No. 114 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

One-thirty o’clock p.m.

Prayers by Ms. Trevena.

Order called for “Members’ Statements.”

Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”

The Hon. J. Yap (Minister of State for Multiculturalism) tabled the Report on Multiculturalism, 2010/11.

By leave, the Hon. R. Coleman moved —

That a Special Committee on Timber Supply be appointed to examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to mid-term timber supply for British Columbia resulting from the pine beetle epidemic-related loss of timber supply in the central interior, and to conduct consultations on this issue with the public and local governments, including communities and First Nations, by means the Special Committee considers appropriate, with a final report due August 15, 2012.

The Special Committee shall specifically consider:

1. Recommendations that could increase timber supply, including direction on the potential scope of changes to land use objectives, rate of cut and the conversion of volume based to area based tenures; and

2. Areas requiring change to legislation and/or other key implementation tools.

The above considerations should occur with due regard for the following:

• Fiscal commitment of the province to balance the budget and maintain competitive electricity rates;

• Maintaining high environmental standards and protection of critical habitat for species and key environmental values;

• Optimal health of communities and as orderly a transition as possible to post beetle cut levels;

• Maintaining a competitive forest industry;

• The existence of First Nations rights and claims of title; and

• The Softwood Lumber Agreement and other trade agreements.

The Special Committee so appointed shall have all the powers of a Select Standing Committee and is also empowered:

a. To appoint of their numbers, one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee;

b. To sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. To adjourn from place to place as may be convenient;

d. To retain Jim Snetsinger and Larry Pedersen as technical advisors, and any other personnel as required to assist the Committee;

The said Special Committee shall report to the House no later than August 15, 2012 and shall deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or at the next following session, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly. The said Special Committee be composed of: John Rustad (Convener); Donna Barnett, Eric Foster, Ben Stewart, Harry Bains, Norm Macdonald and Bill Routley.

Motion agreed to.

By leave, the Hon. R. Coleman moved —

That a Special Committee be appointed to unanimously recommend to the Legislative Assembly the appointment of:

(1) a Conflict of Interest Commissioner pursuant to section 14 of the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act (RSBC 1996, c. 287); and

(2) a Merit Commissioner pursuant to section 5.01 of the Public Service Act (RSBC 1996, c. 385);

and that the said Special Committee shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition is empowered:

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee;

b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and

d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the Committee;

and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly. The Committee may consider and report on items (1) and (2) concurrently or sequentially.

The said Special Committee is to be composed of Colin Hansen (Convener), Ron Cantelon, Joan McIntyre, Mabel Elmore and Leonard Krog.

Motion agreed to.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Order called for Committee of Supply.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A of Committee of the Whole.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section C of Committee of Supply.

On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 54) intituled Provincial Sales Tax Act, a debate arose.

The debate continued.

The House recessed until 7 o’clock p.m.

On the motion of Mr. B. Routley, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.

(In Committee — Section A)

By agreement, division deferred on sections 80, 84 and 85 of Bill (No. 41) intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2012.

Section 2 of Bill (No. 36) intituled School Amendment Act, 2012 passed, on division.

Section 6 of Bill (No. 36) passed, on division.

Section A of Committee of the Whole reported progress on Bill (No. 41) intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2012 and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered later today.

Committee to sit again later today.

Section A of Committee of the Whole reported progress on Bill (No. 37) intituled Animal Health Act and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

Section A of Committee of the Whole reported Bill (No. 36) intituled School Amendment Act, 2012 complete without amendment.

Bill (No. 36) read a third time and passed.

(In Committee — Section C)

29. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $16,032,867,000 be granted to Her Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Health, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2013.

Section C of Committee of Supply reported the Resolution and completion of the estimates of the Ministry of Health and further reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

By agreement, summary of debate of estimates passed in Section C (Ministry of Health) to be considered at the next sitting.

Bill (No. 41) intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2012 was committed.

By agreement, in consideration of section 80 of Bill (No. 41), the Committee divided as follows:

By agreement, in consideration of section 84 of Bill (No. 41), the Committee divided as follows:

By agreement, in consideration of section 85 of Bill (No. 41), the Committee divided as follows:

Bill (No. 41) reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.

And then the House adjourned at 8.58 p.m.

HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Monday, May 28

48  Mr. Bennett to move —

Be it resolved that this House unanimously reject the position stated by Thomas Mulcair that resource extraction in western provinces is bad for Canada.

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