GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION AGREE TO FALL SESSION

Government House Leader Harry Van Mulligen and Opposition House Leader Rod Gantefoer today announced that the government and opposition have reached an agreement on moving toward a more formal legislative calendar featuring fixed fall and spring sessions.

Key elements of the agreement include:

- an end to the current spring session by June 18th;
- a two to three week session this fall to conclude legislative work left over from the spring;
- a spring session in 2005 expected to begin in early March and last 50 to 55 days;
- a new 2005-06 session beginning in November 2005 with a three to four week sitting including a Throne Speech and focus on the government's legislative agenda;
- the continuation of the 2005-06 session beginning in early March 2006 featuring the budget and consideration of estimates.

Although the agreement does not extend beyond the spring of 2006, the two parties anticipate the experience will lend itself to providing a framework for a new set of formal rules governing future sittings of the Legislative Assembly.

The House Leaders expect a normal session to last about 65 days and be concluded sometime in May each year.

Both House Leaders indicated their willingness to work together to develop a calendar for future spring and fall sessions.

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For More Information, Contact:

Shannon Porter Government House Leader's Office Regina Phone: (306)787-6064

Reg Downs Opposition House Leader's Office Regina Phone: (306) 787-4300