The House met at 2:00 p.m.

MR. SPEAKER (Snow): Order, please!

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Mr. Speaker, His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor has arrived.

MR. SPEAKER: Admit His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor.

Mr. Speaker leaves the Chair.

His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor takes the Chair.

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS: Ladies and Gentlemen, it is the wish of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor that all present be seated.

The Second Session of the Forty-Third General Assembly of this Honourable House of Assembly is about to be prorogued, but before releasing you from your duties, I wish to thank you for the careful and sympathetic attention given to the important matters brought before you by My Ministers. Your commitment to your work and diligence in these difficult times deserve our appreciation and acknowledgement.

During this Session Resolutions respecting the Calgary Declaration, the Manitoba Flood and Anti-personnel Landmines were passed by this Honourable House of Assembly. Endorsing the principles of national unity, the Calgary Declaration demonstrated a commitment to our country. Members of this Assembly also expressed concern for the families who suffered hardship during the Manitoba flood. Finally, it is worth remembering My Government's support for C-CORE in its endeavour to develop anti-personnel landmine technology that will assist in ending the horror of landmines.

Fifty pieces of legislation were enacted during this Session of the Honourable House of Assembly. In particular, legislative initiatives were taken in education, finance, health, government services, justice and labour during 1997.

When I opened this Session, My Ministers thought the first stage of the educational reform process would have been in place by the Summer of 1997. Such was not the case. In a Second Referendum held on September 2nd, by an overwhelming majority, the people of this Province gave their support to the elimination of the denominational school system. Following the passage of the Resolution to further amend Term 17 of the Terms of Union in this Assembly and the Parliament of Canada, a new revised Schools Act was enacted. It is the sincerest wish of My Ministers that all our citizens will speak with one voice in striving to provide the best possible education for our children during the years ahead.

My Ministers introduced reforms to two health professionals Acts. The Registered Nurses Act was amended to provide for the licensing of nurse practitioners while the Nursing Assistants Act was amended to change the professional designation from registered nursing assistants to licensed practical nurses. These changes to the law reflect the expansion of the professional role and scope of new duties and responsibilities in the medical field.

The Public Health Act was amended to provide that Government may delegate to community health boards responsibility for child, youth and family services. Community health boards have broadened their mandate to offer services which have been provided by the Department of Human Resources and Employment. This shift from institutions to the community sector will result in an increased coordinated service delivery system for the public.

As stated in My Address opening this Session, My Government wishes to improve the quality of life in Labrador. An Act To Establish the Labrador Transportation Initiative Fund was enacted. This separate fund will channel money to finance specifically the construction of the Trans Labrador Highway and marine service along the coast of Labrador. By linking coastal communities, the highway will integrate Labrador into Canada's national highway system. This will eliminate the isolation of many Labrador communities and provide a major economic development stimulus by creating job opportunities in the area.

During this Session, two Bills to amend the Labour Relations Act were enacted. One Bill enacted in December added provisions to improve the application of our labour relations law with respect to offshore petroleum production platforms. The other amendment permits My Government to declare an undertaking involving the fabrication of works planned to require three years or less, to be a special project under the Act. My Ministers wish to thank Members from both sides of the House for their efforts in making these important changes to the Labour Relations Act meaningful to our citizens.

As part of My Government's effort to revitalize and improve the Workers' Compensation Act, a Bill was enacted to provide for an increase in benefits paid to injured workers from seventy-five to eighty per cent of earnings for the first thirty-nine weeks of earnings loss.

An amendment to expand the service area of the Unified Family Court to include the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsulas was enacted during this Session. This change will see an additional judge assigned to the Unified Family Court. As well, improvements were enacted to the Family Law Act in order to reflect changes in the child support rules.

In an effort to provide more efficient services to the citizens of our Province, the Residential Tenancies Act, the Direct Sellers Act and the Collections Act were amended.

The Human Rights Code was amended to add sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination.

Among the amendments to the Income Tax Act enacted during this Session was a provision, as announced in the 1997 Budget Speech, to provide for harmonized sales tax low income credits. During this Session, An Act Respecting the Good Food Donation and Distribution of Food was also enacted.

Many other significant legislative measures were also enacted during this Session.

I thank you for the large measure of supply you have granted. I assure you that the appropriations that you have granted have been and will be expended by My Ministers with care and efficiency.

It is my pleasure that the Second Session of the Forty-Third General Assembly now be prorogued and is prorogued accordingly.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor leaves the Chamber.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

Pursuant to His Honour's Speech, this House now stands prorogued.