Legislative Assembly, Saskatchewan.

• Author: Woods, Margaret

The Second Session of Saskatchewan's 23rd Legislature adjourned on May 21st after sitting for 51 days. A total of 111 public bills were introduced, with all but one of the 76 government sponsored bills receiving royal assent. None of the 35 Private Members public bills proceeded past second reading. Three private bills were also passed.

The last day of the session on May 21st coincided with the premiere of the last in a series of educational videos produced by a partnership of the several government departments and agencies, private organizations and the Legislative Assembly. Entitled From Palace to Prairie: The Crown and Responsible Government in Saskatchewan, the video uses a documentary style approach to depict the origins of responsible government and the role and influence of the Crown and its representatives in Saskatchewan. Archive photographs, newsreel excerpts, newspaper front pages, illustrations and file footage are combined with commentary to bring the story alive.

New Cabinet Members

On June 27th, Premier Roy Romanow introduced his newly shuffled Cabinet. With nine Ministers remaining in their current portfolios, seven of their colleagues assumed new responsibilities. Deputy Premier Dwain Lingenfelter takes over sole responsibility for the Crown Investments Corporation and the crown sector. Former Finance Minister Janice MacKinnon becomes Minister for Economic and Co-operative Development and the Government House Leader. Berny Wiens takes on Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs while Ned Shillington is the Provincial Secretary and Deputy Government House Leader. Eric Cline moves to the Finance portfolio and is replaced at Health by Clay Serby Joanne Crofford is the new Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training.

In addition, two new ministers were appointed: Judy Bradley (Weyburn) as Minister for Highways and Transportation and Minister responsible for the Status of Women and Maynard Sonntag (Meadow Lake) who takes on responsibilities for the Saskatchewan Property Management Corporation and the Liquor and Gaming Authority.

New Party

The political landscape in the province shifted in early August when several sitting members changed their party affiliation. The formation of the new Saskatchewan Party was announced on...