Bill 40 - An Act to Amend the Members' Conflict of Interest Act

BILL 40

An Act to Amend the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act

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

1( 1) The title of the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act, chapter M-7.01 of the Acts of New Brunswick, 1999, is repealed in the French version and the following is substituted:

Loi sur les conflits d’intérêts des membres

1( 2) If in any Act, other than this Act, or in any regulation, rule, order, by-law, agreement or other instrument or document, reference is made to the Loi sur les conflits d’intérêts des députés et des membres du Conseil exécutif, it shall be read, unless the context otherwise requires, as a reference to the Loi sur les conflits d’intérêts des membres.

2 Section 1 of the Act is amended

(a) by repealing the definition « conjoint » in the French version and substituting the following:

« conjoint » désigne la personne qui est mariée à un membre ou celle qui, sans être mariée à un membre, vit avec lui dans le contexte d’une relation conjugale, exclusion faite de celle qui, étant mariée à un membre, vit séparée de lui et : (spouse)

a) ou bien a conclu avec lui une entente écrite par laquelle ils ont convenu de vivre séparés;

b) ou bien est assujettie à une ordonnance de séparation de la cour;

(b) in the French version by repealing the following definitions:

“député” ou “membre du Conseil exécutif”;

“président de l’Assemblée législative”;

(c) in the definition « enfant » in the French version by striking out “un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “un membre”;

(d) in paragraph (c) of the definition « intérêt privé » in the French version by striking out “d’un député ou d’un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “d’un membre”;

(e) by adding the following definitions in alphabetical order:

“blind management agreement” means a management agreement that meets the requirements of section 3.1; (convention de gestion sans droit de regard)

“employee” means a person employed in the public service; (employé)

“immediate family member” means (membre de la famille immédiate)

(a) a member’s spouse,

(b) a member’s child who is under 18 years of age, and

( i) resides in the primary residence owned or controlled by the member or the member’s spouse; and

( ii) is financially dependent on the member or the member’s spouse;

“public service” means public service as defined in the Public Service Labour Relations Act; (services publics)

“reprisal” means any of the following measures taken against an employee because the employee has, in good faith, provided information or given evidence in a proceeding under this Act to the Commissioner or to a person employed in the Office of the Integrity Commissioner: (représailles)

(a) a disciplinary measure;

(b) a demotion;

(d) any measure that adversely affects his or her employment or working conditions;

(e) a threat to take any of the measures referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d);

(f) in the French version by adding the following definitions in alphabetical order:

« membre » s’entend d’un député de l’Assemblée législative et s’entend également d’un membre du Conseil exécutif; (member)

« président de l’Assemblée » s’entend du président de l’Assemblée législative du Nouveau-Brunswick; (Speaker)

3 The heading “Personne réputée être député” preceding section 2 of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “député” and substituting “membre”.

4 Section 2 of the French version of the Act is repealed and the following is substituted:

2 Aux fins d’application de la présente loi et exception faite du paragraphe 18(3), la personne qui cesse d’être membre de l’Assemblée à la suite de sa dissolution et qui le redevient par suite de l’élection suivante est réputée avoir été membre de l’Assemblée pendant la période durant laquelle elle a cessé d’être membre jusqu’au moment où l’elle redevenue.

5 Section 3 of the Act is amended

(a) in the portion preceding paragraph (a) of the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre”;

(b) in paragraph (b) of the French version by striking out “du député ou du membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “du membre”;

(c) in paragraph (c) of the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre”;

(d) by repealing paragraph (e) and substituting the following:

(e) when the assets in a trust consist of securities, stocks, futures or commodities, the trustees shall annually give the Commissioner and the member a written report stating the value, but not the nature, of the assets in the trust; and

(e) in paragraph (f) of the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre”.

6 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 3:

Blind management agreement

3.1 For the purposes of this Act, a management agreement is a blind management agreement if a member entrusts his or her interest in property to one or more managers on the following terms:

(a) the provisions of the management agreement shall be approved by the Commissioner;

(b) the managers shall be persons who are at arm’s length with the member and approved by the Commissioner;

(c) the managers shall not consult with the member with respect to managing the assets under management, but may consult with the Commissioner;

(d) subject to paragraph (e), the managers shall annually give the Commissioner a written report stating the nature of the assets under management, the net income for the preceding year and the managers’ fees, if any;

(e) when the assets under management consist of securities, stocks, futures or commodities, the managers shall annually give the Commissioner and the member a written report stating the value, but not the nature, of the assets; and

(f) with respect to the assets described in paragraph (e), the management agreement shall provide that the member may, at any time, instruct the managers to liquidate all or part of the assets under management and pay the proceeds over to the member.

7 The heading “DISPOSITIONS APPLICABLES À TOUS LES DÉPUTÉS OU MEMBRES DU CONSEIL EXÉCUTIF” preceding section 4 of the French version of the Act is repealed and the following is substituted:

DISPOSITIONS APPLICABLES À TOUS LES MEMBRES

8 Section 4 of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “un membre”.

9 Section 5 of the French version of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) by striking out “Un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and “de député ou de membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “Un membre” and “de membre” respectively;

(b) in subsection (2) by striking out “Un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “Un membre” .

10 Section 6 of the Act is repealed and the following is substituted:

6 A member shall not use his or her office to seek to influence a decision made or to be made by another person so as to further the member’s private interest or to further another person’s private interest.

11 Section 7 of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “les députés” and substituting “les membres de l’Assemblée”.

12 Section 8 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) by striking out “A member” and substituting “A member or a member’s immediate family member”;

(b) in subsection (2) of the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” and “fonctions” and substituting “le membre ou par un membre de sa famille immédiate” and “fonctions de membre” respectively;

(c) in subsection (3) by striking out “the member shall file a gift disclosure statement with the Commissioner without delay” and substituting “the member shall, without delay, file with the Commissioner a gift disclosure statement of his or her own or a gift disclosure statement on behalf of his or her immediate family member, as the case may be”.

13 Section 9 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) in the French version by striking out “tout député ou à tout membre du Conseil exécutif” and “le député ou membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “tout membre” and “le membre” respectively;

(b) in subsection (2) of the French version by striking out “tout député ou à tout membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “tout membre”;

(d) in subsection (4) of the French version by striking out “du député ou du membre du Conseil exécutif” wherever it appears and substituting “du membre”;

(e) in subsection (5)

( i) by striking out “blind trust” and substituting “blind trust or to one or more managers of a blind management agreement”;

( ii) in the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre”;

(f) in subsection (6) of the French version by striking out “un député ou à un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “un membre”;

(g) in subsection (7) of the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre”;

(h) by adding after subsection (7) the following:

9( 8) No member shall permit a person acting on the member’s behalf to enter into a contractual or employment relationship on behalf of the Province with an immediate family member of the member or an immediate family member of another member, except in accordance with an impartial administrative process in which the member plays no part.

9( 9) This section does not apply to an appointment made under section 18 of the Civil Service Act.

9( 10) This section does not apply to a contract for goods or services if the conditions on which the contract is awarded, approved or granted are the same for all persons similarly entitled.

14 Section 10 of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “un membre”.

15 Section 11 of the French version of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) by striking out “un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and “provisoire” and substituting “un membre” and “temporaire” respectively;

(b) in subsection (2) by striking out “Un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “Un membre”.

16 Section 12 of the French version of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1)

( i) in the portion preceding paragraph (a) by striking out “un député ou à un membre du Conseil exécutif pour la seule raison que le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “un membre pour la seule raison que celui-ci”;

( ii) in paragraph (g) by striking out “députés” and substituting “membres de l’Assemblée”;

(b) in subsection (2) by striking out “un député” and “le député” and substituting “un membre de l’Assemblée” and “le membre” respectively.

17 Section 13 of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “Un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “Un membre”.

18 Section 14 of the Act is amended by adding after subsection (3) the following:

Blind management agreement

14( 3.1) A member of the Executive Council may comply with paragraphs (1)(c) or (d) if the member entrusts his or her interest in the property to one or more managers under a blind management agreement.

Divest business interest

14( 3.2) A member of the Executive Council may comply with paragraphs (1)(c) or (d) if the member divests his or her interest in the partnership or sole proprietorship, sells the securities, stocks, futures or commodities that he or she holds or ceases trading in securities, stocks, future or commodities, as the case may be.

19 The heading “DISPOSITIONS APPLICABLES À TOUS LES ANCIENS DÉPUTÉS” preceding section 17.1 of the French version of the Act is repealed and the following is substituted:

DISPOSITIONS APPLICABLES AUX ANCIENS MEMBRES

20 The heading “Restrictions applicables à tous les anciens députés” preceding section 17.1 of the French version of the Act is repealed and the following is substituted:

Restrictions applicables aux anciens membres

21 Section 17.1 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1)

( i) in the portion preceding paragraph (a) by striking out “member of the Assembly” and substituting “member”;

( ii) in paragraph (c) by striking out “, or” at the end of the paragraph and substituting a period;

( iii) by repealing paragraph (d);

(b) in subsection (2) of the French version

( i) in paragraph (b) by striking out “l’ancien député” and substituting “l’ancien membre”;

( ii) by repealing paragraph (c) and substituting the following:

c) l’ancien membre reçoit un avantage financier attribué ou accordé par la Couronne pour des services comparables à ceux qu’il lui fournissait avant de devenir membre.

( i) by repealing the portion preceding paragraph (a) and substituting the following:

17.1( 3) Despite paragraph (1)(c), a former member may, within 12 months after the date on which the former member ceased to be a member, be employed by the Crown in the following circumstances:

( ii) by repealing paragraph (a) and substituting the following:

(a) the former member is employed in a position comparable to the position that he or she held before becoming a member;

( iii) by adding after paragraph (a) the following:

(a.1) the former member is appointed as a judge as defined in the Provincial Court Act;

(a.2) the former member is employed as a deputy head as defined in the Civil Service Act whose primary function is to give political advice to the Executive Council;

( iv) in paragraph (b) of the French version by striking out “l’ancien député” and substituting “l’ancien membre”,

( v) in paragraph (c) of the French version by striking out “l’ancien député” and substituting “l’ancien membre”;

(d) by adding after subsection (3) the following:

17.1( 4) Despite paragraph (1)(c), unless 48 months have expired after the date on which a former member ceased to be a member, no former member

(a) shall be employed as a deputy head as defined in the Civil Service Act, other than a deputy head whose primary function is to give political advice to the Executive Council, or

(b) is eligible to be appointed as an officer of the Assembly.

22 Section 18 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) of the French version by striking out “Tous les députés et tous les membres du Conseil exécutif doivent déposer” and substituting “Tous les membres déposent”;

(b) in subsection (2) of the French version

( i) in paragraph (a) by striking out “député” and substituting “membre”;

( ii) in paragraph (b) by striking out “député” and substituting “membre”;

(d) by repealing subsection (4) and substituting the following:

18( 4) Subject to subsection (5), a private disclosure statement shall contain

(a) a statement of the nature of the assets, liabilities and financial and business interests of the member and of the member’s immediate family members, and of private corporations controlled by the member, the member’s immediate family members, or any of them,

(b) any salary, financial assistance or other benefit the member has received from a registered political party or a registered district association during the preceding 12 months, or is likely to receive during the next 12 months,

(c) information concerning the employment of an immediate family member with the Crown, whether the employment is permanent or temporary or on a full-time or part-time basis,

(d) information concerning the engagement, contracting or hiring of an immediate family member in accordance with a personal service contract with the Crown,

(e) information concerning an immediate family member being the holder of any office by reason of an appointment by or at the nomination of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, a member of the Executive Council or an employee of the Crown, and to which a salary is attached,

(f) information concerning any contract between the Crown and an immediate family member under which the immediate family member receives a benefit,

(g) information concerning any contract between the Crown and a partnership in which an immediate family member has an interest and under which the partnership receives a benefit, and

(h) information concerning any contract between the Crown and a private corporation in which an immediate family member is an officer or director and under which the private corporation receives a benefit.

