Saskatchewan.

• Author: Drake, Anne
• Position: Legislative Reports

The fourth session of the twenty-seventh legislature reconvened on October 13, 2015. This is the last sitting of the legislature expected prior to the provincial election mandated for April 4, 2016. The Saskatchewan provincial election was to have been held on November 2, 2015 as per the election date prescribed in The Legislative Assembly Act, 2007. As the provincial election writ period would have overlapped that of the federal election, the legislation provides that the provincial election date be moved to the first Monday of the following April.

The Assembly agreed to sit 25 days and conclude at the end of the sitting day on November 26. While the opposition recorded their displeasure at the lack of a Throne Speech, they did not oppose the motion.

Premier Brad Wall indicated that the continuation of the 2014-15 session of the legislature would provide MLAs with more time to debate new legislation introduced by the government. In particular, the Premier said the government would be looking to pass a bill that was introduced in the spring to reduce magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) wait times by allowing private MRIs in Saskatchewan. It was also announced that legislation would be introduced to amend the province's essential services law to make it compliant with a recent Supreme Court ruling. New legislation related to farmland ownership is among other issues that the government plans to address.

Cam Broten, Leader of the Opposition, stated that his party will focus on issues that will benefit ordinary people and families. Four private members' bills remain before the Legislative Assembly from the previous sitting. They propose minimum care standards in seniors' homes, the establishment of gay-straight alliances in public schools, increased fairness for local businesses in government procurement policies, and increased transparency in regards to public-private partnerships.

Members' Code of Ethical Conduct

On October 14, 2015, the Standing Committee on House Services presented its 14th report to the Legislative Assembly with the purpose of demonstrating a commitment to the protection of personal information by MLAs. The report proposed that a model code of conduct regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information be added to the Code of Ethical Conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly.

As a result of an investigation by his office, Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner Ronald J. Kruzeniski presented...