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Fact Sheet

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AMENDMENT ACT, 2003

The Ontario government has introduced legislation to make government work for people by strengthening the requirements for ministerial accountability. By meeting the proposed new attendance standard for Question Period, Cabinet ministers would be demonstrating their commitment to accountability to both the Legislature and the people of Ontario.

Executive Council Amendment Act, 2003

• Cabinet ministers would be required to attend Question Period on at least two-thirds of the days on which the Legislature holds routine proceedings.
• An absence from Question Period would not be counted if the Premier believed that it was justified because of illness, bereavement, religious holiday or a similar reason.
• An absence from part of a Question Period would not be counted if the Premier believed that the absence was permissible.
• At the end of each session, the Premier would prepare a status report on each minister's attendance during Question Period.
• Once the Legislature is dissolved, the Premier would determine which ministers did not attend Question Period as required, as well as the number of days they fell short of the standard, and fine the ministers $500 for each day. The fines would be paid to the government's Consolidated Revenue Fund.

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