New Brunswick

41^st Provincial General Election

New Brunswick’s 41^st provincial general election was held on October 21, 2024. Susan Holt’s Liberal Party won 31 of the 49 seats, forming a majority government, while the Progressive Conservative Party led by Premier Blaine Higgs, who lost his own seat, won 16 seats, and David Coon’s Green Party won two seats.

In total, 19 Members were elected for the first time. Seventeen women were elected, representing 35 per cent of the seats in the House and an increase of three seats compared to the 2020 election results.

On October 25, Premier Higgs resigned as Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party. Glen Savoie, first elected in 2010, was chosen by caucus as interim leader and Leader of the Official Opposition.

On November 2, Members of the 61^st Legislature took the Oath of Allegiance and signed the Members’ Roll during a ceremony in the Legislative Assembly Chamber presided over by Lieutenant Governor Brenda Murphy. Later that day, Ms. Holt was sworn in as the Province’s 35^th Premier—the first woman to hold that office—during a swearing-in ceremony for the new Executive Council.

Her Cabinet consists of:

René Legacy, Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, Minister responsible for Energy and for the Right to Information and Protection of Privacy Act;

Rob McKee, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services;

John Dornan, Minister of Health;

Claire Johnson, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development;

Keith Chiasson, Minister of Indigenous Affairs;

Cindy Miles, Minister of Social Development; Minister responsible for the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation;

Chuck Chiasson, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure;

Gilles LePage, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation;

Aaron Kennedy, Minister of Local Government; Minister responsible for Service New Brunswick;

Isabelle Thériault, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture;

Robert Gauvin, Minister of Public Safety, Minister responsible for La Francophonie;

Alyson Townsend, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Minister responsible for the Research and Productivity Council and for the Regulatory Accountability and Reporting Act;

John Herron, Minister of Natural Resources;

Pat Finnigan, Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries;

Lyne Chantal Boudreau, Minister responsible for Seniors and Women’s Equality;

Jean-Claude D’Amours, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister responsible for Immigration and Military Affairs;

David Hickey, Minister responsible for the New Brunswick Housing Corporation;

Luke Randall, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB, Economic Development and Small Business, NB Liquor and Cannabis NB.

Other government appointments were as follows:

Marco LeBlanc as Government House Leader;

Jacques LeBlanc as Government Whip;

Natacha Vautour as Government Caucus Chair.

Official Opposition appointments included:

Margaret Johnson as Official Opposition House Leader;

Bill Oliver as Official Opposition Whip;

Ryan Cullins as Official Opposition Caucus Chair.

First Session of the 61^st Legislature

Election of Speaker

The first session of the 61^st Legislature convened on the morning of November 19 to elect a Speaker. As only one Member allowed their name to stand for election, the Clerk declared Liberal Member Francine Landry elected as Speaker. She is the first francophone woman to serve as Speaker. Speaker Landry was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2014, representing the riding of Madawaska Les Lacs-Edmundston.

During her time at the Legislature, Speaker Landry has held several Cabinet portfolios, including Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour; La Francophonie; Economic Development; Opportunities NB; the Northern Fund; and regional minister for northern New Brunswick. She has also served as Official Opposition Caucus Chair and Whip and has been a member of several standing and select committees.

Throne Speech

Lieutenant Governor Murphy opened the session on the afternoon of November 19, delivering the first Speech from the Throne of Premier Holt’s Liberal government. The speech, titled “Ready For Change,” outlined the new government’s plans in six priority areas: health care, affordability and housing, education, economic development, environment, and trusted leadership. The speech pledged that the government intends to listen to New Brunswickers and collaborate with them to find creative solutions to their problems.

Following the speech, the House appointed Liberal Members Guy Arseneault and Benoît Bourque as Deputy Speakers.

Reply to Throne Speech

On November 21, Official Opposition Leader Savoie gave his reply to the Speech from the Throne. He outlined how the new Official Opposition intends to work collaboratively with the government where they can and to work constructively where they cannot. Mr. Savoie reviewed the Higgs government’s accomplishments and encouraged the new government to continue its work in several areas. He expressed concern about how the government would afford to fulfill the commitments made in the speech.

Capital Budget

On December 10, Finance and Treasury Board Minister Legacy tabled the 2025-26 Capital Budget. The budget totals $1.26 billion, an increase of $70 million over the expenditure outlined by the previous government in its multi-year plan. Highlights include $185.9 million for health care infrastructure, $193.7 million for schools in response to growing enrolment; $34.7 million to continue development of new public housing; and over $500 million for roads and bridges.

Legislation

Five bills were introduced during the fall sitting and three received Royal Assent. Bills introduced include:

Bill 3 – An Act to Amend The Residential Tenancies Act, introduced by Minister Hickey. The bill implements a maximum annual rent increase of three per cent for residential premises effective February 1, 2025. The bill allows landlords to apply for a rent increase higher than the maximum in circumstances prescribed by regulation. Regulations included in the bill set the upper limit to a rent increase at nine per cent if the landlord establishes they incurred capital expenditures for renovations.

Bill 4 – An Act Respecting Petroleum Products Pricing, introduced by Minister Legacy. This bill repeals the cost of carbon adjustor that previous amendments added to the maximum price of petroleum products set by the Energy and Utilities Board. The cost of carbon adjustor is defined as an adjustment intended to mitigate for wholesalers and retailers the effect of costs incurred by a primary supplier of liquid petroleum products to comply with the federal Clean Fuel Regulations.

Motions

Motions debated during Opposition Members’ Business included:

Motion 6, moved by Official Opposition Health critic Bill Hogan, urging the government to provide free household radon gas tests and free radon gas mitigation. The motion was adopted on November 28 after amendments to instead urge the government to make free 90-day radon gas tests accessible, to engage Public Health to support promotion of tests, and to explore ways to support individuals with radon gas mitigation.

Motion 5, moved by Official Opposition Public Safety critic Richard Ames, urging the government to increase public awareness of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods program, to support the closure of illegal drug operations, and to make efforts to reduce the supply of illicit drugs and address the root causes of drug-related crime, was adopted in amended form on December 12.

Committee Activity

The Standing Committee on Economic Policy, chaired by Ms. Vautour, held public hearings concerning Bill 2, An Act to Amend The Residential Tenancies Act, pursuant to a motion of instruction from the House. Following the public hearings and a detailed review of the bill with Minister Hickey present to answer questions, the Committee recommended the bill with amendments.

On December 10, the House referred the subject matter of Bill 4, An Act Respecting Petroleum Products Pricing, to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments. It is expected the Committee will meet in early 2025.

On December 11, Kate Wilcott, chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure, Privileges and Legislative Officers, presented the committee’s report recommending amendments to the Standing Rules to create a Standing Committee on Official Languages. The proposed amendments define the Committee’s mandate as including the review of and report on official languages policies and programs, including reports of the Commissioner of Official Languages and of the Secretariat of Official Languages. Following presentation of the report, with leave, the House concurred in the report and appointed the new Committee. On December 12, Mr. Bourque was elected chair of the Standing Committee on Official Languages.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Tammy Scott-Wallace, met on December 10 and 12 to discuss the Report of the Auditor General of New Brunswick, 2024, Volume II – Performance Audit and Volume III – Financial Audit. In the performance audit, Auditor General Paul Martin addressed issues including the child death investigation, inquest and review process; access to addiction and mental health services; and the government’s hotel accommodations policy. The financial audit reported continuing improvement in the province’s financial condition in 2024 and concerns relating to NB Power’s ability to sustain its operations.

Tributes to Outgoing Lieutenant Governor

In an exceptional occurrence, Lieutenant Governor Murphy and her spouse were escorted onto the floor of the House during Ministers’ Statements on December 13 so that they could be present for tributes delivered by Premier Holt, Official Opposition Leader Savoie and Third Party Leader Coon, recognizing her term in office which will end in early 2025 with the installation of a new Lieutenant Governor.

Adjournment

The House adjourned on December 13 and is scheduled to resume sitting on March 18, 2025, when it is expected that Minister Legacy will present the 2025-26 Budget.

The standings in the House are 31 Liberals, 16 Progressive Conservatives and two Greens.

Patrick Dunn

Law Clerk and Committee Clerk

Yukon

2024 Fall Sitting

The 2024 Fall Sitting of the First Session of the 35^th Legislative Assembly began on October 2 and concluded on November 21, after 28 sitting days.

Bills assented to

The following eight government bills were assented to by Commissioner Adeline Webber during the 2024 Fall Sitting:

Bill No. 39, Act to amend the Forest Resources Act (2024)

Bill No. 40, Act to amend the Clean Energy Act (2024)

Bill No. 41, Technical Amendments (Environment) Act (2024)

Bill No. 42, Act of 2024 to amend the Land Titles Act, 2015

Bill No. 43, Act to amend the Business Corporations Act (2024)

Bill No. 44, Traffic Safety Act

Bill No. 45, Electoral District Boundaries Act

Bill No. 215, Second Appropriation Act 2024-25

Electoral reform recommended

The Yukon Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform presented its final report to the Legislative Assembly on October 28, 2024. The citizens’ assembly recommended a ranked vote system of preferential voting where each voter ranks some or all the candidates standing for election in their riding. The report also recommended randomizing the order of candidate names on ballots, an extensive elections education program, and a threshold of a simple majority for a public referendum on adopting a new electoral system.

Sara McPhee-Knowles, Chair of the Yukon Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, and Yukon Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform members Dana Sundby and Ryan Campbell-Clarke, appeared as witnesses before Committee of the Whole on November 7, to answer questions regarding the report.

Electoral district boundaries changed

The Yukon Electoral District Boundaries Commission’s final report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on October 9, 2024. On October 15, Premier Ranj Pillai introduced Bill No. 45, Electoral District Boundaries Act, to bring into force the recommendations in the Commission’s report. Unanimous consent was required to advance the bill during the 2024 Fall Sitting, as it was introduced after the fifth sitting day. The bill passed the House and received assent on November 21. Changes include the realignment of some rural districts and the addition of two more electoral districts in Whitehorse, increasing the total number of elected Members of the Legislative Assembly from 19 to 21.

The next general election is scheduled for November 3, 2025, pursuant to the fixed election date provisions of the Elections Act.

Private Member’s bill on electoral districts defeated

On October 7, 2024, Kate White, Leader of the Third Party, introduced Bill No. 308, Act to Amend the Elections Act. As noted in its explanatory note, Bill No. 308 sought to “Recognize the distinct features of the Electoral District of Vuntut Gwitchin by establishing the district under [the proposed] Act” and “Establish a minimum number of electoral districts outside of the City of Whitehorse municipal boundary to ensure the influence of rural Yukoners is not diminished.”

The bill passed second reading during Opposition Private Members’ Business on Wednesday, October 9. Consideration of the bill in Committee of the Whole took place on Wednesday, October 23, and the bill was reported to the House without amendment. Third reading debate started that day and continued on Wednesday, November 6 and Wednesday, November 20. The motion for third reading of Bill No. 308 was defeated (3 yea, 13 nay) on November 20.

Chief Electoral Officer reappointed

On November 21, 2024, the Legislative Assembly passed a motion to reappoint the Chief Electoral Officer of Yukon, Maxwell Harvey. The Order of the House reappointing Mr. Harvey was made pursuant to section 12 of the Elections Act.

Report of the Auditor General of Canada

The Office of the Auditor General of Canada presented a performance audit report on procurement and contracting to Jeremy Harper, Speaker of the Yukon Legislative Assembly, on November 26, 2024. The audit found “the Yukon government’s procurement and contracting activities did not demonstrate value for money as they were not always documented or monitored for results.” Pursuant to Standing Order 45(3), the report stands referred to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

2025 Spring Sitting

As per Standing Order 75(10), the 2025 Spring Sitting will begin the first week of March. The Standing Orders also provide that the Spring Sitting will be between 20 to 40 sitting days in length.

