Votes - No. 1 - Wednesday, March 22, 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. 1

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Wednesday, March 22, 1995

Two o'clock p.m.

Prayers by Lieutenant (N) S. M. Merriman, Chaplain (P), CFB Esquimalt.

This being the first day of the fourth meeting of the Thirty-Fifth Parliament of the Province of British Columbia for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a Proclamation of the Honourable David C. Lam, Lieutenant Governor of the Province, dated the 7th day of March, 1995, the members took their seats.

The Speaker made a statement regarding the retirement of the Honourable David C. Lam, Lieutenant Governor of the Province.

The Honourable David C. Lam, Lieutenant Governor of the Province, having entered the House, took his seat on the Throne, and was pleased to deliver the following gracious Speech:

Honourable Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is with great pleasure that I address you on the opening of the Fourth Session of the Thirty-Fifth Parliament of British Columbia. In this, my last Speech from the Throne as your humble servant, I cannot help but reflect on the strength of our province, on the confidence we have in ourselves and our future. British Columbians should take great pride in what we are building together and where we're heading.

When other Canadians look to our province they are in awe of our magnificent land, inspired by our dynamic economy, the best in Canada. British Columbia is a beacon of hope and progress in a nation turned upside down by a damaging recession.

Nothing symbolizes our progress more than how our government and people have moved to bring peace to our woods, and found solutions with typical British Columbian spirit and vigour. Never before have so many people, from every walk of life, participated in the decisions about the future of our forests that so profoundly affect our lives. Grassroots democracy is very much a reality in our province in 1995. People having a say. Changes coming from the ground up. Changes for the better that bear the stamp: Made in British Columbia by British Columbians.

Such an open dialogue requires a government confident in the wisdom of the people it serves, that believes the frictions of debate are healthy and natural and not to be hidden. Only through that kind of debate can common ground be found, balance attained, and communities strengthened as they shape the changes we must make.

It is perhaps not the easiest way to run a government, but it is the fairest, the smartest, and the best.

So as a result, as I speak to you today, I speak of a province that leads the country in so many ways. Landmark environmental protection. Bold initiatives to renew our forests. Skills training the envy of the country. Health care second to none. And Canada's #1 economy -- with the strongest, most consistent growth, the most new jobs, the best credit rating, and the lowest per capita debt.

This government is determined to build on those achievements in the year ahead to keep our economy the nation's strongest, providing jobs and opportunities for British Columbians today and our children tomorrow. If we are to continue to lead the way in Canada and compete in a rapidly changing global economy, we cannot rest on our laurels, admiring our successes. But instead we must move forward aggressively, with confidence.

There are two opposing visions of how a government should move forward in a modern economy.

We can stop building infrastructure, cut public services, reduce wages and lower social standards in a race to the bottom to compete with less developed economies in attracting new jobs.

Or, we can invest in our strengths, in up-to-date skills, increase our productivity, add value to what we produce, in an effort to match the advanced economies of Japan and the European Community in attracting new jobs.

And so we are faced with a fundamental choice.

Some governments in Canada have opted for the first course, persuaded that the answer is to slash budgets, reduce real wages and services, and dismantle laws that protect working people and the environment.

British Columbia's government, though, believes that however fashionable this choice may be, and however harmless it appears in the short-term, the long-term economic costs would be devastating.

And it is ordinary, working people and their families who would pay the price.

So instead of engaging in a race to the bottom, we are choosing the second course, making affordable investments in our land, infrastructure and people, looking to the long-term and a destination of jobs and prosperity.

In our changing global economy, when data, capital, plants and products can move with the blink of an eye, governments must concentrate their efforts on those assets which are least mobile and where their economy's comparative advantages lie.

That's what we're doing.

Building on the Premier's three Summits -- building on an unparalleled new partnership of business, labour and government in our province -- we're moving forward this year with a strategy for jobs and investment in a modern economy.

Our B.C. strategy will centre on three key investments:

* Investment in our natural resources

* Investment in infrastructure

* Investment in people

Balance and security are at the heart of our strategy. Finding the balance between what we need to keep our economy the best in Canada and what we can afford. Securing jobs and economic opportunity for working people, their families, our businesses and communities.

INVESTING IN OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Nowhere are these values more important than in guiding investment in our natural resources. In the first three and a half years of this government, British Columbia has made truly dramatic progress in balancing jobs and our environment. We have moved from a seemingly intractable war in the woods to resolving problems long thought unresolvable. No longer are decisions left in the hands of the large resource companies alone. Working people, environmentalists, and communities now have a place at the table. And they've found common ground and common purpose in renewing our forests.

