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 . . . ]

Nos. 83 and 84

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Thursday, May 30, 2002

Ten o'clock a.m.

Prayers by the Hon. R. Coleman.

Ms. MacPhail reserved her right to raise a matter of privilege.

Mr. Nuraney presented the First Report of the Special Committee to Review the Police Complaint Process for the Third Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament.

The Report was taken as read and received.

By leave, Mr. Nuraney moved that the Report be adopted.

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to.

 

  37   The Hon. G. Collins moved--

That the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services be empowered:

(1) To examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to the pre-budget consultation report prepared by the Minister of Finance in accordance with section 2 of the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act and, in particular, to:

(a) Conduct public consultations across British Columbia on proposals and recommendations regarding the provincial budget and fiscal policy for the coming fiscal year by any means the committee considers appropriate, including but not limited to public meetings, telephone and electronic means;

(b) Prepare a report no later than November 15, 2002 on the results of those consultations; and

(2) (a) To consider and make recommendations on the annual service plans, business plans and budgets of the following statutory officers:

(i) Auditor General;

(ii) Chief Electoral Officer;

(iii) Conflict of Interest Commissioner;

(iv) Information and Privacy Commissioner;

(v) Ombudsman; and

(vi) Police Complaint Commissioner.

(b) To examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to reports or communications of the officers of the Legislative Assembly, from time to time submitted to the Committee respecting any matter within the jurisdiction of that officer.

In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, the committee shall be empowered:

(a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and refer to 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;

(c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and

(d) to retain personnel as required to assist the committee;

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to.

Ms. MacPhail reserved her right to raise a matter of privilege.

 

  38  The Hon. G. Collins moved--

That a Special Committee be appointed to select and unanimously recommend to the Legislative Assembly, the appointment of a Chief Electoral Officer for the Province of British Columbia, pursuant to section 4 of the Election Act, 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 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.

The said Special Committee is to be composed of Messrs. Hawes (Convener), Long, Christensen, Les, Nettleton, Suffredine, Visser, and Mmes. Brice, McMahon, and Mme. MacPhail.

Motion agreed to.

 

  39  The Hon. G. Collins moved--

That a Special Committee be appointed to select and unanimously recommend to the Legislative Assembly, the appointment of a Police Complaint Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia, pursuant to section 47 of the Police Act, 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 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.

The said Special Committee is to be composed of Messrs. Nuraney (Convener), MacKay, Lee, Johnston, Wong, and Mmes. Sahota, Locke, and Mme. Kwan.

Motion agreed to.

 

  40  The Hon. G. Collins moved --

That the reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia deposited with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly during the third session of the thirty-seventh parliament be deemed referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and in addition that the following reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia be referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts:

· Monitoring the Government's Finances (February 2002);

· Management of the Information Technology Portfolio in the Ministry of Attorney General (February 2002);

· Information Use by the Ministry of Health in Resource Allocation Decisions for the Regional Health Care System (April 2002); and

· Building a Strong Work Environment in British Columbia's Public Service: A Key to Delivering Quality Service (April 2002).

In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Committee be 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; and

(d) to retain 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.

Motion agreed to.

 

  41  The Hon. G. Collins moved--

That the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations be appointed to review the annual reports and performance plans of British Columbia Crown Corporations.

(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; and

(d) to retain 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.

Motion agreed to.

Bill (No. 48) intituled Employment Standards Amendment Act was committed.

Ms. MacPhail moved an amendment to add section 2.1 to Bill (No. 48) which was defeated, on division.

Ms. MacPhail moved an amendment to section 4 of Bill (No. 48) which was defeated, on division.

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 12.02 p.m.

Thursday, May 30, 2002

Two o'clock p.m.

The Hon. G. Plant (Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations) presented to the Speaker a Message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:

Iona Campagnolo
Lieutenant Governor

The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 53) intituled Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2002 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Government House,
May 16, 2002.

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. G. Bruce (Minister of Skills Development and Labour) presented to the Speaker a Message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:

Iona Campagnolo
Lieutenant Governor

The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 56) intituled Workers Compensation Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Government House,
May 23, 2002.

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 "Members' Statements."

Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."

The Hon. S. Hagen (Minister of Sustainable Resource Management) tabled the BC Assessment Annual Performance Report for the Year 2001 and a Report on the Creation of the 2002 Assessment Roll, and the Financial Statements for Year ended December 31, 2001.

The Hon. C. Richmond (Speaker) tabled the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner Annual Report, 2001-2002.

Ms. MacPhail rose on a point of privilege relating to the premature disclosure of the draft report of the Special Committee to Review the Police Complaint Process.

The Speaker stated that he would take the matter under advisement.

The Hon. G. Collins reserved his right to respond.

Mr. Penner presented the Third Report of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills for the Third Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament.

