2001 Legislative Session: 5th Session, 36th Parliament

HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational purposes

only.

The printed version remains the official version.

Official Report of

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(Hansard)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2001

Afternoon Sitting

Volume 22, Number 1

[ Page 17327 ]

The House met at 2:08 p.m.

This being the first day of the fifth session of the thirty-sixth Legislative

Assembly of the province of British Columbia for the dispatch of business,

pursuant to a proclamation of Hon. Garde B. Gardom, Lieutenant-Governor of the

province, hon. members took their seats.

Prayers.

[1410]

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having entered the House and being seated

upon the throne, was pleased to deliver the following gracious speech.

Speech from the Throne

Hon. G. Gardom (Lieutenant-Governor): Mr. Speaker, hon. members, it's

a great pleasure to welcome you to the opening of the fifth session of the

thirty-sixth parliament of British Columbia.

British Columbians enjoy an incomparable quality of life that is for us a

source of satisfaction and pride and the key to our economic success in the

twenty-first century. However, we note with sadness the passing of many who have

shared our pride in our beautiful province and have helped to create, nourish

and expand the possibilities we all cherish in this magnificent land.

The Rt. Hon. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, a writer, constitutional lawyer and

politician, whose vision of a just society, love for our great land and

commitment to reconciling divided communities guided Canada through some of the

most dynamic and turbulent years of a still-young country. Even in his death,

Mr. Trudeau caused us all to reflect on the values of compassion, equality and

community that are at the heart of our nation.

[1415]

The Hon. E. Davie Fulton, MP for Kamloops for almost 25 years, a federal

Minister of Justice and grandson of B.C. Premier A.E.B. Davie.

Robert Sommers, former MLA and Minister of Forests.

Cecil Merritt, MP for Vancouver-Burrard, a Vancouver lawyer and recipient of

the Victoria Cross during the Second World War.

We've also lost other community leaders: Len Traboulay, who served the people

of Port Coquitlam for 28 years, including 19 years as mayor; Cdr. Alfred Wurtele,

a distinguished naval officer and former Esquimalt councillor and reeve;

Geoffrey Vantreight, Saanich councillor, sportsman, gardener and instigator of

the Canadian Cancer Society daffodil campaign; Laurence Ryan, labour advocate

and Victoria councillor; Carole Corcoran, who served British Columbia on the

B.C. Treaty Commission and on the Royal Commission on Canada's Future; Stanley

Little, founding president of Canadian Union of Public Employees; Ken Michael,

former president of the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers Union; and Dr. Andrew

Thompson, pioneer in the field of environmental and resource law.

In addition, we marked the passing of British Columbians in public service

and academia: Mel Smith, QC, constitutional adviser to B.C. Premiers from 1967

to 1987; Geoffrey Weller, founding president of the University of Northern

British Columbia; and Michael Smith, University of British Columbia researcher

and 1993 Nobel prize winner, whose legacy my government was proud to remember

this week with the creation of a new medical research foundation. And all

members of the assembly and of the press gallery and all the staff in the

precincts know that the affairs of this House will remain the keen interest of

our colleague and friend Andrew Lynch, whose spirit will not soon leave these

halls.

The past year has also seen achievements by British Columbians in athletics,

the arts and sciences. In the sports arena our Olympic and Paralympic athletes

achieved great things. Walter Wu, Daniel Igali and Simon Whitfield each achieved

the highest honour in their sport and won gold medals. B.C.'s Olympic team

brought home two of this country's three gold medals and an additional bronze in

rowing. Our Paralympians brought home 22 of Canada's 96 medals.

B.C.'s curling teams also achieved the distinction of winning three world

championships. Kelley Law, Greg McAulay and Brad Kuhn each led their rinks to

victory.

In the field of arts and culture, earlier this month Nelly Furtado of

Victoria won four Juno awards, and Eden Robinson's debut novel Monkey Beach

was nominated for the 2000 Governor General's literary award for fiction and

short-listed for the Giller prize. Also, UBC professor emeritus Dr. Timothy

Parsons became the first Canadian to win the prestigious Japan prize, its

highest award for science, technology and achievements which serve the cause of

peace and prosperity.

My government is determined to protect British Columbia's unique quality of

life, which means getting the province's financial house in order, balancing the

books and keeping them balanced. It means taking strong action to preserve our

environment, getting our public health care system back on track and expanding

educational opportunities for all our sons and daughters. It means promoting a

progressive social agenda, so that working families, seniors and young people

can look forward to a better tomorrow.

