Prince Edward Island.

AuthorReddin, Ryan
PositionLegislative Reports

Third Session, 65th General Assembly

The Third Session of the 65th General Assembly resumed on April 5, 2018, and adjourned to the call of the Speaker on June 12, 2018. This was an unusually long spring sitting; at 39 sitting days, it equaled the previous record set in 1999.

House Business

During the spring sitting, Government tabled a total of 18 bills. At adjournment, 15 Government bills had passed all stages and received Royal Assent; several of these were notable new pieces of legislation or significant amendments to existing Acts. Bill 29, An Act to Respond to the Legalization of Cannabis, made changes in the areas of cannabis control; established the Cannabis Management Corporation to manage the distribution and sale of cannabis and promote its responsible consumption; and updated the Highway Traffic Act and Smoke-free Places Act. The authority to enter into a cannabis taxation agreement with the Government of Canada was established through Bill 31, Cannabis Taxation Agreement Act. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act received significant amendments through Bill 39, including making PEI's post-secondary institutions and major municipalities subject to the provisions of the Act. Bill 37 amended the Election Expenses Act to allow candidate and political party contributions to come only from individuals ordinarily resident in the province (whereas unions and corporations could previously make contributions) and set an individual's contribution limit at $3,000 per calendar year. Finally, Bill 38, Electoral System Referendum Act established the referendum question on whether to move to a Mixed Member Proportional electoral system. This referendum will coincide with the next provincial general election. The bill also provides for public funding and advertising rules for proponents and opponents of MMP, which shall be overseen by a Referendum Commissioner in the lead up to the referendum. Debate on Bill 38 included debate on the principle of the bill at second reading, which is uncommon, and stretched over nine days in Committee of the Whole House, during which many sections of the bill were amended.

Eleven Private Members' Bills were introduced during the spring sitting by members of the Official Opposition, the Third Party, the independent member, and a private member of the governing party. Four Private Members' Bills passed all stages and received Royal Assent. Bill 116, An Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act...

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