Nova scotia.

AuthorBoucher, Annette M.
PositionLegislative Reports

Fall sitting 2014

The 1st session of the 62nd General Assembly prorogued on September 25, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. The 2nd Session commenced at 2:00 p.m. the same day with the reading of the Speech from the Throne by the Lieutenant-Governor.

Bill # 1 was introduced on Monday September 29. The bill provides for the continuation of Halifax's IWK Health Centre as a separate entity and the collapsing of all other existing health authorities into one provincial health authority. The contentious portions of the bill that caused much debate in the House of Assembly were labour provisions regarding employees affected by the merger.

Second reading debate commenced at 7:00 a.m. on September 30, and the second reading vote took place at approximately 5:20 p.m. that evening. The Bill was then referred to the Law Amendments Committee for public representations. The sitting on October 1 took place from 8 p.m. to midnight. As a result, the late sitting time allowed the Chair of the Law Amendments Committee to report Bill # 1 back to the House as all public presentations were then concluded. The business of the House concluded at 11:39 p.m. that day and, following a 22-minute recess, the House reconvened at 12:01 a.m. October 2. Following Question Period the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole on Bills at 1:11am to consider Bill # 1. The bill was reported back to the House at 3:07 a.m. and the House rose shortly thereafter.

On October 3, a resolution was presented to direct Bill # 1 back to the Committee of the Whole on Bills for a 30-minute time limit to permit the making of certain amendments. Upon the Bill being reported back to the House from the Committee of the Whole on Bills, unanimous consent was obtained to proceed with third reading of the bill. Third reading of the bill passed at approximately 1:20 p.m.

Security was greatly increased at the House of Assembly during the debate on this bill as protesters were ever-present. Video of protesters blocking the Premier's vehicle as he attempted to leave the premises made the national news.

On September 26, the Government House Leader tabled a resolution amending the Rules of the House of Assembly. The Opposition parties did not consent to the amendments and after moving the resolution for debate October 10 lengthy debate commenced. The House sat from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on October 14 and from 12:00 p.m. to 6:44 p.m. on October 15 at which time the Resolution as amended was passed and...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT