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The printed version remains the official version.
Ten o’clock a.m.
Prayers by Ms. McIntyre.
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Order called for “Private Members’ Statements.”
66 By leave, Mr. Sultan moved—
Be it resolved that this House encourages all provinces and territories to reduce barriers to trade and labour mobility by following the model set out in the B.C./Alberta Trade and Investment Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA).
A debate arose.
On the motion of Ms. McIntyre, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
And then the House adjourned at 11.58 a.m.
One-thirty o’clock p.m.
Order called for “Members’ Statements.”
Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”
The Hon. W. Oppal (Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism) tabled the following:
British Columbia Ferry Commission Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2007; and
BC Human Rights Tribunal Annual Report, 2006-2007.
Mr. Fraser presented a petition regarding antifreeze containing ethylene glycol.
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Bill (No. 40) intituled Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act was committed.
In Committee, the Chair made the following remarks:
Honourable Members:
Today we are embarking on the Committee Stage of Bill No. 40, a Bill to approve and give effect to the final agreement made between the Tsawwassen First Nation, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia. I wish to take this opportunity, in light of the unique form of the Bill, to comment on the process to be used in Committee debate.
This Bill, like the Nisga’a bill of 1999, is intended to approve the final agreement which is attached as a schedule, and to enact ancillary legislation to conform with various aspects of the agreement.
It is a Crown prerogative to make agreements. The role of Parliament is to debate, accept, reject or amend the Bill but, subject to technical amendments, it cannot amend the Agreement.
In the case at hand, the Chair will not accept amendments to the Schedule other than purely technical amendments to ensure the Schedule contains the correct text. The Chair will not accept amendments to sections of the Bill which have the effect of amending the Schedule, but will accept amendments to sections of the Bill that are relevant and otherwise in order.
It seems to the Chair that section 3 of the Bill embodies the operative portion of the Bill. It is to be remembered that the committee stage of a Bill does not provide an opportunity to recanvass all the arguments which were applicable at second reading where the principle of the Bill was under debate. During committee stage, debate must be strictly confined to the section which is before the Committee, likewise, debate on proposed amendments must be strictly relevant to the amendment as proposed. The agreement, while not amendable, except as provided above, will be open to debate when the Schedule is called, subject to the observations made with respect to section 3.
K. Whittred, Chair
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 6.27 p.m.
HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker
Tuesday, October 30
2 Mr. Macdonald to ask the Hon. Minister of Environment the following question:
When will the Minister put a full time Conservation Officer in Golden paid for by the Province?
3 Mr. Macdonald to ask the Hon. Minister of Health the following question:
What is the Minister of Health doing to make sure Revelstoke paramedics immediately get the purpose built ambulance station they need?
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