Legislative Reports

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Nova Scotia

Coronation Celebrations

Although Nova Scotia’s House of Assembly has not sat since our last Report, Province House was bustling with celebrations for the Coronation of their majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Since the doors of Province House first opened on February 11, 1819, Nova Scotia has observed nine coronations and one abdication.

Special Exhibit

On May 2, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker officially launched Nova Scotia’s Coronation events by cutting the ribbon on a special coronation exhibit at Province House. Despite being initially scheduled to close on June 2nd (to coincide with the 70^th Anniversary of the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth II), the exhibit’s duration was extended until the end of June and attracted the interest of numerous visitors.

The special exhibit spotlighted the individual lives and background of Canada’s new King and Queen, as well as the institutional role and history of the monarchy in Nova Scotia’s constitutional democracy. A series of six educational panels featured details on (1) His Majesty King Charles III, (2) Her Majesty Queen Camilla, (3) The Relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the King, (4) The King in Canada, (5) The Reign of Nine Monarchs in Nova Scotia since Province House’s opening, and (6) The Coronation Regalia. The information conveyed through the panels was vivified by authentic historical artifacts, which were encased in glass displays from the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.

Citizenship Ceremony

A special Citizenship Ceremony was held during national Citizenship Week in Province House’s Red Chamber. Presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, 16 new Canadians took and signed the citizenship oath, received their citizenship certificate, and sang the national anthem. The Province’s Minister of Immigration, Jill Balser (Digby-Annapolis) and Federal Members of Parliament Andy Fillmore (Halifax) and Lena Metlege Diab (Halifax West) also attended and gave remarks.

The special Citizenship Ceremony also ushered in the revival of the Chair of State, a unique piece of Nova Scotian history. Originally, the Chair was used by nine of the colony’s Lieutenant Governors from 1819 to 1860. The restoration process lasted several months, requiring an extensive search for fabric for the upholstery, as well as repairs to stabilize the frame. When not engaged in ceremonies, the fully restored Chair of State is situated in the Nova Scotia Reception Room, where it can be seen by visitors touring the first floor of Province House.

By-Election in Preston on August 8, 2023

Five Candidates

Following the resignation of Angela Simmonds as the Member for Preston (announced on January 24 and effective April 1, see Nova Scotia’s Legislative Report in Vol. 46, No. 2), Elections Nova Scotia is conducting the first by-election of the Sixty-Fourth General Assembly.

The Preston by-election was also the first election held under the leadership of new Chief Electoral Officer, Dorothy Rice, whose appointment was approved by the House of Assembly on November 8, 2022.

CEO Rice issued the writ of election for Preston on July 7, 2023. Pursuant to s. 29(b) of the Elections Act, Election Day is fixed for August 8, 2023 (Election Day must be on a Tuesday not less than 30 days and not more than 46 days from the date of the writ). Canadian citizens who are at least 18 years old on Election Day and have resided in Preston since January 7, 2023, qualify to vote (Elections Act, s. 38) in the by-election.

The following five candidates met the July 19 deadline for nominations:

Anthony Edmonds (Green Party of Nova Scotia)
Twila Grosse (Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia)
Colter (C. C.) Simmonds (Nova Scotia New Democratic Party)
Carlo Simmons (Nova Scotia Liberal Party)
Bobby Taylor (Nova Scotians United Party)

New E-Balloting System for Advance Ballots

Eligible voters who wish to cast advance ballots could apply online or in writing. Prior to the close of nominations, 174 voters cast their ballots in advance. After the close of nominations, advance ballots must be cast exclusively through a new e-balloting system. This modernization of the electoral process is authorized by amendments to the Elections Act passed during the Second Session of the Sixty-Third General Assembly in 2020 (Bill 225). (The amendments later entered into force by Order-in-Council on May 6, 2021.)

On the first day of e-balloting, 30 early voters cast their e-ballots using the encrypted electronic system at the Preston returning office.

Once an early voter selects their chosen candidate on a secure electronic tablet, they receive a paper receipt, which they must then seal in a barcoded envelope, and physically put into the ballot box. To enhance accessibility, the e-balloting system also offers an alternative tactile template.

By enabling digital counting, the technology of the e-balloting system aims to expedite the tally and validation of votes on Election Day. The voters who wait for Election Day, however, must use the traditional paper ballots. Voting closes at 8:00p.m. on August.

At the time of writing, the House is awaiting Election Day in Preston. The result of the by-election. will be included in Nova Scotia’s next Legislative Report.

Cara Locke

Assistant Clerk

Northwest Territories

On Thursday May 25, 2023, the NWT Legislative Assembly commenced the 2^nd session of the 19^th Assembly. Opening prayer was delivered by Lillian Elias.

Session was held with six official language interpreters, and 10 youth pages from Yellowknife, Fort McPherson and Fort Simpson.

Opening remarks by Speaker Frederick Blake acknowledged the wildfires and flooding impacting the territory.

Special initiatives in the May/June 2023 sitting included: the unveiling of a Speaker portrait, and the adoption of Indigenous honoured attire for table officers.

Former Speaker, Jackson Lafferty, who served in the 16^th, 17^th, 18^th and 19^th Assemblies retired from the Legislative Assembly and was elected Grand Chief for the Tłıcho in November 2021. Mr. Lafferty was recognized for his contribution as Speaker to the Legislative Assembly and a portrait commissioned by local artist Graeme Shaw was unveiled and hung in the Speakers hallway.

Table officers were provided Indigenous inspired jackets to be worn in the House as a replacement to the barrister style robes. The Speaker commissioned local artist, Ann Firth-Jones, originally from Fort McPherson, to create Gwich’in-style parka covers representative of the Mackenzie Delta. These garments reflect the Legislative Assembly’s shared commitment to diversity and reconciliation.

Themes from the Sitting

The spring sitting recognized the evacuation of over 2,000 people from Hay River and K’atlodeeche First Nation Reserve due to uncontrolled wildfire. Supports and services provided to evacuees was debated at large. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) acknowledged there has been a significant increase in the number of wildfires this season compared to the 10-year average, and nearly half of these fires have been human caused and close to communities.

Housing

Two memorial scholarships were announced honoring the late former housing minister Alfred Moses, and the late former Housing NWT President and CEO Tom Williams.

The NWT Housing Forum, a permanent forum co-chaired by Indigenous governments and Housing NWT, was also established. This forum allows members to share information, discuss and advocate for improvements to housing. The forum is to be held four times per year in person. It is also a forum to collaborate with the Federal Government.

Standing Committee Reports

The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures read into the House a Report on the Review of the Rules of the Legislative Assembly. Some notable changes proposed to the rules of the Legislative Assembly include:

• The requirement that all regular Members shall sit on two Standing Committees;
• Provisions to allow Committee Members to suspend, remove or reappoint Members to Standing Committee;
• Provisions to allow one or more Committee Members to provide a dissenting opinion to any Committee recommendation;
• Provisions to allow for Members to care for an infant while in the Chamber; and
• Timelines to make Statutory Officer reports publicly available outside of session.

The Standing Committee on Economic Development and Environment read into the House a Report on Supporting Northern Business, including six recommendations to Government. Recommendations were advanced to increase Indigenous business participation, improve procurement processes, including procurement policies and targets, and contract reporting requirements.

Bills Assented in the May/June Sitting

• Bill 79: An Act to Amend the Judicature Act
• Bill 90: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No.5
• Bill 72: Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act
• Bill 95: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Infrastructure Expenditures) No.2, 2023-24
• Bill 96: Supplementary Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures) No.1, 2023-24

Bills Currently Under Review

Carbon Tax

On March 29, 2023, by a narrow margin of one vote, the NWT Legislative Assembly passed Bill 60: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act. This highly contentious bill received a lot of debate in the House. The burden of climate change, lack of infrastructure, lack of alternative heating options, and higher costs of living were noted as reasons why NWT should not bear the cost of an additional carbon tax. The NWT is among the smallest contributors to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Bill 60 aligned the NWT carbon tax schedule with the new federal rates effective April 1, 2023. Bill 60 provides the GNWT control of the carbon pricing system in the NWT, instead of deferring to the federal output-based pricing system (OBPS). One key difference in the GNWT’s approach is more favourable tax treatment for mines that are small, beginning operations, or nearing end-of-life compared with the OBPS. The GNWT linked Bill 60 with several budgetary measures, including: increasing rebates to households and introducing a tiered approach, so residents living in high-cost remote communities receive higher rebates; providing an annual revenue sharing grant to community governments of 10 per cent of projected net carbon tax revenues; and a revised rebate for large emitters.

Concerns about Bill 60 were summarized in the Standing Committee of Government Operations Report. They include:

• Higher tax burden and lack of access to low emission alternatives;
• Inadequate and discretionary rebates for households, businesses, community governments, and Indigenous governments; and
• Unsatisfactory reporting and accountability.

To address some of the Members’ concerns with this Bill, the Government introduced amendments to the legislation in the May/June sitting.

Bill 92: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 3 would formalize the proposed revenue sharing grant with community governments in legislation. It would also require annual reporting on the administration of the tax, which is currently discretionary.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Bill 85: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Act. The Bill advances a framework to implement the Declaration through legislation. Bill 85 broadly resembles similar legislation in BC and Canada, with some notable differences:

• Most new legislation must be accompanied by a “statement of consistency” with the Declaration, to be tabled in the House; and
• The Action Plan that will guide implementation must be co-developed by the government and Indigenous Governments or Organizations

To date, nine of 15 Indigenous governments or organizations have signed on to the Memorandum of Understanding that is linked with this Bill. The Bill received second reading and is before Standing Committee for review.

Other Bills Before Standing Committees

• Bill 65: Builders’ Lien Act
• Bill 74: Forest Act
• Bill 75: Council for Women and Gender Diversity Act
• Bill 78: Waste Reduction and Recovery Act
• Bill 81: An Act to Amend the Education Act, No.2
• Bill 83: Liquor Act
• Bill 84: An Act to Amend the Northwest Territories BDIC Act
• Bill 93: Practice of Engineering, Geoscience and Applied Science Technology Act
• Bill 94: Miscellaneous Statute Law Amendment Act

Private Members Bills

Bill 61: An Act to Amend the Ombud Act was the first private members bill to pass in the 19^th Legislative Assembly on March 28, 2023.This Bill amended the Ombud Act to clarify the mandate, expand the list of authorities within the mandate, allow investigative complaints dating back to April 1, 1999, and provided additional requirements of notice to Indigenous governments.

Two other Private Members Bills have advanced:

• Bill 80: Dental Hygienists Profession Statute Act received second reading and is under review by Standing Committee. This Bill seeks to address the disparities in oral health care in the NWT by providing legislation that allows dental hygienists in the NWT with the option to work independently.
• Bill 91: An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products and Carbon Tax Act, No. 2, received second reading and is under review by Standing Committee. Bill 91 was introduced as the proposed amendments in Bill 92 were not perceived to go far enough with respect to public reporting requirements. Compared with Bill 92, Bill 91 is more prescriptive on the timing and contents of the carbon tax annual report.

New Clerks

Toby Kruger and Sandra Mackenzie were appointed as the new law clerk and deputy law clerk, respectively

The Assembly is scheduled to resume August 16, 2023.

Amy Lizotte

Manager of Committees and Clerk of Journals

Yukon

2023 Spring Sitting

On April 27, the 2023 spring sitting of the First Session of the 35^th Yukon Legislative Assembly adjourned. The 32-day sitting had convened on March 2.

Pursuant to an April 13, 2023, Order of the House, the Legislative Assembly reconvened for a special sitting in Dawson City on June 13, 2023.

