News & Events - Legislative Watch
March 11, 2008
Issue: 2
Government Announcements
- Forests and Range Minister Rich Coleman released the membership and terms of reference for the Working Roundtable on Forestry. The roundtable’s primary focus will be on identifying conditions for the long-term success of British Columbia’s forest sector within the global market. Read more
- The Province is launching an ad campaign, “Your Dream Job is Here,” that will promote BC’s economic and lifestyle advantages to 400,000 transit riders in Toronto and Montreal. Read more
- Four WorkBC Job Fairs promoted more than 100 of BC’s top employers to workers from southern Ontario. Read more
- Agricultural and Lands Minister Pat Bell outlined a plan to revitalize abandoned and underutilized lands known as brownfields. This plan is meant to fast-track green developments waiting for provincial environmental approvals. Read more
- The Minister of Economic Development has reported that the provincial government’s Major Project Inventory, which tracks the growth in the number of large-scale construction projects in BC, has grown for the 18th straight quarter. Read more
- The provincial government has tabled a Supplementary Estimate to provide $450-million for the Climate Action Dividend. Read more
- BC150 Community Funding Program grants are being awarded to community groups and organizations in the Lower Mainland that are staging local BC150 celebrations. Read more
- $11-million in provincial funding will be invested in creating a green Port of Nanaimo Centre and an expansion of the Nanaimo Airport. Read more
- A critical phase of the Canada Line construction has been completed now that the second of two side-by-side bored tunnels has broken through the ground. Read more
- Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for BC Assessment Rick Thorpe released the farm assessment review panel terms of reference and announced the review panel members. Read more
- Chris Zimmerman, Vancouver Canucks CEO, Laird Miller, London Drugs chief financial officer, and Nancy Stibbard, president of the Capilano Group of Companies have been appointed to the Tourism British Columbia’s board of directors. Read more
- Minister Dave Haggard has been appointed to serve as the provincial representative to the BC Treaty Commission. Read more
- Bill 7 gives local governments more flexibility for advance voting and greater accountability and transparency during local government elections. Read more
- The Province will review two independent studies on the feasibility and cost of installing underground transmission lines in Tsawwasen. Read more
- Legislation to allow a second referendum on an alternative electoral system was introduced by Attorney General Wally Oppal. Read more
- The federal and provincial governments have accepted the recommendations of an independent environmental assessment panel to halt the Northgate Minerals Corporation’s proposed North Kemess copper-gold mine expansion in its present form. Read more
- Kimberley Arthur-Leung has been appointed to the bench of the BC Provincial Court in the Lower Mainland. Read more
- Calvin Andrew Struyk has been appointed to the bench of the BC Provincial Court in Terrace. Read more
Question Period Topics
- Fallowing of salmon farms in broughton archipelago
- Government action on farmworker safety
- Environmental standards for farmworkers
- Worker death inquests
- Employment standards for farmworkers
- Government policy on damage deposits
- BC Place roof replacement
- Powers and role of Children and Youth Committee
- Powers and role of Crown Corporation Committee
- Powers and role of Finance and Government Services Committee
- Referral of reports to and powers of Public Accounts Committee
- Forestry industry jobs in BC
- Forest land sales in Kamloops area
- Government support for forest workers
- Haisla First Nation and BC Utilities Commission decision-making process
- Call for independent investigation into ICBC
- Funding for Evergreen line
- Disclosure of documents in BC Rail court case
- Special education funding
- Federal community stability funding
- CN Rail service in Cariboo
- Cleaning services at health care facilities
- Call for seniors representative
- Funding for special needs students
- Women’s ski jumping at 2010 Olympics
- Regulation of new home pre-sale agreements
Status of Bills
BILLS INTRODUCED
Government Bills
- Bill 3 – Supply Act (No. 1), 2008
- Bill 4 – Supply Act, 2007-2008 (Supplementary Estimates)
- Bill 5 – Ministerial Accountability Bases Act, 2007-2008
- Bill 6 – Electoral Reform Referendum 2009 Act
- Bill 7 – Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 8 – Forests and Range Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 9 – Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act, 2008
Members’ Bills
BILLS DEBATED
Government Bills
- Bill 2 – Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2008
- Bill 3 – Supply Act (No. 1), 2008
- Bill 4 – Supply Act, 2007-2008 (Supplementary Estimates)
- Bill 5 – Ministerial Accountability Bases Act, 2007-2008
BILLS PASSED
Government Bills
Reports Tabled
- Public Service Benefit Plan Act, annual report for year ending of March 31, 2007
- Office of the Representative for Children and Youth, report, Monitoring Brief: System of Services for Children and Youth
- Special Committee of Selection, report
- Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations, report