2002 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 37th Parliament

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.

[ Progress of Bills . . . ]

Nos. 80 and 81

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Ten o'clock a.m.

Prayers by Mr. R. Stewart.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

Bill (No. 26) intituled Employment and Assistance Act was again committed.

The Committee rose, reported progress and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

Bill (No. 42) intituled Labour Relations Code Amendment Act, 2002 was committed.

In consideration of section 3 of Bill (No. 42) the Committee divided as follows:

Bill (No. 42) was reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed.

And then the House adjourned at 12.06 p.m.

Tuesday, May 28, 2002

Two o'clock p.m.

Order called for "Members' Statements."

Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."

The Hon. T. Nebbeling (Minister of State for Community Charter) tabled a draft of the Community Charter -- A New Legislative Framework for Local Government and made a ministerial statement regarding same.

The Hon. R. Neufeld (Minister of Energy and Mines) tabled the Power for Jobs Activity Annual Report, 2000.

Mr. Penner presented the Second Report of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, as follows:

Report

Legislative Committee Room,
May 28, 2002

Honourable Speaker:

Your Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills begs leave to report as follows:

That the preamble to Bill (No. Pr 402) intituled Sea to Sky University Act has been proved, and the Committee recommends that the Bill proceed to Second Reading.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

B. Penner, Chair

The Report was read and received.

By leave of the House, Mr. Penner moved that the Report be adopted.

Motion agreed to.

Pursuant to Standing Order 110 (2), Bill (No. Pr 402) to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

Ms. MacPhail rose on a point of order regarding the resignation of the Police Complaints Commissioner and the authority of the Special Committee to review the Police Complaint process.

The Hon. G. Collins made representations.

The Chair stated that he would take the matter under advisement.

The Hon. G. Bruce (Minister of Skills Development and Labour) tabled the following documents:

Labour Relations Board Annual Report, 2001;

Ministry of Labour Annual Performance Report, 2000-2001; and

Ministry of Labour Annual Report, 1998/1999; 1999/2000.

The Speaker delivered his reserved decision as follows:

Honourable Members:

On Monday, May 27th, the Government House Leader rose under the provisions of Standing Order 81.1 and advised the House that an agreement had been reached in relation to time allocation for the conclusion of government business.

The Leader of the Opposition rose on what she characterized as a point of order which in essence was a disagreement with the circumstances as outlined by the Government House Leader. The Government House Leader then responded to the objections raised by the Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker advised that the question would be taken under advisement.

An examination of the transcript leads the Chair to conclude that the matter raised by the Leader of the Opposition does not constitute a valid point of order, but simply a disagreement between the two members involved relating to the circumstances surrounding the motion made under Standing Order 81.1.

Accordingly, no further action from the Chair is indicated.

Claude Richmond, Speaker

The Hon. G. Collins (Minister of Finance) tabled the Statement of 2001/02 Borrowings Pursuant to Section 56 of the Financial Administration Act, Schedules A, Schedules B, Schedule C and Schedule D.

The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."

On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 58) intituled Carrier Lumber Ltd. Forest Licence Compensation Act, a debate arose.

Bill (No. 58) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.

Bill (No. 26) intituled Employment and Assistance Act was again committed.

In consideration of section 8, as amended, of Bill (No. 26) the Committee divided as follows:

In consideration of sections 9, 10, 12, 13 as amended, 14, 15, 19, 35, 37 and 38 of Bill (No. 26) the Committee divided as follows:

 In consideration of section 36 of Bill (No. 26) the Committee divided as follows:

Bill (No. 26) was reported complete with amendment.

On the motion, by leave, for third reading of Bill (No. 26) a debate arose.

Ms. Kwan moved the following amendment--

That the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 26), intituled the Employment and Assistance Act, be amended by striking the words after "that" and inserting, "Bill (No. 26), intituled the Employment and Assistance Act, be recommitted to the Committee of the Whole and further that the committee be empowered to invite witnesses to appear before it to assist in its deliberations."

The amendment was negatived on the following division:

On the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 26) the House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

Bill (No. 26) read a third time and passed.

And then the House adjourned at 6.09 p.m.

CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Wednesday, May 29

 

  32  Ms. MacPhail to move, on the calling of the motion for third reading on Bill (No. 38), intituled Environmental Assessment Act--

That the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 38), intituled the Environmental Assessment Act, be amended by striking out the words after "that" and inserting, "Bill (No. 38), intituled the Environmental Assessment Act, be recommitted to the Committee of the Whole and further that the committee be empowered to invite witnesses to appear before it to assist in its deliberations."

 

  33   Ms. MacPhail to move, on the calling of the motion for third reading on Bill (No. 48), intituled Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2002--

That the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 48), intituled the Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2002, be amended by striking out the words after "that" and inserting, "Bill (No. 48), intituled the Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2002, be recommitted to the Committee of the Whole and further that the committee be empowered to invite witnesses to appear before it to assist in its deliberations."

 

  34   Ms. MacPhail to move, on the calling of the motion for third reading on Bill (No. 49), intituled Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2002--

That the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 49), intituled the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2002, be amended by striking the words after "that" and inserting, "Bill (No. 49), intituled the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2002, be recommitted to the Committee of the Whole and further that the committee be empowered to invite witnesses to appear before it to assist in its deliberations."

 

  35   Ms. Kwan to move, on the calling of the motion for third reading on Bill (No. 27), intituled Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act--

That the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 27), intituled the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, be amended by striking out the words after "that" and inserting, "Bill (No. 27), intituled the Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act, 2002, be recommitted to the Committee of the Whole and further that the committee be empowered to invite witnesses to appear before it to assist in its deliberations."

Thursday, May 30

 

  37   The Hon. G. Collins to move--

That the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services be empowered:

(1) To examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to the pre-budget consultation report prepared by the Minister of Finance in accordance with section 2 of the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act and, in particular, to:

(a) Conduct public consultations across British Columbia on proposals and recommendations regarding the provincial budget and fiscal policy for the coming fiscal year by any means the committee considers appropriate, including but not limited to public meetings, telephone and electronic means;

(b) Prepare a report no later than November 15, 2002 on the results of those consultations; and

(2) (a) To consider and make recommendations on the annual service plans, business plans and budgets of the following statutory officers:

(i) Auditor General;

(ii) Chief Electoral Officer;

(iii) Conflict of Interest Commissioner;

(iv) Information and Privacy Commissioner;

(v) Ombudsman; and

(vi) Police Complaint Commissioner.

(b) To examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to reports or communications of the officers of the Legislative Assembly, from time to time submitted to the Committee respecting any matter within the jurisdiction of that officer.

 

  38  The Hon. G. Collins to move--

That a Special Committee be appointed to select and unanimously recommend to the Legislative Assembly, the appointment of a Chief Electoral Officer for the Province of British Columbia, pursuant to section 4 of the Election Act, and that the Special Committee so appointed shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and is also 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;

(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 said Special Committee is to be composed of Messrs. Hawes (Convener), Long, Christensen, Les, Nettleton, Suffredine, Visser, and Mmes. Brice, McMahon, and Mme. MacPhail.

 

  39  The Hon. G. Collins to move --

That a Special Committee be appointed to select and unanimously recommend to the Legislative Assembly, the appointment of a Police Complaint Commissioner for the Province of British Columbia, pursuant to section 47 of the Police Amendment Act, 1997, and that the Special Committee so appointed shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and is also 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;

(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 said Special Committee is to be composed of Messrs. Nuraney (Convener), MacKay, Lee, Johnston, Wong, and Mmes. Sahota, Locke, and Mme. Kwan.

 

  40  The Hon. G. Collins to move --

That the reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia deposited with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly during the third session of the thirty-seventh parliament be deemed referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and in addition that the following reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia be referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts:

· Monitoring the Government's Finances (February 2002);

· Management of the Information Technology Portfolio in the Ministry of Attorney General (February 2002);

· Information Use by the Ministry of Health in Resource Allocation Decisions for the Regional Health Care System (April 2002); and

· Building a Strong Work Environment in British Columbia's Public Service: A Key to Delivering Quality Service (April 2002).

In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Committee be 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 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 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.

 

  41  The Hon. G. Collins to move --

That the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations be appointed to review the annual reports and performance plans of British Columbia Crown Corporations.

In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations, the Committee be 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 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.

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