New Brunswick.

• Author: Forestell, Donald J.
• Position: Legislative Reports

The Third Session of the Fifty-Sixth Legislature adjourned on June 19, 2009. A total of 95 Bills were introduced during the session, 80 of which received Royal Assent. Significant legislation considered during the spring sitting included:

* Bill 47, An Act to Amend the Smoke-free Places Act, aims to protect the youth of New Brunswick from the serious health risks associated with tobacco use. The amendments will extend the definition of prohibited places to include vehicles if there is a person under 16 years of age present.

* Bill 48, An Act to Amend the Tobacco Sales Act, was introduced in response to the report of the Select Committee on Wellness, which raised concerns about the increased use of flavoured tobacco products by youth. The amendments will restrict the sale of particular tobacco products and flavours, particularly those that are attractive to children, and will prohibit the sale of individual cigarillos.

* Bill 87, Pay Equity Act, 2009, introduced by Social Development Minister Mary Schryer, ensures that pay equity is implemented and maintained in all parts of the public service. Pay equity requires that female job classifications be evaluated and compared to male job classifications on the basis of skill, effort, responsibility, and working conditions, using a nondiscriminatory job evaluation system. Female job classifications of equal or comparable value to male job classifications must be paid at least the same amount.

* Bill 90, Firefighters' Compensation Act, establishes compensation and benefits for retired and active firefighters, both full-time and volunteer, who suffer from one of 10 cancers to be prescribed by regulation, or who suffer a heart attack within 24 hours of active service.

* Bill 93, An Act to Amend the Medical Services Payment Act, would bring the fee-for-service payments to physicians in line with restraint measures in place with the public service. Following significant debate in the House, the Bill received Royal Assent on June 19. However, an agreement was subsequently announced whereby doctors would receive annual wage increases of 3.75 per cent annually for four years, retroactive to April 1, 2008, followed by a two-year wage freeze.

* Bill 94, An Act Respecting Expenditure Restraint, introduced in recognition of the current state of economic and financial uncertainty, implements a two-year wage restraint policy throughout the public service. Members of the Legislative Assembly are also subject to...