2005 Legislative Session: 6th Session, 37th Parliament
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
Nos. 19 and 20
OF THE
Monday, February 28, 2005
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Ms. Whittred.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order called for "Private Members' Statements."
A debate arose.
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, February 28, 2005
Two o'clock p.m.
The Hon. G. Bruce (Minister of Skills Development and Labour) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:
Lance Finch
Administrator
The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 21) intituled Crown Counsel Agreement Continuation Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Vancouver Law Courts,
February 28, 2005.
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 House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
The Hon. C. Hansen (Minister of Finance) 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:
Supplementary Estimates No. 9 -- Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2005;
and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
February 23, 2005.
Ordered, that the Message, and the Supplementary Estimates accompanying same, be referred to the Committee of Supply.
Order for Committee of Supply called.
The House resolved itself into Committee of Supply (Supplementary Estimates of the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development).
(In Committee)
34 (S). Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $40,000,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2005.
The Committee reported the Resolution under the Supplementary Estimates of the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development.
Report to be considered forthwith.
The Hon. G. Bruce moved--
That the report of resolution from the Committee of Supply on February 28, 2005, be now
received, taken as read and agreed to.
Motion agreed to.
The Hon. G. Bruce moved--
That there be granted from and out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund the sum of $40,000,000.
This sum is in addition to that authorized to be paid under section 1 of the Supply Act, 2004-2005 and is
granted to Her Majesty towards defraying the charges and expenses of the public service of the province
for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005.
Motion agreed to.
The Hon. G. Bruce (Minister of Skills Development and Labour), on behalf of the Hon. C. Hansen (Minister of Finance), presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:
Lance Finch
Administrator
The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 16) intituled Supply Act, 2004-2005 (Supplementary Estimates No. 9) and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Vancouver Law Courts,
February 21, 2005.
Bill introduced and read a first time
The Speaker stated that pursuant to established practice, the Bill would proceed through all stages in one day.
Bill (No. 16) was read a second time, committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.
And then the House adjourned at 5.23 p.m.
CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker
PUBLIC WRITTEN QUESTIONS
Date answered: February 28, 2005
Will the Minister restore free collective bargaining in the public sector and remove the 0% wage mandate now that there is clearly no economic justification for such restrictions?
The Hon. C. Hansen replied as follows:
The current bargaining mandate is set to conclude on March 31, 2006. Government appreciates the efforts of the thousands of public sector employees who have been both pragmatic and creative in working with their employers to reach agreements within the net-zero mandate. Public sector workers in British Columbia continue to enjoy among the highest wages and benefits among the provinces.
To date some 68 agreements have been negotiated within mandate, covering more than 172,000 public sector workers and professionals. They have made their contribution to government getting its fiscal house in order -- it is only fair that those who have yet to settle agreements under the current mandate should do so as well.
Once the current mandate is completed, there will be a new bargaining mandate for fiscal year 2006/07 and beyond, and the next mandate will not be more zeros -- but it will continue to be fiscally prudent and affordable to B.C. taxpayers.
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