(e) in subsection (5)

( i) in the portion preceding paragraph (a) by striking out “the member’s spouse or minor children” and substituting “an immediate family member”;

( ii) in paragraph (d) by striking out “and” at the end of the paragraph;

( iii) in paragraph (e) by striking out the period at the end of the paragraph and substituting “; and”;

( iv) by adding after paragraph (e) the following:

(f) any property that has been managed in accordance with a blind management agreement.

(f) in subsection (6) of the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” wherever it appears and substituting “le membre”;

(g) in subsection (7)

( i) in the portion preceding paragraph (a) of the French version by striking out “Un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “Un membre”;

( ii) in paragraph (a) by striking out “spouse and minor children” and substituting “immediate family member”;

( iii) in paragraph (b) of the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre”;

( iv) in paragraph (c) of the French version by striking out “du député ou du membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “du membre”.

23 Section 19 of the French version of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) by striking out “Lorsqu’un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “Lorsqu’un membre”;

(b) in subsection (1.1) by striking out “Lorsqu’un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “Lorsqu’un membre”;

19( 2) Lorsqu’un membre omet de déposer un état de divulgation privée au plus tard à la date que fixe le commissaire en vertu du paragraphe (1) ou omet de se présenter à une consultation au plus tard à la date que fixe le commissaire en vertu du paragraphe (1.1), le commissaire rédige un rapport sur le membre concerné et le dépose auprès du président de l’Assemblée, lequel doit le déposer devant l’Assemblée si elle siège, ou, si elle ne siège pas, dans les quinze jours qui suivent l’ouverture de la prochaine session.

24 Section 20 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) of the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” wherever it appears and substituting “le membre”;

(b) in subsection (2)

( i) by repealing paragraph (b) and substituting the following:

(b) state any salary, financial assistance or other benefit the member has received from a registered political party or a registered district association during the preceding 12 months, or is likely to receive during the next 12 months,

( ii) by repealing paragraph (c) and substituting the following:

(c) state any gifts or benefits that have been disclosed to the Commissioner by the member under subsection 8(2) within the preceding 12 months, and

( iii) by adding after paragraph (c) the following:

(d) state any salary or other benefit that an immediate family member, a partnership in which an immediate family member has an interest or a private corporation for which an immediate family member is an officer or director has received during the preceding 12 months as a result of a contract with the Crown and describe the subject-matter and nature of the contract.

(d) in subsection (8) by striking out “Clerk of the Legislative Assembly” and substituting “Clerk of the Assembly”;

(e) by adding after subsection (8) the following:

20( 8.1) The Clerk of the Assembly shall, within 30 days after the Commissioner files the public disclosure statement with the Clerk, post the public disclosure statement on the website of the Assembly.

25 Section 21 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1)

( i) by striking out “the spouse or minor child” and substituting “an immediate family member”;

( ii) in the French version by striking out “député ou si la personne n’était pas député” and substituting « membre de l’Assemblée ou si elle n’était pas membre de l’Assemblée »;

(b) in subsection (2)

( i) by striking out “an inquiry” and substituting “an inquiry or investigation”;

( ii) by striking out “the inquiry or charge” and substituting “the inquiry, investigation or charge”;

( iii) in the French version by striking out “l’ancien député ou l’ancien membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “l’ancien membre”.

26 Section 28 of the French version of the Act is amended in the portion preceding paragraph (a) by striking out “les députés et les membres du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “les membres”.

27 Section 29 of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “aux députés et aux membres du Conseil exécutif ou aux anciens députés et aux anciens membres du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “aux membres ou aux anciens membres”.

28 Section 30 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) of the French version by striking out “Un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif ou un ancien député ou un ancien membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “Un membre ou un ancien membre”;

(b) by adding after subsection (1) the following:

30( 1.1) The Commissioner may require that a member or former member make the request for advice and recommendations in writing.

( i) in the portion preceding paragraph (a) by striking out “au député ou au membre du Conseil exécutif ou à l’ancien député ou à l’ancien membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “au membre ou à l’ancien membre”;

( ii) in paragraph (a) by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif ou l’ancien député ou l’ancien membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre ou l’ancien membre”;

(d) in subsection (3) of the French version by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif ou l’ancien député ou l’ancien membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre ou l’ancien membre”;

(e) in subsection (4) of the French version

( i) in the portion preceding paragraph (a) by striking out “un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif ou un ancien député ou un ancien membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “un membre ou un ancien membre”;

( ii) in the portion following paragraph (b) by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif ou l’ancien député ou l’ancien membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre ou l’ancien membre”.

29 Subsection 30.1(1) of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “d’un député ou d’un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “d’un membre du Conseil exécutif”.

30 Section 31 of the French version of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) by striking out “président de l’Assemblée législative” and substituting “président de l’Assemblée”;

(b) in subsection (3) by striking out “président de l’Assemblée législative” and substituting “président de l’Assemblée”.

31 Section 32 of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “un membre”.

32 The Act is amended by adding after section 34 the following:

Protection of employee from reprisal

34.1( 1) No member shall take a reprisal against an employee or direct that one be taken against an employee because the employee has, in good faith, provided information or given evidence in a proceeding under this Act to the Commissioner or to a person employed in the Office of the Integrity Commissioner.

34.1( 2) A person who violates or fails to comply with subsection (1) commits an offence punishable under Part 2 of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act as a category G offence.

33 Section 36 of the French version of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) by striking out “un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “un membre”;

(b) in subsection (3) by striking out “un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “un membre”.

34 Section 37 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (2) by striking out “member” wherever it appears and substituting “member or former member”;

(b) in subsection (2.1) by striking out “member” and substituting “member or former member”;

( i) in paragraph (a) by striking out “le député ou le membre du Conseil exécutif” and substituting “le membre”;

( ii) in paragraph (b) by striking out “président de l’Assemblée législative” and substituting “président de l’Assemblée”;

(d) by adding after subsection (5) the following:

37( 5.1) The Commissioner shall suspend an investigation in the following circumstances:

(a) the member who is the subject of the investigation resigns his or her seat;

(b) the member who is the subject of the investigation is a member of the Executive Council who is not elected to the Assembly and ceases to hold office; or

37( 5.2) The Commissioner shall continue an investigation that has been suspended under subsection (5.1) if, within 30 days after the date the member resigns or ceases to hold office or the writ is issued,

(a) the former member submits, in writing, a request to the Commissioner that the investigation be continued; or

(b) the person who requested the investigation or, if the Assembly requested the investigation, the Speaker submits, in writing, a request to the Commissioner that the investigation be continued.

37( 5.3) An investigation that is suspended because of the issuance of a writ shall not be continued under subsection (5.2) until after polling day in the election.

37( 5.4) If an investigation is suspended under subsection (5.1) and is not continued under subsection (5.2), the Commissioner shall cease the investigation and shall inform the former member who is the subject of the investigation and the person who requested the investigation or, if the Assembly requested the investigation, the Speaker, that the investigation will not proceed.

35 Section 38 of the Act is amended

(a) by striking out “or any other Act” and substituting “, this Act or any other Act”;

(b) in the French version by striking out “président de l’Assemblée législative” and substituting “président de l’Assemblée”.

36 Section 39 of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “président de l’Assemblée législative” and substituting “président de l’Assemblée” .

37 Section 40 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1)

( i) in paragraph (a) of the French version by striking out “président de l’Assemblée législative” and substituting “président de l’Assemblée”;

( ii) in paragraph (b) by striking out “member” and substituting “member or former member”;

( iii) in paragraph (c) by striking out “member” and substituting “member or former member”;

( iv) in paragraph (d) of the French version by striking out “un député ou un membre du Conseil exécutif” and “à ce député ou à ce membre” and substituting “un membre” and “à ce membre” respectively;

(b) by repealing subsection (2) and substituting the following:

40( 2) If it appears to the Commissioner that a report may adversely affect a member or former member, the Commissioner shall, before the Commissioner completes the report, inform the member or former member, as the case may be, of the particulars and give the member or former member the opportunity to make representations.

