BILL 37

New Brunswick Research and Innovation Council Act

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, enacts as follows:

Definitions

1 The following definitions apply in this Act.

“Council” means the New Brunswick Research and Innovation Council established under section 2. (Conseil)

“fiscal year” means “fiscal year” as defined in the Financial Administration Act. (exercice financier)

Council established

2 The New Brunswick Research and Innovation Council is established.

Council membership

3( 1) The Council shall consist of 17 members composed of the following persons:

(a)  the Premier;

(b)  the Minister of Economic Development;

(c)  the Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour;

(d)  the Leader of the Opposition;

(e)  the Chair of the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation;

(f)  the Chair of the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation;

(g)  a representative from a national research organization;

(h)  a representative from a public university;

(i)  a representative from a community college; and

(j)  eight representatives from industry.

3( 2) On the recommendation of the co-chairs of the Council, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council shall appoint to the Council members for the purposes of paragraphs (1)(g) to (j).

3( 3) The co-chairs of the Council shall be the Premier and the person appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council from among the members referred to in paragraph (1)(j).

3( 4) A member appointed under subsection (2) and a co-chair appointed under subsection (3) shall be appointed to hold office for a term of up to three years.

3( 5) A member appointed under subsection (2) and a co-chair appointed under subsection (3) are eligible for reappointment.

First appointed members of the Council

4( 1) Despite subsections 3(2) and (3), the Premier shall appoint to the Council the first members for the purposes of paragraphs 3(1)(g) to (j) and shall appoint from among the members referred to in paragraph 3(1)(j) a first co-chair of the Council.

4( 2) Subsections 3(3) to (5) apply, with the necessary modifications, to appointments made under subsection (1).

Vacancies and meetings

5( 1) A vacancy on the Council does not impair the capacity of the Council to act.

5( 2) If a vacancy occurs during the term of an appointed member of the Council, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council may appoint a person to serve the remainder of that member’s term.

5( 3) If an appointed member of the Council is not reappointed or replaced on the expiry of his or her term, the member’s subsequent reappointment or the appointment of a replacement shall be deemed to have taken place immediately after the expiration of the member’s term.

5( 4) The Council shall meet at least three times in each year.

Remuneration and expenses

6( 1) The Lieutenant-Governor in Council may fix the remuneration of a member of the Council referred to in paragraph 3(1)(j).

6( 2) A member of the Council is entitled to be reimbursed for accommodation, meal and travel expenses reasonably incurred in connection with his or her duties on the Council in accordance with the Board of Management travel policy guidelines, as amended.

Objects of the Council

7( 1) The Council shall advise and make recommendations to the Executive Council on all aspects of research and innovation and on the development and commercialization of technology in order to advance these activities in New Brunswick and to foster increased coordination within government and increased collaboration between government and the business, industry, post-secondary education and research communities.

7( 2) The Council shall make recommendations to the business, industry, post-secondary education and research communities with respect to a long-term course of action for research and development and the commercialization of technology.

7( 3) The Council shall provide ongoing leadership by encouraging a shift in the New Brunswick economy towards an economy based on innovation and technology and by providing direction and focus for future economic growth.

Recommendations of the Council

8( 1) After the date of a provincial general election and before the expiry of the time limit in subsection (3), the Council shall make recommendations to the Executive Council with respect to a multi-year policy and budgetary framework for research, innovation and the commercialization of technology.

8( 2) After receiving recommendations from the Council, the Executive Council shall prepare and publish a report containing a policy and budgetary framework for research, innovation and the commercialization of technology.

8( 3) The Executive Council shall publish the report referred to in subsection (2) within 12 months after the date of a provincial general election.

Annual report

9( 1) Before the expiry of the time limit in subsection (2), the Council shall submit to the Executive Council an annual report that contains a status report on the goals and objectives set out in the policy and budgetary framework referred to in section 8.

9( 2) The Executive Council shall publish an annual report within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which the report relates.

Additional studies and reports

10( 1) On the Council’s own initiative or at the request of the Executive Council, the Council may prepare or cause to be prepared studies or reports relating to research, innovation and the commercialization of technology.

10( 2) A study or report referred to in subsection (1) may be submitted to the Executive Council for consideration and publication.