Special Sitting in Dawson City

Yukon became a territory on June 13, 1898. During the 2023 Spring Sitting, Premier Ranj Pillai moved Motion No. 594, which carried on April 13, 2023. Pursuant to that Order of the House, a special sitting was held in Dawson City on June 13 “to celebrate the 125^th anniversary of the establishment of the Yukon Territory…”

The special sitting took place in the original Chamber of the Territorial Council, located in the old Territorial Administration Building – the present-day home of the Dawson City Museum.

The ceremonial program for the special sitting included tributes to the late Peter Jenkins, a former MLA for Klondike and a former Mayor of Dawson City, and tributes in remembrance of Peggy Kormendy, a former Chief of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and respected elder.

Following the tributes, debate took place on a motion (Motion No. 733, moved by Premier Pillai) honoring the history of the land and people of Yukon. Each Member present (apart from Speaker Jeremy Harper, who presided over the proceedings) spoke to the motion, which passed unanimously, on division (16 yea, nil nay).

After Motion No. 733 carried, the House recessed to receive an address by William Kendrick, Dawson City’s Mayor.

This Special Sitting was the sixth sitting to take place in the original Chamber since Yukon’s capital moved to Whitehorse in 1953.

Bills

Over the course of the 2023 spring sitting, each of the nine government bills (the six amending bills and three appropriation bills detailed in Yukon’s preceding legislative report) that had been introduced progressed through all stages and received assent. The bills were assented to in the form in which they had been introduced, apart from Bill No. 22, Act to amend the Yukon Advisory Council on Women’s Issues Act (2023), which was reported from Committee of the Whole with amendment.

Pursuant to the Sessional Order adopted on March 7, 2023, the application of Standing Order 76 (known as “the guillotine clause”) was restricted to appropriation bills during the 2023 spring sitting – as had been the case in the two preceding sittings.

At 5:00 p.m. on April 27, the final day of the 2023 spring sitting, the Committee of the Whole was considering Bill No. 208, First Appropriation Act 2023-24 – the only appropriation bill still on the Order Paper. Pursuant to the modified guillotine, Bill No. 208 was expedited through Committee of the Whole and Third Reading. It was assented to by Yukon Administrator Adeline Webber before the 2023 spring sitting wrapped up that day.

Standing Order changes

On April 24, Richard Mostyn, Chair of the Standing Committee on Rules, Elections and Privileges (SCREP) moved Motion Respecting Committee Reports No. 5, a motion to concur in SCREP’s seventh report, a report that had been presented to the House the previous week. The motion for concurrence carried, amending Yukon’s Standing Orders in two respects.

First, as of the 2023 fall sitting, the application of Standing Order 76 (“the guillotine clause”) will, on a permanent basis, be restricted to appropriation bills. This is a significant change to Yukon’s rules and practices. Previously, Standing Order 76 applied to government bills of all types – not just to appropriation bills. With few exceptions, the outgoing version of that standing order had been invoked at 5:00 p.m. on the final day of most spring and fall sittings in the two decades since the guillotine clause had been added to the Standing Orders.

Second, Standing Order 25 was amended to permit shortening the length of the division bells in certain circumstances.

New Commissioner

Outgoing Yukon Commissioner Angélique Bernard’s term concluded on May 31. She had been sworn in as Commissioner in March 2018. Bernard’s final appearance in the Chamber as Commissioner was on April 20, 2023, when she granted assent to certain bills that had passed the House.

On May 31, the Prime Minister announced the appointment for a five-year term of Adeline Webber as Yukon’s new Commissioner. On June 9, Adeline Webber was sworn in by Suzanne Duncan, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Yukon. Webber, a member of the Teslin Tlingit First Nation and Yukon’s 37^th Commissioner, had served as Yukon’s Administrator since March 2018. As Administrator, Webber had been empowered by the federal Yukon Act to act in the Commissioner’s place under certain circumstances.

Reports of the Auditor General of Canada and Public Accounts Committee

On June 20, the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) released a report on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in Yukon. As noted in an OAG news release issued that day, while the report found that the “COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Yukon was quick and effective,” the report also “highlighted opportunities for improvement.”

On June 22, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, which is chaired by Currie Dixon, the Leader of the Official Opposition, released a report on progress made by the Yukon Housing Corporation and the territory’s Department of Health and Social Services in addressing recommendations made in a May 2022 report by the OAG on better addressing the housing needs of vulnerable Yukoners.

Special Committee on the Yukon Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform

On April 25, the House adopted a motion establishing a Special Committee on the Yukon Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. The Committee is to report to the House on its recommendations regarding terms of reference for a citizens’ assembly on electoral reform by the end of October 2023.

Kate White, Leader of the Third Party, is the Chair of the Committee, and has a deliberative vote. The other members of the Committee are John Streicker, the Government House Leader, and Currie Dixon, Leader of the Official Opposition.

Linda Kolody

Deputy Clerk

New Brunswick

The Second Session of the 60^th Legislature adjourned on March 31, 2023, after concluding the Budget Debate in the prescribed six sitting days. The House sat again on May 9 to resume the spring legislative session.

By-Election Results and New Leader of the Official Opposition

On March 23, writs were issued for by-elections to fill the vacancies in the electoral districts of Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore, Dieppe, and Restigouche-Chaleur. All three constituencies were represented by members of the Official Opposition Liberals who resigned in the fall of 2022. On April 24, the Liberals claimed the three ridings again, with Susan Holt elected in Bathurst East-Nepisiguit-Saint-Isidore, Richard Losier elected in Dieppe, and Marco LeBlanc elected in Restigouche-Chaleur. The newly elected Members took and subscribed the oath of allegiance before Lieutenant-Governor Brenda L. Murphy at a ceremony in the Legislative Assembly Chamber on May 9.

Robert McKee, former Leader of the Official Opposition, introduced the three new Members to the House during an afternoon sitting on the same day. Ms. Holt took over the role of Leader of the Official Opposition on April 25. She has been serving as Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party since August 6, 2022.

Committee Activity

The Standing Committee on Estimates and Fiscal Policy, chaired by Greg Turner, met in the Legislative Assembly Chamber for four weeks in April to review and approve the budgetary estimates of various government departments. The Committee tabled its report on May 9. The Standing Committee on Economic Policy, chaired by Richard Ames, held 14 meetings in May and June to consider legislation. The Committee met regularly following the early adjournment of the House.

Legislation

Bill 39, An Act Respecting the Regional Health Authorities, introduced by Health Minister Bruce Fitch, removes the existing framework of elected boards of directors and creates new appointed boards of directors for New Brunswick’s two health authorities. It also creates a new health system collaboration council. The new boards will have up to seven voting members, each appointed by the Minister of Health. The Bill received Royal Assent on June 16.

Bill 40, Health Facilities Act, introduced by Mr. Fitch, allows some surgical procedures, namely cataract surgeries, to be performed outside of a hospital to improve accessibility to health services and ensure the efficient delivery of publicly funded care. Both the Department of Health and the health authorities have the power to inspect and audit these facilities. The Bill received Royal Assent on June 16.

Bill 42, Construction Prompt Payment and Adjudication Act, introduced by Attorney General Hugh J.A. Flemming, prescribes time periods in which payment for completed construction work must be paid and includes enforcement mechanisms in order to minimize slow or non-payment problems systemic in the construction industry. The Bill received Royal Assent on June 16.

Bill 46, Education Act, introduced by Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan, establishes new reporting structures for the Anglophone school sector in its changes to district education councils from decision and policy-making bodies to advisory bodies, and has superintendents report to the department instead of to district education councils. The Francophone school sector’s district education councils’ roles remain unchanged and superintendents retain their current reporting system. On June 15, it was agreed by unanimous consent of the House to remove the Bill from being subject to a time-allocation motion; it currently sits at the committee stage.

Bill 49, An Act Respecting the Executive Council Act and the Legislative Assembly Act, introduced by Government House Leader Glen Savoie, increases the annual indemnity of Members and the extra annual indemnity of the Premier, Ministers and Parliamentary Officers, which represents the first increases since 2008. This change reflects recommendations by an Independent Committee established to review Members’ salaries and benefits. The Bill received Royal Assent on June 16.

Bill 52, Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act, introduced by Official Opposition Health Critic Jean-Claude D’Amours, also known as Avery’s Law, provides for presumed consent (also known as “deemed consent”) to organ and tissue donation after death and establishes a registry in which individuals may express their consent or refusal to donate all, or specified, organs and tissues after death. The amended Bill received Royal Assent on June 16.

Bill 53, An Act Respecting the New Brunswick Housing Corporation, and Bill 55, An Act to Amend The Residential Tenancies Act, introduced by Service New Brunswick Minister Jill Green, amends existing legislation in response to the post-pandemic housing crisis present throughout the province. Bill 53 renews the New Brunswick Housing Corporation as a Crown corporation; moves housing-related responsibilities from government departments to the Corporation; defines the terms and structure of the board of directors; and prescribes other administrative requirements related to staffing, file sharing, and property transfer.

Bill 55 shifts responsibility for the administration of the The Residential Tenancies Act from Service New Brunswick to the New Brunswick Housing Corporation and makes various amendments regarding notices of rent increases, notices to evict, fixed-term tenancies, long-term tenancies, disposal of abandoned belongings, limitations on a landlord’s right to terminate, and new offense provisions. Bills 53 and 55 received Royal Assent on June 16.

Bill 58, Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act, introduced by Mr. Fitch, authorizes New Brunswick to participate in the class action suit launched by British Columbia on behalf of Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial governments against more than 40 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and consultants in order to recover health care costs relating to opioid damages. The Bill received Royal Assent on June 16.

Resolutions

On June 15, the Assembly adopted a resolution (Motion 50) introduced by Ms. Holt, Official Opposition Leader, as amended by Official Opposition Caucus Chair Chuck Chiasson, urging the government “to request that the Office of the Child and Youth Advocate conduct full consultations with relevant stakeholders on any changes to Policy 713 and the impact of such changes, and make public the results of such consultations by August 15, 2023.” The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Policy 713 – Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity sets minimum requirements for school districts and public schools to create inclusive environments for students who are or are perceived as LGBTQI2S+. Initially taking effect in 2020, the Government announced in 2023 that it would review the policy with a view to reassert parental rights, specifically in sections dealing with self-identification, sports participation, and universal spaces.

Although the review of Policy 713 dominated Oral Questions for the last two months of the spring sitting, Motion 50 was only debated during Opposition Members’ Business on the penultimate sitting day before the summer adjournment. Four Ministers (Trevor Holder, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour; Dorothy Shephard, Minister of Social Development; Daniel Allain, Minister of Local Government and Local Governance Reform; and Jeff Carr, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure) and two Private Members of the Progressive Conservative caucus (Andrea Anderson-Mason and Ross Wetmore) voted with the Opposition parties on the amendment and the amended question. This action triggered the resignation of two cabinet members and a subsequent cabinet shuffle.

New Members of the Executive Council

On June 15, Ms. Shephard announced her departure from Cabinet to sit as a Private Member of the Progressive Conservative caucus. On June 23, Mr. Holder did the same. Both Members attributed their departure to differing opinions with their party’s leadership style. A cabinet shuffle ensued and on June 27, the Lieutenant-Governor presided over the swearing-in of the members of the Executive Council in a ceremony held at Government House.

Changes to cabinet included:

• Mr. Ames, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure;
• Ms. Green, Minister of Social Development;
• Arlene Dunn, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour;
• Mr. Turner, Minister responsible for Opportunities NB and Minister responsible for Economic Development and Small Business;
• Mr. Savoie, Minister of Local Government;
• Mary Wilson, Minister of Service New Brunswick;
• Sherry Wilson, Minister responsible for Women’s Equality and Minister responsible for Addictions and Mental Health Services; and
• Kathy Bockus, Minister responsible for Seniors.

