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Senate
Many of the Senate Committees
resumed studies begun in the previous session of Parliament. On November 4, the
Foreign Affairs Committee, headed by George van Roggen, was granted permission
to continue its study of Canada's participation in the international financial
system and institutions. On November 6, the Social Affairs, Science and
Technology Committee, chaired by Arthur Tremblay, was authorized to resume the
study undertaken in 1985-86 on the Consultation Paper on Child and Elderly
Benefits.
The Fisheries Committee, chaired by
jack Marshall, continued its study of the fish marketing industry and held
public hearings in the Yukon and in British Columbia in mid-November. In early
February the Committee travelled to Juneau, Alaska to gather information on the
Pacific coast operations. The Sub-Committee on Training and Employment, of the
Social Affairs Committee, headed by Philippe Gigantès, undertook a fact-find
trip to various cities in Europe in January.
On February 5, in an unusual move,
Opposition Leader Allan MacEachen proposed that the controversial agreement on
fisheries and boundaries between Canada-France be referred to a Committee of
the Whole for the purpose of hearing Ministers and officials and other
interested parties, including provincial premiers. The motion was opposed by
Government Leader Lowell Murray, who felt that the Committee of the Whole was
not equipped to conduct the kind of study proposed and suggested that it would
have been more appropriate to refer the Canada-France Agreement to one of the
standing committees.
The motion was adopted on February
10, on division. It was agreed that a number of witnesses be called, including
the Minister of Fisheries and the Minister of External Affairs, the two
officials involved in negotiating the agreement, the Canadian Ambassador to
France and the Premiers and Opposition Leaders of all the Gulf provinces. On
February 17, the Committee of the Whole heard Fisheries Minister Tom Siddon and
his officials. The other witnesses will be heard in the forthcoming weeks.
Gary O'Brien, Director of Committee's Branch, The Senate.
Alberta
Although the Alberta Legislature
has not been in session since September 18, 1986, there has been a considerable
amount of activity in the House. Renovations to the Chamber, authorized and
orchestrated by the Speaker, Dr. David Carter, began in November and are
scheduled for completion by mid-February. The upgrading project was undertaken
with three major objectives in mind: efficiency, safety and aesthetics. The
main increase in efficiency will be realised from the improved acoustics, the
updated sound system, and changes in the Hansard Office, which will allow for
the publication of next day Hansard. Safety and security concerns were
addressed by improving fire exit access from the public galleries, and revising
the seating plan for both galleries. These changes allowed the capacity to be
increased by 56 seats and six wheelchair spaces. Aesthetic considerations were
also incorporated into the project, which is expected to cost about $825,000.
In addition to the Chamber renovations, the rotunda has been repainted for the
first time in 31 years. Dr. Carter notes that while the renovations are
necessary, they "occur at an opportune time. The 3rd of September, 1987,
marks the 75th Anniversary of the Legislative Building and the restoration of
the Chamber will coincide with this anniversary date."
Outside the House, the bulk of
activity related to the government's deficit reduction strategy. On January 30,
1987, Dick Johnston, Provincial Treasurer, released the fiscal policy statement
for the Government of Alberta. While it recognised the government's continuing
commitment to the agricultural sector, the energy sector, and the general
public, it declared the government's intention to eliminate the 3 billion
dollar deficit by the 1990/91 fiscal year. The proposed approach consists of
four major elements.
First, the government has
instituted a selective expenditure freeze. Announced on November 17, 1986, the
directive will apply for the balance of the 1986/87 fiscal year, and requires
departments to reduce spending for supplies, services, hosting and travel by
25%; freeze discretionary grants; and suspend capital construction projects
that are not already committed.
Second, 1987/88 expenditures will
be reduced. On January 9, 1987, the government announced that basic financial
operating support for schools, universities, active treatment hospitals and
municipalities will be 3% lower than last year. While it is certainly unusual
to make such announcements prior to the tabling of the budget, Mr. Johnston
explained that the announcement was made public "well ahead of the 1987
budget to allow affected groups the lead time required for orderly budget
planning."
