1996 Legislative Session: 1st Session, 36th Parliament
FIRST READING
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
MR. WEISGERBER
HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:
1 Section 1 of the Constitution Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c. 62 is hereby amended by the addition of the following:
In this Act, "free vote" means a vote of individual consequence with due regard for the views of a member's constituents and the public good generally, free from intimidation or reprisal from the caucus of a political party, while acknowledging that membership in the Executive Council may limit that member's use of the free vote.
18 (2) A member represents the electoral district in which the member was elected with primary consideration being for the interests of the constituents such that all votes in the Legislative Assembly shall be free votes of personal conscience, unless taken on:
(a) matters which are advised to be matters of fundamental government policy at the time of their first introduction, whether by way of Bill, particular sections of a Bill, Resolution, Motion or otherwise, or,
(b) Supply Bills, or,
(c) motions specifically asserting confidence or non-confidence in the government of the day,
all such votes being considered to be questions of confidence or non-confidence in the government of the day.
This Bill abolishes party-line voting in the Legislative Assembly except on fundamental policy or money bills, which are treated as votes of confidence or non-confidence in the government of the day.
[ Return to: Legislative Assembly Home Page ]
Copyright © 1996: Queen's Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada