Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act currently provides survivor benefits to a Member or a former Member’s dependent children if they are less than the age of majority or if they are under the age of 25, unmarried and attending school or university on a full-time basis.

The amendments to the Legislative Assembly Retiring Allowances Act and the Supplementary Retiring Allowances Act will broaden the definition of a child to include an adult child who is dependent on a Member or a former Member for the necessities of life. This definition mirrors the Canada Income Tax Act definition of a child and will entitle a Member or a former Member’s adult dependent child to survivor pension benefits.

These amendments were drafted at the request of a current pensioner and are supported by the Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly.