OntarioPassed43rd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill 51 explained in plain English

Legislative Assembly Amendment Act, 2022

Democratic Institutions & Elections

Ontario legislature bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

How This Type of Bill Becomes Law Official source

At a glance

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Legislature / Parliament

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Session

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill number

Bill 51

Full title

Legislative Assembly Amendment Act, 2022

Current status

Passed

Latest event

Royal Assent received

Last updated

Dec 8, 2022

Sponsor

Paul Calandra

Official Legislative Assembly of Ontario snapshot for 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. Representative vote breakdowns appear when the Assembly publishes an Ayes and Nays page for the bill.

Chamber

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Current Stage

Royal Assent received

Latest Activity

Dec 8, 2022

Sponsor

Paul Calandra

Plain-language explanation

In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing

Short Version

Bill 51 amends the Legislative Assembly Act to change responsibilities related to member office space, employee appointments, Sergeant-at-Arms procedures, and the control and definition of the legislative precinct.

What It Means

Bill 51, also known as the Legislative Assembly Amendment Act, 2022, makes several changes to the Legislative Assembly Act in Ontario. It clarifies that members of the Legislative Assembly who are not part of the Executive Council are entitled to office space. The bill also shifts the responsibility for appointing and dismissing employees of the Office of the Legislative Assembly (excluding the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms) from the Speaker to the Board of Internal Economy. New provisions establish how the Sergeant-at-Arms is appointed, removed, or suspended, and outline how temporary appointments can be made. The responsibilities for prescribing employee duties and preparing accessibility plans are also transferred from the Speaker to the Board of Internal Economy. Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of the "legislative precinct" and clarifies that the Board of Internal Economy controls the legislative precinct, except for physical protection and security. Finally, it allows for former Clerks of the Legislative Assembly to be granted the honorific title "The Honourable" by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

What This Bill Does

Ensures members of the Legislative Assembly who are not members of the Executive Council are entitled to office space.
Transfers the authority to appoint and dismiss certain employees of the Office of the Legislative Assembly from the Speaker to the Board of Internal Economy.
Establishes new procedures for the appointment, removal, suspension, and temporary appointment of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Assigns the responsibility for preparing accessibility plans for the Legislative Assembly to the Board of Internal Economy.
Modifies the definition of the "legislative precinct" and places it under the control of the Board of Internal Economy, with exceptions for security.
Allows for former Clerks of the Legislative Assembly to be granted the honorific title "The Honourable".

Who Is Affected

Members of the Legislative Assembly (who are not members of the Executive Council).
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
The Board of Internal Economy.
Employees of the Office of the Legislative Assembly (excluding the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms).
The Clerk of the Legislative Assembly.
The Sergeant-at-Arms.
Former Clerks of the Legislative Assembly.
Members of recognized parties in the Assembly.
The Lieutenant Governor in Council.
Employees of the Legislative Protective Services.
Persons with disabilities.
The Deputy Speaker.
The Premier.
The Leader of the Opposition.
Leaders and Whips of recognized parties.
Parliamentary Assistants.

Rights, Duties, Or Obligations

Members of the Assembly who are not members of the Executive Council have a right to office space.
The Board of Internal Economy has the duty to appoint and dismiss certain employees.
The Assembly has the power to appoint and remove the Sergeant-at-Arms for cause.
The Board of Internal Economy has the power to suspend the Sergeant-at-Arms for cause when the Assembly is not in session.
The Sergeant-at-Arms has the duty to designate an individual to act in their absence.
The Board of Internal Economy has the duty to prepare and make public an annual accessibility plan.
The Lieutenant Governor in Council has the power to grant honorific titles to former Clerks.

Important Dates

The Act came into force on the day it received Royal Assent (December 8, 2022).

Financial Or Tax Impacts

The Board of Internal Economy may adjust salaries for individuals assuming the powers and duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
The Board of Internal Economy determines the salary and benefits for a temporary Sergeant-at-Arms.
The Board of Internal Economy may reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by a temporary Sergeant-at-Arms.

Enforcement Or Penalties

The Assembly may remove or suspend the Sergeant-at-Arms from office for cause by a vote of at least two-thirds of its members.
The Board of Internal Economy may suspend the Sergeant-at-Arms for cause when the Assembly is not in session.

Uncertainties Or Limits

The exact policies regarding the allocation of office space within the legislative precinct are to be established by the Board of Internal Economy.
The specific conditions under which a former Clerk may be granted the honorific title "The Honourable" are determined by order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
The criteria for "cause" for the removal or suspension of the Sergeant-at-Arms are not explicitly defined within the bill.
The process for selecting candidates for Sergeant-at-Arms by a panel requires unanimous agreement unless there is unanimous consent of the Assembly to decide otherwise.
The bill does not specify the exact number of employees to be appointed or dismissed.
The bill does not define "reasonable office space" in the legislative precinct.
The bill does not detail the specific measures for physical protection and security of the legislative precinct, which remain under the control of an entity other than the Board of Internal Economy.
The bill does not specify the specific barriers to persons with disabilities that will be addressed in the accessibility plans.
The effectiveness of the delegation of powers and duties is subject to any conditions and restrictions imposed by the delegating body.

