Votes -- Nos. 226 and 227 -- Thursday, July 15, 1999 -- Two o'clock p.m.

1998/99 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 36th Parliament

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.

[ Progress of Bills . . . ]

Nos. 226 and 227

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Thursday, July 15, 1999

Ten o'clock a.m.

Prayers by Mr. Conroy.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Bill (No. 97) intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3), 1999 was again committed.

In consideration of section 13 of Bill (No. 97) the Committee divided as follows:

YEAS -- 35
Evans Zirnhelt McGregor Kwan G. F. Wilson Hammell Boone Streifel Pullinger	Lali Orcherton Stevenson Calendino Walsh Randall Gillespie Robertson Conroy	Priddy Petter G. Clark Dosanjh MacPhail Lovick Ramsey Farnworth Waddell	Smallwood Sawicki Bowbrick Kasper Doyle Giesbrecht Goodacre Janssen
NAYS -- 29
Whittred C. Clark Farrell-Collins de Jong Plant Abbott L. Reid Coell	Chong Sanders Jarvis Anderson Nettleton Penner Weisgerber	Nebbeling Hogg Hawkins Coleman Stephens Hansen Krueger	Thorpe Symons van Dongen Barisoff Dalton J. Reid J. Wilson

Section 34 of Bill (No. 97) passed, on division.

Section 78 of Bill (No. 97) passed, on division.

Bill (No. 97) was reported complete with amendment, and by leave, read a third time and passed.

Bill (No. 89) intituled Pension Statutes Amendment Act, 1999 was committed.

The Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again.
Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

And then the House adjourned at 12.01 p.m.

Thursday, July 15, 1999

Two o'clock p.m.

Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."

The Hon. M. Farnworth (Minister of Employment and Investment) tabled the British Columbia Lottery Corporation Annual Report, 1997/98.

The Hon. A. Petter (Minister of Advanced Education, Training and Technology) tabled the following:

Industry Training and Apprenticeship Commission Annual Report for the year ended March 31, 1999; and
Science Council of British Columbia Annual Review, 98/99.

The Hon. C. Evans (Minister of Agriculture and Food) tabled the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission Annual Report, 1998-1999.

The Hon. P. Priddy (Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Seniors) tabled the Ministry of Health and Ministry Responsible for Seniors Annual Report, 1997/98.

The Hon. D. Zirnhelt (Minister of Forests) tabled the Forest Land Commission Annual Report, 1998/99.

The Hon. S. Hammell (Minister of Women's Equality) tabled the Ministry of Women's Equality Annual Report, 1998/99.

The Hon. D. Lovick (Minister of Labour) tabled the Ministry of Labour Annual Report, 1997/1998.

The Hon. J. MacPhail (Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations) tabled the following:

British Columbia Securities Commission Annual Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999;
Report of Guarantees and Indemnities Authorized and Issued by Treasury Board or the Lieutenant Governor in Council for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1999;
Statement of 1998/99 Borrowings Pursuant to Section 56 of the Financial Administration Act, Schedule A, Schedule B, and Schedule C;
Statement of Crown Proceeding Payments for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 1998; and
Ministry of Finance and Corporate Relations Annual Report, 1997/98.

Ms. Smallwood presented the Second Report of the Special Committee on Multilateral Agreement on Investment for the Third Session of the Thirty-sixth Parliament.

The Report was taken as read and received.

Mr. Thorpe presented the Eighth Report of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts for the Third Session of the Thirty-sixth Parliament.

Resolved, That the Report be taken as read and received.

By leave of the House, Mr. Thorpe moved that the Rules be suspended and the Report adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Mr. Kasper presented the Report of the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the Third Session of the Thirty-sixth Parliament.

Resolved, That the Report be taken as read and received.

By leave of the House, Mr. Kasper moved that the Rules be suspended and the Report adopted.

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to.

Mr. Kasper presented the Report of the Special Committee to Appoint an Information and Privacy Commissioner for the Third Session of the Thirty-sixth Parliament.

Resolved, That the Report be taken as read and received.

By leave of the House, Mr. Kasper moved that the Rules be suspended and the Report adopted.

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to.


By leave, Mr. Kasper moved--: That this House recommend to His Honour the Lieutenant Governor the appointment of Mr. David Loukidelis as a statutory Officer of the Legislature, to exercise the powers and duties assigned to the Information and Privacy Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (RSBC 1996 c. 165).

Motion agreed to.

The Hon. C. McGregor (Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks) tabled the Environmental Appeal Board Annual Report, 1998/1999.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

67 The Hon. J. MacPhail moved--

That a Special Committee be appointed to examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to:

1. the protection of personal information in private sector transactions and; 2. the impact of electronic documents on privacy and freedom of information for British Columbians;
and without limiting the generality of the foregoing to consider reports referred to the Committee by the Minister of Advanced Education, Training and Technology.

The Special Committee so appointed shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and is also empowered:
(a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee;
(b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;
(c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient;
(d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the Committee;
and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.

That the Special Committee is to be composed of Messrs. Kasper (Convener), Calendino, Janssen and Orcherton, and Mmes. Smallwood and Walsh and Messrs. Weisbeck, Plant and Abbott and Ms. Whittred.

Motion agreed to.

68 The Hon. J. MacPhail moved--

That a special committee be appointed to select and unanimously recommend to the Legislative Assembly, the appointment of an Auditor General, pursuant to the Auditor General Act (RSBC 1996 c.23 5.2), and that the Special Committee so appointed shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee, and is also empowered:

(a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee;; (b) to sit during any period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;; (c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and; (d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the Committee;
and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment of the House, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon the resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.

