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Ten o’clock a.m.
Prayers by Ms. Trevena.
The Speaker made the following statement:
Honourable Members:
In order to assist Members, I wish to remind the House of the spirit, intent, scope of debate and subject matter of daily Statements under Standing Order 25b and weekly Private Members’ Statements under Standing Order 25a. As noted in several Speakers’ decisions in this House, guidelines apply to both proceedings. Issues surrounding Private Members’ Statements have been canvassed and discussed many times by Speakers in this House with numerous references in Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, 4th edition at pages 60 and 61.
Practice in this House under Standing Orders 25a and 25b does not preclude Members from expressing a party’s position on political issues or policy. However, personal attacks on Members, or imputing improper motives to Members or groups of Members, is simply not allowed. Private Members’ Statements are not proceedings for Members to indulge in partisan, political and personal attacks and debate against Members. I quote in part from a Speaker’s decision in this House dated March 1, 2007:
“Statements should not reflect negatively on individual Members or groups of Members in the House.”
Private Members’ Statements rather are an opportunity for Members to make statements on issues of current interest and on matters of concern to them.
As well, Standing Order 25a clearly states that topics covered should not revive discussion on a matter which has been discussed in the same Session, and shall not anticipate a matter which has been previously appointed for consideration by the House.
Additionally, these proceedings should not be used as a forum to criticize or rebut another Member’s words spoken during other proceedings of the House.
I would ask all Honourable Members to be guided by these principles and guidelines which have, on numerous occasions, been articulated by Speakers of this House.
HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Pursuant to Order, the House resumed the adjourned debate on the motion “That the Speaker do now leave the Chair” for the House to go into Committee of Supply.
The debate continued.
On the motion of Mr. Rustad, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
The Speaker stated that he had had the opportunity to review Bill (No. M 201), Independent Budget Officer Act, 2009 which was introduced in the House by the Member for Surrey-Whalley. The Bill would require expenditure of public funds contrary to Standing Order 67, and is therefore out of order in the hands of a Private Member, and will not proceed to second reading.
And then the House adjourned at 11.51 a.m.
One-Thirty o’clock p.m.
Order called for “Members’ Statements.”
Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
The Hon. M. de Jong reserved his right to raise a matter of privilege.
The Hon. M. de Jong (Attorney General) tabled the BC Human Rights Tribunal Annual Report, 2008 - 2009.
Pursuant to Order, the House resumed the adjourned debate on the motion “That the Speaker do now leave the Chair” for the House to go into Committee of Supply.
The debate continued.
On the motion of the Hon. S. Thomson, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
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. 3) Supply Act (No. 2), 2009.
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 thank her Majesty’s loyal subjects, accepts their benevolence, and assents to this Act.”
His Honour the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to retire.
And then the House adjourned at 5.58 p.m.
HON. BILL BARISOFF, Speaker
Monday, September 14
6 Mr. Ralston to move —
Be it resolved that this House support discussion and debate of the creation of an Independent Budget Officer.
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