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CONTENTS

Election of Speaker

Hon. Mrs. McCarthy –– 1

Hon. Mr. Bennett –– 1

Mr. King I

Mr. Macdonald –– 2

Mr. Smith –– 3

Mr. Gibson –– 3

Mr. Lauk –– 5

Mr. Wallace –– 6

Mr. Lea –– 7

Division –– 9

Mr. Speaker –– 11

Hon. Mrs. McCarthy –– 11

Routine proceedings

Speech from the Throne (Hon. W.S. Owen) –– 11

The In-laws Act (Bill 1) Hon, Mr. Gardom.

Introduction and first reading –– 13

The House met at 3 p.m.

This being the first day of the first session of the 31st Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a proclamation of the Hon. Walter Stewart Owen, Lieutenant-Governor of the province, dated December 11,1975, hon. members took their seats, after having taken the prescribed oath and having signed the parliamentary roll.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having entered the House, took his seat on the Throne.

HON. G.M. McCARTHY (Provincial Secretary): Members of the Legislative Assembly, 1 am commanded by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor to announce that he does not see fit to-declare the cause of his summoning you at this time and will not do so until you have chosen a Speaker to preside over your honorable body. His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor hopes to be able to declare during the afternoon his reasons for calling you together.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

HON. W.R. BENNETT (Premier): Mr. Clerk, I move that Dean Edward Smith, Esquire, member for North Peace River electoral district, do take the Speaker's chair to preside over the meetings of this assembly.

HON. MRS. McCARTHY: Mr. Clerk, I am pleased to second that motion.

MR. W.S. KING (Revelstoke-Slocan): Mr. Clerk, I move that the member for Vancouver-East (Mr. Macdonald) be nominated as Speaker of this Legislative Assembly, seconded by the hon. member for North Vancouver-Capilano (Mr. Gibson) .

I would point out, Mr. Clerk, that's it.

CLERK: The question is that Dean Edward Smith, Esquire, member for North Peace River.

MR. KING: Point of order, Mr. Clerk. I suggest that the question of nomination is debatable, I suggest further that those candidates that are, indeed, nominated have the right, under the rules of this House, to state whether or not they accept in the first instance the nomination that has been placed in their name and, further, how they intend to proceed with the conduct of the important office of Speaker.

It appears to me that if a vote is put on the first motion, then that deprives all of those members nominated of even indicating whether or not they are prepared to stand for the office and, in the second instance, any support for the question or the advisability of who should be the choice of this parliament.

CLERK: Perhaps it would be expedient to give a word of explanation about parliamentary practice which obtains under these circumstances.

The nomination first moved is put before the House; then further nominations are called for, at which time it is in order for any other nominations to be made. Then, upon nominations being closed, all hon. members have the right to address themselves to both nominations.

The question is that D. Edward Smith, Esquire, member for North Peace River electoral district, do take the Speaker's chair and preside over the meetings of this session.

Are there any further nominations?

MR. KING: Yes, Mr. Clerk. I would like to place the name of the hon. member for Vancouver East (Mr. Macdonald) in nomination for the position of Speaker of this assembly.

In speaking to that nomination, Mr. Clerk, I would like to say at the outset that I rather regret the fact that the opposition finds it necessary to place forward a name other than that proposed by the government. I have indicated to the Premier (Hon. Mr. Bennett) that the official opposition would consider seconding the nomination of the hon. member for North Peace River (Mr. Smith) .

Unfortunately, matters have come to the attention of the opposition which, in our view, present grave dangers to the rights of parliament, to the rights particularly of opposition members in this House. And as the House knows, it is the solemn duty of the Speaker to protect the rights and the privileges of all members of this institution.

We feel that certain questions have arisen, particularly with respect to the Speaker-designate, namely the member for North Peace River, having subordinated the authority of the office of Speaker to both treasury benches and to certain ministerial intervention, indeed to the intervention of some executive assistants which reside in the office of, members of the executive branch.

This is a threat to the traditional independence and impartiality of the Speaker's office, and we feel that without some assurances from those candidates for the office of Speaker that they will act independently from the government, from the executive branch of government, that they will act in a manner calculated to protect the rights and privileges of each and every member of this assembly, unfortunately we cannot make the election of a

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Speaker unanimous.

I refer, Mr. Clerk, to an exchange of correspondence which took place between leaders of the Opposition parties and the Speaker's office with respect to staff for the functioning of parliament. We are in receipt of a letter to the Speaker-elect under the signature of Mr. Dan Campbell, who, to my knowledge, is not an elected member of this assembly, which presumes to dictate to the Speaker the extent to which he might exercise his authority in providing resources and facilities to parliament. That letter is dated January 5,1976. It is directed to Mr. D.E. Smith, Speaker-designate, Speaker's office, Victoria, B.C., and it reads - and I quote:

"Until further notice there is - repeat - no entitlement for the hiring of staff persons beyond those currently in the estimates under vote 1. For greater clarity, this involves five persons available to the government members as provided for in 1975-76 estimates, three persons for the NDP caucus, two persons for the Conservative caucus, and two persons for the Liberal caucus. Further authority for the hiring of additional employees beyond these above indicated must await conclusion of a study currently underway with respect to the personnel complement which will be authorized with respect to each of the caucuses. Signed, Dan Campbell."

Mr. Clerk, the members of the opposition view with grave concern the incursion and the erosion of the independent and the prerogatives of the Speaker's office by those people who are retained by Crown ministers - not even elected people - who would intrude on the Speaker's authority to provide and designates the facilities and the resources which only this House, only this Legislature, has the right to empower the Speaker to provide.

We find that the Speaker-designate seconded and subordinated this authority to those admonitions.

Under those circumstances, we cannot possibly have confidence in the impartiality or the independence of such a candidate for Speaker.

I would like to point out just briefly that the Speaker's office has traditionally been used in parliament in Great Britain, in the senior House in Ottawa and most of the provinces as second only to the Crown in terms of precedence in the Legislature. We have the suggestion by members of the government executive, and indeed by the Premier, that the Speaker's prerogative must be subordinated to the dictums of Treasury Board. This is a serious threat to any confidence the opposition could have in terms of impartiality, in terms of independence, in terms of the separation of the Speaker's office from the executive branch of government.

But under these circumstances, as much as we regret - and indeed we do - that we cannot support unanimously the candidate put forward by the government, we would suggest that if there is someone in the government benches who the government wishes to put forward who has not succumbed to dictums from Cabinet ministers and executive assistants, who is not tainted by capitulating to those kinds of overtures, we would we prepared to consider unanimous endorsation. Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

CLERK: Shall leave be granted to put this motion before the House, a motion in writing not having been received?

Leave granted.

CLERK: The question is that Mr. Alex B. Macdonald, first member for Vancouver East, should take the Speaker's chair and preside over the meetings of this assembly. Are there any further nominations? Are there any further nominations? Are there any further nominations?

I declare the nominations closed, and it is now in order for the members to address themselves to the two nominations placed before them.

MR. A.B. MACDONALD (Vancouver East): Mr. Clerk, even without the benefit of a microphone, as a candidate for the honoured position of Speaker, I'd like to say very briefly what the qualifications of that office should be as I see them - and with all becoming modesty. And I'm thoroughly entitled to that. (Laughter.)

The Speaker must, of course, as the hon. member has said, bring to that office strict impartiality and a smattering of dignity. But he must be totally non-partisan in the functions of that office. He must see that his Legislature abides by the rules and ancient privileges of parliament and the ancient precedents. In other words, he must be fair to all members, and particularly to backbench and opposition members of this Legislative Assembly. In saying that, I'm not only mindful of the rights as they are laid down, Mr. Clerk, in the rule books and in the precedents, but he must see to it that the members of the assembly have the resources at their disposal to make themselves effective and useful elected members. That does include reasonable clerical assistance. It includes reasonable space within the precincts of the Legislature, and it includes mailing privileges. The elected members must not be allowed to be reduced to ciphers in a parliamentary democracy.

Finally, the Speaker must protect the rights of the Legislature against the overweening powers of the executive arm of government. The Speaker's office has been set out as to its duties by an Act passed unanimously by this Legislature, Legislative Procedure and Practice Inquiry Act, and that office must be upheld without diminishment.

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MR. D.E. SMITH (North Peace River): Mr. Clerk, in keeping with the traditions of parliament, when an election is called and there is more than one nominee, I declare that I will vote against my nomination and support the nomination of the other nominee.

MR. G.F. GIBSON (North Vancouver-Capilano): Mr. Clerk and hon. members, I hoped to hear something more from the man who was nominated by the Premier to be Speaker of this House when he stood in his place and said how he proposed to vote, and that, hon. members, is that he proposed to vote for his opponent.

The hon. member for Vancouver East (Mr. Macdonald) did give us some indication how he views the traditions of parliament. The usual procedure is to settle this important question by consultation and agreement in advance. I have examined the records back to the beginning of the Second World War, and find that except on this occasion in the British Columbia Legislature there has not been significant debate. There were few exchanges of pleasantries in 1972, but no serious debate. There is today because of the lack of consultation and lack of agreement in advance.

The attitude of the government today makes it necessary for us to debate this question. But for those in this province who may be impatient to get on with the government business of this day, which is the advice to this House of the intentions of this government, I want to say that we are both commanded by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor and by the Constitution Act to address ourselves-first to the question of who should be the Speaker. That is appropriate because if any given decision is important, or any given policy is important, none are as important as the democratic process by which we reach those decisions, and the Speaker is central to that process. He governs all we do here; he is the protector of the rights included in the parliament, the members, and therefore the people. Parliament was set up as a protection against tyranny. We must never forget that. The tyrant was, and the potential tyrant always is the government of the day of whatever stripe.

I invite the hon. members to consider some of the dimensions of the office of Speaker, as set out in May I quote from the 18th edition, p. 225: "The chief characteristics attaching to the office of Speaker ... are those of authority and impartiality." I will refer later in my remarks to which of those characteristics are shown by the two men nominated. Later on p. 225: "Confidence in the impartiality of the Speaker is an indispensable condition of the successful workings of procedure . . . ." An indispensable condition, hon. members.

Then later: "The Speaker's rulings, whether given in public or in private, constitute precedents .... The Speaker has control of the accommodation and services the building we are in, and the staff of these precincts.

Now let me pass on to the financial authority of the Speaker as has been practiced in the Province of British Columbia. We have heard a good deal from the government on the subject of financial authority of the Speaker, and they have pretended that he is subject, and that this House is subject, to the dictates of Treasury Board.

I would refer to that section of the Constitution Act, under which they and all governments must operate, until they are repealed.

Section 7 1:

". . . do hereby grant to Her Majesty annually such sums as are required to pay the amounts of the annual allowances, including expense allowances, to the persons entitled under sec. 64, and the necessary expenses of the Legislative Assembly."

It is obligatory, the first charge on revenue. It has nothing to do with Treasury Board.

I am advised by the former Speaker of this House that whatever the faults of the previous government - and I was no mean critic of theirs - there was never at any time a variation by the Treasury Board, by the then Treasury Board, of the budget submitted by the Speaker for the Legislative Assembly. Later on I will contrast that with the attempted variation by this government.

I suggest to you, Sir, and to the members, that any other procedure than an absolute entitlement to this Legislature for the funding of its operation would put this Legislature under the complete control of the government.

That is not the purpose of the parliamentary system. Any fit Speaker must uphold this.

Next, Sir, I would draw your attention - and I will come back later to all of these questions which describe how the Speaker falls under these categories - I draw your attention to the law relating to the exercise of the Speaker's authority between parliaments. In most areas, in Ottawa, Ontario, Quebec and the United Kingdom, for example, it is provided that the old Speaker carries on until the new Speaker is elected by the assembly. I suggest that is a good law for us to adopt - but that is not our law. Our Constitution Act, see. 44, makes it clear that the Provincial Secretary is to act in most of the services and staff duties of the Speaker until such time as he is known and elected. Most unusual procedures were followed in this case.

I suggest next it is the duty of the Speaker to uphold the rights of parliament and the Speaker's office and of members, and I say let us now examine certain events to see how they meet the test of these criteria. These events, sir, and hon. members, have importance more for the way they are exemplary than of themselves. But they happen to be events which are documented, which are available to members

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of this assembly, which were alluded to by, the hon. member for Revelstoke-Slocan (Mr. King) . Let us look at the order.

In December of 1975, the new cabinet was named. The Speaker was designated in the same announcement. That put a partisan coloration on the office of Speaker from day one. Subsequently the Speaker-designate moved into the office of the Speaker, told the existing staff they were no longer required, and engaged new staff. The authority under which the existing staff was dismissed is not clear. I would have wished that the Speaker-designate designated by the cabinet, could have clarified that point.

