Orders - No. 28 - Monday, April 24, 1995

1995 Legislative Session: 4th Session, 35th Parliament

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

No. 28

ORDERS OF THE DAY

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Monday, April 24, 1995

2 p.m.

ROUTINE BUSINESS

PRAYERS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

1 Mr. Weisgerber to introduce a Bill intituled The Recall and Initiative Amendment Act.

2 Mr. Neufeld to introduce a Bill intituled Adoption Amendment Act.

3 Mr. Mitchell to introduce a Bill intituled Recall and Initiative Amendment Act, 1995.

4 Mr. Weisgerber to introduce a Bill intituled Free Votes Enabling Act.

5 Mr. Neufeld to introduce a Bill intituled Fixed Election Date Act.

6 Mr. Mitchell to introduce a Bill intituled An Act to Balance the Budget, 1995.

7 Mr. Fox to introduce a Bill intituled Members' Conflict of Interest Amendment Act (Double Dipping) 1995.

8 Mr. Dosanjh to introduce a Bill intituled An Act to Amend the Document Disposal Act.

9 Ms. Lord to introduce a Bill intituled Community Land Trust Act.

ORAL QUESTION PERIOD

(15 minutes, afternoon sittings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and, subject to
Standing Order 47B, Friday morning)

PRESENTING PETITIONS

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

PRESENTING REPORTS

MOTIONS ON NOTICE

(See Schedule A)

WRITTEN QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

(See Schedule B)

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ON NOTICE

ORDERS OF THE DAY

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

Report of Resolutions passed in Committee of Supply.
SECTION A: 20th of April.
Summary of completed Estimates of Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture completed in Section A.

URGENT GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

(Friday only)

PUBLIC BILLS AND ORDERS AND GOVERNMENT MOTIONS ON NOTICE

THIRD READING

Third Reading--: Bill (No. 7) intituled Columbia Basin Trust Act, PRINTED. Hon. Minister of Employment and Investment.

COMMITTEE

Committee--: Bill (No. 10) intituled Mountain Resort Associations Act, PRINTED. Hon. Minister of Employment and Investment.

SECOND READING

Second Reading--: Bill (No. 1) intituled An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament, PRINTED. Hon. Attorney General.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. 2) intituled Budget Measures Implementation Act, 1995, PRINTED. Hon. Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. 3) intituled Grains and Oilseeds Revenue Protection Plan Trust Fund Act, PRINTED. Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. 4) intituled Grazing Enhancement Special Account Act, PRINTED. Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. 5) intituled Securities Amendment Act, 1995, PRINTED. Hon. Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. 11) intituled Growth Strategies Statutes Amendment Act, 1995, PRINTED. Hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. 12) intituled Arts Council Act, PRINTED. Hon. Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. 14) intituled Tourism Act, PRINTED. Hon. Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture.

PRIVATE BILLS

PRIVATE MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

(Friday only)

PUBLIC BILLS IN THE HANDS OF PRIVATE MEMBERS

SECOND READING

Second Reading--: Bill (No. M 201) intituled Dual Elected Office Prohibition Act, PRINTED. Mr. Streifel.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. M 202) intituled An Act to Promote the Reuse of Construction and Demolition Materials, PRINTED. Mr. Schreck.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. M 203) intituled An Act to Designate a Provincial Heritage Site at the Inaugural Plantation at Green Timbers, PRINTED. Ms. Hammell.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. M 204) intituled Libel and Slander Amendment Act, 1995, PRINTED. Mr. Krog.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. M 205) intituled Parliamentary Calendar Act, 1995, PRINTED. Mr. Mitchell.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. M 206) intituled Budget Presentation Act, 1995, PRINTED. Mr. Mitchell.

Second Reading--: Bill (No. M 207) intituled Nanaimo Commonwealth Holding Society Public Inquiry Act, PRINTED. Mr. de Jong.

ADJOURNED DEBATE ON OTHER MOTIONS

E. GEORGE MacMINN, Q.C.
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly

Schedule A

MOTIONS ON NOTICE

1 Mr. Doyle to move--: Be it resolved that this House, recognizing that over 100,000 British Columbians are directly employed in the forest industry, support a target to sustain harvest levels in this Province tied to a commitment to maintain employment levels in the forest sector.