Allison Lloyd

Deputy Clerk

Nunavut

House Proceedings

The fall 2024 sitting of the 2^nd Session of the 6^th Legislative Assembly convened on October 24, 2024, and concluded on November 7, 2024. The proceedings of the Committee of the Whole during the fall 2024 sitting were dominated by the consideration of the Government of Nunavut’s proposed 2025-2026 capital estimates.

Ten bills received Assent during the fall 2024 sitting:

Bill 51, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act;

Bill 52, An Act to Amend the Technical Standards and Safety Act;

Bill 53, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 3, 2023-2024;

Bill 54, Supplementary Appropriation (Capital) Act, No. 3, 2024-2025;

Bill 55, Supplementary Appropriation (Operations and Maintenance) Act, No. 1, 2024-2025;

Bill 56, Write-Off of Assets and Debts Act, 2023-2024;

Bill 58, An Act to Amend the Property Assessment and Taxation Act;

Bill 61, Appropriation (Capital) Act, 2025-2026;

Bill 62, An Act to Amend the Integrity Act; and

Bill 65, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act.

Bill 62 was introduced as a House Bill under the authority of the Legislative Assembly’s Management and Services Board. Speaker Tony Akoak appeared before the Committee of the Whole on the occasion of its clause-by-clause consideration of the bill. Bill 62 amended the Integrity Act to require that Members’ disclosure statements be made publicly accessible on the Web site of the Office of the Integrity Commissioner. The Bill also established a requirement for copies of trust agreements entered into by Ministers to be provided to the Integrity Commissioner.

On November 4, 2024, Aivilik MLA Solomon Malliki gave notice of a motion of non-confidence in Premier P.J. Akeeagok. Section 60 of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act provides that the Premier is “chosen from among the members of the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the Commissioner on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly.” The motion was subsequently moved and debated at the Legislative Assembly’s sitting of November 6, 2024. The motion was defeated by a vote of 10 to 8.

Committee Hearings

From September 19-20, 2024, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts held a televised hearing on the 2022-2023 territorial public accounts. Officials from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada and the Government of Nunavut appeared as witnesses at the hearing.

From September 20-21, 2024, the Standing Committee on Oversight of Government Operations and Public Accounts held a televised hearing on the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 annual reports of the Languages Commissioner of Nunavut, Karliin Aariak. A number of Government of Nunavut officials also appeared as witnesses at the hearing.

The hearings were presided over by Standing Committee Chair and Iqaluit-Tasiluk MLA George Hickes.

Appointment of Chief Electoral Officer

On October 24, 2024, the Legislative Assembly unanimously approved a motion recommending that Kiran Situt be appointed Chief Electoral Officer for a seven-year term of office. Mr. Situt is a Chartered Professional Accountant and former Manager in the territorial Department of Finance.

Retirement of Clerk

Prior to the adjournment of the House on November 7, 2024, Speaker Akoak presided over a ceremony to mark the retirement of Clerk of the Legislative Assembly John Quirke. Mr. Quirke was appointed Clerk on April 1, 1999, at the first sitting of the 1^st Legislative Assembly. Mr. Quirke’s career in public service spanned over half a century. Prior to his appointment as Clerk, Mr. Quirke held a number of Deputy Minister-level positions in the Government of the Northwest Territories. Earlier during the sitting day, the House unanimously approved a motion recommending the appointment of Deputy Clerk Stephen Innuksuk as the new Clerk, effective January 1, 2025.

Alex Baldwin

Office of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut

Newfoundland and Labrador

Fall 2024 Sitting

In accordance with the parliamentary calendar, the Assembly resumed for the Fall sitting on November 4, 2024, adjourning on December 4. The following highlights are noted from the sitting:

The sitting commenced with the formal introduction of the newly elected Member for Baie Verte – Green Bay (duly elected in the by-election of May 27, 2024), and newly elected Member for Waterford Valley (duly elected in the by-election of August 22, 2024).

The House debated and passed 19 bills throughout the sitting.

The House appointed a new Information and Privacy Commissioner in accordance with section 85 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015.

On December 4, the Speaker welcomed Orion Ayesu, infant son of Krista Lynn Howell, Member for St. Barbe – L’anse aux Meadows and Minister of Education, who accompanied his mom on the floor during proceedings that day. Orion is the third infant to be welcomed on the floor of the Assembly since the Standing Orders were amended in 2020 to allow infants in the care of a parent who is a Member.

Appointment of Information and Privacy Commissioner

On December 3, 2024, the House passed a resolution respecting the appointment of Kerry Hatfield as Information and Privacy Commissioner, effective December 5.

Commissioner Hatfield comes with extensive knowledge and experience in access and privacy issues from 20-plus years of legal practice, including 11 years providing legal strategy and advice to the Eastern Regional Health Authority, now NL Health Services. The Commissioner was made Director of Corporate Legal Services in 2022 upon the succession of NL Health Services from the previous regional health authorities. Commissioner Hatfield has expertise in regulatory compliance in privacy, security, data governance and information management within the health care sector and broad base experience in corporate governance, contracts and procurement.

Prior to working in the health care sector, the Commissioner was a partner in private practice at a St. John’s law firm where she specialized in privacy, access to information, and litigation, including representing the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner at both the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Court of Appeal. Commissioner Hatfield obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University in 1997 and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick in 2001. She has been a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador since 2002, is past president and director of the Rotary Club of St. John’s Northwest, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Bowring Park Foundation.

Extraordinary Sitting – January 2025

Pursuant to Standing Order 8(7), the Government advised the Speaker on December 17, 2024, that the public interest required the House of Assembly to meet on an extraordinary basis in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Québec, which was announced on December 12. Further to this notice, the Speaker advised Members that the House of Assembly would reconvene on January 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

The rules of debate for the sitting were discussed and negotiated at length by the three caucuses and the unaffiliated Members in advance. The sitting commenced with the Government House Leader, by leave, moving a motion respecting the agreed to rules of procedure, which outlined the following:

Confirmed that the House would sit from January 6 to January 9, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on each of those days, and that the Resolution respecting the Memorandum of Understanding would be the only business of the House.

Defined time allocations in debate for each Member, which were used to calculate a total allocation for each caucus. The rules of debate included a provision to allow for the deferral of time between Members.

Provided for invited guests of the Legislature to appear from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, Power Advisory and J.P. Morgan to answer Members’ questions.

Specified that Members may pose questions during debate to either invited guests or to a Minister of the Crown.

Outlined parameters respecting questions that invited guests would answer (respecting the Memorandum of Understanding, including its structure, operation, and purpose), and those they may decline to answer (commercially sensitive, subject to Cabinet confidence or solicitor-client privilege, or otherwise information that may be excepted from disclosure in accordance with Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015).

Specified that the notice requirement for the Resolution to be debated would be waived.

Once the rules of debate motion passed, the Government House Leader proceeded to move the following resolution:

“WHEREAS a Memorandum of Understanding for a New Long-Term Energy Purchase and Development Initiative between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Quebec was signed on December 12, 2024 (the MOU);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Assembly support Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro proceeding with the MOU toward the Definitive Agreements, as defined in the MOU.”

Debate proceeded on the resolution and continued throughout the course of the four-day sitting, with invited guests appearing as provided for in the rules of debate. When debate concluded, the Speaker put the question and a division was called. The resolution passed with 25 ayes and 0 nays. Members of the Official Opposition caucus left the Chamber and did not vote on the division. The Standing Orders do not allow for abstentions.

Inaugural Teachers’ Institute on Parliamentary Democracy

On November 25 and 26, 2024, the Assembly hosted the inaugural Teachers’ Institute on Parliamentary Democracy, a partnership between the Legislature and the Departments of Education and Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. Complementing commemorations for the 75th anniversary of Confederation, the Confederation 75 Teachers Institute provided a unique opportunity for educators to experience first-hand the inner workings of parliament and the broader structure of government, gain insight into the role of elected officials and exchange best practices with peers in the focal point of democracy in our province.

The 2024 program took place at the Assembly Chambers in Confederation Building Complex and Colonial Building Provincial Historic Site. Open to educators in grades K to 12 in the English and French provincial school systems, the program accepted 25 individuals from a total of 92 applicants. To remove participation barriers, in particular participants travelling longer distances, travel costs to attend the program were fully covered for all participants. In addition, there was support from the Department of Education toward discretionary leave and substitute coverage for those teachers participating in the professional development opportunity.

Building off the interest and positive feedback, the Legislature is hoping to continue delivery of education and outreach initiatives such as these moving forward.

Bobbi Russell

Principal Clerk of Committees

Northwest Territories

Session

The Northwest Territories first Session of the 20^th Legislative Assembly resumed on October 17, 2024, and continued to sit until adjournment on November 1, 2024. The Assembly is adjourned until February 5, 2025.

The Speaker acknowledged the passing of the late Anthony (Tony) Wilfred James Whitford; a moment of silence was observed in his honour. Mr. Whitford was a former Member of the Legislative Assembly. He served as a Minister, Speaker, Deputy Commissioner, and, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. He also served as a former sergeant-at-arms and remained an honourary clerk at the table. He joined the table on many occasions to assist and witness the proceedings. It was evident this brought great joy to him, and the Clerks at the Table. His level of knowledge and respect for the Legislative Assembly was beyond compare. He was a valued asset to our institution and will be greatly missed by many.

The NWT Honours Advisory Committee recommended three inductees to the Order of the Northwest Territories for the year 2023. They are: Helen Balanoff, Richard Hardy, Mary Teya. Gerald W. Kisoun, Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, was also invested prior to him investing the 2023 inductees. The ceremony was held on October 17, 2024, in the Legislative Assembly. The award recognizes outstanding contributions or achievements of residents or former residents of the Northwest Territories, with up to three awards presented each year.

During this sitting seven motions were moved as noted.

Motion 40-20(1) Emergency Debate on Norman Wells State of Emergency Declaration was moved to set aside the ordinary business of the House to discuss the State of Emergency declared due to the humanitarian crisis in the community;

Motion 41-20(1) Recommendations of the Integrity Commissioner respecting the Conduct of the Member for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh was moved. A written complaint was received and upon investigation the Integrity Commissioner found the Member for Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh breached the Member’s Code of Conduct. Pursuant to section 106(1)(a) of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, the Integrity Commissioner recommended a fine of $2500.00, this was upheld by the House.

Motion 42-20(1) Appointment of Sergeant-at-Arms. Upon the notice of retirement of then Sergeant-at-Arms, Floyd Andrew Powder, a competition was held. Chris Comeau was appointed upon recommendation by the Board of Management and approved by the Assembly. Mr. Comeau brings with him years of knowledge and service in the security and facilities management sector. Assembly Members expressed their gratitude to the outgoing Sergeant-at-Arms for his years of service to the institution and to the Northwest Territories.

Motion 43-20(1) Reappointment of the Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission. The Assembly moved the recommendation to reappoint Nicole MacNeil as Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission for a term of four years.

Motion 44-20(1) Performance Audit of the Management and Governance of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. The Assembly moved to call on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada to conduct a performance audit of all aspects of the management of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority in its delivery of healthcare services, including medical travel, the recruitment and retention of nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, and to prioritize this investigation.

Motion 45-20(1) was moved for Extended Adjournment of the House to February 5, 2025.

