Hansard — Thursday, July 7, 1983 — Afternoon Sitting

CONTENTS

Routine Proceedings

Tabling Documents.

Public accounts, March 31, 1982.

Hon. Mr. Curtis –– 159

Comptroller-general's interim financial statement, March 31, 1983.

Hon. Mr. Curtis –– 159

Estimates of Sums Required for the Service of the Province.

Hon. Mr. Curtis –– 159

Budget address.

Hon. Mr. Curtis –– 159

Tabling Documents.

Statutory report of the investment portfolio of the province, March 31, 1982.

Hon. Mr. Curtis –– 167

Budget debate.

Mr. Stupich –– 167

Public Sector Restraint Act (Bill 3). Hon. Mr. Chabot.

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Public Service Labour Relations Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 2). Hon. Mr. Chabot

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Pension (Public Service) Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 18). Hon. Mr. Chabot.

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Compensation Stabilization Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 11). Hon. Mr. Curtis.

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Harbour Board Repeal Act (Bill 25). Hon. Mr. Phillips.

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Crown Corporation Reporting Repeal Act (Bill 21). Hon. Mr. Gardom.

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Alcohol And Drug Commission Repeal Act (Bill 8). Hon. Mr. Nielsen.

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Medical Services Act (Bill 24). Hon. Mr. Nielsen.

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 23). Hon. A. Fraser.

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Residential Tenancy Act (Bill 5). Hon. Mr. Hewitt.

Introduction and first reading –– 168

Employment Development Act (Bill 16). Hon. Mr. Curtis.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Gasoline (Coloured) Tax Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 14). Hon. Mr. Curtis.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Social Service Tax Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 15). Hon. Mr. Curtis.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Tobacco Tax Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 13). Hon. Mr. Curtis.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Provincial Treasury Financing Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 28). Hon. Mr. Curtis.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Income Tax Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 4). Hon. Mr. Curtis.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Miscellaneous Statutes (Finance Measures) Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 17). Hon. Mr.

Curtis.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Human Rights Act (Bill 27). Hon. Mr. McClelland.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Municipal Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 9). Hon. Mr. Ritchie.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Assessment Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 22). Hon. Mr. Curtis.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Property Tax Reform Act (No. 1), 1983 (Bill 7). Hon. Mr. Ritchie.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Property Tax Reform Act (No. 2), 1983 (Bill 12). Hon. Mr. Ritchie.

Introduction and first reading –– 169

Employment Standards Amendment Act (Bill 26). Hon. Mr. McClelland.

Introduction and first reading –– 170

College And Institute Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 20). Hon. Mr. Heinrich.

Introduction and first reading –– 170

Institute Of Technology Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 19). Hon. Mr. Heinrich.

Introduction and first reading –– 170

Education (Interim) Finance Amendment Act, 1983 (Bill 6). Hon. Mr. Heinrich.

Introduction and first reading –– 170

THURSDAY, JULY 7, 1983

The House met at 2:04 p.m.

Prayers.

HON. MR. GARDOM: It is the custom of this assembly for members to welcome guests and bid them a cordial and special welcome to Victoria and to this assembly. Since we have such a large number here today, on behalf of the government I would like to extend our best welcome to all the guests.

MR. HOWARD: On behalf of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, we wish to join with the government House Leader and the government in expressing welcome and appreciation for those who were able to be here today and listen to the forthcoming words from the Minister of Finance (Hon. Mr. Curtis).

There was a request from the government to us earlier today that question period for this sitting be waived. We want to inform the House that Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition is quite agreeable to waiving question period today in order to expedite the presentation of the budget. Perhaps your Honour would like to test the House for leave on that matter.

Leave granted.

MR. SPEAKER: The member for Skeena has informed the Chair that he has a matter of privilege he wishes to raise.

MR. HOWARD: Mr. Speaker, the question of privilege I want to raise with Your Honour relates to arrangements in this chamber for the televising of the budget presentation, and relates to the necessity, I believe, of having fair play have its full role in the chamber. I have a proposal for arrangements for, if not equal time — because we don't know the time factor — at least an opportunity both for the Minister of Finance and for the member for Nanaimo (Mr. Stupich), who is our Finance critic and who will be responding to the budget presentation.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has offered on a voluntary basis to televise the response of the member for Nanaimo tomorrow on the same basis as arrangements were made today to televise the presentation of the budget by the Minister of Finance. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and other television companies interested in doing this would need some lead time. I want to submit to you, Mr. Speaker, that your predecessor, Mr. Speaker Schroeder, on April 5, 1982, was faced with a similar situation in which something new had been proposed with respect to the televising of the budget presentation, and he took the course of testing the House for leave to televise the debates on April 5, because of the new situation.