These are the basics. These are the things which give British Columbia a

quality of life that is second to none. They support our growing economy, and

they will define our competitive advantage for years to come.

It's been one year since British Columbia's thirty-third Premier was sworn

into office and committed to putting B.C.'s financial house in order. Since

then, my government passed landmark budget legislation, balanced the books last

year and is on track to balance the budget again this year.

[1420]

Two laws passed by this assembly last session, the Balanced Budget Act and

the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act, have fundamentally changed the

way my government manages the province's finances. These strong new laws have

opened the budget books. They have made government more accountable to taxpayers

now and into the future.

And since the beginning of the last session, B.C.'s independent auditor

general confirmed a balanced set of books for the 1999 fiscal year. The Ministry

of Finance's report on the third quarter of 2000 will be updated when the 2001

budget is presented tomorrow. My government expects a significant surplus, much

of which will be used to pay down B.C.'s debt.

These positive financial developments are the result of a bal-

[ Page 17328 ]

anced and cautious approach which first eliminated the deficit, paid down

debt and provided new funds where they are most needed -- in health care,

education and other family priorities. These are the results of my government's

prudent management.

My government's fiscal plan is based on a strengthening economy that will

continue to grow and on an understanding that this year's spectacular increase

in revenues is not likely to be repeated. Against that background, B.C. must get

its priorities right.

Now that my government is achieving and projecting balanced budgets, what

choices should be made to meet the needs of today's families and further

strengthen B.C.'s economy? What comes first -- public health care and education

or dramatic tax cuts? My government understands, as do British Columbians, that

we must make choices, because we can't have more public health care, better

education and balanced budgets and also have dramatic tax cuts. My government

believes that the public services that families rely on must come first, not tax

cuts.

What will be the key to British Columbia's economic success in the

twenty-first century? Will it be dramatic tax cuts, reduced public services and

lowered environmental standards? Or will it be stronger health care and

education, the highest environmental standards and balanced budgets?

My government believes B.C.'s families will lose if we try to compete on the

basis of lower taxes, lower environmental standards, lower costs and lower

wages. Where we can compete and win is on our quality of life. A recent private

sector survey rated the quality of life in Vancouver and Zurich at the top of

more than 200 international cities. We finished on top because of our beautiful

natural environment and our high-quality health care, education, social policy

and public amenities. These are winning conditions in the global economy that

attracts investors and investment to B.C.

A narrow focus on tax cuts is the wrong priority at this time. My government

believes that health care, education, balanced budgets, the environment and

basic social justice must come before tax cuts. What's good for B.C.'s families

is good for B.C.'s economy.

Our public health care is the most important service we offer to B.C.

families. But after years of federal cuts, it's not what it used to be, and it's

under stress right across Canada.

My government is committed to finding practical solutions and getting

results. We're making good progress. Last spring the Premier went to work with

Ottawa and other Premiers to restore federal funding for provincial health care

services. My government vested the new federal and B.C. funds in hospitals and

new hospital equipment right across the province.

The B.C. health action plan announced in December will be fully funded in the

coming year. It will result in the hiring and training of more nurses, the

purchase of new equipment and more community and long-term care in every region

of our province.

My government is making good progress, but there is much more to be done. Our

top priority right now is to solve the nursing shortage by attracting and

retaining more nurses in B.C. My government is creating more training spaces and

will keep the pay and benefits of B.C. nurses competitive with the rest of the

country. My government will utilize the provincial nominee program so that

qualified foreign-trained nurses can help fill nursing vacancies in B.C.

My government will continue to provide financial assistance to trained

registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and licensed practical nurses

who are upgrading or who require further education to work in our health care

system.

[1425]

My government will provide more resources to health authorities. This will

allow them to extend primary and tertiary care. Health authorities will be able

to hire more nurses as well as more care aides and other health providers to

take the strain off nurses and doctors and provide the best possible care to

British Columbians.

In the coming year my government will enhance home care services, improving

access to a range of home and community support options, and will renew

continuing care in partnership with the not-for-profit sector to create 2,000

new residential care beds during the next five years.

We will open new community health clinics in communities across B.C. from

greater Vancouver to Bulkley Valley, from the Cariboo to the Kootenays.

