New Brunswick.

• Author: McLeave, John-Patrick
• Position: Legislative Reports

It was a rewarding summer for the Legislative Assembly. Members and staff were pleased to welcome delegates from across Canada and a number of internationally-distinguished guests as hosts of the 52nd Canadian Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The conference, which took place in Fredericton from July 20-26, invited over 80 delegates and their families to enjoy the province and participate in discussions touching all Canadian legislatures. Business sessions included such topics as pension plan reform, the importance of debating social issues in parliament, the role of the Senate and possible reform, the recent flooding in the prairie provinces, the role of a backbench member, the Speaker in schools program, democratic engagement of people with disabilities, and emergency service measures in the Yukon. The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians also held business sessions including family violence research and the rise of women's issues as normative discourse in legislatures.

Prior to the dissolution of the Legislature in August, the Legislative Assembly reconvened for a one-day sitting on July 29. Justice Minister Troy Lifford introduced Bill 92, An Act to Amend the Pension Benefits Act. The legislation enabled retirees under the Fraser Papers' pension plan to benefit from increased pension payouts and to have their plan converted to a shared risk pension model. The 57th Legislative Assembly subsequently dissolved on August 22. At dissolution, the standings in the House were: 41 Progressive Conservatives; 13 Liberals, and one Independent.

New Brunswickers elected a new government on September 22. The results of the provincial election gave the Liberals a majority government with 27 seats, while the Progressive Conservatives won 21. The Green Party won their first seat in New Brunswick's history by electing their leader, David Coon. In total, 21 new members were elected.

On October 7, Brian Gallant, the Liberal Member for Shediac Bay-Dieppe, and the province's 33rd Premier, was sworn into Office along with 12 Ministers in a ceremony held in the Assembly Chamber. The Executive Councillor's Oath was administered by Lieutenant-Governor Graydon Nicholas.

Premier Gallant was elected Leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party on October 27, 2012, and first elected to the Legislative Assembly in a by-election held on April 15, 2013, to represent the riding of Kent.

Premier Gallant's Cabinet consists of the following...