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 First Session of the Forty-Fourth 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 work and diligence deserve our appreciation and acknowledgement.

During this Session a Resolution to change the legal name of the Province from Newfoundland to Newfoundland and Labrador was unanimously adopted by this House on April 29, 1999. My Government eagerly awaits the approval and the adoption of this Resolution by both Houses of the Canadian Parliament. It is My Government's opinion that this strictly provincial constitutional change fills the requirements of section 43 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Forty-nine pieces of legislation were enacted during this Session of the Honourable House of Assembly. In particular, legislative initiatives were taken in municipal affairs, resource management, health and community services, justice and finance.

During 1999, the matter of resource management and development occupied the minds of My Ministers, Members of this Honourable House and citizens of our Province. After considerable public debate, this House enacted An Act Respecting The Operation Of Mines And Mills Of The Province.

As stated in My Address opening this Session, My Government introduced a new Adoptions Act to replace a statutory regime whose time has long passed. The new legislation when proclaimed into force this year will be more sensitive to the needs and wishes of both adoptive parents and adoptees.

Extensive consultations were conducted with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities and municipal administrators concerning a new legislative framework for municipal government. During this Session, My Government introduced a new Municipalities Act which will strengthen local decision making.

As I also mentioned in My Address opening this Session, My Government has launched an aggressive campaign to educate our young people about the harmful effects of tobacco use. During this Session amendments were made to the Tobacco Control Act to license the sale of tobacco products thereby providing a better means to prevent the sale of cigarettes to minors.

An Act To Revise The Administration Of The Medical Care Insurance was enacted during this Session. A number of amendments were enacted to the Physiotherapy Act in order to modernize and streamline the various procedures under that Act. As well, a new Law Society Act was enacted to again streamline the procedures of that professional body.

As part of My Government's effort to stimulate the economy and to encourage our citizens to work in this Province, My Government introduced an amendment to the Income Tax Act which will be the first step in reducing the amount of tax payable by individuals on income earned during this taxation year. Assuming the economy of the Province continues to grow and spending is prudent, this policy change will see the income tax payable by individuals fall from 69 per cent of the basic federal tax in 1999 to the equivalent of 49 per cent of the basic federal tax in the 2002 taxation year.

There were also enacted amendments to the Securities Act, the Public Tender Act, the Jury Act, the Environment Act, the Registered Nurses Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Forestry Act, the Schools Act, 1997, the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act, and other significant legislative measures during this Session.

During this Session, the Report of the Select Committee appointed to review the Standing Orders of the House of Assembly was adopted by this Honourable House. Among the salient changes to the existing Standing Orders will be the election of the Honourable the Speaker by secret ballot after the next General Election, the change to the daily sitting times, the inclusion of a procedure for Member's Statements during Routine Proceedings, a revision to the Petition procedure, the inclusion of a parliamentary calender, and a more streamlined procedure in the Committee of Ways and Means and Supply.

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.

MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY:

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

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor leaves the Chamber. Mr. Speaker returns to the Chair.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!

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