Laws Or Regulations Affected

Legislative Assembly Act

amends

This bill makes numerous changes to the Legislative Assembly Act, including provisions related to office space for members, employee appointments, the Sergeant-at-Arms, the legislative precinct, and accessibility plans.

Source: Preamble and various sections

Section 74 of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Ensures that members of the Legislative Assembly who are not members of the Executive Council are entitled to office space.

Source: Section 1

Subsections 76 (2) and (3) of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Changes the authority for appointing and dismissing employees of the Office of the Legislative Assembly (excluding the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms) from the Speaker to the Board of Internal Economy.

Source: Section 2

Section 77.3 of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Adds a definition for "recognized party" in relation to the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Source: Section 3

Sections 77.4 to 77.8 of the Legislative Assembly Act

adds

Introduces new provisions for granting honorific titles to former Clerks, and for the appointment, removal, suspension, and temporary duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Source: Section 4

Clause 78 (b) of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Changes the authority for prescribing duties and functions of employees from the Speaker to the Board of Internal Economy.

Source: Section 5 (1)

Section 78 of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Continues anything previously prescribed by the Speaker as if it were prescribed by the Board of Internal Economy.

Source: Section 5 (2)

Section 90 of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Adds powers and duties for the Board of Internal Economy regarding the establishment of policies for, and allocation of, office space within the legislative precinct, including prioritizing space for members not in the Executive Council.

Source: Section 6 (1)

Section 102.1 of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Modifies the definition of "legislative precinct" by removing the basement of Whitney Block but including its entrances.

Source: Section 7

Section 102.2 of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

States that the legislative precinct is under the control of the Board of Internal Economy, except for physical protection and security.

Source: Section 8

Subsection 103.0.2 (4) of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Extends the areas where certain Legislative Protective Services employees are peace officers to include parts of Whitney Block that are not part of the legislative precinct.

Source: Section 9

Section 103.1 of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Transfers the responsibility for preparing and making accessibility plans public from the Speaker to the Board of Internal Economy.

Source: Section 10

Section 107 of the Legislative Assembly Act

amends

Allows the Board of Internal Economy to delegate its powers, duties, or control to the Speaker, and allows the Speaker to delegate to the Deputy Speaker or Assembly employees.

Source: Section 11

Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.

Official text

Process Snapshot

Step 1

First reading

Nov 30, 2022

Step 2

Second reading

Dec 7, 2022

Step 3

Committee review

Dec 7, 2022

Step 4

Third reading

Dec 8, 2022

Step 5

Royal assent

Dec 8, 2022

Vote Summary

Yes

Abstain

Absent / Other

Final recorded vote

Dec 8, 2022

107 representative positions are recorded in this official snapshot for this vote.

Sponsor

Paul Calandra

Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Markham—Stouffville

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Representative Voting Breakdown

Vote badges include text labels so the table stays readable for everyone, even without color cues alone.

