February

24, 1994

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS

Vol. XLII No. 39

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 First 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. Your

commitment to your work and diligence in these difficult times deserve our

appreciation and acknowledgement.

Fifty-seven pieces of legislation were enacted during this

Session of the Honourable House of Assembly. I should point out to hon. members

that in addition to this number, eight bills were enacted during the Fifth

Session of the 41st General Assembly, which was dissolved on April 5, 1993. In

particular, legislative initiatives were taken in Finance, Employment and Labour

Relations, Municipal Affairs, Health and the Environment during 1993.

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

The Labour Relations Act was amended to provide that where an

application for certification is supported by at least 40 per cent of the

employees in a bargaining unit to which an application relates, the Labour

Relations Board shall conduct a vote to determine the wishes of the employees,

unless the union and the employer jointly request that the Board not take the

vote. The Labour Relations Act was further amended to require that the Board

conduct a vote in respect of any application for revocation of certification.

The amendments to the Act would also make it mandatory to take a strike vote

prior to a lawful strike.

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

After a comprehensive review by Members of the Social

Services Committee, this House passed the Smoke-Free Environment Act. The

purpose of that Bill is to create a smoke-free environment in the workplace and

public places in the Province. In tandem with that Bill, this House passed the

Tobacco Control Act which will regulate the sale of tobacco in general and

prevent the sale of tobacco to persons who are under the age of nineteen years.

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

The Memorial University Act was amended in order to clarify

the law respecting the authority and responsibility of the Auditor General to

conduct audits of the accounts of the University. As well, my Ministers

introduced amendments to the Municipalities Act, the City of Corner Brook Act,

the St. John's Municipal Elections Act and the City of Mount Pearl Act the

purpose of which was to clarify the law respecting municipal elections in order

to make the municipal law more uniform throughout the Province.

My Ministers introduced major amendments to the Liquor

Control Act and the Tobacco Tax Act. It is the hope of My Ministers that these

amendments will curb the amount of illegal smuggling of tobacco and liquor

products into the Province.

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

Ever mindful of the service and sacrifice that volunteers

made during the Second World War, My Ministers introduced a Bill that revised

the law respecting the Volunteer War Service Medal by expanding the group of

persons eligible to receive a medal for volunteer war service.

Many other significant legislative measures were also enacted

during this Session.

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 that 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 First Session of this 42nd General

Assembly now be prorogued, and it is prorogued accordingly.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Pursuant to the Speech of His Honour, this House stands

prorogued.