News & Events - Legislative Watch
November 10, 2009
Issue 7 of the 1st Session, 39th Parliament
Government Announcements and News
- B.C. paramedics legislated back to work – A marathon sitting of the House last week legislated an end to the seven-month paramedics strike. Bill 21 was pushed through the House in a week and resulted in 3,500 paramedics ordered back to work. The one-year deal is retroactive to April 1, and includes a compensation increase of three per cent, in line with wage increases for other publicsector workers in 2009. Read more
- Report on BC Ferries and Translink released – The Office of the Comptroller General released a review of the independent delivery models of TransLink and BC Ferry Services. The report offered more than 20 recommendations for each organization in four general categories, including planning, governance, opportunities for efficiencies and funding. Read more
- Translink CEO resigns – Two weeks after the regional mayors rejected Translink’s $450 million request in extra funding, TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast resigned and accepted a job offer in New York City. TransLink's chief financial officer Ian Jarvis has been appointed interim CEO.
- Impact Study of 2010 Winter Games released – A PricewaterhouseCoopers impact study of the period leading up to the Games (2003 to 2008) claims the Games generated between $684 million to $884 million in real GDP to B.C. and $170 million in real GDP to Canada. Read more
- Moody’s confirms AAA Credit Rating for B.C. - Moody’s Investors Service has confirmed British Columbia’s AAA credit rating, noting the Province’s track record of prudent fiscal planning and its effective management of fiscal pressures. Read more
- Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visit B.C. – British Columbia played host to the Prince of
Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for a four-day visit. The members of the Royal family were
offered a tour of the Olympic Village site on south False Creek in Vancouver.
Question Period Topics
- Minimum wage
- Supply of H1N1 vaccine to Copeman clinic
- Government action on forest industry
- Legal aid services
- Government distribution of Olympic Games tickets
- Economic benefits of Olympic Games
- Comptroller general report on TransLink and B.C. Ferries
Status of Bills
BILLS INTRODUCED (First Reading)
Members' Bills
- Bill M204 - Stream Diversion Amendment Act, 2009
BILLS DEBATED (Second Reading)
Government Bills
BILLS PASSED (Third Reading)
Government Bills
- Bill 17 - Health Statutes (Residents’ Bill of Rights) Amendment Act, 2009
- Bill 21 - Ambulance Services Collective Agreement Act
Reports Tabled
- 2012-2013 Service Plan of the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth