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CONTENTS

Routine proceedings

Speech from the Throne (Hon. W.S. Owen) — 1

Survivorship and Presumption of Death Amendment Act, 1977 (Bill 1) Hon. Mr. Gardom.

Introduction and first reading — 7

THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1977

The House met at 2 p.m.

This being the first day of the second 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.

Prayers.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having entered the House and being seated upon the throne, was pleased to deliver the following gracious speech.

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

I welcome all members to this second session of the 31st parliament of British Columbia, and express my confidence that you will discharge your duties wisely for the lasting benefit of all the citizens of this province.

As we begin a new year, my government is pleased to report that much progress has been made in developing effective economic and social programmes for the people of the province while containing the growth and size of government. The programme you will be asked to consider at this session continues that policy of positive action through legislation which my government believes will lead over the next decade to the sure and sound development of the province, providing the desired economic and social benefits. All members will be challenged in terms of time and energy in dealing with legislative matters that will be presented for their consideration.

I note with sadness the death during the past year of William Neelands Chant, who was elected to this Legislative Assembly in 1953 and served as Minister of Public Works from 1956 to 1972. Mr. Chant worked long and hard in public service for his fellow British Columbians.

It is also with regret that I learn of the death of Roy Thomas Cummings on May 25, 1976. Mr. Cummings was a valued and popular member of the 30th Legislative Assembly for Vancouver–Little Mountain.

The province also suffered a loss in the passing of Mr. Robert Cecil Steele, a member of the Legislature for Omineca from 1949 to 1952.

We also mourn the deaths in 1976 of two notable British Columbians: Mr. T.G. Norris, a former justice of the British Columbia Court of Appeal, and Mr. Roderick Haig-Brown, author and environmentalist.

During the past year the province was honoured by the visits of many distinguished people. His Excellency, Governor-General Jules Leger, accompanied by Mme. Leger, opened the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements in Vancouver in June last year. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau addressed that assembly. Both the Governor-General and Prime Minister made official visits to Victoria and to Government House. It is worth noting that this Vancouver meeting was the first United Nations conference to be held in a city that is not a national capital. More than 100 countries were represented either by a head of state or by a senior government representative.

Among other visitors to our province were United States Senator Henry Jackson, Governor Dan Evans of Washington state, Governor Robert Straub of the State of Oregon, and Stefan Olszowski, Foreign Minister for Poland.

A tri-partite meeting was held in Victoria between my first minister, Governor Jay Hammond of the State of Alaska, and Commissioner A.M. Pearson of the Yukon Territory.

In all, 15 ambassadors accompanied by other representatives from their countries paid official visits during the past year.

My government is pleased to welcome back into the House, after a short absence, the first member for Vancouver East and the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Mr. David Barrett, who was successful in a by-election in his constituency on June 3, 1976.

The past year has been one of challenge and difficulty for all of us in British Columbia. It was a year in which my government was required to face serious economic problems and to deal with them decisively. My government established and practised a policy of restraint and accountability, and because of that was able to take a number of positive actions to provide our people with tangible benefits. During the past year, this Legislature passed an Act to provide for the appointment of an Auditor-General, upon the recommendation of a special committee of this assembly and during this year my government introduced, for the first time, the practice of providing quarterly financial reports to keep our people informed on the state of their province.

Steps were taken to improve the operational efficiency of Crown corporations and agencies. To ensure that government ministries exercise restraint in their use of office space, this Legislature passed the B.C. Buildings Corporation Act. To improve ferry service in the province, the ferry system became the responsibility of a Crown corporation under the British Columbia Ferry Corporation Act.

My government reports that improved performance has been shown during the year by the Crown corporations. My government believes that much of the credit for the improvement must go to the citizens who have accepted responsibility on the boards of the corporations. While maintaining

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accountability, my government has attempted to de-emphasize political influence in the operation of the corporations and rely on people of talent and energy to manage the affairs of the corporations in the best interests of all their fellow citizens. I add my thanks to that of my government for the fine work being performed by these directors of our Crown corporations.

In regard to direct services to people, I was pleased that the members of this Legislature enacted the Guaranteed Available Income for Need Act which greatly expanded income support for people in genuine need. This legislation, which came into effect in October last year, extends benefits by lowering the qualifying age to 55 and covers single-parent families, single mothers abandoned with children, and certain handicapped persons.

Significant progress has been made in the development of health care. The home-care programme has continued to grow and expand its services throughout our province. My Minister of Health has announced that construction is to begin on a major addition to the medical school at the University of British Columbia to train more doctors for our people.

I am pleased to report that in 1976 eighteen major hospital projects were underway or completed throughout British Columbia at an estimated cost of $33.5 million. Emphasis has been placed on the need for extended-care beds. At the end of the year, there were 4,320 extended-care beds in British Columbia; more than 1,600 additional extended-care beds were under construction or in the planning stage and, of these, about 500 are expected to be opened by the end of March this year.

My government has over the years, moved to decentralize programmes for the mentally disabled by making treatment services available at the community level. Out-patient clinics have been opened in Victoria and Vancouver under the Forensic Psychiatric Services Commission to assist mentally disturbed persons. During 1976 there were greatly increased admissions to the province's 30 community mental health centres and to the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service. This increase has been accompanied by a decrease in the patient population at Riverview Hospital. In October, 1976, there were 1,240 patients at Riverview compared with 1,396 a year earlier. This change is making it possible to use Riverview increasingly as a specialized referral centre.

To encourage stability and productivity in the mining and petroleum industries, this Legislature last year approved the Prospectors Assistance Amendment Act, the Mineral Resource Tax Act and the Petroleum and Natural Gas (1965) Amendment Act. I am pleased to report that the petroleum and natural gas industry significantly revived exploration and development within the province in 1976. For example, the number of wells authorized for drilling as of December 15, 1976, was 173. This contrasts with the corresponding figure of 78 for the same period of 1975.

Mineral exploration in the province during 1976 has almost tripled over the activity recorded in 1975. My government is hopeful this activity will increase further during 1977 and result ultimately in new mining production in British Columbia.

During the first eight months of 1976, the total value of all forest products shipped in British Columbia reached $2.86 billion, a 28 per cent increase over the corresponding period of 1975.

My government intends to provide more opportunity to the private sector this year and in the years ahead. The strong, positive action taken by my government in the year just past to restrain demands upon the economy and encourage initiative and enterprise by our citizens has provided a broad base on which to build. It is now the intention to develop investment in the province by encouraging those who live here to keep their capital at work in British Columbia, and by encouraging those who live outside our borders to invest here. It is my government's firm belief that the province will develop through investment by people, not through investment by government. My government welcomes the recent announcement by a major forest corporation of a $125 million capital programme in British Columbia.

While my government has worked hard for economic and social improvement, it is concerned that the rate of unemployment as this session opens is still unacceptably high. There has been growth in the provincial economy during the year, and the economy has shown an encouraging improvement in its capacity to absorb new people into the work force. But more jobs must still be provided.

My first minister advises that the need for restraint and the lowering of expectations in all sectors of the provincial economy must continue. This province, along with all other provinces, joined the anti-inflation programme of the Government of Canada in 1976 but believes that British Columbia's restraint in this crucial year should extend beyond the guidelines. Building a strong and productive economy that will pay significant social dividends is slow, steady but painstaking work, and all the citizens of the province will be challenged in this endeavour.

An exporting province such as British Columbia cannot afford to price itself out of world markets. The major industries involved in producing for the world must continue to make their contribution to government in the form of taxes if social programmes are to be maintained and improved.

My government believes this province must pause and let the rest of the world catch up in terms of costs. If our people can hold down their demands this year and next, my government believes there will be

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more benefits for all in the years that follow. This period in which we live presents a challenge to all British Columbians, for government by itself can only play a part in restoring vitality to the economy. All the people must participate.

For its part, my government has participated actively in discussions on the national scene and has proposed positive measures that will meet the regional and economic realities of today.

I am pleased to report that the Office of Intergovernmental Relations, which is responsible to my first minister, has made it possible for British Columbia to achieve much greater impact on the national and international scene.

This new office, for example, is developing a capacity for a more co-ordinated approach to trade missions. The Canadian Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Bruce Rankin, and the Canadian Ambassador to China, Mr. Arthur Menzies, visited British Columbia in September and October to be briefed on my government's priorities in our relationships with countries on the Pacific Rim.