Legislation

During the October – December Sitting, the following bills received assent:

Bill 7: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act, 2024. This Bill makes minor, non- controversial administrative changes to the Act;

Bill 8: An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. This Bill increases the loan(s) amount students may access, from $60,000.00 to $90,000.00 from Student Financial Assistance, Government of the Northwest Territories;

Bill 13: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2024-2025;

Bill 14: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 2024-2025;

Bill 15: Northwest Territories Indigenous-Led Conservation Fund Establishment Act. This Bill establishes a not-for-profit body corporate to be known as the Our Land for the Future Trust; to provide sustainable and accessible funding for protected areas and Indigenous-led conservation projects;

Bill 16: Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures), 2025-2026

During the October – December Sitting, the following bills received first and second

reading, and have been referred to Standing Committees:

Bill 11: An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act

Bill 12: Business Day Statute Law Amendment Act

Standing Committees

The Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight released one report, the Report on Committee’s Statement on the Housing and Healthcare Crises in the Northwest Territories. The Committee emphasized concerns, and called for urgent government intervention with respect to the crisis conditions in the delivery of healthcare and social services, along with affordable and available housing across the Northwest Territories. The Committee felt it was not in a position to support the Capital Plan, while these commitments were not being addressed.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations released seven reports:

Reports on the Review of the 2023-2024 Annual Reports of the;

Human Rights Commission;

Equal Pay Commissioner;

Languages Commissioner;

Information and Privacy Commissioner; and

Northwest Territories Ombud.

The Committee also provided its Report on the Statutory Review of the Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act. Although the review was due in the 19^th Assembly it was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. When Committee began its review on February 26, 2024, it chose to review this Act with an economic lens with a focus on the Cannabis Products Act. A public meeting was held in Yellowknife, and the Committee toured a local cannabis growth facility, and received presentations from two witness groups, as well as the Government of the Northwest Territories. Six recommendations were made.

The Committee submitted a Report on Committee’s Initiation of the Ten-Year Review of the Northwest Territories’ Heritage Fund Act, informing the Assembly of its intention to initiate the ten-year review. The Committee will report in the Spring sitting of 2026 with recommendations to improve the provisions and operations of the Northwest Territories Heritage Fund Act, as well as it’s ability to provide benefits to Northwest Territories’ residents.

Two reports were submitted from the Standing Committee on Procedure and Privileges:

The Report on the Review of the Rules of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly with 14 recommendations, on the 20 items the Committee was tasked with reviewing.

An Interim Report on the Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the Administration of the 2023 Territorial General Election which included two recommendations. This report was tabled on May 21, 2024, and was referred to the Committee for review. The Committee is continuing its study into the request of the CEO to lower the age of voting to 16 years.

The Standing Committee on Social Development released two reports.

The first was the Report on Bill 8:  An Act to Amend the Student Financial Assistance Act. A Private Members Bill. This Bill that proposed one change to the current Act, to allow students to borrow up to $90,000 in loans from the Government of the Northwest Territories (Government)’s Student Financial Assistance (SFA) program, instead of $60,000. Three recommendations were made.

The second was the Report on the Statutory Review of the Mental Health Act. The Committee was tasked with undertaking the first statutory review of the Mental Health Act. The Act sets the processes and rules that must be applied to the way people living with a mental disorder receive care and treatment. The Act aims to protect and support the rights of people living with a mental health disorder and those acting on their behalf. This report included 40 recommendations.

Cynthia James

Committee Clerk

Alberta

1st Session of the 31st Legislature

The First Session of the 31st Legislature resumed on October 28 and adjourned on December 4. This was the second fall sitting of the session. The following government bills were introduced during the session:

Bill 24, Alberta Bill of Rights Amendment Act, 2024

Bill 25, Early Learning and Child Care Amendment Act, 2024

Bill 26, Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (No. 2)

Bill 27, Education Amendment Act, 2024

Bill 28, Meat Inspection Amendment Act, 2024

Bill 29, Fairness and Safety in Sport Act

Bill 30, Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act, 2024

Bill 31, Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2024

Bill 32, Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 (No. 2)

Bill 33, Protection of Privacy Act

Bill 34, Access to Information Act

Bill 35, All-season Resorts Act

Bill 36, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2024

All the government bills introduced during the fall sitting have received third reading and royal assent.

On December 2 the Assembly passed Government Motion 53 on division. The motion asks the Legislative Assembly to approve, under section 3 of the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, a motion expressing, among other things, the view that Alberta has exclusive legislative jurisdiction over the exploration, development, conservation, management, and production of its nonrenewable natural resources. The motion criticizes the federal government’s proposed Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap Regulations (Federal Initiative), arguing that it would limit oil production in Alberta and lead to job losses, business closures, and loss of tax and royalty revenue. The motion argues that the Federal Initiative is unconstitutional and urges the Lieutenant Governor in Council to consider several responses, including the following:

refraining from participating in the Federal Initiative’s implementation or enforcement to the extent legally permissible;

using legal means to oppose the Federal Initiative’s implementation or enforcement in Alberta;

classifying oil and gas facilities owned by an interest holder in Alberta (“interest holder facilities”) as “essential infrastructure,” as defined in the Critical Infrastructure Defence Act;

restricting unauthorized access to interest holder facilities, including by employees or contractors of the federal government;

declaring emissions data collected by interest holders at an interest holder facility as proprietary information exclusively owned by and reported to the Government of Alberta;

working collaboratively with other governments and First Nations to increase pipeline capacity from Alberta to tidewater ports and the United States.

Lethbridge-West By-election

A by-election for the Lethbridge-West constituency, which was left vacant following the July 1 resignation of Shannon Phillips, was held on December 18, 2024. Rob Miyashiro, the Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate, won the seat with over 53 per cent of the votes cast. Mr. Miyashiro served two terms as a member of the Lethbridge City Council.

Composition of the Assembly

Jennifer Johnson joined the United Conservative (UC) caucus effective October 9, 2024. Mrs. Johnson ran successfully as the UC candidate in Lacombe-Ponoka during the 2023 election but sat as an independent Member for almost a year due to remarks deemed controversial that came to light during the election campaign.

Rachel Notley resigned as the Member for Edmonton-Strathcona effective December 30, 2024. She was first elected to the Assembly in 2008 and served as the 17th Premier of Alberta for the 29th Legislature (2015-2019).

The composition of the Assembly is currently 49 Members in the UC caucus, 37 New Democrat (NDP) Members, and one vacant seat.

Committee Business

On October 30 the Select Special Ethics Commissioner and Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee recommended to the Legislative Assembly that Gordon McClure be appointed as the next Chief Electoral Officer. The Committee has now completed its mandate. Mr. McClure began his new role on November 18, 2024.

The Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund held its annual public meeting on November 6 and fielded questions from members of the public who participated in person, via e-mail, on the telephone, and through social media platforms.

On December 6 the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices met to review the budget estimates for the Officers of the Legislature. The Committee reduced the budget requests for five of the seven officers and limited four of the Officers to a year-over-year increase of approximately two per cent. The Information and Privacy Commissioner received a six per cent increase due to recent legislative changes, while the Chief Electoral Officer’s budget was raised by 13 per cent as part of the Office’s four-year budget cycle, and the Ethics Commissioner’s budget was increased by approximately seven per cent as requested. Additionally, the Assembly assigned the Committee the task of reviewing the 2023-2024 Annual Report of the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate as required by Section 21 of the Child and Youth Advocate Act. This review is expected to begin in January 2025.

The Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship met on December 9, 2024, to complete deliberations regarding its review of the Personal Information Protection Act. The Committee’s recommendations include: amending provincial legislation to align with federal and international best practices; ensuring privacy laws are consistent across the private, public, and health care sectors; allowing the commissioner to impose monetary administrative penalties equal to or exceeding those in other jurisdictions; incorporating a definition of “significant harm” into the legislation; requiring organizations to contractually bind third-party service providers to comply with Alberta’s privacy laws; and mandating organizations to notify individuals when decisions are made using automated systems. The Committee is expected to release its report in early 2025.

The Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee held its final meeting on December 11, during which it issued 19 recommendations pertaining to: narrowing the scope of individuals subject to the Act, clarifying investigative procedures and definitions, enhancing procedural fairness for individuals under investigation by the Ethics Commissioner, streamlining disclosure requirements for Members, reducing cooling-off periods and allowing employment with the government and the Legislative Assembly Office for those formerly subject to the Act, allowing Ministers to manage rental properties, requiring Members to obtain permission from the Ethics Commissioner before taking noncommercial flights, refining definitions of breaches and private interests, and improving the consistency and organization of the Act for greater clarity. A report detailing the Committee’s recommendations, which will complete the Committee’s one-year mandate, is due by January 15, 2025.

The Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services met on January 9 to consider recommendations from the Members’ Compensation, Benefits and Allowances Review Subcommittee. The Committee approved the creation of a transition allowance for Members serving on or after May 29, 2023, which will include any service on or after April 16, 2019. It also approved a new formula for determining annual adjustments to Member compensation, retroactive to January 1, 2025, for the first year, which will be tied to wage adjustments for public sector employees. Members will also receive an additional $6,000 annually in their Members’ Services Allowances to address constituency office leasing and staff costs and the Caucus Budget Funding model will be adjusted to begin providing research and general funding to the Government Caucus, inclusive of Members of Executive Council at 50 per cent of the rate of private Members.

Jody Rempel

Committee Clerk

British Columbia

43^rd Provincial General Election

Final voting day for BC’s 43rd provincial general election occurred on October 19, 2024, per section 23(2) of the provincial Constitution Act. As noted in the previous issue, party standings at dissolution were 55 BC NDP, 20 BC United, eight Conservative Party of British Columbia, two BC Green Party, and two independent Members. Following the initial count, the results showed that no party had won enough seats to form a majority in the legislature. The mail-in and absentee ballots counted in the days following resulted in party standings of BC NDP 47, Conservative Party of British Columbia 44, and BC Green Party two, delivering the narrowest possible majority for the BC NDP.

The electoral districts of Juan de Fuca-Malahat and Surrey City Centre reported a difference of less than 100 votes between the top two candidates following the initial count, triggering an automatic recount in both districts. Kelowna Centre and Surrey-Guildford were both subject to an automatic judicial recount following the final count due to the difference in votes between the top two candidates being less than 1/500 of the total ballots considered. The District Electoral Officer for Prince George-Mackenzie requested a judicial recount of one ballot box, after Elections BC discovered the contents of the box were not counted on election night. The results of the recounts did not change the outcome of the final count in any of those electoral districts.

This was the first general election in BC to use electronic vote tabulators. First results were reported within 15 minutes of the polls closing, with over 50 per cent of the results reported within 30 minutes. By 9pm, 85 per cent of preliminary results had been reported, compared to 13.5 per cent of preliminary results reported by 9pm in 2020.

Voter turnout was approximately 57 per cent, with a record 1,001,331 votes cast in advance polling. There were 43,538 mail-in and assisted telephone votes, compared to 596,287 mail-in ballots in 2020.

Of note, this was the first general election since 1978 in which a Member of the Conservative Party of British Columbia was elected. The eight Members of the Conservative Party Caucus at dissolution were all elected as Members of the BC Liberal Party (subsequently renamed BC United), before changing their party affiliations during the 42nd Parliament. Also notable is that a majority of Members elected are women, a first in BC. Additionally, 56 of the 93 Members have not previously served as an MLA.

All Members were sworn in by the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly on November 12 and 13, 2024.

Members’ Orientation

Members have been participating in a comprehensive orientation program delivered by the Legislative Assembly Administration, called “MLA School.” Two days of in-person courses were delivered in November, in addition to on-demand and live online courses offered to Members. Initial courses focused on administrative topics, such as security and constituency office management; a procedural orientation will be offered before the opening of the 43rd Parliament.

New Cabinet

Following the certification of election results, a new Executive Council was sworn in by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin on November 18, 2024, with some further adjustments made on December 10, 2024. The cabinet is composed of 24 ministers and three ministers of state, with a majority of cabinet members being women. Six newly elected Members were given cabinet positions, and several Members who were parliamentary secretaries during the 42nd Parliament were promoted to cabinet positions. All remaining government Members were appointed to parliamentary or caucus leadership roles or named as parliamentary secretaries.

