1995 Legislative Session: 4th Session, 35th Parliament

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

Nos. 97 and 98

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Thursday, July 6, 1995

Ten o'clock a.m.

Prayers by Mr. Neufeld.

On the motion of Mr. Krog, Bill (No. M 212) intituled An Act to Amend the Document Disposal Act 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 Ms. Pullinger, Bill (No. M 213) intituled Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Right-of-Way Protection Act 1995 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.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Bill (No. 28) intituled Election Act was again committed.

In consideration of a proposed amendment by Mr. Wilson to section 91 of Bill (No. 28), the Committee divided as follows:

Section 91, as amended, of Bill (No. 28) passed, on division.

An amendment to section 93 (3) of Bill (No. 28) was defeated, on division.

The Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

And then the House adjourned at 12.12 p.m.

Thursday, July 6, 1995

Two o'clock p.m.

Mr. Wilson rose on a point of order relating to Standing Order 23.

The Speaker stated that he would take the matter under advisement.

On the motion of Ms. Reid, Bill (No. M 214) intituled Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Act 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.

The Hon. M. F. Harcourt (Premier) made a ministerial statement regarding the cancellation of the Kemano Completion Project and an agreement with Alcan Aluminum.

Mr. de Jong made a statement.

Mr. Weisgerber made a statement.

By leave, Mr. Serwa made a statement.

By leave, Mr. Wilson made a statement.

Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."

By leave, Mr. Weisgerber tabled a copy of a memorandum to NOW Communications Group Inc.

The Hon. J. MacPhail (Minister of Social Services) on behalf of the Minister of Women's Equality, tabled the Ministry of Women's Equality Annual Report, 1992-93; 1993-94.

The Hon. E. Barnes (Speaker) tabled the Office of the Information & Privacy Commissioner Annual Report, 1994-1995.

The Speaker declared a short recess.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor having entered the House, and being seated in the Chair -- E. George MacMinn, Q.C., Clerk of the House, read the titles to the following Bills:

Bill (No. 7) Columbia Basin Trust Act.

Bill (No. 13) Mineral Tenure Amendment Act, 1995.

Bill (No. 51) Adoption 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."

Bill (No. 28) intituled Election Act was again committed.

The Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered later today.

On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 53) intituled Park Amendment Act, 1995, a debate arose.

On the motion of Mr. Wilson, the debate was adjourned until later today.

The Speaker delivered his reserved decision as follows:

Honourable Members:

Earlier today, a matter was raised under Standing Order 23 relating to the presence of a stranger on the floor of the House. It should be mentioned at this point, that the term "stranger" is a purely technical one in its parliamentary connotation, and is not intended in any way to reflect or express any parliamentary attitude toward members of the public (see Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, 2nd edition at page 30).

I quote further from the same edition at page 30:

"No stranger is permitted on the floor of the House without first obtaining Mr. Speaker's permission in the form of a floor pass. No minister, member or officer of the House is permitted to bring guests into the Chamber without Mr. Speaker's express permission."

The visitor on the floor of the House today was in possession of a floor pass which was requested and issued unfortunately, under a misapprehension.

During the committee stages of legislation and estimates in Committee of the Whole, floor passes are routinely requested and approved for ministerial advisers. It was presumed in this instance that the request for a floor pass was in this category.

In summary, the pass in question was issued in error. I apologize to all Honourable Members and especially to the guest in question for any embarrassment he may have experienced resulting from this matter being raised on the floor of the House.

The Chair would also advise the Members that there are occasions on which distinguished visitors and both past and present Members of Commonwealth parliaments have been granted floor passes upon request to the Speaker's office, and I believe this practice continues to meet with the general concurrence of all Members of the House.

Emery O. Barnes, Speaker

The House recessed for thirty minutes.

Forty Minutes past Six o'clock p.m.

The House resumed the adjourned debate on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 53) intituled Park Amendment Act, 1995.

The debate continued.

The House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

Bill (No. 53) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.

On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 55) intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3), 1995, a debate arose.

The House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

Bill (No. 55) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.

And then the House adjourned at 11.20 p.m.

EMERY O. BARNES, Speaker

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