spring sitting starting during the rell, Research Librarian, attended first week of April each year. The the Legislative Assembly of Prince the directors' meeting of the Associ- Edward Island, was among a select House also decided that 60 days' no- ation of Parliamentary Librarians in tice of the resumption of Assembly group of 31 Northeastern regional Canada, the 24th Annual Interna- and Eastern Canadian leaders cho- business would be provided to all tional Federation of Library Associ- members (previously, a minimum sen this year for the ELA. The pro- ations Pre Conference for Library gram which ran from September of 10 days' notice was required). The and Research Services for Parlia- parliamentary calendar is intended 14-18, 2008, at the University of mentarians, and the World Library Pennsylvania, aims to help the re- to better organize the time of the and Information Congress. House and of members and add a gion's leaders develop skills and ex- Research Officer Ryan Conway amine major policy issues facing the degree of predictability to the legis- has been busy with various research lative schedule. Northeastern United States and requests from MLAs, caucus staff Eastern Canada. Hansard and standing committees. The Re- On September 30, 2008, the Prince search Officer provides support to Edward Island Human Rights Once the House closed for the sum- standing committees through re- Commission announced its first mer, Hansard worked on creating ports and presentations, summaries Award for the Advancement of Hu- indices to the daily debates and the of witness presentations and draft man Rights in the province. The committee transcripts, as well as recommendations for committee re- Commission created the award to continuing to edit committee meet- ports. Recent committee concerns recognize individuals, groups or or- ings and conference proceedings. have included rural development, ganizations that have made signifi- The Manager of Hansard partici- the use of cell phones while driving cant contributions toward the pated in the annual Hansard Asso- andproposedamendmentsto advancement of human rights on ciation of Canada conference, held Prince Edward Island's Smoke free Prince Edward Island. The selection in Fredericton, , Places Act. of the recipient of the Award will be from 25-29 August. In late October In September 2008, the Research based on exceptional achievement the Manager accepted an invitation Officer attended the Parliamentary on a volunteer basis to promote hu- to speak to journalism and medical Visitor Services Association Annual man rights and equality in Prince students at a publicly-funded col- Conference in Edmonton/Jasper, Edward Island as defined in the lege on the subject of transcribing. Alberta. The week long conference Prince Edward Island Human Rights This followed a July address to stu- provided a chance to meet visitor Act. The Award will be presented dents in a legal assistants' program services staff from across Canada,

40 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/WINTER 2008-2009 on December 10, International no avail. So on September 7, 2008, The Standing Committee on Pub- Human Rights Day. went to Governor lic Safety and National Security met Former Premier William Bennett General Michaëlle Jean's residence on August 25. The opposition par- Campbell passed away on Septem- to ask her to dissolve Parliament. ties used their majority to pass a mo- ber 11, 2008. He was a member of Calling the general election tion asking the House of Commons the Legislative Assembly from cancelled 3 by elections scheduled to require that Maxime Bernier tes- 1970-1979, and held various portfo- for September 8 and 1 for September tify about the Couillard affair, lios, including education and fi- 22, and caused 35 bills to die on the which led to his resignation as Min- nance. Following the retirement of Order Paper. In total, 33 MPs chose ister of Foreign Affairs. Premier Alex Campbell from politi- not to run for re election. The Standing Committee on Ca- cal life, won the On election day, October 14, 2008, nadian Heritage held an emergency leadership of the Liberal Party and according to preliminary results meeting on August 26 to discuss the was sworn in as Premier on Septem- supplied by Elections Canada, Ca- budget cuts to a number of cultural ber 18, 1978. His government was nadians elected a minority Conser- programs announced by the Con- defeated in the general election held vative government with 143 MPs-16 servative government. the next year. He remained party more than it had when Parliament On August 27, the Subcommittee leader and leader of the opposition was dissolved. The Liberals won 77 on Oil and Gas and Other Energy until entering federal politics. seats. The NDP won 7 more seats for Prices held its first two meetings. Bennett Campbell won the seat for a total of 37, and the Bloc Québécois The Subcommittee was created to Cardigan in the House of Commons gained 1 for a total of 49. Two Inde- discuss rising gas prices. through a 1981 by election follow- pendent candidates were elected as ing the death of Daniel J. Macdon- well. David