The Fourth Session of the Sixty-third General Assembly resumed on April 5, 2011. It had opened on November 12, 2010, and adjourned to the call of the Speaker on December 9, 2010.
Wes Sheridan, Minister of Finance and Municipal Affairs, introduced his budget on April 6, 2011, which contained expenditures of just over $1.53 billion. Total operating revenue for 2011-2012 is projected at nearly $1.49 billion, with provincial own source revenues forecast at $853 million. Health continued to account for the largest share of provincial expenditure at nearly $533 million; followed by Education and Early Childhood Development at $227 million. Revenue measures announced in the budget address included an increase to taxes on tobacco products, and an increase in liquor prices.
On March 28, 2011, Michael Currie resigned as a member of the Legislative Assembly to run as the Conservative candidate for Cardigan in the 2011 Canadian federal election. Mr. Currie had been first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1996. He served as Minister of Transportation and Public Works from 1996-2000, and Minister of Development and Technology from 2000-2007. Following the 2007 provincial general election, Mr. Currie became the Opposition Critic for Telecommunications, Economic Development and Technology; Transportation and Public Works; Energy; and Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour.
Book of Condolences for the People of Japan
Speaker Kathleen Casey arranged for a book of condolences to be opened at Province House for people to leave messages of support for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. "Prince Edward Island and Japan have a special relationship," said Speaker Casey, "and Islanders naturally want to express their feelings of sympathy and friendship to those affected by the disaster." The book of condolences remained at Province House until the end of April when it was forwarded to the Embassy of Japan in Ottawa.
Renovations in the Legislative Chamber
The Legislative Chamber in historic Province House was refurbished this spring, with a fresh coat of paint, keeping a traditional green colour for the walls and introducing a lighter colour for the doors, baseboards and mouldings. The wood rails which delineate the floor of the Chamber and surround the public gallery were restored using traditional faux graining techniques, as were the black marble bases of the columns. One of the most striking changes was an addition to the canopy over the Speaker's chair. The new top was installed to disguise sound reinforcing equipment which had been visible from the public gallery. The renovation and restoration of the Legislative Chamber was one of the major projects undertaken to mark the 160th anniversary of Responsible Government which is being celebrated throughout 2011 with a number of events and projects.
Robertson Lecture
The public was invited to hear well known Canadian historian, Professor Ian Ross Robertson speaking on "The Road to Responsible Government" at Province House on March 31st.
Professor Robertson, a native of Mermaid, Prince Edward Island, received his early education in the province, including three years of study at Prince of Wales College. He completed a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts at McGill University in Montreal, where he did his thesis on 19th century Prince Edward Island history. Professor Robertson completed his doctoral thesis at the University of Toronto on aspects of the career of Sir Andrew Macphail. Currently, he is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Toronto at Scarborough, where he taught from 1972 to 2007.
The lecture by Professor Robertson was one in a series of events taking place at Province House throughout 2011 in celebration of 160 years of Responsible Government in Prince Edward Island. The lecture series will continue during the year, providing an opportunity to learn more about the historical importance and present day application of the concept of responsible government.
Digitization Project
A digitization project of the Journals of the Legislative Assembly began in March, with the goal of capturing digitally information that is now available only in books held in the University of Prince Edward Island library, the Provincial Archives, the Legislative Library and the Government Services library. Two Hansard staff worked in the Robertson Library at the University of Prince Edward Island where they were trained on the ScanRobot (a self-scanning, state-of-the-art book scanner, the only one in North America, that can digitize about 1,500 pages an hour), and on other equipment pertinent to the project. Once this project is completed, there will be a wealth of statistics, maps, procedural resources, and more available to anyone via the Internet.
Rotary Youth Parliament
The Rotary Youth Parliament took place at Province House on February 11-12, 2011. Now in its twenty-third year, the long-running project is a partnership between the Speaker's and Clerk's offices, the Department of Education, District School Boards, volunteer teacher advisors and Rotary Clubs across Prince Edward Island.
Marian Johnston
Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees
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