1997 Legislative Session: 2nd Session, 36th Parliament
Two o'clock p.m.
Prayers by Ms. Walsh.
The Hon. P. Priddy (Minister for Children and Families) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:
Allan McEachern
Administrator
The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 24) intituled Child, Family and Community Service Amendment Act, 1997 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
May 16, 1997.
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.
The Hon. U. Dosanjh (Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, Human Rights and Immigration) presented to the Speaker a Message from His Honour the Administrator, which read as follows:
Allan McEachern
Administrator
The Administrator transmits herewith Bill (No. 23) intituled Children's Commission Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
May 16, 1997.
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 "Oral Questions by Members."
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs).
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply (estimates of the Ministry of Health and Ministry Responsible for Seniors).
(In Committee--Section B)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress.
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.
Report to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
The Speaker delivered his reserved decision as follows:
Honourable Members:
On May 6, 1997, the Honourable Member for Richmond-Steveston reserved his right to raise a matter of privilege and on May 15, 1997, stated his matter of privilege after having given the Chair notice, in accordance with the Standing Orders. The Chair has heard representations from the Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Relations on the matter, and the Chair has considered the statements and all material filed in support of this matter. I also note that the Honourable Member has, quite correctly, submitted a copy of the motion that the Member would intend to move should the Chair find a prima facie case has been established.
The heart of the Member's complaint is contained in words attributed to the Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Relations when the Minister stated that it was his understanding (and here I paraphrase) that the Members of the Official Opposition did or did not do certain things, and stated his conclusions as to why Members of the Opposition did or did not do the acts attributed to them. The Honourable Member in his argument then contends that the Minister's statement as quoted was false and produced various exhibits which he alleges support his conclusions.
In coming to my conclusion that the matter before me amounts to a disagreement between Members, I was particularly persuaded by the similarity between the matter raised by the Member and two earlier matters raised in this House and recorded in the Journals of the House on April 13, 1982 at pages 41 and 42 and on June 8, 1982 at page 132.
After careful consideration of the arguments advanced and the material filed in this case, it is the Chair's view that this matter falls squarely within that category of cases which are categorized as a dispute as to facts.
The Honourable Member may have a serious disagreement with the Minister, but neither the statement made in the House nor the material filed in support thereof, establishes a prima facie case of privilege, as defined by our own precedents and the relevant parliamentary authorities.
Dale Lovick, Speaker
The Hon. J. MacPhail advised that the House will sit Wednesday, pursuant to Standing Order 2 (2).
And then the House adjourned at 5.58 p.m.
DALE LOVICK, Speaker
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