Prince Edward Island.

• Author: Reddin, Ryan
• Position: Legislative Reports

Second Session, Sixty-fifth General Assembly

The Second Session of the Sixty-fifth General Assembly resumed on April 4, 2017 and adjourned to the call of the Speaker on May 12, 2017 after 22 sitting days.

House Business

During the spring sitting, Government tabled a total of 15 bills, 14 of which proceeded through all stages and received Royal Assent. Bill No. 76, Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Act had been introduced and read a first time as of the May 12 adjournment. Notable among legislation which received Assent were three amending bills intended to provide alternative dispute resolution capabilities in family law cases involving family separation and the need to ensure protection of the best interests of children. Through these measures the positions of Children's Lawyer and Parenting Coordinator were established in the Family Law Centre of the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

Three private members' bills were introduced during the spring sitting. Leader of the Third Party Peter Bevan-Baker tabled Private Member's Bill No. 103, Election Age Act, on April 6. This bill would amend the Election Act to lower the voting age to 16 from 18 years of age and also amend the Legislative Assembly Act to lower the age of eligibility to serve as a member to 16 from 18. The bill passed second reading, but was not recommended by committee.

Leader of the Opposition Jamie Fox introduced Bill No. 104, An Act to Amend the Highway Traffic Act (No. 4) on May 4, 2017. The bill amends the Highway Traffic Act to require motorcyclists to remove helmets and face coverings when requested to do so by a peace officer, after coming to a safe stop. The bill was amended in committee, but passed all reading stages and received Royal Assent on May 12, 2017.

The third private member's bill introduced during the spring sitting was Bill No. 105, Reward Points Protection Act, promoted by Chris Palmer, MLA for District 21: Summerside--Wilmot. This bill would prohibit suppliers from entering into or amending a reward agreement to provide for the expiry of reward points due to the passage of time alone. Bill 105 was introduced and read a first time on April 27, 2017.

Electoral Boundaries Commission

A five-person Electoral Boundaries Commission was established pursuant to the Electoral Boundaries Act in December 2016, in order to review the provincial electoral districts and make a report, complete with recommendations, to the Legislative...