The new cabinet reflects changes to the organization of ministries. New ministries include Energy and Climate Solutions, Housing and Municipal Affairs, Infrastructure, Mining and Critical Minerals, and Transportation and Transit. The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions was rolled back into the Ministry of Health, with the Premier designating a parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions. Duties formerly belonging solely to the former Ministry of Municipal Affairs were split between the new ministry and the Premier’s Office.

The Official Opposition designated their critic and House leadership roles, with all Members receiving either a critic portfolio or a House leadership position. Á’a:líya Warbus, MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, was named Official Opposition House Leader, the first Indigenous person named to the role.

Anticipated Spring Sitting Period

The Legislative Assembly is expected to return in February 2025, for the first session of the 43rd Parliament. The first item of business for the House is to elect a Speaker. Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-New Westminster, Speaker during the 42nd Parliament, has been named Speaker designate. Mable Elmore, MLA for Vancouver-Kensington, was nominated for appointment as Deputy Speaker, and Lorne Doerkson, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin, was nominated for appointment as Assistant Deputy Speaker. The nominee for Deputy Chairperson, Committee of the Whole is George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville. The Throne Speech is anticipated to take place on February 18, 2025, with the presentation of the provincial budget to follow on March 4, 2025.

Death of Former Premier John Horgan and Former MLA Dan Coulter

John Horgan, 36th Premier of British Columbia, died on November 12, 2024, at the age of 65, following a third cancer diagnosis. Mr. Horgan was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2005 in the riding of Malahat-Juan de Fuca. He became leader of the BC NDP and Official Opposition Leader in 2014, and served as Premier from 2017 to 2022. After resigning his seat in 2023, Mr. Horgan was appointed Canada’s Ambassador to Germany.

Members of the public were invited to sign a book of condolences, which was placed in the Hall of Honour in the Parliament Buildings. A provincial state memorial service was held for Mr. Horgan on December 15, 2024 at the Q Centre just outside of Victoria. The memorial service was open to the public and attended by the Lieutenant Governor, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier David Eby, and many current and former Members of the Legislative Assembly.

In mid-December, the BC NDP shared that former Member and interim Provincial Director of the BC NDP Dan Coulter died at the age of 49 following a medical emergency. Mr. Coulter served as MLA for Chilliwack in the 42nd Parliament as well as Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility and later Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit. A public service will be held in January in Chilliwack.

Jared Brown

Committee Researcher

Mary Heeg

Committee Research Analyst

Saskatchewan

Thirtieth general election

On October 28, 2024, Saskatchewan held its thirtieth general election. The Saskatchewan Party, led by Premier Scott Moe, was elected to form a fifth consecutive majority government, winning 34 of 61 seats. The New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Carla Beck, won the remaining 27 seats and formed the opposition.

This marks a significant gain for the NDP, which secured more than double the number of seats it won in the 2020 election, including every seat in Regina and all but one in Saskatoon. Five prominent cabinet ministers were among the Saskatchewan Party incumbents who lost their seats in Regina and Saskatoon. Notably, 31 of the 61 members elected to serve in the thirtieth legislature are new.

Cabinet shuffle

On November 7, 2024, Premier Moe announced his new 16-member cabinet. In addition to being slightly smaller than the former 18-member cabinet, the new cabinet saw all ministerial roles reassigned, with no ministers retaining their previous portfolios.

Nine cabinet ministers switched portfolios:

Jim Reiter became the Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister of Immigration and Career Training, and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board;

Everett Hindley became the Minister of Education;

Jeremy Cockrill became the Minister of Health;

Lori Carr became the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health;

Tim McLeod became the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, and Minister Responsible for the Firearms Secretariat;

David Marit became the Minister of Highways, Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement, and Minister Responsible for the Global Transportation Hub Authority;

Jeremy Harrison became the Minister of Crown Investments Corporation, Minister Responsible for the Public Service Commission, Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Incorporated, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Power Corporation, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Telecommunications, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Corporation, and Minister Responsible for Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation;

Terry Jenson became the Minister of Social Services; and

Colleen Young became the Minister of Energy and Resources.

Four ministers entered cabinet for the first time:

Alana Ross became the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, and Minister Responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan;

Daryl Harrison became the Minister of Agriculture, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation, and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency;

Travis Keisig became the Minister of Environment; and

Eric Schmalz became the Minister of Government Relations, Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, and Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission.

Finally, two ministers re-entered cabinet:

Ken Cheveldayoff became the Minister of Advanced Education;

Warren Kaeding became the Minister of Trade and Export Development and the Minister Responsible for Innovation.

House leadership

Alongside the cabinet changes, Premier Moe also announced the government caucus’s new House leadership positions, as well as the new Provincial Secretary. Ms. Carr returns to her former role as Deputy Government House Leader, while Mr. McLeod takes on the position of Government House Leader. Jamie Martens has been appointed Provincial Secretary.

The opposition retains Nicole Sarauer as the Opposition House Leader and Meara Conway as the Deputy Opposition House Leader.

Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker

Todd Goudy was the only member to submit his name for the position of Speaker, and on November 25, 2024, he was declared Speaker by acclamation.

Similarly, Blaine McLeod was the only member to submit his name for the position of Deputy Speaker, and on November 26, 2024, he was declared Deputy Speaker by acclamation. Chris Beaudry, MLA for Kelvington-Wadena, was subsequently appointed Deputy Chair of Committees of the Whole Assembly.

Summary of the fall sitting of the first session of the thirtieth legislature

The first session of the thirtieth legislature began on November 25, 2024, with the election of the Speaker and the Speech from the Throne. The Assembly sat for 10 days, during which time 12 public bills were introduced by the government. Three of these bills received royal assent, including an appropriation bill containing supplementary estimates for various ministries and agencies.

The other two bills that received royal assent included Bill No. 1, The Saskatchewan Affordability Act, which introduced cost-of-living relief measures by increasing personal income tax exemptions, and Bill No. 2, The SaskEnergy (Carbon Tax Fairness for Families) Amendment Act, 2024, which extended legislation to halt the collection of carbon taxes on residential customers’ natural gas bills.

Sessional order amending rules and sitting times of the Assembly

On November 27, 2024, Government House Leader McLeod moved a sessional order proposing modifications to the Rules and Procedures of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the duration of the fall sitting. Specifically, the order allowed for both the Address-in-Reply motion and its amendment to be voted off on the sixth day of consideration, adjusted the daily order of business on December 5, 2024, and extended the Assembly’s sitting hours on December 10, 2024 to 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with a recess from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The sessional order came into immediate effect upon its adoption and remained in force until the conclusion of the sitting on December 10, 2024.

Changes to committee composition

At the beginning of a new legislature, the Rules and Procedures of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan require the permanent membership of the various standing committees to be outlined in a report of the Standing Committee on House Services.

The committee met on December 4, 2024, and recommended that the standing committees’ member ratio be set at four government members to three opposition members, in proportion to party membership in the Assembly, with the exception of the Standing Committee on Privileges, which is chaired by the Speaker and would have an equal ratio of three government members and three opposition members. The ratio would also not apply to the Standing Committee on House Services, whose membership is set out in rule 139(1).

The committee’s first report containing the aforementioned recommendation was presented and concurred in by the Assembly on December 4, 2024.

Motion committing supplementary estimates to committee

On December 5, 2024, supplementary estimates were tabled by the government. The Assembly subsequently adopted a motion committing all of the supplementary estimates to the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies, notwithstanding rule 148(1) of the Rules and Procedures of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. This rule stipulates that supplementary estimates are to be committed to designated standing committees for review and consideration, as outlined in the allocation schedule. After consideration, the supplementary estimates were approved and reported back to the Assembly.

Tamikani Nkhata

Procedural Assistant

Ontario

1st Session 43rd Parliament (Fall Meeting Period)

The fall meeting period began on October 21, 2024, when the House returned from the summer adjournment, and ended on December 12, 2024. Ten government bills, 14 private Members’ public bills, and 11 private bills were passed. Before adjourning for the winter, the House adopted a motion that it would stand adjourned until March 3, 2025, which is later than provided for in the regular parliamentary calendar.

Composition of the House

On October 21, 2024, MPP Tyler Allsopp (PC) was introduced in the House and took his seat for the first time. MPP Allsopp was elected earlier in the fall in a by-election in Bay of Quinte following the resignation of former Minister of Energy Todd Smith.

Tributes

In accordance with the Remembrance Week Act, 2016, the House observed two minutes of silence in honour of Remembrance Day, after which Members had the opportunity to make remarks. Following the remarks, MPP Karen McCrimmon sought and was granted unanimous consent to move a private Member’s motion expressing the opinion that members of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve should be included in a program for free transit for veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The House adopted the motion.

On November 20, 2024, the House observed a moment of silence in honour of the Trans Day of Remembrance, as provided for in the Trans Day of Remembrance Act, 2017. The House also granted unanimous consent for Members to make remarks in recognition of the day.

Speaker’s Statement

On December 11, 2024, the Speaker made a statement reminding Members of the rules regarding the form of private Members’ notices of motion. The Speaker observed that notices of motion had become lengthy and that some contained unnecessary justifications. He explained that they should instead present a concise statement of resolve and remain focused on a single issue to enable the House to make a clear decision. They should not include preambles or arguments, as this content is best addressed in the debate itself. The Speaker noted that these rules would be applied more carefully going forward, and that notices of motion which do not comply would be out of order and would not placed on the Orders and Notices Paper.

Committees

Committees were busy during the fall meeting period, and several will continue to meet through the winter adjournment as the House has authorized them to do so.

Changes were made to the membership of all eight standing committees during the course of the meeting period. Some of these changes were made by routine motion in the House pursuant to Standing Order 3. Two others were made when the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs presented reports to the House recommending membership changes, which were then deemed adopted by the House. These two reports represent the first times the Committee has exercised its new authority to revise the memberships of the other standing committees pursuant to Standing Order 109.1(a).

On November 21, 2024, the policy field committees reported to the House on their consideration of the 2024-2025 Estimates. These reports were presented to the House in accordance with Standing Order 66(a), which provides that each Standing Committee shall present one report with respect to all the Estimates considered no later than the third Thursday in November of each calendar year.

Throughout the fall, committees conducted public hearings and clause-by-clause consideration on a number of bills. In addition to considering legislation, committees worked on both new and ongoing studies:

The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs began Pre-Budget Consultations 2025. The Committee plans to hold hearings in 11 different locations across the province in December and January. As of December, the Committee had traveled to Timmins, Kenora and Stratford.

The Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy began report writing on its study related to land use for unlicensed event venues. The report is expected to be tabled in the spring meeting period.

The Standing Committee on Justice Policy resumed its study on intimate partner violence (IPV). This fall, the Committee heard presentations from ministers and associate ministers who had been invited to speak to the Committee on the programs and efforts made by their ministries to assist victims of IPV. Over the winter adjournment, the committee will meet to hear from victims and families of victims of IPV.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts received a briefing from the Auditor General on the 2024 Annual report which was tabled on December 3, 2024. Additionally, the Committee presented the following reports:

Value-for-Money Audit: Management of Invasive Species (2022 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario) (Sessional Paper No. 648).

Value-for-Money Audit: Real Estate Council of Ontario (2022 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario) (Sessional Paper No. 649).

Value-for-Money Audit: Highway Planning and Management (2022 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario) (Sessional Paper No. 670).

Value-for-Money Audit: Climate Change Adaptation: Reducing Urban Flood Risk (2022 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario) (Sessional Paper No. 705).

