1998/99 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 36th Parliament
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
Nos. 211 and 212
OF THE
Thursday, June 24, 1999
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Mr. Dalton.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Forests).
(In Committee -- Section B)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 11.58 a.m.
Thursday, June 24, 1999
Two o'clock p.m.
The Hon. J. MacPhail (Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations) 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. 85) intituled Company Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
June 23, 1999
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. Evans (Minister of Agriculture and Food) 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. 83) intituled Food Safety Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
June 18, 1999
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.
Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."
The Hon. G. F. Wilson (Minister of Aboriginal Affairs) tabled the BC Treaty Commission Report, 1999, together with Financial Statements as at March 31, 1999.
The Hon. I. Waddell (Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture) tabled the following:
Economic Impacts of the Leonardo da Vinci Exhibit for the Southern Vancouver Island Region, and
Royal BC Museum Visitor Study of the Leonardo da Vinci Exhibit.
Mr. Stevenson presented a Report of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, as follows:
Report
Legislative Committee Room,
June 23, 1999
Your Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills begs leave to report that the preamble to Bill (No. Pr 403) intituled Poulos Investments Ltd. (Corporate Restoration) Act, 1999, has been proved, and the Committee recommends that the Bill proceed to Second Reading.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
T. Stevenson, Chair
By leave, the Report was read and received.
By leave, the Rules were suspended and the Report adopted.
Pursuant to Standing Order 110 (2), Bill Pr 403 to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.
The Hon. D. Zirnhelt (Minister of Forests) made a ministerial statement regarding the 200th anniversary of the birth of David Douglas, British Columbia's pioneer botanist.
Mr. Abbott made a statement.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Forests).
(In Committee -- Section B)
34. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $282,402,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Forests, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2000.
35. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $77,845,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Forests, Fire Suppression, to 31st March, 2000.
52. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $5,220,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Other Appropriations, Forest Practices Board, to 31st March, 2000.
Section B of Committee of Supply reported the Resolutions.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
The House proceeded to "Public Bills and Orders and Government Motions on Notice."
On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 81) intituled Regulatory Impact Statement Act, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 81) 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. 71) intituled Finance and Corporate Relations Statutes Amendment Act, 1999, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 71) 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. 76) intituled Health Statutes Amendment Act, 1999, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 76) 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. 72) intituled Water Amendment Act, 1999, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 72) 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. 86) intituled Park Amendment Act, 1999, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 86) 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. 73) intituled Private Post-Secondary Education Amendment Act, 1999, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 73) 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. 79) intituled Land Reserve Commission Act, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 79) read a second time, on division, 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. 56) intituled Forest Land Reserve Amendment Act, 1999, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 56) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.
The Speaker made a statement as follows:
Honourable Members:
At the close of Question Period today, the Honourable Member for Matsqui rose in his place and directed a question to the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.
While questions may be directed to the Chairperson of certain Committees of the House, there are strict limitations on the nature of those questions and the answers that may be given. See Erskine May, 21st edition at page 286 and especially at page 287, Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms, 6th edition at page 119, and Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, 3rd edition at page 108. See also the Speaker's comments in this House earlier today.
The cumulative effect of these authorities indicates that questions may not be addressed to a Committee Chairman to elicit detail of voting, motions, or other internal Committee proceedings, nor may questions be directed, nor answered, which would have the tendency to interfere in the proceedings of the Committee. In addition, neither questions nor answers should "suggest a particular subject for inquiry nor could the question deal with evidence before the Committee prior to such Committee reporting it to the House." (Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, 3rd edition, page 108.)
The answer given by the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in this House today clearly does not conform to the guidelines. The answer quite improperly dealt with one or more motions which were alleged to have been made in the Committee, how particular Members voted on those motions, and the result of that voting.
I would ask all Members to consider carefully these strict limitations applicable to questions to and answers by a Private Member.
Gretchen Mann Brewin, Speaker
And then the House adjourned at 6.03 p.m.
GRETCHEN MANN BREWIN, Speaker
NOTICE OF QUESTION
Tuesday, June 29
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