Special Order and Standing Rules

On June 16, the House concurred in the First Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure, Privileges and Legislative Officers, which was presented to the House on May 12. The Committee is chaired by Mr. Wetmore. The report outlines a legislative calendar by Special Order and amendments to the Standing Rules governing sitting hours of the House and Routine Proceedings. The Special Order is in place for the remainder of the 60^th Legislative Assembly.

Sitting Days and Standings

The Second Session of the 60^th Legislature adjourned on June 16 after 48 sitting days and is scheduled to resume sitting on October 17, 2023. The current standings in the House are 29 Progressive Conservatives, 16 Liberals, three Greens and one Independent.

Alicia R. Del Frate

Committee Clerk and Parliamentary Assistant

British Columbia

Spring Sitting Period

This spring was a busy and productive period for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and its parliamentary committees. As noted in the previous issue, and consistent with past practice, on February 28, 2023, the Legislative Assembly adopted a Sessional Order authorizing certain proceedings of the House to be undertaken in three concurrent sections. The Committee of Supply spent 187 hours considering the 2023-24 Estimates, in comparison to 170 hours spent considering the 2022-23 Estimates last spring. In addition, during the spring sitting period, a total of 28 bills received Royal Assent, including:

• Bill 11, Election Amendment Act,2023 implements recommendations from the Chief Electoral Officer to address disinformation by: establishing restrictions on making specified types of false statements about candidates and senior officials of political parties, restricting deliberate disinformation about the electoral process, and requiring digital platforms to remove non-compliant advertising within a specific time frame. The amendments also streamline the vote-by-mail process.
• Bill 12, Intimate Images Protection Act creates new legal rights and remedies to stop the unlawful distribution, or threat of distribution, of intimate images and to seek compensation for the harms it can cause.
• Bill 13, Pay Transparency Act requires employers to enhance transparency in their pay practices and prohibits employer conduct that contributes to the gender pay gap, such as asking job applicants for their pay history when negotiating salaries
• Bill 18, Haida Nation Recognition Act recognizes the Haida Nation’s inherent rights of governance and self-determination as well as the legal status of the Council of the Haida Nation as the government of the Haida Nation, as committed to in reconciliation negotiations. On May 9, 2023, the House adopted an enabling motion to permit Erica Reid (Gidin Jaad) and Jason Alsop (Gaagwiis) of the Haida Nation to address the House during third reading of the bill. Mr. Alsop, president of the Council of the Haida Nation, spoke to the importance of Indigenous title and rights to self-governance and self-determination.

In response to the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Deputy Premier, delivered a ministerial statement on May 8, 2023, highlighting the King’s visits to and connections with BC as well as his legacy of service. On behalf of the Official Opposition, the Official Opposition House Leader, Todd Stone, echoed the comments on the King’s commitment to service, in particular his support for the environment and disadvantaged youth. In response, the Leader of the Third Party, Sonia Furstenau, expressed appreciation for the comments on tradition and service while reflecting on the changing role of democratic institutions over time.

On May 9, 2023, the Legislative Assembly adopted three motions to amend the Final Agreements of the Maa-nulth, Nisga’a, and Tla’amin First Nations. The purpose of the amendments is to address the requirement for First Nations individuals to give up their tax exemption under section 87 of the Indian Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. I-5, which has been identified as a substantial barrier to First Nations concluding modern treaties. The amendments allow eligible treaty citizens to keep or regain their tax exemption status in their treaties indefinitely, until that treaty nation may determine it is appropriate to end it or until it is eliminated for all First Nations in Canada. In accordance with an enabling motion to this effect, Chief Councillor Robert Dennis Sr. (Emchayiik) of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Legislative Councillor Dillon Johnson (toq^wanən) of the Tla’amin Nation made addresses to the House regarding the significance of this change in tax policy, noting that the amendments demonstrate how modern treaties are living agreements.

On the last day of the spring sitting period, May 11, 2023, Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Government House Leader, tabled an updated parliamentary calendar for 2023. The new calendar makes a slight revision; November 2 will no longer be designated as a sitting day due to events related to the First Nations Leadership Gathering, an annual event which brings together Cabinet Ministers and leaders from Indigenous organizations and communities.

Prior to adjournment on May 11, 2023, a long adjournment motion was adopted authorizing the Speaker to recall the Assembly should the need arise. Consistent with practice in recent years, the motion also allows for the alteration of the location and means of conducting the sittings of the House by agreement of the Speaker and the House Leaders of each recognized caucus, if required due to an emergency or public health measures. The Legislative Assembly is scheduled to resume sitting on October 3, 2023, for a period of seven weeks.

Increase in Electoral Districts

In BC, an Electoral Boundaries Commission is established after every two provincial general elections to propose changes to the area, boundaries, and names of the provincial electoral districts. The Final Report of the Electoral Boundaries Commission was tabled on April 3, 2023, proposing an increase from 87 to 93 electoral districts and boundary changes for some ridings to reflect the population increases and projected growth in many regions of the province. On May 11, 2023, Bill 25, Electoral Districts Act received Royal Assent giving effect to the resolution of the Legislative Assembly approving without amendment the proposals recommended in the Final Report. The Bill comes into force on the day the current Parliament is dissolved.

Party Standings

As noted in the previous issue, former Premier John Horgan and Minister without Portfolio Melanie Mark each provided personal statements in the Legislative Assembly in February 2023. Subsequently, Mr. Horgan formally resigned as the Member for Langford-Juan de Fuca on March 31, 2023, and Ms. Mark resigned as the Member for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant effective April 14, 2023. In the subsequent by-elections held on June 24, 2023, BC NDP candidates Ravi Parmar and Joan Phillip were elected in Langford-Juan de Fuca and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant respectively. They are expected to be sworn in as Members in the coming weeks.

After a vote by party members, the BC Liberal Party, currently designated as the Official Opposition, officially changed its party name to “BC United” effective April 13, 2023.

Party standings are 57 BC NDP, 27 BC United, two BC Green Party, and one Independent.

Parliamentary Committees

The Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth released two reports during the spring sitting period. Pursuant to the Representative for Children and Youth Act, the Committee is required to review the Act, or sections of it, every five years to determine whether the functions of the representative are still required to ensure the needs of children and included adults are met. The Review of the Representative for Children and Youth Act, released April 26, 2023, details the Committee’s public consultation and its 28 recommendations to clarify and address gaps in the representative’s mandate, strengthen existing provisions in the Act, ensure that any amendments are made in consultation with Indigenous peoples, and modernize language in the Act. The Committee also released its Annual Report 2022-23 on May 9, 2023, summarizing its work from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023.

The Special Committee to Appoint a Representative for Children and Youth unanimously agreed to recommend to the Legislative Assembly that Jennifer Charlesworth, the incumbent, be appointed Representative for Children and Youth for a further term of five years, effective October 1, 2023. Committee Members reviewed her qualifications, experience, and work as representative, reflecting on her success in strengthening relationships with those in the child- and youth- serving system, improving workplace culture, and leading the office during challenging times. The Legislative Assembly adopted the Committee’s report and recommendation on May 8, 2023.

The Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills also produced two reports in May 2023. The reports outline the Committee’s consideration of Bill (No. Pr 401), Vancouver Foundation Amendment Act, 2023 and Bill (No. Pr 402) St. Mark’s College Amendment Act, 2023 and were tabled on May 1, 2023, and May 8, 2023, respectively. In undertaking this work, the Committee heard presentations from the sponsors of the bills and representatives of the Vancouver Foundation and St. Marks College, as well as the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. The Committee agreed to report favourably on both bills, with an amendment on Bill No. Pr 402.

On May 2, 2023, the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts tabled its Summary of Activities 2022-23. The report summarizes the work of the Committee from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023, including reviewing audit and information reports from the Office of the Auditor General, and following up on the implementation of audit recommendations.

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services released its Interim Report on Statutory Offices on June 28, 2023. As part of its oversight of statutory offices, the Committee meets with each of the province’s nine statutory officers in the spring to receive financial and operational updates, in addition to reviewing the offices’ budget proposals in the fall. This report summarizes the spring meetings including the Committee’s consideration of six supplemental funding requests.

Legislative Assembly Administration

Following several weeks of consultation to gather input and feedback from across the organization, the Legislative Assembly Administration developed a renewed Strategic Plan with new and refreshed key initiatives for 2023-24 as well as new key performance indicators. Building on the first plan launched in June 2022, the renewed plan sets out priority actions for the year ahead including: implementing and expanding the MLA Safety and Security Program; integrating the operations of a new Client Services department into the Administration; preparing for the 2024 provincial general election; implementing a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Plan; developing a people and culture plan; and preparing a business case to redevelop the Armouries building on the Legislative Precinct. The Legislative Assembly Management Committee (LAMC) approved the renewed plan at its meeting on April 28, 2023.

At the same meeting, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Kate Ryan-Lloyd, provided updates on reconciliation action planning and a concept plan for a modular, employer-sponsored childcare facility on the Legislative Precinct. Regarding reconciliation, the Clerk highlighted a project to design and install Lək^wəŋən language panels on the landscaping walls at the front of the Legislative Precinct as well as engagement and outreach activities that the Speaker will be undertaking over the summer to build relationships with First Nations on behalf of the Legislative Assembly. Lastly, the Clerk deposited the 2023-24 mandate letters for the Clerk’s Leadership Group with LAMC as an information item, as required under the Legislative Assembly Governance Framework. The mandate letter process was instituted in 2021 to outline the organizational priorities that each member of the Clerk’s Leadership Group must focus on during the upcoming year. In addition to specific organizational priority projects, the 2023-24 letters emphasize the need for collaboration and accountability as well as a commitment to maintaining a respectful, safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace. The 2023-24 mandate letter for the Clerk is expected to be deposited at the Committee’s next meeting.

On May 22, 2023, the Parliamentary Education Office launched its 2023 Summer Tour Season and began offering tours seven days a week. Over the summer, tour guides will welcome visitors in eight languages and parliamentary players will perform Parliament Past & Present Travelling Plays on the grounds of the Legislative Precinct.

Legislative Lights

The Legislative Assembly held its annual Legislative Lights Employee Recognition event on May 25, 2023. This year, there were a record 194 nominations by staff recognizing colleagues and teams across all departments. Awards were presented in several categories including teamwork, spirit, leadership, and service excellence. The ceremony also honoured staff who have worked for 25 years or more with the Legislative Assembly or with the BC Public Service.

Katey Stickle

Committee Research Analyst

Alberta

Provincial Election 2023

A provincial general election was held in Alberta on May 29. The United Conservative Party (UC) won 49 seats with over 52 per cent of the popular vote. The remaining 38 seats were won by the New Democratic Party (NDP); the Official Opposition received just over 44 per cent of the popular vote. Overall voter turnout was over 62 per cent, and the “Vote Anywhere” advance polls, which allowed voters to cast their vote from any of the over 1,000 advance voting stations, proved popular and accounted for almost 43 per cent of all votes cast. The vote tabulators used to count the votes from these advance polls caused a delay in reporting results on election night, and tight races in several constituencies made some results too close to call until the following day. An automatic recount, required when the difference in votes between the winner and the runner-up is fewer than 100, was held for two Calgary constituencies. In both cases the recount showed the NDP challenger narrowly defeating the incumbent UC candidate. The UC filed for judicial recounts in both constituencies; the recounts confirmed NDP candidate Nagwan Al-Guneid won in Calgary-Glenmore by just 48 votes while NDP candidate Diana Batten won in Calgary-Acadia by an even narrower margin of 22 votes.