Across the country today there are those who would seek a simple solution to some of Canada's problems by breaking up this great confederation. My government believes it can offer a better solution. My government has been arguing for a more flexible union between the regions and the national government to keep Canada strong — and together. My first minister believes that a country as large in area and as small in population as Canada cannot live and grow within a rigid federal system. If it can be recognized that there are five different regions in Canada, that different solutions are required in those different regions, and if a working relationship can be developed between those regions, then my government believes Canada will be a stronger country, not a weaker one.

During the year my ministers represented British Columbia at various national meetings dealing with the constitution and other matters falling within their jurisdictions.

Apart from making recommendations on the constitution, my government ministers have made other recommendations designed to encourage solutions to pressing economic problems facing Canadians today. My first minister has recommended that various income supplements and equalization payments be rationalized into a single income programme to bring greater equity to all Canadians rather than contribute to the cost of expensive government. My government believes a negative income tax would accomplish what existing programmes and equalization payments have failed to do — guarantee a basic standard of living for families and individuals whose incomes are below an established "poverty line." Current federal studies supplementing the findings of the Special Senate Committee on Poverty should be made available immediately to the provinces to form a basis for federal-provincial discussion on ways of achieving equity in the Canada we know today.

Participation in meetings of the national and provincial governments is a clear sign that my government is not acting in isolation from the national government in the solution of our problems. A new spirit of cooperation exists between my government and that in Ottawa in discussions embracing the coastal ferry system, extended and improved rail transportation and other development in our north and utilization within our province of funds from the Department of Regional Economic Expansion. My government hopes to conclude new agreements in this regard this year as part of its economic strategy for British Columbia.

In the last year this Legislature passed the Government Reorganization Act. This Act provided for the reorganization of portfolios previously known as "departments" into "ministries" and for greater public understanding of the programmes for which each ministry is responsible. The Department of Consumer Services became the Ministry of Consumer and Corporate Affairs; the Department of Recreation and Travel Industry became the Ministry of Recreation and Conservation; the Department of the Provincial Secretary became the Ministry of the Provincial Secretary and Travel Industry; and the Department of Transport and Communications became the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Communications.

On October 29 last year I was pleased to administer the oath of office to the Hon. James J. Hewitt, who was sworn in as the Minister of Agriculture; to the Hon. James Roland Chabot, who was sworn in as the Minister of Mines and Petroleum Resources; and to the Hon. Sam Bawlf, who was sworn in as the Minister of Recreation and Conservation.

All my ministers have applied themselves diligently to the tasks ahead and you will be asked to approve a number of proposals aimed at achieving my government's goals of economic development leading to greater job opportunities and improved social benefits for our people.

In addition to instituting accountability in financial affairs by establishing the office of auditor-general, my first minister advises that you will be asked to bring accountability into human affairs by establishing, at this session, the office of ombudsman for British Columbia. This will honour a commitment of my government.

A more adequate "conflict of interest" statute for public officials will be placed before you for your consideration and approval at this session.

Just as my government believes there should be an effective decentralization of powers and

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responsibilities on the national scene, so does my government believe that this concept should apply to relationships with the local governments within the province.

At this session you will be asked to approve legislative proposals to provide a formula for sharing between my government and local governments.

My government will propose legislation that will expand the responsibility of local government in the field of community planning.

You will be asked to approve legislation which will give our citizens more direct access to the regulatory process that controls the quality of community development and the use of land.

My Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has advised me that he will introduce an Urban Transportation Authority Act which will co-ordinate provincial and local government roles in providing public transportation.

You will be asked to approve legislation for the universal registration of mobile homes in our province.

My government made a commitment to improve the quality of life for the people of British Columbia and I am pleased to advise you action will be taken on this through a number of proposals which will be placed before you during the session.

My government's continuing concern for the improvement of benefits to senior citizens will be further expressed during the legislative session. My Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has advised me that you will be asked to approve a programme which will provide monthly shelter allowances for persons over the age of 65 years.

I am pleased to report that my new Minister of Recreation and Conservation intends to provide senior citizens with the free use of provincial campsites.

I am more than pleased to report to you that my first minister has advised that my government will continue to place health, education and human resources programmes at the top of its priority list.

This will include a programme of universal Pharmacare. As members of the Legislature are aware, previous governments implemented support programmes for the provision of necessary prescription drugs to social assistance cases as early as 1933, and to low-income persons in July 1972. In 1974, these two plans, which together served more than 200,000 persons, were amalgamated and benefits extended to those over 65 years of age. This action provided Pharmacare to about 450,000 people, or about 25 per cent of the population of this province. I am pleased to say this plan will be adjusted at this session to provide a more realistic Pharmacare programme which will assure that all the approximately 2.5 million people in British Columbia have assistance in the purchase of prescription drugs.

