No. 100 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

One-thirty o’clock p.m.

Prayers by Mr. Hawes.

Order called for “Members’ Statements.”

Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”

Mr. B. Simpson rose on a point of order regarding answers to Questions taken on Notice during Oral Question Period.

The Hon. M. de Jong made a statement.

Mr. Farnworth made a statement.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Bill (No. 40) intituled Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act was again committed.

The Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

The Speaker delivered his reserved decision as follows:

Honourable Members:

Earlier today the Member for Cariboo North sought to raise a point of order regarding the timing of presenting an answer to a question taken on notice during Oral Question Period.

It has been a long-standing practice in this House that a Minister may take a question on notice, to be answered at a later date. The determination of when to return with an answer is in the discretion of the Minister and not a matter that the Chair rules upon. Answers to questions taken on notice are normally presented after Question Period so as not to take up the time of Question Period.

The Member also commented upon the taking of notice on behalf of another Minister by the Government House Leader. Due to the special nature of the House Leader’s role in the House the taking of notice on behalf of another Minister is similar to the long-standing practice whereby the Government House Leader may move a motion on behalf of another Minister.

For further comment on Question Period I would refer the Members to Speaker Schroeder’s ruling of June 30, 1982, and Speaker Sawicki’s ruling of April 13, 1992.

HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker

And then the House adjourned at 6.25 p.m.

HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Thursday, November 1

76  Mr. B. Simpson to move—

Be it resolved that the Legislative Assembly direct the Auditor General to conduct a comprehensive review of the Ministry of Forests and Range decisions to allow the deletions of Schedule A Lands from Tree Farm Licences on Vancouver Island.

Monday, November 5

77  Ms. Trevena to move—

Be it resolved that this House agree that British Columbia needs a high quality, affordable, accessible, universal and publicly funded child care system.

NOTICE OF BILLS

Monday, November 5

Mr. Robertson to introduce a Bill intituled Toxics Use Reduction Act, 2007.

Mr. Gentner to introduce a Bill intituled Agricultural Land Reserve Protection Act.

Mr. Wyse to introduce a Bill intituled British Columbia Rail Corridor Safety Act, 2007.