All the NDP candidates elected represent constituencies in Calgary and the greater Edmonton area with the exceptions of Banff-Kananaskis, where Sarah Elmeligi successfully challenged UC incumbent Miranda Rosin, and Lethbridge-West, whose voters re-elected NDP candidate Shannon Phillips for the third time. The capital city is represented entirely by opposition MLAs after the former Deputy Premier, Kaycee Madu, incumbent candidate and the only UC MLA representing an Edmonton constituency in the previous Legislature, was defeated in Edmonton-South West by Nathan Ip. The NDP Members formed the largest Official Opposition in Alberta’s history, and it marked the first time a caucus included more women than men.

The UC caucus also has a mix of new and returning Members, including Scott Cyr, who first served as an MLA from 2015 to 2019 and has returned to provincial politics to represent the Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul constituency. UC candidate Jennifer Johnson ran successfully in Lacombe-Ponoka but will sit as an Independent Member due to controversial remarks that came to light during the campaign.

Caucus composition is 48 seats for the governing UCP, 38 seats for the NDP, and one Independent Member.

Cabinet Appointments

• Premier Danielle Smith announced the members of her new cabinet after they were sworn in on June 9. All the appointees served in the previous Legislature, and all but three have previous cabinet experience. The 25-member cabinet and their respective portfolios are as follows:
• Premier Smith, President of Executive Council and Intergovernmental Relations
• Mike Ellis, Deputy Premier and Public Safety and Emergency Services
• Mickey Amery, Justice
• Devin Dreeshen, Transportation and Economic Corridors
• Tanya Fir, Arts, Culture and Status of Women
• Nate Glubish, Technology and Innovation
• Pete Guthrie, Infrastructure
• Nate Horner, Treasury Board and Finance
• Brian Jean, Energy and Minerals
• Matt Jones, Jobs, Economy and Trade
• Adriana LaGrange, Health
• Todd Loewen, Ministry of Forestry and Parks
• Ric McIver, Municipal Affairs
• Dale Nally, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
• Nathan Neudorf, Affordability and Utilities
• Demetrios Nicolaides, Education
• Jason Nixon, Seniors, Community and Social Services
• Rajan Sawhney, Advanced Education
• Joseph Schow, Tourism and Sport
• Rebecca Schulz, Environment and Protected Areas
• R.J. Sigurdson, Agriculture and Irrigation
• Searle Turton, Children and Family Services
• Dan Williams, Mental Health and Addiction
• Rick Wilson, Indigenous Relations
• Muhammad Yaseen, Immigration and Multiculturalism

Swearing-In Ceremonies

Ceremonies to swear in the Members of the 31st Legislature began on June 19 and included unique features honouring the Indigenous heritage of three new Members. The ceremonies for both caucuses began with a blessing from Elder Leonard Saddleback and concluded with remarks from Leonard Standingontheroad, Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, and the giving of traditional gifts for Members with Indigenous ancestry. Two Members also swore their oaths in Cree and English while holding a sacred pipe.

Election of the Speaker

Following the swearing-in ceremonies, the Members of the Assembly came together on the afternoon of June 20 to elect Presiding Officers for the 31st Legislature. Nathan Cooper was re-elected as Speaker for the second time. Angela Pitt was acclaimed to the role of Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees, a role she also held during the 30th Legislature, and third-term Member Glenn van Dijken was acclaimed Deputy Chair of Committees. The Speech from the Throne, signaling the start of the first session, is scheduled for October 30.

CPA Parliamentary Academy

Along with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Secretariat, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta was honoured to host the advanced professional development and skills-building residency course in Edmonton from June 11 to 17. Speaker Cooper welcomed delegates with an Indigenous-themed event at Fort Edmonton Park; and then actively participated in mentoring delegates throughout the week-long program and served as chair during a mock Legislature session. Attended by delegates from national and territorial Parliaments around the Commonwealth, the intensive five-day program included sessions focused on leadership and strategic thinking skills, communication skills, team and project management, and culminated with a caucus campaign exercise.

IPAC Presentation

On June 15, the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), Edmonton Region, hosted a virtual “lunch and learn” session featuring Speaker Cooper. The session, titled “Conflict Resolution and the Speaker’s role as an Adjudicator,” included a brief history of the role of the Speaker in the parliamentary system, the significance of precedents for procedural rulings, and the importance of using common-sense considerations in decision-making. More than 60 people participated. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Jody Rempel

Committee Clerk

Manitoba

Fifth Session of the 42^nd Legislature – Spring Sitting

The Fifth Session of the 42^nd Legislature resumed on March 1, 2023, commencing the last sitting period before the scheduled October 3, 2023, general election. This Session resulted in some unprecedented happenings including:

• an agreement to allow “End of Session” speeches marking the retirement of 14 Government Members, as well as the Speaker, who will not be seeking re-election;
• a record number of Private Members’ Bills passing; and
• the passage of a Private Members Resolution in support of the Clerks and Assembly staff.

Seventeen out of a total of 52 Bills that received Royal Assent this Session were Private Members’ Bills, seven of which were introduced by Opposition Members. Previously, the highest count for Private Members’ Bills passing was eight, which happened in the 3^rd and 4^th Sessions of the 42^nd Assembly and the 3^rd Session of the 41^st Assembly. The historical records date back to the 4^th Session, 35^th Assembly (1992-93) when the practice of numbering Private Members’ Bills in the 200s began. Before that date, Private Members’ Bills weren’t distinguished by their number and were mixed in with other Bills.

Manitoba Day

May 12, 2023, marked the 153^rd anniversary of the day the Manitoba Act received Royal Assent in the Canadian Parliament. This Act created the province of Manitoba, and accordingly May 12 is designated as Manitoba Day. The Speaker celebrated the occasion by making a statement in the House with the following distinguished guests in attendance:

• Tony Akoak, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut;
• Andrew Carrier, the Manitoba Métis Federation Minister of Métis Community Liaison Department, Residential & Day Schools; and
• David Beaudin, the Manitoba Métis Federation Minister of Agriculture.

The Sergeant-at-Arms led the Speaker’s Parade carrying in the original Mace which was retired in 1884 when the current Mace debuted. As shown on this page, this year the Chamber was graced with two new significant artifacts in addition to the Star Blanket cushion and the beautiful, beaded Mace runner, previously gifted by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in 2010. First, the Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand presented the Speaker with a Métis sash. Second, a soapstone carving of a polar bear, was gifted by the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. George Hickes Jr., the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, personally delivered the carving to the Assembly earlier that week. The Speaker noted that all of these artifacts served as a reminder that this Assembly Chamber and Legislative Building reside on the traditional lands of Indigenous Peoples, as recognized each day in the Land Acknowledgement.

Legislative Assembly Garden to Honour Memory of Children Who Died Attending Residential Schools

In consultation and collaboration with the organizers of the Every Child Matters flag display at the Legislative Building grounds, a new permanent garden on the Assembly grounds was created in memory of thousands of Indigenous children who never returned home from Residential Schools in Manitoba and across the country. The new Every Child Matters memorial garden provides a place for reflection for Manitobans and is located on the south grounds of the Legislative Building alongside Assiniboine Avenue. It features a mix of orange annuals and perennials such as lilies, roses and marigolds. A memorial plaque and bench were also installed to allow visitors to sit and reflect. The orange Every Child Matters flags, previously on display on the north side of the Legislative Building grounds, were initially relocated to the new garden. The flags were subsequently replaced with garden flowers to create a more permanent tribute to the children, as organizers who initially created the flag display have selected meaningful plants in consultation with an Elder.

Thanking Those Who Have Been a Part of the 42^nd Legislature

On May 30, 2023, during Private Members’ Business, the Assembly unanimously passed the above titled Private Members’ Resolution. Members said many kind words about the work done by everyone at the Assembly, taking time to specifically recognize everyone including: the Clerks, Chamber Branch Staff, Pages, Interns, Translators, Technicians and Digital Media Staff, Hansard Staff, Legislative Counsel, IT Staff, Gift Shop Staff, Staff in the Art Room, Gardeners, Groundskeepers, Janitorial Staff, Maintenance Crews, the Sergeant-at-Arms and Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, Security Personnel, HR and Administration Staff, and Staff from Members’ Allowances. The entire Resolution is reprinted below:

WHEREAS this is the final week of forty second legislature before the House rises; and

WHEREAS when this House is sitting the building is buzzing with activity from MLAs, Clerks, Pages, Interns, Translators, Hansard Staff, Journals, Security, Tours, Gift Shop, Art room, and many other Staff; and

WHEREAS these last four years have seen historic moment after historic moment; and

WHEREAS the first session was altered by COVID-19 and the safety protocols that were incorporated in order to enable the first virtual sitting of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly; and

WHEREAS this Assembly has witnessed a historic moment of welcoming the first female Premier in Manitoba; and

WHEREAS none of these historic moments or the ability to overcome these challenges would be possible without the support of all those here today, who work behind the scenes to help this democratic process function; and

WHEREAS the very essence of this building as a Legislative Assembly is historic in its grandeur and this would not be preserved without the hard and dedicated work of the grounds crew and maintenance staff and everyone who helps to preserve this building and ensure its beauty is protected; and

WHEREAS there are only 57 seats in this Chamber, but countless more people are needed to help Members in this Chamber carry out their roles and duties; and

WHEREAS these countless people work diligently everyday to uphold the words of the Manitoba coat of arms “Gloriosus et Liber.”

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba is united and each Member extends the utmost gratitude to all of those who have played a role in helping in the progress made within this Legislative Chamber during the last four years of the 42nd Legislature.

Sessional Order Enabling Virtual Sittings

The House agreed to extend the Sessional Order, originally passed on October 7, 2020, to allow for virtual participation among other things, to the dissolution of the 42^nd Legislature. This extension was necessary to allow for Members to continue to attend Committee meetings on a virtual basis if needed. The details of the Sessional Order were discussed in previous issues.

Standing Committees

Since the last submission, the Committee of the Whole met on three occasions to complete clause-by-clause consideration of 13 bills as did the following Standing Committees:

• Social and Economic Development met four times to pass nine bills
• Legislative Affairs met four times to pass 13 bills
• Justice met three times to pass 12 bills

The Standing Committee of Legislative Affairs met on April 24, 2023, to consider The Advocate for Children and Youth Act and passed a motion to defer the comprehensive review of The Advocate for Children and Youth Act, as required by section 40 of that Act, until after the Provincial General Election scheduled for October 3, 2023. It also met on June 15, 2023, to consider the Annual Report of Elections Manitoba for the year ending December 31, 2022.

The Public Accounts Committee met on June 5, 6, and 7, 2023, to consider and pass the following reports:

• Province of Manitoba Annual Report and Public Accounts, dated March 31, 2022
• Auditor General’s Report – Public Accounts and Other Financial Statement Audits, dated December 2022
• Auditor General’s Report – Aging Information Systems, dated February 2022
• Auditor General’s Report – Information Systems–Privileged Access, dated October 2022
• Auditor General’s Report – Quarry Rehabilitation Program Investigation, dated May 2020
• Auditor General’s Report – Follow-Up of Previously Issued Recommendations, dated March 2023
• Quarry Rehabilitation Program Investigation

Retiring Members – End of Session Speeches

On the last day of Session, many Members took advantage of a leave request allowing Members to give a 10-minute “end of session” speech. Some Members used the opportunity to say farewell. Fourteen Government MLAs, as well as Speaker Myrna Driedger, have announced that they will not run for re-election in October 2023, representing approximately 40 per cent of the 36 Progressive Conservative MLAs who were elected in 2019. The retiring Members are:

• Speaker Driedger; first elected in 1998 and re-elected on seven subsequent occasions, she has spent over 25 years in public office and served as Speaker since 2016.
• Eileen Clarke; first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2019.
• Cathy Cox; first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2019.
• Cliff Cullen; first elected in a by-election in 2004 and subsequently re-elected on four occasions.
• Ralph Eichler; first elected in 2003 and subsequently re-elected on four occasions.
• Scott Fielding; first elected in 2016, and re-elected in 2019, he resigned in June 2022.
• Cameron Friesen; first elected in 2011, re-elected on two occasions, he resigned in February 2023.
• Sarah Guillemard; first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2019.
• Reg Helwer; first elected in 2011, and subsequently re-elected on two occasions.
• Alan Lagimodiere; first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2019.
• Shannon Martin; first elected in a by-election in 2014 and subsequently re-elected on two occasions.
• Brad Michaleski; first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2019.
• Blaine Pedersen; first elected in 2007, and subsequently re-elected on three occasions.
• Dennis Smook; first elected in 2011, and subsequently re-elected on two occasions.
• Ian Wishart; first elected in 2011, and subsequently re-elected on two occasions.

