March 2, 1993             HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS                 Vol. XLI  No. 91


The House met at 2:00 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Lush): 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 Fourth Session of the 41st 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.

Sixty-seven 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, municipal affairs, health, environment and the administration of justice.

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

As I stated in My Address opening this Session, one of our most important social programs is the Workers' Compensation system. The fundamental integrity of this system was threatened by a rapidly escalating unfunded liability. My Ministers, after careful consideration and much study, introduced various amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act which have addressed these grave financial matters.

In an effort to clarify the law and to reduce the number of days during the year when shops are permitted to close, My Ministers introduced amendments to the Shops Closing Act. The Bill as enacted during this Session also substantially increased the penalties for violation of that Act.

As part of the continuing commitment by My Ministers to improve working standards in the Province, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Labour Standards Act were also amended during this Session.

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

My Ministers are committed to preserving and promoting the richness of the natural beauty and wilderness of Newfoundland and Labrador. In order to ensure these qualities of life, My Ministers introduced legislation to deal with the persistent and chronic problem of abandoned vehicles which scar our countryside. The Waste Material Disposal Act was amended to increase substantially the fines for offenses under that Act as well as empowering the courts to order an offender to clean up and restore the environment. A further amendment to the Act will make it a specific offence to discard abandoned motor vehicles in the Province.

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

In the areas of health and social services, a new Social Workers Association Act was enacted as well as a new Health and Social Agencies Act. My Ministers introduced amendments to the Department of Health Act to empower the Minister of Health to create regional community health boards to direct the delivery of health and continuing care services throughout the Province. My Ministers also introduced an important amendment to the Child Welfare Act which requires a person who has information that a child may be suffering from desertion, abandonment, physical, sexual or emotional ill-treatment or in the need of protection, to report that information at once to the Director of Child Welfare, a social worker or a police officer.

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

After considerable debate and public discussion before the Committee on Privileges and Elections, My Ministers introduced a new Election Act which will revise the law respecting the conduct of elections as well as provide for a system of election financing. This Honourable House subsequently appointed a new Chief Electoral Officer under the provisions of the new Act. It is My Ministers' intention to proclaim into force the various parts and sections of the Act within the next few months. In addition, the Electoral Boundaries Act was amended to provide that the Electoral Boundaries Commission shall determine the number of electoral districts, between 40 and 46, into which the Province shall be divided for the purpose of the election of Members to this Honourable House of Assembly.

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

During this Session two major initiatives were introduced in the area of the administration of justice. The first was the enactment of a Bill which revised the law respecting the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and established a Public Complaints Commission to deal with police officers misconduct against the general public. My Ministers have appointed Dr. Leslie Harris, a distinguished Newfoundlander, to be the first Commissioner. The other major initiative was the enactment of amendments to the Summary Proceedings Act. These amendments have expanded the ticketing system for violations of provincial statutes to include offenses against the Liquor Control Act and the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act.

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

Ever mindful of the difficulties which our citizens must face with increased taxation, during this Session, My Ministers carried out their previously announced mandate by introducing legislation to abolish the school tax authorities. These regressive taxing authorities have been replaced by a more equitable means of taxation and revenue distribution to our school boards. As announced in the 1992 Budget Speech, many fees established by various Acts and regulations were abolished during this Session. Of importance to municipalities and cities was the enactment of an Act which provides for the uniform taxation of utilities and cable television companies throughout the Province.

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

Among the other significant legislative measures enacted during this Session were: An Act To Amend The Public Utilities Act, An Act To Amend The Mineral Act, An Act To Amend The Municipal Grants Act, An Act To Amend The Provincial Parks Act, An Act To Amend The Residential Tenancies Act and An Act To Amend The Buildings Accessibility Act.

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.

It is my pleasure that the Fourth Session of this 41st 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.