New Brunswick.

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

Legislative Committees remained active following the adjournment of the House on June 10. The Standing Committee on Health Care, chaired by the Minister of Health, Madeleine Dube, held public hearings throughout the province to receive comment on a legislative discussion paper that seeks to establish parameters governing the election of regional health authority board members. The Committee has been tasked with considering three issues: Regional Health Authority Boundaries, Regional Health Electoral Boundaries and Election Rules. The issues must be addressed prior to the election of new board members, beginning with the 2012 municipal election. The Committee received significant input from the public and is expected to table a report by the end of November.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Rick Doucet, held a number of meetings to complete its review of departmental activities and spending for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 fiscal years. The Standing Committee on Crown Corporations, chaired by Jack Cart, continued its review of various provincial Crown corporations and agencies.

Review of Legislative Officers

Former Ombudsman and Child and Youth Advocate Bernard Richard is leading a review of the functions and operations of New Brunswick's eight legislative officers. The review is being carried out at the request of the Legislative Administration Committee, in keeping with the Government Renewal Initiative. The review is intended to find ways in which the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of legislative officers can be enhanced without impairing their independence. In addition, the review is to consider the most appropriate disposition of a Registrar of Lobbyists, a position proposed in Bill 43, Lobbyists" Registration Act, introduced by Government House Leader Paul Robichaud, on June 1, 2011. The review is also tasked with giving advice on whether the Human Rights Commission would be better placed under the purview of the Legislative Assembly or left within the purview of the executive branch. This is the first time that a comprehensive review of the legislative officers is being carried out. Mr. Richard is expected to file a report later this fall.

Association of Clerks-at-the-Table in Canada

The Professional Development Seminar of the Association of Clerks-at-the-Table in Canada took place in Fredericton from August 2-6. Participants included table officers from the federal, provincial and territorial...