The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs completed its review of all regulations filed under Ontario statutes in 2022 and presented the ensuing report on December 4, 2024

Vanessa Kattar

Committee Clerk

Québec

Proceedings of the Assemblée nationale du Québec

Legislative agenda

Between October 1 and December 6, 2024, the final day of the sessional period, 25 bills were introduced in the Assemblée nationale, including 15 government bills, five private Members’ bills and five private bills. During the same period, 18 government bills and four private Members’ bills were passed, including:

Bill 61, An Act enacting the Act respecting Mobilité Infra Québec and amending certain provisions relating to shared transportation;

Bill 64, An Act to establish the Musée national de l’histoire du Québec;

Bill 68, An Act mainly to reduce the administrative burden of physicians;

Bill 72, An Act to protect consumers against abusive commercial practices and to offer better transparency with respect to prices and credit; and

Bill 73, An Act to counter non-consensual sharing of intimate images and to improve protection and support in civil matters for persons who are victims of violence.

Of the 22 bills passed during this period, 15 were passed unanimously.

Rulings from the Chair

Ruling on a request for an urgent debate

On October 29, 2024, the President ruled on a request for an urgent debate from Monsef Derraji, Official Opposition House Leader, concerning allegations of sexual misconduct against children and young minors in foster families and youth centres involving the Director of Youth Protection (DPJ). The request was deemed receivable.

The request concerned a specific matter of special importance falling under the Assemblée’s jurisdiction. Furthermore, the difficulties experienced by the DPJ at the point in time could be qualified as a crisis or the worsening of a crisis as defined by parliamentary jurisprudence. The situation seemed to be taking on considerable proportions due to the shocking and concerning revelations regarding the actions of several DPJ workers in various sectors under the DPJ’s responsibility. The President used her power to interpret whether it was urgent to hold an urgent debate and allowed the Members to discuss the subject. She considered that the circumstances were exceptional and that the issue was one of such importance that it justified the holding of an urgent debate and the interruption of legislative proceedings.

Ruling on the receivability of a motion without notice

Later during the sitting of October 29, 2024, a point of order was raised by Alexandre Leduc, House Leader of the Second Opposition Group, on the receivability of a motion without notice moved by Pascal Paradis, Member for Jean-Talon and member of the Third Opposition Group, on the recent intentional blockade of the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montréal. The House Leader of the Second Opposition Group alleged that the motion was contrary to the sub judice rule provided for in the third paragraph of Standing Order 35, which states that the Member speaking “may not refer to any matter that is under adjudication before a court of law or a quasi-judicial body, or that is the subject of an inquiry, where such reference may be prejudicial to the interests of any person or party.”

In his ruling, Frantz Benjamin, Third Vice-President, underlined that in the specific case at the origin of the motion, accusations had been made against the activists who blocked the Jacques Cartier Bridge on October 22, 2024. He also noted that certain sections of the motion referred directly to elements likely to be at the heart of the upcoming trials. He drew attention to the fact that, in the Assemblée nationale, the application of the sub judice rule with regard to criminal and penal matters has been clear, consistent and unambiguous: it is applied strictly because prejudice is deemed likely to occur.

Members are expected to refrain from discussing matters that are before a criminal court, not only to protect the people who are undergoing trial and stand to be affected whatever its outcome, but also to prevent the trial from being affected by debate in the House. Strict application of the sub judice rule with regard to criminal and penal matters ensures that the integrity of the judicial process is respected. There can be no exceptions, as violating the sub judice rule can result in a stay of proceedings.

The Third Vice-President recalled that though the Assemblée nationale is sovereign, it must also keep in mind the rights of defendants. In such cases, it falls to the presiding officer to find balance between allowing the Assemblée to debate and respecting defendants’ rights.

The Assemblée nationale asks the courts to respect the principle of the separation of state powers and it sees to it that its privileges and those of its Members are recognized by the courts. In return, the Assemblée must ensure that the courts’ role is respected. The presiding officer therefore upholds the Members’ freedom of speech yet requires them to express themselves within the limits set by the Standing Orders and jurisprudence.

Since the motion moved by the Member referred to acts for which criminal charges were laid, as well as to arguments made by the parties involved in the case, the Vice-President declared the motion out of order.

Ruling on a point of privilege or contempt

On December 3, 2024, Mr. Derraji, Official Opposition House Leader, presented a notice to the President alleging that the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility had acted in contempt of Parliament by failing to table in the Assemblée nationale, within the time prescribed by law, the 2023 annual management report of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec. The President heard arguments from all sides on the matter on December 4, 2024, and then ruled on the receivability of the point of privilege or contempt on December 5, 2024.

The requirement to table the report originates from section 19 of the Act respecting the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, which clearly states that the Société must submit its documents to the Minister not later than April 30 each year. The Minister must then table the report in the Assemblée nationale within 15 days of receiving it.

The last annual report of the Société was tabled on September 26, 2023, and concerned the year 2022. The annual management report for the year 2023 should have been tabled in the Assemblée nationale during the month of May 2024 at the latest. It was therefore established that the report had not been tabled within the time prescribed by the Act.

The Chair has had to rule several times in the past on points of privilege relating to failure to table a document required by law to be tabled in the Assemblée nationale. Each time, the Chair ruled that failure to table a document within the time prescribed by law constituted prima facie contempt of Parliament.

The report currently at issue is essential for Members in the performance of their fundamental duty as overseers of government action. The Assemblée must be informed of what is happening within the state apparatus in a timely manner. The legally prescribed period is not a suggestion to government departments and agencies, but a performance requirement.

As such, there is no doubt that failure to table a document in the Assemblée nationale when required by law constitutes prima facie contempt.

The argument that the Minister was acting in good faith and had not yet received the documents is a justification that does not alter the Minister’s legal responsibility to table the documents in the Assemblée within the prescribed time limit. Under the Act respecting the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility is responsible for the carrying out of the Act, which includes the requirement to oversee the production and tabling of the required documents within the prescribed period.

Furthermore, doctrine consistently recognizes that, in accordance with the principle of individual ministerial responsibility, a minister is accountable to Parliament not only for their actions, but also those of the public servants in their department and of the public bodies under their responsibility. As such, the Minister’s claim to not have received the document is not sufficient to absolve her of her obligation to the Assemblée.

When, for any reason, it is not possible for a government department or agency to complete a document within the legally prescribed time limit, the Assemblée is entitled to expect the minister responsible for the application of the Act to follow up and provide explanations for the delay. It is a matter of basic deference, which government departments and agencies must show to the Assemblée and its Members.

It is fundamental that Members take the legal obligations to produce and table these documents in the Assemblée nationale seriously. It is also important that each stakeholder play its role adequately so that these obligations are respected.

For all these reasons, the Chair ruled that the point of privilege raised by the Official Opposition House Leader was prima facie admissible.

Change of Second Vice-President of the Assemblée nationale

On November 6, 2024, Sylvain Lévesque, Member for Chauveau, informed the President of his resignation as Second Vice-President of the Assemblée nationale. On November 7, 2024, Sylvie D’Amours, Member for Mirabel, was appointed Second Vice-President of the Assemblée nationale.

Ministerial Statement

On December 4, 2024, Sonia LeBel, Minister Responsible for Government Administration and Chair of the Conseil du trésor, made a statement announcing the review of the process of negotiation of collective agreements in the public and parapublic sectors. As provided for by the Standing Orders, representatives of the three opposition groups commented following the statement. It was the first statement by a minister since June 7, 2024.

Committee proceedings

Bills

The Committee on Public Finance examined two bills concerning budget and taxation matters: Bill_75, An Act to give effect to fiscal measures announced in the Budget Speech delivered on 12 March 2024 and to certain other measures, and Bill 80, An Act respecting the implementation of certain provisions of the Budget Speech of 12 March 2024 and amending other provisions.

The latter bill amends certain provisions of the Act respecting the Québec Pension Plan. It also amends the Act respecting the conditions of employment and the pension plan of the Members of the National Assembly to provide that no adjustment be made to the annual indemnity paid to the Members for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. This change is in keeping with the passage of the Act to follow up on the recommendations of the report of the Comité consultatif indépendant sur la révision de l’indemnité annuelle des membres de l’Assemblée nationale.

From October to December 2024, parliamentary committees carried out the clause-by-clause consideration of a total of 15 bills. These included, notably, Bill 61, An Act enacting the Act respecting Mobilité Infra Québec and amending certain provisions relating to shared transportation, which the Committee on Transportation and the Environment considered over the course of 15 meetings. The purpose of the Act is to establish a new agency, named Mobilité Infra Québec, with the mission to plan and carry out complex transportation projects. It should be noted that the Chair of the Committee ruled on the receivability of a subamendment during the November 5 sitting. After examination, the motion was deemed sufficiently different, in terms of substance, from the other subamendments already submitted to be declared receivable.

The Committee on Citizen Relations completed its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 74, An Act mainly to improve the regulatory scheme governing international students, over the course of 25 hours and five sittings. The bill contains provisions that give the Government the power to limit the number of international student applications to educational institutions on the basis of, notably, region, level of instruction, institution or program of studies.

The Chair of the Committee also ruled on the receivability of an amendment during the November 27 sitting. The amendment, which proposed adding the definition of “designated educational institution” to the Québec Immigration Regulation, was deemed receivable. In her ruling, the Chair underscored that the proposed motion was not contrary to an amendment previously adopted to replace section 1 of the bill but clarified it in certain ways.

Oversight

On October 10, 2024, the Committee on Public Administration heard the Tribunal administratif du logement on its administrative management, its financial commitments and the annual report of the Public Protector. The Committee had decided to hold the hearing following the examination of the Tribunal’s annual management report, which was carried out in the spring of 2024. The examination had notably revealed issues regarding access to the organization’s telephone services. The complaints collected by the Public Protector echoed similar problems. After the hearing, the Committee made four recommendations, one of which was for the Tribunal administratif du logement to immediately send to the Committee on Public Administration a copy of the action plan established in response to the Public Protector’s recommendation and to report on the action plan’s progress in its next annual management reports.

Order of initiative

On October 22, 2024, the Chair of the Committee on Health and Social Services tabled the Committee’s report within the framework of the order of initiative on examining ways to facilitate organ and tissue donation, such as through the adoption of presumed consent. At the conclusion of its proceedings, the Committee held 10 deliberative meetings to establish its observations and recommendations.

The 11 observations and 15 recommendations made by the Committee centre on six themes: the legal framework and governance, consent, the organization of the organ and tissue donation process, donations by living donors, education and awareness-raising, and the First Nations, the Inuit and cultural communities. Pursuant to the Standing Orders of the National Assembly, which state that committee reports containing recommendations must be taken into consideration and give rise to a debate not later than 15 days after being tabled in the Assemblée, the report was taken into consideration and the debate was held on October 24, 2024.

Select Committee on the Impacts of Screens and Social Media on Young People’s Health and Development

The Select Committee on the Impacts of Screens and Social Media on Young People’s Health and Development continued its work, which began in September 2024, by touring some 20 elementary and secondary schools across six Québec regions to meet with students and school staff. An online consultation was also launched on October 31, 2024, to obtain the perspectives of as many Quebecers as possible on the subject under study. The consultations will continue until January 31, 2025.

Marie-Christine Aubé

Direction de la séance et de la procédure parlementaire

Roxanne Guévin

Direction des commissions parlementaires

Manitoba

Second Session of the 43^rd Legislature

The Second Session of the 43^rd Legislature commenced on November 19, 2024 with the Speech from the Throne delivered by Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville. Consent from the Official Opposition and Independent Members was given to allow an Indigenous Youth Choir to sing the Canadian anthem from the Bar of the House following the Speech. “O Canada” was sung in Anishinaabemowin by the Giinawind Riverbend Community School Abinoojiiyag Nagamogon.

