Thank you, Mr. Chair. On behalf of the Legislative Assembly Board of Management, I am pleased to appear before you in a moment's time today with respect to Bill 56: An Act to Amend the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act, No. 2. Members will recall that this is the second bill to amend this act during the current session. Whereas the first bill, Bill 55, made a number of miscellaneous amendments to the act, the bill before you is focused largely on part 3, which addresses conflicts of interest. Specifically, the bill makes changes to the oaths of office and allegiance sworn by all Members and adds a third oath, the oath of loyalty. The bill also makes provision for the adoption of a code of conduct by the Legislative Assembly which will be enforceable by an Integrity Commissioner who will also carry out the duties of the current Conflict of Interest Commissioner. Finally, Bill 56 clarifies the obligations of Members with respect to the acceptance of personal gifts and personal benefits.
This bill is the culmination of one of the first actions taken by this Assembly in its first days in office and the direction of this Legislative Assembly that resulted from the excellent work and recommendations of the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures.
A number of important amendments were made to the bill at standing committee, which I was pleased to support.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am happy to respond to any questions Members may now have at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Chair.