This news release has been updated to clarify legislative terminology.
The first sitting for the 36th Legislative Assembly concluded on Thursday.
The sitting included a Speech from the Throne, a supplementary budget and member appointments to various standing committees. The Speech from the Throne highlighted the new Government of Yukon’s priorities for the territory, including housing, affordability, health care, education, safety, private-sector success, improved decision making and deepening relationships with Yukon First Nations.
Whistle Bend North MLA Yvonne Clarke was elected by members as the Yukon Legislative Assembly’s 27th Speaker and the first Filipino Speaker in Canadian parliamentary history.
To enhance the legislative process and oversight in the territory, members were appointed to: the Members’ Services Board; Standing Committee on Public Accounts; Standing Committee on Rules, Elections and Privileges; Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments; and the Standing Committee on Appointments to Major Government Boards and Committees.
This sitting allowed us to ensure government has the funds needed to make it through to the spring budget without special warrants. I look forward to presenting a budget in the spring that outlines how we will begin to implement our vision for the territory. The members appointed to the standing committees bring expertise and dedication that will greatly enhance the functioning of these important committees. These appointments reflect our commitment to upholding the highest standards of governance in the Yukon.
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The Speech from the Throne describes the government’s legislative agenda and is delivered by the Commissioner of Yukon.
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A legislative assembly consists of sessions and sittings. A ‘session’ refers to a period of time when government works on items laid out by the Speech of the Throne. A ‘sitting’ refers to a period of days when government is in legislative assembly, or the house.
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Each session begins with a Speech from the Throne and can end when the government has a new legislative agenda (prorogation) or when the assembly is dissolved for a general election.
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During the first sitting after a general election, Standing Order 45 says that there are four committees that need to be formed.
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
867-335-2419
[email protected]