Legislative Watch
Issue: 6 - April 26 – May 2, 2008
Government Announcements
- Consistent with the TILMA agreement, British Columbia and Alberta have introduced amendments to harmonize insurance laws that would enhance consumer protection and increase efficiencies for the insurance industry. Read more
- Amendments to the Employment Standards Act will provide job protection for reservists who temporarily leave their civilian employment in order to serve with the reserve forces. Read more
- Government introduced amendments to the Election Act to limit individual candidate spending to $70,000 and political party spending to $.4.4 million for the campaign. Third-party advertising is capped at $150,000. Read more
- New legislation sets vehicle greenhouse gas emission standards equivalent to California’s 2004 regulation. Read more
- New legislation for a Patient Care Quality Review Board will ensure patient complaints are dealt with in a consistent, timely and transparent manner across all parts of the public health-care system. Read more
- A $39.3-million, state-of-the-art Health Sciences Centre that creates spaces for 1,500 more students – primarily in health-care professions including nursing and seniors’ care – was officially opened at Douglas College’s David Lam campus in Coquitlam. Read more
- The BC government introduced legislation to create 11 new “Class A” provincial parks and 70 additional conservancies, adding almost one million hectares to BC’s parks and protected areas network. Read more
- Bill 43, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2008, introduced in the legislature will affect a wide range of statutes, including: Employment Standards Act, Home Owner Grant Act and Petroleum and Natural Gas Act. Read more
Question Period Topics
- Regional aboriginal authorities
- BC Place roof replacement
- Call for review of sewage regulations
- Government action on forest industry
- Release of report on BC Place roof
- Fundraising for post-secondary education
- Tree farm license land removals on Vancouver Island
- Community Consultations with Roundtable on Forestry
Status of Bills
BILLS INTRODUCED
Government Bills
Members’ Bills
Private Bills
BILLS DEBATED
Government Bills
BILLS PASSED
- Bill 2 – Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2008
- Bill 11 – Small Business and Revenue Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 13 – Labour and Citizens’ Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 15 – Utilities Commission Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 16 – Greenhouse gas Reduction Act
- Bill 17 – Public Safety and Solicitor General Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 19 – Electoral Districts Amendment Act
Reports Tabled
- Office of the Auditor General, report No. 1, 2008-2009, An Audit of Joint Solution Procurement and the Revenue Management Project