I would like to propose to Your Honour that leave be sought to accommodate the request and the offer of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to coordinate the televising of the response to the budget by the member for Nanaimo when that takes place tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. member, on a matter of privilege the Chair will reserve its decision to see if, in fact, a matter of privilege is involved. I will undertake, in view of the circumstances, to bring a decision back to this House as quickly as possible, hopefully in order to see if arrangements which might have to be made would in fact be capable of being made.

Orders of the Day

Ron. Mr. Curtis presented the public accounts of British Columbia for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1982, in accordance with section 8(3) of the Financial Administration Act.

HON. MR. CURTIS: Mr. Speaker, I move that the public accounts for the fiscal year 1981-82 be referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Economic Affairs.

Motion approved.

Hon. Mr. Curtis tabled the comptroller-general's interim financial statement for the two months ended May 31, 1983, and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1983.

ESTIMATES OF SUMS REQUIRED
FOR THE SERVICE OF THE PROVINCE

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator, enclosing the Estimates of Sums Required for the Services of the Province for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1984.

Hon. Mr. Curtis moved that the said message and the estimates accompanying the same be referred to Committee of Supply.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. CURTIS: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Attorney-General (Hon. Mr. Smith), that Mr. Speaker do now leave the chair for the House to go into Committee of Supply.

BUDGET ADDRESS

HON. MR. CURTIS: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour and pleasure today to present the government of British Columbia budget for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1984, May I first of all, sir, since this is my first opportunity, congratulate you upon your elevation to the chair in this Legislative Assembly.

The building of this, the fourth budget that I have tabled in this House since assuming the Finance portfolio, has been a long and arduous process. Reflecting the financial effects of recession, hard choices have been necessary; leadership and teamwork were essential. The hon. Premier, my cabinet colleagues, senior managers in government and many dedicated people throughout the public service have worked tirelessly to bring all the budgetary elements together. The result, Mr. Speaker, is a financial plan which I am confident meets the needs of British Columbia today and in the future.

[2:15]

For many in this House, we are beginning another term of service to the people of the province of British Columbia. We return with renewed vigour, refreshed by the ideas, concerns and support expressed in our respective constituencies. May I, then, extend a personal welcome to all returning members.

To those elected representatives present in the Legislature for the first time, may I offer a particular welcome. It is my hope that your years of public service in this Legislative Assembly are challenging and productive.

Mr. Speaker, as Minister of Finance I remain committed to philosophical principles expressed and endorsed here on previous occasions. First and foremost, I continue to be unalterably dedicated to the financial accountability of government to the people. The operation of government requires that billions of dollars change hands every year, from taxpayer to tax collector, from government to those providing service to the public, and from government to those in seriously inadequate circumstances. Each of those taxpayer dollars belongs, of course, not to the government but to the people of the province. Accordingly, we in elected office have a primary obligation to account for the use to which all public moneys are put. In recent years the quarterly financial reports, the budget documents, the estimates of revenue and expenditure and the public accounts have all been expanded and reformed. My goal during my time as minister has been to assist people to understand how their tax dollars are employed to provide social and economic benefits for all British Columbians.

Secondly, I remain committed to financial responsibility in government. Through the new Financial Administration Act, methods, procedures and controls have been introduced, some of them very recently. The objective has been to ensure that public funds are handled in the most correct manner and with the utmost concern for the taxpayers' right to value for money.

Thirdly, I remain committed to the principle of fairness — fairness in provision of public services, fairness in taxation policies, and fairness in compensation and employment practices. It has been a fundamental part of this government's approach to public policy that no British Columbians should be burdened excessively by taxation or be deprived of access to services vital to their health and safety. Similarly, through the compensation stabilization program, British Columbia has led the nation in ensuring fair compensation practices in the public sector.

Finally, I remain committed to a government role in the economy which supports private initiative, which provides permanent and rewarding jobs and which builds a secure and prosperous economic future. No country, no region, has achieved enduring prosperity through expansion of overbearing government bureaucracy. Those governments which lean too heavily on the taxpayer suppress individual initiative and in fact mortgage the future, and that will inevitably precipitate economic decline.

These principles have been important elements of government policy in the past and will continue as the foundation of our policy in the years ahead. More importantly, Mr. Speaker, these principles were strongly endorsed by the people of British Columbia on May 5.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to touch briefly on the economic challenge.

As we know, the economies of the western industrial world have reached a critical stage. The growth and prosperity which came so easily in the 1960s and 1970s have faltered, with the economic crisis of the past two years marking the turning-point. No one — individuals, business enterprises, trade unions, professional associations or governments — should take a return to prosperity for granted.

World economic conditions have changed, markets have become more competitive, technology is advancing ever more rapidly and traditional jobs are disappearing as new ones appear.

Most difficult of all, our expectations must change. The simple message is that without the vital creation of wealth there will be no means of paying for increased living standards. We can only have the full measure of economic recovery we all desire if all members of society recognize and make a conscious decision to give up that which is no longer affordable. All must support restraint in the spending of their tax moneys.

It is clearly understood that the problems we are now confronting originated in the social and economic fabric woven through at least two decades of prosperity and social reform. Through the sixties and seventies real economic growth in Canada averaged 4.6 percent per year; here in British Columbia our economy expanded at 5.6 percent annually over the same period. In the government sector revenue growth was even stronger, allowing government to occupy an ever-growing share of the economy.

We also saw rapidly changing social and economic attitudes. Economic growth came to be taken for granted; it was simply assumed to be perpetual, while public debate and concern turned to the social and environmental ills said to be caused by growth. Distrust of the private sector was widespread. The public through this period sought more containment and regulation of business decisions, and governments responded often too eagerly. Regulatory laws, commissions, tribunals and related government activities expanded into a tangled regulatory web, which began to envelop the economy. More than two decades of rapid government growth meant a corresponding increase in the bureaucracy. The ambitious social and regulatory agenda of governments required planners, lawyers, sociologists, geologists, biologists, economists and other highly trained people.

In British Columbia today the public sector — federal, provincial and local — accounts for one of every four jobs. Governments taken together now represent the largest single sector of employment in the nation.

Governments assumed the role of model employers, offering generous salary and benefit packages. As a result, skilled members of the labour force turned to the public sector in greater numbers. These were dramatic and far-reaching developments — developments that history might have suggested could not last. They were, in a sense, golden years of economic growth and social reform.

By the mid-1970s cracks began to appear. The OPEC cartel applied its market power, and the economies of the world were forced to undergo truly wrenching adjustments. Inflation and unemployment persisted at high levels through most of the past decade.

Public sector strikes and compensation practices came increasingly into conflict with the private sector. Rail shutdowns, port closures, postal stoppages all exacted their toll on the people we serve. The massive government presence in labour markets meant that private employers had to match the compensation practices of public employers, and yet still compete to survive in international markets.

The consequences of what was, in respect, a major overextension of government were beginning to rebound on the public sector as well. Ever more numerous tax incentives,

combined with a weak economy, began to erode government's revenue base, and revenues began to fall behind expenditure growth. Government deficits spread and grew.

Since 1981 there has been a major turning point, with the most telling signals emanating from international financial markets. Dramatic increases in interest rates underscored one basic fact: on a world scale, borrowing demands by governments, corporations and people could not be accommodated by available savings. As in any market where a shortage appears, the price rose. Higher interest rates were necessary to bring savings into line with borrowing demands.

In a few short months the psychology of prosperity underwent dramatic change. From years of earned prosperity, through years of complacent prosperity, we discovered quickly and very painfully that borrowed prosperity was not tenable. Interest rates reached levels in excess of 20 percent, causing traumatic financial adjustments. The market's message was clear: borrowing would be more costly. For a considerable time the cost clearly became prohibitive.

The recession brought on by higher interest rates has been devastating in the province of British Columbia. It is estimated that gross provincial product declined by some 7 percent in 1982, compared to a 4.4 percent decline nationally. Unemployment reached massive proportions, with more than 200,000 British Columbians out of work in the winter of 1982 and 1983.

