1994 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 35th Parliament
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
Nos. 22 and 23
OF THE
Thursday, April 7, 1994
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Mr. Farnworth.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Pursuant to Order, the House resumed the adjourned debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor at the opening of the Session.
The debate continued.
On the motion of Mr. M. de Jong, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
And then the House adjourned at 11.57 a.m.
Thursday, April 7, 1994
Two o'clock p.m.
The Hon. J. Smallwood (Minister of Housing, Recreation and Consumer Services) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:
David C. Lam
Lieutenant GovernorThe Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 11) intituled Cemetery and Funeral Services Amendment Act, 1994 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
March 28, 1994.
Bill introduced and read a first time.
Second reading at the next sitting after today.
The Hon. P. Ramsey (Minister of Health) made a ministerial statement regarding an alleged breach of privacy under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Ms. Reid made a statement.
Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."
Mr. Kasper presented a Report of the Special Committee to Appoint an Auditor General.
The Report was taken as read and received.
By leave of the House, Mr. Kasper moved that the Rules be suspended and the Report adopted.
Motion agreed to.
A debate arose.
Motion agreed to unanimously.
Mr. Wilson rose on a matter of privilege regarding Motion 41 passed in the House on April 6, 1994.
The Hon. G. Clark made representations.
Mr. Farrell-Collins made representations.
Ms. Tyabji made representations.
The Hon. C. Gabelmann made representations.
Mr. Serwa made representations.
Mr. Speaker stated that he would take the matter under advisement.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
By leave, on the motion of the Hon. G. Clark, it was Ordered that leave be given for the Special Committee of Selection to meet while the House is in session today.
Pursuant to Order, the House resumed the adjourned debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor at the opening of the Session.
The debate continued.
On the motion of Mr. Farnworth, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
Mr. Speaker delivered his reserved decision as follows:
Honourable Members:
On Tuesday, April 5th, the Member for Peace River South sought to raise as a matter of privilege the party designations used in television broadcasts of the debates of the Assembly. The Member alleged that his privileges as a Member were contravened as the television broadcast identified him as an Independent rather than indicate the name of the political party he currently belongs to. During this Session there have been a number of changes in party designation which have led to this somewhat unique situation.
I believe it is the Member's position that if a Member of the House indicates that he or she belongs to a particular political party, that party should be shown on the television screen regardless of the number of Members of that party in the House, or whether the Member had run for election under the name of that party.
In 1991, electronic broadcast of debates was authorized by a decision of the then Board of Internal Economy which resolved as follows:
"That the Board proceed to provide quality gavel-to-gavel television coverage for the next Session of the Legislative Assembly under the authority of Mr. Speaker."
I invited submissions from other groups in the House following the raising of the matter of privilege and note that there appears to be a general consensus to allow the television broadcast to reflect a Member's political party, provided that this would not lead to a claim for procedural or financial considerations. Accordingly, I am prepared to accede to the Member's request and will so direct Hansard, beginning with tomorrow's proceedings.
I have not dealt with the matter as one of privilege, as I believe the material before me does not reveal a prima facie case of privilege, but it will, as indicated, be dealt with by the exercise of the Speaker's discretion in the manner mandated by the Board of Internal Economy.
Emery Barnes, Speaker
And then the House adjourned at 5.56 p.m.
EMERY BARNES, Speaker
NOTICE OF MOTIONS
Monday Next
Ms. Tyabji to introduce a Bill intituled Children's Protection Act.
Ms. Tyabji to introduce a Bill intituled Youth Ombudsman's Act.
Ms. Tyabji to introduce a Bill intituled Public Officers Recall Act.
NOTICE OF MOTIONS
Monday Next
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