(d) in subsection (4) by striking out “Clerk of the Legislative Assembly” and substituting “Clerk of the Assembly”.

38 Section 41 of the Act is amended

(a) by repealing subsection (1) and substituting the following:

41( 1) When the Commissioner conducts an investigation under section 37 and finds that a member has breached any of sections 4 to 6, 8 to 11 or 13 to 17.1, inclusive, or section 34.1, or has failed to file a gift disclosure statement, a private disclosure statement or a statement of material change within the time provided by this Act or has failed to disclose relevant information in that statement, the Commissioner may recommend

(a) that the member be reprimanded,

(b) that the Assembly impose a penalty on the member in an amount recommended by the Commissioner,

(c) that the member’s right to sit and vote in the Assembly be suspended for a specified period or until the fulfilment of a condition, or

(d) that the member be expelled from membership in the Assembly and the member’s seat be declared vacant.

(b) by adding after subsection (1) the following:

41( 1.1) When the Commissioner continues an investigation that was suspended under paragraph 37(5.1)(a) or (b) and finds that a former member has breached any of sections 4 to 6, 8 to 11 or 13 to 17.1, inclusive, or section 34.1, or has failed to file a gift disclosure statement, a private disclosure statement or a statement of material change within the time provided by this Act or has failed to disclose relevant information in that statement, the Commissioner shall submit to the Assembly a report setting out his or her findings.

(d) in subsection (3) of the French version by striking out “le député” and substituting “le membre”.

39 Section 41.1 of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “un député” and substituting “un membre”.

40 Section 42 of the Act is repealed and the following is substituted:

42 On receipt of a report under subsection 40(1) or 41(1.1), the Speaker shall

(a) if the Assembly is sitting, lay the report before the Assembly as soon as practicable, or

(b) if the Assembly is not sitting, immediately file the report with the Clerk of the Assembly, who shall make copies of the report available to all members as soon as practicable.

41 Section 43 of the Act is amended

(a) in subsection (1) by striking out “findings of the Commissioner” and substituting “recommendations of the Commissioner under subsection 34(1)”;

(b) by adding after subsection (1) the following:

43( 1.001) Despite subsection (1), when the Commissioner makes a recommendation under section 41.1, the Assembly shall order the member to reimburse the Crown for all of the legal fees and disbursements recommended by the Commissioner.

43( 1.002) The Assembly may accept or reject the findings of the Commissioner under subsection 41(1.1) or substitute its own findings and may, if it determines that there is a breach,

(a) impose any sanction referred to in subsection 41(1) that it considers appropriate, or

(b) impose no sanction.

(d) by repealing subsection (1.1) and substituting the following:

43( 1.1) The Assembly shall exercise its authority under subsections (1), (1.001) and (1.002)

(a) when the Commissioner’s report was laid before the Assembly under paragraph 42(a), within 30 days after the laying of the report or within the period determined by a resolution of the Assembly, or

(b) when the Commissioner’s report was filed with the Clerk of the Assembly under paragraph 42(b), within 30 days after the commencement of the next sitting or within the period determined by a resolution of the Assembly.

(e) in subsection (3) of the French version by striking out “un député” and substituting “un membre”;

(f) in subsection (3.1) by striking out “subsection (1.01)” and substituting “subsection (1.001)”;

(g) in subsection (4) by striking out “a member’s seat” and substituting “the seat of a member of the Assembly”.

42 Section 43.1(2) of the French version of the Act is amended by striking out “comité de l’Assemblée législative” and substituting “comité de l’Assemblée”.

43 The heading “Transitional provisions” before section 44 of the Act is repealed.

44 Section 44 of the Act is repealed.

45 Section 45 of the Act is repealed.

CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT

Public Interest Disclosure Act

46 Section 50 of the Public Interest Disclosure Act, chapter 112 of the Revised Statutes of New Brunswick, 2012, is amended by adding after subsection (4) the following:

50( 4.1) A person who violates or fails to comply with section 31 commits an offence punishable under Part 2 of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act as a category G offence and is subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including termination of employment.