Legislative reports: Prince Edward Island.

• Author: Johnston, Marian

The Fourth Session of the Sixty-first General Assembly opened on November 14, 2002, with the reading of the Speech from the Throne by J. Leonce Bernard, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island. The theme of the Government's agenda for this session was Advancing our Quality of Life, Together. Initiatives focusing on environmental protection, as well as the health of the Province's population were announced.

Premier Pat Binns announced changes to the ministry on August 22, 2002. In summary, they included the appointment of the province's first female Minister of Transportation & Public Works; a dedicated Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture; new responsibilities for four existing ministers; and the introduction of a new member to cabinet.

Gail Shea was appointed Minister of Transportation & Public works. She takes over from Don MacKinnon, who will continue to serve as MLA for Winsloe-West Royalty. Elmer MacFadyen, MLA for Sherwood-Hillsborough and Government House Leader since 1996, joins the cabinet as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs. Jeffrey Lantz was appointed Minister of Tourism; he will continue to serve as the Attorney General. Greg Deighan was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Chester Gillan will serve as Minister of Education, and will maintain responsibility for the Environment portfolio. Jim Bagnall, MLA for Montague-Kilmuir, was appointed Government House Leader and Chair of the Government Caucus.

Warranting Attendance of Witnesses before a Legislative Committee

As reported in the Spring 2002 issue of Canadian Parliamentary Review, the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Environment was charged with the responsibility of conducting a full and complete examination of the events leading up to and subsequent to the discovery of potato wart fungus in the Province in October 2000. The discovery led to American agricultural officials closing the border to Island potatoes, significantly damaging potato exports in the fall of 2000.

As part of its investigations, the Standing Committee invited two representatives from the federally-mandated Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to appear before it on three separate occasions. All invitations were declined, and the Standing Committee took the unusual step of issuing warrants to compel their attendance.

The Federal Government made application to have the subpoenas stayed. The matter was heard on January 7, 2002, and eat interim declaration was made...