Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the point of privilege, committee advertised this bill and held public hearings and I would have to agree with the committee chair that the process was as is normal with our bills. The committee directed us after the first hearing with me to consider bringing forward some amendments and we did that. Then we were asked to bring them to the floor so that everybody could debate them. Again, that's entirely within the standard process for committees. The amendments, Mr. Speaker, quite clearly are within the scope and principle of the bill, they are not substantive. The purpose of this bill is to amend several acts to ensure that references to spouse appropriately capture persons who live in spousal relationships outside marriage. That is the purpose of this bill and that is what has been accommodated through not only the bill, but the amendments. So I would say that there has been no breach of privilege in this instance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Charles Dent on Bill 17: Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act
In the Legislative Assembly on March 10th, 2005. See this statement in context.
Bill 17: Modernization Of Benefits And Obligations Act
Item 20: Third Reading Of Bills
March 9th, 2005
Page 1980
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