[ Progress of Bills . . . ]

Ten o'clock a.m.

Prayers by the Hon. G. Brewin.

Mr. de Jong rose on a matter of privilege regarding private communications with him by the Member for Surrey-Whalley.

The Hon. J. MacPhail made representations.

Mr. Farrel-Collins made representations.

The Speaker stated she would take the matter under advisement.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Ms. Gillespie moved, seconded by Ms. Walsh--

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.

On the motion of Mr. Campbell, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.

And then the House adjourned at 11.59 a.m.

GRETCHEN BREWIN, Speaker

NOTICE OF BILLS

Monday, March 30

Mr. Weisgerber to introduce a Bill intituled Financial Administration Amendment Act, 1998 (Special Warrant Abolition).

Mr. Weisgerber to introduce a Bill intituled Electoral Boundaries Commission Amendment Act, 1998 (Northern Electoral Boundaries Protection Act).

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

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

Mr. Weisgerber to introduce a Bill intituled Senatorial Election Act.

Mr. Campbell to introduce a Bill intituled Truth in Budgeting Act.

Ms. Reid to introduce a Bill intituled Family Relations Act Amendment Act (No. 2) 1998 (Grandparents' Rights).

Mr. Campbell to introduce a Bill intituled Balanced Budget and Debt Reduction Act.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Monday, March 30

  1   Ms. Smallwood to move--

Be it resolved that this House continue to pressure the Government of Canada to undertake a broad public consultation on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) and be it further resolved that this Legislature urges the federal Liberal government to ensure that Canadian Medicare and social service sectors are fully excluded from the provisions of the MAI and to refuse to sign any version of this agreement which compromises the ability of British Columbians to manage and conserve their natural resources as they see fit, or the power of the Province to lever jobs and economic benefits for the residents of British Columbia.

  2   Mr. Calendino to move--

Be it resolved that this House continues to support Youth Options BC, and further we congratulate the Premier for the priority he continues to give to the expansion of job opportunities for young people, linked to affordable post-secondary education and skills training opportunities.

  3   Mr. Bowbrick to move--

Be it resolved that this House congratulate the government for making education for British Columbia's children a top priority by increasing funding to core education by 20.6% over the past six years, and being the only province in Canada where education dollars have consistently increased.

  4   Mr. Cashore to move--

Be it resolved that this House congratulate the government on investing over $1.5 billion on new school construction, renovations and additions in the last five years, with 12 new schools opening in this province this fiscal year alone, in order to build opportunities for British Columbia's young people.

  5   Mr. Weisgerber to move--

Be it resolved that this Legislature endorse the Peace River Regional District's "Fair Share" initiative, which would permit the District to implement an equitable property tax system.

  6   Mr. Weisgerber to move--

Be it resolved that this House recognize the importance of the rural road grid system to the economic health and prosperity of the Peace region.

  7   Mr. Conroy to move--

Be it resolved that this House, mindful of the need to help the private sector create jobs, recognises that infrastructure development is an affordable and necessary investment that helps our economy grow.

  8   Mr. Goodacre 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 this Province.

  9   Mr. Orcherton to move--

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 banks that are enjoying record profits during a time when unemployment remains unacceptably high.

  10   Mr. Janssen to move--

Be it resolved that this House calls upon the government to maintain its policy direction of providing 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.

  11   Mr. Weisgerber to move--

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.

  12   Mr. Weisgerber to move--

Be it resolved that this Legislature endorse the principle that all workers -- youth, union, non- union -- are eligible to work on FRBC-funded projects and that there should be no discrimination against local residents.

  13   Ms. Sawicki to move--

Be it resolved that this House, mindful that no child or youth should fear victimization through violence, support the Safe Schools Initiative as an important step in this government's ongoing strategy to fight violence, racism and abuse in our schools and communities; and that this House also support the Safe Schools Centre at Moscrop Junior Secondary School in Burnaby -- the first of its kind in Canada -- as a centre to provide teachers, community groups and parents with resources to help students cope with and ultimately end violence in our schools.

  14   Mr. Stevenson to move--

Be it resolved that this House support the right of children to expect adequate support, appropriate custodial arrangements and continuing relationships with both parents regardless of sexual orientation and marital status; and that this government be congratulated for making British Columbia the first province in Canada to recognize the legal rights and responsibilities of same-sex couples, particularly with respect to their children, when their relationship breaks down through the provisions of amendments to the Family Relations Act.

  15   Ms. Gillespie to move--

Be it resolved that this House supports a woman's right to choice in reproductive health care.

  16   Mr. Randall to move--

Be it resolved that this House, mindful that fully one half of all smokers start in their teen years and die from diseases associated with smoking, congratulate the Government and in particular the Minister of Health for the sustained efforts to curb smoking among British Columbia's young people.

  17   Mr. Weisgerber to move--

Be it resolved that this Legislature refer the issue of adopting a fixed legislative calendar to the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills for consideration.

  18   Mr. Weisgerber to move--

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.

  19   Mr. Giesbrecht to move--

Be it resolved that this Legislature, mindful of the contribution Skeena Cellulose makes to the economy of our province especially in the northwest, congratulates the government for investing in the future of the communities and people of northwestern B.C. by working out a restructuring agreement for Skeena Cellulose, and through this strategic short-term involvement, ensuring economic stability that benefits both the region and the province.

  20   Ms. Walsh to move--

Be it resolved that this Legislature congratulates the Government for recognizing the importance of ensuring women and other underrepresented groups are hired for publicly funded construction projects such as the Island Highway Project and reaffirm its support for the Skills Development and Fair Wage Act.

  21   Mr. Hartley to move--

Be it resolved that this Legislature, mindful that information technology is British Columbia's fastest growing industrial sector, supports partnerships with the private sector that will create jobs in the value-added, knowledge-based economy of the future.

  22   Mr. Kasper to move--

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.

  23   Mr. Weisgerber to move--

Be it resolved that this Legislature 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.

  24   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 British Columbians living in the area under claim.

  25   Mr. Doyle to move--

Be it resolved that this House congratulate the government for 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.

  26   Mr. Weisgerber to move--

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.

  27   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 means of a referendum, or that can be justified to the satisfaction of every member of the Legislature, by way of a unanimous vote.

  28   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 revenue generated under the Forest Renewal BC.

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