[ Progress of Bills . . . ]

Ten o'clock a.m.

Prayers by Mr. Janssen.

The Speaker delivered her reserved decision as follows:

Honourable Members:

Yesterday, the Honourable Member for Powell River-Sunshine Coast sought to move adjournment of the House pursuant to Standing Order 35 to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "full compensation of all people infected with Hepatitis C by tainted blood".

I thank the Member for complying with our practice of giving the Speaker notice in writing before raising the matter in the House.

The Chair has given serious consideration to the Member's submission as well as to representations by other Members on this important matter.

Matters must be urgent and of recent occurrence to qualify under Standing Order 35. In the Chair's opinion, the issue of compensation for all Hepatitis C victims infected by tainted blood has been an on-going question. This, in effect, removes the matter from the purview of Standing Order 35.

The emergence of new information, namely, the adoption of a motion by the National Assembly of Québec on this issue, the support received by the Ontario Minister of Health and the federal Health Minister's statement that he is closing this file does not, in itself, make the matter one of urgency.

I further note that also yesterday, the Minister of Health made a statement in the House outlining the position of the Government of British Columbia on the matter of full compensation of all people infected with Hepatitis C by tainted blood.

Guided by practice in this House, and specifically on a ruling of the Chair earlier this week, April 28th, the Member's application does not qualify under Standing Order 35.

Gretchen Mann Brewin, Speaker

The Hon. C. McGregor (Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:

Garde B. Gardom, Q.C.
Lieutenant Governor

The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 16) intituled Occupiers Liability Amendment Act, 1998 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Government House,
April 30, 1998

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 Hon. C. McGregor (Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:

Garde B. Gardom, Q.C.
Lieutenant Governor

The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 17) intituled Waste Management Amend- ment Act, 1998 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Government House,
April 30, 1998

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 House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Order called for Private Members' Statements.

And then the House adjourned at 11.09 a.m.

GRETCHEN MANN BREWIN, Speaker

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Monday, May 4

  45   The Hon. J. MacPhail to move--

That in addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts the Committee be empowered to sit during any sitting of the House.

  46   The Hon. P. Priddy to move--

Be it resolved that since British Columbia will spend more than $550 million providing health care services to people who contracted the Hepatitis C virus through the blood system, the Legislative Assembly urges the federal government to develop a plan to address and fund the needs of those British Columbians who contracted Hepatitis C through tainted blood prior to 1986.

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