Eighth Atlantic Provinces Parliamentary Conference

The annual parliamentary conference of the Atlantic province does not bring together large numbers of legislators but the very fact that attendance is limited usually lends to a free-flowing exchange of ideas.

This year the conference, held in Halifax, was hosted by the Speaker of the Nova Scotia Legislature, Arthur Donahoe. The Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, David Tonkin, spoke to the delegates on "The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association at age 75 What of its Future?"

Other subjects on the agenda included a discussion of the role of the provinces in free trade negotiations and accountability of cabinet ministers and MLA's.

Canadian Regional Council Meeting

The Executive of the Canadian Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association held its annual meeting in June 1986. Among other things it decided that the 1987 Conference of the Association will take place in Saskatchewan, the next Seminar in Prince Edward Island and the next Speakers' Conference in Winnipeg.

The Council approved grants for two Special projects. The first, a seminar on free trade to be held in Washington in the autumn of 1986, will be organized by the Centre for Legislative Exchange. The second project is a conference on the Parliamentary Tradition in Canada. It will bring together parliamentarians, professors and legislative staff from across Canada to discuss the future of parliamentary government in this country.

The annual conference of the Canadian Region of CPA was held in Toronto from July 26 to August 2, 1986. Every province and territories sent delegates and there were also observers from legislatures in the United Kingdom, the United States, the Commonwealth of Australia, South Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada, as well as the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

The Conference was opened by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Lincoln Alexander and the keynote speech was delivered by David MacDonald, former Member of Parliament and Co-ordinator of African Famine Relief.

One of the subjects on the agenda was: Is Canada's Water for Sale? The speakers were Frank Quinn of Environment Canada, Thornas Kierans, Kenneth Hare and Karl Morin-Strom, MPP (Ontario). Canadian Forest policy was discussed by a panel consisting of Joe Bird of the Ontario Forest Industries Association, Professor Les Reed, and two legislators, Floyd Laughren (Ontario) and Neil J. LeBlanc (Nova Scotia).

Richard Brown a former Research Director of the Ontario Task Force on Employment and Technology, Glenna Carr, Assistant Deputy Minister of Skills Development, Jean Joly, MNA (Quebec) and Thomas Hickey, MLA (Newfoundland) were on a panel looking at Canada's workforce in transition.

A panel on the subject of the family farm and its future consisted of Elmer Allan of Unifarm, Harry Pelissero of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Walter Johnson, MLA (Saskatchewan) and Speaker Charles Gallagher, MLA (New Brunswick).

The question of acid rain was discussed by Professor Harold Harvey, Ron Taborek of Ontario Hydro, Norman Rubin of Energy Probe and Brian Charlton, MPP (Ontario).

Finally the subject of relations between Provinces and States was examined by Gerald Regan former MP, Roy Romanow, Maximilien Polak, MNA (Quebec) and Irving J. Stolberg, President elect of the National Conference on State Legislatures (NCSL).

A number of social activities including dinners hosted by the Government of Ontario and by Speaker Hugh Edighoffer were much appreciated by all delegates and observers.

The 17th African Regional Seminar of CPA was held in Malawi in June. For the first time a Canadian observer was in attendance. The Chairman of the federal branch, Lloyd Crouse, is shown here with Speaker Mati of Kenya and a group of Kenyan parliamentarians.

New Speaker in Alberta

Born in Saskatchewan and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta David Carter graduated in 1958 from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Arts. He has a Licentiate in Theology, and a Doctor of Divinity from St John's College, Winnipeg as well as a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Anglican Theological College, University of British Columbia.

From 1965 to 1969 Dr. Carter was Chaplain for the University of Calgary, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and Mount Royal College, where he had a special interest in the development of student housing. His appointments include Rector, Cathedral Church of the Redeemer; Dean, Anglican Diocese of Calgary; and Senator, University of Calgary. He has written seven books on Western Canadian history and poetry.

Dr. Carter was employed by NOVA, an Alberta Corporation from 1982-1986 and is active in many community activities in Calgary. First elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1979 and re-elected in 1982 and 1986, he became Speaker of the Assembly in June 1986.

New Lieutenant Governor in Newfoundland

James McGrath long-time Conservative Member of Parliament for St. John's was named Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland by the Prime Minister on July 18.

First elected to the House of Commons in 1957 and re-elected at every subsequent election except 1963, Mr. McGrath was Minister of Fisheries in the Joe Clark government in 1979. In 1984 he was named Chairman of a Special Committee on Reform of the House of Commons. Its reports led to numerous changes in the rules and procedures of the House. He was also chairman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and an active participant in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association throughout his career.

Legislative Librarian in New Brunswick

The new Legislative Librarian for New Brunswick is Eric L. Swanik. A graduate of the universities of Carleton, McGill and Leeds, he was formerly in charge of the government section of the library.

Roderick Lewis Retires

On July 2, on the occasion of his 75th birthday, Roderick Lewis, announced his retirement as Clerk of the House. He joined the Assembly as Assistant Clerk in 1946, and succeeded his father, Major Alex C. Lewis, as Clerk in 1955. In tribute, the Legislature adopted a motion "to express its appreciation to Roderick Lewis for his dedication and years of service as Clerk of the Ontario Legislative Assembly and [ordered] that, notwithstanding the customs of Parliament, the Clerk be invited to address the House." With the mace on the Table indicating the House was still in session, Mr. Lewis expressed his appreciation for this honour and for the friendships he had formed with members on all sides of the House. He concluded by thanking all Members "for their kindness, their patience and their words."