Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures tabled Committee Report 3-16(3), Report on the Use of Laptop Computers and BlackBerry Devices, in the Legislative Assembly on February 11, 2009. This was the first report to examine a number of issues pertaining to the use of portable electronic devices by Members of the Assembly and committee staff in the performance of their duties. The report reviewed the practices in other jurisdictions as well as the purpose of portable communication devices. The report recommended that Members be allowed to use laptop computers during Committee of the Whole proceedings for the winter 2009 sitting of the House and that an evaluation of laptop usage take place at the conclusion of that sitting. This recommendation was accepted by the House, with Committee Motion 3-16(3) being adopted on February 19, 2009. Committee Motion 3-16(3) also stated that communication devices cannot be used by a Member who has the floor and that a Member who has the floor must have his or her laptop computer closed.
At the conclusion of the winter 2009 sitting, the committee contacted each Member of the Assembly to solicit their opinion on the use of portable communication devices. The committee tabled Committee Report 8-16(3) on June 1, 2009, and on the same date Committee Motion 49-16(3) was adopted in Committee of the Whole. This motion allowed for the continued use of laptop computers during Committee of the Whole proceedings for the balance of the 2009 calendar year and called for a further evaluation in 2010. It should be noted that the use of electronic devices continued to be prohibited by any Member who had the floor.
On May 26, 2009, the chair of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures, Mr. Robert Hawkins, introduced the matter at Caucus for further consultation. Direction from Caucus indicated that Members agreed with the use of laptop computers and other hand-held communication devices during Committee of the Whole proceedings. Members also agreed that portable communication devices were not to be used by a Member who has the floor and that a Member who has the floor must have his or her laptop computer closed.
Following the direction provided by Caucus, committee members then reviewed the rules governing the use of laptop computers and other electronic devices in other jurisdictions. The results of this review are attached as Appendix A to this report. In Canada, 10 of 13 legislatures allow the use of portable electronic devices during some part of their proceedings.
As a result of the reviews and consultations with Members, the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures respectfully makes the following recommendations:
The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that Members be permitted to use laptop computers and other hand-held electronic devices only during Committee of the Whole proceedings;
and further, that laptop computers and other hand-held electronic communication devices are not to be used by a Member who has the floor;
and furthermore, that a Member who has the floor must have his or her laptop computer closed and/or his or her hand-held electronic device turned off.
The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that any electronic device used in the Chamber must be on silent mode at all times.
The Standing Committee on Rules and procedures recommends that the use of laptop computers and hand-held electronic devices continue to be administered through the sole discretion of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly or the Chair of Committee of the Whole and if the use of any electronic device is deemed to impinge on the decorum of dignity of the House, the offending Member may be ordered to discontinue use.
The Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures recommends that the guidelines governing the use of laptop computers and hand-held electronic devices be set out in a document entitled “Direction Regarding the Use of Electronic Communication Devices in Committee of the Whole” and that the document be attached as an appendix to the Rules of the Legislative Assembly.
And that concludes the report, Mr. Speaker.