2 Mr. Evans to move--: Be it resolved that this House call on the Government of British Columbia to set a goal of doubling the number of remanufacturing jobs in British Columbia by the year 2000, and the addition of a similar expansion by the year 2010.

3 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that the Government commit to maintain water levels in Williston Lake at an elevation of no lower than 2,150 feet so as to protect the on-going viability of the local economy and jobs dependent on this minimum water level.

4 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that this House support the Provincial Governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in their efforts to convince the federal government to reconsider it's proposed firearms restrictions and registration, and consider the needs of rural Canadians.

5 Mr. Hanson to move--: Be it resolved that all Members of this House support the re-establishment of workers' democratic right to a secret ballot vote on certification as a prerequisite for unionization of any firm.

6 Mr. Mitchell to move--: Be it resolved that a special committee be appointed by this Legislature to review all aspects of federal-provincial fiscal arrangements as they impact on the Province of British Columbia, and in particular to consider how our jurisdiction should manage the Canada Social Transfer as introduced in the recent federal budget and the reductions in transfer payments that are expected to begin in the 1996-97 fiscal year; said committee shall report to the legislature prior to end of this session.

7 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly categorically reject the proposed Workers' Compensation Board ergonomics regulations as a costly and unwarranted imposition on employers and employees alike.

8 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved the MLAs' severance plan be immediately abolished.

9 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature congratulate the Government of Alberta, which has demonstrated its commitment to achieving and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

10 Mr. Mitchell to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature, mindful of the public's growing desire to see their elected representatives free to vote their consciences on issues before this Assembly, ask the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, by way of a referral, to review those matters that should constitute a "question of confidence" for the Government when voted upon in this Assembly.

11 Mr. Janssen to move--: Be it resolved that this House congratulate the Government for introducing focussed programs to assist young British Columbians with first-job experiences and skills and for expanding the classroom boundaries with increased apprenticeship opportunities and enhanced co-op work experience.

12 Mr. Hartley to move--: Be it resolved that this House believe that transportation and transit investment helps the economy by creating private sector jobs and is necessary to maintain and enhance the quality of life in British Columbia.

13 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that the MLAs' pension plan be immediately amended to raise the minimum age for eligibility to age 60 or older; and; Be it further resolved that an independent judge be appointed to reform the MLAs' pension plan to ensure that it is fair and affordable to B.C. taxpayers.

14 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature strike a Royal Commission on B.C. Tax Reform to study how our Province's tax system can be made more competitive and profit-sensitive.

15 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly supports a municipal-style of Aboriginal self-government that is designated by federal and provincial statute and respects the democratic will of British Columbians who voted overwhelmingly against the Charlottetown Accord.

16 Mr. Beattie to move--: Be it resolved that this House, aware of the need for new skills to take advantage of new jobs in British Columbia's changing economy, congratulate the Government of British Columbia for maintaining Canada's highest level of support for primary, secondary and post-secondary education.

17 Mr. Evans to move--: Be it resolved that this House is of the opinion that the proposed B.C. Forest Practices Code is an affordable and necessary standard for forest stewardship and urges all member nations of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to adopt the Code as the international standard in the interests of sustainability and the ongoing competitiveness of British Columbia's forest industry.

18 Mr. Hanson to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly condemn the practice of capitalizing highways construction under BC21 and offloading operating costs onto future taxpayers in the form of increased debt.

19 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly condemn the arbitrary and underhanded way that the Government has extended the eligibility criteria for the adoption of infants at the expense of traditional families who are waiting to adopt a baby.

20 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature move immediately to improve the Province's economic competitiveness by putting an end to all subsidies, tax breaks and grants for businesses and special interest groups.

21 Mr. Jackson to move--: Be it resolved that this House regrets the Government of Canada's failure to protect water resources in the North American Free Trade Agreement and calls upon the Government of British Columbia to take measures to prohibit interbasin transfers (such as the proposed North Thompson Diversion) and the bulk export of water from British Columbia.

