UTGB Vol 5.pdf - Robson Hall Faculty of Law

A Prescription in the Public Interest
Bill 207, The Medical Amendment Act
THERESA VANDEAN DANYLUK
I.1N1RODUCTION
''when there are [private members'] proposals that the government
finds in the public interest, I think there is a more recent
developing interest to work together and get these proposals
moving." 1
Generally, the passage of Private Members' Bills ("PMB") 1 into law is a rare feat
for opposition members and government backbenchers ("private members"). In
the Manitoba Legislature, this statement is particularly true-since 1992, while
141 PMBs were formulated, 88 of which were printed and introduced in the
House, only four subsequently became law. 3 It should, however, be noted that
these figures do not account for PMBs which, after being introduced by private
members but not passed, are introduced and subsequently passed in whole or in
part through government legislation.
Interview of Hon. Gord Mackintosh, Attorney General and Government House Leader, by
Theresa Danyluk (6 October 2005) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
A private members' bill is a bill presented to the House by either a government
backbencher or an opposition member. There are private members' public bills; dealing
with general legislation, and private members' private bills; used most commonly for the
incorporation of an organization seeking powers, which cannot be granted mder The
Cmporations Act, or for amendments to existing Private Acts of Incorporation. See
Manitoba, Legislative Assembly, "Private Bills, Process for Passage of a Private Bill in the
Legislative Assembly of Manitoban online: The Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
.
Manitoba, Legislative Assembly, Journals, Appendices "C" and "D" from 4Fh Sess., 35ch Leg.,
1992-93-94 to Jd Sess., 38ch Leg., 2004-05. Since 1992, the total number of private
members bills introduced in the House was 141; 53 of those were not printed, two were
ruled out of order, and four were passed. Of these four, one was passed by a government
backbencher, and three were passed by members of opposition parties. See also attached
Tables: Table 1 ("History of Introduction and Passage of Private Members' Public Bills in
Manitoba, 1992-2005") and Table 2 ("Sponsors, Titles and Passage of Private Members'
Public Bills Passed in Manitoba, 1992-2005").