My government's innovative new health guide brings valuable health

information and advice into people's homes. In the next few weeks a supporting

web site and a 24-hour nurse hotline will be opened. The guide and these new

services will give British Columbians immediate access to the most extensive and

authoritative health knowledge base in the country. It will assist families in

getting the care they need and also help reduce pressure on emergency wards and

primary health care.

My government will increase funding for the seven-year mental health plan.

This will provide for new community health clinicians, new support staff and new

capacity for intensive treatment.

Just yesterday my government honoured the memory of Nobel laureate Dr.

Michael Smith by creating a $110 million health research foundation in his name.

The foundation will draw on the expertise of the province's teaching hospitals,

universities, community health organizations and biotech companies. It will help

develop and recruit health researchers and encourage physicians with a research

interest to stay in B.C., helping to provide more effective health care.

My government is committed to protecting a woman's right to make her own

decisions about her body and about abortion. My government helped to make a

woman's right to choose a reality. We will fight to ensure that a woman's

reproductive rights are safeguarded and never taken away.

Earlier this year my government gave pharmacists the ability to dispense

emergency contraceptives to women throughout the province. Our work to ensure

women have better access to emergency contraceptives will be confirmed in

amendments to the Pharmacists, Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act.

My government will take further action to secure a woman's right to choose.

These changes will help ensure abortion services and counselling are available

outside of the lower mainland and capital region. They will protect the

[ Page 17329 ]

safety of patients and service providers. They will assist with the important

work of finding safe and less invasive pharmaceutical alternatives to surgical

abortions.

There are two directions we can go when it comes to health care in B.C. We

can find real solutions that get our public health care system back on track, or

we can let it slide into American-style private care where the quality of the

service you receive depends on the money you can spend. If health care funding

is cut to pay for dramatic tax cuts, the result will be less public health care

and more American-style private care.

My government believes that health care and education are fundamental to the

quality of life for today's families and that there are other basic things

government must do to help make life better for all of us. That's why my

government is proud to have Ed John, Grand Chief of the Tl'azt'en nation,

serving as B.C.'s Minister for Children and Families.

We have a social responsibility to help the most vulnerable in our society

who suffer in circumstances beyond their control. That's why my government was

encouraged to hear the Prime Minister promise new initiatives to fight child

poverty. We will take up the Prime Minister's offer and will work with the

federal government to help lift children out of poverty.

[1430]

My government's budget this year will contain significant increases to early

childhood programs for children in every B.C. community. My government will also

begin to double the province's school meal program so that all children have

equal opportunities to grow, develop and learn.

My government is already making an $8 million government investment in early

childhood health and development so that aboriginal children and their families

in 15 urban centres will benefit from a community-based network of services to

promote child, family and community wellness.

To help further this work, my government has established a working group of

cabinet ministers to initiate a comprehensive response to the issues facing

aboriginal people, both on and off reserves. We are committed to better

integration and coordination of social and other services and to a larger role

for aboriginal communities in the delivery of these services.

In this session my government will increase funding available to first

nations to document and preserve the languages of B.C.'s first people. We will

strengthen legislation to help ensure that these languages are known for

generations to come.

My government's 2001 budget will also increase funding for families and

communities who, through their own schools and programs, are teaching their

children Mandarin, Punjabi, German and other heritage languages.

Homelessness continues to be a serious problem in parts of British Columbia

and across Canada. My government will continue to be one of only two provincial

governments with a comprehensive program to fund and support the construction of

new social housing. Our most recent steps to address the serious problem of

homelessness include plans to create up to 275 housing units in the Woodwards

Building in the downtown east side of Vancouver.

All British Columbians deserve our support and respect. My government will

also expand the financial support available for British Columbians with

disabilities. New amendments to adult guardianship laws will allow notaries

public to advise on representation agreements and give British Columbians

greater confidence that their financial and health care intentions will be

followed should they ever become incapacitated.

My government will not walk away from its social responsibility to help all

British Columbians share in the high quality of life in this bountiful province.

That's why my government introduced the B.C. family bonus to help low-income

working families and reduce child poverty. That's why one of the Premier's first

official acts was to launch our new before-and-after-school child care program,

which as of January 1 this year is helping 20,000 more B.C. families to ensure

their children get proper care while their parents work to make ends meet.

These are significant steps, but they're only a beginning. In this session my

government will take further steps to implement our four-year universal child

care plan. Our plan will make licensed child care available throughout British

Columbia at a saving to families of up to $1,100 per child.

My government will do even more to help British Columbians strike a better

balance between their work and family lives. In 1995 the majority of members in

this assembly voted to create the first legislated family leave in B.C.'s

history. This session my government will take action to improve B.C.'s minimum

wage and to ensure working people have more opportunities to care for their

families.

Women in B.C. still earn only 73 percent of what men earn. My government

believes that all workers are entitled to equal pay for work of equal value.

This session my government will introduce amendments to the Human Rights Code to

enshrine the fundamental right of equal pay for work of equal value. Pay equity

will mean that thousands of B.C. women are better able to support themselves and

their families and that B.C. is closer to ending systemic wage discrimination

based on gender.

British Columbians know that education is the key to our sons and daughters

getting ahead and making a good life for themselves. They know education is the

best economic investment a government can make. That's why my government wants

British Columbia to become the education province, and we take this goal very

seriously.

[1435]

B.C.'s education record a decade ago was not the source of pride it is today.

The percentage of British Columbians getting a post-secondary education was

second worst in the country. Today it's second best. Schools were crowded, and

portables flourished in place of the new schools which the growing communities

needed.

My government has frozen college and university tuition fees for the last six

years. Tuitions are now the second lowest in the country, almost half of what

they are in Alberta and Ontario.

My government opened three new public universities, the only new universities

in Canada in 25 years. We have created 40,000 new post-secondary spaces

throughout B.C., 2,000 of them in technology. And B.C.'s universities are

consistently recognized as being among the best in the country.

In B.C. we're building a new school every 19 days and eliminating portables.

In 1998 my government reduced class

[ Page 17330 ]

sizes in the early grades, and this year we have recommitted ourselves to a

maximum of 20 students in kindergarten and 22 in grades 1 to 3 so that children

get more individual learning and a strong start in school. We have connected

every public school and campus to the Internet, the first province to do so.

We've increased student testing and reporting back to parents.

This is a record that all British Columbians can take pride in, but we still

need to look ahead. B.C. is already experiencing a skill shortage in some areas,

and 60 percent of new jobs in the next decade will be in trades and technical

occupations. This represents a tremendous opportunity for our young people, but

only if the government invests in the training they'll need for the jobs of

tomorrow.

My government is determined that B.C. will meet the needs for skilled people.

We will build on B.C.'s competitive advantage and ensure all British Columbians

have an opportunity to get the education and the training they need to succeed

and prosper. Out of the new revenues we have received this year my government

has committed $46 million to ensure university, college and institute library,

lab and research facilities keep pace with increasing enrolment and

technological change.

My government is cutting tuition fees by 5 percent at all public

post-secondary institutions, and we'll add 5,000 new spaces to our universities,

colleges and institutes this year. My government will fully fund this tuition

cut and these new spaces and put our commitment in law through a new access to

education act, to be introduced this session. That way our colleges,

universities and institutes can maintain the excellence of our advanced

education system.

My government will also double the number of spaces for apprenticeship,

skilled trades and technology training, up to 50,000 per year over the next four

years.

My government and other provincial governments have urged Ottawa to enhance

the safety of Canadian families and communities through a national sex offender

registry, and in the absence of federal action my government will take action.

We will introduce legislation requiring convicted sex offenders to register with

law enforcement agencies and allowing government to compile and disseminate more

information on sex offenders to police and community notification agencies.

My government is working with Ottawa to establish a drug court pilot program

in Vancouver. This will give drug-dependent offenders the option to combine

judicial supervision with treatment and other services. It will reduce the

strain on the criminal justice and health systems by helping people overcome

their addictions.

My government's film classification office has reviewed violent video games

in order to help B.C. families make informed choices about video games. My

government will continue to respond to the concerns of parents by creating and

enforcing a classification system for videos and games plus regulating sales and

rentals to young people.

[1440]

British Columbians were shocked by the results of failing to protect drinking

water tragically experienced by the residents of Walkerton, Ontario. My

government will introduce a drinking water protection act to ensure that B.C.

does not place this most precious resource at risk and repeat the tragic

consequences of other jurisdictions. This statute follows provincewide

consultation on new drinking water standards and regulation. The law will

control surface water and groundwater, where necessary, and will provide strong

powers to drinking water officers.

British Columbia is an acknowledged leader in environmental issues. We will

continue to improve on that record. In this session my government will introduce

legislation establishing a commissioner for environment and sustainability, who

will work in the office of the auditor general and report to the Legislature.

My government will introduce legislation requiring the labelling of foods

sold in British Columbia that contain genetically engineered organisms.