Third, government departments are
proceeding with layoffs and redeployment of personnel in the interests of
downsizing the Alberta public service, thus reducing manpower costs.
Fourth, all new government programs
will be postponed indefinitely, and all existing programs will reviewed.
Committee Activity
Three of the eight standing
committees of the legislature met during the winter adjournment. While the
activities of all three echoed the general spirit of the new fiscal policy
statement, the deliberations of the Members' Services Committees were
particularly relevant in this regard.
The Special Standing Committee on
Members' Services, chaired by Speaker Carter, made a number of decisions in the
interests of deficit reduction. On January 12, 1987, Al Hyland sponsored a
successful motion to reduce the number of legislative interns from 8 to 6,
effective September 1, 1987. But perhaps the most controversial of the matters
dealt with by the committee concerns the cuts to caucus budgets. After lively
debate, which occurred over a number of sessions, a series of motions were
considered and passed. In the 1987/88 fiscal year, each caucus budget will be reduced
by 20%. In addition, the Office of the Leader of the Official Opposition, the
Office of the Leader of the Liberal Opposition, and the Office of the Leader of
the Representative Party will have their budgets cut. The committee also dealt
with the budget of the Legislature Library, and passed a motion to reduce the
wage element by 5%.
The Standing Committee on the
Alberta Heritage Trust Fund Act, chaired by John Oldring, held the 1st meeting
of the 10th session of the Standing Committee on October 22, 1986. In the
months that followed the committee heard numerous presentations and considered
70 recommendations. Of the 15 which were carried (5 were withdrawn, 50 were
defeated), Fred Bradley's motion to temporarily discontinue the transfer of non
renewable resource revenue from the General Revenue Fund to the Alberta
Heritage Saving Trust Fund would have the greatest implications for deficit
reduction. The report of the committee will be presented to the legislature in
the spring.
The Standing Committee on_
Legislative Offices, chaired by Greg Stevens, met once in October and again in
January. Under consideration were the budgets for the Auditor General, the
Chief Electoral Officer, and the Ombudsman. All three budgets had been prepared
with government restraint in mind, and were passed with few or no revisions.
The committee also dealt with the appointment of the Chief Electoral Officer.
The motion made to reappoint Patrick Ledgerwood to this position passed
unanimously.
Kathleen Marta, Legislative Intern, Alberta Legislative
Assembly.
House of Commons
The period from November 1 to
February 20 when the House adjourned for one week was a busy one and a
particularly difficult one for the Progressive Conservative Government.
Beginning January 19 when the House
returned from its Christmas recess, the opposition parties attacked the
government over the dismissal of the Minister of State (Transport) André
Bissonnette as a result of land dealings in his riding. Prime Minister Brian
Mulroney said he had requested the resignation because of the possible
appearance of wrong doing but accused the opposition of making prejudicial
statements before the results of the RCMP inquiry were known.
The government was also attacked
over a fishing agreement with France that would recognise fishing rights to
vessels based in France and increase their limits while Canadian fishermen were
facing restrictions on their quotas. In return the French agreed to open
negotiations on their claim to jurisdiction over the waters and to submit the
case to the International Court in the event of failure to resolve the dispute
in an agreed upon period.
Newfoundland Liberal members Brian
Tobin and George Baker took the lead in attacking fisheries Minister Tom Siddon
and the Minister of Transport John Crosbie. A motion by the Leader of the NDP,
Ed Broadbent ' caused an emergency debate on the situation. The government
insisted that the new treaty was an improvement over the previous situation
whereby the French claimed unlimited fishing rights in perpetuity.
The Prime Minister also accepted
the resignation of Roch LaSalle, Minister without Portfolio, Mr. LaSalle,
longtime member for Joliette had been under fire for some time, first because some
members of his staff did not disclose their criminal records and second because
he attended a dinner in his riding at which many contractors paid $5,000 for an
opportunity to meet the Minister. Mr. LaSalle denied any knowledge of how the
meeting had been organised, however, he offered his resignation in the interest
of the ministry and on personal grounds since he had not been in good health in
recent years.
