Nos. 23 and 24 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Ten o’clock a.m.

Prayers by Mr. Pimm.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Bill (No. 6) intituled Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act, 2011 was again committed.

Section 4 of Bill (No. 6) passed, on division.

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 11.58 a.m.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

One-Thirty o’clock p.m.

The Hon. S. Bond (Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:

Lance Finch

Administrator

The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 13) intituled Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.

Vancouver Law Courts,

October 31, 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.

Order called for “Members’ Statements.”

Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Bill (No. 6) intituled Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act, 2011 was again committed.

Section 6 of Bill (No. 6) passed, on division.

Section 11 of Bill (No. 6) passed, on division.

Section 15 of Bill (No. 6) passed, on division.

Bill (No. 6) was reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.

Bill (No. 12) intituled Teachers Act was committed.

Bill (No. 12) was reported complete with amendment, and by leave, read a third time and passed.

And then the House adjourned at 6.24 p.m.

HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker

NOTICE OF BILLS

Wednesday, November 2

Mr. Farnworth to introduce a Bill intituled Seniors Advocate Act.

Thursday, November 3

Ms. Conroy to introduce a Bill intituled Representative for Seniors Act, 2011.

NOTICE OF QUESTIONS

Wednesday, November 2

3  Mr. Coons to ask the Hon. Minister of Environment the following questions:—

1. In 2006, the Minister of Environment committed to ensuring that the territory around the Queen of the North wreck would return to its pristine condition by promising long-term environmental monitoring of the upwelling around the wreck and the testing of harvestable shellfish and seaweed. Why has this government not fulfilled that promise? What are the government’s plans to fulfil this promise?

2. Ever since the sinking of the Queen of the North, just minutes away from Hartley Bay, there have been concerns with the upwelling of fuel, asbestos, lead, mercury and other toxins in Gitga’at territory. What is the government doing to address local concerns about safe harvestable foods?

3. BC Ferries promised to help restore the territory around the Queen of the North wreck and was paying a yearly contribution to assist with monitoring and testing of marine life in the area surrounding the Queen of the North wreckage site until it chose to no longer honour that agreement in March 2011. What does the Minister know about BC Ferries’ decision to not honour that agreement? What does the government plan to do to ensure that BC Ferries does not renege on their financial and moral obligations?

4. Since BC Ferries and the government decided not to honour their promise to monitor the area around the Queen of the North wreckage site and return the area to its pristine condition, the Gitga’at Nation have undertaken the cost of monitoring the waters around the Queen of the North wreckage site. What is the government’s plan to compensate the Gitga’at Nation for these costs?

5. Has the government done any assessment or monitoring of the environmental impact of the Queen of the North wreckage site in the last year? If so, what were the results of that assessment?

6. What is the status of the government’s clean-up of the area around the Queen of the North wreckage site?

7. What is the government’s plan to manage any upwelling of diesel around the Queen of the North wreckage site and the impact it will have on the Gitga’at Nation’s harvesting grounds?