Motion agreed to.

66 The Hon. J. MacPhail moved--

That a Special Committee on International Trade and Investment Agreements be appointed to examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO), the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Agreement and other international trade and investment agreements of relevance to the citizens of British Columbia. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Special Committee shall:

1. Examine evidence on the key international trade and investment issues currently under negotiation and issues likely to be subject to negotiation in the near future;

2. Investigate the application of key issues arising out of these international negotiations to British Columbia;

3. Explore the implications of elements of these negotiations or proposed agreements for British Columbia. This shall include, but not be limited to, special consideration being given to:

environmental protection, including the control, conservation and protection of British Columbia's bulk fresh water;
British Columbia's agri-food sector;
British Columbia's public health, education and social services sectors;
enhanced market access abroad for British Columbia industries, investors and service providers; and
the jurisdictional authority of British Columbia's local, regional and provincial government;

4. Solicit submissions, presentations and expressions of views from experts, individuals, organizations and groups from British Columbia and elsewhere;

5. Disseminate appropriate information to enhance the levels of awareness and knowledge of British Columbians concerning the issues involved;

6. Consider the most effective and appropriate means for representing the views and interests of British Columbians on matters relating to the negotiations or proposed agreements.

The said Committee shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition is empowered:

(a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee;

(b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

(d) to retain personnel as required to assist the Committee and;

(e) to permit television broadcasting of any public hearings the Committee may have;

and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly, and;

That the Special Committee of Selection be empowered to compile the list of Members for the said Committee.

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to, on division.


69 The Hon. J. MacPhail moved--: That a Special Committee on International Trade and Investment Agreements be appointed to examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO), the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Agreement and other international trade and investment agreements of relevance to the citizens of British Columbia. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Special Committee shall:; That in addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Special Committee of Selection the committee shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and is also empowered to sit during any period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House; and to determine the membership of any select standing or special committee of the House.

Motion agreed to.

Bill (No. 89) intituled Pension Statutes Amendment Act, 1999 was again committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed, on division.

Bill (No. 95) intituled Public Sector Pension Plans Act was committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.

Bill (No. 78) intituled Motor Vehicle Statutes Amendment Act, 1999 was read a third time and passed.


By leave, the Hon. J. MacPhail moved--: That the proceedings relating to the third reading of Bill (No. 95) intituled Public Sector Pension Plans Act be discharged and that the said Bill be re-committed forthwith.

Motion agreed to.

Bill (No. 95) was re-committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.

The Speaker declared a short recess.

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor having entered the House, and being seated in the Chair--

E. George MacMinn, Q.C., Clerk of the House, read the titles to the following Acts:

Bill (No. 52) Taxation Statutes Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 58) Pension Benefits Standards Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 71) Finance and Corporate Relations Statutes Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 72) Water Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 74) Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 1999.

Bill (No. 75) Residential Tenancy Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 78) Motor Vehicle Statutes Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 80) Liquor Statutes Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 82) Forests Statutes Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 84) Child, Family and Community Service Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 85) Company Act.

Bill (No. 87) Education Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 1999.

Bill (No. 88) Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 89) Pension Statutes Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 91) Unclaimed Property Act.

Bill (No. 92) Adult Guardianship Statutes Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 93) Land Title Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 94) Fee Statutes Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. 95) Public Sector Pension Plans Act.

Bill (No. 96) Electoral Districts Act.

Bill (No. 97) Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3), 1999.

Bill (No. 98) Cooperative Association Act.

Bill (No. 100) Definition of Spouse Amendment Act, 1999.

Bill (No. Pr 403) Poulos Investments Ltd. (Corporate Restoration) Act, 1999.

His Honour was pleased in Her Majesty's name to give assent to the said Acts.

The said assent was announced by E. George MacMinn, Q.C., Clerk of the House, in the following words:

"In Her Majesty's name, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor doth assent to these Acts."

E. George MacMinn, Q.C., Clerk of the House, read the title to the following Act:

Bill (No. 101) Supply Act, 1999-2000.

His Honour was pleased in Her Majesty's name to give assent to the said Act.

The said assent was announced by E. George MacMinn, Q.C., Clerk of the House, in the following words:

"In Her Majesty's name, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor doth thank Her Majesty's loyal subjects, accepts their benevolence, and assents to this Act."

His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to retire.


The Hon. J. MacPhail moved--: That the House, at its rising, do stand adjourned until it appears to the satisfaction of the Speaker, after consultation with the Government, that the public interest requires that the House shall meet, or until the Speaker may be advised by the Government that it is desired to prorogue the Third Session of the Thirty-Sixth Parliament of the Province of British Columbia. The Speaker may give notice that she is so satisfied or has been so advised and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice, and, as the case may be, may transact its business as if it has been duly adjourned to that time and date; and; That, in the event of the Speaker being unable to act owing to illness or other cause, the Deputy Speaker shall act in her stead for the purpose of this order.

Motion agreed to.

And then the House adjourned at 4.34 p.m.

GRETCHEN MANN BREWIN, Speaker

NOTICE OF QUESTIONS

Monday, July 19


13 Ms. L. Reid to ask the Hon. the Minister for Children and Families the following question--: Does the Minister for Children and Families intend to force any group of agencies to join the Community Social Services Joint Benefits Trust established on May 29, 1999 or will participation be voluntary?

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