Early in 1976, a special committee on vote 1 -vote I being the appropriation under which members of this assembly are paid, the appropriation under which we are allowed to go about our business, the business of the people in questioning the government day after day - a special committee on vote I was produced, was appointed by the Premier. As chairman of that committee we had a person who is not an elected member, who is an official in the Premier's office, who is supposed to be in the business of telling this assembly how its finances were going to be run. The hon. member for Revelstoke-Slocan read the extraordinarily arrogant memorandum that the chairman of that committee sent to the Speaker-designate under date of January 5.

Hon. members, I suggest to you that had the hon. member for North Peace River (Mr. Smith) intended to protect the office of Speaker as Speaker-designate, he would either have resigned on the spot from that nomination, or he would have in no uncertain terms chastised the Premier and told him that he, the would-be Speaker, was not a servant of the Premier's office.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. GIBSON: A little bit later an undated memo came forward from the Speaker-designate, received in my office on January 12. Addressed to Mr. Campbell, it made recommendations - not saying how the Speaker is going to run things when he is appointed, but making recommendations to a government official. I say that is not good enough for the position of Speaker. A little bit later, in a memo dated January 12, we see that the Speaker-designate, while later on he will pretend he has no authority, is in fact exercising certain authority in inviting members to submit their requirements with respect to stationery and business cards. He advises them they have authority regarding the appointment of constituency secretaries. The next day, on January 12, he signs another memorandum inviting the caucuses to indicate to him which of their staff they propose to keep on and which they propose to lay off, pursuant to his thoughts on an earlier memorandum. Let there be no question but that when it suited him, the Speaker-designate found it expedient to exercise his supposed authority.

On January 15 a letter was dispatched to the secretary in one of the caucus offices advising her of her termination, obviously an executive act.

On January 28 members of the opposition were sufficiently disturbed that they sought and after some time received an opportunity to meet with the Premier in this regard. We gathered in the Premier's office. The hon. member for Nanaimo (Mr. Stupich) was there, the hon. member for Oak Bay and myself, as well as a person taking notes. At that time an interim accommodation was reached in the matter which was under discussion, but unfortunately no accommodation was reached in the far more important constitutional question of who was in charge of the privileges of the House.

The day after, another letter was written by the hon. member for Oak Bay which I will not cite in case he wishes to do so himself. On February 19, the Provincial Secretary sent a letter canceling mailing privileges that had been instituted by the previous Speaker. I don't question the legality of that move. It was entirely competent upon the Provincial Secretary. I did not hear any protest from the Speaker-designate on this removal of members' privileges, and I did see some editorial comment that a bad move was made.

Another interesting little sideline later on in the month by direction of the executive council was an attempt to administer loyalty oaths to opposition caucus staff which would have the effect of muzzling them if they came across any information in the pursuit of their ordinary duty ... would not be allowed to make it public without proper authority - presumably government authority. I heard no protest on that.

AN HON. MEMBER: That's garbage.

MR. GIBSON: I heard someone on the government benches say: "That is garbage." I hope that person will stand up and elucidate later on.

Later on, after we had attempted to achieve meetings with the Speaker-designate to go over these things, we were having difficulty. He said: "Write me some letters." We wrote letters and in due course got replies back saying this - and these were requests for information as to our requirements in terms of the Legislature: "I have passed your letters along to the chairman of the Treasury Board, the Hon. Evan Wolfe, without comment." The Speaker-designate did not on that occasion find it expedient to exercise the general powers he found it expedient to exercise in the other matters earlier on.

Mr. Clerk, the important thing for the purpose of

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this debate is not the nasty and small-minded attack of the government on certain resources of the opposition. The question is the way in which this example has laid bare the role of the government nominee and his acquiescence in that attempt.

Earlier on, I-referred to some tests of a Speaker. The first that May cites is authority. Hon. members, government interference should have been rejected. It was not. There is failure on the test of the maintenance of the authority of the Speaker.

The second test suggested by May is impartiality, without which, he says, it is an indispensable condition of the successful working of procedure. Does impartiality lie in this nominee? Evenhandedness in dealings with ordinary members of the government are not in evidence. There was first of all the fact of the nomination of the hon. member for North Peace River by the Premier, which I suggest is a retrograde step in this Legislature.

It was the custom in this House for many years, but in 1972 the British. practice finally prevailed in British Columbia, that the Speaker was nominated by a government backbenchers and seconded by an opposition backbencher. That is in line with the very wise advice of May. He says: "It is customary for the mover and seconder to be unofficial members. In 1789 Mr. Pitt was desirous of proposing Mr. Addington himself; but Mr. Hatsell, on being consulted, said: 'I think that the choice of the Speaker should not be on the motion of the minister. Indeed, an invidious use might be made of it, to represent you as a friend of the minister, rather than the choice of the House.' "

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!

MR. GIBSON: As evidence of lack of impartiality I cite the acceptance of direction by the Premier's aide. As evidence of lack of impartiality, I submit the supine acceptance of the authority of Treasury Board over the budget of this House is improper, and is against that provided in our Constitution Act, Section 71.

MR. GIBSON: That is hardly the Premier's view. He said on television last night in Vancouver: "Any decision in this regard must be made by Treasury Board. They make the decisions for all departments." For all departments, hon. members. This House is not a department.

The test of the Speaker is the understanding of the law of this House. We have seen on the one hand the assumption of the privileges of office and on the other hand the shirking of the responsibilities office where it suited convenience. A test is feeling for the rights of the members and it has been strictly the government against the rest.

There's been little appreciation of the --, role of members of all parties as the protectors of the people. Staff is a start - mailing privileges - for telephone calls out of the province we may have to get permission. Maybe it will be telephone calls across the inlet - I don't know ....

MR. L. NICOLSON (Nelson-Creston): Don't give them any ideas.

MR. GIBSON: Mr. Clerk and hon. members, I suggest that every opportunity for consultation was attempted by this opposition over the last two months. We did our very best to prevent this day coming to pass. The government, and in particular the hon. member for North Peace River (Mr. Smith) , did not avail themselves of these opportunities to respond to the points we made.

Therefore we reach today a debate that could have been avoided. We reached today with a Speaker that in all probability will be elected to this House - not only without general support but over the active protest of the combined opposition. That is not a contribution to the record of parliamentary practice in British Columbia. That sad circumstance, Mr. Clerk and hon. members, I suggest to you, will haunt the life of this parliament as a direct result of the actions of this government.

