Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Standing Committee on Social Programs conducted a public review of Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Summary Convictions Procedures Act, at a meeting on December 11, 2009. Bill 7 makes amendments to the Summary Conviction Procedures Act. The amendments will allow a justice to enter a conviction and impose the specific penalty in cases where a person who has been summonsed to appear before the justice by way of a ticket fails to either pay the specific penalty or to appear as summonsed. As well, Bill 7 increases the maximum fine for failing to appear before a justice as required, and other minor amendments are made to the terminology.
Following a clause-by-clause review, a motion was carried to report to the Assembly that Bill 7 is now ready for consideration in Committee of the Whole.
This concludes the committee’s general comments. Individual Members may have comments or questions as we proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.