Journals for Thursday, December 2, 2004 were adopted by the House without amendment.

Transcription

1 Prince Edward Island Daily Journal for the Legislative Assembly for Tuesday, December 7, 2004 The House met at 2:00 p.m. PRAYERS ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS Journals: Journals for Thursday, December 2, 2004 were adopted by the House without amendment. Matters of Privilege: Statements by Members: Doors were opened 2:11 Jim Bagnall (Government House Leader) made a Statement recognizing the Montague Lions Club s annual Christmas Toy Project. Wilbur MacDonald (Belfast-Pownal Bay) made a Statement encouraging Islanders to be blood donors. 2:15 Richard Brown (Charlottetown-Kings Square) made a Statement congratulating Libba Mobbs, recipient of the Dr. O Hanley Award of Excellence. 2:16 Questions by Members: Statements by Ministers: 2:57 Honourable Elmer MacFadyen (Community and Cultural Affairs) made a Statement update on the Historic Places Initiative, a joint effort of the provincial and federal government. 2:59 Richard Brown (Charlottetown-Kings Square) added his comments. 3:02 Honourable Michael Currie (Development and Technology) made a Statement announcing that the value of building permits on Prince Edward Island is now $30 million. Honourable Leader of the Opposition added his comments. Presenting and Receiving Petitions:

2 The following Private Bills were introduced and read a First Time, and referred to the Standing Committee on Rules, Privileges and Private Bills: An Act to Repeal the Association Musee Acadien Inc. Act (Bill No. 200) by Wilfred Arsenault (Evangeline-Miscouche). An Act to Amend the Baptist Church Act (Bill No. 201) by Richard Brown (Charlottetown- Kings Square). Tabling of Documents: Honourable Philip Brown (Tourism), on behalf of Honourable Kevin MacAdam (Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture) tabled, by Command, the Annual Report of the Agriculture Research Investment Fund Inc. for the period ending March 31, Honourable Elmer MacFadyen (Community and Cultural Affairs), rising on a matter of privilege, clarified statements in a media report concerning exemptions pursuant to Section 17 of the Lands Protection Act. Honourable Mitch Murphy (Provincial Treasurer) tabled, by Command, the Annual Report of the Civil Service Superannuation Fund for the period ending March 31, Reports by Committees: Introduction of Government Bills: The following Bills were introduced and read a First Time: An Act to Amend the Legal Profession Act (Bill No. 21) by Honourable Mildred Dover (Attorney General). An Act to Amend the Highway Traffic Act (Bill No. 20) by Honourable Gail Shea (Transportation and Public Works). An Act to Amend the Museum Act (Bill No. 19) by Honourable Elmer MacFadyen (Community and Cultural Affairs). Stray Livestock Act (Bill No. 18) by Honourable Philip Brown (Tourism) on behalf of Honourable Kevin MacAdam (Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture). GOVERNMENT MOTIONS: ORDERS OF THE DAY - GOVERNMENT: The following Bill was read a Second Time and referred to a Committee of the Whole House:

3 AN ACT TO AMEND THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING ACT (Bill No. 17) Promoter: Honourable Mildred Dover Chair: Dr. David McKenna After some time spent therein, Honourable Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair and the Chairperson reported the Bill agreed to with amendment. ORDERED, that the Report of the Committee be adopted. 3:31 Honourable Mitch Murphy (Provincial Treasurer) sought, and received, consent of the House to revert to GOVERNMENT MOTIONS: Honourable Michael Currie moved, seconded by Wilfred Arsenault the following Motion for a Resolution (Motion No. 5): WHEREAS much of Canada s success as a country is due to the contributions immigrants have made toward Canada s economic development and viability; AND WHEREAS Canadians take pride in the multicultural composition of our society; AND WHEREAS immigrants with education and skills would assist in advancing the productivity of the Canadian economy; AND WHEREAS considering an aging population and low birth rates, expansion in our labour force will slow significantly; AND WHEREAS this limitation could be offset if the Prince Edward Island government adopts a leadership role in developing programs aimed at attracting and retaining highly skilled immigrants to Prince Edward Island; AND WHEREAS Canadian institutions including colleges, universities, regulatory bodies, sector councils, service providers, communities and employers can play a role in assisting immigrants with their integration into our society; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the issue of attracting new immigrants to Prince Edward Island be forwarded for study and consultation to the Standing Committee on Community Affairs and Economic Development. Debate was commenced by the Mover, continued by the Seconder (3:47); Honourable Leader of the Opposition (4:00); Honourable Mitch Murphy (Provincial Treasurer) (4:09); Wilbur MacDonald (Belfast-Pownal Bay) (4:24); Wayne Collins (Winsloe-West Royalty) (4:33); and Wes MacAleer (Charlottetown-Spring Park) (4:45). 4:54 There being no further speakers, the Mover then closed the debate. Honourable Mr. Speaker put the Question which was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY and resolved accordingly.

