The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
One-Thirty o’clock p.m.
Prayers by Mr. Nuraney.
The Hon. G. Campbell (Premier) made a statement regarding the death of Stan Hagen, Member for Comox Valley.
Ms. James made a statement.
The Hon. B. Barisoff (Speaker) tabled the following documents:
Auditor General Report on grant administration of the BC Arts Council; 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games filed pursuant to section 13 (4) of the Auditor General Act;
Auditor General 2008/2009 Report 12: Planning for School Seismic Safety;
Auditor General 2008/2009 Report 13: Public Sector Governance A guide to the Principles of Good Practice and How are we doing? The public reporting of performance measures in British Columbia;
Representative for Children and Youth Progress Report on the Implementation of Recommendations of the BC Children and Youth Review (“Hughes Review”), 2008;
Office of the Merit Commissioner Annual Report, 2007/08; and
Elections BC Annual Report, 2007-2008.
The Hon. C. Hansen (Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Olympics) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:
Lance Finch
Administrator
The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 48) intituled Finance Statutes (Deficit Authorization and Debt Elimination) Amendment Act, 2009 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Vancouver Law Courts,
February 9, 2009.
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.”
Mr. Wyse presented a petition regarding rescinding BC Assessment Authority’s split-form classification process and the increased tax assessments to farmers.
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
The House recessed until 3.00 p.m.
The Hon. M. de Jong requested leave to move second reading of Bill (No. 48) intituled Finance Statutes (Deficit Authorization and Debt Elimination) Amendment Act, 2009.
Leave was not granted.
Pursuant to section 33 (3) of the Constitution Act:
A declaration by the Member of the Electoral District of Peace River North (Mr. Neufeld) of his intention to resign his seat as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, effective January 19, 2009, was delivered to the Speaker.
The following reports were received by the Office of the Clerk during adjournment:
Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch Ministry of Housing and Social Development Annual Report, 2007/2008; and
Major Capital Project Plan, BC Place Stadium Upgrades December 27th, 2008.
And then the House adjourned at 3.05 p.m.
HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker
Tuesday, February 10
2 Ms. James to ask the Hon. the Premier the following questions pertaining to the Olympic Athletes’ Village and the costs of the 2010 Olympics:—
1. Why is the Premier continuing to tell British Columbians that the cost of hosting the 2010 Olympic Games is $600 million?
2. How much will taxpayers be on the hook for the Olympic Village?
3. When did the Premier first learn about difficulties with the Southeast False Creek development and/or that the financing for the Olympic Village was in jeopardy?
4. Did the Premier’s former chief advisor and provincial appointee to VANOC Ken Dobell keep the Premier informed on the Olympic Village project — and if not, why not?
5. Did any member of VANOC’s Finance Committee or its board — which includes Ken Dobell as Chair, Annette Antoniuk, the CEO of the BC Olympic Secretariat as Co-Chair, as well as provincial appointees Rusty Goepel and Richard Turner — keep the Premier informed about Venue Construction progress, one of that board’s key oversight responsibilities?
6. What did VANOC’s “Capital Advisory Committee” report to the Province about the Village?
7. Did Ken Dobell or any member of VANOC inform the Premier about the activities of the “Village Advisory Committee” formed by VANOC — and if not, why not?
8. Was the Premier aware of Partnerships BC’s due diligence reports regarding the Olympic Village and other potential venue risks?
9. Did either of the Co-Chairs of VANOC’s Finance Committee (Ken Dobell, Annette Antoniuk) inform either the Premier or the Minister responsible for the Olympic Secretariat of these due diligence reports prepared by Partnerships BC regarding the Olympic Village and the timeline concerns — and if not, why not?
10. As recommended by the 2007 Partnerships BC report, the City of Vancouver was to provide VANOC with a “project execution plan” for the Village by the Summer of 2007 — was the Premier aware of this plan?
11. Did Ken Dobell, Annette Antoniuk or any member of VANOC inform the Premier about project execution plan for the Village that was due by the summer of 2007 — and if not, why not?
12. Did any of the quarterly reports provided by VANOC to the Province include updates on the anticipatory default of Millennium, as the developer of one of the key Olympic venues — and if not, why not?
13. Was the Premier, any representative of his Office or other provincial government insiders involved in or provide advice on the development deal with Millennium?
14. Was the Premier, any representative of his Office or other provincial government insiders involved in or provide advice on the financial arrangements between the City of Vancouver and Millennium that have exposed the City to considerable risk?
15. Did the Premier, Ken Dobell or any representative of the Premier’s Office or provincial government ever advise the City against entering into the risky financing arrangements with Millennium?
16. Did the Premier, Ken Dobell or any representative of the Premier’s Office or provincial government ever advise the City against the 2007 loan guarantee and completion agreement with Millennium?
17. Was the Premier, Ken Dobell or any representative of the Premier’s Office or provincial government made aware of the concerns raised by the City’s former Chief Financial Officer, Estelle Lo — and if so, when?
18. Why did the Premier wait so long to take action on the Olympic Village issue?
19. Why has the government only budgeted $87 million for Olympic security costs?
20. What will be B.C.’s share of the extra security costs that are reported to be increasing by over $800 million, and when will the Premier come clean with the public on those costs?
21. How much will it cost B.C. taxpayers to cover the Games-related costs of B.C. Transit and TransLink as they provide over one million extra transit rides, and will the Premier release the agreement outlining these costs?
22. How much will it cost Health Authorities to provide additional medical services during the Olympic Games?
23. How many remaining Olympic projects in the city of Vancouver are over budget?
24. How many Olympic projects are at risk of not being ready for the Games and is the preparation centre in Surrey one of these?
25. How many additional projects may be in trouble and when will the Premier admit that his 2010 plan isn’t working?
26. Are all agreements specifying costs in place, and, if not, which are not yet signed and what costs are outstanding?
27. How much will municipalities and TransLink end up paying for their share of the 2010 Olympics bill?
28. Why has the Premier refused to listen to the prudent advice of the Auditor General about the Olympics, and why is he still refusing to cooperate with him?
29. Does the Premier still believe his July 2003 statement that “At the end of the day it’s [the Olympics] going to generate revenues into the province”?
30. On behalf of BC taxpayers, will the Premier finally agree to the Auditor General of B.C.’s request to be the official and independent auditor of the 2010 Olympic Games?
31. When will the Premier come clean about the true cost of hosting the 2010 Olympic Games?
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