1997 Legislative Session: 2nd Session, 36th Parliament
Eleven o'clock a.m.
Prayers by the Right Reverend R. Barry Jenks.
The Speaker made a statement regarding the 100th Anniversary of British Columbia's Parliament Buildings, and introduced the new Member for Surrey-White Rock.
The Honourable Garde B. Gardom, Q.C., Lieutenant Governor of the Province, having entered the House, took his seat on the Throne, and was pleased to deliver the following gracious Speech:
Mr. Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Honoured Guests:
Firstly, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, whom I'm honoured to represent, may I extend the warmest of greetings, and also say "happy, happy birthday" to these magnificent buildings, and encore, encore and encore a hundred times over.
For it was here on this very day 100 years ago, February 10, 1898, that the Honourable Thomas R. McInnes, Sixth Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, said:
"It is a source of much pleasure to me to meet you in this the first year of my office as Lieutenant Governor, and to congratulate you on the completion of these stately government buildings, so worthy of the Province, so admirably adapted for the purposes for which they were designed, and in which you are now assembled for the first time."
Lots of water under a lot of bridges since then, but today, 100 years later, everyone would agree that these Parliament Buildings are not only great testament to the architectural vision and skill of Frances Rattenbury, but also -- and so importantly -- continue to be `admirably adapted' for the purposes of our energized Province.
And in honouring these buildings' 100th, it is fitting that we celebrate, in addition, the past hundred years of British Columbia's success.
And has British Columbia ever come a long way.
The burgeoning of our communities, the expansion of our communication links, the growth and development of our industries, our increase in wherewithal, and also that we've become a more diverse, much more open and more accepting society -- one that not only values our people's differences, but cherishes all that which we share in common.
Yes, British Columbia has come a long way.
And, as we celebrate the opening and history of these stately buildings and their spacious grounds, in turn we honour also our Canadian system of responsible democratic governance -- yes, and within a Canada from sea to great sea to great sea united.
For, how fortunate we all are, indeed blessed, to live in the most marvellous Province in the most marvellous country there is.
Hence, it's occasions such as these that call upon us to reflect upon, be grateful for, and take pride in all of that which we enjoy, have been endowed, and certainly for all of the vision, hard, hard work and sacrifice of those before us.
In a sense, this Speech from the Throne is somewhat unique. It isn't signalling a new Session of the Assembly. It's not outlining a compendious legislative agenda. But it is honouring and reflecting upon the values I've referred to.
For today's menu, Honourable Members, you will:
I began by quoting the Lieutenant Governor of 100 years ago.
I would like to close by quoting the remarkable sentiments of Captain George Vancouver of some 200 years ago, who, when first sighting our coast in 1792, wrote this:
"The serenity of the climate, the innumerable pleasing landscapes, the abundant fertility that unassisted nature puts forth, requires only to be enriched by man . . . to render it the most lovely country that can be imagined."
How true. How prescient. What a visionary he was. And indeed, how fortunate, how very fortunate and lucky we are.
Honourable Members, I wish you well with your deliberations. Keep health and, in our Sovereign's name, I thank you.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to retire.
The Speaker reported that, in order to prevent mistakes, he had obtained a copy of His Honour's speech.
By leave, on the motion of the Hon. U. Dosanjh (Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Human Rights and Immigration), Bill (No. 55) intituled Association of Former M.L.A.s of British Columbia Act, was introduced and read a first time.
By leave, the Hon. U. Dosanjh moved that Bill (No. 55) proceed through all stages this day.
On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 55) intituled Association of Former M.L.A.s of British Columbia Act, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 55) read a second time.
On the motion of the Hon. U. Dosanjh, Bill (No. 55) was referred to a Committee of the Whole to be considered forthwith.
Bill (No. 55) was committed, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.
The Speaker declared a short recess.
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor having entered the House, and being seated in the Chair--
E. George MacMinn, Q.C., Clerk of the House, read the title to the following Act:
Bill (No. 55) Association of Former M.L.A.s of British Columbia Act.
His Honour was pleased in Her Majesty's name to give assent to the said Act.
The said assent was announced by E. George MacMinn, Q.C., Clerk of the House, in the following words:
"In Her Majesty's name, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor doth assent to this Act."
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to retire.
By leave, on the motion of Mr. Janssen, seconded by Mr. Weisgerber, it was Resolved --
That Mark Rose, President of the Former M.L.A.s Association of British Columbia, be permitted to address this Assembly from the Bar of the House.
Mr. Rose made a statement.
By leave, the Hon. A. Petter (Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations and Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Relations) made a statement and tabled the following proclamation:
Province of British Columbia
WHEREAS the Parliament Buildings are the seat of government of British Columbia, and
WHEREAS the Parliament Buildings have been the heart of the political life and history of British Columbia for a century, and
WHEREAS the Parliament Buildings are structures of pre-eminent historical value to the residents of this Province, and
WHEREAS the Parliament Buildings are architectural monuments of great distinction, reflecting magnificent craftsmanship, and
WHEREAS the Parliament Buildings were the focus of an extensive twelve year restoration and rehabilitation program,
NOW KNOW YE THAT the Government of the Province of British Columbia hereby proclaims its commitment to the preservation and good stewardship of the Parliament Buildings in perpetuity and will respect the principles and practices of heritage conservation as defined in recognized international charters and, as more specifically enunciated, in a "Statement of Principles" in application to any alterations to character defining spaces and features in and on the Parliament Buildings grounds.
GLEN CLARK
Premier and President of the Executive Council
DALE LOVICK
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Province of British Columbia
Statement of Principles
Conservation
All heritage conservation work to be done on the Parliament Buildings and grounds should be based upon and preceded by sufficient historical research, site analysis and documentation to identify and safeguard fully the heritage values to be conserved.
The evolution of the structure(s) and the site should be respected. The contributions of all periods are important to the historic development and merit retention. Decisions about appropriate levels of intervention shall be based upon the heritage values of each contribution.
Long-term protection of the Parliament Buildings and grounds should be balanced with other management goals and future resource management objectives should be identified prior to undertaking and work.
The approach to all heritage conservation projects should be one of minimal intervention to ensure the maximum preservation of the existing and authentic physical fabric and the retention of the signs of age.
Conjecture and falsification of building elements should be avoided in all heritage conservation projects pertaining to the Parliament Buildings and grounds.
A well-defined maintenance plan should be clearly established in order to prepare for an appropriate level of maintenance and care upon completion.
Restoration
The goals of all restoration projects at the Parliament Buildings and grounds, including the use to which the building or site will be put, must be clearly established prior to commencing work. If it is appropriate, for compelling interpretive reasons, to undertake period restoration and establish an earlier time to which building or site is to be restored, this must be determined at this time.
Upon close inspection, new material, which is part of the restoration work, must be distinguishable from the original building fabric and historic additions.
All work done to the historic fabric shall be reversible, whenever possible, as it may be necessary or desirable in the future to alter or remove the restoration for historic, aesthetic or functional reasons. New work shall be designed in spirit and material so that it may be removed, leaving the essential form and integrity of the building intact.
New or untested conservation products and methods should be avoided until their reliability has been clearly demonstrated so as to ensure that the restoration work does not inadvertently lead to accelerated deterioration of the historic resource.
Rehabilitation
Whether the rehabilitation involves a continued use or an adaptive re-use, every effort should be made to develop a functional layout which will either not, or which will minimally, alter both the exterior appearance and the historical interior layout of the Parliament Buildings.
Wherever possible, deteriorated historic building material and features should be repaired rather than removed or replaced. Where replacement is necessary, the new material should be compatible with the material being replaced in composition, design, colour, texture and other visual qualities, but upon close inspection it should be distinguishable from the historic fabric.
Contemporary designs for alterations or new additions may be acceptable. However, they should be compatible with the existing materials and design, yet they must also be seen as products of their own time and be readily distinguishable from the historic fabric.
Alterations which seek to create an earlier appearance or which use different architectural elements from other buildings or structures are discouraged.
Ms. Chong made a statement.
Mr. Stevenson made a statement.
The Hon. J. Pullinger (Minister of Small Business, Tourism and Culture) made a statement.
By leave, on the motion of the Hon. G. Clark (Premier and Minister Responsible for Youth), seconded by Mr. Penner, it was Resolved --
That a representative of the BC Youth Parliament be permitted to address this Assembly from the Bar of the House.
Mr. Ashley Morton, a representative of the BC Youth Parliament, made a statement.
The Hon. J. MacPhail moved --
That the House, at its rising, do stand adjourned until it appears to the satisfaction of the Speaker, after consultation with the Government, that the public interest requires that the House shall meet, or until the Speaker may be advised by the Government that it is desired to prorogue the Second Session of the Thirty-Sixth Parliament of the Province of British Columbia. The Speaker may give notice that he is so satisfied or has been so advised and thereupon the House shall meet at the time stated in such notice, and, as the case may be, may transact its business as if it has been duly adjourned to that time and date; and
That, in the event of the Speaker being unable to act owing to illness or other cause, the Deputy Speaker shall act in his stead for the purpose of this order.
Motion agreed to.
And then the House adjourned at 11.54 a.m.
DALE LOVICK, Speaker
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