1995 Legislative Session: 4th Session, 35th Parliament
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The printed version remains the official version.
Nos. 51 and 52
OF THE
Tuesday, May 16, 1995
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Ms. Stephens.
Mr. Hurd asked leave, pursuant to Standing Order 35, to move adjournment of the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the withdrawal of Bonneville Power Administration from the Columbia River Treaty.
The Hon. P. Ramsey made representations.
Mr. Weisgerber made representations.
Mr. Wilson made representations.
The Speaker stated that he would take the matter under advisement.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Health and Ministry Responsible for Seniors).
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs).
(In Committee)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
Section A of Committee of Supply reported progress.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 11.51 a.m.
Tuesday, May 16, 1995
Two o'clock p.m.
The Hon. D. Zirnhelt (Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:
Garde B. Gardom
Lieutenant GovernorThe Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 22) intituled Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
May 10, 1995.
Bill introduced and read a first time.
Bill Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.
The Speaker delivered his reserved opinion as follows:
Honourable Members:
This morning, the Honourable Member for Surrey-White Rock informed the House of his intention to move an adjournment motion pursuant to Standing Order 35 to debate a matter of urgent public importance, namely the withdrawal of Bonneville Power from the Columbia River Treaty.
Since this morning, the Chair has had the opportunity to give the matter some consideration in light of the Member's comments and the representations of other Members.
Certainly the Chair recognizes that the collapse of this agreement is a most serious and important matter which impacts the Province of British Columbia. In dealing with issues raised under Standing Order 35, the Chair must consider a number of guidelines set out in Standing Order 35 as interpreted by the established practice of this House in previous years. Among other provisions, the standing order states that the Chair must consider whether the matter would "anticipate a matter which has been previously appointed for consideration by the House. . . ." Hence, a key question that the Chair must determine is whether there is a probability of the matter being brought before the House within a reasonable time by other means.
In his submission to the House this morning, the Member for Surrey-White Rock referred to the financial loss that Bonneville Power's decision would have on this year's budget and also stated that the decision and I quote "calls into serious question the veracity of the very debate on spending estimates in this Chamber". The Member relates the question which he raises to the Estimates debate. Indeed, I remind Members that the Estimates, which have been referred by order of the House to the Committee of Supply, offer Members a clear venue to discuss questions such as that raised by the Honourable Member.
I conclude that the Honourable Member's application cannot succeed as I note that a parliamentary opportunity is at hand through the vehicle of the Estimates. A number of applications of this particular restriction are found in the Journals of this House and I refer Members to Journals, April 26, 1989, p. 53; Journals, June 21, 1991, p. 54; Journals, April 26, 1993, p. 46; Journals, April 27, 1993, p. 48; and Journals, April 21, 1994, p. 57.
For these reasons, I find that the matter raised does not meet the requirements of Standing Order 35 and I must rule accordingly.
Emery O. Barnes, Speaker
Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."
Ms. Boone presented a petition.
The Hon. J. Pement (Minister of Transportation and Highways) tabled the Ministry of Transportation and Highways Annual Report, 1993-94.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Health and Ministry Responsible for Seniors).
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs).
(In Committee)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
Section A of Committee of Supply reported progress.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
The Hon. J. Cashore moved that the House at its rising stand adjourned until 10 o'clock a.m. tomorrow.
And then the House adjourned at 5.48 p.m.
EMERY O. BARNES, Speaker
NOTICE OF MOTIONS
Thursday, May 18
MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES
SELECT STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
The Committee will meet at 8 o'clock a.m. on Thursday, May 25 (instead of Tuesday, May 23) in the Douglas Fir Room (Room 226).
Business: Pensions and Funding/UK National Audit Office Secondment.
Mr. Gingell, Chair
Ms. Hagen, Deputy Chair
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