Greg Recksiedler

Clerk Assistant/Research Officer

House of Commons

This report covers key highlights of the period from mid-March to the end of June 2023. On June 21, the House adjourned until September 18, 2023.

Coronation of HRH King Charles III

On May 6, the Speaker attended a Canadian celebration for the Coronation of King Charles III. Sitting parliamentarians as well as members of the King’s Privy Council for Canada were among the guests to this event taking place on Parliament Hill, at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building. The event included official remarks, unveilings, and musical performances. Canada’s 30th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, fired a 21-gun salute on Parliament Hill for the Coronation. To mark the occassion, the Speaker granted permission for the Peace Tower and Centre Block to be lit in emerald green from sunset to midnight on May 6 and May 7, as was also planned elsewhere in the Commonwealth.

Legislation

C-21, An Act to amend certain Acts and to make certain consequential amendments (firearms)

On May 8, Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra (Mississauga Centre, LIB) moved a motion to program the proceedings at the committee, report and third reading stages of Bill C-21. The motion gave the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security the power to broaden the scope of the Bill and to report it back to the House at any time by filing it with the Clerk, even when the House was adjourned. This broadening of scope was applied retroactively to allow for previously proposed amendments, which otherwise might have been challenged for being outside the original scope of the bill, to be admissible. The motion also made provision for time allocation in the House, prohibiting the Speaker from hearing quorum calls, dilatory motions, or requests for unanimous consent on any day of debate at the report and third reading stages. On May 9, after closure was adopted on the motion, the House adopted the motion.

On May 12, 2023, the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security reported the Bill with amendments back to the House and the Bill was adopted at third reading on May 18.

Private Members’ Business

A Committee Granted the Power to Expand the Scope of a Bill

On April 18, the 15th report of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration was presented in the House. The report sought the House’s permission, during the Committee’s consideration of Bill S-245, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (granting citizenship to certain Canadians), to expand the scope of the Bill. On April 24, Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP) moved concurrence in the report and, following a deferred recorded division, the House concurred in the report on April 25.

Similar Bills

On May 11, Deputy Speaker Chris d’Entremont (Nova West, CPC) made a statement on the similarities between Bill C-243, An act respecting the elimination of the use of forced labour and child labour in supply chains, and Bill S-211, An act to enact the fighting against forced labour and child labour in supply chains act and to amend the Customs Tariff. On June 6, 2022, the Chair had advised the House of the similarities between the two bills, and had ordered, pursuant to Standing Order 94(1), that Bill C-243 remain pending until proceedings on Bill S-211 had concluded. Bill S-211 having received Royal Assent on May 10, 2023, the Deputy Speaker instructed that the order for the second reading of Bill C-243 be discharged, and the Bill be dropped from the Order Paper to prevent the House from deciding the same question twice during a session.

Procedure and Privilege

Decorum and Recognition to Speak

On May 4, 2023, two members of the Conservative caucus saw their right to speak in the House removed by the Speaker until they apologized for using unparliamentary language. Chris Warkentin (Grand Prairie-Mackenzie, CPC) accused Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino (Eglinton–Lawrence, LIB) of lying, and refused to withdraw his statement when asked to do so by the Speaker. Mark Strahl (Chilliwack-Hope, CPC) also accused Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North, LIB) of lying and, when asked by the Speaker to withdraw his statement, stood by his comment. Kerry-Lynne Findlay (South Surrey – White Rock, CPC) later rose on a point of order asking that the Speaker rule with consistency in matters of decorum so that members can better calibrate their conduct during often-heated debates.

On May 8, the Speaker delivered his ruling. The Speaker stated that chair occupants try to apply rules consistently and what may appear inconsistent to some members is often the result of every situation being different. He reiterated that he would use all powers at his disposal and that any language deemed unparliamentary would require withdrawal and an immediate full and proper apology. Further, should a member refuse to apologize, the Speaker would cease to recognize them until further notice.

Mr. Warkentin and Mr. Strahl were not recognized by the Speaker until they issued an apology on May 29 and June 21, respectively.

Changes to the Standing Orders (Hybrid Proceedings)

On May 30, the Government tabled its response to Report No. 20 of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs regarding the future of hybrid proceedings in the House of Commons. In its response, the Government expressed its agreement with the Committee’s report and stated its intention to table a proposal in the House to make permanent changes to the Standing Orders as recommended by the Committee. On June 8, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Mark Holland (Ajax, LIB) tabled the Government’s proposed amendments to the Standing Orders. The changes permanently enshrine in the Standing Orders the ability to participate remotely in sittings of the House, as well as in committee meetings. The changes were adopted on June 15 under closure and took effect on June 24.

Question of Privilege— Intimidation Campaign Against Members of Parliament

On May 2, Michael D. Chong (Wellington—Halton Hills, CPC) rose on a question of privilege and alleged that a diplomat of the People’s Republic of China, accredited by the Government of Canada, targeted him and his family as a consequence of his February 22, 2021, vote on a Conservative opposition day motion condemning the Government of the People’s Republic of China and its treatment of the Uyghur minority as a genocide. On May 8, the Speaker ruled that there was a prima facie case of privilege, whereupon Mr. Chong moved that the matter be referred to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Later that day, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Oliphant (Don Valley West, LIB) informed the House that the Government of Canada had declared a diplomat from China, Zhao Wei, persona non grata. After debate on the motion by Mr. Chong, it was adopted on May 10. The Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs was studying this matter at the time the House adjourned for the summer.

Other

Emergency Debates

On April 25, Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, CPC) requested that an emergency debate be held on the crisis in Sudan. The Speaker granted the request, and the emergency debate was held later in the same sitting, at the ordinary hour of daily adjournment.

On June 5, 2023, Richard Cannings (South Okanagan–West Kootenay, NDP) requested that an emergency debate be held on the wildfire situation in Canada. The Speaker granted the request, and the emergency debate was held later in the same sitting, at 10:00 p.m.

Extension of Sitting Hours and Conduct of Extended Proceedings

On November 15, 2022, the House adopted a special order to govern the sittings and proceedings of the House until June 23, 2023. Amongst other things, the motion allowed the government to move the ordinary hour of daily adjournment for a subsequent sitting to midnight. The order was used on 13 occasions during the reporting period to extend the hours of a sitting, although on some occasions, the House adjourned earlier than scheduled by unanimous consent.

Resignations, absences and tributes

On June 12, Erin O’Toole (Durham, CPC), after having previously announced his plans to resign his seat, informed the House that this would be his last day speaking in the House.

Nomination of the Parliamentary Librarian

On June 1, Mr. Lamoureux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, tabled a certificate of nomination and biographical notes of Heather Powell Lank, the nominee for the position of Parliamentary Librarian. On June 20, the House ratified the certificate of nomination.

Changes in the House of Commons Administration

Effective March 13, Jeffrey Leblanc has been appointed Acting Deputy Clerk, Procedure. Mr. Leblanc previously held the role of Clerk Assistant, House Proceedings and has been a Table Officer for over 15 years. He began his career at the House of Commons in 1995 as a page and has since worked in various positions. Mr. Leblanc’s passion for parliamentary procedure is balanced by his strong administrative skills, honed over years spent working as co-chair of the Members’ Orientation Program. He is also a vice-chair of the Association des Secrétaires Généraux des Parlements Francophones (Association of Secretaries General of Francophone Parliaments).

Effective March 13, Jean-Philippe Brochu has been appointed Acting Clerk Assistant, House Proceedings. Mr. Brochu began his career at the House of Commons in 2003. He previously held the role of Principal Clerk, Journals Branch, and has been a Table Officer for over 10 years.

Leif-Erik Aune

Table Research Branch

Ontario

The spring sitting of the 1^st Session of the 43^rd Parliament continued through April 2023, and adjourned for the summer on June 8, 2023. This sitting marked a period of change for the Office of the Assembly, with the following events taking place: the retirement of the Clerk of the Assembly; the granting of honorifics to former Clerks of the Assembly; and the appointments of the new Clerk and the new Sergeant-at-Arms.

Retirement of the Clerk of the Assembly, Todd Decker

On April 17, 2023, Speaker Ted Arnott, informed the House that the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Todd Decker, had tabled his letter of resignation and would be retiring on June 30, 2023. Having worked at the Assembly in various roles for over 42 years, Mr. Decker brought a wealth of procedural knowledge and institutional experience to the Table. Since his appointment as Clerk in 2016, Mr. Decker steered the Office of the Assembly through the COVID-19 pandemic and led the institution through periods of change, guiding its ongoing adaptation to the needs of a modern legislature. On June 8, 2023, the House paid tribute to Mr. Decker. Assembly staff filled the public galleries while Members made remarks, thanked him for his service, and gave the Clerk a standing ovation.

Recognition of former Clerks of the Assembly and amendment to the Standing Orders

On May 29, 2023, the House passed a motion moved by the Government House Leader (Paul Calandra) arranging for a ceremony to take place in the House on June 7, 2023, to recognize former Clerks Claude L. DesRosiers and Deborah Deller. This motion also amended the Standing Orders to permit former Clerks of the Assembly, while entitled by Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, to use the honorific title “The Honourable,” to attend to the floor of the Chamber while in session, and to take an honourary seat at the Table at their pleasure. The ceremony was to recognize the former Clerks having received the honorific title “Honourable,” provided for under the Legislative Assembly Act. This provision was a recent addition to the Act when it was amended last fall.

Pursuant to the Order of the House and in accordance with the new Standing Order, Mr. DesRosiers and Ms. Deller took their seats at the Table during the ceremony and became the first former Clerks of Ontario’s Assembly to receive this distinguished honorific.

Appointment of the New Clerk of the Assembly, Trevor Day

With the retirement of its current Clerk on the horizon, the Assembly embarked on a competition for its next Clerk. On June 1, 2023, the House appointed Trevor Day, Deputy Clerk and Executive Director of the Legislative Services Division, as the tenth Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, commencing July 1, 2023. Having served in various roles over the course of his 25 years at the Assembly, he brings a breadth of procedural and administrative experience to the role.

Appointment of Sergeant-at-Arms, Tim McGough

On June 5, 2023, the House appointed the new Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislative Assembly, Tim McGough, commencing on June 19, 2023. He is the first Sergeant-at-Arms to be selected in accordance with the new process established by the passage of Bill 51, An Act to amend the Legislative Assembly Act earlier in this session. With nearly 40 years of experience in policing, beginning with the Royal Military Police and in various roles with the Medicine Hat Police Service in Alberta, he was selected by a panel of MPPs and appointed by a motion of the House to lead the Legislative Protective Service.

On June 8, 2023, the Speaker, thanked Mike Civil, who served as the temporary Sergeant-at-Arms, since January 1, 2023, following the retirement of the previous Sergeant-at-Arms.

Changes in Membership

The Member for Scarborough—Guildwood (Mitzie Hunter) tabled her letter of resignation on May 19, 2023. She has been a Member of the Legislature since August 1, 2013.

