Yukon.

• Author: Kolody, Linda
• Position: Legislative Reports

2020 Spring Sitting

Due to coronavirus concerns, the 2020 Spring Sitting, which began on March 5 and had been expected to last 30 sitting days, concluded on March 19 after nine sitting days. Further information pertaining to this Sitting of the Third Session of the 34th Legislative Assembly is detailed in Yukon's preceding legislative report.

Speaker's news release

On April 21, Speaker Nils Clarke issued a news release ("Proceedings during COVID-19 Pandemic") on the Legislative Assembly Office's efforts to continue to support MLAs during the pandemic. The release noted that the Assembly's committee meeting room is equipped with videoconference and teleconference equipment to facilitate members' remote participation in committee meetings. It also observed that that face-to-face committee meetings and public hearings can be held in the Chamber, as "seating arrangements will allow for over two metres' distance between individuals". As well, the news release stated that pursuant to the special adjournment Order adopted by the House on March 19, the Assembly is scheduled to reconvene on October 1. The news release noted that measures to ensure Members' and others' safety, such as increasing the physical distance between MLAs and closing the public gallery, would continue as needed in the 2020 Fall Sitting, and that further safety measures would be taken as appropriate.

Virtual committee meetings

In light of COVID-19, committees can now meet virtually, with the respective Chair of a committee chairing meetings from the committee meeting room, and the other members of the committee participating remotely.

On April 30, a tweet by the Yukon Legislative Assembly noted that the Standing Committee on Appointments to Major Government Boards and Committees had that day "met by videoconference and teleconference in the first virtual meeting of a Yukon Legislative Assembly committee. Committees are using technology to continue their work." The committee, which is chaired by Ted Adel (Copperbelt North), subsequently met virtually on June 24.

On May 6, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Stacey Hassard, Leader of the Official Opposition, met by videoconference.

Public Accounts Committee update

On May 7, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) issued an update announcing the release of the committee's Fifth Report and Sixth Report. PAC's Fifth Report dealt with Yukon's 201819 Public...