Thank you, Mr. Chair. I’m pleased to provide opening comments on Bill 11, An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act. Bill 11 replaces the existing entitlement for Members to travel to their home community after ten consecutive sitting days with an entitlement to do so after eight consecutive sitting or committee days.
The Board of Management is of the view that the intention of the Legislature in providing this entitlement was that Members not be required to be away from their families for more than two weeks at a time while attending to official Assembly business.
As the provision currently stands, Members are not normally entitled to home travel until nearly three weeks have passed when the House convenes on a day other than Monday, which is normally the case. This provision will allow members to return to their home community to consult with constituents and spend time with their families every second weekend. For this reason I am pleased to support this initiative.
I am available to answer any questions that Members may have.
