Yukon.

• Author: Kolody, Linda
• Position: Legislative Reports - The 2011 Spring Sitting of the First Session of the 32nd Legislative Assembly of Yukon Territory, Canada

On March 28th, the 2011 Spring Sitting of the First Session of the 32nd Legislative Assembly adjourned. The 30-day sitting had convened on February 3rd, about 7 weeks earlier than usual. The Sitting concluded with Assent being given in the Chamber by the Commissioner of Yukon, Doug Phillips.

On the first day of the 2011 Spring Sitting, NDP Leader Elizabeth Hanson, elected in the December 13, 2010 by-election in Whitehorse Centre, took her seat. Ms. Hanson was escorted into the Chamber by Steve Cardiff, the other NDP Member in the House. Mr. Cardiff introduced Ms. Hanson to Speaker Ted Staffen who welcomed her on behalf of all Members.

On March 24th (the penultimate day of the Spring Sitting), Bill No. 95, Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, concerning firefighter presumptive legislation, received 1st reading, 2nd reading, consideration in Committee of the Whole, and 3rd reading, with unanimous consent. Unanimous consent was required even to introduce the bill, as the Standing Orders state that the Government "shall introduce all legislation...to be dealt with during that Sitting by the fifth sitting day." The bill was introduced by the Minister Responsible for the Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board, Glenn Hart. The concept of firefighter presumptive legislation enjoyed broad-based support in the House, and third reading of the bill carried unanimously on a recorded division.

On the final day of the Spring Sitting, Commissioner Phillips granted Assent to the following 4 bills (all Government bills):

* Bill No. 23, Third Appropriation Act, 2010-11

* Bill No. 24, First Appropriation Act, 2011-12

* Bill No. 94, Act to Amend the Judicature Act (Trade Orders)

* Bill No. 95, Act to Amend the Workers" Compensation Act

Address from Governor General

On February 9th, pursuant to an Order of the House adopted the preceding day, the Legislative Assembly recessed to receive an Address from David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. His Excellency noted that while it was his first official visit to Yukon with his spouse, Dr. Sharon Johnston, that his first visit had been about 20 years ago, as Chair of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, participating in meetings that saw the initial steps taken towards building sustainable development standards into federal legislation. In his Address, the Governor General also referenced Yukon's accomplishments in self-governance, as well as in areas of particular interest to...