MR. G.V. LAUK (Vancouver Centre): Hon. members, Mr. Clerk, I will be brief. But one must realize that, although we grow impatient on opening day, the issue here is so fundamental and so far-reaching, insofar as the democratic process in British Columbia is concerned, that when we weigh your patience - and it has been gracious - with the issue, we must take these few minutes now to bring to the attention of this new government the vital rights and privileges of not only the opposition hon. members; I'm speaking now to all how members. Even, official members in their role as members of constituencies need their rights and privileges protected. And the backbenchers of the new government - their rights must be protected.

I know that they may be a little shy in speaking out on opening day, but I also know that their rights and duties and privileges are being offended as much as the opposition. And I expect that at least one spokesman from government backbench will speak.

Indeed, when the hon. Liberal leader (Mr. Gibson) states that this thing is just beginning, we are suspicious; but we are loyal. We are an opposition that wishes to support the Crown and to support the British parliamentary system, but we must protect our rights and privileges in this House. And, hon. members, there is only one person who stands between the power of the Crown, the government,

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the Premier and the rights and privileges of this House, and that is the Speaker of the House. The Speaker must be above question and above reproach in impartiality and in his defense of individual members' rights.

It is for that reason that there are two improprieties. There is the conduct of the Speaker-designate - and enough comment has been made of that to convince, I think, everyone here today that his impartiality and his judgment certainly are in question. But there is the second impropriety alluded to by the hon. Liberal leader. Since in the Westminster tradition the function of the Legislature is not to govern so much as it is to ratify, to pass, to accept more readily than reject the proposals of government, strict respect is paid to the lines of demarcation between parliament and the administration. The House elects its presiding officers. The House elects its presiding officers. And it is considered bad form and improper to be nominated by the leader of the government.

How can we be confident, when the Crown, the government, nominates the Speaker of our House, that the Speaker is not trotting down the hall to the Premier on every occasion, even respecting the rights and privileges of the members of this House? How can we be confident of that when we see the attitude of the hon. House leader of the loyal opposition and of the Liberal leader? Can anyone, anyone, have confidence in the conduct of the Speaker under those circumstances? I urge all members with good conscience here to support the second nomination proposed. It is in your interests to do so and you must do so.

MR. G.S. WALLACE (Oak Bay): I want to express my initial regret, the regret being extended quite a bit by everybody picking essential parts of my speech and leaving very little to add. But I agree particularly with my friend from North Vancouver-Capilano (Mr. Gibson) . We do enter this debate with regret and would have preferred to avoid the inconvenience to our guests in having to take this matter to the attention of the public. But a very important and vital principle is involved. The principle is the independence and impartiality of the Speaker.

While I joke that the member has taken my quotes from May, he hasn't taken my quotes from Philip Laundy, who is also an authority on the Speaker's role. He has written a book on the Speaker's role, and he states:

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly that the Speaker is a man who owes allegiance to no party; he is the guardian of the rights and freedoms of all the members. And the Speaker's customary reiteration of this fact at the outset of each new parliament serves as a reminder that liberties are not easily won, but they may be easily lost."

Laundy also comments on ministerial influence on the Speaker. He says:

"On no account is a candidate for the Speaker ship ever proposed from the front benches. This is a further token of the Speaker's immunity from ministerial control."

Today, the Speaker- designate has been nominated by the Premier and Deputy Premier - No. 1 and No. 2 on the front benches. The books to which the Speaker refers time after time throughout on the conduct of parliament make it very clear that the administrative duties under Vote 1 are clearly the responsibility of the Speaker. Now I really do wish to avoid repetition of events which previous speakers have alluded to this afternoon, so I'll pass over such events as the memo that was sent by an unelected chairman of a special committee which never existed before giving direction to the Speaker. I still feel it was very strange and unusual that decisions affecting the spending of public money were being made not only by an unelected person but that that person was giving direction to the Speaker-designate.

I also pass over the problems of holding meetings when it was clear there was dissention and difference of opinion, and that perhaps in an intelligent and reasonable way the opposition representatives should meet with the Speaker to straighten out the problems. That did not happen except for one early occasion. I take great exception to one particular memo, which the Member for North Vancouver-Capilano (Mr. Gibson) quoted in part, that despite the argument over extra secretarial help, the Speaker-designate sent a memo to the chairman of the special committee saying that of course we could have help during the session, if there was a proven need. The extra workload of a session has been well established over many years, and in fact the Speaker- designate has been in this House for nine years and knows the extra load that falls on every member of this House. I feel this other element of communication, suggesting that even during a session we have to prove our needs for extra secretarial help, coming from a member who has sat in the House nine years, leaves a great deal to be desired. Again, it raises the question as to his good judgment in filling the role of Speaker.

I might say that yesterday the Premier commented to the media that, yes, sessional help would be provided. But we have. no commitment, none whatever, to that effect. No memos, no letters -nothing. Again I would have to say that experience begs the question: who is in charge of Vote 1? Is it the Premier or is it the Speaker-designate?

MR. KING: Dan Campbell.

MR. WALLACE: Now we pass quickly over the other elements of this very important debate: that in

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the past few weeks, in some areas, the member for North Peace River has said that he really has no authority, and yet in other respects such as the employment of staff in his office and other useful measures, very useful measures, such as when he held an instructional meeting for new members of this House . . . . I favor the participation and encouragement of that idea. But this activity of approving of some authority and denying his right to use authority in other regards is, as was well pointed out by the Liberal leader, an ambiguous decision-making process which cannot help but have the members of this House ask themselves whether they could have confidence in the nominated candidate.

I would like to stress that the issue per se of secretarial help is just peripheral to the whole debate. It is the way in which that issue has been handled by the Speaker- designate that has caused us to wonder, regardless of the small issue of secretarial help, what else might lie in store for the opposition. We feel that the Speaker- designate has not shown a capacity to remain free from ministerial influence.

I would like again to quote from Philip Laundy. He states:

"The Speaker protects the rights of minorities. Some members are representatives of a wider body of opinion than others. The lone representative of a minority group, let it be emphasized, should never find himself handicapped."

As a lone representative of a minority group, I wish to oppose very strongly and at the very first opportunity any step, however small, to erode the rights of any member of this House and any move to make it difficult for any member of this House to carry out his legitimate responsibilities to the House and to the voters who elected him to this House. Again, I would heartily agree with the Liberal leader. We do feel it is unfortunate to take time of the House on this occasion which usually emphasizes pomp and tradition and pageantry. But with the greatest respect to our guests, I would say this is the one day when we do elect the one person who holds a very highly responsible position for the efficient functioning of this House. The other 364 days we have to deal with the consequences.

