Legislative Watch
Issue: 8 - May 10 – May 23, 2008
Government Announcements
- The 90-day forestry regulatory review identified four major steps to immediately cut red tape to help the forest industry. Over 540 submissions were received from the forest industry covering 26 subject areas, ranging from quick fixes to major legislative initiatives. Read more
- The May 21 sale of oil and gas rights sets new records with $441 million in bonus bids and higher average per-hectare prices than any previous sale. The fiscal year-to-date total is more than $480 million and puts BC on track to break the $1.2-billion record set last year. The key parcels in the sale were three drilling licences located in the Stewart Creek area near Fort St. John. Read more
- BC is celebrating 150 years of mining. According to a major industry report, direct employment in the mining and minerals industry increased to 7,415 in 2007 from 7,345 in 2006. The average mining salary also increased to $101,900 in 2007 from $99,900 in 2006. Read more
- BC’s Asia Pacific Gateway initiative got a boost as Premier Gordon Campbell officially opened BC’s trade and investment office in Korea and announced Mr. Kyung Suk Kim of Ocean Blue Marketline Inc. as the province’s trade and investment representative in Korea. BC exports to Korea are estimated to grow by $15.4 billion by 2020. Read more
- Premier Gordon Campbell and BC Hydro announced the recipients of the 2008 Power Smart Excellence Awards, recognizing 16 residential, commercial and industrial organizations from across the province for their innovation in conserving electricity. Read more
- LiveSmart BC and the new Energy Efficient Buildings Strategy will leverage over $160 million in funding and set new targets for British Columbians to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read more
- Federal, provincial and community partners celebrated the official opening of Evergreen Timbers in Langley, a $17.2-million assisted living development that provides seniors with access to 58 new affordable homes. Evergreen Timbers is funded under Independent Living BC, a housing-for-health program funded by the federal and provincial governments. Read more
- The opening of Riverside Place in Vanderhoof, BC, (a $4.1-million, 32-unit development) offers seniors affordable, assisted living apartments and the first Seniors’ Supportive Housing program apartments to open in the North. Read more
- The BC Government has accepted all of the recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Task Force, aimed at creating a more streamlined and transparent drug review process. The nine-member committee was charged with advising government on key areas of pharmaceutical policy within the health system. Read more
- The Province is providing $3.3 million to the BC Cattlemen’s Association to support the implementation of the beef industry strategic plan by assisting in further developing their domestic, national and international markets and continuing the Farmland Riparian Interface Stewardship Program. Read more
- Premier Gordon Campbell announced plans for a major renovation of BC Place Stadium (including a retractable roof after 2010), and a waterfront site for a new Vancouver Art Gallery. Read more
- Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell announced that Royal Roads University is adding a master of arts in tourism management in the fall of 2008. The program will include four areas of study: leadership, destination development, sustainable tourism and applied research. It will complement the university’s Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in international hotel management. Read more
Government Appointments
- Sue Adams, a foodservices entrepreneur from Whistler, BC, was appointed to BC’s permanent Small Business Roundtable. Adams is a partner in the Pemberton Valley Supermarket and is a managing partner of Bevendale Enterprises. In 2007, was named one of Business in Vancouver’s Most Influential Women in Business. Read more
- The BC Government appointed Dr. Doug Cochrane to help create and lead a new BC Patient Safety and Quality Council. The Council will work to reduce adverse patient care events, promote transparency and identify best practices to improve patient care. Read more
Question Period Topics
- Softwood lumber agreement
- Government action on forest industry
- Government support for forest workers
- Disclosure of documents in BC Rail court case
- Carbon offset projects
- Retention and recruitment of correctional officers
- BC Place roof deflation
- BC Lottery Corporation management of casino transactions
- BC Ferries board remuneration
- Education funding
- Regulation of new home pre-sale agreements
- Funding for post-secondary education
- Seismic upgrades for schools
Status of Bills:
BILLS INTRODUCED
Members’ Bills
- Bill 207 - First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act, 2008
- Bill 208 - Right to Know Act, 2008
- Bill 209 - Toxics Reduction Act, 2008
- Bill 210 - Fair Ferries Act, 2008
- Bill 211 - Utilities Commission Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 212 - Anti SLAPP Act, 2008
- Bill 213 - Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 214 - Supervised Injection Facility Designation Act, 2008
BILLS DEBATED
Government Bills
- Bill 27 – Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 29 - Environmental (Species and Public Protection) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 31 - Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Emissions Standards) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 33 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 34 - University Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 36 - Motor Vehicle (Banning Smoking when Children Present) Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 38 - Protected Areas of British Columbia (Conservancies and Parks) Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 39 - Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act
- Bill 43 - Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2008
Private Bills
- Bill 401 - Bridge River Valley Flying Association (Corporate Restoration) Act, 2008
- Bill 402 - Lutheran Camp Concordia (1992) Society (Corporate Restoration) Act, 2008
- Bill 403 - The Grassy Plains Community Hall Association (Corporate Restoration) Act, 2008
BILLS PASSED
Government Bills
- Bill 27 – Local Government (Green Communities) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 31 - Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Emissions Standards) Statutes Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 34 - University Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 36 - Motor Vehicle (Banning Smoking when Children Present) Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 38 - Protected Areas of British Columbia (Conservancies and Parks) Amendment Act, 2008
- Bill 39 - Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act
Private Bills
- Bill 401 - Bridge River Valley Flying Association (Corporate Restoration) Act, 2008
- Bill 402 - Lutheran Camp Concordia (1992) Society (Corporate Restoration) Act, 2008
- Bill 403 - The Grassy Plains Community Hall Association (Corporate Restoration) Act, 2008
Reports Tabled
Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth
