News & Events - Legislative Watch
March 17, 2009
Issue: 7
Government Announcements
- The governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia agreed to kick start discussions on establishing an open, efficient and stable domestic market between the three Western provinces during the first-ever joint Cabinet meeting between the trio of governments. Read more
- B.C. is the first province to introduce legislation supporting the national Agreement on Internal Trade that will remove interprovincial barriers for regulated occupations, such as doctors, lawyers, engineers and certified trades. Read more
- The federal and provincial governments committed to accelerated funding of $174 million for transportation infrastructure projects in the Interior. Projects include engineering for five highway improvement projects along highways 1 and 97A. Read more
- Premier Gordon Campbell has committed to engage the business community on the implementation of a Recognition and Reconciliation Act that would change the government-to-government relationship between the Province and First Nations. The introduction of the Act has been delayed until after the May election. Read more
- The federal and provincial governments announced joint funding of almost $48 million that will support up to 161 community infrastructure projects across B.C. Projects include cycling and pedestrian infrastructure and ones that improve water quality. Read more
- The Province and the In-SHUCK-ch Nation have signed an understanding that formally concludes treaty negotiations between the two parties. The signing is an interim step prior to a final treaty agreement. Read more
- The Provincial Government is kicking in $187 million over four years to upgrade the Sierra Yoyo Desan Road which will allow access the Horn River Basin. The move is expected to create more than 1,150 direct jobs and allow a shift in the nature of oil and gas activity in the region, from conventional to shale gas development. Read more
Question Period Topics
- Job security of GM Place workers for Olympic Games
- Role of Patrick Kinsella in B.C. Rail sale
- Meat industry regulations
- Impact of Olympic transportation plan on small business and workers
- Layoff of Vancouver workers for Olympic Games
- Government legal proceedings in Frank Paul inquiry
- Report recommendations from Frank Paul inquiry
- Transition assistance for forest workers
Opinion Leader Roundup
- Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer looks at the reaction of the business community to the now-delayed government proposal to recognize aboriginal rights and title in legislation. Read the article
- A Times-Colonist editorial tried to make sense of all the numbers being batted around the current global economic downturn. Read the article
- A Vancouver Sun editorial looks at the role municipal government can play in driving economic growth. The editorial looks at what’s happening in Surrey. Read the article
- Traffic challenges during the Olympics – and complaints about the plans -- come under the microscope in a Miro Cernetig column. Read the article
Status of Bills
BILLS INTRODUCED
Government Bills
- Bill 9: Labour Mobility Act
- Bill 10: Public Safety and Solicitor General Statutes Amendment Act, 2009
Member Bills
BILLS DEBATED
Government Bills
- Budget 2009
- Bill 4: Ministerial Accountability Bases Act, 2008-2009
- Bill 5: Supply Act (No. 1), 2009
- Bill 8: Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2009
BILLS PASSED
Government Bills
- Bill 4: Ministerial Accountability Bases Act, 2008-2009
- Bill 5: Supply Act (No. 1), 2009
- Bill 8: Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2009
Reports Tabled
- Davies commission of inquiry into the death of Frank Paul, report