CPA Activities: The Canadian Scene New Speakers in Yukon and Mr. Laxton is an active member Saskatchewan of the community, having served as Chair of the Child Development n December 1, 2011 Centre, Chair of the Whitehorse ODavid Laxton, MLA for Housing Authority, and in various Porter Creek Centre, was elected executive positions (including as the 23rd Speaker of the Yukon President) with the Royal Legislative Assembly. He was Canadian Legion Branch 254 first elected to the legislature on (Whitehorse) and National Vice October 11, 2011. President (Western Arctic) of the Mr. Laxton has lived in Army Cadet League of Canada. Whitehorse since moving to On December 5, 2011, Yukon in 1998. During his Dan D’Autremont was elected time in Yukon, he has been Speaker of the Legislative employed by the federal and Assembly of Saskatchewan .Mr. Speaker Dan D’Autremont territorial governments doing D’Autremont was first elected member of the Assembly’s geomatics work and website to the Legislative Assembly in Special Committee on Rules development. Prior to arriving 1991 and re-elected in 1995, 1999, and Procedures, and later the in Yukon, he served 22 years 2003, 2007 and 2011 representing Standing Committee on House with the Canadian Armed the Cannington constituency. Services. Forces, primarily with the He is one of the “Original Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Eight” founding members of the Since the Saskatchewan Canadians) and the Mapping Saskatchewan Party in 1997. Party formed Government in and Charting Establishment. His 2007, Mr. D’Autremont has During his tenure in military service included three served as Minister Responsible opposition, Mr. D’Autremont United Nations postings, one in for Saskatchewan Liquor and served as critic for Highways, Egypt and two in Bosnia. He also Gaming Authority, Minister Education, Energy and Mines, carried out major survey work for Government Services Health, SaskTel, Information in the High Arctic and regional and Minister Responsible for Technology Office, Saskatchewan gravity surveys across Yukon. Information Technology Office. Liquor and Gaming Authority Most recently, he served as and Saskatchewan Government Government House Leader, Co- Insurance. While critic for chair of the Cabinet’s Legislation the Saskatchewan Liquor and Regulation Review and Gaming Authority, Mr. Committee, member of the Board D’Autremont worked closely with of Internal Economy, member the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming of the Standing Committee on Authority and First Nations. Crown and Central Agencies, He served as the Deputy Chair member of the Standing of the Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Public Accounts, Standing Committee on Crown member of the Standing and Central Agencies. Mr. Committee on Privileges and D’Autremont served as an member of the House Services opposition member of the Committee. Assembly’s Board of Internal Speaker David Laxton Economy. He also was a CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/SPRING 2012 59 Presiding Officers’ Conference Brunswick), and Gordie Gosse Director of European Operations (Nova Scotia). of the State Legislative Leaders The Presiding Officers from Foundation spoke about the Canada’s federal, provincial and Following the Official Partnership of Parliaments and territorial legislatures held their Opening by Speaker Kowalski the Foundation. annual conference February the Presiding Officers heard 2-5, 2012, in Alberta. The host a presentation on Canadian- The final business session was Speaker Ken Kowalski of American Relations from was on the “Role of the Clerk Alberta. David C. Jacobson, United States in Support of the Speaker.” It Ambassador to Canada. The first was chaired by David McNeil, Since the last Presiding day also featured two sessions Clerk of the Alberta Legislative Officers’ Conference in Iqaluit, on “Jurisdiction Overviews”. Assembly. The presenters were Nunavut on January 20-23, 2011, Each Speaker was allowed up to Loredana Catalli Sonier, Clerk of there are ten new Speakers, all of five minutes to report on recent the New Brunswick Legislative whom attended. They included: procedural or administrative Assembly, Tim Mercer, Clerk • Jacques Chagnon (Québec) developments in his or her of the Northwest Territories • Hunter Tootoo (Nunavut) legislature. Legislative Assembly and • Andrew Scheer (House of Another session was entitled Deborah Deller, Clerk of the Commons) “Challenges Facing a New Ontario Legislative Assembly. • Daryl Reid (Manitoba) Speaker.” It was chaired by At one of the working lunches, • Jackie Jacobson (Northwest Speaker Barisoff and the panel Diana McQueen, Alberta Territories) included Speakers Scheer, Gosse Minister of Environment and • Ross Wiseman (Newfoundland and D’Autrement. Water gave a presentation on and Labrador) A session on “Albertas Oil Sands – Challenges • Carolyn Bertram (Prince and Opportunities.” Edward Island) “Interparliamentary Associations and Activities” was chaired Aside from the business • Dave Levac (Ontario) by Gary O’Brien, Clerk of the sessions the Speakers had an • David Laxton (Yukon) Senate. Speaker Graham spoke opportunity to attend a musical • Dan D’Autremont about the Commonwealth theatre event and a hockey game (Saskatchewan) Parliamentary Association, at Rexall Place between the Other Speakers in attendance Speaker Chagnon focused on Edmonton Oilers and the Detroit were Bill Barisoff (British Francophone Interparliamentary Red Wings. Columbia), Dale Graham (New Relations and Alfons Schoëps, 60 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/SPRING 2012.