My government, through the Ministry of Health, is expanding its services in the treatment of those suffering from alcoholism. Increasing alcoholism is of great concern. Approval was given during the year for the Alcohol and Drug Commission to develop an improved programme of services throughout the province which will ultimately include provision of a residential treatment centre in each of four areas. At the year-end, detailed planning was underway for a detoxification unit in New Westminster and a model residential treatment centre in the Lower Fraser Valley. These are but two examples of new steps which are being taken.

Bearing in mind the great distances and difficult terrain of this province, my government has taken steps to improve the air ambulance service throughout British Columbia. This service will now be available between the remote areas and major treatment centres without heavy cost to the patient.

My Minister of Health reports to me that this equalized plan will include the provision of escort service to patients where necessary. When this escort service is authorized in advance, there will be no cost to the patient.

Through the newly structured Ministry of Education, my government has embarked upon a programme to emphasize performance in education. School programmes will now fall into three categories — that which must be learned, that which should be learned, and that which may be learned. The material which must be learned will be contained in a core curriculum to be introduced in our schools in September, 1977. The goals of a core curriculum, distributed in booklet form by the Ministry of Education, are now being studied by parents, trustees and teachers.

My Ministry of Education will introduce legislation that will lead eventually to the provision of financial support for non-public schools for the first time since the introduction of the Public Schools Act of 1872.

My Ministry of Human Resources and my Ministry of the Attorney-General have been given the responsibility by my government for a co-ordinated and more effective system of developing programmes for children in care.

My government will establish top priorities within these two ministries so that, once again, British Columbia can lead Canada in the provision of services to those children of our province who are in need of public care.

I wish to report to you that my Attorney-General will be placing before you a substantial number of revisions to various statutes which fall within the jurisdiction of his ministry.

My government will direct considerable attention to enhancing the strength and importance of the family unit in British Columbia society. The family court will

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continue to provide support and counselling for families experiencing a crisis. However, in those instances where all help has been exhausted and divorce is inevitable, my government proposes to introduce legislation which will ensure that property is shared justly between the partners to the marriage.

My government believes that the treatment of children is a measure of a society's worth. Unfortunately, a very few have generated a great deal of public concern through their continued illegal behaviour. I am advised that my government plans to strengthen our ability to both protect the public and help these youngsters who pose a serious threat to themselves and society. For this reason legislation will be introduced which will permit authorities to contain young offenders under the age of 17 in secure environments. They will be given an opportunity to learn how to live as law-abiding members of society.

My government proposes an aggressive attack on the impaired driving problem. My Attorney-General will be taking special initiatives to co-ordinate and focus government resources to remove the drinking driver from our roads. The people of British Columbia will be called upon to take personal responsibility for reducing this social — and criminal — problem.

Legislation will be introduced updating the present Land Registry Act. My government has a continuing concern for the workers of British Columbia and desires that they should be able to enjoy a high standard of working conditions. My Minister of Labour has reported to me that this Legislature will be asked to approve a new uniform code which will govern the quality of the working place;

One of my government's programmes to create more jobs includes a programme to improve working opportunities for the young people of British Columbia. My Ministry of Labour has been given the responsibility for co-ordinating with all other ministries and the private sector a more effective summer employment programme.

As I have related to you, the priorities of my government are designed to improve the quality of life for the citizens of British Columbia — and not to be ignored is the fundamental fact that the provision of an adequate highway system is an important way in which this objective can be reached.

During the latter part of 1976 the highway reconstruction and resurfacing programme was intensified to help stop the deterioration of our existing highway system. This programme will continue during 1977. Traffic counts on all highways, however, continue to grow at astonishing rates. This tends to reduce the desired level of service for our people. The Trans-Canada Highway, in the summer months particularly, is overcrowded and indications are that it will get worse. My government will continue to add additional passing lanes where practical to temporarily improve the level of service.

In the long run, however, I am advised a new route is needed from the interior to the coast. The last major new highway route to the coast in the southern part of the province was the Hope-PrincetonHighway, which was completed 28 years ago, in 1949. For these reasons, my government has directed my Minister of Highways and Public Works to proceed as soon as possible with the design and construction of a highway from Merritt to Hope through the Coquihalla Pass. This will require the construction of 70 miles of new highway.

