Prince Edward Island.

AuthorReddin, Ryan
PositionLegislative Reports

The First Session of the Sixty-fifth General Assembly resumed on November 12, 2015. The House adjourned to the call of the Speaker on July 10, 2015.

Province House Remains Closed

Province House was closed for an extensive conservation project in January, 2015. Assessment of the building envelope and structure was carried out over summer, 2015. The project is expected to take three to five years.

The Legislative Assembly will continue to meet in the Hon. George Coles Building next door to Province House when it resumed the session in November, 2015.

Standing Committees

The various standing committees of the Legislative Assembly met multiple times to conduct their business during the late summer and early fall, 2015. Motions passed during the spring sitting directed the Standing Committee on Education and Economic Development to review the provincial tax system and make recommendations on policy changes to improve private sector growth; and directed the Standing Committee on Health and Wellness to examine out-of-province health care expenditures. Other committees have decided to examine diverse matters according to their individual mandates. These subjects include the regulation of petroleum products, renewable energy, energy conservation, and various subjects within agriculture and fisheries.

A rule change was recently made that affects the business of committees. During the spring sitting, the Assembly accepted the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Privileges, Rules and Private Bills that the Rules of the Legislative Assembly be amended to extend the life of committees to the duration of the General Assembly. Previously committees were dissolved each time the current session was prorogued. The report notes that "...these changes will align, more closely, the practice in Prince Edward Island concerning the lifespan of standing committees with the majority of Legislative Assemblies across the country. They will allow the committees to enjoy more continuity, and perhaps undertake more lengthy and in-depth studies on behalf of residents of the province." The Assembly also accepted the committee's recommendation that members be permitted to use electronic devices within the Chamber, with certain limitations. The June 18, 2015 report of the Standing Committee on Privileges, Rules and Private Bills can be read at http://www. assembly .pe.ca/reports.

Special Committee on Democratic Renewal

During the spring sitting, Government released...

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