The Report was taken as read and received.

By leave, Mr. Penner moved that the Report be adopted.

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to, on division.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Bill (No. 48) intituled Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2002 was again committed.

Section 11 of Bill (No. 48) passed, on division.

Section 12 of Bill (No. 48) passed, on division.

Ms. MacPhail moved an amendment to section 17 of Bill (No. 48) which was defeated, on division.

Section 19 of Bill (No. 48) passed, on division.

In consideration of a proposed amendment by the Hon. G. Bruce on the Order Paper to section 17 of Bill (No. 48), the Committee divided as follows:

In consideration of sections 4, 10, 14, 17 as amended, 23, 39, 42 and 54 of Bill (No. 48) the Committee divided as follows:

Bill (No. 48) was reported complete with amendment.

On the motion, by leave, for third reading of Bill (No. 48) a debate arose.

 

  33   Ms. MacPhail moved--

That the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 48), intituled the Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2002, be amended by striking out the words after "that" and inserting, "Bill (No. 48), intituled the Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2002, be recommitted to the Committee of the Whole and further that the committee be empowered to invite witnesses to appear before it to assist in its deliberations."

The amendment was negatived on the following division:

On the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 48) the House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

Bill (No. 48) read a third time and passed.

The Speaker declared a short recess.

Her 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 title to the following Acts:

Bill (No. 21) Agricultural Land Commission Act.

Bill (No. 26) Employment and Assistance Act.

Bill (No. 27) Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act.

Bill (No. 28) Employee Investment Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 34) School Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 38) Environmental Assessment Act.

Bill (No. 39) Protected Areas Forests Compensation Act.

Bill (No. 40) Forests Statutes Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 41) Forest (First Nations Development) Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 42) Labour Relations Code Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 43) Office for Children and Youth Act.

Bill (No. 44) Health Care (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission) Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 46) Attorney General Statutes Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 48) Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 49) Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 50) Advanced Education Statutes Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 51) Public Safety and Solicitor General Statutes Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 52) Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2002.

Bill (No. 54) Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002.

Bill (No. 58) Carrier Lumber Ltd. Forest Licence Compensation Act.

Bill (No. Pr 401) Spring Enterprises Inc. (Corporate Restoration) Act, 2002.

Bill (No. Pr 402) Sea to Sky University Act.

Her 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, Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor doth assent to these Acts."

Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to retire.

The Hon. G. Collins 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-seventh Parliament of the Province of British Columbia. The Speaker may give notice that he 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 his stead for the purpose of this order.

Motion agreed to.

And then the House adjourned at 5.54 p.m.

CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker

PUBLIC WRITTEN QUESTIONS

 

  8  Helen Sparkes, Mayor, City of New Westminster, to ask the Hon. the Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise, regarding the Minister's responsibility for Competition, the following question: --

As the mayor of New Westminster, I am concerned about the long term competitiveness and viability of one of our city's largest taxpayers and employers. The future health of the beer industry is key to New Westminster, if we want to protect jobs and tax base that Labatt Breweries has provided for over 40 years. Can the minister advise the residents of New Westminster of the status of the volume- based beer tax proposal and when it will be implemented throughout the province?

"Office of the Minister,
Ministry Competition, Science and Enterprise
"Victoria, B.C., May 30, 2002

"Her Worship Helen Sparkes
"Mayor
"City of New Westminster

"Dear Mayor Sparkes--I am responding to your public written question on the status of volume-based beer tax proposal as you submitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

One of my key roles as the Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise is to create a competitive investment and business climate in British Columbia. To date our government has implemented a number of changes to help increase the competitiveness of ALL businesses in British Columbia including 17 different tax reductions.

These changes include halving the corporate capital tax last September 1st and completely eliminating the tax on September 1st of this year, and the general corporate tax rate was reduced from 16.5% to 13.5% on January 1st of this year. Our government has embarked on a 3-year deregulation plan to eliminate 1/3 of government regulation.

Our government also raised the threshold for small business taxation from $200,000 to $300,000. We also gave every British Columbian a personal tax cut of 25% on our government's first day in office. This will put more money in the pockets of British Columbians to purchase products from British Columbia companies and thereby making them more competitive.

These changes are an important start in returning all British Columbian companies to a competitive level with other jurisdictions.

With respect to the volume-based beer tax proposal, the Liquor Distribution Branch has been in extensive consultations with industry on different mark-up systems for beverage alcohol. Our objective is to develop a liquor mark-up system that is simplified, fair to industry, and will over time result in reduced prices to consumers.

As the Province is making a number of changes to return British Columbian companies to a competitive level, I trust local and regional governments around the province are also making sure that their taxation levels and regulatory burdens are not placing unnecessary costs on British Columbia businesses.

Thank you for taking the time to write me on this issue.

R. Thorpe, Minister

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