Before taking a mid-winter break
the House of Commons heard Finance Minister Michael Wilson's budget on February
18. There were no major changes in income tax or other taxes. He projected a
stronger dollar, reduced deficit, lower unemployment and lower inflation. The
opposition had to base its criticism on what was not in the budget rather than
what it included.
Legislation
Perhaps the most controversial bill
during the period under review was an amendment to the Patent Act (Bill C-22)
to prohibit, for between seven and ten years the importation, production and
sale in Canada of patented drugs by holders of statutory licenses. The
opposition parties objected on grounds that the bill would lead to higher
prices for generic drugs.
Another bill which received lengthy
debate at second reading was legislation authorising the sale of Crown-owned
Canadair aircraft manufacturing company to Bombardier Inc. of Montreal. It
received Royal Assent on December 19.
Several other bills were passed
relatively quickly. These included an act to facilitate the takeover of the
Bank of British Columbia by the Hong Kong Bank of Canada (Bill C-27) making it
one of the largest foreign controlled banks in Canada. Legislation ordering
some 3,500 striking longshoremen back to work (Bill C-24) also was passed very
quickly. Amendments to the Farm Improvement Loan Act went through all stages in
less than 24 hours and authorized the government to distribute nearly one
billion dollars in farm aid. The maximum payout per farmer was $25,000 which
the opposition said was too little. A similar bill providing easier credit
terms for fishermen was also passed (Bill C-31).
Amendments to the Income Tax Act
(Bill C-23) implementing changes in the 1986 budget including changes to 1986
and 1987 RRSP contribution levels, a nminimum tax and the elimination of
several tax loopholes were passed. Changes to the Unemployment Insurance Act in
Bill C-16 extended for a further year the existing 10-14 year week variable
entrance for UIC and froze the 1987 premiums at 1986 levels.
The Petroleum and Gas Revenue Tax
Act was repealed by Bill C-17. Amendments to the Coastal Fisheries Protective
Act (Bill C-26) increased penalties on foreign vessels that violate the 20 mile
limit for fishing.
Committee Activity
Standing Committees were extremely
busy throughout November and December and the pace resumed when the House
returned in January. Many of the committees continued work begun during the
first session which ended in September. For example the first report of the
Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development was a
continuation of its earlier work on the "Fur Issue". The committee
made thirty-six recommendations designed to bolster an industry which had been
under attack by anti-fur hunting activists in Canada and Europe. The committee
described the important role of this industry in Canadian history and its
current importance to native people. It called on the government to issue a
statement recognising the importance of trapping and the fundamental right of
aboriginal peoples to pursue this activity. Among its other recommendations was
a proposal for government assistance in developing alternate methods of
trapping and a request for the Department of External Affairs to help
aboriginal representatives counter threats to the fur industry.
The Committee on Finance and
Economic Affairs presented two reports to the House. One dealt with Bill C-23
the amendment to the Income Tax Act while the other related to the effect of
two bank failures.
The Standing Committee on Energy
Mines and Resources, chaired by Barbara Sparrow, responded to the fourteen recommendations
contained in the "Minerals" chapter of Natural Resources, the report
to the Task Force on Program Review.
While agreeing with many of the
recommendations the Committee disagreed with the concept of a national mineral
products strategy as portrayed by the Task Force. It thought this should be a
private sector activity. The Committee proposed that a Ministry of Mines be
created as a separate portfolio with its own distinct department.
In January the Standing Committee
on Elections, Privileges and Procedure, chaired by Albert Cooper, presented its
report on the registration of paid lobbyists. Having listened to many arguments
for and against the registration of lobbyists the committee recommended that
such a system would best meet the objectives of openness and disclosure. The
committee had to answer a number of difficult questions including a definition
of lobbying, deciding which lobbyists would be required to register, and the
nature of the information to be disclosed.