While I regret the inconvenience - and I see no need whatever to apologize - I would simply conclude by saying that we must be sure that we elect a Speaker who resists totally the kind of claims which we have seen emphasized by government and by the Speaker-designate. Because when governments are allowed to take that first step to weaken opposition parties, we feel that other steps inevitably follow. It would not be my intention, by default, to ignore this specific issue, only to find at a later date that the government attempts to take away the very recognition of small opposition parties in this House.

Big governments must not be encouraged to encroach on larger freedoms by being allowed to nibble away at the smaller ones. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, and the members on this side of the House today are exercising that vigilance.

MR. G.R. LEA (Prince Rupert): Mr. Clerk, hon. members, I represent, as the hon. member for Prince Rupert, the riding of Prince Rupert. Prince Rupert for many years had their MLA as the Speaker of this House, Bill Murray. That former member is here today. I am proud that when he was representing Prince Rupert and was the Speaker of this House that the Chair had integrity, impartiality and, indeed, courage. As a matter of fact, that Speaker, Mr. Clerk, made decisions in this House that were voted down by members of the same party he belonged to - the Social Credit Party. I suggest that that is the kind of Speaker we need in this assembly or, indeed, in any other assembly.

What are we discussing today? We are discussing democracy.

AN HON. MEMBER: And freedom!

MR. LEA: We heard about freedom. We heard about freedom a lot before December 11. We want to keep hearing about freedom. The only way, hon. members, is to have a Speaker who is impartial, a Speaker who is fair, is honest and, above all else, to back up those other things, he must have courage and he must not take orders from anyone except the hon. members of this House.

Now what we are discussing today, hon. members have said they discussed this with regret. I believe that's true of all hon. members on both sides of the House. But it surprises me that maybe, later, Mr. Clerk, hon. members of the backbench of government .... I know members of this House who have expressed doubts many times, whether they were in the government back bench, ministers of government or any other capacity. The hon. member for Skeena (Mr. Shelford) has spoken out many times against injustice regardless of what it may do to him politically. I fully expect, hon. members, to hear from him today because we're looking at a possible injustice. I expect to hear from him and other veteran members of this House. The hon. member for Columbia River (Mr. Chabot) , the hon. member for North Okanagan (Mrs. Jordan) , the hon. member for Chilliwack (Mr. Schroeder) , but, above all else, hon. members, we should hear from the hon. member for North Peace River, the person that is nominated by the Premier and the Provincial Secretary to be the Speaker of this assembly.

The hon. member for Vancouver East (Mr. Macdonald) has stated what he sees the duties of a Speaker should be. I believe this assembly should

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expect the same kind of outline from the hon. member for North Peace River.

Now the question has been raised in this House, hon. members, of whether indeed the Speaker-designate is taking his duties seriously, and whether he is handling them with courage, impartiality and integrity. Correspondence has been read out indicating one memo went to Treasury Board, saying the requests of the members of this House had been passed on to Treasury Board without comment. It seems to indicate that the Speaker-designate is not quite willing to take on the executive council of government. That must be, if we are in a democracy in this House, and indeed in British Columbia. That has to happen, that the Speaker of this assembly is under obligation not to the executive council, but under obligation to all hon. members of this House.

Now what has happened, I remember shortly after the new government came in that the. quarters, the offices of the official opposition were visited by Mr. Dan Campbell, who is from the Premier's office. I walked into a meeting where Mr. Campbell was talking with John Wood, executive assistant to the NDP caucus, wanting to know what he could tell him in regard to what the Speaker's duties should be, whether there should be a bloc vote for funds for the hon. members, how he should carry on, so he could tell the Speaker what to do.

Furthermore, this has proved to me, hon. members, that that has been going on. The direction is running not only from Mr. Dan Campbell of the Premier's office but from the Premier himself. What is it? When the three opposition parties went to the Premier's office and said, "What about our staff?", the Premier said, "You'll have your staff, till March 31." 1 suggest, hon. members, that it was not the duty, or the right, of the Premier to tell the hon. members of the opposition parties that they had that right or they didn't have that right or privilege. It should have been the Speaker- designate.

We had to, the opposition had to go to the Premier's office, because the Premier had already taken on those responsibilities for himself. Press releases, interviews in the press indicated to us that the Premier and members of the Treasury Board were telling the public exactly what the duties and what kind of money this legislature would spend. Now I hand delivered a letter to Mr. Speaker's office a few days ago. I forget the exact date but I don't think that matters for the purposes of debate. I was in talking with the executive assistant to the Speaker-designate, Mrs. Challen. She had informed me previously that Mr. Smith was out of town. I handed the letter to Mrs. Challen. As I was talking with her, Mr. Dan Campbell entered. Within 15 minutes I had a letter delivered to me, signed for the Speaker-designate. I suggest that there was not enough probability that the Speaker-de sign ate be contacted and to have his opinion. I suggest, hon. members, that even the office of the Speaker is taking directives from a non-elected member, namely Mr. Dan Campbell. Now that is the point all hon. members have been making: that the office of Speaker must not only be fair, must not only have courage, but it must be seen to be fair not only by hon. members of this House but the general public of this province. They have to be reassured that democracy will prevail in this House. The only way that can happen is if you have a Speaker who has courage and integrity. At the same time, he must have administrative ability.

Now we were notified, as hon. members, that this session would be taking place, through the hon. Provincial Secretary's office, by the Deputy Provincial Secretary. I have received an invitation from the Premier to attend. It seems rather strange.

"The Premier and executive council of the Province of British Columbia request the pleasure of the company of Mr. G.R. Lea, MLA, at the opening of the Legislative Assembly in the parliament buildings on Wednesday, March IT, 1976 at 3 p.m."

HON. MR. BENNETT: I withdraw it. (Laughter) .

MR. LEA: ... and it says that if I don't pick up my tickets, my reservations will be cancelled. (Laughter) . So even the administrative ability of Mr. Speaker- designates office has to be questioned.

I suggest the government at this point should probably let go of the reins, let someone from the government back bench make another nomination of, another hon. member that could be seconded .... I am sure that any member of the NDP caucus will second any motion to nominate another member of the government side to stand in this parliament as Mr. Speaker.

One final thing, hon. members. How will the people of British Columbia ever be sure - ever be sure - of the intentions Mr. Speaker will carry out unless the Speaker-designate stands in this House and lets us know, as did the hon. member for Vancouver East (Mr. Macdonald) ? We have a right to know and the people of British Columbia have a right to know the views of that hon. member.