4 4:55 Honourable Mr. Speaker declared recess until 7:00 p.m. Motions Other Than Government: 7:00 P.M. The following Private Members Bill was introduced and read a First Time: An Act to Amend the Environmental Protection Act (No. 2) (Bill No. 105) by Richard Brown (Charlottetown-Kings Square). Honourable Robert Ghiz moved, seconded by Richard Brown, the following Motion for a Resolution (Motion No. 23): WHEREAS drinking and driving remains a major cause of death on our Island highways and is a serious problem requiring public policy attention; AND WHEREAS Prince Edward Island has recently established a chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and is willing to work cooperatively with the Legislature and Cabinet to develop initiatives that will assist in addressing drinking and driving in Prince Edward Island; AND WHEREAS November 22, 2004 marks the beginning of MADD s Red Ribbon Campaign aimed at creating awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving; AND WHEREAS Prince Edward Island s impaired driving laws have recently been ranked eleventh out of thirteen provincial and territorial jurisdictions, down three places from 2000; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly call upon the Standing Committee on Social Development to consult with MADD, Students Against Drunk Driving, the Attorney General s Office, law enforcement experts, the medical community and other interested parties in an effort to define a strategy that aims to dramatically reduce the instances of drinking and driving in Prince Edward Island; THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Standing Committee on Social Development report back to the Legislature in six months with a report that recommends the required legislative, public education, funding and other initiatives that will help reduce instances of drinking and driving on Prince Edward Island. Debate was commenced by the Mover (7:05); continued by the Seconder (7:16); Honourable Gail Shea (Transportation and Public Works) (7:24); who moved, seconded by Honourable Elmer MacFadyen (Community and Cultural Affairs), the following amendment: Delete the fourth WHEREAS clause and substitute the following: WHEREAS a provincial impaired driving strategy, including the work of government, law enforcement and other community partners is an ongoing initiative of government; In the first operative clause, insert the words the Impaired Driving Strategy Committee after the words medical community and delete the words

5 parties in an effort to define a strategy that aims to dramatically reduce the instances of drinking and driving in Prince Edward Island and substitute the word Islanders. In the final operative clause, delete all words after the words a report and substitute the following: to identify measures and goals to be addressed by the extension of the Provincial Impaired Driving Strategy. Debate on the amendment was commenced by the Mover; continued by the Seconder; Honourable Leader of the Opposition (7:42); Honourable Mitch Murphy (Provincial Treasurer) (7:45); and Ron MacKinley (North River-Rice Point) (7:56). There being no further debate on the amendment, Honourable Mr. Speaker put the Question which was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY and resolved accordingly. Debate on the Motion, as amended, was continued by Honourable Mildred Dover (Education and Attorney General) (8:05); Ron MacKinley (North River-Rice Point) (8:15); Honourable Philip Brown (Tourism) (8:18); Wes MacAleer (Charlottetown-Spring Park) (8:25); Dr. David McKenna (Glen Stewart-Bellevue Cove) (8:28); Honourable Premier (8:31); and Eva Rodgerson (West Point-Bloomfield) (8:37). 8:40 There being no further speakers, the Mover then closed the debate. Honourable Mr. Speaker put the Question on the Motion, as amended, which was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY and resolved accordingly. ORDERS OF THE DAY - GOVERNMENT 8:44 The Order of the Day being read for the adjourned debate on the Draft Address, Honourable Mr. Speaker called on Cletus Dunn (Alberton-Miminegash) to resume the debate; continued by Wilbur MacDonald (Belfast-Pownal Bay) (8:58); and, on his Motion, debate was adjourned. ADJOURNMENT: On Motion of Jim Bagnall (Government House Leader), seconded by Wilbur MacDonald (Belfast-Pownal Bay), the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8, Charles H. MacKay Clerk of the Legislative Assembly