22 Ms. Hammell to move--: Be it resolved that this House congratulate the Government for investing in skills and jobs for our young people with the establishment of the new technical university in Surrey.

23 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly support treaty negotiations that are aimed at providing fair and affordable settlements that are final and binding and extinguish any further claim by claimant bands against the Crown.

24 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly support treaty negotiations that are aimed at providing Aboriginal British Columbians with equal opportunities and equal obligations as non-Aboriginal taxpayers.

25 Mr. Hanson to move--: Be it resolved that the Government immediately eliminate the Fair Wage Program, which is artificially inflating government capital costs and placing undue hardship on B.C. taxpayers.

26 Mr. Farnworth to move--: Be it resolved that this House urge the Government to bring forward for early consideration legislation similar in principle and effect to the U.S. Fishery Conservation and Management (Magnuson) Act 1976, to ensure British Columbia is able to restrict the export of unprocessed fish to those volumes which exceed the domestic fish processing industry's capacity.

27 Mr. Streifel to move--: Be it resolved that it is the opinion of this House that the Skills Now Program provides vital support for British Columbians moving from welfare to the workforce and that this House supports the provision of individual training plans for the unemployed; matching training to local job needs; partnerships with B.C. businesses for new employee training; and targeted vocational and skills training at colleges and universities.
28 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly support treaty negotiations that are aimed at ensuring all British Columbians are treated equally under the law.

29 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that all votes conducted in the Legislature be electronically recorded, to allow all constituents the right to determine how their MLA voted on any given issue debated in the House.

30 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that the Government amend its welfare policies to require single employable parents to be deemed eligible for employment when their youngest child is six months of age or older.

31 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature recognize the important contribution made to our Provincial economy by the hard-working people in the tourism and service industries.

32 Mr. Hanson to move--: Be it resolved that the Island Highway and all Government construction contracts be open for tender to all bidders, union and non-union alike.

33 Mr. Randall to move--: Be it resolved that it is the opinion of this House that infrastructure development is an affordable and necessary investment that helps our economy grow and helps the private sector create jobs.

34 Dr. Perry to move--: Be it resolved that this House, recognizing the importance of investing in the arts community through the funding of projects like the renovation of the Stanley Theatre, support the continued co-operation with our partners in the Canada/British Columbia Infrastructure Works Program in developing a vibrant and diverse cultural sector and long-term employment opportunities in the arts.

35 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that the Government henceforth require all single employable welfare recipients to pick up their welfare cheques in person unless they are specifically excluded from doing so by the Government, in writing, for justifiable reasons.

36 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this House extend congratulations to the Province of Alberta for achieving a balanced budget and for sound accounting practices. We also offer our commitment to join this province in achieving a balanced budget and debt reduction for the good of all Canadians.

37 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly will only entertain proposed Native land claim settlements that have first been put to regional referendums and approved by a majority of all British Columbians living in the area under claim.

38 Mr. Simpson to move--: Be it resolved that this House support the continued development of our Province's important trading relationship with the Pacific Rim and other nations, and that the Government of British Columbia take measures to ensure that the North American Free Trade Agreement does not undermine this valued relationship.

39 Mr. Schreck to move--: Be it resolved that this House, acknowledging that information technology is British Columbia's fastest growing industrial sector, support partnerships with the private sector that will create jobs in the value-added, knowledge-based economy of the future.

40 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia immediately withdraw its negotiators from the Nisga'a talks until all parties agree to honour the provisions for openness and public consultation specified under sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Framework Agreement.

41 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that the New Directions health care experiment be immediately frozen until it can be tested and refined through a regional pilot project.

42 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature immediately strike a committee to investigate inefficiencies in the Province's educational administration and recommend ways that they can be eliminated.

43 Ms. Pullinger to move--: Be it resolved that this House denounce the actions of the Liberal Government of New Brunswick in disregarding the spirit of Canada's agreement on internal trade by transferring jobs from British Columbia and other provinces to New Brunswick through lowering safety standards and environmental standards, diluting workers' rights and outright cash payments to private firms.

