Legislative reports: Prince Edward Island.

On March 26, 2002, the Third Session of the Sixty-first General Assembly re-opened for the Spring Sitting with the presentation of the budget. Pat Mella, currently Canada's longest-serving Provincial Treasurer, introduced her sixth budget which contained expenditures of approximately $1 billion. Health and Social Services continued to account for the largest share of Provincial expenditure at just over $389 million, or 38.9% of the total expenditure; followed closely by Education at $203 million, or 20.3% of the total. Tax measures included raising the Health Tax on Tobacco by five dollars per carton of 200 cigarettes, and an increase in the Gasoline Tax of one cent per litre.

During the Spring Sitting, 25 Government Bills were introduced, all of which received Royal Assent. Four of the more significant pieces of legislation considered by the House were:

* Coat of Arms Act (Bill No. 30), which provides for the augmentation of the original Armorial Bearings of the Province with a crest and supporters. In 2001, to mark the 150th anniversary of Responsible Government in Prince Edward Island, the Premier, on behalf of the Executive Council, requested that the Governor General grant the Province the honour of a Full Achievement of Arms, in recognition of Prince Edward Island's co-sovereign status in the Canadian federation. Her Excellency has agreed, and Her Majesty the Queen has approved the use of the Royal Crown in the new Armorial Bearings.

* An Act to Amend the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (No. 2) (Bill No. 32), which expands Cabinet confidentiality by removing the exception regarding background documents, among other changes. The Bill also specifies the process by which the Information and Privacy Commissioner is appointed by stating that it is upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee on Legislative Management to the Legislative Assembly followed by a resolution supported by at least two-thirds of the Members present.

* An Act of Amend the Health and Community Services Act (Bill No. 43), which provides for the establishment of a new Provincial Health Services Authority and the new Advisory Council. The Act also clarifies that the health authorities and their employees are not Crown agents, and authorizes orders to be made concerning the transfer of assets, liabilities, contracts, positions, etc., within the health system.

* An Act to Amend the Victims of Family Violence Act (Bill No. 45) will improve the usefulness of provisions under Emergency Protection orders and Victim Assistance orders, sending the clear message that breaches of orders are to be taken seriously. The Bill also clarifies the amounts that may be charged for offences committed under the Act.

In addition, two Private Bills received Royal Assent. They were An Act To Amend And Consolidate The Several Acts Effecting And Relating To The Incorporation Of Zion Presbyterian Church, Charlottetown (Bill No. 100) and Prince Edward Island Mutual Insurance Company Act (Bill No. 101).

The Third Session of the Sixty-first General Assembly prorogued on May 10, 2002, after a total of 45 sitting days (Fall and Spring Sittings).

Committee Activity

The Standing Committee on Privileges, Rules and Private Bills met twice...