Saskatchewan.

AuthorDrake, Anne
PositionLegislative Reports

First Session of the 28th Legislature

The fall 2016 sitting period concluded on November 30, 2016. The spring 2017 sitting period was scheduled to convene on March 6, 2017.

Passing of a Member

Roger Parent, Saskatchewan Party MLA for Saskatoon Meewasin, passed away on November 29, 2016 after a brief battle with cancer. He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2011. On November 30, the last day of the fall sitting period, flags flew at half-mast at the Legislative Building. Mr. Parent's desk was draped with the Saskatchewan flag, and a memorial tribute, consisting of flowers and a picture of Mr. Parent with his wife were placed on the desktop. Premier Brad Wall and Leader of the Opposition Trent Wotherspoon offered statements of condolence, and the Assembly recognized a moment of silence. Members agreed to adjourn the Assembly early and forego the last question period of the Fall sitting.

Expedited Passage of Traffic Safety Law

On October 31, 2016, The Traffic Safety (Miscellaneous Enforcement Measures) Amendment Act, 2016 passed through all stages in one day. Members universally supported measures to impound, on first offence, vehicles of experienced drivers with a blood alcohol content between .04 and .08; increase the zero-tolerance threshold for drugs and alcohol from 18 to 21 years of age; and strengthen ignition interlock measures.

This was the second Bill to pass through all stages in one day during the fall sitting. As noted in Vol. 39, No. 3 of the Canadian Parliamentary Review, Bill No. 39, The Workers' Compensation Amendment Act, 2016 passed through all stages on October 25, 2016.

Standing Committee on Human Services

The Standing Committee on Human Services concluded its inquiry respecting improving the rate of organ and tissue donation in Saskatchewan and presented 10 recommendations in its final report to the Assembly on November 28,2016. The recommendations include creating an intent-to-donate registry; expanding donation criteria to include donations after cardiocirculatory death; setting performance targets; establishing a donor liaison position; and providing awareness campaigns and education to the general public, school children, and health care professionals. They recommended a review of organ donation rates be conducted within two...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT