Votes -- Nos. 26 and 27 -- Monday, March 8, 2004 -- Two o'clock p.m.

2004 Legislative Session: 5th Session, 37th Parliament

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

[ Progress of Bills . . . ]

Nos. 26 and 27

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Monday, March 8, 2004

Ten o'clock a.m.

Prayers by Mr. Bloy.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Order for "Private Members' Statements" called.


3 By leave, the House resumed the adjourned debate on Motion 3 with respect to the safety of Canadian beef.

The debate continued.

On the motion of the Hon. J. van Dongen, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.


68 By leave, Mr. Anderson moved --: Be it resolved that this House recognizes that support for volunteers encourages both individual and collective responsibility in our society.

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

And then the House adjourned at 11.59 a.m.

Monday, March 8, 2004

Two o'clock p.m.

The Hon. C. Richmond (Speaker) read a statement from Her Majesty the Queen in recognition of Commonwealth Day.

Order called for "Members' Statements."

Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Order for Committee of Supply called.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A and Section B of Committee of Supply.

The Committee recessed until 6.35 p.m.

(In Committee -- Section B)

Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Health Services.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

(In Committee -- Section A)

Section A of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

And then the House adjourned at 8.53 p.m.

CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker

PUBLIC WRITTEN QUESTIONS


Date answered: March 8, 2004

1 Adriane Carr, Leader, Green Party of British Columbia, asked the Hon. the Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection, regarding the Minister's responsibility for the Environmental Protection Division, the following question:--: The Norske Canada pulp mill in Crofton has requested government approval to burn high-toxicity fuels such as rubber tires. Can the Minister cite the scientific evidence and baseline studies that demonstrate that this procedure will be safe for the citizens of the Crofton airshed and describe what steps he is taking to ensure public and environmental well-being?

The Hon. B. Barisoff replied as follows:

Norske Canada has applied for a permit amendment to test alternate auxiliary fuels in one of the power boilers at its Crofton pulp mill.

I have recently held meetings with the Crofton Airshed Group, Norske Canada and local government officials to discuss Norske's request and issues raised within the community. I have also had meetings with the local MLA, the Honourable Graham Bruce, who is taking an active interest in the issue and is keeping me apprised of developments as they occur.

The Ministry's role is to independently evaluate the submission based on technical data and public input. Ministry staff is reviewing the information submitted by Norske Canada to date and will make recommendations for a decision.

The company has asked for more time to discuss this application with the residents of the community. The company has committed to a public forum to address issues raised by the application. The ministry supports this process. The appropriate nature and scope of a baseline study and other considerations for public and environmental well-being can be addressed through this forum.


2 Gary Coons, President, Prince Rupert District Teachers' Union, asked the Hon. the Minister of Provincial Revenue, regarding the Minister's responsibility for Provincial Revenue, the following question:--: Will your government consider dedicating the new 3 per cent tax increase in liquor prices to municipalities for programs to combat alcoholism, drinking and driving and other alcohol related abuse?

The Hon. R. Coleman replied as follows:

Liquor tax increases are directed to the Consolidated Revenue Fund to pay for healthcare, education, and public safety programs, among other things. The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General has strategies in place to combat drinking and driving, as well as programs designed to discourage alcohol abuse.

Strong penalties have been implemented to deter drinking drivers. Drivers who receive two 24-hour roadside prohibitions within a two-year period can now be prohibited from driving for a minimum of two months. Drivers who get a third 24-hour prohibition can expect an additional driving prohibition of three months or more. We have consulted the public about additional changes to further strengthen our impaired driving laws, and expect to introduce changes later this year.

The Ministry also targets public safety issues surrounding alcohol with the liquor service industry. A rigorous inspection program targets over-service of alcohol and service to minors, and includes undercover operations to confirm that licensed establishments are not serving minors. The province is looking at setting up a database of bar patrons who have passed age-identification checks to prevent the use of false identification by minors.

In addition, we are working on legislation to withhold drivers licences from individuals who fail to pay liquor-related fines.

These measures ensure that the government has an effective and comprehensive regime in place to address alcohol-related problems. We continue to work towards enhancing our laws and programs to specifically target these problems.


3 John Ranta, Chair, Thompson-Nicola Regional District, asked the Hon. the Minister of Finance, regarding the Minister's responsibility for Fuel-Tax Revenue, the following question:--: The province currently dedicates provincial fuel-tax revenue to transportation improvements. Can the Minister please advise, given that the federal government is proposing to provide a portion of federal fuel-tax revenues to the province, if the provincial government will continue to dedicate all fuel-tax revenue to transportation improvements, including the provincial highway system?

The Hon. G. Collins replied as follows:

The province currently dedicates 6.75 cents per litre of the tax collected from clear gasoline and diesel fuel directly to the BC Transportation Financing Authority (BCTFA) under the Motor Fuel Tax Act. The tax rate dedicated to BCTFA was increased by 3.5 cents per litre in Budget 2003.

It is important to note that the BCTFA is responsible for only a portion of total annual expenditure on transportation projects and maintenance.

In 2003/04, the total provincial clear gasoline and diesel fuel tax collected is an estimated $760 million. Of that amount, about $410 million is directed to the BCTFA and the remaining $350 million flows into the consolidated revenue fund.

In Budget 2003, the Government announced its Three-Year Transportation Investment Plan. Under the plan, an additional $650 million will be invested by the province in a number of highway projects.

On average over the period 1990/91 to 2002/03, the provincial government spent about $240 million more annually on the development and maintenance of highways than it collected in gasoline and diesel fuel tax.

Currently, the province continues to spend more on highways than it collects in gasoline and diesel tax.

The province will continue to dedicate most of the gasoline and diesel tax to the BCTFA for spending on highway transportation investment projects regardless of whether the federal government transfers some of its motor fuel tax to the province or municipalities.


5 Gary Coons, President, Prince Rupert District Teachers' Union, asked the Hon. the Premier, the following question:--: Will the Premier keep the B.C. Liberal "New Era" commitment (pg. 31) to dedicate traffic fines to municipalities for policing services?

The Hon. M. Coell replied as follows:

In the New Era document, we said that we would return 75 per cent of all traffic fine revenue to municipalities, to improve community safety and crime prevention. In this year's fiscal plan, we have provided the resources to address this commitment.

In short, this commitment will be kept and the funds required to meet it are contained in our current three-year fiscal plan.

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