It opted for a broad definition of
lobbying as an attempt to influence government decisions of either a
legislative or administrative nature. For purposes of registration it would be
limited to persons who engage in such activities for compensation. This would
include non profit organizations and volunteer groups if they retain a paid
lobbyist to represent their views. The committee also considered the degree of
disclosure that should be required and recommended the lobbyists be required to
disclose their names, firm name and a contact person, address and telephone
number as well as the name of clients, place of business and the issue or
matter upon which the lobbying activity is to take place. It also recommended
that lobbyists be prohibited from receiving compensation from clients contingent
in any matter upon the outcome of the lobbying activity.
The Standing Committee on
Communications and Culture, presided by Jim Edwards, presented its report on
Federal Policy Concerning Museums. The committee directed its attention to two
areas: the status of the four major federal museums in the National Capital
Region and federal assistance to non federal museums. Since 1968 the National
Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Science and Technology and the
National Museum of Natural Science have been under the corporate umbrella of
the National Museums of Canada. The Committee recommended that each should be
established as an autonomous institution with its own legislative mandate and
board of trustees.
The committee also called upon the
federal government to formulate a new museums policy in consultation with
provincial governments and the museum community. It called for increased
funding and a simplification of the grants programme.
In a wide ranging report on
northern issues the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development (chaired by Andre Harvey) looked at the issues relating to the
political development and economic development of both the Yukon and the
Northwest Territories.
The Government Operations Committee
presented its report on Canada Post's 5 year plan. It looked particularly at
the impact of the plan on rural Canadians and recommended against the
replacement of rural mail service with community mail boxes. In a response to
the report the government announced certain changes in the plan in keeping with
recommendations of the Committee. The Committee agreed with the objective of
eliminating the Post Office deficit and supported the proposed postal rate
increases.
Gary Levy
Ontario
On February 12, the second session
of the thirty-third parliament was prorogued. During the session, the House met
for 103 days over 27 weeks. As has been the practice in Ontario for over a
decade, the periods when the House is not sitting continue to be the busiest
times for members and staff of the House with up to five committees meeting
four to five days each week at Queen's Park or in various locations throughout
the province.
Legislation
Of the 121 government bills
introduced in the session, 71 were passed and given Royal Assent. A record
number of private member's bills and resolutions were considered primarily as a
result of changes to the Standing Orders which precluded emergency debates from
interrupting the time set aside each Thursday morning for such business. Of the
33 resolutions considered by the House, 31 carried. Eleven of the 13 private
members' bills debated were given second reading and referred either to the
Committee of the Whole House or a standing or select committee.
The House passed Bill 8, the French
Language Services Act, which entitled the public to communicate with and
receive available services from government agencies in French. The Act will be
phased in during a three year period, and requires the current public general
statutes to be translated into French by 1991. Thereafter, all public Bills of
the Assembly shall be in both languages. Speaking during the third reading
debate, the Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, Bernard Grandmaitre,
stated that the "Legislative Assembly of Ontario is on the brink of making
a historic gesture, thanks to which the francophone population of Ontario can
now start a process of evolution and transformation. The passing of Bill 8 will
create a new ambience in our province because this act will be a real
development tool which will allow us to pursue our fulfilment as francophones
in Ontario".
The House gave approval in
principle to three bills dealing with the economic regulation of trucking. The
principal piece of legislation, Bill 150, the Truck Transportation Act, would
replace the existing Public Commercial Vehicles Act and change the entry test
from an examination of the need for additional service to an examination of the
fitness of the applicant. For the first five years, the fitness test would be
supplemented by a public interest test where there is concern about extensive
market disruption. The Bills have been referred to the Standing Committee on
Resources Development for public hearings.
