2005 Legislative Session: 6th 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 7, 2005


Ten o'clock a.m.

Prayers by Mr. Bloy.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Order called for "Private Members' Statements."

 
 71  By leave, Mr. Hawes moved--
Be it resolved that this House recognize the imminent danger that the crystal methamphetamine epidemic poses to our children and our communities; and that this House support efforts to restrict manufacturing precursors, advocate for more appropriate sentencing of convicted manufacturers and distributors, increase addiction treatment options, and assist communities in designing local solutions.

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to.

And then the House adjourned at 11.57 a.m.


Monday, March 7, 2005

Two o'clock p.m.

The Hon. G. Campbell (Premier) made a ministerial statement regarding the death of four RCMP Officers in Alberta, and requested that the House observe a minute of silence.

The House observed a minute of silence.

Ms. Kwan made a statement.

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. 5) intituled Civil Forfeiture Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Government House,
February 14, 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.

On the motion of Mr. Long, Bill (No. Pr 405) intituled The John Hussey Foundation (Corporate Restoration) Act, 2005 was introduced, read a first time, and Ordered referred to the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.

On the motion of Mr. Mayencourt, Bill (No. Pr 403) intituled British Columbia Wharf Operators' Association (Corporate Restoration) Act, 2005 was introduced, read a first time, and Ordered referred to the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.

Order called for "Members' Statements."

Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."

By leave, Mr. Brar tabled a document regarding Ministry of Human Resources service delivery changes in McBride.

Mr. Brar reserved his right to raise a matter of privilege.

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. 20) intituled Supply Act (No. 1), 2005 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Vancouver Law Courts,
March 7, 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.

By leave, the Hon. G. Bruce moved--
That the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills be comprised of the following Members: Mr. Lekstrom (Convener), Mmes. Orr, and Trumper, Messrs. Belsey, Bhullar, Bloy, Brar, Bray, Hunter, Johnston, Long, Sultan and Wilson.

The Hon. G. Bruce moved--
Pursuant to Standing Order 81.1 (2) that the following schedule be adopted for the conclusion of House business for the week of March 7 to March 10, 2005:

Monday, March 7:

2:45-4:00
4:00-9:00

Bill 19
Response to Throne Speech

Committee and 3rd Reading

Tuesday, March 8:

10:00-10:45
10:45-11:45
2:45-5:50

Bill 20 - Interim Supply
Response to Throne Speech
Bill 20 - Interim Supply

2nd Reading
 
2nd Reading
(completed)

Wednesday, March 9:

2:45-6:00
6:30-9:00

Bill 20 - Interim Supply
Bill 20 - Interim Supply

Committee
Committee

Thursday, March 10:

10:00-12:00
2:45-5:45

Bill 20 - Interim Supply
Bill 20 - Interim Supply

Committee
Committee and 3rd Reading

Unless previously completed, at the times and dates mentioned, the Speaker and the Chair of Committee of the Whole will forthwith put all necessary questions for the disposal of all the various stages of the business indicated without amendment or debate. Any divisions called on the second or third reading of the Bills, or the Address in Reply, may be taken in accordance with Standing Order 16 and all other divisions will be subject to the provisions of Practice Recommendation No. 1. Proceedings under this motion shall not be subject to the provisions of the Standing or Sessional Orders relating to times and days of sittings of the House.

The House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

YEAS -- 43

Falcon
Coell
Les
Wong
Chong
McMahon
Bell
van Dongen
Wilson
Bray
Cobb

Lee
Plant
Hansen
Bruce
Brice
Abbott
Coleman
Penner
Clark
Anderson
Jarvis

Orr
Hogg
Nuraney
Nebbeling
R. Stewart
Long
Mayencourt
Trumper
Johnston
Krueger
Masi

Bhullar
Hayer
Lekstrom
MacKay
Halsey-Brandt
Bloy
Suffredine
Hawes
Kerr
Manhas

 
NAYS -- 5

Kwan
Nettleton
MacPhail Brar Brenzinger

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Bill (No. 19) intituled Ministerial Accountability Bases, 2004-2005, Amendment Act, 2005 was committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.

Pursuant to Order, the House resumed the adjourned debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech of Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor at the opening of the Session.

The debate continued.

On the motion of Mr. Hogg, the debate was adjourned until later today.

The House recessed until 6.45 p.m.

Pursuant to Order, the House resumed the adjourned debate on the Address in Reply to the Speech of Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor at the opening of the session.

The debate continued.

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

And then the House adjourned at 8.19 p.m.

CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker


NOTICE OF BILLS

Tuesday, March 8

Mr. Lee to introduce a Bill intituled Spring Festival Act.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Tuesday, March 8

 
 76  Mr. Brar to move--
Be it resolved that this House recognizes the importance of second language education in British Columbia and recommends to government it provide additional resources to help school districts expand access to German, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin and Punjabi classes throughout British Columbia.

PUBLIC WRITTEN QUESTIONS

Date answered: March 7, 2005

 
4 Barry O'Neill, President, Canadian Union of Public Employees -- BC Division, asked the Minister of State for Women's and Seniors' Services, regarding the Minister's responsibility for Women's Equality, the following question: --

As the Government Caucus Liaison for Women's Equality, can you tell us what plans (if any) the government has to deal with the increasing gender wage gap in British Columbia?

The Hon. W. McMahon replied as follows:

According to Statistics Canada data, women have been steadily closing the wage gap in B.C. for the past two decades. In fact, among younger women -- aged 25-34 -- they now earn 91 per cent of what men of the same age earn, due in large part to the increase in skill and education levels of women in this province, combined with a greater ability to leverage good wages and working conditions in a tightening labour market.

But pay equity is a complex issue with many causes, and the provincial government is committed to the principle of eliminating gender-based wage disparities.

Meanwhile, the evidence shows that we are steadily getting closer to the goal of pay equity between men and women. The key is a strong economy, and over the past four years, women have benefited hugely from this province's economic growth:

With women making up more than half of the student population at all public, post-secondary institutions in B.C., and this government's commitment to create 25,000 new post-secondary seats by 2010, even more women will earn degrees and diplomas, the surest way to increase income.

Section 12 of the BC Human Rights Code, for example, protects women against discrimination specifically in relation to "employment, including recruitment, job assignment, termination, pay rates or conditions of work." The employment standards branch also prioritizes and expedites complaints from vulnerable workers.

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