The address outlined a series of initiatives to be implemented in order to keep delivering for families by making improvements in health care and creating more good jobs, and identified the following priorities and commitments:

Making progress on health care by improving wait times

Lowering bills by freezing Manitoba Hydro rates for one year

Growing the economy with a new critical minerals strategy

Making downtowns and communities safer with the new Public Safety Strategy

Helping kids by building on the province’s universal school meal program

Protecting the environment with a new Affordable Energy Plan

Honouring the past while giving hope to the future with a new mother and child bison statue to be built on the front lawn of the legislative building grounds, and a new honour for veterans and other Manitoba heroes

During his contribution to the Throne Speech debate on November 20, the Leader of the Official Opposition Wayne Ewasko moved one of the shortest amendments in recent history expressing non-confidence in the Government:

“But this House regrets that the Provincial Government has failed to follow through on its commitments to the people of Manitoba, demonstrating a lack of credibility, integrity and competence in basic governance, and has thus neglected the needs of Manitobans.”

On November 28, the amendment was defeated on division, while the main motion carried on a recorded vote of ayes 30, nays 20. The Fall Sittings period concluded on December 5, 2024, without any bills receiving Royal Assent. The Assembly is scheduled to resume sitting on March 5, 2025.

Rule Book changes in effect

The start of the 2^nd Session of the 43^rd Legislature also marked the day that changes to the Rules, adopted by the House in May 2024, came into effect. Most of the changes involved codifying the provisions of the Sessional Order passed in October 2020, discussed in previous submissions, that first enabled Members to participate virtually in sittings of the House and Committees. There were a few additional items, including not needing leave to add names in Hansard during a Ministerial Statement or response, and increasing the length of time a Member has to speak when posing a question to a public presenter in a Standing Committee from 30 seconds to 45 seconds. Both the Rule Book and the Summary of Changes documents are available on the Assembly website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/business/rule_book.html

Cabinet Shuffle

A minor cabinet shuffle occurred in November, just over a year after the government was sworn in, splitting some responsibilities, creating new departments and swapping Ministers among portfolios. The shuffle included three new faces including Assiniboia MLA Nellie Kennedy as the first Muslim woman to be appointed to Manitoba’s cabinet. She took over from Glen Simard as Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, as he assumed the role of Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations.

The Premier now has 17 MLAs around his cabinet table, and among the new faces is River Heights MLA Mike Moroz, who will be responsible for the newly created Department of Innovation and New Technology. Maples MLA Mintu Sandhu also joined cabinet as the Minister of Public Service Delivery.

Standing Committees

The Standing Committee on Crown Corporations is meeting on five occasions in January and February to consider the Annual Reports of the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, Efficiency Manitoba, Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation and the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board respectively. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts also met in December to consider the Auditor General Reports on Provincial Oversight of Drinking Water Safety as well as Animal Disease Preparedness. Its next scheduled meeting is in March when session resumes.

Greg Recksiedler

Research Clerk / Clerk Assistant

House of Commons

Introduction

This account covers key highlights of the period from mid-October 2024 to early January 2025. The House adjourned on December 17, 2024, and on January 6, 2025, the first session of the 44^th Parliament was prorogued until March 24, 2025.

Legislation

Bill S-16, An Act respecting the recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation

On November 6, 2024, by unanimous consent Bill S-16, An Act respecting the recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation, was deemed concurred in at report stage and deemed read a third time and passed.

Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts

On November 19, 2024, by unanimous consent, Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, was deemed adopted at second reading and referred to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to hear from witnesses. The order adopted also contained provisions that once the committee had heard from the witnesses, the bill would be deemed concurred in at report stage without amendments and deemed read a third time and passed. This provision finally took effect on November 26, 2024.

Procedure / Privilege

Question of Privilege Concerning the Failure to Produce Documents Pertaining to Sustainable Development Technology Canada

As mentioned in the previous report, the debate on the question of privilege from Andrew Scheer (Regina—Qu’Appelle) is ongoing. On September 16, 2024, Mr. Scheer raised a question of privilege concerning the government’s failure to comply with a June 10, 2024, House order for the production of unredacted documents regarding Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). He argued that providing redacted documents breached the House’s authority. Other members, including Brian Masse (Windsor West) and Alain Therrien (La Prairie), supported his claim.

On September 26, 2024, the Speaker ruled it a prima facie case of privilege and Mr. Scheer moved a motion to refer the issue to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. On October 2, 2024, Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L’Érable) moved an amendment to add an instruction for the committee to order witnesses to appear and to report by a deadline.

On October 10, 2024, Dan Muys (Flamborough—Glanbrook) moved a subamendment to add the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, who had respected the order of the House and submitted unredacted documents, and Paul MacKinnon, the former Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Governance), to the list of witnesses. The subamendment was later adopted on November 5, 2024.

That same day, Tom Kmiec (Calgary Shepard) moved a second subamendment to modify the deadline to report to the House. On November 18, 2024, the subamendment was adopted.

On November 19, 2024, Pat Kelly (Calgary Rocky Ridge) moved a third subamendment specifying that the committee be required to report back to the House within 30 sitting days following the adoption of the order. The subamendment further provided that this reporting requirement would be discharged if, prior to the expiration of the 30-day period, the Speaker tables a notice from the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel confirming that all government institutions have fully complied with the order adopted on June 10, 2024, by depositing all responsive records in an unredacted form.

The debate on Mr. Kelly’s subamendment was ongoing at the time of prorogation.

Question of privilege concerning the failure of a witness to provide information to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics  

On September 17, 2024, Michael Barrett (Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes) raised a question of privilege regarding the refusal of Stephen Anderson, a business associate of then Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault (Edmonton Centre), to provide documents and fully answer questions before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics during an investigation into the minister’s business dealings. Mr. Barrett argued that Mr. Anderson’s actions constituted contempt of Parliament and requested a prima facie case of privilege.

On October 1, 2024, the Speaker delivered his ruling that Mr. Anderson’s refusal to comply was a prima facie breach of privilege. Mr. Barrett then moved a motion to have the House find Mr. Anderson in contempt, summon him before the bar of the House of Commons for admonishment, compel him to submit the requested records and respond to further questioning. The motion also proposed referring any submitted records back to the committee for further review and possible additional actions.

On November 18, 2024, Michael Cooper (St. Albert—Edmonton) moved an amendment to provide a procedural framework for Mr. Anderson’s appearance and questioning at the bar of the House of Commons. On November 28, 2024, John Brassard (Barrie—Innisfil) moved a subamendment to allow for questioning by Mr. Boissonnault.

At the time of prorogation, the debate on Mr. Brassard’s subamendment was ongoing.

Question of Privilege on the Access to the Hill

On October 7, 2024, Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill) raised a question of privilege regarding public access to Parliament Hill. Ms. Lantsman argued that an officer from the Parliamentary Protective Service had restricted a visitor’s access based on their political beliefs, specifically related to Palestinian support, and asserted that such actions could have implied a broader ideological restriction potentially affecting members of Parliament.

Later, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader, Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), countered that no member access had been obstructed and that, therefore, this was not a matter of privilege. Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby) also argued that parliamentary privilege regarding obstruction applied solely to members and did not extend to the public’s access rights.

On October 29, 2024, the Speaker ruled on the matter, concluding that privilege claims required concrete evidence of interference with Members’ duties and found no prima facie breach of privilege. He affirmed that public access had been managed per established security protocols to ensure safety.

Question of Privilege on the Refusal of Witness to Respond to Questions from Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security

On November 23, 2024, Alistair MacGregor (Cowichan—Malahat—Langford) raised a question of privilege concerning the actions of the co-founder of Tenet Media, Lauren Chen, during her appearance as a witness at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU), described in the committee’s 14^th report presented earlier that day. The committee was conducting a study on Russian interference and disinformation campaigns in Canada.

Ms. Chen declined to answer questions by the committee. Mr. MacGregor emphasized the constitutional authority of parliamentary committees to conduct inquiries and require answers from witnesses. Other Members rose on the matter to support Mr. MacGregor’s arguments.

On November 20, 2024, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North) noted that Ms. Chen is under indictment in the United States and has been advised by legal counsel to avoid testimony that might incriminate her, as U.S. courts may not recognize Canadian parliamentary privilege. He proposed that before a prima facie breach of privilege is declared, the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs should analyze how to manage such delicate situations.

On December 3, 2024, the Speaker ruled on the question of privilege. The Speaker acknowledged that Ms. Chen’s refusal to answer constituted a serious matter that touched upon parliamentary privilege, noting the established expectation for witnesses to answer committee questions. However, the Speaker also recognized that enforcing compliance from a witness outside Canadian jurisdiction presented significant procedural challenges.

The Speaker ruled that this constituted a prima facie question of privilege. He recommended referring the matter to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, which could examine the unique aspects of the case and propose actionable recommendations. Instead of inviting Mr. MacGregor to move his motion immediately, the Speaker explained that as the House was currently considering Mr. Scheer’s and Mr. Barrett’s motions of privilege, that those should be disposed of before the House could consider another matter.

Question of Privilege Alleged Intimidation During Proceedings of the House

On November 29, 2024, the Speaker addressed the House regarding disruptive behaviors that occurred the previous day during a recorded division on the motion for second reading of Bill C-78, An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability), which included shouting and gestures from Members aimed at provoking reactions. At the time, the Speaker had to intervene to restore order. He reminded Members that noise or movement is prohibited during a vote to ensure orderly proceedings. The Speaker also acknowledged an oversight in not recognizing Lindsay Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe) for a point of order following the vote. He apologized for the procedural error and invited Ms. Mathyssen or her colleagues to raise the matter subsequently.

Later, Ms. Mathyssen raised a question of privilege concerning the situation. She argued that behaviours by other Members had prevented her from hearing proceedings despite using an earpiece. She stated that this impaired her ability to fulfill her duties. She noted that disturbances during voting and deliberate attempts to intimidate members could constitute contempt of the House. She called for robust measures to address the violations of decorum, protect members’ rights, and ensure accountability for behavior she deemed as harassment and intimidation, emphasizing the need to uphold parliamentary standards.

On November 29, 2024, several Conservative Members responded, claiming that the Speaker had followed proper procedures during the vote. They alleged that Ms. Mathyssen exhibited aggressive behavior toward the Speaker and Conservative Members post-adjournment and that there was video evidence of her actions.

Several other Members intervened on the matter. On December 11, 2024, the Speaker ruled on the question of privilege. In his ruling, the Speaker acknowledged the excessive noise during the vote, which disrupted proceedings and prompted an intervention to restore order. However, the Speaker found no evidence that any Member was unable to vote or participate in the proceedings. While agreeing that the behavior constituted a breach of decorum, the Speaker determined it did not rise to the level of a prima facie breach of privilege or contempt.

Question of Privilege on the Access to Parliamentary Precinct

On December 6, 2024, Melissa Lantsman (Thornhill) raised a question of privilege concerning access to the parliamentary precinct following a protest in the Confederation Building, which she argued obstructed Members’ access to their offices and parliamentary functions. Citing parliamentary authorities, she noted that such obstruction constitutes a prima facie breach of privilege. She emphasized that Members’ safety and unimpeded access to their offices are foundational to parliamentary privilege. She then went on to argue that some members had been involved in orchestrating the protests.

Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre) and Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona) later responded to the allegations raised by Ms. Lantsman. Both Members refuted claims of involvement in organizing or supporting the protest and emphasized their presence was limited to listening to the demonstrators.

On December 17, 2024, the Speaker ruled on the question of privilege. While recognizing the disruption and stress caused by the protest, the Speaker concluded that Parliamentary Protective Services protocols ensured Members were not impeded in fulfilling their parliamentary duties. Redirecting members to alternate entrances was deemed sufficient to maintain access.

