DEMOCRATIC REFORM INCREASES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Released on June 13, 2003

Increased public participation in the parliamentary process will result from the implementation of changes to operations of Legislative Committees in Saskatchewan. A motion to implement the changes was introduced by the government today. It calls for the changes to be in place for the next Session of the Legislative Assembly.

A special joint committee chaired by Speaker Myron Kowalsky unanimously recommended the new operating procedures earlier this year.

"The government's recent experiences in making provision for public presentation and discussion on matters pertaining to the recommendations of the Fyke Commission on Medicare and the Action Committee on the Rural Economy have been very positive," Corrections and Public Safety Minister Andrew Thomson said. "The ability to more routinely facilitate citizen input into our deliberations on policy and legislation will strengthen the process of democracy and government in our province."

Thomson, who introduced the implementation motion in the Legislature today, served as co-chair of the special committee. "These changes will make the legislature more accessible, efficient and democratic," Thomson said.

The changes establish four standing committees on human services, the economy, Crown and central agencies, and intergovernmental affairs and infrastructure. The committees will review legislation, budget estimates, and regulations pertaining to their areas of responsibility and will be able to invite public participation in the review process.

A Standing Committee on House Services will consolidate five existing committees related to the operations of the Legislature. The Standing Committees on Public Accounts, Privileges and Private Bills will be retained in their existing form. Except for the Public Accounts Committee, which is chaired by an Opposition member, a government member will chair each committee with the opposition naming a deputy chair.

The new structure and rules will permit committees to conduct business at the same time, thereby providing new efficiencies in reviewing budgetary estimates and legislation. Plans are proceeding to install television and internet broadcast facilities in an existing committee room to ensure public access similar to the Legislative Chamber. A second, similarly equipped committee room will be created in the future.

The special committee was formed three years ago to consider changes that could strengthen the work and role of committees, support public policy development, increase public participation in the parliamentary process and provide an opportunity for private members to increase their role in the overall legislative process. In developing its recommendations, the committee reviewed procedures in other jurisdictions, including the federal parliament, Ontario, British Columbia, New Zealand and the federal and state parliaments of Australia.

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For More Information, Contact:

Carey Robertson Media Services Regina Phone: (306)787-5780