Legislative Watch
1st Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 5 - October 27, 2009
Printable Version (PDF)
Government Announcements
- HST transition rules released - The B.C. Government released proposed general transitional rules to
help guide businesses and consumers in a smooth changeover to the Harmonized Sales Tax. Read
more
- Successful SkillsPlus program expanded - An additional $2 million was committed to skills training
for mid-sized businesses (50 to 500 employees) under the SkillsPlus program. The expansion of
SkillsPlus to include mid-sized businesses is intended to increase the number of people accessing
essential skills and in turn increase economic productivity. Read more
- Two reports confirm strength of small business sector - Two recent reports, the Small Business
Profile 2009 and the Small Business Roundtable 4th Annual Report to Government, reinforce the
conclusion that B.C.’s small business sector is leading the economy.
- October B.C. Oil and Gas Rights sale peaks for 2009 - B.C.’s economy received a shot in the arm
with the October 2009 land rights sale, resulting in $370 million in bonus bids, the sixth-largest sale
on record. This brings the calendar year to date total to $700.6 million. Read more
- New act restricts sale and possession of body armour - Gang members and organized criminals will
no longer be able to hide behind body armour, Solicitor General Kash Heed announced in
introducing Canada’s first act that sets up a licensing and criminal record check regime for the sale
and purchase of body armour. Read more
Question Period Topics
- Government purchase of Olympic Games tickets and hospitality suites
- Provision of traffic fine revenues to local government
- Government action on gambling and organized crime
- Funding for carbon reduction initiatives in school districts, residential care and mental health services
- Ferry fares
- Manufacturing of Olympic Games flags
Status of Bills
BILLS INTRODUCED (First Reading)
Government Bills
Private Bills
BILLS PASSED (Third Reading)
Government Bills
Reports Tabled
- Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the 2008 Electoral Boundary Redistribution
- Office of the Ombudsman, Annual Report 2008/2009