1992 Legislative Session: 1st Session, 35th Parliament

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.

No. 29

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Wednesday, April 15, 1992

Two o'clock p.m.

Prayers by Mr. Lortie.

The Speaker delivered her reserved decision as follows:

Honourable Members :

Yesterday, the Honourable Member for Richmond East rose, pursuant to Standing Order 35, seeking leave to move adjournment of the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the crisis in the delivery of health care services in our Province due to the labour dispute between hospital workers and their employers. Notice was given to the Chair under Practice Recommendation #8, for which the Chair thanks the Honourable Member.

The matter raised is akin to, but not necessarily identical with, an application on April 8th last by the Honourable Leader of the Official Opposition under the provisions of Standing Order 35.

The Honourable Member stated a number of circumstances, as follows:

1. that the dispute in question has lasted 15 days,

2. that the dispute has now reached a critical stage,

3. that the number of cancellations of scheduled surgery has increased,

4. that there exists the threat of a province-wide strike.

The Honourable Member made further observations which, with respect, would be matters of debate if the House was embarked upon a motion to adjourn.

A review of the numerous decisions of earlier Speakers of this House, and decisions in other jurisdictions, clearly shows that matters raised pursuant to Standing Order 35, in order to qualify, must

1. involve more than the ordinary administration of the law -- in this instance, more than the law relating to labour disputes (Sir Erskine May's Parliamentary Practice, 16th edition, p. 372),

2. involve more than an on-going issue, even though new facts may have just emerged relating to that issue (Sir Erskine May's Parliamentary

Practice, 16th edition, p. 370, Speaker Schroeder, Journals, 1978, p. 127 and Journals, 1982, p. 60).

The dispute in question, as the Honourable Member herself observed, has been on-going for some time.

Moreover, the House was advised yesterday by the Honourable the Attorney General that the Industrial Relations Council is dealing with the issue and that the Minister of Labour was to meet with the parties today.

Accordingly, the Chair concludes that the subject matter, while serious, involves the ordinary administration of the law and, in accordance with the authorities above cited, the Chair is precluded from asking leave of the House for the Honourable Member to proceed.

Joan Sawicki, Speaker

The Hon. C. Gabelmann (Attorney General) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:

Allan McEachern
Administrator

The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 21) intituled Enforcement of Canadian Judgments Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Government House,
April 8, 1992.

Bill introduced and read a first time.

Second reading at the next sitting after today.

The Hon. A. Charbonneau (Minister of Transportation and Highways) tabled the following:

Ministry of Transportation and Highways Annual Report, 1990/91.

Government Restructuring Privatization Group, Executive Summary, Report of the Action Group -- Inland Ferries.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

The House resumed the adjourned debate on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 3) intituled Taxpayer Protection Repeal Act.

The debate continued.

The House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

Bill (No. 3) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.

Bill (No. 8) intituled Motor Fuel Tax Amendment Act, 1992 was committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed, on division.

In consideration of section 5 of Bill (No. 8), the committee divided as follows:

Section 13 of Bill (No. 8) passed, on division.

Section 15 of Bill (No. 8) passed, on division.

And then the House adjourned at 6.10 p.m.

JOAN SAWICKI, Speaker

MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

The Committee will meet at 10.30 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Organization.

J. Beattie, Convener

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE, CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

The Committee will meet at 10.45 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Organization.

G. Brewin, Convener

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION,
CULTURE AND MULTICULTURALISM

The Committee will meet at 11 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Organization.

S. O'Neill, Convener

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SCIENCE,
LABOUR, TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY

The Committee will meet at 11.15 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Organization.

M. Farnworth, Convener

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND TOURISM

The Committee will meet at 11.30 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Organization.

J. Pement, Convener

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE, CROWN CORPORATIONS
AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES

The Committee will meet at 11.45 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Organization.

J. MacPhail, Convener

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

The Committee will meet at 9 o'clock a.m. on Thursday, April 23, in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Organization.

D. Schreck, Convener

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON FORESTS, ENERGY,
MINES AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES

The Committee will meet at 9 o'clock a.m. on Friday, April 24, in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Organization.

C. Evans, Convener

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION,
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AND HOUSING

The Committee will meet at 9.30 o'clock a.m. on Friday, April 24, in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Organization.

J. Doyle, Convener

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