Legislative Watch
2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Issue 8 - May 11, 2010
You can get more details on these topics at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia website - 'Documents and Proceedings' or 'Hansard (Debates)' sections.
Government Announcements and News
- New West Partnership announced – British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Alberta launched the New West Partnership, creating an economic block of nine million people with a combined GDP of more than $550 billion. Building on the original TILMA agreement between B.C. and Alberta, the New West Partnership will create Canada’s largest inter provincial barrier-free trade and investment market. Read more
- Softwood lumber producers to pay zero tax – Due to strong lumber prices, effective June 1, B.C.’s softwood lumber producers will no longer pay any tax on their shipments to the U.S. The export tax has dropped from 15 per cent to zero because of higher lumber prices. Under the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement, companies exporting softwood lumber to the United States are required to pay an export tax on their shipments. The higher the average lumber price is, the lower the export tax. Read more
- Province releases 2010 Hosting, Ticketing Report – The Province has released its Report on
Integrated Hosting and Ticketing for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Read more - BCGEU ratifies agreement with Province – A two-year agreement has been ratified with the
Province’s public service employees. The agreement covers more than 27,000 members of the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union, The agreement is consistent with the Province’s 2010 mandate, with no wage increases over the next two years. Read more - Province adopts trucking industry recommendations – The Province has adopted two
recommendations from the Trucking Sector Climate Action Working Group expected to have a
positive impact on the environment and on productivity in the industry. Recommendations will
promote fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in B.C.’s trucking sector.
Read more - Mike DeJong appointed acting Solicitor General – Following the second resignation of MLA Kash
Heed, Premier Gordon Campbell announced that Attorney General Michael de Jong would be
appointed as acting Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. - New ICBC Chair announced – The Province has appointed Nancy McKinstry as chair of the board of directors of the Insurance
Question Period Topics
- Moratorium on offshore oil and gas activities
- Fuel removal from Queen of the North
- Funding for Education
- Safety of oil pipeline and shipping from Port of Vancouver
- Reappointment of Solicitor General
- Special prosecutor in investigation of former Solicitor General
Status of Bills
BILLS DEBATED (second reading)
Government Bills
BILLS PASSED (third reading)
Government Bills
- Bill 5 – Zero Net Deforestation Act
- Bill 8 – Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2010
- Bill 11 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2010
- Bill 12 – Gunshot and Stab Wound Disclosure Act
- Bill 16 - Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Act