Condolences

The House expressed its condolence on the passing of several former Members, including:

• Laurence George South, Member for the Electoral District of Frontenac—Addington from May 2, 1985 to September 5, 1990.
• Bruce Owen, Member for the Electoral District of Simcoe Centre from September 10, 1987 to September 5, 1990.
• Bill Murdoch, Member for the Electoral Districts of Grey, Grey—Owen Sound, Bruce Grey and Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound from September 6, 1990 to October 5, 2011.
• Marion Boyd, Member for the Electoral District of London Centre from September 6, 1990 to June 2, 1999.
• Keith MacDonald, Member for the Electoral District of Prince Edward—Lennox from September 10, 1987 to September 5, 1990.

Committees

Standing Committee on the Interior

The Standing Committee on the Interior travelled to Timmins and Sudbury on April 5 and 6, 2023, respectively, for public hearings on Bill 71, An Act to amend the Mining Act. The Committee completed clause-by-clause of the Bill on April 18, 2023 and reported the Bill back to the House, as amended, on April 19, 2023.

Standing Committee on Justice Policy

On April 19, 2023, MPP John Vanthof raised a point of privilege at a meeting of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, concerning the former Chair of the Committee making statements during debate in the House regarding how Members voted during an in camera report-writing session of the Committee. The current Chair, MPP Goldie Ghamari, determined that the question raised by the Member touched on privilege. Mr. Vanthof moved a motion requesting that the matter be reported to the House and that the House take such measures as it deems appropriate. Following debate, the motion did not carry.

Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs

On April 20, 2023, the Minister of Legislative Affairs appeared before the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs to discuss Bill 75, An Act to enact the Queen’s Park Restoration Secretariat Act, 2023, and to make certain amendments to the Legislative Assembly Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Bill was seeking to create a Queen’s Park Restoration Secretariat, whose responsibility it would be to oversee the renovation of Ontario’s Legislature Building and surrounding precinct grounds. The Committee completed clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill on May 9, 2023, and the Bill was reported back to the House with amendments later that same day.

The Committee also decided the next steps in its ongoing study of the lifespan of, and deficiencies with, the building systems in the Legislative precinct and the need for rehabilitation and restoration by identifying several subject categories for review. In addition to consultation with Indigenous groups, the Committee has asked its Research Officer to compile a list of potential witnesses for the Committee’s consideration with expertise in the following categories: Accessibility and Equity; Community and Business Groups (Community Engagement); Education and Tourism; Heritage and Historical Groups; and Grounds and Monuments. The Committee has also opened the door to input from the general public and other interested stakeholders in these categories via the Legislative Assembly’s online webform.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts continued to review sections of the 2022 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario. The Committee held public hearings with Ministry officials and other relevant entities during its review of the following value-for-money audits:

• Climate Change Adaptation: Reducing Urban Flood Risk
• Management of Invasive Species
• Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation: Casinos, Lotteries and Internet Gaming
• Conserving the Niagara Escarpment

Additionally, the Committee met to consider its draft reports on the following sections of the 2019 and 2021 Annual Reports of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario:

• Court Operations
• Criminal Court Systems
• Outpatient Surgeries

Estimates Consideration

The 2023-2024 Expenditure Estimates were tabled on April 20, 2023, and the Estimates of all ministries and offices were selected to be reviewed by the respective policy-field committees to which they were referred. The committees began consideration in May and June and are scheduled to continue in September.

Lesley Flores

Committee Clerk

Prince Edward Island

New Government, Opposition and Third Party

On April 14, Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry presided over the swearing in of Premier Dennis King (District 15, Brackley – Hunter River) and 11 Ministers of the Crown. All members of Cabinet are from the Progressive Conservative caucus; five are first-time MLAs. The new Cabinet also features the most women of any PEI Cabinet to date, with four. The Progressive Conservatives hold 22 seats in the new legislature.

On April 12 Hal Perry (District 27, Tignish – Palmer Road) was chosen as the interim leader of the Liberal Party of PEI, and therefore became the Leader of the Official Opposition. The Liberals hold three seats in the new legislature. The Green Party, with the remaining two seats, forms the Third Party and continues to be led by Peter Bevan-Baker (District 17, New Haven – Rocky Point). However, on June 17 he announced his intention to step down as party leader; he will stay in the role until a new leader is chosen and intends to complete his term as MLA.

Opening of 67^th General Assembly, New Speaker and Deputy Speaker

Members of the 67^th General Assembly were sworn in on May 12, and the new Assembly met for the first time the same day. The first order of business was the selection of a new Speaker via secret ballot election, as required by the Rules of the Legislative Assembly. Two members put their names forward for consideration: Darlene Compton (District 4, Belfast – Murray River), of the Progressive Conservative Party, and Robert Henderson (District 25, O’Leary – Inverness), of the Liberal Party. Ms. Compton achieved the majority of votes and was duly elected Speaker. Sidney MacEwen (District 7, Morell – Donagh) was appointed Deputy Speaker upon resolution of the House. Ms. Compton has represented District 4 since 2015. From 2019 to 2023 she was Deputy Premier and served first as Minister of Finance then as Minister of Agriculture and Land and Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General. Mr. MacEwen was first elected in 2015 and has previously served as Opposition Whip and later as Government House Leader.

Speech from the Throne

Later the same day, the Lieutenant Governor delivered a Speech from the Throne. It touched on multiple aspects of Island life. In healthcare, the new government plans to expand the Patient Medical Homes and Medical Neighbourhood collaborative care model to fully cover the Island by the end of 2024. In housing, a Special Cabinet committee is to be established to find ways to increase housing starts, and funding will be directed in various ways to homebuyers, developers, municipalities and public housing. Education investments include subsidies to lower the cost of childcare, additional frontline staff in English and French school systems, and a School Infrastructure Revitalization Fund. A provincial land-use plan will be developed. Islanders’ tax burden will be reduced in various ways. The goal of being Net Zero in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 continues to be pursued and a 25-year Coastal Management Strategy will be launched to protect the Island’s shores against erosion related to climate change.

Debate on the Draft Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne took place over several sitting days and concluded on May 23 with the Assembly voting to offer humble thanks to the Lieutenant Governor for the gracious speech with which she opened the present session.

Budget

On May 25, the Premier tabled the Estimates of the Revenue and Expenditure for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 and Minister of Finance Jill Burridge gave the Budget Address.

Spending highlights include $8.9 million toward adding 100 new frontline positions in Medical Homes across PEI; $21.9 million for a new medical school at the University of Prince Edward Island; a $50 million Housing Challenge Fund to provide developers with two per cent financing for projects that are construction ready; tax system changes totaling $14 million; and $18 million in bioscience and clean technology sector investments. A $97.6 million deficit is expected. The Assembly reviewed the estimates in Committee of the Whole House on Supply over 15 sitting days, and ultimately approved them.

Government and Private Members’ Bills

Nineteen bills were introduced during the spring sitting, and nine passed all stages and received Royal Assent. All others remain on the Order Paper.

The government put forward 15 bills, mostly to amend existing legislation and make administrative changes in areas such as regulated health professions, health information, and appointment of tax officials. Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Climate Leadership Act, ends government’s application and collection of the carbon levy on fuel products effective June 30, due to the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act coming into effect on PEI on July 1.

Four Private Members’ Bills were introduced in the session, but only two proceeded beyond First Reading. Bill 100, An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act was introduced by Opposition member Gordon McNeilly (District 14, Charlottetown – West Royalty) and would amend the Act to allow persons who hold valid work permits to register as members of the Law Society of PEI, whereas at present only Canadian citizens or permanent residents can do so. The Bill was reviewed but not voted on in Committee of the Whole House, and so remains on the Order Paper. Bill 104, An Act to Amend the Ombudsperson Act was introduced by Third Party member Karla Bernard (District 12, Charlottetown – Victoria Park) to add post-secondary institutions to the list of entities that may be investigated by the Ombudsperson. It passed all stages and received Royal Assent.

Rule Change on Committee Membership

As is required in a new Assembly, a Special Committee on Committees was struck on the first day of the sitting to appoint members to the five standing committees of the Assembly. The Committee on Committees appointed members to the Standing Committee on Rules, Regulations, Private Bills and Privileges, and recommended that that committee review the rule on committee membership to consider the advisability of appointing non-voting permanent members to the standing committees. The Rules Committee met accordingly, and on June 1 reported to the Assembly with a recommendation that committees continue to be composed of two members from each of the recognized parties, but that up to two additional “observing members” be appointed to a committee at the discretion of the Committee on Committees. These observing members would have the same rights and privileges as other committee members, but would not be able to vote, move motions or count toward quorum. After some debate, the Assembly adopted the Rules Committee’s report. The Committee on Committees subsequently appointed members to the remaining standing committees, including two observing members on each one.

Extended Sitting Hours

On June 9, Government House Leader Matthew MacKay (District 20, Kensington – Malpeque) tabled a motion proposing that the House continue to sit beyond the normal 5:00 p.m. adjournment and until 11:59 p.m. on three consecutive upcoming sitting days. The Government House Leader is uniquely empowered to table such a motion under Rule 4(4), and it must be decided without debate or amendment. This rule was established in the previous General Assembly and this was the first instance of its use. In response, Leader of the Opposition Hal Perry tabled, and received unanimous consent to debate without proper notice, a motion “urging government to refrain from invoking Rule 4(4), particularly when the debate on the budget has not surpassed the historical average length of debate” and when rule 4(4) has been invoked, urging government “to ensure Islanders are aware the hours of the House have been extended and ensure that Islanders have access to the House proceedings.” This motion was debated and defeated on June 14, and later the same day the motion to extend the hours was carried. Accordingly, the House sat from 1:00 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. on June 14 and 15 and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on June 16.

Speaker’s Rulings

On May 17, Speaker Compton ruled on a point of order raised by Mr. McNeilly the previous day in objection to the use of the phrase “group of bandits” by the Premier earlier in the day’s proceedings. Speaker Compton reminded members that points of order should be raised promptly, and that language should be respectful and worthy of the place in which it is used.

On June 1, Speaker Compton responded to a point of order raised by Leader of the Opposition Hal Perry, which consisted of an objection to comments made by another member during recognition of guests. The Speaker found that this wasn’t a true point of order and referenced passages from House of Commons Procedure and Practice, 3^rd Edition to clarify the proper point of order procedure. She also advised members that it is inappropriate to state that they know something is unparliamentary but then proceed to say it anyway and that it is also inappropriate to question the Chair.

Adjournment of the 1^st Session

After 23 sitting days, the House adjourned to the call of the Speaker on June 21.

Ryan Reddin

Director of Parliamentary Research

Québec

Proceedings of the Assemblée nationale

Composition

On May 26, 2023, Alejandra Zaga Mendez, Member for Verdun, was appointed Whip of the Second Opposition Group, replacing Ruba Ghazal, Member for Mercier.

Budget process

Following the debate on the budget speech, Eric Girard, Minister of Finance, moved that the Assemblée approve the Government’s budgetary policy. The motion was carried on April 6, 2023, and on May 11, 2023, the budget process was completed with the concurrence in the reports from the committees that had examined the budget estimates and then the passage of the appropriation bill.

Legislative agenda

Between April 1 and June 9, 2023, the final day of the sessional period, 29 bills were introduced in the Assemblée nationale, of which 11 were private Members’ bills and four were private bills. During the same period, 15 bills were passed, including two private bills. The following are some of the bills passed:

• 10, An Act limiting the use of personnel placement agencies’ services and independent labour in the health and social services sector;
• 11, An Act to amend the Act respecting end-of-life care and other legislative provisions;
• 12, An Act to reform family law with regard to filiation and to protect children born as a result of sexual assault and the victims of that assault as well as the rights of surrogates and of children born of a surrogacy project;
• 19, An Act respecting the regulation of work by children;
• 20, An Act to establish the Blue Fund and to amend other provisions;
• 24, An 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; and
• 25, An Act to fight illegal tourist accommodation.