The Speaker also addressed allegations against NDP Members accused of aiding the protest. Accepting their categorical denials, the Speaker advised caution to all Members regarding interactions with demonstrations in parliamentary buildings. Though the protest was disruptive, it did not meet the threshold for a prima facie breach of privilege as it did not directly obstruct access to a parliamentary proceeding.

Motions

Motion to Welcome Canada’s 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes

On November 7, 2024, by unanimous consent, it was ordered that the House would resolve itself into a committee of the whole to welcome Canada’s 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes at a later date. On December 4, 2024, in accordance with this order, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole and welcomed the athletes onto the floor of the House.

Speaker’s Statements and Rulings

Speaker’s Statement on the Length of Statements by Members

On November 21, 2024, following Statements by Members, the Speaker briefly addressed the House, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the 60-second time limit during Statements by Members. The Speaker explained that leniency had been extended to members of all parties who exceeded the allotted time. He requested greater mindfulness from Members to ensure timely starts and adherence to parliamentary decorum.

Speaker’s Statement on Supply Period

On November 21, 2024, the Speaker delivered a statement concerning the ongoing supply period, ending December 10, 2024, emphasizing the procedural conflict between the debate on privilege motions and the obligations under the Standing Orders regarding supplies.

The Speaker reminded the House that the privilege motions, which take precedence over all other business under Standing Order 48(1), have dominated the House’s agenda since September 26, 2024. The Speaker referenced House of Commons Procedure and Practice, explaining that privilege motions interrupt all Orders of the Day except specific exceptions. Simultaneously, the government must designate four more allotted days and the House must dispose of supplementary estimates before December 10, 2024, per Standing Orders 81(10)(a) and 81(17). The Speaker encouraged House leaders to negotiate a balance between these conflicting priorities while maintaining parliamentary obligations.

Immediately following the Speaker’s statement, Alain Therrien (La Prairie), raised a point of order addressing the same questions as the Speaker regarding the final four allotted days for the supply period ending December 10, 2024.

On December 2, 2024, the Speaker ruled on the point of order raised by Mr. Therrien. The Speaker reiterated the government’s responsibility under Standing Order 80(1) to designate days for the business of supply and emphasized the requirement to reconcile privilege with the granting of supply. Citing precedents from 1990, the Speaker ruled that December 5, 6, 9, and 10, 2024, would be allotted days, unless the House decided otherwise, noting the 48-hour notice required for opposition motions. Debates on questions of privilege would resume once opposition motions are disposed of.

Speaker’s Ruling on Oral Questions Unrelated to the Government’s Administrative Responsibility

On December 3, 2024, following Oral Questions, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Karina Gould (Burlington) raised a point of order concerning the handling of questions deemed unrelated to the administration of government. She highlighted that ministers have previously been allowed to respond to such questions and sought clarity on how these matters should be addressed consistently.

Damien Kurek (Battle River—Crowfoot) argued that questions related to government confidence are tied to administration and should be allowed, as they directly impact the functioning of the government. Several other members spoke to the matter.

On December 10, 2024, the Speaker delivered his ruling. The Speaker clarified that the purpose of Question Period is to hold the government accountable within its areas of responsibility. Questions targeting opposition parties or addressing matters outside government administration are not aligned with the intended function of Question Period. Similarly, questions from opposition members addressing other opposition parties are generally out of order, as noted in prior rulings by Speaker Peter Milliken (2010) and the November 20, 2023, ruling.

The Speaker underscored the importance of formulating questions with a clear and direct link to government responsibility. Questions that do not meet this standard can lead to procedural challenges. Members were encouraged to consult table officers for guidance in crafting questions that adhere to parliamentary rules.

Other Matters

Emergency Debates

On October 21, 2024, George Chahal (Calgary Skyview) requested an emergency debate be held on the RCMP allegations concerning foreign interference from India. The Speaker granted the request, and the emergency debate was held later that day.

On November 26, 2024, Brian Masse (Windsor West) and the Leader of the Opposition, Pierre Poilievre (Carleton) requested an emergency debate be held on US tariffs on Canadian products. The Speaker granted the requested, and the emergency debate was held later that day.

Naming of Three Members in One Day

On November 19, 2024, following Statements by Members and Oral Questions, the Speaker named Michelle Rempel Garner (Calgary Nose Hill), Micheal Barrett (Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes) and Rick Perkins (South Shore—St. Margarets) for disregarding the authority of the Chair by refusing to withdraw unparliamentary language.

Fall Economic Statement

On December 11, 2024, by unanimous consent, the House adopted a motion to allow the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland (University—Rosedale) to make a statement at 4:00 p.m. on December 16, 2024, followed by statements from a member of each recognized opposition parties, as well as a member of the Green Party.

On the morning of December 16, 2024, Ms. Freeland resigned from Cabinet. At 4:00 p.m., the Speaker interrupted proceedings as required by the special order to allow the Minister of Finance to make a statement. The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Karina Gould (Burlington), announced that due to events earlier in the day, there would be no statement by the Minister of Finance.

Several Members rose on points of order to criticize the government for not delivering the statement, arguing they were not in compliance with the House order and that they were depriving opposition parties from speaking to the matter. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Gould tabled the fall economic update without further remarks.

The Speaker clarified the procedural implications of the special order, explaining that without a ministerial statement, subsequent steps in the order could not occur. Points of order and procedural objections from members continued, reflecting broader concerns about parliamentary accountability and privilege. The Speaker added that the government’s brief tabling of the document did not fulfill the intended purpose of the order, effectively nullifying subsequent provisions. The Speaker reiterated his inability to enforce such measures under the existing motion’s constraint.

Prorogation and Resignation of the Prime Minister

On January 6, 2025, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau (Papineau), announced his resignation as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and consequently as Prime Minister, once a replacement is selected. At the same time, he stated that he had requested that the Governor General prorogue Parliament until March 24, 2024.

Moments of Silence

In Memory of the Victims of the October 7 Attack

On October 7, 2024, the House observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the attack in Israel one year ago.

Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Attack on Parliament Hill

On October 21, 2024, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North) sought and obtained unanimous consent that on the following day, the House observed a moment of silence to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the attack on Parliament Hill. As per the adopted order, the moment of silence was observed the next day.

In Memory of the Late Senator Murray Sinclair

On November 4, 2024, the House observed a moment of silence in memory of the late Senator Murray Sinclair.

Commemoration of One Thousand Days of War in Ukraine

On November 19, 2024, the House observed a moment of silence to commemorate the 1,000 days that have gone by since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

35th anniversary of the Polytechnique tragedy

On December 6, 2024, during Routine Proceedings, under Statements by Ministers, representatives from each party made statements regarding the 35^th anniversary of the tragedy at École Polytechnique in Montreal. Later, following Oral Questions, the House observed a moment of silence in memory of the victims.

In memory of former BC Premier John Horgan

On December 12, 2024, the House observed a moment of silence in memory of the late John Horgan, former Premier of British Columbia.

Vicky Sedhya Maurice-Sevigny

Table Research Branch
House of Commons

The Senate

Bills

The Senate passed seven government bills without amendment during the period covered by this article.

On October 1, the Senate passed Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada–Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, at third reading. The bill received Royal Assent by written declaration on October 3.

On September 25, the Senate adopted a motion governing proceedings on Bill C-76, An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act. Pursuant to that order, the Senate passed that bill at third reading on October 3. The bill received Royal Assent by written declaration that same day.

On October 10, the Senate passed Bill C-٦٤,An Act respecting pharmacare, at third reading. The bill received Royal Assent by written declaration the same day.

On October 31, the Senate passed Bill C-20, An Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments, at third reading. The bill received Royal Assent by written declaration the same day.

On December 12, the Senate passed Bill C-78, An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability), and Bill C-40, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to repeal a regulation (miscarriage of justice reviews), at third reading. Bill C-78 received Royal Assent by written declaration that same day, while Bill C-40 received Royal Assent by written declaration on December 17.

Also on December 17, the Senate passed Bill C-79, Appropriation Act No. 4, 2024-25, at third reading. The bill received Royal Assent by written declaration the same day.

The Senate amended two government bills during the period covered by this article. Following a Speaker’s ruling (discussed below), the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs presented its report on Bill S-15, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, with four amendments on December 3. The Senate concurred in that report on December 17. That same day, the Senate passed the bill at third reading, and a message was sent to the House of Commons seeking its concurrence. On December 3, the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs presented its report on Bill C-26, An Act respecting cyber security, amending the Telecommunications Act and making consequential amendments to other Acts, with one amendment. The Senate concurred in that report on December 4. On December 5, the Senate passed the bill at third reading, and a message was sent to the House seeking its concurrence.

On October 10, the following bills received Royal Assent by written declaration: Bill S-205, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another Act (interim release and domestic violence recognizance orders); and Bill C-291, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (child sexual abuse and exploitation material).

On November 7, the following bills received Royal Assent by written declaration: Bill S-16, An Act respecting the recognition of the Haida Nation and the Council of the Haida Nation; Bill C244, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (diagnosis, maintenance and repair); Bill C-284, An Act to establish a national strategy for eye care; and Bill C-294, An Act to amend the Copyright Act (interoperability).

Other notable bills included Bill C-280, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (deemed trust – perishable fruits and vegetables), and Bill S-249, An Act respecting national action for the prevention of intimate partner violence. In the latter case, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology presented a report on November 7 containing six amendments to the bill, including a new long title, which was originally “An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for the prevention of intimate partner violence.” The Senate passed the bill, as amended, on November 26, and a message was sent to the House of Commons seeking its concurrence. As for Bill C-280, the Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy presented a report making two amendments to the bill on November 5. On December 3, the Senate negatived the report by recorded division. The Senate passed the bill, without amendment, at third reading on December 10, and it received Royal Assent by written declaration on December 12.

Chamber, Procedure and Speaker’s Rulings

On October 2, Speaker Raymonde Gagné ruled on a point of order raised by Senator Donald Neil Plett on September 25 regarding the requirement for a Royal Recommendation for Bill S-15, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. The Speaker ruled that there were strong arguments in favour of continuing debate and that, consistent with Senate precedents and practice, the bill was in order. The Speaker’s ruling was subsequently challenged and sustained by recorded division.

On October 3, Senator Plett raised another point of order regarding Bill S-15. This point of order concerned the admissibility of certain amendments to the bill proposed in the 25th report of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. On October 10, the Speaker ruled that the amendments challenged in the point of order were not properly before the Senate as they went beyond the scope of the bill. Since other amendments contained in the report were not contested, the report was struck from the Orders of the Day and returned to the committee, along with the bill, so that the committee could make the necessary corrections and present a new report consistent with the bill’s scope.

On October 24, Senator Claude Carignan raised a point of order regarding the requirement for a Royal Recommendation for Bill S-230, An Act to amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. On November 20, the Speaker ruled that debate on the bill could continue.

On October 29, Senator Mary Jane McCallum raised a point of order regarding the adjournment of debate on Bill S-274, An Act to establish National Thanadelthur Day. The Speaker ruled that the point of order was not established.

On December 3, Senator Marilou McPhedran raised a point of order regarding the Senate’s proceedings during the sitting of November 28 and, more specifically, a motion to adjourn the sitting. That same day, Senator McCallum raised a question of privilege on the same topic. The Speaker reserved her decision on both points.

On October 24, in accordance with the Access to Information Act, the Senate approved the reappointment of Caroline Maynard as Information Commissioner for a term of seven years. On December 17, in accordance with the Parliament of Canada Act, the Senate approved the appointment of James O’Reilly as Senate Ethics Officer after hearing from him in Committee of the Whole.

On December 12, Senator Plett moved a hoist amendment during the third reading debate on Bill C-252, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibition of food and beverage marketing directed at children). The sitting was adjourned by motion immediately after the amendment was moved.

Committees

On October 10, the government tabled its response to the seventh report of the National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs Committee, entitled The Time Is Now: Granting equitable access to psychedelic-assisted therapies. The response and the report were deemed referred to the committee.