Consumers have a fundamental right to know what is in their food. And by acting

now, as this requirement becomes law in Europe and elsewhere, we will protect

our access to export markets.

In the last session my government introduced an exposure bill designed to

protect citizens against lawsuits that limit their legitimate participation in

public debates. We have consulted with British Columbians and amended our

proposal in response to their input. We will reintroduce a new protection of

public participation act in this session.

With our internationally envied quality of life and the investments we've

made to further strengthen our economic advantages, B.C. is positioned as a key

player in North American and international markets. We have a magnificent

natural heritage and a healthy, well-educated and productive workforce. We have

some of Canada's top universities, colleges and technical institutes. My

government has opened new universities. We opened doors for 40,000 more

students, and we're cutting the cost of getting quality education.

We are advanced in the area of research and technology, which my government

has assisted with R and D grants and tax credits, plus a massive investment in

health and biotechnology research.

We have talented people and innovative companies to whom my government offers

favourable tax treatment of share options, a declining marginal tax rate, and

the best schools, hospitals and communities to be found on the continent.

Our modern transportation and economic infrastructure is the result of

significant public investments made by my government while bringing public

finances into balance and keeping per-capita public debt the second lowest in

Canada.

Labour relations under my government's balanced and progressive laws are more

peaceful than at virtually any time in B.C.'s history.

We have an abundant supply of publicly owned electric power. And my

government is committed to helping B.C. regions get an economic advantage from

their resources through programs like Fair Share, the Columbia Basin Trust and

Forest Renewal.

My government is helping to create a growing number of community forests, has

enacted world-class forestry standards and has helped local communities make

land use plans for over four-fifths of B.C.'s land base.

B.C. has shown that we have people of vision and tenacity. The people who

hammered out these plans not only preserve the land base for their economic

future but also helped B.C. become the first jurisdiction in North America to

meet the United Nations goal of preserving 12 percent of its land in parks and

protected areas.

[ Page 17331 ]

B.C. families face a choice between dramatic tax cuts and more health care

and better education. They also face a choice between building a modern economy

with a high quality of life for today's family, high environmental standards and

a commitment to a just society or tying our economic hopes to dramatic tax cuts,

lower standards and the likelihood of even greater confrontation in our

communities. My government will not sacrifice the health care and education

British Columbians rely on. Health care and education come first.

My government will continue with land use planning until all B.C. communities

have had a chance to secure a land base for their economic development and to

create new parks and protected areas.

[1445]

We will work to secure B.C.'s international forest markets and get more B.C.

products certified by strengthening the Forest Practices Code and environmental

standards. My government will not risk these markets or risk a return to a war

in the woods by gutting the code or cutting standards.

My government will continue to reduce costs in the forest sector and seek a

public consensus on a working forest law. But we will not promise annual harvest

levels that cannot be sustained. We will not ask forest workers to feed their

families on false hope.

We will protect our public electrical utility and protect the environment by

doubling B.C. Hydro's use of renewable sources of energy. My government will

never privatize even a portion of B.C. Hydro or deregulate electricity. The

disastrous results of privatizing and deregulating B.C.'s natural gas are

evidence enough of the danger of such a policy.

My government will continue to negotiate in good faith to settle the claims

of B.C.'s first nations. We will work to reach new agreements-in-principle and

negotiate final agreements. Settling this critical question is a matter of

justice. It's a matter of ending economic uncertainty that is costing B.C. a

billion dollars in lost investment in jobs. It's a matter of eliminating the

rule of the paternalistic and costly Indian Act in B.C. and ensuring aboriginal

communities have the means to achieve greater economic opportunity and

self-reliance. We must not retreat from doing the right thing.

My government will not settle this matter by seeking to overturn treaties in

the courts. B.C. needs certainty, not the conflict and confrontation that

results from uncertainty. My government will continue to negotiate in an open

forum on the basis of principles we published many years ago and of principles

that have been established in public negotiations. We will not set the process

back a decade in order to satisfy political imperatives.

Two years ago the Nisga'a treaty was a proud moment for B.C., and British

Columbians have many such moments to come. My government pledges itself to

justice for first nations and economic certainty for all British Columbians.

Hon. members, I have every confidence that you will rise to the challenges

that I have placed before you. Also, and in view of the fact that it appears

that for each of you, as you're now individually assembled, this could well be

the last address from the throne -- certainly for this parliament -- may I

personally indulge upon an additional 120 seconds of your time to make two

observations.

