[ Page 613 ]

The House met at 2:00 p.m.

The Honourable W.A.C. Bennett presented to Mr. Speaker a Message from, His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor.

On the motion of Mr. Bennett, Bill (No. 48) intituled An Act to Amend the Provincial Home Acquisition Act, was introduced, read a first time, and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

Mr. G.B. Gardom (Vancouver–Point Grey) tabled a letter from the Honourable E.J. Benson, the Minister of Finance of Canada, dated February 22, 1971.

Pursuant to Order, the House again resolved itself into the Committee of Supply.

The Committee rose, reported Resolution 18, Estimates of the Department of the Attorney-General, and asked leave to sit again.

Pursuant to Order, the Honourable D.R.J. Campbell, Minister of Municipal Affairs, tabled correspondence, telegrams, and other documents exchanged between the Government of the Province of British Columbia and the Honourable J. Marchand, representing the Government of Canada, relative to proposals for the application of regional disparity programmes for those areas known as Northern Vancouver Island and Northern British Columbia.

The House adjourned at 6:02 p.m.

The House met at 8:00 p.m.

Pursuant to Order, the House again resolved itself into the Committee of Supply.

Mr. Speaker was recalled at 10:57 p.m.

MR. H.J. BRUCH, Chairman: Mr. Speaker, during the discussion on the votes, the Member for Yale-Lillooet became extremely repetitive. The Chair was lenient in allowing repetition for quite some time. I asked the Member to cease and the Member refused.

MR. SPEAKER: Honourable Members must realize that the same rules apply in the Committee of the Whole House as apply in the House itself and, if a Member refuses to take direction from the Chair, then the Chair has little recourse but to take specific action. I hope the Member will review his position and comply with the rules of the House.

MR. W.L. HARTLEY (Yale-Lillooet): I wished to read a letter that hadn't been read. I have a document here I came prepared to present the case. The Chairman insisted on cutting me off and that's why I feel I should stand my ground.

MR. SPEAKER: The honourable Member realizes that the Chair must be obeyed, otherwise we would have chaos in the House itself. I would think that he would want to reconsider and take direction from the Chair. I'm sure that every opportunity will be made available to him during the estimates to put his case before the Attorney-General. It's not a wise policy to argue with the Chairman of the Committee. I hope he will review his position and take the matter up at a later date.

MR. HARTLEY: Yes, I have given this very serious consideration, Mr. Speaker. It wasn't a heated argument. I merely wanted to read more information that hadn't been read. The Chairman did get a little excited but I tried to keep my cool. I think I have kept my cool and I would like to be given permission to complete this case that I'm presenting on behalf of this young lady.

MR. SPEAKER: I'm in no position to give you permission to do anything other than to take direction from the Chair, Mr. Member. I'm going to recall the Chairman and I think he has no recourse, if you will not accept direction from the Chair, to take the appropriate action. Mr. Chairman.

The House again resolved itself into the Committee of Supply.

The House continued to sit after midnight.

Mr. Speaker was recalled at 1:01 a.m.

MR. BRUCH, Chairman: Mr. Speaker, the Honourable the Leader of the Opposition insisted on not only repeating a question over and over but standing in silence in defiance for periods of over two minutes at a time and refused to take his seat when the Chair asked him to do so. I would like the Speaker to help me.

HON. W.A.C. BENNETT (South Okanagan): Mr. Speaker,…

MR. SPEAKER: Just a moment, please…Once again, I must draw the House's attention to the fact that the rules that apply in the House apply equally in the committee. I learn that the committee is not following the advice of the Chairman or taking direction from the Chair. I can only say again that the Chairman has no recourse but to take the action and that is apparent in the rules. If it is the wish of the House that the Speaker should take unilateral action, I am very well prepared to do so. The Honourable the Leader of the Opposition has something to say?

MR. D. BARRETT (Coquitlam): Well, I think there are two sides to any case and I have my side to present. I had my place on the floor of the House properly. I have paused between questions, only to have a pause from the Chair between questions. The only time the Chair made a ruling was to call you in. I intend to pursue my questions in the hope of answers. I will be governed accordingly by the rules of this House; however, I will insist on my right, my place to speak, and my right to ask questions.

MR. SPEAKER: So long as the rules are observed, there should be no further problems in the committee. Mr. Chairman.

[ Page 614 ]

The House again resolved itself into the Committee of Supply.

Mr. Speaker was recalled at 1:12 a.m.

MR. BRUCH, Chairman: Mr. Speaker, the Member for Coquitlam refused to take direction from the Chair and insisted on being repetitious and refused to take his seat when ordered to do so and when I asked him whether he was defying the Chair he stated that he was so doing and, as he was abusing the rules of the House and refused to take direction from the Chair, I have named him.

MR. SPEAKER: The Member for Coquitlam has been named by the Chairman of the Committee.

HON. L.R. PETERSON (Vancouver–Little Mountain): Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member has been named for the reasons expressed by the Chairman. I have no alternative but move, seconded by the Honourable the Minister of Education, Mr. Brothers, that the Member named be suspended from the service of this House until 2:00 p.m. on March 12 next.

The House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

YEAS — 30

Messieurs

NAYS — 12

Messieurs

PAIRS:

Messieurs

MR. SPEAKER: The Member is therefore suspended from the service of this House until 2:00 p.m. on March 12 next. Mr. Chairman.

The House again resolved itself into Committee of Supply.

The Committee rose, reported Resolutions 19 to 41, inclusive, Estimates of the Department of the Attorney-General, and asked leave to sit again.

It was moved by the Honourable L.R. Peterson, on behalf of the Honourable W.A.C. Bennett, and seconded by Mr. P.L. McGeer that whereas the Prime Minister of Canada, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was last evening joined in holy matrimony to Miss Margaret Sinclair in the Province of British Columbia: Now therefore be it Resolved the Legislative Assembly, on behalf of all citizens of the Province, do extend congratulations to the Prime Minister and best wishes to his bride.

Motion agreed to.

The House adjourned at 3:27 a.m.