The Attorney General lan Scott
introduced Bill 154, the Pay Equity Act, which provides for the redressing of
systemic gender discrimination in compensation for work performed by employees
in female job classes in the establishments of all employers in the broader
public sector (which term includes municipalities, school boards, universities
and hospitals) and those employers in private sector firms with ten or more
employees. Following second reading, the Bill was referred to the Standing
Committee on Administration of Justice for extensive public hearings and
clause-by-clause consideration.
During the latter part of November
and the first part of December, the Committee of the Whole House considered one
of the most controversial pieces of legislation to come before the House in a
number of years. Of particular attention to the members was an amendment to
Bill 7, the Equality Rights Statute Law Amendment Act, which the Standing
Committee on Administration of Justice had adopted during its hearings on the
legislation. The amended Bill proposed to prohibit discrimination on the basis
of sexual orientation. Although supported by all three Party leaders, the
provision was opposed by a number of members on all sides of the House and was
the object of an intense lobbying campaign by its opponents and proponents. It
passed the Committee by a vote of 64 to 45. Other important provisions in the
legislation would ban adult-only apartment buildings and prohibit landlords
from refusing to rent to 16 and 17 year olds. The Act also prohibits
discrimination in athletic activities and organisations and makes it illegal to
deny girls access to boys' sports teams simply because of their sex. The Bill
was given Royal Assent in December.
On November 27, the House gave
first reading to Bill 160, the Members' Standards of office Act. The Bill
provided that a conflict of interest would exist when a member made a decision
in relation to his or her public duty in the knowledge that there was an
opportunity to further his or her private interest. The Bill set out a code of
conduct for members of the Assembly and of the Executive Council which would
prohibit the use of insider information, the use of influence of office, and
the acceptance of extra benefits connected directly or indirectly with the
performance of the member's duties of office. Each member would be required to
disclose all assets, liabilities and income to a commissioner appointed as an
officer of the Assembly under the legislation. These provisions would apply to
the spouse and minor children of each member. The Bill made no provision for
blind trusts as an alternative to disclosure. Rather, it provided for a
management trust to manage a minister's business during office. The trustee was
required to be at arm's length with the member and to be approved by the
commissioner. Finally, the commissioner would act as an advisor and authority
in respect of breaches of the Act. The Commissioner would ensure the adequacy
of the required disclosures and give opinions respecting compliance with the Act.
In cases where the Act was breached, the Commissioner would have the power to
recommend sanctions, ranging from a reprimand, to restitution, to loss of the
seat and prohibition against immediate re-election, against any member who
contravened the Act. It would be for the House to adopt and enforce the
commissioner's recommended sanction. The Bill lapsed at prorogation.
A Bill to amend the Election
Finances Act was passed in February. Among other things, the Act clarified the
term campaign expenses" and provided that child care expenses and other
expenses of a non-partisan nature would not be included as campaign expenses
for the purpose of the Act. Members expressed the hope that the provision would
encourage more women to run in provincial elections.
The House also passed Bill 165, the
Adoption Disclosure Statute Law Amendment Act. The legislation would permit
adult adopted persons and their birth relatives to obtain identifying
information about each other, by mutual consent, through an adoption disclosure
register. Non-identifying information, such as medical, social, religious and
academic background data, will be released on request to all adult parties to
an adoption. Counselling will be available when non-identifying information is
disclosed and is mandatory before identifying information is released. The
Registrar of Adoption Information may disclose identifying or non-identifying
information to any person if someone's health, safety or welfare requires it.
Further, on the request of an adult adopted person, the Registrar will search
for specific birth relatives. Information may be withheld if its disclosure
might result in serious physical or emotional harm to any person. An appeal
mechanism is established for persons who are refused information and provision
is made for the disclosure of information relating to out of province
adoptions.