Gagnon ald. He took over Macdonald's Committees Procedural Clerk cabinet portfolio and became Minis- ter of Veterans Affairs but lost his A few committees held meetings in seat in the 1984 general election. August, many of which were con- Throughout his life, Mr. Campbell troversial. Because of the minority was very active in community life, government, the opposition party serving as superintendent of insur- MPs were able to control the pro- ance and official trustee for the ceedings of each committee. province. He is survived by his The Standing Committee on Ac- wife, Shirley, and their eight chil- cess to Information, Privacy and dren. Ethics held meetings during the sec- ond week of August (August 11 to Ontario Marian Johnston 14) on the Conservative Party of Clerk Assistant and Canada's 2006 election campaign he Standing Committee on the Clerk of Committees expenses. The meetings were TLegislative Assembly con- marked by many interruptions and ducted its annual review of the On- points of order to try to shut down tario Legislature's television the study. broadcast system as part of the On August 18 and 19, the Stand- Committee's permanent mandate. ing Committee on Agriculture and An issue raised during the review Agri Food met to follow up on the was the fact that a major satellite accidental release of a report con- broadcast distributor was appar- cerning the government's intention ently not interested in renewing the House of Commons to cut the number of food inspec- contract for distribution of the sig- tors. Against the backdrop of the nal which carries the Assembly's or several months, rumours of a listeriosis outbreak, the opposition parliamentary channel (OntParl). Ffall 2008 election swirled. The parties forced the two meetings to Committee Members were con- parties had tried to find some com- be held, at which Agriculture cerned that, with revised channel mon ground before Parliament was Canada officials appeared. programming affecting the OntParl to resume on September 15, but to signal carried by cable providers

WINTER 2008-2009/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 41 and with a decision not to renew the when Speaker Steve Peters ruled per in substitution of the one ruled contract for satellite distribution of that a notice of motion for an Oppo- out of order. the signal, fewer members of the sition Day be removed from the Or- New Standing Orders public would have access to the tele- ders and Notices Paper as it offended vised proceedings of the Ontario the sub judice convention. The no- On Thursday, October 2, 2008, the Legislative Assembly. After further tice, standing in the name of the Standing Committee on the Legisla- discussion the Committee agreed Leader of the Official Opposition tive Assembly presented its report that a letter signed by the Speaker Robert Runciman, requested that to the House on its review during and endorsed by the Committee the Government call a public in- the past summer of the provisional should be sent to the CRTC urging quiry into the circumstances sur- Standing Orders. The key features that coverage of legislative rounding an accused individual's of the new rules provide that on proceedings in Ontario be made bail release. The Speaker ruled on Mondays the House will start its mandatory. the applicability of the sub judice meeting week at 10:30 a.m. (as op- As a result of this discussion and convention to a motion, and posed to the previous 9:00 a.m. review of the television broadcast whether this specific motion of- start) and will begin directly with system, Bob Delaney, who is a fended that convention. Question Period. On Tuesdays, Member of the Legislative Assem- The Speaker ruled that although a Wednesdays and Thursdays, daily bly Committee, introduced a Pri- strict interpretation of Standing Or- sittings will continue to begin at vate Members Notice of Motion on der 23(g) would limit the sub judice 9:00 a.m. Similar to Mondays, how- Thursday, October 9, 2008 which rule to “debate”, a motion provides ever, Question Period will move to read as follows: the context of the debate and there- 10:30 a.m. each day. fore must be subject to the rules of That, in the opinion of this House, Independent Member the Legislative Assembly of debate. The Speaker also cited sup- Ontario should request of the port for this interpretation in the that an precedents and practices of other Of late, the Member for Bruce- amendment be made to the terms jurisdictions. Grey-Owen Sound, Bill Murdoch, of reference governing the has been seated in the Legislative Beyond the strict application of Canadian Radio-television and Assembly as an independent mem- Telecommunications Ontario's sub judice Standing Order, ber. Mr. Murdoch's departure from Commission (CRTC) to ensure the Speaker also examined the mo- the Progressive Conservative cau- that a condition to the CRTC's tion with respect to the broad parlia- granting, or renewal, of a license cus leaves the seat standings in the mentary convention of sub judice. to carry cable, wireless, wireless House at 71 Liberals, 25 Progressive cable or any other type of The