44 Ms. Boone to move--: Be it resolved that the Government of British Columbia, recognizing that the Kemano Completion Project would have caused irreparable harm to the fisheries resource in the Nechako and Fraser River systems, demand that the Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans revoke the 1987 letter of opinion allowing Alcan Aluminum to use up to eighty-eight per cent of Nechako River flows, and that this letter be replaced with one establishing new flow levels.

45 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature move immediately to strike a special committee for the purpose of establishing strict and specific standards to be applied to Members and Ministers who find themselves under investigation for any reason.

46 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that the Forest Practices Code be immediately amended to minimize unnecessary regulatory hardship and cost to the B.C. forest industry.

47 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that a patronage prevention program be implemented whereby the appointment of senior civil servants and Crown Corporation heads is subject to confirmation by an all-party committee of the Legislature.

48 Mr. Hanson to move--: Be it resolved that this House support the immediate establishment of a provincial sexual offenders registry as an interim step towards the establishment of a national registry.

49 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that Forest Renewal trust accounts be established in all regions, to ensure that every region receives its fair share of additional stumpage revenues generated under the Forest Renewal Program.

50 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that the Infants Act be amended to restore the right of parents to assume primary responsibility for health decisions for children age 16 or younger.

51 Mr. Hanson to move--: Be it resolved that the Government seek direction from B.C. taxpayers by way of a referendum in tandem with the next provincial election on the suitability of user fees on hospital services as an option to address rising health care costs without compromising existing service levels.

52 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that this House appeal to the federal government to initiate a federal referendum on capital punishment that will be binding on Parliament.

53 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly support the concept of an amendment to the B.C. Constitution Act that would make balanced budgets mandatory except in such extreme circumstances as taxpayers might deem necessary, by way of referendum, or that can be justified to the satisfaction of every Member of the Legislature, by way of a unanimous vote.

54 Mr. Hanson to move--: Be it resolved that the youth minimum wage be restored and the general minimum wage be lowered to make it more competitive with other jurisdictions.

55 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly support the expansion of choice in education through charter schools, alternative schools and the introduction of a voluntary voucher system.

56 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that any consideration of privatizing BC Rail be contingent on a legal guarantee that existing rail service to Fort Nelson will be maintained by any future owner of the company.

57 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this House support the objective of reducing the cost of the public sector wage bill in real terms by at least 15 per cent within three years.

58 Mr. Hanson to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature recognize the importance of an efficient and well-maintained transportation infrastructure to the economy of all regions of the Province, and that in its development future generations must be protected from unfair and unmanageable levels of Government debt.

59 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that education be immediately restored as an essential service under the Labour Code to ensure B.C. students are no longer vulnerable to strikes and lockouts in public schools, colleges and universities.
60 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature encourage B.C. Hydro to move forward with its proposal to meet our Province's future power needs by purchasing electrical power from small independent power producers.

61 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that the Government respect the will of the electorate and immediately introduce amendments to the Recall and Initiative Act that would make it a truly workable instrument of the people.

62 Mr. Hanson to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature believe the agricultural industry to be an important contributor to the well-being of all British Columbians, and recognize that the whole Province benefits immeasurably from the hard work, commitment and perspiration of our ranchers, orchardists and farmers.

63 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly rejects the costs and unnecessary regulatory burden that the federal government's proposed gun control legislation will place on lawful gun owners.

64 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature strike down the Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council of February 23, 1995, and consider proposed changes to the Employment Standards Regulations in the proper forum: this Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia.

65 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature outlaw the use of Special Warrants.

66 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that this Assembly urge the federal government in the strongest possible terms to immediately reform the national equalization program, to make it truly fair and affordable for B.C. taxpayers.

67 Mr. Neufeld to move--: Be it resolved that no Minister who has been relieved of his or her statutory responsibilities be allowed to retain their ministerial salary, perks, benefits and title.

68 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature outlaw use of public funds for political promotion of the governing party.

69 Mr. Fox to move--: Be it resolved that the Government suspend all contracts with NOW Communications pending the investigations presently underway by the Auditor General and Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

70 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature endorse the concept of a Triple E Senate: Equal, Effective and Elected.

