Saskatchewan.

• Author: Ursulescu, Stacey
• Position: Legislative Report

The fall sitting concluded on Thursday December 3, 2009. During the fall period of the session, 39 government bills and five Private Members' Public Bills were introduced, Bill 80--The Construction Industry Labour Relations Amendment Act was reinstated and supplementary estimates were tabled.

The Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Gordon Barnhart gave royal assent to three bills.

* Bill 99--The Emergency 911 System Amendment Act integrates the Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network into the Sask911.

* Bill 116--The Traffic Safety (Driver's Licences and Handheld Electronic Communications Equipment) Amendment Act updates the existing driver's licence provisions making it illegal to talk, text, surf or access the internet on a handheld device while driving. Anyone found breaching the law could be subject to a $280 fine and/or four demerit points against their licence.

* Bill 606--The Protection of the Wild Ponies of Bronson Forest Act makes it illegal for any person to interfere with, hurt, molest, capture or kill these ponies. Any person found guilty of such an offence will be subject to a fine, imprisonment or both.

Privilege

On Tuesday November 3, the Opposition House Leader, Kevin Yates, raised a question of Privilege. Mr. Yates alleged that the Minister of Public Safety, Corrections and Policing, Yogi Huyghebaert, was attempting to mislead the House. The Minister indicated that he had no knowledge of a dangerous sex offender being at large. When provided with further information of the specific case, the Minister corrected the record. Speaker Don Toth, outlined the evidence and concluded that the Opposition House Leader had not provided sufficient evidence to find a prima facie case of contempt.

Two days later, the Opposition House Leader, raised another question of Privilege. He claimed the Minister of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing made remarks in the Assembly that were perceived as a threat and discouraged him from performing his duties and exercising his freedom of speech. The Minister apologized and withdrew the...