Speaker found that the mo- Conservatives, 10 New Democrats television content by every tion: and 1 independent, for a total of 107. distributor in any market is the requirement to broadcast, as part Committees of every basic package of identifies – in every one of its television services or channels, clauses – the names of individ- uals associated with a very se- The Standing Committee on Esti- and using a minimum of one rious incident that is still mates continued its consideration dedicated channel, the legislative before the criminal courts. It proceedings of the province or also draws conclusions on cer- of the 2008-2009 expenditure esti- territory in which the distributor tain evidence and on the ac- mates of selected ministries. An Or- of the television content proposes tions of officials involved in der of the House dated June 17 the administration of criminal to offer service, as supplied to the authorized the Committee to meet distributor by the legislative justice in Ontario. broadcast service in that province twice during the summer adjourn- or territory. ment. During the period Au- Consequently, he ruled that the gust-October, the Committee After 50 minutes of debate during motion offended the sub judice con- completed reviewing the Estimates Private Members' Public Business, vention in that it offered much po- of the following ministries: North- the resolution was carried unani- tential for prejudice to an ongoing ern Development and Mines; Re- mously on a voice vote. criminal proceeding. search and Innovation; Labour; and Speaker's Sub judice Ruling Following this ruling it was Agriculture, Food and Rural agreed with unanimous consent Affairs. A significant procedural ruling was that a new notice of motion be By an Order of the House dated made on Monday, October 27, 2008, placed on the Orders and Notices Pa- October 9, the Committee was au-

42 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/WINTER 2008-2009 thorized to change the order in Upon request from the Commit- vember 4, 2008. In October, the which it will consider the Estimates tee to extend the date by which the Committee began holding public of the remaining selected minis- report was to be tabled, unanimous hearings on Bill 97, An Act to increase tries, and to extend by one week its consent from the House was given access to qualified health professionals period of consideration. The Com- on a motion presented by Michael for all Ontarians by amending the Reg- mittee must now present its report Bryant dated September 24, 2008, ulated Health Professions Act, 1991. on all Estimates considered by the that stated, “notwithstanding the fourth Thursday in November, as order of the House dated May 1, William Short opposed to the third Thursday as 2008, the Standing Committee on Committee Clerk set out in the Standing Orders. the Legislative Assembly shall sub- On September 22, Tim Hudak mit its Report on the Standing Or- presented to the House the Com- ders to the Assembly by October 2, mittee's report with respect to the 2008.” Volume 2 Estimates (those of the On October 2, 2008, Bas Legislative Assembly Offices). Balkissoon,Memberfrom The Standing Committee on Gen- Scarborough-Rouge River and eral Government met to consider Chair of the Standing Committee on Bill 90, An Act to enact the Colleges the Legislative Assembly, pre- Collective Bargaining Act, 2008, to re- sented to the House the Commit- he 4th Session of the 2nd Legis- peal the Colleges Collective Bargaining tee's report entitled Report on the Tlative Assembly of Nunavut re- Act and to make related amendments to Review of the Standing Orders and convened on September 9, 2008. Its other Acts. Under the Bill, collective moved the adoption of the recom- final sitting was held on September bargaining is extended to part time mendation outlined in the report. 18, 2008. and sessional employees of colleges On October 8 and 22, the Stand- There were a total of 178 sitting of applied arts and technology. The ing Committee on Regulations and days during the 2nd Legislative As- Committee also considered Bill 85, Private Bills met, pursuant to its sembly. A total of 96 bills were in- An Act to permit the issuance of photo permanent mandate, to consider its troduced, of which 93 received cards to residents of Ontario and to first draft Report on Regulations of Assent. Five of these bills were in- make complementary amendments to the 39th Parliament. On this occa- troduced under the authority of the the Highway Traffic Act. The bill au- sion, the Committee heard a presen- Management and Services Board of thorizes the Ministry of Transporta- tation by the Registrar of the Legislative Assembly. These tion to issue basic, enhanced and Regulations, and heard statements bills amended statutes under the ju- combined photo cards to the resi- from ministries whose regulations risdiction of the Legislative Assem- dents of Ontario. Basic photo cards are included in the report. The re- bly itself. Two government bills may be issued to anyone who is a port was adopted and tabled in the were ordered withdrawn by order resident of Ontario and does not House on Thursday, October 30, of the House and one bill fell off the hold a valid driver's licence. En- 2008. order paper upon prorogation. hanced photo cards may be issued The Standing Committee on So- Other statistics of note for the 2nd to anyone who is a resident of On- cial Policy completed its consider- Legislative Assembly include: w tario and a Canadian citizen and ation of Bill 77, An Act to provide 560 Ministers' statements were does not hold a valid driver's services to persons with developmental delivered; licence. Combined photo cards may disabilities, to repeal the Developmental w 1,437 Members' statements were be issued to anyone who is a resi- Services Act and to amend certain other delivered; dent of Ontario and a Canadian citi- statutes. On September 22, 2008, the w 1,762 oral questions were posed; zenandwhodoesholdvalid bill was reported back with certain w 79 written questions were posed; driver's licence. amendments to the House for Third w On September 24, 2008, the Reading, and it received Royal As- 14 committee reports were pre- Standing Committee on the Legisla- sent on October 8, 2008. The Com- sented; tive Assembly met for the purpose mittee also completed its draft w 732 documents were tabled; and of writing its Report on the review report on the review of the Personal w 101 formal motions were consid- of the Standing Orders. Health Information Protection Act, ered. 2004, and tabled its report on No-

WINTER 2008-2009/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 43 Three major pieces of legislation The by-election was necessitated w Moses Aupaluktuq (Baker Lake) were passed by the 2nd Legislative due to the cancellation of the Octo- w ( Assembly during its 4th Session, in- ber 27 election in the constituency. North) cluding a new Education Act, a new Under the Nunavut Elections Act, w Ron Elliott () Official Languages Act and a new which was passed by the Legislative w Language Protection Act. Under Assembly in 2002, candidates are Adamee Komoartok () section 38 of the federal Nunavut required to have been resident in Act, the Official Languages Act re- Nunavut for a consecutive period of w (Rankin Inlet quires the concurrence of Parlia- at least twelve months prior to elec- South-Whale Cove) ment by way of a resolution. tion day. w () Other business transacted by the On September 26, 2008, Chief w ( West) House during its final sitting in- Electoral Officer Sandy Kusugak w () cluded the appointment of Norman exercised her authority under the Pickell as Integrity legislation to reject the candidacy of w Keith Peterson () of Nunavut, the acceptance of Mr. , on the grounds that w (Hudson Bay) Pickell's report concerning the con- he did not meet the residency re- w Fred Schell () duct of Baker Lake MLA David quirements under the Act. Mr. Simailak and the passage of a mo- Anawak subsequently exercised his w Daniel Shewchuk () tion calling on the Executive Coun- right under the Act to appeal the w Louis Tapardjuk () cil to request the Auditor General of Chief Electoral Officer's decision to w Canada to undertake a comprehen- the Nunavut Court of Justice. Under () sive audit of the Government of the Act, the Chief Electoral Officer is w () Nunavut's evaluation and award required to cancel the election if Messrs. Arreak, Arvaluk, Curley, process in relation to its contracts such an appeal is made. Okalik, Peterson, Tapardjuk and for medical travel on scheduled air- In a written judgement issued on Tootoo had served as Members of lines. October 7, 2008, Justice Earl John- the 2nd Legislative Assembly. October 27 Election son indicated that he was “satisfied Former Nunavut MLA Leona that the respondent did not err in Aglukkaq was elected as Nunavut's third territorial general disqualifying the appellant as a can- Nunavut's new Member of Parlia- election was held on October 27, didate.” He denied the appeal. ment in the federal general election 2008. Voters in 15 of Nunavut's 19 Mr. Anawak subsequently chal- of October 14, 2008. Ms. Aglukkaq constituencies went to the polls on lenged the Nunavut Elections Act on was subsequently appointed fed- that day. Messrs. Tagak Curley constitutional grounds, arguing eral Minister of Health. () and Keith Pe- that the residency requirements vio- Nunavut Leadership Forum terson (Cambridge Bay) had earlier lated his democratic, equality and been declared acclaimed at the close aboriginal rights under the Charter. The Nunavut Leadership Forum of nominations. The Chief Electoral Officer and the convened on November 14, 2008. Because no nominations were re- Attorney General were the respon- The Forum consists of all MLAs. ceived in the constituency of South dents in this matter. The Speaker of The Forum's proceedings were Baffin, which includes the commu- the Legislative Assembly was open to the public to observe from nities of Cape Dorset and , granted intervener status. In a writ- the Visitors' Gallery and were tele- a new writ of election was issued. ten judgement issued on November vised live on local community cable The vote took place on November 3, 5, 2008, Justice Earl Johnson con- channels across Nunavut. 2008. Four candidates were on the cluded that there was no breach and The first item of business was the ballot. dismissed the application. selection of the Speaker. James A by-election in the constituency As of November 19, 2008, the Arreak was acclaimed to the posi- of , which includes the com- Members of the 3rd Legislative As- tion. Mr. Arreak had previously munities of Repulse Bay and sembly are: served as the Deputy Speaker dur- , will be held on Decem- w () ing the 2nd Legislative Assembly. ber 15, 2008. Four candidates will be w () Three Members accepted nomi- on the ballot. nations to serve as Premier: Ms. w () Aariak, Mr. Curley and incumbent