MR. NICOLSON: Mr. Clerk, -I move that the hon. member for North Peace River now be heard. (Laughter.)

CLERK: The hon. member has already spoken in this debate. He cannot be permitted to speak twice.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: By leave, by leave.

CLERK: Shall leave be granted?

[ Page 9 ]

Leave not granted.

CLERK: Hon. members, you are now ready for the question. In accordance with the standard practice, the motion for the person first nominated is put first to the hon. members.

The question is that Dean Edward Smith, Esquire, member for North Peace River electoral district, do take the Speaker's chair to preside over the meetings of this assembly.

Motion approved on the following division:

YEAS -- 35

NAYS - 19

CLERK: It is ordered that D. Edward Smith, Esquire, member for North Peace River Electoral District, do take the Speaker's chair and preside over the meetings of this assembly.

MR. N. LEVI (Vancouver-Burrard): Don't pull him too hard now, Bill. Gently.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, permit me to return my humble acknowledgements to the House, and to express my grateful thanks for the great honour that you have been pleased to confer upon me by choosing me to be your Speaker.

Hon. members, I declare a short recess, but request you to keep your seats until my return.

The House took recess at 4:09 p.m.

The House resumed at 4:14 p.m.

Prayers.

CLERK ASSISTANT:

Office of the Deputy Provincial Secretary,
Parliament Buildings, Victoria.
February 25,1976.

Mr. Ian M. Horne,
Q.C. Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.

Dear Sir:

RE: General Election, December 11,1975

His Honour the Lieutenant -Governor by his proclamation issued on the 3rd day of November, 1975, was pleased to dissolve the Legislative Assembly of the Province, and it was necessary to hold elections to fill vacancies caused by such dissolution.

The elections were duly held pursuant to the provisions of the Provincial Elections Act.

I transmit herewith certificates dated January 30,1976 and February 19,1976 (in duplicate) of the Chief Electoral Officer and Registrar-General of Voters, setting forth the names of members who have been elected in the electoral districts indicated on the certificate.

Yours very truly,
(Signed) L.J. Wallace,
Deputy Provincial Secretary

Office of the Chief
Electoral Officer and
Registrar- General of Voters
January 30,1976.

L.J. Wallace, Esq.
Deputy Provincial Secretary
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C.

RE: General Election - 1975

Dear Sir:

The thirtieth Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia was dissolved on November 3,1975, and Writs were issued on that date calling for a General Election. The Writs were made returnable on January 5,1976.

November 27, 19?5, was designated as the day for the nomination of candidates, and December 11,1975, was designated as Polling Day.

Requests were made under Section 122 (1) (c) of the

[ Page 10 ]

Provincial Elections Act for Rechecks in six (6) Electoral Districts; namely, Burnaby North, Coquitlam, Esquimalt, North Vancouver-Capilano, Shuswap and Vancouver- Burrard. All Rechecks were conducted in conjunction with the Final Counts.

Because of requests made under Section 130 (1) of the Provincial Elections Act for Judicial Recounts in the Burnaby North and Coquitlam Electoral Districts, the date for the Return of the Writ from these Districts was amended, in the case of Burnaby North Electoral District to January 16,1976, and in the case of Coquitlam Electoral District to an indefinite date due to an appeal to the British Columbia Court of Appeal arising from the Judicial Recount.

The date for the Return of the Writ from the Skeena Electoral District was amended to January 12,1976, due to delays in completing the Final Count.

I hereby certify that the following members have been elected to represent their respective electoral districts as set out hereunder:

Alberni – Robert Evans Skelly

Atlin – Frank Arthur Calder

Boundary-Similkameen – James Hewitt

Burnaby-Edmonds – Raymond Loewen

Burnaby North – Eileen Elizabeth Dailly

Burnaby-Willingdon – Elwood Neal Veitch

Cariboo – Alexander Vaughan Fraser

Chilliwack – Harvey Wilfred Schroeder

Columbia River – James Roland Chabot

Comox – Karen Sanford

Coquitlam – Vacant

Cowichan-Malahat – Barbara Brookman Wallace

Delta – Walter Kenneth Davidson

Dewdney – George Mussalem

Esquimalt – Lyle Benjamin James Kahl

Fort George – Howard John Lloyd

Kamloops – Kenneth Rafe Mair

Kootenay – George Wayne Haddad

Langley – Robert Howard McClelland

Mackenzie – Donald Frederick Lockstead

Nanaimo – David Daniel Stupich

Nelson-Creston – Lorne Nicolson

New Westminster – Dennis Geoffrey Cocke

North Okanagan – Patricia Jane Jordan

North Peace River – Dean Edward Smith

North Vancouver-Capilano – Gordon Fullerton Gibson

North Vancouver-Seymour – John Davis

Oak Bay – George Scott Wallace

Omineca – Jackie Joseph Kempf

Prince Rupert – Graham Richard Lea

Revelstoke- Slocan – William Stewart King

Richmond – James Arthur Nielsen

Rossland-Trail – Christopher D'Arcy

Saanich and the Islands – Hugh Austin Curtis

Shuswap – Leonard Bawtree

Skeena – Cyril Morley Shelford

South Okanagan – William Richards Bennett

South Peace River – Donald McGray Phillips

Surrey – William N. Vander Zalm

Vancouver-Burrard – Rosemary Brown

Vancouver-Burrard – Norman Levi

Vancouver Centre – Emery Oakland Barnes

Vancouver Centre – Gary Vernon Lauk

Vancouver East – Alexander Barrett Macdonald

Vancouver East – Robert Arthur Williams

Vancouver-Little Mountain – Grace Mary McCarthy

Vancouver-Little Mountain – Evan Maurice Wolfe

Vancouver-Point Grey – Garde Basil Gardom

Vancouver-Point Grey – Patrick Lucey McGeer

Vancouver South – Charles Stephen Rogers

Vancouver South – William Gerald Strongman

Victoria – Charles F. Barber

Victoria – Robert Samuel Bawlf, Jr.

West Vancouver-Howe Sound – Louis Allan Williams

Yale-Lillooet – Thomas Manville Waterland

Yours truly,
(Signed)
Y-L. Morton,
Chief Electoral Officer and
Registrar- General of Voters

And another letter:

February 19, 1976

L.J. Wallace, Esq.,
Deputy Provincial Secretary,
Department of Provincial Secretary,
Parliament Buildings,
Victoria, British Columbia.

