FIRST REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURE, PRIVILEGES AND LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS Third Session Sixtieth Legislative Assembly of the Province of New Brunswick March 28, 2024 MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE Mr. Wetmore, Chair Ms. Conroy, Vice Chair Ms. Shephard Mr. Carr Mr. Allain Mr. Holder Mr. Cullins Mr. M. LeBlanc Mr. K. Chiasson Ms. Thériault Mr. Coon March 28, 2024 To The Honourable The Legislative Assembly of The Province of New Brunswick Mr. Speaker: I have the pleasure to present herewith the First Report of the Standing Committee on Procedure, Privileges and Legislative Officers.

Your Committee’s Report contains recommendations for amendments to the Standing Rules governing the adoption of a legislative calendar. And your Committee begs leave to make a further report. Respectfully submitted, Mr. Ross Wetmore, MLA Chair of the Standing Committee on Procedure, Privileges and Legislative Officers 1 March 28, 2024 To The Honourable The Legislative Assembly of The Province of New Brunswick Mr. Speaker: Your Standing Committee on Procedure, Privileges and Legislative Officers begs leave to submit their First Report of the session.

Your Committee had previously been directed by the House to examine the options for a fixed legislative calendar. On May 12, 2023, the Committee presented recommendations for a legislative calendar to be implement by Special Order. The House adopted in the Special Order on June 16, 2023. The Special Order allowed the House the flexibility to modify and improve the calendar mechanism, if needed, before deciding on its adoption into the Standing Rules. On this note, your Committee encourages future mod ifications and enhancements to the legislative calendar mechanism where necessary.

Following meetings on March 20 and 28, your Committee recommends the adoption of the Special Order into the Standing Rules. AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDING RULES 2 Your Committee therefore recommends for adoption the following amendments to the Standing Rules: The Standing Rules are amended by adding after Standing Rule 32 the following: 32.1(1) During each session, the House shall meet: (

a) in the Fall period from no later than the third Tuesday in October to no later than the second Friday in December for a minimum of 24 sitting days, except when a provincial general election is held pursuant to subsection 3(4) of the Legislative Assembly Act ; and (

b) in the Spring period from no later than the third Tuesday in March to no later than the second Friday in June for a minimum of 24 sitting days. 32.1(2) The House and its Committees shall not meet: (

a) the week of Remembrance Day or the week preceding if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday; (

b) the first week of January; (

c) the week of Spring vacation as established by the regulations under the Education Act; (

d) the week following Spring vacation. 32.1(3) Before the House adjourns for the Summer recess, the Government House Leader shall move a sessional calendar motion, without notice, that indicates the days on which the House shall meet in the Fall period in accordance with subrules (1) and (2) and said motion shall be put forthwith and decided without amendment or debate. 32.1(4) Before the House adjourns for the Winter recess, the Government House Leader shall move a sessional calendar motion, without notice, that indicates the days on which the House shall meet in the Spring period in accordance with subrules (1) and (2) and said motion shall be put forthwith and decided without amendment or debate. 32.1(5) The House shall meet and adjourn on the days so stated in the motions moved and decided pursuant to subrules (3) and ( 4) subject to any subsequent amendments adopted in accordance with subrule (6). 32.1(6) Despite subrules (1) and (2), on motion of the Government House Leader, with notice, the House may amend a sessional calendar adopted pursuant to subrules (3) and (4), to meet on a day or days the House was not scheduled to meet, or to not meet on a day or days the House was scheduled to meet, and said motion shall be decided without amendment and any debate shall be limited to one hour in duration and no Member shall speak for longer than ten minutes. 32.1(7) During any period of adjournment, including those weeks specified in subrule (2), if the Government advises the Speaker that the public interest requires the House to meet on an earlier day, and the Speaker is so satisfied, the Speaker may give notice that the House shall meet and in such notice shall state a day on which the House shall meet, and thereupon the House shall meet on the day so stated to transact its busin ess as if it had been duly adjourned to that day.