From the beginning, my government has recognized that maximum benefits and opportunities for our people can only flow from successful resource industry and business development. I have reported on encouraging signs of activity in our forest and mining sectors. In addition, I am pleased to report that the land resources of our province are to be managed to provide more of our own food, For example, my new Minister of Agriculture advises that programmes will be implemented to expand the production of quality forage.

My government recognizes that to achieve the maximum benefit from our resources for the people of this province it is necessary that a team approach be developed within government itself. Efforts of government must be co-ordinated. For this reason my government has given the Ministry of Economic Development the prime responsibility for advancing a flexible economic strategy, and that will involve a number of different ministries. This responsibility includes the development of new markets, the promotion of jointly sponsored programmes with the federal government, and the extension of opportunity to the private sector.

My government continues in the belief that government cannot be expected to develop a sound economy on its own. Only with willing and imaginative assistance from thousands of participants in the individual enterprise system can we expect our province to prosper. My Ministry of Economic Development will have the continuing responsibility of channelling this participation into a united effort for the benefit of us all.

My government continues to recognize the need to improve communication at all levels between its ministries, boards, commissions, and Crown agencies. A comprehensive review of information services within the public service of this province was conducted in 1976, and it is our intention to continue the process of implementing of those changes which will lead to more effective operation of government, and improve the flow of information to the citizens of British Columbia.

Recognizing that travel is of great economic importance to the people of this province, new initiatives are being undertaken by my government to

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further improve tourism in British Columbia.

New programmes have been started, and others restructured, to bring about functional improvements. One new programme is aimed at British Columbians, creating a greater awareness of the benefits of tourism to the people and the province. At the same time, a convention division, operating out of Vancouver, will stimulate that side of the industry, further promoting British Columbia as a year-round destination for travellers.

During this session my government will express its continuing concern for the consumer in our society. My two ministries of Consumer and Corporate Affairs and Energy, Transport and Communications have been directed by my government to make major advances on behalf of the consumer.

New legislation will be introduced by my Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs to develop an umbrella of protection for consumers through amendments to the Consumer Protection Act and the Motor Dealers Licensing Act, and in a new Travel Industry Act.

I have been informed that the Ministry of Energy, Transport and Communications will place before this Legislature measures to help those consumers in our province who want to use electricity in areas not now covered under the existing system of rural electrification grants.

As this Legislature knows, my government has been studying the report on gasoline marketing in British Columbia, prepared by the British Columbia Energy Commission. It is looking for ways in which to keep prices down and, at the same time, ensure that the small retailers of gasoline will continue to play an important role in the marketing of gasoline.

As already described, my government's concern for the quality of life for our citizens ranges over all the ministries on which I have reported to you so far.

However, my government wishes me to advise this House that the Ministries of Environment, Recreation and Conservation and the Provincial Secretary and Travel Industry will be placing before you during this session new measures which will further achieve this government's basic objectives of bettering the life of the citizens of British Columbia.

Many of these new measures are interrelated, and they include a new programme of grants for community museums.

My Ministry of Environment and my Ministry of Recreation and Conservation will be working together for the purpose of expanding our inventory of open space.

I have been advised by my Minister of the Environment that this Legislature will be asked to approve a new Green Belt Act to protect ecologically sensitive areas and to designate certain areas for environmental purposes.

For the first time, the outdoor and indoor leisure services of government have become the responsibility of a single ministry. This will implement the commitment of this government to broaden support for recreational activities of all kinds and to make them more effective.

My Minister of Recreation and Conservation has also advised me of new programmes designed to consolidate the planning and presentation of historic and archaeological sites and heritage buildings. An important part of this programme will be the provision to communities of technical assistance in the heritage field. In addition, under this ministry, my government will be able to provide a more broadly based service to our citizens who seek to maintain fitness and participation in lifetime sports.

Of great interest is my advice from this new ministry that this assembly will be asked to approve legislation which will enable this province to participate with Canada, Alaska, and the Yukon in establishing the Klondike Gold Rush International Park.

This assembly will also be asked to approve legislation which will establish a B.C. Heritage Trust to assist the many people in our province who are seeking to preserve our unique history.

Together, my Ministry of Environment and my Ministry of Recreation and Conservation will give special attention to the management of the new 200-mile coastal economic zone in relation to the ongoing salmonid enhancement programme.