Ruling from the Chair

On April 20, 2023, the President, Nathalie Roy, ruled on the duration of Question Period and the right of independent Members to ask questions, in a context where Marie-Claude Nichols, independent Member for Vaudreuil, had not had the opportunity to ask her question before the end of the time set aside for Question Period.

RULING FROM THE CHAIR

Independent Members’ right to ask questions during Question Period is limited. According to the current allocation, the independent Member for Vaudreuil may ask only three questions per two 10-sitting cycles.

Furthermore, it is not up to the independent Members to decide when to ask questions. Rather, it is the parliamentary groups from which the questions originate that decide which ones to yield to them.

Given the significant restrictions on questions from independent Members, it would be unfair for them to lose the opportunity to ask one of their questions because of the delay caused by heckling or because of the time spent on points of order.

In the past, the Chair has used its general power to protect the rights of the minority and allowed an independent Member to ask a second supplementary question despite the expiry of the time normally set aside for Question Period.

Similarly, the independent Member for Vaudreuil will be able to ask her main question and her supplementary questions despite the expiry of the 45 minutes set aside for Question Period.

Indeed, Question Period ends when the Chair announces it does. A timer cannot be used to determine the end of Question Period; only the Chair can make this decision.

Electronic voting

On June 8, 2023, the Assemblée nationale adopted permanent amendments to its Standing Orders to introduce electronic voting as a replacement for voting by recorded division, effective as of the first sitting of the fall sessional period on September 12, 2023.

Several of the terms and conditions for voting by recorded division have been maintained. In particular, the Chair may suspend the proceedings to call the Members into the Assemblée nationale for a vote; Members may not enter the Assemblée nationale after voting has begun or leave before the result has been announced; and Members present at the time of voting must take part. In addition, it is provided that the Chair will announce the start of the voting period aloud, and the seating plan will be displayed on screens installed in the Chamber. Lastly, the parliamentarians will have to cast their votes themselves with their own controller, within the time limit specified by the Chair.

Review of the annual indemnity for Members of the Assemblée nationale

On May 11, 2023, Simon Jolin-Barrette, Government House Leader and Minister of Justice, introduced Bill 24, An 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. The bill, which implements recommendations from the report of the Comité consultatif indépendant sur la révision de l’indemnité annuelle des membres de l’Assemblée nationale tabled on April 19, 2023, was passed on June 6, 2023.

Other events

Configuration of the Assemblée nationale chamber

As part of the restoration and renovation of the Salon Bleu (the chamber), the parliamentarians chose a new seating plan. The horseshoe layout, which was preferred over the semicircle and oval configurations, will preserve a maximum number of heritage desks, free up space for four additional seats and ensure universal access to the seating.

The Assemblée nationale du Québec administration’s 2023–2027 strategic plan

On April 18, 2023, President Roy tabled the administration’s 2023–2027 strategic plan entitled “Plan stratégique de l’administration de l’Assemblée nationale 2023-2027.” The plan builds on the previous one and features new elements, including the major proposal to renovate the Assemblée nationale chamber.

International symposium organized by the Assemblée nationale in partnership with Québec’s Chief Scientist

On May 26, 2023, the international symposium Science, politique et société : quelle place pour l’information scientifique dans les parlements? was held at the Assemblée nationale. The event was organized with the Chief Scientist of Québec, and brought parliamentarians from Québec and La Francophonie together with members of the scientific community. The purpose was to equip the parliamentarians and their staff to communicate and use scientific data in political exchanges and parliamentary proceedings. The participants discussed issues such as climate change, environmental governance, and scientific expertise in parliaments.

Committee Proceedings

The April- June period coincided with two important events in parliament: the examination of the budget estimates and the first period of extended hours of meeting for the 43rd Legislature.

Examination of the budget estimates

The examination of the annual budget estimates took place during the weeks of April 24 and May 1, 2023. Under the Agreement relating to the concept of parliamentary group, to the conduct of proceedings in the Assemblée nationale and in parliamentary committees, to budgetary aspects and to other measures promoting work-family balance, applicable for the duration of the 43rd Legislature, the mandate was carried out according to the schedule of ordinary hours of meeting and the time allocated for exchanges with ministers was reduced from 200 to 120 hours: 100 hours were allocated to the Members in opposition, while 20 hours were allocated to the parliamentary group forming the Government.

In addition, as part of the orientation program for the Members of the 43rd Legislature, training on the examination of estimates of expenditures was offered for the first time to Members and their staff. The presentation addressed the parliamentary budgetary process, elements of proceedings specific to the mandate and the conduct of parliamentary committee meetings.

Bills

The consideration of public bills took up most of the parliamentary committees’ time from April to June 2023. Eight public bills were the subject of special consultations and public hearings and twelve passed the clause-by-clause consideration stage.

Specifically, the Committee on Health and Social Services carried out special consultations and began clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 15, An Act to make the health and social services system more effective. Forty individuals and organizations were heard during six days of public hearings. To date, the bill, which contains 1,180 sections, has been the subject of more than 33 hours of meetings for clause-by-clause consideration.

The Committee on Citizen Relations completed clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 11, An Act to amend the Act respecting end-of-life care and other legislative provisions. This required some 30 hours of work distributed over seven meetings. The Bill implements recommendations of the Select Committee on the Evolution of the Act respecting end-of-life care, and is a new version of Bill 38, which was introduced during the Second Session of the 42nd Legislature but died on the order paper after the election was called.

The Committee on Institutions completed clause-by-clause consideration of four bills, including Bill 24, An 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. As its title indicates, this bill modifies the annual indemnity paid to Members of the Assemblée nationale. The Committee on Institutions also completed clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 12, An Act to reform family law with regard to filiation and to protect children born as a result of sexual assault and the victims of that assault as well as the rights of surrogates and of children born of a surrogacy project, which revives provisions initially proposed in Bill 2, An Act respecting family law reform with regard to filiation and amending the Civil Code in relation to personality rights and civil status, presented during the Second Session of the 42^nd Legislature, in particular with regard to the regulation of surrogacy. Bill 12 also introduces the possibility for children born because of sexual assault to contest their filiation with the assailant or to object to such a filiation being established.

The Committee on Labour and the Economy completed clause-by-clause consideration of two bills: Bill 19, An Act respecting the regulation of work by children, which prohibits an employer, barring exceptions, from having work performed by a child under the age of 14, and Bill 25, An Act to fight illegal tourist accommodation, which provides for various measures to regulate short-term rental contracts.

Order of initiative

On May 30, 2023, the Committee on Culture and Education tabled its report following the special consultations and public hearings held as part of the order of initiative on the revelations of violence during hazing in the junior hockey league and the potential situation in other sports. The report, which contains
23 recommendations, is the follow-up to the four special consultation meetings during which 16 individuals and organizations were heard by the Committee.

Mandate under the Standing Orders

On June 5, 2023, the Committee on Public Administration heard the Secrétariat du Conseil du trésor to discuss its 2021–2022 annual management report and financial commitments and the 2021–2022 report on the application of the Public Administration Act. The hearing was held virtually in accordance with the terms and conditions set out for the duration of the 43rd Legislature. The highlights of the hearing, and the Committee’s observations, conclusions, and recommendations, may be consulted in the Committee’s spring 2023 accountability report, tabled in the Assemblée on June 7, 2023.

General consultation

On May 30, 2023, the Committee on Citizen Relations was mandated to hold special hearings as part of a general consultation on the consultation paper on Québec immigration planning for the
2024–2027 period entitled “La planification de l’immigration au Québec pour la période 2024-2027”. The hearings will be held beginning on September 12, 2023. Individuals and organizations who would like to participate are invited to submit a brief or send a request to participate to the secretariat of the Committee by August 11, 2023. The consultation is complemented by an online consultation in the form of a questionnaire available on the Assemblée website. People can express their views until the last day of the public hearings.

David Bordeleau

Direction de la séance et de la procédure parlementaire

Roxanne Guévin

Direction des commissions parlementaires

Saskatchewan

Adjournment of the Spring Sitting

The Assembly adjourned the spring sitting of the 3^rd session of the 29^th legislature on May 18, 2023. It will reconvene for prorogation on October 25, 2023, unless earlier recalled by the Speaker.

Prior to adjournment of the sitting, committees spent more than 75 hours in consideration of estimates before the sums were reported, approved, and included in an appropriation bill. On May 17, 2023, Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty gave Royal Assent to the appropriation bill along with 26 other bills, bringing the total number of bills passed during the session to 49.

Motion of Urgent and Pressing Necessity

On April 3, 2023, Leader of the Opposition Carla Beck requested leave to move a motion of urgent and pressing necessity in response to recommendations made by the Mass Casualty Commission as a result of the April 18-19, 2020, mass casualty in Nova Scotia. The commission’s March 30, 2023, report recommended that the Depot model of RCMP training should be phased out by 2032. Ms. Beck was granted leave to move her motion, which expressed opposition to any plan for changes to RCMP training that would involve the closure of RCMP Depot Division in Regina, and it was passed unanimously by the Assembly.

Condolence Motions for Former MLAs

Motions of condolence honouring 12 former MLAs who recently passed away were moved by Premier Scott Moe and spoken to by members on April 19, 2023. The Assembly subsequently passed a transmittal motion authorizing the Speaker to transmit copies of the official records of the tributes to the bereaved families.

Naming of a Member

During question period on May 3, 2023, in response to an answer from the Minister of Trade and Export Development, the Leader of the Opposition stated that “everything that that minister just said is a dead lie.” The Speaker immediately asked her to withdraw the comment and apologize, but she refused, instead stating, “I stand by what I said. Everything that he just said is a dead lie.” The Speaker gave Ms. Beck one final opportunity to withdraw and apologize and, following her refusal, she was ultimately named, suspended for the remainder of the sitting day, and removed from the Chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Motion Regarding Federal Government’s Electrical Generation Target

On May 17, 2023, Premier Moe moved a motion proposing that the Assembly recognize the federal government’s electrical generation target of net zero emissions by 2035 as being unrealistic and unaffordable in Saskatchewan, and instead support the provincial government’s own plan for affordable, reliable power generation to 2035 and beyond. In response, Ms. Beck moved an amendment to the motion removing reference to supporting the provincial government’s plan and instead calling on the provincial government to make significant investments in renewable power.

Following debate on both the motion and the amendment, the amendment was negatived on a recorded division of 7-40 and the original motion was passed unanimously on a recorded vote of 47-0. A motion was then passed ordering the Speaker to transmit copies of the motion and transcripts of the debate and vote to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, New Democratic Party Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Official Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre.

Parliamentary Exchange to India

A delegation from the Saskatchewan Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) travelled to northern India to participate in a parliamentary exchange with the State of Haryana from April 11 to 15, 2023. The delegation was led by Speaker Randy Weekes, president of the CPA Saskatchewan Branch, government member Warren Kaeding, and opposition member Nathaniel Teed. They were accompanied by Iris Lang, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. The exchange was supported by the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, International Development Office.

Plans are under way for an India delegation to visit Saskatchewan in the fall. The parliamentary exchange is designed to enhance Saskatchewan’s ties with India and facilitate the sharing of knowledge, experience, and ideas between the two jurisdictions.

Board of Internal Economy Directive Changes

The Board of Internal Economy approved changes to directive 4.1 and directive 6 on May 18, 2023. The changes to directive 4.1 raised allowances for constituency service expenses as well as the thresholds under the capital asset policy. The change to directive 6 stipulates that constituency assistant expenses will be increased or decreased in accordance with changes to the consumer price index. Previously, the adjustment was tied to the wage increase applied to out-of-scope Government of Saskatchewan employees.