Firstly, I commend everyone -- past, present and future -- who is prepared to

seek public office. One doesn't have to tell you or any of them, be it in

government or in opposition, that public life is onerous, demanding, mightily

adversarial and intrusive and sometimes overly so -- and yes, also and

regretfully, so often unthanked.

However, there can be no responsibility or duty more encompassing than that

of public trust and public office, for which, whatever everyone's race,

religion, colour, creed or political inclination, I commend that interest --

your interest, your participation -- and also that of your families, friends and

supporters who, too, play a large

part in all of this.

Secondly and finally, and some of you have heard me say this before, let's

always reflect upon how fortunate and indeed blessed we all are, living where we

do, doing what we do, having what we have in the most marvellous province in the

most marvellous country there is -- true, north, strong, free, beautiful,

bountiful, peaceful, democratic and united and, God willing, always united.

Thank you once more. My good wishes as you discharge your responsibilities.

Cheers, � bient�t , and God bless.

[1450]

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

The Speaker: Hon. members, in order to prevent mistakes, I have

obtained a copy of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor's speech.

Introduction of Bills

AN ACT TO ENSURE

THE SUPREMACY OF PARLIAMENT

Hon. G. Bowbrick presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor:

a bill intituled

An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament.

Hon. G. Bowbrick: Hon. Speaker, the introduction of this bill prior to

consideration of the throne speech expresses the established right of

parliament, through its elected members, to deliberate independently of the

Sovereign. As such, it is an important part of our parliamentary democratic

process. This right was first asserted by the Parliament at Westminster in 1603,

during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Bill 1 introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of

the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Hon. G. Janssen: I move, seconded by the member for Nanaimo electoral

district, that Dennis Streifel, member for Mission-Kent electoral district, be

appointed Deputy Speaker for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

[1455]

Motion approved on the following division:

[ Page 17332 ]

YEAS -- 37

Zirnhelt

Doyle

Gillespie

Kwan

Waddell

Hammell

McGregor

Giesbrecht

Farnworth

Lovick

Petter

Mann Brewin

Pullinger

Randall

Sawicki

Priddy

Cashore

Orcherton

Stevenson

Robertson

MacPhail

Dosanjh

Bowbrick

Janssen

Evans

Ramsey

Smallwood

G. Wilson

Streifel

Miller

Sihota

Calendino

Walsh

Boone

G. Clark

Lali

Goodacre

NAYS -- 36

Whittred

Hansen

C. Clark

Campbell

Farrell-Collins

de Jong

Plant

Abbott

L. Reid

Neufeld

Coell

Chong

Sanders

Jarvis

Anderson

Nettleton

Penner

Weisgerber

Kasper

Dalton

McKinnon

Masi

Roddick

J. Wilson

Barisoff

van Dongen

Symons

Thorpe

Krueger

J. Reid

Stephens

Coleman

Hawkins

Hogg

Nebbeling

Weisbeck

Hon. G. Janssen: I move, seconded by the

member for Columbia River-Revelstoke electoral district, that Erda Walsh, member

for the Kootenay electoral district, be appointed Deputy Chair of the Committee

of the Whole for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

Hon. G. Bowbrick: I move that the Votes and Proceedings of this

House be printed, being first perused by the Speaker, and that he do appoint the

printing thereof, and that no person but such as he shall appoint do presume to

print the same.

Motion approved.

Hon. U. Dosanjh: I move that the select standing committees of this

House for the present session be appointed for the following purposes:

1. Aboriginal Affairs;

2. Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations;

3. Education, Culture and Multiculturalism;

4. Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology;

5. Environment and Tourism;

6. Finance and Government Services;

7. Health and Social Services;

8. Agriculture and Fisheries;

9. Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources;

10. Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing;

11. Women's Equality;

12. Public Accounts;

13. Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills;

14. Crown Corporations;

which said committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire

into all such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House and

to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power

to send for persons, papers and records; and that a special committee be

appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to

compose the above select standing committees of this House under standing order

68(1), the committee to be composed of Hon. G. Janssen, convener; Messrs. Lovick,

Miller and Orcherton; Ms. Boone and Ms. Walsh; Messrs. Farrell-Collins, Neufeld

and Hogg; and Ms. Whittred.

Motion approved.

The Speaker: Any presentations of reports?

Hon. G. Janssen: Hon. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

The Speaker: There are no reports to be presented? Okay, we'll take

the adjournment motion.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

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