[ Page 1179 ]

CONTENTS

Routine proceedings

Prorogation –– 1179

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1980

The House met at 10 a.m.

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

HON. MR. BELL-IRVING (Lieutenant-Governor): Mr. Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly, in closing this first session of the thirty-second parliament, I am pleased to express my appreciation for the care and dedication you have shown in the handling of all matters that were before you.

I am grateful that legislation has been enacted which, due to the sound economic policies of my government, has brought fiscal relief to our people through a substantial reduction in a number of taxes. The provincial sales tax has been brought to its lowest level in 26 years; the provincial personal income tax rate was reduced from 46 percent to 44 percent, to become the second lowest in Canada; and the exemption level for the corporation capital tax was raised to free 16,000 small businesses from its burden.

As this province enters a new decade, you have acted to allow the people to share the wealth of its natural resources through individual ownership of the British Columbia Resources Investment Corporation. Apart from the free distribution of shares to all British Columbians, public offering in the marketplace has realized a record $487.5 million, to be used for further investment for the benefit of British Columbians in the development of the province. The success of this innovative new company has clearly demonstrated the extent of the commitment which exists in British Columbia to the principle of individual ownership.

To those British Columbians who own, or who are purchasing, their own homes, you have provided a $100 increase in the homeowner's grant, plus a $50 increase in the renter's tax credit, to help bring relief from the cost of municipal services.

Additionally, my Minister of Municipal Affairs, through the province's revenue-sharing program, has distributed $109.9 million in unconditional grants, and $31.8 million in conditional grants, to municipalities, which also assisted the home-owning taxpayers by keeping their tax level 34 percent below that which would have been paid had these grants not been available.

Recognizing the changes forecast for a new decade, you have taken positive steps to meet the needs of people who are becoming increasingly dependent on efficient and economically acceptable public transportation by approving the Metro Transit Operating Company Act.

You have also initiated changes to the province's automobile insurance program through the Automobile Insurance Non-Discrimination Act. This program, known as FAIR, will prohibit coverages, premiums, tariffs or rates that discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status or geographic location of the insured motorist.

I'm also pleased to note the removal of the sales tax from vitamins, dietary items and diabetic and ostomy supplies.

In recognition of British Columbia's rapidly growing visitor and convention activities, you have agreed to assist the cities of Vancouver and Victoria to develop major convention centres, and additionally to assist Vancouver in the creation of a new facility for sports activities and other public uses.

You are also to be commended for your decision in the allotment of moneys for an intensified reforestation program and an accelerated highway construction program.

In your concern for the preservation of agricultural land and to encourage the agricultural industry, I am pleased to note your decision to reduce by 50 percent the assessment of farm and agricultural reserve land.

You also took note of the increasing costs of supply and services to our people and moved in a progressive way in your Committee of Supply to set a limit on government spending.

These were but the highlights of an imaginative legislative program designed to meet the needs and wishes of the people, and I commend you for them.

Hon. members, I now relieve you of your legislative duties, and I trust that the blessing of Divine Providence will be with you as you shortly resume your duties.

HON. MR. WOLFE: Mr. Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly, it is His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor's will and pleasure that this Legislative Assembly be prorogued until 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, and this provincial Legislative Assembly is hereby prorogued accordingly.

The House prorogued at 10:16 a.m.