On October 25, the government tabled its response to the 21st report of the Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee, entitled Act Now: Solutions for Temporary and Migrant Labour in Canada. The response and the report were deemed referred to the committee.

On October 22, the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration presented its 15^th report, which concerned the Senate Administrative Rules as they pertain to the Access to Information Act.

On November 6, the government tabled its response to the 13th report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, entitled Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human, and Social Health. The response and the report were deemed referred to the committee.

On December 12, the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency tabled its final report, bringing its work to a close.

Senators

Senator Diane Bellemare retired from the Senate on October 13. Senator Bellemare was appointed to the Senate on September 6, 2012, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to represent the senatorial region of Alma, Quebec. Before her appointment to the Senate, Senator Bellemare was a professor and economist. Initially a member of the Conservative Party of Canada caucus, she became a non-affiliated Senator in 2016 and was named Legislative Deputy of the Government in the Senate, a position she held until 2019. Senator Bellemare was a member of the Independent Senators Group from 2019 to 2021 and a member of the Progressive Senate Group after that. She sat on multiple committees, including the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, which she chaired, the Banking, Commerce and the Economy Committee and the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance.

Senator Frances Lankin resigned from the Senate on October 20. Senator Lankin was appointed to the Senate on April 1, 2016, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to represent Ontario. Prior to her appointment to the Senate, Senator Lankin was a social activist, union leader, Member of the Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park and minister who held multiple portfolios. Initially serving as a non-affiliated Senator, she was a founding member of the Independent Senators Group, for which she served as Legislative Liaison. In 2024, she again became a non-affiliated Senator and was appointed Government Liaison in the Senate. That same year, she resigned from that position to return to the Independent Senators Group. Senator Lankin sat on a number of committees, including the Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament Committee, where she served as Deputy Chair, the Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee and the Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration Committee. She was also a member of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.

Senator Ratna Omidvar retired from the Senate on November 5. Senator Omidvar was appointed to the Senate on April 1, 2016, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Trudeau, to represent Ontario. Before she was appointed to the Senate, Senator Omidvar was a professor and executive director. She entered the Senate as a non-affiliated Senator before becoming a founding member of the Independent Senators Group, for which she served as Legislative Liaison and Scroll Manager. Senator Omidvar sat on multiple committees, including the Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee, which she chaired, the Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector, the Committee of Selection, where she was Deputy Chair, and the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications.

Senator Jane Cordy resigned from the Senate on November 19. Senator Cordy was appointed to the Senate on June 9, 2000, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, to represent Nova Scotia. Before being appointed to the Senate, Senator Cordy was a teacher. While she was initially a member of the Liberal Party of Canada caucus, Senator Cordy became the Leader of the Progressive Senate Group in 2020. She sat on multiple committees, including the Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, the Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration Committee, where she served as Deputy Chair, the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, the Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament Committee and the National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Senator Stephen Greene retired from the Senate on December 8. Senator Greene was appointed to the Senate on January 2, 2009, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Harper, to represent Nova Scotia. Prior to his appointment, Senator Greene was a political adviser and businessman. Initially a member of the Conservative Party caucus, for which he served as Deputy Whip, Senator Greene became a member of the Independent Senators Group in 2017 and the Canadian Senators Group in 2022, serving as Deputy Liaison. He sat on a number of committees, including the Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization, which he chaired, the Transport and Communications Committee, the Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament Committee, where he served as Deputy Chair, the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Banking, Commerce and the Economy Committee and the Committee of Selection.

Senator Brent Cotter retired from the Senate on December 18. Senator Cotter was appointed to the Senate on January 31, 2020, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Trudeau, to represent Saskatchewan. Before he was appointed to the Senate, Senator Cotter was a lawyer, deputy minister and dean. He was a member of the Independent Senators Group. Senator Cotter served on multiple committees, including the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which he chaired, the Standing Senate Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators, for which he was Deputy Chair, and the National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs Committee.

On October 8, Suze Youance, who was appointed to the Senate to represent the Senate division of Lauzon, Quebec, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Trudeau on September 25, was introduced in the Senate and took her seat. Senator Youance is a civil engineer, lecturer and research assistant at the École de technologie supérieure(ÉTS) in Montreal and a host of television programs on engineering and sustainable development. Senator Youance is of Haitian origin and came to Canada in 2006. She is Chair of the Board of the Bureau de la communauté haïtienne de Montréal and President of the Scientific Council of the UNESCO “Women and Science for Development” Chair in Haiti. Senator Youance holds a degree in civil engineering from the State University of Haiti and a master’s degree and doctorate in construction engineering from the ÉTS.She is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.

On December 19, Allister Surette was appointed to the Senate to represent Nova Scotia and Nancy Karetak-Lindell was appointed to the Senate to represent Nunavut, both on the recommendation of Prime Minister Trudeau. At the time of writing, they had not yet taken the oath. More information on these new senators will be provided in the next summary.

François Michaud

Procedural Clerk

Prince Edward Island

1^st Session, Sixty-seventh General Assembly

The First Session of the Sixty-seventh General Assembly resumed on November 5, 2024, and adjourned to the call of the Speaker on November 29, for a fall sitting totaling 16 days. The First Session began in May 2023 and now totals 81 sitting days.

Capital Budget

Minister of Finance Jill Burridge tabled the 2025-2026 Capital Budget on November 7. Its total for the year is $483 million and over five years, $1.65 billion. The largest area of expenditure under one department is in the Department of Education and Early Years, at $113 million, though combined health-related spending under the Department of Health and Wellness and Health PEI totals $162 million. The same applies to the five-year plan; on its own, education is the largest area of spending, at $420 million, but health spending by the department and the authority comes to $500 million.

Highlights of the capital plan for education involve the construction of two new elementary schools in the Charlottetown area, replacement of an existing school in Georgetown, major renovation for a high school in western PEI and an intermediate school in Charlottetown, and ongoing revitalization of schools across the Island. In health, completion of the Mental Health Campus is planned for the next three years, and other areas of major spending include construction of two new Community Health Centres, completion of a third that is already underway, and expansion of long-term care and adult day programs for seniors.

All told, 16 departments, commissions and Crown corporations have some form of capital expenditure planned for 2025-2026, as do three consolidated agencies and five government business entities.

Legislation

During the fall sitting, the House reviewed 28 bills. Twenty-three of these were Government bills, all of which passed all stages and received Royal Assent. Bill 76, a new Employment Standards Act, received the most debate, as it was reviewed over four days in Committee of the Whole House. The new Act incorporates recommendations from a comprehensive review panel that completed its work over the 2021-2023 period. Some of the changes from the old to the new Act include a reduction in the work week from 48 to 44 hours (lowering the point at which employees must be paid overtime wages); protection of tips and gratuities for employees; and a requirement for the Employment Standards Board, which issues recommendations on the minimum wage rate, to issue reports on the social and economic effects of the minimum wage, with consideration of factors such as measures of poverty, cost-of-living increases and reasonable return on private investment.

Five private members’ bills were debating during the fall sitting; two of these received Royal Assent. Bill 119, Prince Edward Island Cadet Day Act, promoted by Government House Leader Susie Dillon, designates the third Saturday in October as Prince Edward Island Cadet Day. Bill 111, Service Dog Act, promoted by Government Whip Brad Trivers, establishes a standardized system for the registration, certification, and identification of service dog teams, and defines the responsibilities of public spaces and businesses toward accommodating service dog teams.

Dogs were somewhat of a theme for the fall sitting; in addition to the new service dog legislation, the House passed a new Dog Owners Act (Bill 63), which is intended to improve public safety through better enforcement of dog controls and enhanced powers for enforcement officers to deal with dangerous dog incidents. During Committee of the Whole review of the Service Dog Act, MLA Trivers was assisted on the floor of the House by two members of the public and their service dogs; it is common for the House to grant permission for bill promoters to be assisted by strangers, but this is likely the first time canines have appeared in that capacity!

Speaker’s Ruling

On November 13, Deputy Speaker Sidney MacEwen rose on a point of order to ask whether it was in order to continue debate on Motion 109 given that the actions called for in its two operative clauses had already been done (Motion 109 related to a marketing contract the province had signed with the National Hockey League, and the operative clauses called for government to table the contract within 10 days of the motion’s adoption). On November, Speaker Darlene Compton issued her ruling; drawing on passages from Beauchesne’s Parliamentary Rules and Forms and House of Commons Procedure and Practice, she found that because the Motion was asking the House to do something and that the House had not fully expressed its opinion on that action, it was in order to continue debate on the motion.

Committee Activities

The Assembly’s standing committees continued to be busy in fall 2024 and each one issued at least one report on its work since last reporting in the spring.

The Standing Committee on Education and Economic Growth issued 15 recommendations in its report, on the topics of immigration, careers in the trades, cell phone use in schools, staffing in schools, supports for students, transparency of government contracts, and electrical capacity.

The Standing Committee on Health and Social Development issued 13 recommendations on the topics of legislation on strategic lawsuits against public participation legislation, reduction of barriers for private investment in housing, healthcare workforce recruitment and retention, healthcare education, mental health and addiction services, the PEI At Home Caregiver Benefit, an incentive program to encourage the transition away from oil heating in rental units, and implementation of a basic income guarantee demonstration project. The committee also issued a separate report with recommendations on appointments to the PEI Human Rights Commission, as it is mandated to do under the Human Rights Act.

The Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability issued 11 recommendations in its report, covering trapping and snaring, coastline protection, a new water governance model for the province, and wetland identification and mapping.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts issued three recommendations endorsing the Auditor General’s recommendations in recent reports, encouraging audited entities to continue working toward full implementation of audit recommendations, and suggesting that Government seek approval for additional spending by tabling additional Supplementary Appropriation Acts rather than issuing special warrants.

All committee reports were adopted by the House and Government is expected to respond during the winter-spring 2025 sitting.

Subpoena For the Production of Records

On November 19, the Standing Committee on Education and Economic Growth adopted a motion to order Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture Zack Bell to provide an un-redacted version of the tourism marketing contract signed by the province and the NHL and issued a subpoena to that effect.

Minister Bell had previously tabled a copy of the contract in the House with dollar values redacted, given that the contract included confidentiality provisions. The subpoena ordered that the contract, and any other documents necessary to understand and interpret it, be produced within the next two business days. The Minister complied. While it is not unusual for the Assembly’s committees to seek information, the issuance of subpoenas is rare.

Cabinet Changes

On October 9, Premier Dennis King announced changes to his Cabinet. Zack Bell, previously a Government Private Member, was appointed Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture. This followed the Cabinet resignation of Natalie Jameson, who had been serving as Minister of Education and Early Years, due to her intent to pursue the Conservative Party of Canada nomination for the federal riding of Charlottetown. As of early 2025 the nomination has not yet been decided and she remains an MLA.

At the same time that Mr. Bell was appointed to Cabinet and Ms. Jameson departed, five Cabinet members were given new portfolios, while the portfolios of the other five and the Premier remained the same.

Appointments and Retirement

During the fall sitting, the Standing Committee on Legislative Assembly Management issued three reports on the appointment of officers of the Assembly, recommending that Judy Burke be reappointed for an additional five-year term as Conflict of Interest Commissioner under the Conflict of Interest Act; that Samantha Lilley be appointed Clerk Assistant under the Legislative Assembly Act; and that Gordon Campbell be appointed Sergeant-at-Arms under the Legislative Assembly Act. All three reports were adopted by the House and Ms. Burke, Ms. Lilley and Mr. Campbell were duly appointed. The appointment of a new Sergeant-at-Arms, who also serves as Director of Security, was necessitated by the retirement of Brian Weldon, who had served in the role since 2017.

Ryan Reddin

Director of Parliamentary Research