Prince Edward Island.

AuthorReddin, Ryan
PositionLegislative Reports

Adjournment of the Second Session, Sixty-fifth General Assembly

After 24 spring sitting days, the Second Session of the Sixty-fifth General Assembly adjourned to the call of the Speaker on Friday, May 13, 2016.

House Business

During the spring sitting, a total of 36 bills were introduced, of which 33 were Government bills and three were private bills. Most bills passed and received Royal Assent; four have not progressed beyond first reading. A total of 51 motions were tabled, of which 15 were debated. The House approved a current expenditures appropriation of $1.65 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.

Democratic Renewal

Debate on the report of the Special Committee on Democratic Renewal concluded on May 13, and the report was adopted. This report articulated the question for a plebiscite on electoral reform to take place in fall, 2016, and put forward other recommendations in regard to plebiscite voting age, voting methods, and public education. The special committee's report can be read at http://www.assembly.pe.ca/sittings/2016spring/ reports/23_l_2016-15-04-report.pdf.

Upon recommendation of the special committee, Elections PEI has commenced an education campaign to inform Islanders of the five electoral systems which they may rank according to preference in the plebiscite. Throughout the summer, Elections PEI staff members have been busy attending public events across the Island to provide information and register voters. Social media and a website, www.yourchoicepei.ca, have been employed to engage the public. The plebiscite is open to Islanders who will be 16 years or older as of November 7, 2016, and voting will be possible in-person, online or by telephone. The plebiscite will take place from October 29 to November 7.

Standing Committees

The Standing Committee on Rules, Regulations, Private Bills and Privileges submitted three reports during the spring sitting. The first dealt with the three private bills mentioned above. The second report dealt with a request for a review of the structure of Assembly committees, and a review of Rule 105 which addresses the recording of committee meetings. The committee recommended that there be no change to the structure of Assembly committees, and that Rule 105 be revised to allow the audio recording of committee meetings to be made publicly available in addition to the written transcript. The committee requested that the Standing Committee on Legislative Management develop...

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