After extensive public hearings in
the Standing Committee on Resources Development, the legislature passed Bill
51, the Residential Rent Regulation Act. The Act provides for the extension of
rent regulation to all private rental units in the province, and for the
establishment of a flexible rent review guideline to be adjusted annually to
reflect changes in the Residential Complex Cost Index. A province-wide rent
registry was created to provide information on the rent charged and other
relevant matters in respect of residential complexes containing more than six
rental units. Complexes containing six or fewer rental units will be brought
into the registry at a later date. The Act also provides for the establishment
of a Residential Rental Standards Board to assure tenants properly maintained
premises and provides for a costs-no-longer-borne mechanism to prevent the
penalising of tenants for retired capital and financing costs.
Committees
For the most part, during the
period of this report the standing committees dealt with legislation and
Estimates which had been referred to them by the House.
The Standing Committee on
Administration of justice continued its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill
105, the Public Service Pay Equity Act. The Bill provides for the redressing of
systemic gender discrimination in compensation for work performed by employees
in predominantly female groups of jobs in the Ontario public service. Following
the introduction and first reading of Bill 154, the Pay Equity Act, the
Committee postponed further consideration of the Bill. For the balance of the
Session, it considered the Estimates of the Ministries of Consumer and
Commercial Relations, Municipal Affairs, the Solicitor General, Correctional
Services, and the Ministry of the Attorney General. During the recess between
the second and third sessions, the Committee will receive public submissions on
Bill 154 and commence clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill.
The Standing Committee on Finance
and Economic Affairs continued its consideration of corporation concentration
in the financial industry, hearing evidence from Don Blenkarn, MP, Chairman of
the Standing Committee of the House of Commons of Canada on Finance and
Economic Affairs. On November 27, as a result of the announced plant closures
and layoffs at Kimberly Clark (Terrace Bay), E.B. Eddy (Nairn Centre), Goodyear
Tire and Rubber Co. (Etobicoke), Great Lakes Forest Products (Thunder Bay) and
Falconbridge (Sudbury), the Chairman of the Committee, David R. Cooke presented
a special report recommending that the House appoint a Select Committee on
Plant Closures and Shutdowns to examine such layoffs and closures, with
particular emphasis on northern Ontario. The House leaders' response to the
Committee's recommendations was negative and as a result the Committee declined
to consider the Estimates of the Ministry of Revenue and of the Management
Board of Cabinet which had been referred to it.
The Committee held two days of
public hearings on Bill 25, An Act to amend the Retail Sales Tax Act. This Bill
was introduced on May 13 as a result of amendments proposed to the Act in the
Treasurer's Budget. The Committee reported the Bill to the House without
amendment. The Committee also considered the paper on Economic and Fiscal
Review presented to the House on November 3 by the Treasurer, Robert Nixon, and
permanently referred to the Committee. The Committee heard testimony from the
Treasurer and officials of the Ministry of Treasury and Economics and was
authorized by the House to continue its consideration of the pre-budget review
during the Recess.
The Committee also considered the
proposal of the Government of Canada to exclude the City of Toronto from the
provisions of proposed legislation with respect to International Banking
Centres. The Committee made a special report to the House calling the proposal
ill advised and potentially highly damaging to the economy of Toronto and the
Province" and proposing to undertake hearings to investigate the
"potentially serious consequences of the Federal Government's
proposal". In this regard, the Committee heard testimony from the Minister
of Financial Institutions, Monte Kwinter, the Chairman of the Ontario
Securities Commission, Stanley Beck, and
George Radwanski, Special Advisor
to the Treasurer and Minister of Economics. On the last day of the session, the
Committee presented a report to the House recommending that the Treasurer and
the Minister of Financial Institutions enter immediately into discussions with
the Minister of Finance of Canada to withdraw the proposal for the
International Banking Centre legislation and, failing, the withdrawal, to
secure the opportunity for all Canadian municipalities to benefit equally from
an IBC designation.
During the Recess, the Committee
will consider Bill 116, An Act to revise the Loan and Trust Corporations Act.
The legislation provides, among other things, for new procedures for the
incorporation of provincial loan and trust corporations, for new conflict of
interest rules for directors and other restricted parties, for trust companies
to own a percentage interest in a securities dealer, and for a compulsory
review of the Act by the Legislature not later than 1997.
