Prince Edward Island.

• Author: Johnston, Marian
• Position: Prince Edward Island government case against federal government on fisheries management - Commonwealth Parliamentary Association host for Canadian Region Parliamentary Seminar - Marion L. Reid will publish her new book 'These Roots Run Deep '

The Third Session of the Sixty-second General Assembly began on November 16, 2005, with the reading of the Speech from the Throne by J. Leonce Bernard, Lieutenant Governor. In recognition of 2005 being the Year of the Veteran, Gregory J. Deighan, Speaker, invited members of the Island veterans community and Island Legions to sit on the floor of the Assembly and in the Public Gallery for the reading of the Speech from the Throne.

The Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island has ruled that the provincial government's case on fisheries management issues against the federal government can proceed. The provincial government and others launched the lawsuit earlier this year challenging the constitutional authority of the federal fisheries minister and the management of the fisheries under the Fisheries Act. The federal government applied to the Supreme Court in May of this year to have the case dismissed, but this recent decision has stated that the case can be heard in the Prince Edward Island Supreme Court.

Governor General Michaelle Jean, and her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, accompanied by their daughter, Marie-Eden, have scheduled a busy round of engagements for their visit to the province on November 7 and 8, 2005. This visit is the second official visit of the vice-regal couple. The official welcoming ceremony took place at Province House with a 21-gun salute and review of the guard of honour. Other events included a swearing-in ceremony for more than thirty new Canadians, dinner with the Lieutenant Governor, a walking tour of the capital, a roundtable discussion on family violence prevention programs, and the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the national historic significance of the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.

The Prince Edward Island Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association welcomed delegates from across the country to the 27th CPA Canadian Region Parliamentary Seminar, held in Summerside, PEI, from October 20-23, 2005. Business sessions included such topics as water stewardship in Manitoba, women in politics, the role of the opposition during question period, and improving productivity of time spent in the legislature. Delegates also had the opportunity to enjoy social events in both Summerside and Charlottetown. Speaker Deighan said, "It's always a pleasure to meet old friends, and...