Prince Edward Island.

• Date: 22 March 2018
• Author: Reddin, Ryan

Third Session, Sixty-fifth General Assembly

The Third Session of the Sixty-fifth General Assembly opened on November 14, 2017, and adjourned to the call of the Speaker on December 20, after 22 sitting days.

Speech from the Throne

Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry opened the Third Session with a Speech from the Throne on November 14, 2017. Entitled "People, Prosperity, Progress: Working Together for All Islanders," the speech was wide-ranging and announced strategic initiatives in areas such as poverty reduction, high-speed internet infrastructure, housing, culture and creative industries, and carbon mitigation and adaptation. This was the first Speech from the Throne since the new Lieutenant Governor was installed on October 20, 2017.

Capital Budget

A $133.8 million Capital Budget was tabled in the Assembly on November 17, 2017. Major infrastructure and capital projects include the replacement of Sherwood Elementary School, construction of a new Mental Health Campus to replace Hillsborough Hospital, and renovations and new equipment at other healthcare and educational facilities. Points of order were raised regarding budget details being publicized prior to the budget's tabling, in response to which the Speaker issued a ruling on November 22, 2017, which is discussed below.

Bills Reviewed

Eighteen public bills were introduced by Government during the fall sitting. Of these, 17 successfully passed all reading and committee stages and received Royal Assent (one bill was introduced but not called for further reading). Several were amendatory bills, but significant pieces of stand-alone legislation were also passed, including the Water Act (Bill No. 13), the Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Act (Bill No. 25), and the Lobbyist Registration Act (Bill No. 24). The Water Act has been several years in development, with significant public input; it aims to support and promote the management, protection and enhancement of the province's water resources. The Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Act establishes a commissioner who is empowered to investigate wrongdoing within provincial government entities, and creates a mechanism for the disclosure of suspected wrongdoing as well as protection against reprisal for such disclosures. The Lobbyist Registration Act defines the various forms of attempting to influence public office-holders that do and do not qualify as lobbying, and establishes a Registrar and...