2016 Legislative Session: 5th Session, 40th Parliament

FIRST READING

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

HONOURABLE SUZANNE ANTON

MINISTER OF JUSTICE

BILL 1 – 2016

AN ACT TO ENSURE THE SUPREMACY

OF PARLIAMENT

This Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament is an important part of our democratic process. The purpose of this Bill, and its introduction prior to consideration of the Throne Speech, is to perpetuate the established right of Parliament, through its elected representatives, to sit and act without leave from the Crown.

This Bill simply asserts the right of the Legislative Assembly to give precedence to matters other than those expressed by the Sovereign.

Introducing it at this point in the opening proceedings of this Legislative Assembly is a tradition that dates back to the reign of Elizabeth I when, on March 22, 1603, Parliament first recorded this assertion of independence from the Crown for purposes of legislation.

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