Debates of May 16, 2007 (day 8)

Agreed.

Clause 22.

Agreed.

Clause 23.

Agreed.

Clause 24.

Agreed.

Clause 25.

Agreed.

Clause 26.

Agreed.

Clause 27.

Agreed.

Clause 28.

Agreed.

Clause 29.

Agreed.

Clause 30.

Agreed.

Clause 31.

Agreed.

Clause 32.

Agreed.

Clause 33.

Agreed.

Clause 34.

Agreed.

Clause 35.

Agreed.

Clause 36.

Agreed.

Clause 37.

Agreed.

Clause 38.

Agreed.

Clause 39.

Agreed.

Agreed, thank you. Bill as a whole.

Agreed.

Does the committee agree that Bill 5 is ready for third ready?

Agreed.

Agreed, thank you. Bill 5 is now ready for third reading. Thank you, Minister Roland, and your witnesses.

Thank you, committee. We will now consider Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. I'd like to ask the Member responsible for Bill 16 to introduce the bill. Mr. Miltenberger.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Bill 16 amends the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act by updating the criteria whereby Members are eligible for a transition allowance when they leave office. The amendment clarifies that Members are eligible for a transition allowance when they voluntarily resign their seat.

Mr. Chair, I view this amendment as a clarification of the original intent of the Legislature when it introduced the allowance. Members may, from time to time, be required to resign their seats for a wide variety of reasons including illness, personal tragedy or family concerns. In my view, Members should not lose their entitlement to the allowance they have accrued, due to unfortunate circumstances such as these. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. I'm wondering now if you'd like to bring in witnesses.

Mr. Chair, Mr. Mercer will assist if need be, and Mr. Boyd.

Okay. Does committee agree?

Agreed.

Agreed, thanks, committee. General comments on Bill 16. Mr. Pokiak.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just for the record, at this present time regarding Bill 16, I don't think I will support this. Personally, I think it's coming in at sort of a late stage in the game when we're almost completing the 15th Assembly. I understand the intent of the bill but, again, we've only got four months to go for the 15th Assembly and I think something like this would be more entitled for the 16th Assembly. So I'd just like to let you know, Mr. Chairman, that I will not support this bill. Thank you.