Representative	Role	Riding	Party	Vote	Notes
Amarjot Sandhu MPP	MPP	Brampton West	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Andrew Dowie MPP	MPP	Windsor—Tecumseh	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Anthony Leardi MPP	MPP	Essex	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Aris Babikian MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Agincourt	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Billy Pang MPP	MPP	Markham—Unionville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Riddell MPP	MPP	Cambridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Saunderson MPP	MPP	Simcoe—Grey	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Christine Hogarth MPP	MPP	Etobicoke—Lakeshore	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Daisy Wai MPP	MPP	Richmond Hill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dave Smith MPP	MPP	Peterborough—Kawartha	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
David Smith MPP	MPP	Scarborough Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dawn Gallagher Murphy MPP	MPP	Newmarket—Aurora	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Deepak Anand MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Malton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Effie J. Triantafilopoulos MPP	MPP	Oakville North—Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Goldie Ghamari MPP	MPP	Carleton	Independent	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hardeep Singh Grewal MPP	MPP	Brampton East	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Andrea Khanjin MPP	MPP	Barrie—Innisfil	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Caroline Mulroney MPP	MPP	York—Simcoe	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Charmaine A. Williams MPP	MPP	Brampton Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. David Piccini MPP	MPP	Northumberland—Peterborough South	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Donna Skelly MPP	MPP	Flamborough—Glanbrook	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Doug Downey MPP	MPP	Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Doug Ford MPP	MPP	Etobicoke North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Ernie Hardeman MPP	MPP	Oxford	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. George Pirie MPP	MPP	Timmins	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graham McGregor MPP	MPP	Brampton North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graydon Smith MPP	MPP	Parry Sound—Muskoka	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Greg Rickford MPP	MPP	Kenora—Rainy River	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Jill Dunlop MPP	MPP	Simcoe North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Kevin Holland MPP	MPP	Thunder Bay—Atikokan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Kinga Surma MPP	MPP	Etobicoke Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Laurie Scott MPP	MPP	Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael A. Tibollo MPP	MPP	Vaughan—Woodbridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael Parsa MPP	MPP	Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael S. Kerzner MPP	MPP	York Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Mike Harris MPP	MPP	Kitchener—Conestoga	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta MPP	MPP	Mississauga Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Neil Lumsden MPP	MPP	Hamilton East—Stoney Creek	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nina Tangri MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Streetsville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nolan Quinn MPP	MPP	Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Paul Calandra MPP	MPP	Markham—Stouffville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy MPP	MPP	Pickering—Uxbridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria MPP	MPP	Brampton South	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho MPP	MPP	Scarborough North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Rob Flack MPP	MPP	Elgin—Middlesex—London	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Sam Oosterhoff MPP	MPP	Niagara West	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stan Cho MPP	MPP	Willowdale	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Crawford MPP	MPP	Oakville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Lecce MPP	MPP	King—Vaughan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Steve Clark MPP	MPP	Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Sylvia Jones MPP	MPP	Dufferin—Caledon	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Todd J. McCarthy MPP	MPP	Durham	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Trevor Jones MPP	MPP	Chatham-Kent—Leamington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Victor Fedeli MPP	MPP	Nipissing	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Jess Dixon MPP	MPP	Kitchener South—Hespeler	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
John Jordan MPP	MPP	Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
John Yakabuski MPP	MPP	Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Kaleed Rasheed MPP	MPP	Mississauga East—Cooksville	Independent	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Laura Smith MPP	MPP	Thornhill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Lorne Coe MPP	MPP	Whitby	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Matthew Rae MPP	MPP	Perth—Wellington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Merrilee Fullerton MPP	MPP	Kanata—Carleton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Monte McNaughton MPP	MPP	Lambton—Kent—Middlesex	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Natalie Pierre MPP	MPP	Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Parm Gill MPP	MPP	Milton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Patrice Barnes MPP	MPP	Ajax	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Ric Bresee MPP	MPP	Hastings—Lennox and Addington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Rick Byers MPP	MPP	Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Robert Bailey MPP	MPP	Sarnia—Lambton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Robin Martin MPP	MPP	Eglinton—Lawrence	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Rudy Cuzzetto MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Lakeshore	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Sheref Sabawy MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Erin Mills	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Stéphane Sarrazin MPP	MPP	Glengarry—Prescott—Russell	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Todd Smith MPP	MPP	Bay of Quinte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Vincent Ke MPP	MPP	Don Valley North	Independent	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Will Bouma MPP	MPP	Brantford—Brant	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Bhutila Karpoche MPP	MPP	Parkdale—High Park	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Bobbi Ann Brady MPP	MPP	Haldimand—Norfolk	Independent	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Catherine Fife MPP	MPP	Waterloo	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chandra Pasma MPP	MPP	Ottawa West—Nepean	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chris Glover MPP	MPP	Spadina—Fort York	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Doly Begum MPP	MPP	Scarborough Southwest	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
France Gélinas MPP	MPP	Nickel Belt	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Guy Bourgouin MPP	MPP	Mushkegowuk—James Bay	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jeff Burch MPP	MPP	Niagara Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens MPP	MPP	St. Catharines	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jennifer K. French MPP	MPP	Oshawa	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jessica Bell MPP	MPP	University—Rosedale	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jill Andrew MPP	MPP	Toronto—St. Paul's	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
John Fraser MPP	MPP	Ottawa South	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
John Vanthof MPP	MPP	Timiskaming—Cochrane	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP	MPP	Toronto Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lucille Collard MPP	MPP	Ottawa—Vanier	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Marit Stiles MPP	MPP	Davenport	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mary-Margaret McMahon MPP	MPP	Beaches—East York	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Michael Mantha MPP	MPP	Algoma—Manitoulin	Independent	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mike Schreiner MPP	MPP	Guelph	Green Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mitzie Hunter MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Guildwood	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Monique Taylor MPP	MPP	Hamilton Mountain	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Peggy Sattler MPP	MPP	London West	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Peter Tabuns MPP	MPP	Toronto—Danforth	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephanie Bowman MPP	MPP	Don Valley West	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Ted Hsu MPP	MPP	Kingston and the Islands	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Terence Kernaghan MPP	MPP	London North Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Teresa J. Armstrong MPP	MPP	London—Fanshawe	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Tom Rakocevic MPP	MPP	Humber River—Black Creek	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Wayne Gates MPP	MPP	Niagara Falls	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.

Official sources

Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.

How this data is sourced