Legislative Watch
1st Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 3 - September 29, 2009
Printable Version (PDF)
Government Announcements
- 174 B.C. infrastructure projects to be funded - The B.C. Government announced 174 new
infrastructure projects valued at $719 million in support of infrastructure projects in communities
throughout British Columbia. The announcement represents $244 million from the Government of
Canada, $233 million from the province of British Columbia, and the remainder from local
governments. The funding is being delivered through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and the
Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund. Read more
- Enns Report call for improved election date - The Report of the Budget Process Review Panel,
chaired by Douglas Enns, concluded that “the government of British Columbia has made substantial
progress on the implementation of recommendations contained in the 1999 Panel’s report and that
the level of transparency and accountability in the budget process has improved significantly over
the past 10 years.” The Panel goes on to make several recommendations, including improvements
so that the budget process can be completed before the election call. Read more
- Legislation to expand wood use in public buildings – B.C.’s new Wood First Act aims to increase
demand for wood products by requiring provincially-funded building projects use wood as the
primary construction material. Read more
- Additional Hotel Room Tax to stay until 2011 - The two-percent Additional Hotel Room Tax (AHRT),
overseen by destination marketing organizations to fund tourism marketing, will remain until at
least July 2011. The stay of execution on the AHRT gives the Province time to consult with the
tourism industry on how to fund regional destination marketing organizations. The introduction of
the HST would have eliminated the AHRT. Read more
- Legislation to expand labour mobility – The new Labour Mobility Act aims to removes longstanding,
unproductive and archaic barriers to attract workers to British Columbia. Read more
Question Period Topics
- Mining exploration permit in Flathead Valley area
- Funding for public health, sports and literacy programs
- Shelter policy for homeless during extreme weather
- Funding for domestic violence programs
- Emergency services at Ashcroft Hospital
- Funding for repairs at Johnston Heights Secondary School
- B.C. Awards Online website
- Early intervention program for children with autism
- Workshops at Housing and Social Development Ministry
- Report recommendations on protection system for victims of domestic violence
- Government action on violence against women
- Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society funding
- Release of report on outbreak at Nanaimo Hospital
Status of Bills
BILLS INTRODUCED (First Reading)
Government Bills
BILLS DEBATED (Second Reading)
Government Bills
BILLS PASSED (Third Reading)
Government Bills
Reports Tabled
- British Columbia Ferry Commission, annual report for fiscal year ended March 31, 2009