44 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/WINTER 2008-2009 Premier Okalik. Each candidate Chairperson of the Committee of Privacy Legislation. Both Commit- was permitted to deliver a 20-min- the Whole. tees are expected to report during ute speech. Members not standing Other business transacted by the the session. The Select Committee for Premier were allowed to ask up House included appointments to on Wellness released a final report, to three questions to the candidates. the Striking Committee and the Wellness...we each have a role to play – In a secret ballot vote, Ms. Aariak Legislative Assembly's Manage- Individuals, communities, stakeholders was elected as Premier on the first ment and Services Board. The and government, July 11, 2008. Stand- round of balloting. Ms. Aariak is the swearing-in ceremony for the Pre- ing Committees on Public Accounts second and the mier and Cabinet took place later in and on Corporations reviewed the first woman to hold the office. the afternoon, which was followed annual reports of departments and A total of nine Members accepted by a well-attended reception in Corporations. nominations to serve on Cabinet. main foyer of the Legislative As- Jack Carr, a former communica- Caucus had earlier announced that sembly Precinct. tions consultant and government the Cabinet will consist of eight worker, and the twin brother of PC members (Premier and seven Min- Alex Baldwin MLA for Oromocto, , was isters). In light of the December 15, Office of the Legislative Assembly elected in a November 3 by-election 2008, by-election in the constitu- to fill the vacancy in New Mary- ency of Akulliq, Caucus agreed that land-Sunbury West. The new Mem- seven members of Cabinet would ber was sworn in on November 19 be selected during the Forum's pro- in a ceremony held in the Chamber. ceedings of November 14, 2008 The vacancy was created when (Premier and six Ministers). resigned to run suc- The following Members were cessfully in the federal election. He elected to Cabinet: Messrs. was subsequently appointed the Kusugak, Peterson, Shewchuk, New Brunswick Atlantic Canada Opportunities Tapardjuk, Taptuna and Tootoo. Agency Minister in Prime Minister The Nunavut Leadership Forum n the interim between the June Stephen Harper's Cabinet. will reconvene in early 2009 to select Iadjournment of the House and On October 18, 2008, David the remaining Minister. The Legisla- the opening of the fall session Alward, MLA for Woodstock, was tive Assembly and Executive Council (Third Session), select and standing chosen Leader of the Progressive Act provides that the Premier has committees received public input, Conservative Party and became Op- the prerogative to assign Ministerial filed a report, and reviewed annual position Leader, a post previously portfolios. reports of government departments held by Madawasks-les-Lac MLA and Crown Corporations; an oppo- Ann Jeannot Volpé, following the resig- sition member resigned; a new Meekitjuk Hanson presided over nation of early in member was elected and sworn in; the swearing-in ceremony for the 2007. Mr. Alward, a former Minister the opposition selected a new Members of the Third Legislative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Leader and a shadow cabinet; and Assembly, which took place on the Aquaculture, was first elected in Premier shuffled morning of Wednesday, November 1999. The Opposition shadow cabi- his Cabinet. Meanwhile, extensive 19, 2008, in the Chamber of the Leg- net includes former minister and refurbishment continued on the ex- islative Assembly. MLA for Lamèque-Shippagan- terior cladding and the roof of the Miscou, , as Oppo- The 3rd Legislative Assembly Main Legislative Building. sition House Leader. convened for its first sitting on the The Select Committee on Tax Re- In a November 12 Cabinet shuf- afternoon of November 19, 2008. view continued to review input on Following the formal election of the fle, three new Ministers were sworn A Discussion Paper on New Bruns- in: ,Southwest Speaker, motions were adopted to wick's Tax System. The Standing recommend the appointments of Miramichi, as Minister of Human Committee on Law Amendments Resources and Minister Responsi- the Premier and Cabinet. The As- received input on Bill 82, Access to sembly also passed a motion to ap- ble for Aboriginal Affairs; former Information and Protection of Privacy Deputy Speaker , point Mr. Pauloosie, MLA for Act, and the discussion paper Per- Nattilik, as Deputy Speaker and Bathurst, as Minister of State for Se- sonal Health Information Access and niors, and Minister Responsible for

