2004 Legislative Session: 5th Session, 37th Parliament
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
Nos. 47 and 48
OF THE
Monday, April 19, 2004
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Mr. Bloy.
Mr. R. Stewart reserved his right to raise two matters of privilege.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for "Private Members' Statements" called.
A debate arose.
Pursuant to the Standing Orders, division on the motion was deferred until 30 minutes prior to the ordinary time fixed for adjournment.
On the motion of Mr. Suffredine, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
And then the House adjourned at 11.57 a.m.
Monday, April 19, 2004
Two o'clock p.m.
The Hon. P. Bell (Minister of State for Mining) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:
Lance Finch
Administrator
The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 28) intituled Coal Act, and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Victoria Law Courts,
April 16, 2004.
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. K. Falcon (Minister of Transportation) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:
Lance Finch
Administrator
The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 30) intituled Passenger Transportation Act, and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Victoria Law Courts,
April 16, 2004.
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."
Ms. MacPhail reserved her right to raise a matter of privilege.
Ms. MacPhail asked leave, pursuant to Standing Order 35, to move adjournment of the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance regarding BC Rail.
The Hon. G. Collins made representations.
The Speaker stated he would take the matter under advisement.
The Hon. C. Richmond (Speaker) tabled the following:
Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner Annual Report, 2003, and
Auditor General Report 2004/2005 Report 1: Follow-up of Performance Reports.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, Order called for Section A of Committee of Supply.
Bill (No. 13) intituled Environmental Management Amendment Act, 2004 was committed, reported complete with amendment, and by leave, read a third time and passed.
Bill (No. 16) intituled Water, Land and Air Protection Statutes Amendment Act, 2004 was committed, reported complete with amendment, and by leave, read a third time and passed.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.
The Committee recessed until 6.45 p.m.
(In Committee -- Section B)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Forests.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
Motion 73 was agreed to nemine contradicente on the following division:
|
YEAS -- 36 |
|||
|
Brice |
Murray Plant de Jong Harris Christensen Coleman Anderson Hogg Nuraney |
Hunter |
J. Reid McMahon Stephens Nijjar Lekstrom K. Stewart Suffredine Sahota Kerr |
The Speaker delivered his reserved decision as follows:
Honourable Members:
Earlier today the Leader of the Opposition sought to move adjournment of the House to discuss a matter of urgent public importance, namely that the government's failure to provide the public with facts about the BC Rail deal has led to a crisis in public confidence. She submitted that information had been received that a series of options extended the term of the contract beyond the stated length. The Government House Leader submitted that the options mentioned by the Leader of the Opposition were for the benefit of the Government and secondly that an ordinary opportunity for debate existed.
Standing Order 35 allows the appointed business of the House to be set aside in urgent circumstances. In numerous precedents, Speakers of this House have declined to set aside the business of the House where an ordinary parliamentary opportunity for debate existed. In the case at hand, the House is embarked on consideration of the estimates in Committee of Supply and the relevant Ministry has yet to be considered. Accordingly, an ordinary parliamentary opportunity exists.
Secondly, it appears that there is a disagreement between members as to the interpretation and meaning of the proposed options. Speakers in numerous precedents in this House have refused to apply Standing Order 35 for this reason also.
Accordingly, I am not prepared to set aside the business of the House under Standing Order 35.
Claude Richmond, Speaker
The House recessed.
(In Committee -- Section A)
19. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $4,943,165,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Education, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2005.
Section A of Committee of Supply reported the Resolution and completion of the estimates of the Ministry of Education.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
By agreement, summary debate of estimates passed in Section A (Ministry of Education) to be considered at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 8.54 p.m.
CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker
PUBLIC WRITTEN QUESTIONS
When you were in opposition you vowed to reduce the number of ministries from 18 to 12, due to the fact that the Cabinet was too large, too expensive and out of touch. What is the number in your current Cabinet and how much extra taxpayer money is spent in this area?
The Hon. G. Collins replied as follows:
The Sunshine Coast Regional District is seeking to stop private land logging that it believes will harm water quality in Chapman Creek, a watershed that provides drinking water for communities on the Sunshine Coast and that has a government-documented history of logging-related landslides. Water turbidity has necessitated building a $7 million water filtration plant. Will you instruct the local drinking water protection officer to look into this matter with the aim to prevent damage to water?
The Hon. B. Barisoff replied as follows:
Will the Minister invite input from municipalities and regional districts with regards to the "20 per cent take back" areas and volumes that are being negotiated with the major tenure holders, prior to the final determination of the areas these volumes will come from?
The Hon. M. de Jong replied as follows:
There was a commitment by your government to allow members of the BC College of Teachers to elect 12 of the 20 members of the College Council. Recently, the appointees to the college are attempting to structure the elections so that teachers will only be able to elect 8 of the 20 members. Will you stand by your government's commitment and allow teachers what was promised?
The Hon. T. Christensen replied as follows:
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