1994 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 35th Parliament
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
No. 84
OF THE
Friday, June 10, 1994
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Mr. Randall.
The Speaker declared a short recess.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor having entered the House, and being seated in the Chair -- Ian D. Izard, Esq., Law Clerk and Clerk Assistant, read the titles to the following Bills:
Bill (No. 8) Accountants (Management) Act.
Bill (No. 13) Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 1994.
Bill (No. 15) Corporation Capital Tax Amendment Act, 1994.
Bill (No. 22) College and Institute Amendment Act, 1994.
Bill (No. 23) Institute of Technology Amendment Act, 1994.
Bill (No. 37) Skills Development and Fair Wage Act.
Bill (No. 39) Skills, Training and Labour Statutes Amendment Act, 1994.
Bill (No. 52) Public Education Labour Relations Act.
His Honour was pleased in Her Majesty's name to give assent to the said Bills.
The said assent was announced by E. George MacMinn, Q.C., Clerk of the Legislative Assembly "In Her Majesty's name, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor does assent to these Bills."
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to retire.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order called for "Private Members' Statements."
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Section A of Committee of Supply having reported the last vote of the Estimates of the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Relations, debate on those Estimates was summarized, pursuant to Sessional Order of April 6, 1994.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and Ministry Responsible for Multiculturalism and Human Rights).
(In Committee -- Section B)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
The Speaker delivered his reserved decision as follows:
Honourable Members:
On Tuesday last, the Member for Richmond Steveston sought to raise a matter of Privilege in connection with comments made by another Member following his withdrawal from debate pursuant to section 9 of the Members' Conflict of Interest Act. Section 9 reads as follows:
(1) A member who has reasonable grounds to believe that he or she has a conflict of interest in a matter that is before the Assembly or the Executive Council, or a committee of either of them, shall, if present at a meeting considering the matter,
(a) disclose the general nature of the conflict of interest, and
(b) withdraw from the meeting without voting or participating in the consideration of the matter.
I would point out that the test for compliance is a subjective test and the requirement to withdraw is mandatory. In addition, a Member may have sought the advice of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner in confidence prior to making the withdrawal.
The Hansard indicates that the Member stated that he was withdrawing to comply with the Act, and that another member commented adversely.
While I cannot see that the Member's ability to function has been impeded so as to attract a claim of breach of Privilege, I would expect that withdrawal from debate under the mandatory provisions of the Act ought not to be the subject of adverse comment by other Members.
Emery Barnes, Speaker
And then the House adjourned at 12.37 p.m.
EMERY BARNES, Speaker
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