Ontario.

AuthorKoch, Katch
PositionLegislative Reports

Prior to the adjournment of the House for the Christmas Holidays, Joseph Cimino resigned as a Member of Provincial Parliament which triggered a by-election for the Electoral District of Sudbury on February 5,2015. After a month-long campaign, Glenn Thibeault was returned as the new representative for Sudbury. The new MPP took the Oath and subscribed to the Roll just in time to take his seat in the Legislature for the resumption of the First Session of the 41st Parliament on February 17, 2015.

On February 19, 2015, Greg Essensa, Chief Electoral Officer of Ontario, responded to two complaints received from the Opposition Parties alleging that certain individuals had contravened subsection 96.1(e) of the Election Act in the February 5 Sudbury by-election. This subsection of the Act deals with bribery in connection with inducing a person to become, to refrain from becoming, or to withdraw from being a candidate. In his report to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Essensa concluded that there were apparent contraventions of the Election Act relating to the selection of the Liberal Party candidate and reported the matter to the Attorney General of Ontario as mandated by the Election Act. An investigation is currently underway.

During the session, the House considered a number of bills, held concurrence debate on the spending estimates of certain ministries reported from the Standing Committee on Estimates; and gave Second and Third Reading to the Supply Bill which ultimately received Royal Assent before the end of the 2014-2015 fiscal year. In addition, the Legislative Assembly also unanimously approved the appointments of two new Parliamentary Officers, Brian Beamish as the Information and Privacy Commissioner; and Stephen LeClair as the Financial Accountability Officer, both individuals for a term of five years each.

Committees

On December 11,2014, a Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment was appointed to make recommendations to the Legislature with respect to the prevention of sexual violence and harassment and to improve response to Ontarians who have experienced sexual violence and harassment. The Committee held its inaugural meeting at the Legislative Assembly on March 4, 2015 and is scheduled to hold future public hearings across the province in Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout, Ottawa, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo and Windsor. An interim report is expected no later than June 24, 2015.

During the winter adjournment, the Standing...

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