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One-Thirty o’clock p.m.
Prayers by Mr. van Dongen.
The Speaker delivered his reserved decision as follows:
Honourable Members:
On Monday morning May 16th, the member for Cariboo North rose on a point of order pertaining to the conduct of Private Members’ Time and particularly directed his attention to Standing Order 25A. On raising his point of order, the Honourable Member asked for guidance from the Chair as to three questions: (1) What is the spirit and intent of Private Members’ Time; (2) What process is to be used to determine which MLAs get time; and, (3) Are speakers lists necessary for respondents or do those lists undermine the spirit and intent of Private Members’ Time.
Firstly, there have been several Speaker’s decisions on the nature and intent of Private Members’ Statements, and I refer Honourable Members to the fourth edition of Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, pages 60 and 61. Basically the intent was to provide a definite and certain time on Orders of the Day when Members, other than Cabinet Ministers, could bring to the attention of the House matters of concern which did not fall into other proceedings of the House.
The second question the Honourable Member has put to the Chair is in relation to the process used to determine which MLAs get time during Private Members’ Statements.
Standing Order 25A (2) suggests that such determination be made by the Speaker after drawing lots. When this Standing Order was first in use, it was discovered that the random drawing of lots often produced an undesirable result, in that four random choices could produce the effect of all Private Members’ Statements on a particular day would go to one party or another, and accordingly the practice developed that the designated Members on Private Members’ day were chosen by agreement between the House Leaders, and this process has worked admirably over the years that Standing Order 25A has been in place. It was hoped that with the advent of Independent Members that their turn to be chosen for Private Members’ Statements would be negotiated in the same spirit of fairness that has prevailed over the years. As Speaker, I would hope that the existing processes would be continued and that the Independent Members would be made part of the process and would be prepared to accept the decision made by the House Leaders of the major parties in the House. The Chair would suggest that the overriding principle is that of fairness, and I have every reason to believe that principle will be observed in allocating time for Private Members’ Statements.
The final question put to the Chair was whether or not speakers lists are necessary or do they undermine the spirit and intent of Private Members’ Time. In relation to this last question, it seems to the Chair that respondent lists add some certainty to the House proceedings and also provide time for preparation of replies when appropriate. Once the subject matter of the statement is known, research can be commenced on a reply, thereby adding hopefully to the quality of the debate on any particular subject.
Failing this consensual approach to allocation of time in Private Members’ Statements, an arbitrary mathematical decision could be devised, bearing in mind the number of Private Members and the number of Independent Members.
Hon. Bill Barisoff, Speaker
The Hon. M. Polak (Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:
Lance Finch
Administrator
The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 11) intituled Yale First Nation Final Agreement Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Vancouver Law Courts,
May 17, 2011.
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. B. Simpson, Bill (No. M 206) intituled Election Transparency Amendment Act, 2011 was introduced, read a first time, and 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. Ralston rose on a point of order regarding the presentation of a report of the Special Committee to Appoint a Chief Electoral Officer.
The Speaker took the matter under advisement.
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Order called for Committee of Supply.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A and Section B of Committee of Supply.
(In Committee – Section B)
22. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $5,241,877,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Education, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2012.
Section B of Committee of Supply reported the Resolution and completion of the estimates of the Ministry of Education.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
(In Committee - Section A)
Section A of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Environment.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 6.54 p.m.
HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker
Thursday, May 19
Mr. B. Simpson to introduce a Bill intituled Election Finance Amendment Act, 2011.
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