The Standing Committee on General
Government spent a considerable amount of its time considering Bill 131, An Act
to amend the Assessment Act. The Bill provided that credit unions, caisses
populaires, stock exchanges, commodity exchanges and race tracks are liable for
business tax, regardless of the fact they may not produce, or be intended to
produce, profit, an exemption from taxation for rides in amusement parks, and
the end to the triennial review of pipe line assessments. The Committee heard
public submissions on three days before reporting the amended Bill to the
House.
The Standing Committee on
Government Agencies considered the operation of the Ontario Advisory Council on
Multi-culturalism and Citizenship. The Chairman of the Committee, Bud Gregory,
presented the report on Agencies, Boards and Commissions (No. 12) to the House
on February 12. The report contained the Committee's recommendations with
respect to the operation of the Ontario Advisory Council on Multi-culturalism
and Citizenship, the Ontario Arts Council, the Ontario Development
Corporations, the Ontario Land Corporation, and the Ontario Lottery
Corporation. Pursuant to Standing Order 32(d), the Committee has requested that
the Government provide a comprehensive response to the report. During the
Recess, the Committee will review the operation of the Agricultural Council of
Ontario, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the Ontario Northland
Transportation Commission, and the Pesticides Advisory Committee.
The Standing Committee on the
Legislative Assembly considered a wide range of matters during the period of
this report. In November, the Committee presented its report on the premature
disclosure of the draft report of the Select Committee in June. The Committee
proposed that in such circumstances its role is to recommend what disciplinary
action should be taken by the House. It stated that it was the responsibility
of individual committees whose reports have been prematurely disclosed to
ascertain all the facts in the matter. If the committee in question determined
that there was sufficient information on which the Legislative Assembly
Committee could make a judgement in the matter, the chairman of the committee
would request that the House refer the matter to the Standing Committee on the
Legislative Assembly. The Committee also noted that it was mindful of the
advantages of in camera meetings, but pointed to its own experience which
indicated that politically sensitive issues could be discussed in public
without adverse consequences.
The Chairman of the Committee,
Michael Breaugh, also presented a report on the mandate of the Committee which
placed on record the Committee's interpretation of its terms of reference as
provided by Standing Order 90(h). The Speaker has responded to this report and
the Committee will be considering the matter further. During November, the
Committee completed its consideration of the Report on Ministerial Compliance
with the Conflict of Interest Guidelines and Recommendations with Respect to
those Guidelines (the Aird Report). Before it had a chance to report its
recommendations to the House, the Attorney General presented conflict of
interest legislation to the House. The Committee presented a report which
condemned "the pre-emptive action of the Attorney General' and which
called such action "insulting to the Legislature and its committees, . . .
contrary to established parliamentary practice and undermining the Committee's
effectiveness". The Committee presented its report on the Aird Report on December
10 and called for conflict of interest legislation rather than guidelines which
would apply to all members of the legislature rather than just ministers of the
Crown and parliamentary assistants. The Committee further recommended that a
defined level of senior civil servants also be required to publicly disclose
their pecuniary interests and liabilities.
It supported the recommendation
that a Compliance Commissioner be appointed but proposed that the Commissioner
be required to report the facts to the Standing Committee on the Legislative
Assembly which would then make a determination in the matter. The four
Progressive Conservative members of the Committee dissented from the
recommendations of the Committee.
The Committee struck two
subcommittees. The Sub-committee on Members' Services is to review the services
and facilities for members of the legislature. In January, the Sub-committee
visited Boston, Massachusetts, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to meet with
officials involved in restoration projects at the two state legislatures. As a
result of this trip, the Committee presented a report to the House on February
10 which proposed that a special committee, chaired by the Speaker and the
Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Committee and composed of one member from
each of the parties, be appointed to "supervise and coordinate the
restoration of the Parliament Building" and ensure that a balance is
struck "between the preservation of the building as an historic structure
and its function as a safe and useful edifice for legislative activities".
