Prince Edward Island.

• Author: Johnston, Marian
• Position: Legislative Reports - Conference notes

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The First Session of the Sixty-third General Assembly opened on July 6, 2007, and adjourned to the call of the Speaker that same day. The Session resumed on October 16, 2007, with the presentation of the Budget Address by Wes Sheridan, Provincial Treasurer; and adjourned to the call of the Speaker on November 2, 2007. In total, the Assembly sat for 13 days to date this Session.

Mr. Sheridan presented his first budget address as Provincial Treasurer on October 16, 2007. In his address to the Legislative Assembly, he characterized the budget as a bridge between the former and the current administration. Budgetary commitments made in the spring of 2007 by the former government were largely respected in the new financial plan. The Treasurer indicated priorities identified during the election campaign, including a reduction in the gasoline tax, an improvement to the disability tax credit, and a freeze on owner-occupied residential property tax assessments would be implemented.

Health and Social Services and Seniors expenditures continued to account for the largest share of the provincial budget at just over $495.8 million, or 39.4% of the total operating expenditure of almost $1.26 billion dollars; followed by Education at $247.7 million, or 19.7 % of the total.

Full texts of the budget address, estimates of revenue and expenditure and supporting schedules are available on the province's website at www.gov.pe.ca/budget.

Significant Legislation

A number of pieces of significant legislation received Royal Assent during the Session. They include:

* Tobacco Tax Act (Bill No. 2) sets out the tax rate on the purchase of tobacco and defines various offences relating to the sale, purchase, possession, marking and transportation of tobacco. As well, various punishments including fines, imprisonment, and seizure, with regard to illegal traffic in tobacco are specified.

* An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act (Bill No. 6) received, with unanimous consent, its three readings on November 18, 2007. The Act amends the Employment Standards Act to provide job protection for members of the reserve force of the Canadian Forces. It establishes the right of employees who have worked for an employer for at least six months and who are in the reserve force to take unpaid leave to participate in military training or active service. Employees are required to give their employers reasonable notice for their leave of absence. In addition, the...