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CONTENTS

Point of Privilege

Mr. Macdonald — 3405

Mr. Speaker — 3405

Routine proceedings

Prorogation — 3406

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1977

The House met at 10 a.m.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, would you please stand?

MR. A.B. MACDONALD (Vancouver East): Mr. Speaker, I have a point of privilege. A point of privilege is always in order.

I was on my feet when the mace was on the table. That means that parliament is still sitting, and a point of privilege is always in order.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor....

MR. MACDONALD: Yes, but the rights of parliament are important too, Mr. Speaker. The rights of the Crown are there, but the rights of parliament are here, and when the mace is on the table a member has a right to speak and to raise a point of privilege, and a point of privilege is always in order. I would like to state my point of privilege.

I was on my feet when the mace was on the table, which means that parliament is still in session, and a member cannot be denied the right to speak on a point of privilege.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, I'm sure you will recall a previous occasion in a ruling by Hon. Speaker Gordon Dowding on a matter which was being raised by a member...

MR. MACDONALD: Yes, but....

MR. SPEAKER: ...at the time of prorogation. It was fully covered in the Journals of this House, not only on the day of prorogation but also in a further statement the following day to the members of this House.

MR. MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker....

MR. SPEAKER: His Honour is about to enter.

MR. MACDONALD: Mr. Speaker, with respect, the mace was on the table, and a point of privilege.... That was not the point raised on the previous occasion. A point of privilege is always in order, and I want the right to speak my point of privilege as an elected member of this parliament, because the moment the prorogation of the House takes place then we have seen — I would like to state this — the end of the bills that are still on the order paper, with no chance for the elected members to debate them, and in particular Bill 54 to save the independent service station operators....

Interjections.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.

MR. MACDONALD: If we have assurance from the Premier, Mr. Speaker, that that bill will be restored to the order paper at 2 o'clock, then I will be content.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please.

MR. MACDONALD: Otherwise we, as a so-called free parliament, are simply capitulating to the international oil companies.

Interjections.

MR. SPEAKER: His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor is about to enter the chamber. Would all members please stand?

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor entered the chamber and took his place in the chair.

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

It is with great pleasure that I address you on this closing day of the First Session of the Thirty-first Parliament of British Columbia. I express my appreciation for the earnest attention and careful consideration you have given to the Bills, Resolutions, the Supply granted to Her Majesty, and the other numerous and important matters which I outlined in my message to you on opening this Parliament on March 17, 1976.

During the session, 56 Bills were passed, many of them new Bills of great significance to the future of the province.

In the field of finance the British Columbia Deficit Repayment Act was passed providing borrowing authority to raise funds for repayment of prior deficits. Under the Special Funds Revenue Recovery Act, all money in certain special funds was transferred back to Consolidated Revenue. Necessary increases in taxes were provided under the Income Tax Amendment Act, Social Services Tax Amendment Act, and Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Amendment Act. The necessary legislation was passed to enable the Province to participate in the Federal anti-inflation program, under the Anti-Inflation Measures Act. The Provincial Home-owner Grant Amendment Act raised to $380 the home-owner tax relief for persons over the age of 65 years. Furthermore, in order to ensure that the financial affairs of the Province are kept in order, an Auditor General Act was passed providing for the appointment of an auditor general upon the recommendation of a special committee of this

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Legislative Assembly.

In order to facilitate the reorganization of the Executive Government of the Province, a Government Reorganization Act was passed.

In the Attorney-General's area of jurisdiction a uniform Extra-provincial Custody Orders Enforcement Act and an Interprovincial Subpoena Act were passed. A Judicial Review Procedure Act provided for a simple procedure in applications for prerogative writs. A new Sheriffs Act emphasized the Provincial responsibility for sheriff services and the necessary role of sheriffs in the administration of justice. The Credit Unions Act and the Companies Act were amended.

Ferry services in the Province were placed under the control of a Crown corporation under the British Columbia Ferry Corporation Act. Similarly, all Government buildings and property were placed under the jurisdiction of a Crown corporation under the British Columbia Buildings Corporation Act.

In the field of mining and petroleum resources the Prospectors Assistance Amendment Act, Mineral Amendment Act, Mineral Resource Tax Act, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas (1965) Amendment Act were all focused on the need for economic stability and increased productivity in the mining and petroleum industries.

The Guaranteed Available Income for Need Act was passed to provide an improved system of social assistance for the people of our Province.

Legislation in the field of labour was represented by amendments to the Labour Code of British Columbia and a new Public Construction Fair Wages Act.

A new Public Service Act was passed to set up a Government Employee Relations Bureau as agent of the Treasury Board with jurisdiction over establishment, classification, and salaries of public servants. The Public Service Labour Relations Act was amended accordingly.

In addition, amendments to a great number of existing Acts of various departments were made.

Therefore, at the close of this session, I wish to congratulate you on the substantial legislative program which you have achieved, and I trust that the blessing of Divine Providence will be with you as you shortly resume your duties.

HON. G.M. McCARTHY (Provincial Secretary): Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, it is His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor's will and pleasure that the Legislative Assembly be prorogued until 2 p.m. today, and this provincial Legislative Assembly is hereby prorogued accordingly.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

The House prorogued at 10:15 a.m.