In summary, my first minister assures me that all our ministries will enjoy a broad mandate for developing and furthering programmes which will improve the quality of life for all the citizens of British Columbia.

My government is approaching this session and the year 1977 in a spirit of cautious optimism. My ministers believe they have prepared the province through a programme of restraint and prudent management for the economic recovery that shows signs of getting underway. The programmes which will be laid before you for consideration are, in the opinion of my government, logical and desirable, and are an indication of the benefits that can be earned by a people devoted to restraint and hard work.

Mr. Speaker, hon. members, I leave you now with the confidence that all matters which may come before you will receive your most careful attention, and I pray that Divine Providence may guide your deliberations. I leave you now to the discharge of your legislative duties.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

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

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Introduction of bills.

SURVIVORSHIP AND PRESUMPTION
OF DEATH AMENDMENT ACT (1977)

On a motion by Hon. Mr. Gardom, Bill 1, Survivorship, and Presumption of Death Amendment Act, 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.

MR. G.V. LAUK (Vancouver Centre): Is that the Don Phillips Protection Act?

HON. G.B. GARDOM (Attorney-General): Mr. Speaker, I move that the appointment of Ian B. Izard of Victoria as Law Clerk and Clerk-Assistant to the Legislative Assembly, approved by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, by and with the advice of his executive council on the second day of December, 1976, and effective on the first day of January, 1977, be now ratified pursuant to the provisions of section 44 of the Constitution Act, being chapter 71 of the Revised Statutes of British Columbia (1960).

Motion approved.

HON. W.R. BENNETT (Premier): 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.

Motion approved.

HON. G.M. McCARTHY (Provincial Secretary and Minister of Travel Industry): 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: on standing orders and private bills; on public accounts and economic affairs; on agriculture; on municipal affairs and housing; on labour and justice; on health, education and human resources; on transportation and communications; 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 a report, with all convenient speed, of lists of members to compose the above select standing committees of this House under standing order 68(1), said committee to be composed of the Hon. Grace McCarthy, Hon. R.H. McClelland, Mrs. Jordan, and Messrs. King and Gibson.

Motion approved.

MR. W.G. STRONGMAN (Vancouver South): Mr. Speaker, I would like to respectfully move that Harvey Wilfred Schroeder, Esq., member for Chilliwack electoral district, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

MR. W.S. KING (Revelstoke-Slocan): Mr. Speaker, the member for Chilliwack has acquitted himself well and judiciously in the chair, and I take pleasure in seconding the motion.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM: Mr. Speaker, I would 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. GARDOM: 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. to 11 p.m.; and on each Friday there will be one sitting from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. unless otherwise ordered.

Motion approved.

Presenting reports.

The following reports were presented by Hon. Mrs. McCarthy:

Twenty-first annual report of the business done in pursuance of the Members of the Legislative Assembly Superannuation Act, year ended March 31, 1976.

Forty-first annual report of the business done in pursuance of the Public Service Superannuation Act, year ended March 31, 1976.

Thirty-seventh annual report of the business done in pursuance of the Municipal Superannuation Act, year ended December 31, 1975.

Eighth annual report of the business done in

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pursuance of the College Pension Act, year ended August 31, 1976.

Thirty-fifth annual report of the business done in pursuance of the Teachers' Pension Act, year ended December 31, 1975.

Sixteenth annual report of the business done under the Public Service Benefit Plans Act, policy year July 1, 1975, to June 30, 1976, group life insurance programmes.

The Capital Improvement District Commission statement of receipts and disbursements for the year ended March 31, 1976.

Hon. Mr. Gardom presented the report of the Law Reform Commission of British Columbia concerning The Rule in Bain v. Fothergill.

Hon. Mr. McClelland presented the 1975 annual report of the Department of Health.

Hon. Mr. Wolfe presented the Public Accounts for British Columbia for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1976, the return submitted in accordance with section 46(2) of the Revenue Act, Revised Statutes of British Columbia (1960); refunds and remissions made under section 46(1) of the Revenue Act, Revised Statutes of British Columbia (1960), during the calendar year 1976; the statement of unclaimed money deposits under authority of the Unclaimed Money Deposits Act, Revised Statutes of British Columbia (1960), for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1976.

Hon. Mr. Gardom moves adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 3:12 p.m.