New Brunswick.

AuthorDavies, Shayne
PositionLegislative Reports - Report

The Second Session of the 56th Legislative Assembly opened on November 27, 2007 and adjourned on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, after sitting a total of 63 days. The Second Session sat fewer days than the previous session, due in part to the amendments made to the Standing Rules which limited the time spent considering budgetary estimates in Committee of Supply to 80 hours. While the Committee did use the full 80 hours, this did not approach the 156 hours spent considering estimates in Committee of Supply during the First Session.

Legislation

The Government, led by Premier Shawn Graham, introduced 65 Bills, 64 of which received Royal Assent. Bill 82, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, introduced by Supply and Services Minister Jack Keir, was referred to the Standing Committee on Law Amendments for public consultation. The intent of the Bill is to update and replace the existing right to information and protection of personal information legislation in the province. Public hearings are expected to take place in the Fall.

Other noteworthy legislation which received Royal Assent included the following:

* Bill 55, Fees Act, introduced by Finance Minister Victor Boudreau, requires the Minister of Finance

to file with the Legislative Assembly an annual report detailing every new fee, or increase in an existing fee, proposed by a government department for the next fiscal year.

* Bill 69, Gift Cards Act, introduced by Justice Minister Thomas J. Burke, prohibits the application of expiry dates to gift cards or certificates.

* Bill 74, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicle Act, introduced by Public Safety Minister John Foran, places certain restrictions on novice drivers such as prohibiting the operation of a vehicle between midnight and 5 a.m., limiting the number of passengers to a maximum of three, and introducing a no tolerance policy on the consumption of alcohol.

* Bill 75, Midwifery Act, introduced by Health Minister Michael Murphy, regulates midwifery as a profession.

* Bill 76, An Act to Amend the Industrial Relations Act, introduced by Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Edward Doherty, introduces common employer provisions into the Industrial Relations Act. The common employer provisions would provide the Labour and Employment Board with the power to determine whether an employer in the construction industry establishes a new business entity for legitimate business purposes or solely to avoid its obligations to...

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