General Election Date Announced

On April 26, 2023, Premier Moe announced via social media that the next provincial election is set to be held on October 28, 2024, and he will seek re-election for a fourth term as MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook. Nominations within the Saskatchewan Party for the 2024 election subsequently began on April 28, 2023, with the nomination of Premier Moe. Additional candidates have since been announced by multiple political parties.

New Cabinet Responsibility

During the spring sitting, the Legislative Assembly passed legislation to establish the Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation (LGS), a new Crown corporation tasked with overseeing gaming in the province. Bill 130, The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation Act, received Royal Assent on May 17, 2023. Full conduct and management powers of the new Crown corporation came into effect on June 1, 2023, and the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, previously a Crown corporation, became a wholly owned subsidiary of LGS on the same date.

Subsequently, on June 1, 2023, Premier Moe issued an order in council updating ministerial responsibilities to account for this change. In addition to her existing roles as Minister of Parks, Culture, and Sport and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Laura Ross was appointed Minister Responsible for Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation. Meanwhile, responsibility for the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation was removed from the portfolio of Don Morgan.

Miranda Gudereit

Procedural Clerk

Senate

New Speaker

On May 16, 2023, Senator Raymonde Gagné was appointed Speaker of the Senate, the first woman to hold this position in 44 years. Representing Manitoba in the Senate since 2016, Speaker Gagné is a strong advocate of language rights and has been an active member of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages. Prior to her appointment as Speaker, she held the position of Legislative Deputy to the Government Representative in the Senate. Speaker Gagné is a member of the Order of Canada, a member of the Order of Manitoba and a recipient of the Prix Riel.

Bills

Two government bills originating in the Senate were the subject of amendments adopted by the House of Commons and were therefore the subject of messages between the two chambers.

Concerning Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act, the Senate received a message from the House on May 30 informing it that the House had passed the bill with amendments. On June 13, following a recorded vote, the Senate adopted the amendments made by the House of Commons, and Bill S-5 received Royal Assent by written declaration the same day.

Concerning Bill S-8, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts and to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, the Senate received a message from the House on June 21 informing it that the House had passed the bill with amendments. On the same day, the Senate adopted the amendments made by the House of Commons, and Bill S-8 received Royal Assent by written declaration on June 22.

Government Bill S-12, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act, as amended, passed third reading in the Senate on June 22. A message was sent to the House of Commons informing it that the Senate passed the bill, for which it is seeking its concurrence.

The following Commons government bills were passed by the Senate without amendment: on May 10, Bill C-46, An Act to amend the Federal-Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act and the Income Tax Act, which received Royal Assent by written declaration on May 11; on June 15, Bill C-13, An Act to amend the Official Languages Act, to enact the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, Bill C-41, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, and Bill C-45, An Act to amend the First Nations Fiscal Management Act, to make consequential amendments to other Acts, and to make a clarification relating to another Act, which received Royal Assent by written declaration on June 19; on June 22, Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023, Bill C-51, An Act to give effect to the self-government treaty recognizing the Whitecap Dakota Nation / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate and to make consequential amendments to other Acts, Bill C-54, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, and Bill C-55, An Act for granting to His Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, which received Royal Assent by written declaration on the same day.

Several House of Commons government bills were amended by the Senate and were therefore the subject of messages between the two chambers.

Concerning Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, the Senate received a message from the House of Commons on April 18: the House accepted 14 Senate amendments, rejected six and proposed two. After considering the message, the Senate adopted a motion concerning the House of Commons amendments on April 27, and Bill C-11 received Royal Assent by written declaration the same day.

Bill C-22, An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act, passed third reading in the Senate on May 18. The Senate received a message from the House of Commons on June 20: the House accepted four amendments, rejected one and proposed one. After considering the message, the Senate adopted a motion concerning the House of Commons amendments on June 20, and Bill C-22 received Royal Assent by written declaration on June 22.

Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act, passed third reading in the Senate on June 1. The Senate received a message from the House of Commons on June 21: the House accepted two amendments and rejected 15. After considering the message, the Senate adopted a motion concerning the House of Commons amendments on June 21, and Bill C-9 received Royal Assent by written declaration on June 22.

Bill C-18, An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada, passed third reading in the Senate on June 15. The Senate received a message from the House of Commons on June 22: the House accepted eight amendments and rejected two. After considering the message, the Senate adopted a motion concerning the House of Commons amendments, and Bill C-18 received Royal Assent by written declaration the same day.

Four public bills originating in the Senate were passed and sent to the House of Commons this quarter. They are Bills S-205, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to another Act (interim release and domestic violence recognizance orders), as amended, S-210, An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material, as amended, and S-246, An Act respecting Lebanese Heritage Month, on April 18; and Bill S-242, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act, as amended, on April 20. Bill S-246 received Royal Assent by written declaration on June 19.

On April 27, Bill S-214, An Act to establish International Mother Language Day, received Royal Assent by written declaration. The Bill had passed third reading in the Senate on December 9, 2021.

On May 11, Bill S-211, An Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act and to amend the Customs Tariff, and Bill S-227, An Act to establish Food Day in Canada, received Royal Assent by written declaration. The bills had passed third reading in the Senate on April 28, 2022, and on May 12, 2022, respectively.

Four public bills originating in the House of Commons were passed in the Senate and received Royal Assent. On April 18, Bill C-228, An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act and the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985, and Bill C-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Judges Act (violence against an intimate partner), were passed by the Senate at third reading. Both bills received Royal Assent by written declaration on April 27. On June 21, the Senate passed Bill C-224, An Act to establish a national framework for the prevention and treatment of cancers linked to firefighting, and Bill C-242, An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (temporary resident visas for parents and grandparents), at third reading. Both bills received Royal Assent by written declaration on June 22.

Chamber and Procedure

On June 6, the Senate passed a motion calling on the federal government to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity.

On June 13, Senator Mobina Jaffer made a declaration of private interest regarding Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act.

On June 13, the Senate adopted a motion bestowing the title of “honorary Canadian citizen” on Vladimir Kara-Murza and calling for his immediate release.

On June 15, the Senate passed a motion to approve the reappointment of Heather Powell Lank as Parliamentary Librarian.

On June 20, the Senate passed, with leave, a programming motion regarding Bill C-51, An Act to give effect to the self-government treaty recognizing the Whitecap Dakota Nation / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate and to make consequential amendments to other Acts.

Committee of the Whole

On June 14, the Senate resolved into a Committee of the Whole to hear from Harriet Solloway regarding her appointment as Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. On June 20, the Senate passed a motion approving her appointment.

Speaker’s Rulings and Statements

On April 25, a point of order was raised by Senator Don Plett regarding the procedure for time allocation on a government matter and whether Senator Marc Gold, as Government Representative, can initiate this process under the provisions of the Rules of the Senate. The Speaker ruled against the point of order, which was appealed and sustained by a standing vote.

On the same day, a point of order was raised by Senator Leo Housakos with respect to proceedings, and the Speaker reserved his decision. In his ruling delivered on May 2, which also applied to the point of order with respect to unparliamentary language raised by Senator Percy Downe on March 30, the Speaker reiterated that “the Senate must remain a forum for respectful debate while also retaining its characteristic as a body where each of us assumes responsibility for maintaining order and decorum.”

On June 14, a point of order was raised by Senator Plett concerning unparliamentary language. In her ruling, Speaker Gagné reminded senators of the ruling of former Speaker George Furey on May 2 regarding the same topic.

Committees

On April 27, notwithstanding rule 12-15(2), the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights was authorized to hold in camera meetings to hear testimony and gather specialized or sensitive information as part of its study of human rights generally, specifically on the topic of racism, sexism, and systemic discrimination at the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

On April 27, the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance received an order of reference to examine the subject matter of all of Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023, in advance of the bill being introduced in the Senate. Several committees were also authorized to examine the content of specific elements of the bill.

On May 9, the Senate adopted a motion requesting a full and detailed government response to the fourth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights, entitled Human Rights of Federally-Sentenced Persons, tabled and adopted in the Senate during the Second Session of the Forty-third Parliament.

On May 11, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology presented its twelfth report on Bill C-22, An Act to reduce poverty and to support the financial security of persons with disabilities by establishing the Canada disability benefit and making a consequential amendment to the Income Tax Act, with amendments. The Senate adopted the report on May 16.

On May 17, the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry presented its tenth report on Bill S-236, An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act and the Employment Insurance Regulations (Prince Edward Island), recommending that the Senate not proceed further with bill. The report was adopted by the Senate on June 13.

On May 18, the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs presented its thirteenth report on Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act, with amendments. The Senate adopted the report on May 31.

On June 6, the Senate adopted the fourth report, as amended, of the Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament, entitled Amendments to the Rules, which was presented on February 7. The report included 17 amendments to the Rules of the Senate.

On June 8, with leave, the Senate adopted a motion concerning Bill S-241, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (great apes, elephants and certain other animals). The motion stipulated that, if the bill was adopted at second reading – which occurred later the same day – it be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and both the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry and the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources be simultaneously authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of the bill.

On June 13, with leave, the Senate adopted a motion concerning Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. The motion stipulated that, if the bill was adopted at second reading – which occurred later the same day – it be referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, and the Standing Senate Committee on National Finance be simultaneously authorized to examine and report on the subject matter of the bill.

On June 14, the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications presented its sixth report on Bill C-18, An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada, with amendments. The Senate adopted the report on June 15.

On June 20, the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs presented its fifteenth report on Bill S-12, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Sex Offender Information Registration Act and the International Transfer of Offenders Act, with amendments. The Senate adopted the report on June 21.

On June 21, the Senate adopted a motion referring the document entitled Proposals to correct certain anomalies, inconsistencies, out-dated terminology and errors and to deal with other matters of a non-controversial and uncomplicated nature in the Statutes and Regulations of Canada and to repeal certain provisions that have expired, lapsed or otherwise ceased to have effect, tabled in the Senate on June 20, to the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.

Senators

On May 3, Iris Petten and Jane MacAdam were appointed to the Senate on the recommendation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Senator Petten represents the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in the Senate. Introduced on May 9, she then took her seat as a member of the Senate. Senator Petten has over 35 years’ experience in the fisheries sector, as an entrepreneur, community volunteer and senior executive. Actively involved in her province’s coastal communities, she has served on several boards and volunteered with numerous organizations in the province. She is the recipient of an honorary Doctor of Laws from Memorial University of Newfoundland, where she served three terms as Chair of the Board of Regents.

Senator MacAdam represents the province of Prince Edward Island. Introduced on June 6, she then took her seat as a member of the Senate. Senator MacAdam has over 40 years’ experience in legislative auditing. A chartered professional accountant, she has, among other things, held the position of Auditor General of Prince Edward Island. In 2019, she received a Fellow designation from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Prince Edward Island in recognition of her exceptional leadership and contribution to the profession.

Senator Furey, Speaker of the Senate, retired from the Senate on May 12, 2023. He was appointed to the Senate on August 11, 1999, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, and represented the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Prior to his appointment, Senator Furey worked in education and as a lawyer. As a senator, he was an active member of several committees, including the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, both of which he chaired. Senator Furey was appointed Speaker of the Senate on December 3, 2015, by Prime Minister Trudeau, a position he held until his retirement.

On May 4, 2023, Senator Patricia Bovey retired from the Senate. She was appointed to the Senate on November 10, 2016, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Trudeau, and represented the province of Manitoba. Prior to her appointment, Senator Bovey was an art historian, museologist, gallery director, professor and arts consultant. During her career in the Senate, she served as Deputy Chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications and the Special Senate Committee on the Arctic, in addition to being an active member of several other committees.

François Michaud

Procedural Clerk