2003 Legislative Session: 4th Session, 37th Parliament
The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
Nos. 31 and 32
OF THE
Monday, March 24, 2003
Ten o'clock a.m.
Prayers by Mr. Kerr.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Order for "Private Members' Statements" called.
On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. M 201) intituled Fisheries Act Amendment Act, 2003, a debate arose.
The debate continued.
On the motion of Ms. Trumper the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
And then the House adjourned at 11.58 a.m.
Monday, March 24, 2003
Two o'clock p.m.
The Hon. G. Abbott (Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services) presented to the Speaker a Message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:
Iona Campagnolo
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 19) intituled Safety Standards Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
March 13, 2003.
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. G. Abbott (Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services) presented to the Speaker a Message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:
Iona Campagnolo
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 20) intituled Safety Authority Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
March 13, 2003.
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. G. Abbott (Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services) presented to the Speaker a Message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:
Iona Campagnolo
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 22) intituled Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2003 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
March 13, 2003.
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. C. Hansen (Minister of Health Services) presented to the Speaker a Message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:
Iona Campagnolo
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 25) intituled Hospital District Amendment Act, 2003 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
March 22, 2003.
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. G. Collins (Minister of Finance) presented to the Speaker a Message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:
Iona Campagnolo
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 26) intituled Supply Act (No. 1), 2003 and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
March 22, 2003.
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 "Members' Statements."
Order called for "Oral Questions by Members."
The Hon. G. Collins (Minister of Finance) tabled the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia Annual Report, 2002.
The House proceeded to "Orders of the Day."
Ms. MacPhail asked leave, pursuant to Standing Order 35, to move adjournment of the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, a call for the halting of hostilities in Iraq and endorsement of the resolution adopted by the City Council of New York, March 12, 2003.
The Hon. G. Collins made representations.
The Speaker stated that he would take the matter under advisement.
On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 18) intituled Coastal Ferry Act, a debate arose.
The debate continued.
Bill (No. 18) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.
On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 17) intituled Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2003, a debate arose.
Bill (No. 17) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.
On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 2) intituled Museum Act, a debate arose.
The debate continued.
Bill (No. 2) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.
Order for Committee of Supply called.
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.
The Committee recessed until 6.35 p.m.
(In Committee -- Section B)
Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
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:
Earlier this day, the Leader of the Opposition sought to move adjournment of the House to discuss a matter of urgent public importance under Standing Order 35, namely "A call for the halting of hostilities in Iraq" and "Endorsement of the Resolution adopted by the City of New York, March 12/03, regarding substantiation of all attempts to disarm Saddam Hussein in accordance with United Nations Resolutions."
I note the Honourable Member followed the procedures outlined in Standing Order 35 in making her application and thank her for the courtesy of having given the Chair advance notice.
The Government House Leader commented that there exists a number of opportunities for the House to debate the matter raised.
The Chair has considered the matter in light of representations made.
There is no doubt that the Chair recognizes the seriousness of the events occurring in Iraq. Such terrible events conjure up strong feelings and emotions on both sides of the debate. War in any theater is always a matter of great concern generating a sense of urgency.
In dealing with applications under Standing Order 35, the Chair must consider the urgency and public importance of the matters but paramount to this is the urgency of debate.
The words urgent and public importance as stated in Standing Order 35 suggest a sudden and unexpected occurrence -- hence the presence of the essential element of suddenness.
The unfortunate events that came to a head last week in Iraq had in fact been evolving over a period of months and had been the subject of widespread debate. Hence the matter raised under Standing Order 35 is substantially the same as that which has been the subject of public debate for months. The matter has been on-going for some time, culminating in hostilities in Iraq.
The on-going nature of the matter raised by the Member has the effect of taking the matters outside the scope of Standing Order 35.
The Chair is also satisfied that there does exist ordinary parliamentary opportunities for raising and debating this matter.
Additionally, while the matter generates global interest and concern, it is clearly not a matter involving the administrative responsibilities of any Ministry of the Province of British Columbia but rather falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Government of Canada.
Jurisdictional issues precluding Standing Order 35 were noted in Speaker Barnes' decision of May 24, 1994. It is noted that matters in the House that have proceeded to debate under Standing Order 35 were all under the jurisdictional umbrella of the Province of British Columbia.
For these reasons, the Member's application does not qualify under Standing Order 35.
Claude Richmond, Speaker
And then the House adjourned at 8.46 p.m.
CLAUDE RICHMOND, Speaker
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