[ Progress of Bills . . . ]

Two o'clock p.m.

Prayers by Mr. Doyle.

Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."

Mr. Symons reserved his right to raise a matter of privilege with respect to the Minister Responsible for BC Ferries.

The Hon. D. Zirnhelt (Minister of Forests) tabled the Ministry of Forests Annual Report, 1996/97.

The Hon. C. Evans (Minister of Agriculture and Food) made a ministerial statement regarding Roberts Bank backup lands.

Mr. Barisoff made a statement.

The Speaker delivered her reserved decision as follows:

Honourable Members:

On January 19th, the Leader of the Official Opposition sought to move adjournment of the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance under Standing Order 35, namely, the closing of the Highland Valley Copper Mine and the effect that it would have on the Kamloops and British Columbia economy.

Before dealing with the merits of the Honourable Member's application I wish to make one or two observations related to the procedures followed:

1. The appropriate time to make the application is after routine business has been concluded and before Orders of the Day are embarked upon, i.e. after Question Period. In this instance, the application was made before routine business had been concluded and, as such, will not be used as a precedent.

2. The Member making the application states the matter briefly and tenders to the Chair a Motion with a supporting statement. The Motion is not read or moved until the Chair has determined that it qualifies under Standing Order 35.

3. The Member making the application makes a brief submission and the Chair will allow a brief reply. Both the submission and the reply are intended to deal with the question of whether the issue qualifies under Standing Order 35, and not be a debate on the merits.

The Member for Kamloops-North Thompson sought the floor on what the Speaker assumed would be a technical submission relating to the application. The Honourable Member, however, launched into the debate on the matter.

From submissions made, the Chair is aware that an announcement has been made by Highland Valley Copper that the mine will be closed as of the 15th of May, 1999, some four months from now. The Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Northern Development advised the House that he had had discussions with representatives of the company with respect to the mine's situation and that the discussions were ongoing. On numerous occasions, Speakers of this House have ruled that an ongoing matter did not qualify under the test of urgency of debate required under Standing Order 35. It is evident to the Chair that while the issue at hand is a most serious issue with repercussions for the economy in the Kamloops area and throughout British Columbia, the test of urgency is not met under Standing Order 35.

Gretchen Mann Brewin, Speaker

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Bill (No. 51) intituled Nisga'a Final Agreement Act was again committed.

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

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

Order for Private Members' Statements called.

And then the House adjourned at 6.53 p.m.

GRETCHEN MANN BREWIN, Speaker