The Committee further recommended that an historic structure report be
commissioned immediately as a preliminary step to the preparation of a
comprehensive restoration plan.
A Sub-committee on Security has
been appointed to consider all matters relating to security in the
parliamentary precincts and to make recommendations to the House, the Speaker
and the Board of Internal Economy.
The Standing Committee on Public
Accounts considered a number of matters contained in the Public Accounts of
Ontario and the Report of the Provincial Auditor, including the Ontario
Development Corporation and the Convert-to-Rent Program of the Ministry of
Housing. In addition to considering the Estimates of the Office of the
Provincial Auditor, the Committee also heard testimony with respect to the
retirement compensation package for the Clerk Emeritus of the Legislative
Assembly from the Secretary of Cabinet, Bob Carman, the Minister of Colleges
and Universities, Greg Sorbara, who is a member of the Board of Internal
Economy, the Treasurer Robert Nixon, and an authority on wrongful dismissal
actions. The Committee concluded its review of this latter matter when it was
advised that a revised compensation package for the Clerk Emeritus had been approved
by the Board of Internal Economy. This package did not include the annual
stipend of $31,500 and other payments and benefits which had been issues of
contention.
On January 22, the day on which the
Committee was to begin consideration of the Convert-to-Rent Program of the
Ministry of Housing, the member for Brantford, Phil Gillies, and his executive
assistant were served with statements of claim in a libel action arising out of
a news release containing allegations with respect to a loan made under Huang
and Danczkay under the Convert-to-Rent Program and the involvement of Ivan
Fleischmann in procuring the loan.
The Committee made a special report
to the House and recommended that the matter be referred to the Standing
Committee on the Legislative Assembly for investigation. The House set aside
its ordinary business for part of the afternoon to debate the report and later
referred the matter to the Legislative Assembly Committee where it will be the
subject of hearing during the Recess.
On November 24, the Standing
Committee on Resources Development concluded its consideration of Bill 51, the
Residential Rent Regulation Act, and the Chairman of the Committee, Floyd
Laughren, reported the Bill to the House the next day with amendments. This
brought to an end almost three and one-half months of meetings during which 240
written and 314 oral briefs were made to the Committee.
For the balance of the session, the
Committee considered the Estimates of the Ministries of Agriculture and Food,
Energy, and Northern Development and Mines. The Committee also considered Bill
115, the Ontario Lottery Corporation Amendment Act, which would prohibit
persons from engaging in a business that involves the sale, distribution or
advertisement of lottery tickets unless authorized by the Ontario Lottery
Corporation. The Bill was reported to the House without amendment. However, the
matter of abusive and harassing telephone calls received by the Chairman of the
Committee with respect to the Committee's hearings on the Bill was referred to
the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly for investigation. During
the Recess, the Committee will consider the Annual Report of the Workers'
Compensation Board and the circumstances of the announced closure of the
Goodyear Tire Manufacturing Plant and the various closures of other
manufacturing facilities particularly in northern Ontario.
The Standing Committee on Social
Development devoted its time to the consideration of the Estimates of the
Offices responsible for Disabled Persons, for Senior Citizens' Affairs and for
Women's Issues, and the Ministries of Skills Development, Health, Education,
and Labour. During the Recess, the Committee will consider Bill 52, the Health
Protection and Promotion Amendment Act, which is a bill introduced by a private
member, jack Pierce. The Committee will also consider Bill 176, the Nursing
Homes Amendment Act, and Bill 177, the Health Facilities Special Orders
Amendment Act.
On January 27, the House appointed
a Select Committee on Retail Store Hours to review and report its
recommendations pertaining to Sunday shopping and retail store hours. The
Committee will meet during the recess to hear public submissions from
interested persons in Toronto and in various areas throughout the Province.
Smirle Forsyth, Assistant Clerk, Legislative Assembly of
Ontario.
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