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. 113 and 114

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Monday, November 18, 2002

Ten o'clock a.m.

Prayers by Mr. Les.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Order for "Private Members' Statements" called.

The House resumed the adjourned debate on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. M 204) intituled The Hunting and Fishing Heritage Act.

Bill (No. M 204) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.

The Hon. G. Abbott, pursuant to Standing Order 31 (1), requested that Motion 5 standing on the Order Paper be allowed to stand and retain its precedence.

The House resumed the adjourned debate on Motion 18.

On the motion of Mr. K. Stewart the debate, was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.

And then the House adjourned at 11.58 a.m.

Monday, November 18, 2002

Two o'clock p.m.

The Hon. M. de Jong (Minister of Forests) 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. 75) intituled Forests Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2002 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Government House
November 15, 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. M. de Jong (Minister of Forests) 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. 76) intituled College of Applied Biology Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Government House
November 15, 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. R. Coleman (Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General) 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. 77) intituled Acting Police Complaint Commissioner Continuation Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Government House
November 18, 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."

Mr. Lekstrom presented the First Report of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services for the Third Session of the Thirty-seventh Parliament.

The Report was taken as read and received.

By leave of the House, Mr. Lekstrom moved that the Report be adopted.

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to.

The Hon. G. Bruce (Minister of Skills Development and Labour) tabled the Ministry of Skills Development and Labour Annual Report, 2001/02.

The Hon. G. Plant (Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations) tabled the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia Annual Report, 2001-2002.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Bill (No. 70) intituled Residential Tenancy Act was again committed.

In consideration of section 18 of Bill (No. 70) the Committee divided as follows:

A proposed amendment by Ms. Kwan on the Order Paper to section 19 of Bill (No. 70) was defeated, on division.

Section 19, as amended, of Bill (No. 70) passed, on division.

A proposed amendment by Ms. Kwan on the Order Paper to section 23 (4) of Bill (No. 70) was defeated, on division.

Ms. Kwan moved an amendment to section 23 (5) of Bill (No. 70) which was defeated, on division.

A proposed amendment by Ms. Kwan on the Order Paper to section 23 (7) of Bill (No. 70) was defeated, on division.

Ms. Kwan moved an amendment to add section 23 (8) to Bill (No. 70) which was defeated, on division.

Ms. Kwan moved an amendment to add section 23 (9) to Bill (No. 70) which was defeated, on division.

Section 23 of Bill (No. 70) passed, on division.

Proposed amendments (2) by Ms. Kwan on the Order Paper to section 24 of Bill (No. 70) were defeated, on division.

A proposed amendment by Ms. Kwan on the Order Paper to section 27 of Bill (No. 70) was defeated, on division.

In consideration of section 27 of Bill (No. 70) the Committee divided as follows:

A proposed amendment by Ms. Kwan on the Order Paper to section 29 of Bill (No. 70) was defeated on the following division:

Section 29 of Bill (No. 70) passed on the following division:

The Committee recessed until 6.35 p.m.

A proposed amendment by Ms. Kwan on the Order Paper to section 35 of Bill (No. 70) was defeated, on division.

Section 35 of Bill (No. 70) passed, on division.

Section 36 of Bill (No. 70) passed, on division.

A proposed amendment by Ms. Kwan on the Order Paper to section 37 of Bill (No. 70) was defeated, on division.

Section 38 of Bill (No. 70) passed, on division.

Section 39 of Bill (No. 70) passed, on division.

Section 40 of Bill (No. 70) passed, on division.

The Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

Bill (No. 74) intituled Forest and Range Practices Act 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 8.59 p.m.

CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker

PUBLIC WRITTEN QUESTIONS

 

Date entered on Order Paper: November 4, 2002

 

  12  Gary Coons, President, Prince Rupert Teachers' Union, to ask the Hon. the Minister of Finance, regarding the Minister's responsibility for taxation, the following question:--

When will the Minister announce that the $20 million raised by the 2% school tax increase be put into education and not remain in general revenues?

The Hon. G. Collins replied as follows:

Thank you for your November 4, 2002 e-mail regarding residential school taxes.

Generally speaking, all of the provincial revenue collected from the school tax goes into the education system. School taxes account for only 28 per cent of total education funding provided by the provincial government.

For the Prince Rupert school district, government collects about $6.7 million (before subtracting home-owner grants) in residential and non-residential school taxes annually. In return, government will provide an estimated $24.7 million in total to the school district.

Until 2002, average residential school taxes were frozen at 1994 levels.

This year's two per cent school tax increase -- about $1.67 per month for a medium-sized home -- was an inflation adjustment. School tax rates need to be adjusted periodically or else the value of this revenue stream to the education system erodes.

School funding is determined by a population-based formula that recognizes actual enrolment and unique geographic characteristics, and gives school districts more flexibility to focus on the priority services and programs students need.

In addition, this government is meeting its New Era committment to protect education funding despite declining enrolment in the K-12 sector. To help trustees manage cost pressures, we have given them significant new tools, like increased autonomy and the flexibility of a new education funding system, and encouraged them to develop cost-effective and creative ways to deliver educational services. Funding levels will be increased when our economy recovers and provincial revenues grow.

Again, thank-you for bringing your concerns to my attention.

 

  15  Barry J. Janyk, Mayor, Town of Gibsons, to ask the Hon. the Minister of Transportation, regarding the Minister's responsibility for BC Ferries, the following question:--

With regard to the Integrated Transportation Study, is BC Ferries part of the study and, if so, will the issues of ticketing, transfers and discounts be reviewed?

The Hon. J. Reid replied as follows:

I am writing in response to your public written question of October 7, 2002, regarding the Provincial Strategic Transportation Plan.

Thank you for your question submitted through the Office of the Speaker as a public written question. The Ministry of Transportation is committed to creating a Provincial Strategic Transportation Plan that incorporates all modes of transport and provides a strong foundation for economic growth.

The Premier has asked the Ministry of Transportation to examine British Columbia's infrastructure and transportation system and provide a high level strategic plan. The Provincial Strategic Transportation Plan will be multi-modal in nature and therefore will include B.C. Ferries. Day-to-day operations, such as ticketing, transfers and discounts, will not be part of the analysis.

As you may be aware, B.C. Ferries is currently engaged in a review of its mandate and services by the government's Core Review Task Force. This process is examining different aspects of B.C. Ferries as we seek to deliver the highest level of customer service at the lowest cost to taxpayers and ferry users. As a follow-up to its last presentation to the committee, B.C. Ferries has been asked to undertake further analysis. It is my hope that this review will be complete by the end of this fiscal year.

Thank you for taking time to write.

 

  17  Margaret Robb, Community Partner Member, Regional Child Care Council of Capital Regional District, to ask the Hon. the Minister of Human Resources, regarding the Minister's responsibility for Child Care Subsidy (Medical), the following question:--

Since April 2002, over 100 single parents have been denied access to child care subsidy because of the parent's medical issues. One example is a single parent who was not able to afford child care while attending cancer treatments. Why is a single parent who is undergoing medical treatment deemed not able to have medical child care?

The Hon. M. Coell replied as follows:

In response to your Public Written Question, I am pleased to inform you that, effective November 8, 2002, an Order-in-Council was deposited that will provide eligibility for child care subsidy to a single parent who `has a medical condition that interferes with the parent's ability to care for his or her child'. The individual whose situation you cite would certainly appear to be eligible for subsidy under this amended regulation, as would many of the other single parents you refer to.

Thank you for raising this issue.

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