Legislative reports: New Brunswick.

As a result of a legal strike by the province's hospital workers, the Third Session of the 54th Legislature, which had been adjourned to March 27, 2001, reconvened earlier than expected for a special sitting to consider back-to-work legislation. The House reconvened Saturday, March 3, 2001, and sat three consecutive days before passing Bill 30, An Act to Ensure the Continuation of Certain Public Services in the Public Service. The Bill received Royal Assent after representatives of the government and hospital workers reached a tentative agreement allowing the workers to return to work.

On March 20, Leader of the Opposition and former Premier Camille Theriault (Lib., Kent South) announced his resignation. First elected in 1987, Mr. Theriault served as Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Minister of Advanced Education and Labour, and Minister of Economic Development and Tourism. Following the resignation of then Premier Frank McKenna, Mr. Theriault was sworn in as the 29th Premier of New Brunswick on May 14, 1998. A by-election was immediately called for April 23, 2001, to fill the vacancy left by Mr. Theriault's resignation.

On March 21 Bernard Richard (Shediac - Cap-Pele) became Interim Leader of the Liberal Party of New Brunswick and Leader of the Opposition.

The Committees of the Legislature remained active throughout the period of adjournment of the House. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts held meetings throughout February and reviewed the expenditures of several government departments for the fiscal period covering 1999 -- 2000.

The Standing Committee on Law Amendments held public hearings at the Legislative Assembly on March 22 with respect to the issues raised by the proposed Privacy Act, Bill 23, which would make invasion of privacy a tort for which a person may commence legal action. Representatives for community newspapers, other media outlets, private investigation firms, and medical and legal associations appeared before the Committee.

On March 27, 2001, the Third Session reopened with the presentation of the budget as the day's only order of business. Finance Minister, Norm Betts (PC, Southwest Miramichi) introduced his second budget, which contained expenditures of approximately $5 billion. Highlights included:

* a record investment in health care;

* a record investment in education;

* personal income tax reductions totalling $34 million;

* corporate income tax reductions totalling $14.3 million;

* second consecutive...