![['The first bill to be introduced during the spring sitting of the House of Assembly deals with government appointments.']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/house-3045364.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=compress%2Cformat%2Cenhance)
The Independent Appointments Commission introduced by the Liberals in 2016 is growing.
Before the House of Assembly adjourned for the holidays, members made quick work of an amendment to the act establishing the commission, to allow for an additional two seats.
The original Independent Appointments Commission Act dates back only to 2016 — establishing the volunteer body meant to evaluate and make merit-based recommendations for appointments to provincial agencies, boards and commissions.
Positions subject to commission review and recommendations include Nalcor Energy board positions, provincially elected members for the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board and the choice of provincial auditor general.
The commission is currently chaired by former premier Clyde Wells, with members Zita Cobb, Shannie Duff, Philip Earle and Derek Young.
With the amendment to its governing act made, the body will now nominate two more members, to be approved by cabinet and, if approved, added to the ranks.
All commission members work in a volunteer capacity.
The additional people are needed to cover the work assigned to the commission, Tom Osborne said Thursday in the House.
Panels of at least three commission members weigh each government appointment. With only five commission members, only a single panel could be convened, considering a single appointment at a time.
“The additional members will address the workload or at least help to address the workload,” Osborne said.