71 Mr. Weisgerber to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature condemn the closed-door processes by which the Executive Council can force significant changes to Provincial policy by Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, without consulting the people of British Columbia as represented here in the Legislative Assembly.
72 Mr. Dosanjh to move--: Be it resolved that this House urge the Vancouver City Council to use the legislated powers provided to it by this Assembly in 1993, to put a ward system in place for the 1996 election to recognize the view of Vancouver voters in three plebiscites.

73 Ms. Pullinger to move--: Be it resolved that this House, mindful that the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges at Nanoose Bay are used mostly by American Armed Forces to test torpedoes and other anti-submarine warfare technology, strongly urge the Government of Canada not to renew their lease in 1996 and to convert this test range to peaceful purposes for the benefit of the people of the Mid-Island Region, British Columbia and Canada.

74 Ms. Brewin to move--: Be it resolved that this House, recalling that the Victoria Commonwealth Games was the first major international multi-sport event in which disabled athletes participated as full members of their national teams, strongly urge the Government of Malaysia to recognize the rightful place of disabled athletes in competitive sport and support their full inclusion in the XVI Commonwealth Games in 1998.

75 Mr. Schreck to move--: Be it resolved that this House, in this 50th anniversary year of VE-Day, call upon the Governments of Canada and the United Kingdom to negotiate a reciprocal agreement on social security that would include provision for the payment of indexed British old-age pensions to eligible Canadian residents on the same basis as U.K. residents.

76 Mr. Schreck to move--: Be it resolved that this House is of the opinion that education funding must be directed, as much as possible, to children in the classroom and reject the practice of large payouts by school boards to administrators for unused sick leave or for paid leaves of absence.

81 Ms. Lord to move--: Be it resolved that this House, noting that federal funding cuts to health care threaten to erode the quality, universality and portability of our health care system, condemn the Government of Canada's $6 billion cut to transfer payments to the provinces for health care and other social programs.

82 Mr. Symons to move--: Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia reaffirm its request to the Government of Canada to conduct a full public environmental review of the dangers involved by the presence of nuclear-weaponed and nuclear-powered vessels in British Columbia's harbours and waterways.

83 Mr. Symons to move--: Be it resolved that Standing Order 81 of the Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia be amended to read:; Every Bill shall receive three readings, on different days, prior to being passed. After first reading, there shall be a minimum of three sitting days before second reading. After the second reading, it shall be ordered for committal on a subsequent day. Notwithstanding the above, on urgent or extraordinary occasions, a Bill may be read twice or thrice, or advanced two or more stages in one day.

84 Mr. Symons to move--: Be it resolved that this Legislature urge the Government of Canada to spend at least 50 per cent of the money collected through Federal taxes on automotive fuels on highways in the province of origin.

Schedule B

WRITTEN QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

1 Mr. Mitchell to ask the Hon. the Minister of Government Services the following questions:: 1. What is the total amount of money paid to date since November 5, 1991, for severance, severance-related benefits and early-retirement benefits offered to employees of the Legislative Assembly under Vote 1, by department and legislative caucus?; 2. What is the total number of employees who have been dismissed from their employment with the Legislative Assembly under Vote 1 during this time period, including those laid-off, fired or induced to take early retirement?; 3. What is the total amount of monies spent by the Legislative Assembly under Vote 1 for: employment termination services provided by contract; and negotiation and/or litigation of severance settlements?

2 Mr. Mitchell to ask the Hon. the Minister of Government Services the following question:: With respect to implementing the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act--; 1. What is the total cost up to March 22, 1995?; 2. What is the total cost of staff and offices within each Ministry, Crown Corporation and public agency covered under the Act?; 3. What is the total cost of staffing and operation of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner?; 4. What is the estimated cost of responding to all requests for information under the Act?

Schedule C

MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES

SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

The Committee will meet from 8 o'clock a.m. to 9.30 o'clock a.m. on Tuesdays (until further notice), in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Matters referred to Committee.

Mr. Gingell, Chair
Ms. Hagen, Deputy Chair

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