WINTER 2008-2009/CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW 45 § the Non-profit Organizations Secre- a response to the Report of the New program by outsourcing it to a third Brunswick Task Force on Forest Di- tariat; and Bernard LeBlanc, versity and Wood Supply; party Memramcook-Lakeville-Dieppe, as § a tourism strategy for completion in The Opposition commended the Minister of Local government. 2009; government on its plans to build on Three ministers assumed new port- § tax reform to be implemented in a last year's Agricultural Summit, an folios: , formerly Minis- manner that helps achieve the goal of idea that was championed by in- ter of Human Resources, as Minister self-sufficiency by 2026; § dustry. The Opposition Leader of Natural Resources; Donald a new energy policy for release in mid-2009; stated that he was encouraged to Arseneault, formerly Minister of see that the government is moving § new investments detailed in the Early Natural Resources, as Minister of Childhood Strategy Action Plan forward on implementing the four Post-secondary Education, Train- 2008-2009; early childhood development cen- ing and Labour; and , § implementation of a student code of tres, a project that has long been formerly Minister of Post-second- conduct; championed by former Lieutenant ary Education, Training and La- § initiation of a modern autonomous Governor Margaret Norrie bour, as Minister of Supply and college system to allow the New Brunswick Community College to McCain. Services. , currently become a full partner with universi- The Leader of the Opposition Minister of Social Development, is ties in post-secondary education; called upon the government to: also the Minister Responsible for § personal health information access Housing. and privacy legislation; § § take immediate action on the econ- The Second Session of the 56th a Building Code Act to establish a chief omy; building inspector position; § Legislative Assembly which had § address the issue of rising property adjourned on June 18, met in the improvements to the assessment ap- tax assessments to lessen the burden peal process to make the process on families, homeowners and busi- forenoon of November 25 to pro- more balanced, fair and transparent; nesses; rogue the session before the formal § a report from and response to the § provide the province's most vulnera- Opening of the Third Session later commissioner on the future of local ble with real options to reduce heat- that afternoon. governance; and ing costs; § Pay Equity Act to apply to all parts of § make affordable housing a priority in The Throne Speech, delivered by the public service. His Honour Herménégilde the province; In responding to the Speech from § Chiasson, noted that while the New address student debt to help more the Throne, Opposition Leader Da- students complete their studies with Brunswick economy performed vid Alward stated that the govern- a reduced debt burden. much as expected in the first half of ment must reassure New The start of the session was 2008, with many indicators show- Brunswickers that it has a plan to marked by a new spirit of coopera- ing solid growth, unprecedented weather the current economic tion indicated in statements on both global developments affecting fi- storm, and that if the Throne speech sides of the House that the Mem- nancial markets and the economy was any indication, the government bers would strive to work together will result in lower overall growth does not. The Opposition Leader to solve the problems for the benefit this year and that the fallout from stated that the economy needs an of all New Brunswickers. turmoil in financial markets and immediate stimulus to help lessen weakness in the US economy and The agenda for the House and for the impact of the economic down- - other changes represent a serious the fall sitting will be devoted to de turn, including an immediate re- challenge for government. “While bating the Throne Speech, the duction in personal, small business global economic conditions mean 2009-2010 Capital Budget, various and corporate taxes. The Opposi- the path has grown more rugged, pieces of legislation, and private tion Leader also stated that govern- the journey towards self-sufficiency Members' resolutions. ment should not raise the HST. continues.” Standings in the House on No- The Opposition Leader noted that Among the numerous initiatives vember 28, 2008 as this goes to press the government had turned their announced were: are: Liberals, 32; PCs, 23. back on the province's most vulner- able by eliminating $5 million from Loredana Catalli Sonier § a 10-year strategic plan for intelligent transportation systems; the home heating assistance pro- Clerk of the Legislative Assembly § the establishment of a New Bruns- gram and that it had abdicated re- wick Health Research and Innovation sponsibility for administering the Council;

46 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/WINTER 2008-2009