Votes -- No. 2 -- Wednesday, February 13, 2002 -- Two o'clock p.m.

2002 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 37th Parliament

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

[ Progress of Bills . . . ]

No. 2

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Wednesday, February 13, 2002

Two o'clock p.m.

Prayers by Mr. Mackay.

Order called for "Members' Statements".

Order called for "Oral Questions by Members".

The Hon. G. Collins (Minister of Finance) tabled the Statement of Crown Proceeding Payments for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2000.

By leave, the Hon. G. Collins moved --

That the Special Committee to Review the Police Complaint Process be re-appointed and empowered to examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to the police complaints process in accordance with section 51.2 of the Police Act (RSBC 1996, c. 367) and in particular, without limiting the generality of the foregoing to:

1. Review comprehensively Part 9 (Complaint Procedure) of the Police Act and the work of the Police Complaint Commissioner;

2. Solicit and consider written and oral submissions from any interested person or organization by any means the Committee considers appropriate;

3. Submit a Report including any amendments to Part 9 that the Committee recommends to the Legislative Assembly arising out of the results of the Committee's inquiry within one year of this resolution being adopted by the House.

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;

(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.

The said Special Committee is to be composed of the following Members: Mr. Nuraney (Convener), Mmes. Locke and Sahota, Messrs. Johnston, Lee, MacKay, Wong, and Ms. Kwan.

Motion agreed to.

By leave, the Hon. G. Collins moved --

That the Select Standing Committee on Education be re-appointed and empowered to examine, inquire into and make recommendations by consulting with educators, students, parents, administrators and other British Columbians on the following matters:

1. (a) measures to improve access, choice, flexibility and quality in public education; and

(b) measures to strengthen our network of colleges, institutes and on-line learning throughout the province.

2. Consider any other matters referred to the Committee by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Advanced Education.

3. Prepare a report no later than February 28, 2002 on the results of those consultations.

In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Education, the Committee shall be empowered:

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

(b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned and during any sitting of the House;

(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.

The said Select Standing Committee is to be composed of the following Members: Ms. McMahon (Convener), Mmes. Brenzinger, Locke and Orr, Messrs. Christensen, Lee, Manhas, Masi, Nijjar and R. Stewart.

Motion agreed to.

By leave, the Hon. G. Collins moved --

That the Sessional Order passed by the House on August 27, 2001, amending the Standing Orders for the duration of the Third Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament, commencing February 12, 2002, be amended as follows:

Daily sittings.

1. Paragraph 2(1) is amended by deleting "Wednesday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m." and substituting "Wednesday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m."

2. Paragraph 2 (2) (b) is amended by deleting "March 25" and substituting "March 18".

3. Paragraph 3 is amended by deleting "7 p.m. (or 9 p.m. after March 4, 2002) on Wednesday" and substituting "6 p.m. (or 9 p.m. after March 4, 2002) on Wednesday;"

Orders of the Day.

4. Under the heading "Private Members' Time" before "Public Bills in the hands of Private Members" add "Private Members' Statements (10 a.m.)".

5. Delete the paragraph immediately after "Public Bills and Orders and Government Motions on Notice" and substitute the following:

"No division, on Orders of the Day, will be taken in the House or in Committee of the Whole during Private Members' Time, but where a division is requested, it will be deferred until thirty minutes prior to the ordinary time fixed for adjournment of the House on the Monday, unless otherwise ordered."

6. Under the heading "Government Days" delete "Private Members' Statements (6 p.m. Wednesday)".

Private Members' Statements.

7. Paragraph 25A. (1) is amended by deleting "Wednesday at 6 p.m." and substituting "Monday at 10 a.m." and by deleting "no later than 6 p.m. the preceding Monday" and substituting "no later than 6 p.m. the preceding Wednesday."

8. Paragraph 25A. (3) is amended by deleting "Wednesday" and substituting "Monday".

Motion agreed to.

The Sessional Order, as amended, reads as follows: --

1. That Standing Order 2 be deleted and the following substituted therefore:

Sittings

Daily sittings.

2. (1) The time for the ordinary meeting of the House shall, unless otherwise ordered, be as follows:

	Monday: :	Two distinct sittings 10 a.m. to 12 noon 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. effective March 4, 2002
	Tuesday:	Two distinct sittings: 10 a.m. to 12 noon 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
	Wednesday:	2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. effective March 4, 2002
	Thursday:	Two distinct sittings: 10 a.m. to 12 noon 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

(2) (a) During the Third Session of the Thirty-Seventh Parliament, unless otherwise ordered, the House shall meet:

(i) from February 12, 2002 to May 30, 2002 inclusive

and

(ii) from October 7, 2002 to November 28, 2002 inclusive

(b) The House shall stand adjourned during the weeks of March 18, April 22, May 20, October 14 and November 11, 2002.

