Manitoba.

• Author: Grenier, Monique
• Position: Legislative Reports

In accordance with the sessional calendar specified in the rules, the Second Session of the 40'" Legislature was due to rise on June 13, 2013. However, due to the fact that key government business--including approval of departmental estimates and nearly all government bills--was not completed by the time of the scheduled rising, the Government called an emergency session for June 17 in order to complete the financial and legislative business before the House. The Legislature has been sitting through the summer months with no fixed end date.

As most Bills still need to make their way through the legislative process, the following Bills have been and continue to be the focus of a great deal of attention both in the House and in Committees.

* Bill 18--The Public Schools Amendment Act (Safe and Inclusive Schools), which amends the Act in the areas of bullying and respect for human diversity.

* Bill 20--The Manitoba Building and Renewal Funding and Fiscal Management Act (Various Acts Amended), which exempts the referendum requirement in The Balanced Budget, Fiscal Management and Taxpayer Accountability Act in order to increase the PST by 1% and enacts measures to provide a sustainable funding source for the renewal of infrastructure.

* Bill 33--The Municipal Modernization Act (Municipal Amalgamations), which permits the minister to recommend that a municipality be amalgamated if it has a population of fewer than 1,000 residents and enables the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations amalgamating municipalities.

Extended debates with unlimited designated speaking times were held on numerous types of motions moved in connection to these bills. In fact, activity on these bills has contributed to some rarely used motions such as six months hoist and reasoned amendments, the proposal of several committee and report stage amendments, as well as attracting a very high volume of registrations for public presentations at committees.

To date, a total of 63 Bills have been introduced this session, including 47 Government Bills and 16 Bill sponsored by Private Members. At the time of writing, two Government Bills have received Royal Assent since the start of this session last fall.

Hoist and Reasoned Amendment Motions

On May 7, 2013 Myrna Driedger moved a reasoned amendment declining second reading of Bill 20 "because this House has not received satisfactory evidence or assurances that an increase in the retail sales tax was either considered or...