This is an unofficial archived version of The Law Reform Commissiom Act
as enacted by SM 1987-88, c. 9 on July 17, 1987.
 

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R.S.M. 1987, c. L95

The Law Reform Commissiom Act

Table of contents

HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

Definitions.

1

In this Act,

"commission" means The Manitoba Law Reform Commission continued under this Act; ("Commission")

"minister" means a member of the Executive Council charged by the Lieutenant Governor in Council with the administration of this Act. ("ministre")

Continuation of commission.

2(1)

"The Manitoba Law Reform Commission" , consisting of not more than seven members to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on the recommendation of the minister is hereby continued.

Chairman.

2(2)

The Lieutenant Governor in Council shall appoint one of the members as chairman of the commission.

Appointments to commission.

3(1)

The chairman of the commission shall be appointed for a term not exceeding seven years and the remaining members of the commission shall be appointed for a term not exceeding three years.

Eligibility for re-appointments.

3(2)

The chairman and each member of the commission may be re-appointed as members of the commission; and the chairman is eligible for reappointment as the chairman of the commission.

Remuneration.

4(1)

The chairman and the remaining members of the commission shall be paid such remuneration as may be fixed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Expenses.

4(2)

The chairman and other members of the commission may be paid such reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties under this Act as may be approved by the minister.

Duties of commission.

5(1)

The duties of the commission are to inquire into and consider any matter relating to law in Manitoba with a view to making recommendations for the improvement, modernization and reform of law, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing

(a) the removal of provisions of the law that are outdated or inconsistent;

(b) the maintenance and improvement of the administration of justice;

(c) the review of judicial and quasi-judicial procedures under any Act;

(d) the development of new approaches to and new concepts of law in keeping with and responsive to the changing needs of society and of individual members of that society ; and

(e) any subject referred to it by the minister.

Annual report to minister.

5(2)

The commission shall report from time to time to the minister and shall make an annual report to the minister on the activities of the commission for each year.

Special report to minister.

5(3)

When the commission reviews, considers or inquires into any matter referred to it by the minister, the commission shall make a report to the minister with respect to that matter at the conclusion of the deliberations.

Powers of the commission.

6(1)

In the performance of its duties, the commission may

(a) institute and direct research of a legal nature, as it deems necessary, including studies and research relating to the laws and legal systems and institutions of other jurisdictions in Canada or elsewhere:

(b) receive and consider any proposals for the reform of the law that may be made or referred to it by any body or person; and

(c) in its discretion and with the concurrence of the minister undertake any study pursuant to its duties as a joint project of the commission and any one or more other law reform commissions, agencies or bodies in Canada or elsewhere, and enter into such contractual or other arrangements as it deems necessary for the carrying out of any such joint project, including arrangements for the provision of personnel or other resources of the commission to any such commission, agency or body.

Priority studies.

6(2)

The commission shall include in any program for studies prepared by it any study requested by the minister to which, in his opinion, it is desirable in the public interest that special priority should be given by the commission; and the commission shall, in determining its priorities for studies in relation to any such program be governed by any request so made to it.

By-laws.

6(3)

The commission may make by-laws

(a) respecting the calling of meetings of the commission;

(b) respecting the conduct of business at meetings of the commission and the establishment of committees of the commission, the delegation of duties to any such committees and the fixing of quorums for meetings of the committees.

Hiring of employees.

6(4)

For the facility of the performance of its duties and of the exercise of its powers provided for in subsections (1) and (2), the commission may

(a) hire such employees as may be necessary for these purposes; and

(b) on a temporary basis or for specific projects, engage the services of persons having technical or specialized knowledge of any matter relating to the work of the commission, to advise and assist the commission in the performance of its duties under this Act;

and, with the approval of the minister, may fix and pay the remuneration and expenses of such persons.

Meetings.

7(1)

The commission shall meet at least four times in each year.

Quorum.

7(2)

Three members of the commission constitute a quorum of the commission.