Manitoba (legislative reports).

• Author: Chaychuk, Patricia

The 4th Session of the 36th Legislature continued to sit during the months of May and June. A significant portion of Assembly time was spent on the consideration of departmental estimates in the three sections of the Committee of Supply. Three departments, Education, Health and Justice, accounted for nearly 40% of the allotted 240 hours, with these departments clocking in at nearly 35, 38 and 23 hours of consideration respectively.

In the Health estimates, a considerable amount of time was spent discussing a motion by Diane McGifford on April 27, which recommended that a free vote be held in the Manitoba Legislature and in the House of Commons on whether to extend compensation to all persons who have contracted Hepatitis C from contaminated blood products. After four days of vigorous debate, the motion was defeated on a voice vote. Subsequently, Ms. McGifford moved another motion which expressed support for the position taken by the Quebec National Assembly regarding Hepatitis C compensation, and urged that an extension of the existing compensation agreement be entered into to provide compensation for all persons who contracted Hepatitis C from contaminated blood or blood products. The motion was debated for several days, and by agreement of the Committee was set aside in consideration of further developments on this issue. The motion did not ultimately proceed to a vote.

In addition to estimates discussions, the latter weeks of the session were spent on the second reading, committee stage, report stage and third reading consideration of legislation. By session's end, 57 pieces of government legislation and 4 private bills passed through all stages and received Royal Assent. Some of the more notable pieces of government legislation considered include:

* Bill 2 - The Elections Amendment Act, which grants authorization for the development of an automated voters list, updates how advance polls are operated, contains provisions for the revision of voters lists, extends the right to vote to judges, incorporates administrative practices regarding inmate voting, and which also strengthens the investigatory power of the Chief Electoral Officer.

* Bill 35 - The Mental Health and Consequential Amendments Act, which changes confidentiality provisions, certificate of leave provisions, expands Review Board appeals, grants the Public Trustee the ability to make treatment decisions for patients who are under order of supervision in psychiatric facilities...