Sir:

Pursuant to my certificate of January 30,1976, 1 now enclose the Writ of the Coquitlam Electoral District.

The date for the Return of the aforementioned Writ was amended to an indefinite date due to a Judicial Recount before the County Court of Westminster, followed by an Appeal to the British Columbia Court of Appeal. Said Writ was returned to me on February 19,1976.

Therefore I certify that George Herman Kerster has been elected to represent the Electoral District of Coquitlam.

Yours truly,
(Signed)
K-L. Morton,
Chief Electoral Officer and
Registrar- General of Voters.

HON. G.M. McCARTHY (Provincial Secretary): Mr. Speaker, I move that the letter of the Deputy Provincial Secretary and the certificates of the Chief Electoral Officer of the result of the election of members be entered in the Journals of the House.

[ Page 11 ]

Motion approved.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor re-entered the chamber and took his seat on the throne.

MR. SPEAKER: May it please Your Honour, the House of Assembly has elected me as their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfill the important duties thus assigned to me. If in the performance of those duties I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault will be imputed to me, and not to the assembly whose servant I am, and who, through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to the Queen and country, humbly claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have the freedom of speech in their debates, access to Your Honour's person at all seasonable times, and that, their proceedings may receive from Your Honour the most favorable interpretation.

HON. MRS. McCARTHY: Mr. Speaker, I am commanded by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor to declare to you that he freely confides in the duty and attachment of the House of Assembly to Her Majesty's person and government, and not doubting that their respective proceedings will be conducted with wisdom, temper, and prudence, he grants, and upon all occasions will recognize and allow, their constitutional privileges.

I am commanded also to assure you that the assembly shall have ready access to His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor upon all seasonable occasions, and that their proceedings as well as your words and actions will constantly receive from him the most favourable construction.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

HON. W.S. OWEN (Lieutenant-Governor): Mr. Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly:

I welcome all members to the first session of the 31st Parliament of British Columbia and I congratulate you on gaining the privilege of serving the'- citizens of our province in our Legislature. I express my confidence in your diligence and wisdom for the lasting benefit of the people. Particularly, I welcome the new members who are seated for the first time, and I feel sure their knowledge will benefit the deliberations of this House.

During the past year, our province was honoured by the visits of the President of Iceland, His Excellency Dr. Kristan Eldiorn, and the Foreign Minister of that country, the Hon. Einar Agustsson; the Minister of Commerce and Small Trades of France, the Hon. Norbert Segard; the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the United Kingdom, the Hon. Frederick Pearl; and, as well, by the visits of ambassadors and high commissioners of 20 other countries. A brief visit was made last month by the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and my government welcomed this opportunity to establish a working partnership with the federal government on a number of issues.

Last April, Lord Louis Mountbatten, president of the United World College, attended the opening of the Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific.

I would like to emphasize the importance of the opening of this college and to congratulate our citizens on British Columbia being chosen as the site of this remarkable institution which, in drawing young people from all over the world, must have a profound effect on maintaining and strengthening good international relations.

It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of Mr. H.R. MacMillan, an industrialist and philanthropist of great stature whose name has been for decades synonymous with our greatest industry. Another loss to British Columbia was the death of Charles W. MacSorley, who served his community as alderman and reeve of Burnaby, and his province as president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and as a member of this assembly. Brigadier-General Clark, distinguished soldier, businessman, lawyer, and one-time member of the House of Commons, who died earlier this year, will long be remembered for his contribution to our society and our country.

I also wish to note the recent resignation of the second member for Vancouver East constituency, Mr. Robert Williams. Mr. Williams served as a cabinet minister, from 1972 to 1975 and was a member of this assembly since 1966.

My government has a number of commitments which it plans to fulfil during the term of its mandate, but this first session of the 31st Parliament comes at a time when there is great concern among our citizens for the economy of the province and Canada as a whole, and my government's priorities will be established accordingly.

British Columbia is in a period when both government and the private sector must practise restraint, when the demands that each makes on the other must be reduced, and all must strive to bring greater effort to bear on the problems which beset our province. Leaders in both sectors must set the example.

As part of my government's plan to provide this example, you will be asked to approve a reduction in the amount paid to all members of the Legislative Assembly in this year of restraint. My government will also act to reduce the costs that surround government to demonstrate leadership not only in words but in actions.

Immediately upon taking office, my government acted quickly to co-operate with the federal government on the problem of inflation. Alarming

[ Page 12 ]

cost trends in both the private and public sectors of our economy have been recognized by all governments in Canada. I am pleased to report that my government has already announced that an independent agency will be established to monitor the pricing decisions made by all public service agencies and corporations, and you will be asked to consider legislation authorizing British Columbia's co-operation in the anti-inflation fight.

My government believes that the people of this province support a strong and united Canada. British Columbia remains a major contributor to the wealth and prosperity of this nation. In order to ensure that the voice of British Columbia can be more adequately heard, I was pleased to be advised that my new government was establishing an office of inter-governmental relations. I am pleased to report that improved relationships with our federal government are already in evidence as a result of this move and that a strong western presence has been established through new working relationships with the Province of Alberta.

It was a commitment of my government to ensure that young people in British Columbia be given the opportunity to achieve a medical education in their own province. I am pleased to report that already steps to achieve this goal have been taken by an announced expansion at the University of British Columbia Medical School.

During the period of my government's mandate it will act to rekindle the provincial economy and provide the programmes which will encourage individual enterprise and create new job opportunities which are so badly needed. My government agrees that security of employment is the only effective income security that a free society can afford for the vast majority of its citizens.

My government realizes that it has no money of its own, and that only a healthy economy can provide the revenues which will pay for the programmes which my government wishes to initiate during the term of its mandate.

I was pleased to be advised by my government that not only were specific programmes for this year being announced, but that programmes for the future were under active consideration.

My government has a commitment that during the term of its mandate it will work toward removing taxes on the homes of our senior citizens aged 65 and over. This year you will be asked to take a major step toward achieving this goal.

My government recognizes the urgent need to look after the health-care needs of the province's young people ... our greatest resource.

To this end, I am pleased to report that a new provincial children's hospital will be built in Vancouver. Construction will begin this year.

I am pleased to report that the Department of Education has been asked to review the ways in which provincial operational funding can be offered to independent schools.

My government feels that when a sound economy is restored, local governments should be in partnership with the provincial government in sharing the revenues that a growing economy can provide. I am pleased to advise you that it is hoped to introduce legislation to reach this goal during the term of my government's mandate.

