Ontario.

• Date: 22 March 2021
• Author: Thorning, Isaiah

Fall Sitting

On December 8, 2020, the House adjourned for the winter recess and is scheduled to resume on February 16, 2021. The busy fall sitting saw the reappointment of three parliamentary officers, Standing Order amendments, consideration of the provincial budget and Royal Assent being granted to eight government bills, five private members' bills and 15 private bills.

Parliamentary Officers

On November 24, 2020, Government House Leader Paul Calandra moved a motion requesting that a humble Address be presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council requesting the reappointment of David Williams as Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Ontario, as provided in Section 81 (1.1) of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, for a fixed term commencing February 16, 2021 until September 1, 2021. The Official Opposition moved an amendment which sought to appoint an all-party Committee of the Legislature to review the proposed reappointment. After nearly nine hours of debate, closure was moved and carried on division on November 26, 2020; and the main motion carried on division the same day. On December 7, 2020, the Deputy Speaker announced the tabling of the Order in Council dated December 3,2020 reappointing Dr. Williams.

On November 30, 2020 the House ordered that, in accordance with subsections 2 (2) and 3 (2) of the Ombudsman Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. 0.6, Paul Dube be reappointed Ombudsman of Ontario. He was sworn in as Ontario's seventh Ombudsman on April 1, 2016, and was extended for a further term of five years, commencing on April 1, 2021.

Also on November 30, 2020, the House ordered that, in accordance with subsections 23 (2) and 23.1 (2) of the Members' Integrity Act, 1994, S.O. 1994, c. 38, J. David Wake be reappointed Integrity Commissioner of Ontario. His first appointment began on February 1, 2016 and was extended for a further term of five years commencing on February 1, 2021.

Standing Order Amendments

On October 20, 2020, the Government House Leader, Mr. Calandra, moved a motion to amend the Standing Orders which was adopted unanimously. The changes now in effect stipulate that where the Standing Orders refer to the delivery of copies of bills, ministerial statements, or compendiums of background information to Opposition Members or Parties, this requirement may be satisfied by delivery by electronic means. Another provisional amendment to Standing Order 36(b) authorized any minister or parliamentary assistant to reply...