Legislative reports: Ontario.

• Author: Stokes, Anne

The Ontario Legislative Assembly recessed on Thursday, December 13, 2001 and is scheduled to return on March 18, 2002 after its winter break.

Committee Activity

In a busy fall session several committees were authorized to meet on days and evenings outside their normally scheduled meeting times in order to deal with legislation referred to them. Travel to locations throughout Ontario to conduct public hearings during the session was also authorized. Usually, committees will travel when the House is in recess rather than when it is sitting.

The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs chaired by Marcel Beaubien, (Lambton- Kent-Middlesex) was authorized to travel to Ottawa, Windsor, Thunder Bay and Sudbury for public hearings on Bill 125, Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The Committee reported the bill, it passed Third Reading and has received Royal Assent. The Committee will be traveling to Sault Ste. Marie, Windsor, Barrie, Waterloo and Cobourg for Pre-budget Consultations during the recess.

The Standing Committee on Justice and Social Policy chaired by Toby Barrett, (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant) dealt with a number of bills. One interesting situation arose with a Private Member's Public Bill 51 regarding the availability of portable heart defibrillators in public places. The committee reported to the House that the bill be not reported. The House on a recorded vote defeated the motion to accept the Committee report and the bill therefore stayed in committee.

The Standing Committee on General Government chaired by Steve Gilchrist, (Scarborough East) dealt with a large number of bills including a new Municipal Act. This legislation was the first major overhaul of legislation affecting municipalities in the province in 150 years.

The Select Committee on Alternative Fuel Sources chaired by Doug Galt, (Northumberland) was appointed to investigate, report, and recommend ways of supporting the development and application of environmentally friendly, sustainable alternatives to our existing fossil fuel sources. The Committee has held a number of public hearings and produced an Interim Report summarizing the input from the first round of public hearings. The Committee will organize additional public hearings, press conferences, public forums and other means to hear from Ontarians on the issues identified in the first round and will travel to Calgary, Vancouver and Sacramento, California to investigate alternative energy policy in other...