New Brunswick.

• Author: Forestell, Donald
• Position: Legislative Reports

Several Standing Committees have been active since the adjournment of the House on June 30, 2005. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on Crown Corporations each held several weeks of meetings in an effort to bring the review of government departments and Crown agencies up to date. In New Brunswick, all government departments appear annually before the Public Accounts Committees and the majority of provincial agencies, boards and commissions appear before the Crown Corporations Committee. Due to the ongoing restoration of the plaster ceilings in the Legislative Council Chamber--which serves as the main committee room--legislative committees have been holding hearings on the floor of the Legislative Assembly Chamber.

The Standing Committee on Procedure was active during the adjournment period, considering possible changes to the Standing Rules of the House. The Legislative Administration Committee (LAC) held several meetings to review issues surrounding security as well as proposed improvements to the historic Legislative Assembly Building, originally built in 1882. A Building Assessment and Master Plan for the Restoration, Preservation and Maintenance of the Legislative Assembly Building was commissioned by the Legislative Administration Committee. The Plan proposes a planned phase of restoration over the next 15 years.

On October 13, 2005, former NDP Leader Elizabeth Weir was named President and CEO of the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency of New Brunswick. The agency's aim is to help consumers lower energy bills and better deal with energy price impacts through conservation; to provide financial incentives to help working and middle class families make better energy choices; to provide incentives for businesses to improve energy conservation, and to increase competitiveness for business and industry in the province. The Agency will be headquartered in the City of Saint John, often referred to as the energy hub of Atlantic Canada.

In accepting the new appointment, Ms. Weir announced her resignation as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. She was first elected in the1991 general election, representing the constituency of Saint John South, and was reelected in three subsequent elections as the Member for Saint John Harbour. Ms. Weir stepped down as the Leader of the provincial New Democratic Party in September. At a convention held on September 25, 2005, Allison Brewer of Fredericton was elected...