The Forest Renewal Plan, Forest Practices Code, and our land-use plans represent that common ground and the understanding that environmental stewardship and forest jobs can and must go hand in hand. B.C. will continue to lead the way by putting new stumpage dollars back into the forests and communities that created those dollars in the first place, by retraining workers, and ensuring certainty and security for our forest industry and communities.

This year, the government will take another giant step forward, moving to enshrine land use plans in law. Legislation will designate an unprecedented number of parks and secure our commercial forest land base.

Enshrining land use plans in law will include responsible stewardship of key waterways. In addition, we will take action during this Session to further protect British Columbia's fresh water, rivers and fish.

Investing in our natural resources makes British Columbia one of the most inspiring places on earth in which to live and a source of great wealth, jobs and opportunity. Our economy prospers when our waters flow and our land is strong.

INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE

While renewing our commitment to the land, this government is also moving aggressively to prepare for the 21st century. We're replacing many of the ferries, roads and schools built in the postwar period but since allowed to decline. We are building community infrastructure in the Lower Mainland where every year the population increases by 50,000, which is the equivalent to a city the size of New Westminster. And we will be moving aggressively to build the sophisticated information infrastructure of the future.

B.C.'s private sector understands how crucial a strong and modern infrastructure is to attracting new business investment and creating good secure jobs. A government's responsibility is to provide that foundation upon which jobs can grow. From the ground up. Business by business. Community by community.

Building on existing projects, we will be moving this year to strengthen the two kinds of highways upon which the next century's economy will depend. The transportation highway that moves commuters to work and goods to market. And the information highway -- the communication networks that link us with each other and the world.

This government will be moving forward with a new transportation plan for British Columbia in the coming year, with particular emphasis on relieving congestion in the Lower Mainland and growing regions. This plan will be smarter because it will integrate roads, transit and ferries. It will be cleaner because it will give priority to public transit and emphasize environmental technologies. It will be innovative by drawing not just on private sector know-how but on private sector financial resources.

Securing British Columbia an on-ramp on the information highway is another key part of the government's infrastructure plan. Again in partnership with the private sector, we will be investing in technology, creating greater access to the highway for more people, and making sure British Columbians are poised to capture the new jobs of the information economy.

Through these investments in new infrastructure for a new century, British Columbia's government is laying the road for a future of jobs and prosperity.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

To fill those jobs and ensure that prosperity, B.C. will need a highly-skilled workforce. Investing in our people, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the global challenge, is fundamental to keeping our economy strong.

Building on the new University of Northern British Columbia and the new technological institute in the Fraser Valley, this government will be adding to the unparalleled expansion of 8,100 spaces in colleges and universities last year.

Successful partnerships with small and large businesses will be expanded in the coming year to retrain 18,000 working men and women on the job in the workplace. To match workers with local training opportunities, new Skills Centres will be opened to join the sixteen now established throughout our province.

Fundamental to this government is that every young person in our province feel valued. New steps will be taken in the coming months to move young people off welfare into jobs and job training. B.C.'s kids will get the helping hand they need to grow with our economy. Together, we will build British Columbia one dream at a time.

AFFORDABLE INVESTMENTS

All of these investments in our natural resources, infrastructure and people must be affordable. And this government is making sure they are affordable by building a strong fiscal foundation.

The banks and bondholders have signaled their approval of this government's record by giving us the best credit rating of any province in Canada. Our goals in the upcoming budget are:

* to maintain our top rating by further strengthening our record;

* to cut taxpayer supported debt as a percentage of the GDP from the current 20 per cent. This compares to the Alberta debt which stands at 37 per cent of the GDP, and the federal government debt which represents 75 per cent of the GDP; and

* to cut real government spending per capita without sacrificing Medicare, public education and other vital services that working families rely on.

PROTECTING MEDICARE

While further strengthening our economy, we cannot sacrifice what is so important to our quality of life.

This government is deeply troubled by the federal government retreat on Medicare. Ottawa, for all intents and purposes, has abandoned Medicare, disregarding its value to the fabric of our nation and the security of Canadians. Private interests are poised to take advantage of this to press for their profit-making hospitals and clinics, where those with money can buy care, and those without are turned away.

Dark clouds of two-tier American health care loom on the Canadian horizon.

This government will stand in defence of Medicare. We believe that quality health care for each of us is founded on equality for all of us. We will not silently stand by and let Medicare disappear.

We are determined to build on our new cancer clinics, further shorten surgery waiting lists, move care closer to home, free communities to set their own priorities, promote preventative care, work to maintain our healthy workforce, and spend our health care dollars smarter.

In the face of the dismantling of Medicare by the federal government, British Columbia's government will take the action required to protect Medicare for each and every citizen of our province.

PUTTING ORDINARY PEOPLE FIRST

Honourable Speaker, those are the choices the government is making for the year ahead. Those choices reflect the values of ordinary British Columbians and a government that puts the interests of ordinary people first.

British Columbians work hard for a living. Their families deserve public services they can count on in their day to day lives, and a knowledge that government will extend a hand if they need it.

This government is here to serve those families. Its purpose in building a stronger economy is to ensure that more people are better off. Its obligation is to improving the quality of life of ordinary families whenever it can -- creating and maintaining good family-supporting jobs, raising the minimum wage, improving childcare, making the workplace fairer, making housing more affordable, and protecting Medicare. Its commitment is to a British Columbia that is more than a marketplace, a place where people live and work, a place with a heart and a soul.

Together, the government and the people of British Columbia have shown what can be accomplished with hard work and a vision of a better future. Let us continue that work for our families, our children, and the generations to come.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to retire.

The Speaker reported that, in order to prevent mistakes, he had obtained a copy of His Honour's Speech.

On the motion of the Hon. C. Gabelmann (Attorney General), Bill (No. 1) intituled An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament was introduced, read a first time, and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

On the motion of the Hon. G. Clark, seconded by Mr. Farrell-Collins and Mr. Hanson, it was Ordered--: That Dale Lovick, Member for Nanaimo Electoral District, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this Session of the Legislative Assembly.

On the motion of the Hon. G. Clark, seconded by Mr. Farrell-Collins and Mr. Hanson, it was Ordered--: That Gretchen Brewin, Member for Victoria-Beacon Hill Electoral District, be appointed Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole for this Session of the Legislative Assembly.

On the motion of the Hon. C. Gabelmann (Attorney General) it was Ordered--: That the Votes and Proceedings of this House be printed, being first perused by the Speaker, and that he do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as he shall appoint do presume to print the same.

The Hon. M. F. Harcourt (Premier) moved that the Select Standing Committees of this House, for the present Session, be appointed for the following purposes:

1. Aboriginal Affairs;

2. Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations;

3. Education, Culture and Multiculturalism;

4. Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology;

5. Environment and Tourism;

6. Finance, Crown Corporations and Government Services;

7. Health and Social Services;

8. Agriculture and Fisheries;

9. Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources;

10. Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing;

11. Women's Equality;

12. Public Accounts;

13. Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills;

which said Committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House, and to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers and records, and that a Special Committee be appointed to prepare and report with all convenient speed lists of members to compose the above Select Standing Committees of this House under Standing Order 68 (1), the Committee to be composed of the Hon. G. Clark (Convener), the Hon. J. MacPhail, Messrs. Dosanjh, Janssen and Schreck, Ms. Hammell, and Ms. O'Neill, Messrs. Gingell, Farrell-Collins and Hanson.

Mr. Mitchell moved the following amendment:

That the Premier's motion be amended by adding the following words:

"and that the Annual Reports of all provincial crown corporations, when tabled in this Assembly, be automatically referred to the appropriate Select Standing Committee; and that the said committees be empowered to call before them the senior officers of each crown corporation for a detailed post-audit review of the period covered in the Annual Report."

The Speaker ruled the amendment out of order as it was beyond the scope of the motion.

Motion agreed to, on division.

And then the House adjourned at 2.57 p.m.

EMERY BARNES, Speaker

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Friday, March 24

Mr. Schreck to introduce a Bill intituled An Act to Promote the Reuse of Construction and Demolition Materials.

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

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

Ms. Hammell to introduce a Bill intituled An Act to Designate a Provincial Heritage Site at the Inaugural Plantation at Green Timbers.

Mr. Krog to introduce a Bill intituled Libel and Slander Amendment Act, 1995.

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

Mr. Streifel to introduce a Bill intituled Dual Elected Office Prohibition Act.

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

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

Mr. Mitchell to introduce a Bill intituled Budget Presentation Act, 1995.

Mr. Mitchell to introduce a Bill intituled Parliamentary Calendar Act, 1995.

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

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

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Friday, March 24

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

4 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.

5 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.

6 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.

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 it's 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 in 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 Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba for achieving balanced budgets and for sound accounting practices. We also offer our commitment to join these provinces in achieving balanced budgets 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.

NOTICE OF QUESTIONS

Friday, March 24

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:: What is the total cost up to March 22, 1995, of implementing the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, including the following:; (a) the total cost of staff and offices within each Ministry, Crown Corporation and public agency covered under the Act;; (b) the total cost of staffing and operation of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner; and; (c) the estimated cost of responding to all requests for information under the Act.

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