March 15,

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

Vol. XLII No. 83

The House met at 2:00 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Dicks): Order, please!

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

Lieutenant-Governor has arrived.

MR. SPEAKER: Admit His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor.

Mr. Speaker leaves the Chair.

His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor takes the Chair.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Ladies and Gentlemen, it is the wish of

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor that all present be seated.

HIS HONOUR, THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR (Frederick W. Russell,

C.M., LL.D):

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

The Second Session of the 42nd 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.

Fifty-four pieces of legislation were enacted during this

Session of the Honourable House of Assembly. In particular, legislative

initiatives were taken in Finance, Employment and Labour Relations, Development,

Energy, Health and the Environment during 1994.

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

As stated in my address opening this Session, it has been the

goal of My Ministers during this administration to attract business investment

as a means of creating employment opportunities in the Province. To accomplish

this goal, this House passed

an act to promote economic diversification and

growth enterprises. As well, the Income Tax Act was amended to reduce the

general tax rate on corporations from 16 per cent to 14 per cent, and on

manufacturing and processing income from 7.5 per cent to 5 per cent. My

Ministers also introduced legislation to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador

Computer Services Limited.

Ever mindful of the environmental concerns of our citizens,

My Ministers introduced the Grand Concourse Authority Act, the purpose of which

will be to foster, promote, and enable the design, development and operation of

an integrated network of walkways in the St. John's region. As well, The Waste

Material Disposal Act was amended to tighten the offence provisions of that act.

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HON. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

A new Electrical Power Control Act was enacted to revise and

extend the existing law by providing for the planning, allocation and

re-allocation of electrical power and power emergencies in the Province. The

Mining And Mineral Rights Tax Act was substantially revised to clarify and

streamline the existing law. A Literacy Development Council Act was created to

assess and respond to the literacy needs of our citizens. A revised

Pharmaceutical Association Act was also enacted.

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HON. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

After listening to the views of our citizens, My Ministers

introduced further amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act. Among the

amendments enacted, was the repeal of the Appeal Tribunal and its substitution

by a review division consisting of Review Commissionaires who will individually

have the power to review decisions of the Workers' Compensation Commission. My

Ministers feel that this new structure will offer our citizens a more equitable

appeal mechanism under the act.

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HON. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

My Ministers remain firm in their conviction that there are

bright spots in the Fishery, in particular, Aquaculture. In order to encourage

this industry, this House passed significant amendments to the Aquaculture Act.

Many other significant Legislature measures were also enacted during this

session.

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HON. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

I thank you for the large measure of supply you have granted.

I assure you that the appropriations that you have granted have been and will be

expended by My Ministers with care and efficiency.

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HON. HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY :

It is my pleasure that the Second Session of this 42nd

General Assembly now be prorogued, and it is prorogued accordingly.

Thank you.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

In accordance with the Speech of His Honour, the

Lieutenant-Governor, the House is now prorogued.