Legislative reports: Manitoba.

• Author: Yarish, Rick

The Manitoba Legislature has been fairly quiet since the House rose on August 9. MLAs are expected to reassemble in November or December for the beginning of the Fourth Session of the Thirty-Seventh Legislature, however there has been no word yet from the government on the timing of the next session.

Cabinet Shuffle

On September 25, 2002, Premier Gary Doer announced a reorganisation of the current Cabinet. The shuffle included the creation of a new Department of Energy, Science and Technology, with Tim Sale (Fort Rouge) becoming the first Minister of this new department. The size of the cabinet remained at 16 with no new members and no Ministers leaving the cabinet. Other changes included:

* The former ministry of Consumer and Corporate Affairs became a division of Finance, led by the current Minister Greg Selinger (St. Boniface).

* Steve Ashton (Thompson) moved from Transportation and Government Services to become the new Minister of Conservation.

* Oscar Lathlin (The Pas) moved from Conservation to become the new Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs.

* Eric Robinson (Rupertsland) moved from Aboriginal and Northern Affairs to become the new Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

* Drew Caldwell (Brandon East) moved from Education, Training and Youth to become the new Minister of Family Services and Housing.

* Ron Lemieux (La Verendrye) moved from Culture, Heritage and Tourism to become new Minister of Education and Youth.

* Scott Smith (Brandon West) moved from Consumer and Corporate Affairs to become the new Minister of Transportation and Government Services.

Royal Visit

With a visit to Winnipeg on October 8-9, Manitoba became a part of the Jubilee tour of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The 22-hour stay included visits to several sites around the city as well as a very well attended evening event on the grounds...