2. That Standing Order 3 be deleted and the following substituted therefor:

Hour of interruption.

3. If at the hour of 6 p.m. (or 9 p.m. after March 4, 2002) on any Monday; 6 p.m. on Tuesday; 6 p.m. (or 9 p.m. after March 4, 2002) on Wednesday; or 6 p.m. on Thursday, the business of the day is not concluded and no other hour has been agreed on for the next sitting, the Speaker shall leave the Chair:

On Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday
On Tuesday until 2 p.m. Wednesday
On Wednesday until 10 a.m. Thursday
On Thursday until 10 a.m. Monday

subject to the provisions of Standing Order 2 (2) (b).

3. That Standing Order 25 be deleted and the following substituted therefore:

Routine Business

Daily Routine.

25. The daily routine business of the House shall be as follows:

Prayers (morning or afternoon sitting)

Introduction of Bills

Statements (Standing Order 25b) (afternoon sittings)

Oral question period (15 minutes, afternoon sittings: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)

Presenting Petitions

Reading and Receiving Petitions

Presenting Reports by Committees

Motions on Notice

Written Questions on Notice

Proposed Amendments on Notice

Orders of the day.

The order of business for consideration of the House day by day, after the above routine, shall, unless otherwise ordered, be as follows:

Monday

10 a.m. to 12 noon

(Private Members' Time)

Private Members' Statements (10 a.m.)

Public Bills in the hands of Private Members

Private Members' Motions

Private Bills

Public Bills and Orders and Government Motions on Notice

No division, on Orders of the Day, will be taken in the House or in Committee of the Whole during Private Members' Time, but where a division is requested, it will be deferred until thirty minutes prior to the ordinary time fixed for adjournment of the House on the Monday, unless otherwise ordered.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

(Government Days)

Throne Speech Debate

Budget Debate including Committee of Supply

Public Bills and Orders and Government Motions on Notice

Private Bills

Public Bills in the hands of Private Members

Adjourned debate on other motions

4. That Standing Order 25a be repealed and the following substituted therefore:

Private Members' Statements

Private Members' Statements.

25A. (1) Every Monday at 10 a.m. four Private Member may make a statement, notice of which has been tabled no later than 6 p.m. the preceding Wednesday.

(2) The order in which such statements are to be called shall be determined by lot by the Speaker, before appearing on the Orders of the Day.

(3) The time allocated on Monday for statements and discussion thereon shall not exceed one hour, and the time for each statement shall be limited to 15 minutes as follows:

Proponent: maximum of 7 minutes

Any other Members: maximum of 5 minutes

Proponent in reply: maximum of 3 minutes

(4) Private Members' statements shall not be subject to amendment, adjournment or vote.

(5) Statements and discussions under this Standing Order:

(a) shall be confined to one matter;

(b) shall not revive discussion on a matter which has been discussed in the same Session;

(c) shall not anticipate a matter which has been previously appointed for consideration by the House, in respect to which a Notice of Motion has been previously given and not withdrawn;

(d) shall not raise a question of privilege.

5. That new Standing Order 25b be adopted:

Statements

Statements.

25B. Three Private Members shall be permitted a two minute statement each day immediately prior to Oral Question Period subject to the following guidelines:

(1) A Member desiring to make a statement shall so advise his or her Whip 24 hours prior to the relevant day the statement is to be made.

(2) Party Whips shall confer to settle the names of the three Members who will be recognised for "Statements" for the following sitting day and shall advise the Speaker by noon of the day in question as to who has been selected, together with the topic of the statement.

(3) Statements under this Standing Order shall be subject to the ordinary parliamentary rules of decorum and debate.

6. Oral question period Friday.

47B. This Standing Order is repealed.

7. That new Standing Order 81.1 be adopted.

81.1 (1) When a Minister of the Crown, from his or her place in the House, states that there is agreement among the representatives of all parties to allot a specified number of days or hours to the proceedings at one or more stages of any public bill, the Minister may propose a motion, without notice, setting forth the terms of such agreed allocation; and the motion shall be decided forthwith, without debate or amendment.

