April 24, 2007 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

PROCEEDINGS Vol. XLV No. 42

The House met at 10:00 a.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Hodder): Order, please!

Before we proceed with routine proceedings this morning, I would like to

observe an ancient parliamentary tradition. I have the pleasant task of formally

welcoming a new member who has been duly elected in a by-election held on March

13, 2007. The new member is Mr. James Baker, for the District of Labrador West.

I have been advised by the Clerk of the House that this member has taken the

Oath of Allegiance to the Crown, as required by the Constitution, and has signed

the Members' Roll.

The hon. the Premier.

[The new member, escorted by the Premier, enters the Chamber and approaches

the Chair.]

PREMIER WILLIAMS: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present to you Mr.

James Baker, the Member for Labrador West, who requests the right to take his

seat.

MR. SPEAKER: Congratulations, Mr. Baker.

Let the member take his seat.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Mr. Speaker, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor has

arrived.

MR. SPEAKER: Admit His Honour the Lieutenant Governor.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: All rise.

Mr. Speaker leaves the Chair.

His Honour The Lieutenant Governor takes the Chair.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: It is the wish of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor

that all present please be seated.

HIS HONOUR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR (Edward Roberts, ONL, QC):

Mr. Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly, including your newest

member who just took his seat:

Good morning.

The Third Session of the Forty-Fifth General Assembly of this Honourable

House of Assembly is about to be prorogued, but before releasing you from your

duties, I wish to thank you for the careful and sympathetic attention given to

the important matters brought before you by My Ministers. Your commitment to

your work and your diligence deserve our appreciation and acknowledgment.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly:

Sixty-eight pieces of legislation were enacted during this Session of the

House. In particular, legislative initiatives were taken in the areas of natural

resources, health, education, the fishing industry, justice, government

services, municipal affairs and the environment.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly:

As noted in My Speech opening the Session, My Government introduced and this

House approved the Act To Amend The Hydro Corporation Act And The Electrical

Power Control Act, 1994 which was Bill 1 of this session. This Act enables

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Corporation to expand into new areas of

opportunity as a diversified energy corporation, while maintaining a low cost

power rate to citizens. This House also approved

An Act Respecting Mental Health

Care And Treatment, which modernized an outdated Act, and confirmed the rights

of individuals under the Act. During the Spring Sitting of the Honourable House,

An Act To Establish The Council On Higher Education was passed, which will

ensure greater collaboration between the College of the North Atlantic and

Memorial University.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly:

One of the key achievements of this Session was the enactment of the Act To

Amend The Human Rights Code, which presented the most comprehensive series of

amendments since the Code was adopted in 1988. These amendments will protect the

rights of seniors, single parents and social assistance recipients as age,

family status and source of income are now prohibited grounds of discrimination.

My Government is proud to have modernized the Code to protect these citizens. My

Government is also pleased that this House passed

An Act Respecting The

Enforcement of Support Orders. This Act provides additional enforcement

mechanisms to benefit children and families.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly:

My Government also brought forward amendments to the Fish Inspection Act to

enhance the enforcement of that Act and this Honourable House passed amendments

to the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act to assist in settling

disputes.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly:

My Government also brought forward amendments to the House of Assembly Act to

give effect to the recommendations of the Electoral Boundaries Commission prior

to the October 2007 General Election. Among the other legislative measures

Act;

An Act To Amend The Occupational Health And Safety Act;

An Act Respecting

The Delivery Of Health And Community Services And The Establishment Of Regional

Health Authorities;

An Act To Amend The Child, Youth And Family Services Act; An

Act Respecting The Practice Of Physiotherapy;

An Act To Establish A Health

Research Ethics Authority For The Province;

An Act To Amend The Public Utilities

Act;

An Act To Amend The Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act;

An Act

Respecting The Sale Of Certain Items At A Flea Market;

An Act To Revise The Law

Respecting The Conduct Of Public Inquiries;

An Act To Amend The Taxation Of

Utilities And Cable Television Companies Act;

An Act Respecting Pharmaceutical

Services;

An Act Respecting The Assessment Of Real Property For The Purpose Of

The Imposition Of Real Property Taxes; and,

An Act Respecting Municipal Taxation

In The City Of St. John's.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly:

I thank you for the large measure of Supply you have granted. I assure you

that the appropriations you have granted have been and will be expended by My

Ministers with care and efficiency.

Mr. Speaker and Members of the Honourable House of Assembly:

It is my pleasure that the Third Session of the Forty-Fifth General Assembly

now be prorogued, and it is prorogued accordingly.

We shall see you this afternoon.

Thank you.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor leaves the Chamber.

Mr. Speaker returns to the Chair.

MR. SPEAKER (Hodder): Order, please!

In accordance with the Speech read by his Honour the Lieutenant Governor,

this House now stands prorogued and we will meet this afternoon at 2:00 of the

clock for the Speech from the Throne.

This House is now prorogued.