The problems faced by our people in achieving home ownership are to be placed high on the priority list for solution. At this session you will be asked to make a move toward the ideal situation when all of our people can have the opportunity to own their own home and the land under it. Municipalities will be asked to co-operate in the achievement of this goal.

My government also plans to make available Crown lands for moderately priced home sites for British Columbians.

My government advises me that it is necessary to further protect the consumer in British Columbia, and you will be asked to take major steps in legislation to assure the individual safer transactions in the market place.

You will be asked to approve legislation establishing the office of ombudsman for the province to further guarantee the rights of citizens against the weight of big government.

For the first time in British Columbia, my government has established a Department of Environment to reflect its concern and commitment to safeguard our environmental heritage.

Members of this assembly will be asked to consider legislation which will establish for the first time a provincial auditor-general. This office will provide an independent watchdog over the finances of the province, which will guard us against errors of the past.

To bring further accountability by government to its citizens, my government is working toward the provision of quarterly financial reports.

The Province of British Columbia has a history of commitment., to those people in our society who are in need. This Legislature (in 1942) was the first in Canada to provide a supplement to the old-age pension, and subsequent Legislatures have maintained British Columbia's leadership by extending benefits to lower age groups.

To guarantee the continuance of these programmes, my government will make the necessary adjustments to ensure that government payments go only to those in genuine need.

With proper regulation, my government can continue to extend income aid to those in genuine need beyond the age limits now in place. You will be. asked to consider the British Columbia Guaranteed

[ Page 13 ]

Additional Income for Need Act. This new Act will extend income benefits to qualifying persons in the 55-59 age group and all single-parent families. This new British Columbia income-assistance plan will be further evidence that British Columbia shall once again lead this nation in providing income support to those in genuine need.

My government believes that the Legislature must retain its fundamental role as the custodian of the taxpayers' trust. Through centuries of struggle, parliament fought for and won the "power of the purse". In order that this Legislature can once more enjoy the privilege of this ancient right, you will be asked to approve amendments to the Revenue Act which will prevent the Minister of Finance investing money in common shares without the approval of the Legislature. In addition, you will be asked to approve legislation which will prevent other ministers of the Crown from making investments in their own right.

You will be asked to approve changes in legislation relating to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia which will remove the necessity for political involvement in the setting of the rate structures.

It is further contemplated during the term of my government's mandate to bring legislation which will create an authority to review all rate applications made by Crown corporations and agencies.

During the term of its mandate, my government will seek to establish an independent commission for the purpose of achieving electoral reform. Therefore, later, and before the next election, you will be asked to consider legislation to improve the electoral machinery, provide for fair representation and clearly define rules for political campaign expenditures.

It is with regret that I advise you that my government is forced to ask your approval to borrow money for current accounts. The advice to my government from the independent auditing firm, Clarkson, Gordon and Company, has indicated what our financial requirements will be. Therefore, for one time only, you will be asked to approve the British Columbia Deficit Repayment Act 1975/6.

Unfortunately, this will be the first time since February, 1952, that British Columbia will be forced to borrow to pay for current accounts.

My government was shocked at the statistics of accident incidence and resulting injuries among single male drivers under 25 years of age, and the social costs ~that these represent. Because of this, my government has introduced the British Columbia Safe Driver Incentive Plan aimed specifically at this group of drivers.

My government hopes, through the provision of incentives which reward the careful driver, to reduce the alarming toll of accidents and injuries now. It also considers this to be an investment in the future by encouraging safe driving habits which will remain with the driver for the rest of his life.

I am more than pleased to advise you that for me first time the Government of the Province of -British Columbia has agreed to meet with the Government of Canada to discuss the concerns of our Indian people. A historic meeting has already taken place between the federal Minister for Indian Affairs, representatives of the Nishga people, and the minister of my government responsible for native affairs.

My government sees a strong future developing during the term of its mandate, and a major role for British Columbia to play in Canada's future.

I am pleased to report that, despite the current economic difficulties which face our province and Canada as a whole, my government has the confidence that British Columbia has the strength to meet the challenges which lie ahead. It will plan to continue and develop social programmes, even though other provinces are talking of closures and cutbacks in services to people.

My government, while committed to restraint and effecting economies in government spending, will not abandon its strong social commitment toward the less fortunate in our society.

And so during this first session of this 31st Parliament, I give into your capable hands these and other matters which may come before you, and I ask your most careful attention and I pray that Divine Providence may guide your deliberations. Mr. Speaker and hon. members, I leave you now to the discharge of your legislative duties.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, in order to prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor's speech.

THE IN-LAWS ACT

Hon. Mr. Gardom presents a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled The In-laws Act.

Bill I introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

HON. MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I move that the speech of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor be taken into consideration at the next sitting of the House, and that this order have precedence over all other business, except introduction of bills, until disposed of.

[ Page 14 ]

Motion approved.

HON. MRS. McCARTHY: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Votes and Proceedings of this House be printed, being first perused by Mr. Speaker, and that he do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as he shall appoint do presume to print the same.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I move that the select standing committees of this House for the present session be appointed for the following purposes:

1. On Standing Orders and Private Bills;
2. On Public Accounts and Economic Affairs;
3. On Agriculture;
4. On Municipal Affairs and Housing;
5. On Labour and Justice;
6. On Health, Education and Human Resources;
7. On Transportation and Communications;
8. On Environment and Resources; which said committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House, and to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers and records, and that a special committee be appointed to prepare and report with all convenient speed lists of members to compose the above select standing committees of this House under standing order 68 (l) , said committee to be composed of the Hon. Grace McCarthy, the Hon. R.H. McClelland, and Messrs. Chabot, King and Gibson.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I move that Harvey Wilfred Schroeder, Esquire, member for Chilliwack Electoral District, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to move a motion.

Leave granted.

HON. MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I move that report No. 9 of the Select Standing Committee on Standing Orders and Private Bills, . adopted by this House on February 27,1973, relating to oral questions, be adopted by this House for the present session.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I ask leave to move a motion.

Leave granted.

HON. MR. BENNETT: Mr. Speaker, I move that on each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this session there will be two distinct sittings on each day: one from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and one from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m., and on each Friday there will be one sitting from 10 a.m. until I p.m. unless otherwise ordered.

Motion approved.

Presenting reports.

Hon. Mr. Wolfe presents the Public Accounts for the Province of British Columbia for the year ending March 31,1975.

Hon. Mr. Bennett moves adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 4: 5 3 p. m.