Yukon.

AuthorKolody, Linda
PositionLegislative Reports

Fall Sitting

On October 1,2015, Premier Darrell Pasloski advised Speaker David Laxton that the public interest required that Legislative Assembly reconvene. The Premier identified October 22 as the start date for the 2015 Fall Sitting of the First Session of the 33rd Legislative Assembly. Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), the Assembly sits for a maximum of 60 days per calendar year. The House sat for 31 days during the 2015 Spring Sitting, leaving a maximum of 29 days for the Fall Sitting. The House will not sit on Remembrance Day. On October 27, Brad Cathers, the deputy Government House Leader, gave notice of a motion which would also have the House not sit on November 12. Should Mr. Cathers' motion be adopted the final sitting day of the Fall Sitting will be December 15.

Bills introduced

The following government bills were introduced by October 29; the fifth sitting day (pursuant to Standing Order 74, this is the deadline for the introduction of government legislation to be dealt with during a Sitting):

Bill No. 19, Fourth Appropriation Act, 2014-15

Bill No. 20, Second Appropriation Act, 2015-16

Bill No. 89, Act to Amend the Municipal Act

Bill No. 90, Land Titles Act, 2015

Bill No. 91, Act to Amend the Elections Act and the Electoral District Boundaries Act

Bill No. 92, Act to Amend the Travel for Medical Treatment Act

Bill No. 93, Act to Amend the Oil and Gas Act

Bill No. 94, Act to Amend the Education Act

No private members' bills have been introduced so far during the 2015 Fall Sitting.

Elections Act and Electoral District Boundaries Act amendments

Bill No. 91 seeks to implement a major revision of key aspects of Yukon's electoral law. This revision is based on recommendations contained in a report of the Chief Electoral Officer, Lori McKee, that was tabled in the Legislative Assembly in December 2014. The bill's explanatory note outlines that:

"The main improvements included in the Bill are:

* More accessible and efficient voter registration, including a permanent register of electors;

* A single, simplified special ballot process that allows absentee electors and others with special needs an extended opportunity to vote;

* Better recognition of the role of modern communications technology, and the opportunity to apply innovative methods in electoral operations where appropriate; and

* The codification of the independence of Elections Yukon and more consistency in how election officers are appointed.

"The bill also makes many focused...

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