(2) A Minister of the Crown who from his or her place in the House, has stated that an agreement could not be reached under the provisions of section (1) of this Standing Order in respect of proceedings at one or more stages of a public bill, may propose without notice a motion for the purpose of allotting a specified number of days or hours for the consideration and disposal of proceedings at one or more stages of a public bill. The motion shall be decided forthwith, without debate or amendment. Any proceedings interrupted pursuant to this section of this Standing Order shall be deemed adjourned.

By leave, the Hon. G. Collins moved --

Resolved that the Legislative Assembly adopt the following sessional order:

Practice recommendation No. 11 (Standing Order 47, 47A)

Public Written Questions.

1. Written questions may be submitted by persons elected to head provincial or local public bodies designated under this order and in accordance with the guidelines established by Mr. Speaker. Questions submitted in writing to the Office of the Speaker by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday are eligible to be drawn on Thursday. Five questions drawn by the Speaker which conform to the guidelines shall be placed on the Orders of the Day on Monday of each week. A question shall be printed on 2 consecutive weeks unless answered.

2. A Private Member may ask a qualified question of a Minister during Question Period. The Member from whose constituency the question comes will have first refusal to put such question to the appropriate Minister. The Minister may answer the question orally or in writing by filing with the Clerk of the House. Written answers shall be published in the Votes and Proceedings.

3. Questions should relate to current provincial issues and public affairs, be timely, brief and stated without argument or opinion. The submission must not include unparliamentary language and shall be directed to the Minister who has responsibility for the area of interest.

Motion agreed to.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Mr. Lekstrom moved, seconded by Mr. Nuraney --

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. Anderson, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.

And then the House adjourned at 5.59 p.m.

CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Thursday, February 14


1 Ms. Kwan to move--: Be it resolved that this House supports the rights of renters and believes that they should be protected and enhanced.

2 Ms. Kwan to move--: Be it resolved that this House recognizes that every dollar spent now on Children will save seven dollars in the future and therefore it is a good investment for government to enhance early development services for all Children.

3 Ms. Kwan to move--: Be it resolved that this House is determined to protect the right of all British Columbians to safe, secure and affordable housing.

4 Ms. Kwan to move--: Be it resolved that this House supports the right for all British Columbians to access to justice including representation irrespective of who you are, where you come from, where you live and socio-economic status.

5 Ms. Kwan to move--: Be it resolved that this House opposes the lift of the tuition fee freeze.

6 Ms. Kwan to move--: Be it resolved that this House supports the right of students to have affordable and accessible post-secondary education.

7 Ms. Kwan to move--: Be it resolved that this House acknowledges the right of every British Columbian to food, shelter and clothing, and also acknowledges the responsibility of the provincial government to ensure those rights.

8 Ms. MacPhail to move--: Be it resolved that this House urges the Minister of Forests to work expeditiously, diligently and with due care, professionalism and to solve the Soft-Wood Lumber dispute.

9 Ms. MacPhail to move--: Be it resolved that this House recognizes small communities throughout British Columbia experience unique challenges and that those challenges and the people who face them are as important as any other citizen and should therefore have equal representation at the Government's annual Provincial Conference.

10 Ms. MacPhail to move--: Be it resolved that this House recognizes the economic challenges facing communities across British Columbia and urges the government to host a broad based provincial economic summit, including but not limited to business leaders, representatives of the non-profit sector, community leaders, Aboriginal leaders, labour leaders and students.

11 Ms. MacPhail to move--: Be it resolved that this House acknowledges the important service to all British Columbians provided by the Provincial Ambulance Service and asserts that timely ambulance services save and protect lives and therefore these services must be maintained for all communities.

12 Ms. MacPhail to move--: Be it resolved that this House opposes any changes to regulations and legislation that expand access to our natural resources without proper environment impact assessments being done prior to the changes being made.

13 Ms. MacPhail to move--: Be it resolved that this House recognizes the clear benefits of Apprenticeship Training programs and the services offered by the Industry, Training and Apprenticeship Commission.

14 Ms. MacPhail to move--: Be it resolved that this House acknowledges the contribution that provincially funded programs have made to the fight against violence against women and is opposed to the decline in funding for women's services, ranging from pre-employment services to direct and supporting services delivered through women's centres.

NOTICE OF BILLS

Monday, February 18

Ms. Kwan to introduce a bill intituled Tuition Fee Freeze Act.

Ms. Kwan to introduce a bill intituled Pets in Rental Housing Act.

Ms. Kwan to introduce a bill intituled Public Sector Management Remuneration Allowances and Perquisites Act.

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