The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
Ten o’clock a.m.
Prayers by Ms. Thornthwaite.
The Hon. M. de Jong (Minister of Finance) presented to the Speaker a Message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:
Judith Guichon
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 30) intituled Liquefied Natural Gas Project Agreements Act and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
July 8, 2015.
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. M. de Jong (Minister of Finance) tabled the following documents:
Project Development Agreement in respect of The Pacific NorthWest LNG Project between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership by its general partner Pacific NorthWest LNG Ltd.;
Amending Agreement to Project Development Agreement;
Adherence Agreement in respect of Pacific NorthWest LNG Project Development Agreement between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership and PNW LNG Marketing Sdn. Bhd.;
Adherence Agreement in respect of Pacific NorthWest LNG Project Development Agreement between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership and Progress Energy Canada Ltd.;
Adherence Agreement in respect of Pacific NorthWest LNG Project Development Agreement between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership and JAPEX Montney Ltd.;
Adherence Agreement in respect of Pacific NorthWest LNG Project Development Agreement between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership and PetroleumBRUNEI Montney Holdings Limited;
Adherence Agreement in respect of Pacific NorthWest LNG Project Development Agreement between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership and IndOil Montney Limited;
Adherence Agreement in respect of Pacific NorthWest LNG Project Development Agreement between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership and Sinopec Huadian Montney Limited Partnership;
Adherence Agreement in respect of Pacific NorthWest LNG Project Development Agreement between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership and Sinopec Huadian Canada LNG Ltd.;
Adherence Agreement in respect of Pacific NorthWest LNG Project Development Agreement between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership and Sinopec Daylight Energy Ltd.;
Adherence Agreement in respect of Pacific NorthWest LNG Project Development Agreement between Her Majesty in Right of the Province of British Columbia, as represented by the Minister of Finance and Pacific NorthWest LNG Limited Partnership and Huadian Natural Gas Canada Limited; and,
Liquefied Natural Gas Environmental Incentive Program, Ministry of Environment, Climate Action Secretariat.
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Order called for “Private Members’ Statements.”
20 By leave, Mr. Morris, on behalf of Mr. Bernier, moved —
Be it resolved that this House support BC Hydro’s plans to continue to invest in its provincial infrastructure.
A debate arose.
The debate continued.
On the motion of Ms. James, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
And then the House adjourned at 11.56 a.m.
One-thirty o’clock p.m.
Order called for “Members’ Statements.”
Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”
The Hon. L. Reid (Speaker) tabled the following documents:
Representative for Children and Youth and the Provincial Health Officer: Growing Up in B.C. – 2015;
Conflict of Interest Commissioner Annual Report, 2014;
Registrar of Lobbyists Annual Report, 2014-15;
Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia Annual Report, 2014-2015;
Ombudsperson Annual Report, 2014-2015;
Auditor General Annual Report, 2014/15;
Auditor General Financial Statements, 2014/15;
Auditor General Report: Budget Process Examination Phase 1: Revenue, June 2015; and,
Auditor General Report: Monitoring Fiscal Sustainability, June 2015.
Mr. Weaver asked leave, pursuant to Standing Order 35, to move adjournment of the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, that in light of this year’s record temperatures, drought, lack of snow pack, and forest fires, and with a ninety-percent probability that El Niño will persist into the winter exacerbating present conditions, whether we as legislators are acting with sufficient urgency and demonstrating the appropriate leadership on preparing for and mitigating the escalating impacts of climate change in our province.
The Hon. M. de Jong made representations.
Mr. Farnworth made representations.
The Speaker stated that she would take the matter under advisement.
The Hon. J. Rustad (Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation) tabled Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future, Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Leave granted for Bill (No. 30) intituled Liquefied Natural Gas Project Agreements Act to proceed to second reading this day.
On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 30) intituled Liquefied Natural Gas Project Agreements Act, a debate arose.
The debate continued.
On the motion of the Hon. B. Bennett, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
The Speaker delivered her reserved decision as follows:
Earlier today, the Member for Oak Bay-Gordon Head sought leave under Standing Order 35 to move adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a matter of urgent public importance. In support of his application, the Member specifically noted that this summer sitting of the House provides a unique and urgent opportunity to have a debate in order to inform the province’s contribution to an international conference on climate change in December and upcoming government policy announcements.
The Government House Leader responded to this submission. In his remarks, he noted that Standing Order 35 requires that an “urgency of debate” must be evident and also that the Chair must also consider whether other parliamentary opportunities for debate exist. I thank both Members, as well as the Opposition House Leader, for their helpful comments in this matter.
The Journals of this House reveal many Speakers’ decisions which present the essential criteria consistently applied to Standing Order 35 applications. These include the requirement to insure that – because a successful application of Standing Order 35 overtakes all other business of the House – there is no other reasonable opportunity for debate.
In this instance, I have reviewed Hansard for the present session, and noted Members have taken opportunities to express their views regarding the government’s position on climate change policy during Budget Debate, Address in Reply, Estimates of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The question is the necessity for an urgent debate. The Member must present compelling reasons that the House must suspend all other business for an emergency debate. The proposed matter for discussion must relate to a genuine and immediate emergency, calling for immediate and urgent debate on a clear and definite matter, such that the ordinary daily business of the House would be set aside. The words “urgent public importance” in Standing Order 35 suggest a sudden or unexpected occurrence.
The issue of leadership on climate change impacts, raised by the Member for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, is of great importance; however, I must rule that the matter fails to qualify under Standing Order 35.
HON. LINDA REID, Speaker
Pursuant to section 33 (3) of the Constitution Act:
A declaration by the Member of the Electoral District of Vancouver-Mount Pleasant (Ms. Kwan) of her intention to resign her seat as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, effective July 8, 2015, was delivered to the Speaker.
The following reports were received by the Office of the Clerk during adjournment:
British Columbia Arts Council Annual Report, 2014/15;
British Columbia Council for International Education Annual Service Plan Report, 2014/15;
British Columbia Innovation Council Annual Service Plan Report, 2014/15;
First Peoples’ Cultural Council Annual Service Plan Report, 2014/15;
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia Annual Service Plan Report, 2014;
Knowledge Network Corporation Annual Service Plan Report, 2014/15;
Legal Services Society Annual Service Plan Report, 2014/15; and,
Private Career Training Institutions Agency (BC) Annual Service Plan Report, 2014/15 – 2016/17.
And then the House adjourned at 6.25 p.m.
HON. LINDA REID, Speaker
Wednesday, July 15
Mr. Weaver to introduce a Bill intituled Land Title Amendment Act, 2015.
Mr. Weaver to introduce a Bill intituled Energy and Water Efficiency Act, 2015.
Mr. Chandra Herbert to introduce a Bill intituled Protecting Our Lakes and Economy from Invasive Species Act.
Wednesday, July 15
1 Mr. Simons to ask the Hon. Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations the following questions: —
1. Will the Minister recognize that the residents of the Pender Harbour area should have been consulted in the development of the draft Dock Management Plan?
2. Will the Minister reveal the scientific literature underpinning the Dock Management Plan?
3. Will the Minister allow public input into the final draft Dock Management Plan prior to its implementation?
4. Is the Minister engaged in discussions on other elements of a reconciliation agreement?
5. If implemented, will the Minister commit to reviewing the Dock Management Plan within six months of its implementation to determine its economic, social, and environmental impacts?
6. Will the Minister recognize that the controversy over the Dock Management Plan has created conflicts where none existed before, and work with representatives of the Province, the shíshálh First Nation, the Regional District, and all interested community members to promote dialogue and healing?
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