1997 Legislative Session: 2nd Session, 36th Parliament
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
[ Progress of Bills . . . ]
Nos. 2 and 3
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Tuesday, March 25, 1997
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Ms. Gillespie.
Mr. Gingell rose on a matter of privilege relating to an allegation that the Member for Saanich
South had misled the House with respect to details of the budget in 1996.
The Hon. J. MacPhail made representations.
The Speaker stated that he would take the matter under advisement.
Mr. de Jong rose on a matter of privilege relating to an allegation that the Member for Saanich
South had deliberately misled the House with respect to details of the budget in 1996.
The Hon. J. MacPhail made representations.
The Speaker stated that he would take the matter under advisement.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
The Hon. J. MacPhail advised that the House will sit Wednesday, pursuant to Standing Order 2 (2).
- Ms. Kwan moved, seconded by Mr. Goodacre--
-
We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia,
in Session assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious Speech which Your Honour has
addressed to us at the opening of the present Session.
A debate arose.
The debate continued.
On the motion of Mr. Campbell, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
And then the House adjourned at 11.26 a.m.
Tuesday, March 25, 1997
Two o'clock p.m.
Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."
Upon the Member for Vancouver-Point Grey failing to withdraw an unparliamentary expression,
the Chair ordered him to withdraw from the House for the balance of the day's sitting.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
On the motion of the Hon. A. Petter (Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations and Minister
Responsible for Intergovernmental Relations) it was Ordered--
That this House, at its next sitting, resolve itself for this Session into a Committee to consider the
Supply to be granted to Her Majesty.
The Hon. A. Petter (Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations and Minister Responsible for
Intergovernmental Relations) presented:
The Report of the Comptroller General (Interim Financial Statements for the Ten Month Period
Ending January 31, 1997) in accordance with section 8 (4) of the Financial Administration Act.
The Hon. A. Petter (Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations and Minister Responsible for
Intergovernmental Relations) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Lieutenant
Governor, which read as follows:
Garde B. Gardom
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith:
Estimates -- Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1998; and
Supplement to the Estimates -- Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 1998;
and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House
March 24, 1997
Ordered, that the Message, and the Estimates accompanying same, be referred to the Committee of
Supply.
The Hon. A. Petter (Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations and Minister Responsible for
Intergovernmental Relations) moved, seconded by the Hon. J. MacPhail (Minister of Health and
Minister Responsible for Seniors), "That the Speaker do now leave the Chair" for the House to go into
Committee of Supply.
A debate arose, which was, on the motion of Mr. Gingell, adjourned to the next sitting of the
House.
The Hon. A. Petter (Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations and Minister Responsible for
Intergovernmental Relations) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Lieutenant
Governor, which read as follows:
Garde B. Gardom
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith: Bills (Nos. 2, 3 and 4) intituled:
Budget Measures Implementation Act, 1997;
Corporation Capital Tax Amendment Act, 1997;
Correction Amendment Act, 1997;
and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
March 24, 1997.
Bills introduced and read a first time.
Bills Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after
today.
And then the House adjourned at 3.31 p.m.
DALE LOVICK, Speaker
NOTICE OF BILLS
Wednesday, March 26
Mr. Weisgerber to introduce a Bill intituled Senatorial Election Act.
Mr. Weisgerber to introduce a Bill intituled Financial Administration Amendment Act, 1997
(Special Warrant Abolition).
Mr. Weisgerber to introduce a Bill intituled Fixed Election Date Act.
Mr. Weisgerber to introduce a Bill intituled Free Votes Enabling Act.
Mr. Neufeld to introduce a Bill intituled Rural Health Transportation Act.
Mr. Neufeld to introduce a Bill intituled Adoption Amendment Act, 1997.
Mr. Neufeld to introduce a Bill intituled BC Forest Renewal Amendment Act, 1997 (Forest Renewal
Equitable Reinvestment).
NOTICE OF MOTIONS
Wednesday, March 26
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1 Mr. Calendino to move--
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Be it resolved that this House declare its support and approval for the Guarantee for Youth and further recognize the important need for expansion of job opportunities for young people, linked to affordable post-secondary education and skills training opportunity.
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2 Mr. Janssen to move--
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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.
-
3 Mr. Randall to move--
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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.
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4 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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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 means of a referendum, or that can be justified to the satisfaction of every member
of the Legislature, by way of a unanimous vote.
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5 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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Be it resolved that this Legislature will support the reform of Canada's Senate in any future discussions on the subject, and in particular that this Assembly endorses the concept of a "Triple-E" Senate:
one that is Equal, Elected, and Effective.
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6 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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Be it resolved that all votes conducted in the Legislature be electronically recorded, to allow all
constituents the means to easily and readily exercise their right to determine how their MLA voted on
any given issue debated in this Assembly Chamber.
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7 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that this Assembly support the concept of an amendment to the B.C. Constitution
Act, to place legal caps on spending and borrowing by the Government of this Province.
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8 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that this Legislative Assembly enact legislation dissolving the Insurance Corporation
of British Columbia, and ending its monopoly on automobile insurance in the Province, replacing it with
a free-market system of automobile insurance, thereby reducing insurance costs for all British Columbians, while preserving their rights and responsibilities.
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9 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that the Government join and support the governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan and
Manitoba in their efforts to "convince" the federal government to reconsider its firearms legislation, and
to consider the needs of rural Canadians.
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10 Mr. Bowbrick to move--
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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.
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11 Ms. Walsh to move--
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Be it resolved that this House recognize the importance of ensuring women and other underrepresented groups are represented in publicly funded construction projects such as the Island Highway
Project and reaffirm its support for the Skills Development and Fair Wage Act.
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12 Mr. Bowbrick to move--
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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.
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13 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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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 British Columbians living in
the area under claim.
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14 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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That the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia endorse the principles set out below to guide
the Government of British Columbia in negotiations for the settlement of Native land claims:
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1. Settlements should be fair, consistent, affordable, final and binding;
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2. Settlements should respect the rights and interests of all British Columbians, including property
ownership and legal rights emanating from contracts, leases, tenures and other legal arrangements;
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3. Settlements should support Native aspirations to be part of the economic mainstream of the
Province;
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4. Settlements should incorporate the principles of fiscal fairness, whereby all British Columbians
have access to reasonably comparable levels of government services on the basis of reasonably comparable levels of taxation;
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5. Settlements should provide Native people with the same rights, privileges and obligations as
other British Columbians;
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6. Settlements involving natural resources should include a framework for natural resource conservation and management; and
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7. Settlements must respect Natives' rights to live according to their unique culture and heritage.
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15 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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Be it resolved that the Government act immediately to create a Community Notification Process to
be followed upon the release from jail of a convicted pedophile or a repeat sexual offender.
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16 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that, in the interest of public scrutiny, the Government ensure that all component
parts of the Public Accounts be available in hardcopy form, rather than having portions of them available
only to those who have computer access to them via the Internet.
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17 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that, in the interest of public scrutiny, the Government ensure that the tendering of all
Government contracts and subcontracts be inventoried in the Public Accounts, so that subcontracting
cannot be used as a means of subverting public accountability.
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18 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that the motor fuel tax exemption for propane be reinstated, and be extended indefinitely.
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19 Mr. Randall to move--
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Be it resolved that this House congratulate the Government and in particular the Ministry of Health
for its on-going efforts to curb smoking among British Columbia's young people; and
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Be it further resolved that this House call upon the Government to step up its efforts to ensure compliance with the law by enforcing the restriction on the sale of tobacco products to those under the age of
19, including the prosecution of those who continue to ignore this prohibition.
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20 Ms. Kwan to move--
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Be it resolved that this House declare its support for a woman's right to choice in reproductive
health care.
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21 Mr. Stevenson to move--
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Be it resolved that this House, mindful that the vast majority of landlords are reasonable and fair
and that only a small minority of tenants cause problems for landlords, is of the opinion that the present
residential tenancy legislation provides fairness and balance that enables conflicts to be resolved without
confrontation between landlords and tenants.
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22 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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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 revenue generated under the Forest Renewal Program.
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23 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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Be it resolved that this Legislature will not countenance any expansion of gambling in this Province, unless the specific details of that expansion are first approved by a majority of the ballots cast by
British Columbians in a province-wide referendum.
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24 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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Be it resolved that this Legislature repudiate the federal government's ill-advised "Mifflin Plan" for
the reorganization of the Fisheries Industry in B.C., and that this Assembly calls upon the Government
of this province to press the Government of Canada to surrender full jurisdiction for salt-water fisheries
on the Pacific coast, to the Province.
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25 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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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.
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26 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that all Government contracts be open for tender to all bidders, whether they are
union or non-union.
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27 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that this Legislature recognize the importance of an efficient and well-maintained
transportation infrastructure to the economy of all regions of this Province.
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28 Mr. Goodacre to move--
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Be it resolved that this House recognize BC Rail as vital to the continued economic vibrancy of the
North and vigorously oppose proposals to sell it to American or off-shore interests.
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29 Mr. Kasper to move--
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Be it resolved that this House, mindful of the need to protect British Columbia's coasts against the
threat of oil spills, call on the Government of Canada to require the double-hulling of tankers by 1998, to
reinstate the Ship-Source Oil Pollution fund, and to enact federal regulations requiring all vessel traffic
entering B.C. waters to have spill prevention plans in place.
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30 Mr. Orcherton to move--
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Be it resolved that the House declare its priority in support of tax relief for middle class working
families, and oppose schemes aimed at reducing the tax burden for large corporations that are enjoying
record profits during a time when unemployment remains unacceptably high.
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31 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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Be it resolved that this House rejects the high costs and unnecessary regulatory burden that the federal government's gun control legislation places on lawful gun-owners.
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32 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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Be it resolved that this Legislative Assembly urge the Ministry of Health to continue to encourage
the recruitment of Health Care professionals, including audiologists and anaesthesiologists, in the rural
and northern regions of British Columbia.
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33 Mr. Weisgerber to move--
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Be it resolved that this Legislature refer the Election Act to the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills for broad reconsideration,
including further examination of those sections setting limits on the free speech of ordinary British
Columbians during an election campaign, and those resulting in onerous document filing requirements
for political parties, and requesting recommendations for appropriate amendments.
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34 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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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.
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35 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that this Legislative Assembly support the expansion of choice in education through
charter schools, alternative schools, and the introduction of a voluntary voucher system.
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36 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that this House commit itself to repealing, this session, the effect of the provisions of
the Human Rights Amendment Act, 1996 which permit the BC Human Rights Tribunal to impose operating conditions and hiring quotas on private-sector employers.
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37 Mr. Waddell to move--
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Be it resolved that this House congratulate the Government on receiving the highest rating in Canada from the victims' rights group CAVEAT, for taking a comprehensive approach to community safety
and introducing a wide range of innovative programs.
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38 Mr. Hartley to move--
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Be it resolved that this House urge the Government of Canada to submit the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to the federal Environmental Assessment Review Process (EARP) in recognition that this federal government undertaking has significant implications for British Columbia and
Canada's environment; and
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Be it further resolved that this House regret that the federal Liberal government ignored the environmental implications of NAFTA which, in the opinion of this House, is likely to increase intergovernmental pressure to lower environmental standards and enforcement measures.
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39 Mr. Waddell to move--
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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.
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40 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that the Forest Practices Code be immediately amended, to minimize unnecessary
regulatory burdens on and high compliance costs to the B.C. forest industry.
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41 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that this Assembly condemn the manner in which the Government extended the eligibility criteria for the adoption of infants at the expense of traditional families who are waiting to adopt
a baby. Be it further resolved that this House commit itself to passing, this session, legislation amending
the Adoption Act, to remedy this.
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42 Mr. Neufeld to move--
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Be it resolved that this House support only genuine and documented reductions in the size of the
Provincial Civil Service.
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43 Ms. Sawicki to move--
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Be it resolved that this House does not support mining within the boundaries of the Tatshenshini-
Alsek or other provincial parks.
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44 Mr. Doyle to move--
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Be it resolved that this House recognize the necessity of ensuring qualified trades people are fairly
compensated for work performed on publicly-funded construction projects and reaffirm its support for
the Skills Development and Fair Wage Act.
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45 Ms. Brewin to move--
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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.
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46 Mr. Janssen to move--
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Be it resolved that this House urge the Minister of Transportation and Highways to amend the
Motor Vehicle Act Regulations to allow motorcycle owners to purchase personalized (vanity) licence
plates, with net revenues from the sale of these plates dedicated to head injury treatment and research.
[ Progress of Bills . . . ]
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