It has been a difficult winter, but there is now evidence that the economy may have turned the corner. The Canadian economy grew 1.8 percent during the first quarter of this calendar year — 1983. Housing starts are recovering in both Canada and the United States, and lumber prices have risen significantly. There are signs of gathering strength in major durable goods industries such as automobiles, where sales figures have shown improvement in recent months. More generally, consumer and investor confidence appear to be returning slowly and cautiously.

Here in British Columbia we are also seeing tentative signs of recovery. Employment growth has picked up with 67,000 jobs created since January 1983. This is well in excess of the normal seasonal increase. Both retail sales and manufacturing shipments have also been generally rising since last fall and are now higher than the levels of the early part of 1982.

I need not emphasize that the forecasting of economic trends and events is at best a very precarious business. Like other forecasters, we were well off the mark in anticipating the depth of the recession. To assemble a budget, however, a forecast must be prepared, and so this year's budget plan is based upon a forecast of between 1.5 and 2.5 percent growth in the Gross Provincial Product for British Columbia in 1983. Although stronger growth is anticipated for 1984, it may be late in 1984 or into 1985 before economic activity returns to the level recorded in 1980.

[2:30]

In spite of signs of recovery, the period that we are entering now will not be one of easy prosperity. In fact, if we fail to do the right things, the progress we have seen to date may well disappear.

Few will be inclined to take on debt as before, consumers will be cautious, and businesses which have reduced staff will be reluctant to rehire or expand. Faced with cautious and selective consumers, business awareness of costs and productivity will be heightened and, clearly, competition will be keen.

More worrisome is the cloud of uncertainty surrounding financial markets. The recession has brought about a major increase in government borrowing, with more to come. Unless expenditure restraint is embraced in a major way and recognition is given to the fact that expenditure commitments are far beyond the ability of the economy and the taxpayer to support on a sustained basis, the recovery could be very sluggish. In fact, it could falter; it could even collapse.

The real danger and irony is that government borrowing demands may be excessive at a time when the private sector capital needs associated with economic recovery are finally showing some strength. The potential for higher interest rates is there, and the economic risks are great.

On a more positive note, however, inflation has fallen steadily for the past year and has now reached an annual rate of 5.4 percent in Canada and 5.1 percent in British Columbia. Although these rates are still much higher than the standard of the 1950s and 1960s, they are the lowest that we have seen in more than ten years.

Even more promising has been the pattern of declining wage settlements, reflecting, in part, government compensation and restraint initiatives. As reported by the Employers' Council of British Columbia, the average increase in contract compensation over the 12-month period ending May t983 was 6.8 percent in the public sector compared to 9.9 percent in the private sector. Moreover, in May 1983 both public and private sector contract settlements averaged less than 3 percent. Continued restraint in wage settlements, in government and in the private sector, will be essential to a continuing decline in inflation. Lower inflation will, in turn, reduce the risk of increased interest rates and a short-lived recovery.

While many of the forces at play are not of British Columbian origin, they will shape important aspects of our economic future. They will determine the health of international markets into which we sell our products, and they will affect the interest rate patterns we shall face in the future.

The strategy for British Columbia is clear. We cannot spend our way out of recession nor expose ourselves to excessive risk from higher interest rates. Similarly, our industries cannot afford to be marginal suppliers in world markets to be the first bumped when economic conditions tighten. Only by focusing on restraint and productivity can the public and private sectors return to the basic reality that prosperity must be earned.

The compensation stabilization program introduced by the Premier, by this government, last year led the course of public policy in Canada.

The budget I am tabling in this House today represents another step in a program to rebuild the economy, to improve the balance between the public and private sectors. This budget meets the commitment made to the people of British Columbia in the May 5 election that this government will provide the basis for private-sector expansion and job creation.

Today's budget is in some respects transitional. We remain in the shadow of recession, but recovery is beginning to be felt.

Symptomatic of the economic downturn, government revenue for the 1982-83 fiscal year declined to $6.541 billion, a drop of 5.3 percent from the previous year. On the expenditure side, economic dislocation resulted in a 32.9 percent escalation in spending by the Ministry of Human Resources. By implementing a comprehensive program of

restraint across government, we were able to maintain funding of critical social programs, while holding overall expenditure to $7.519 billion, a 6.1 percent increase from fiscal year 1981-82. Although the public accounts for the last fiscal year have not been fully finalized, I now estimate the deficit for 1982-83 at $978 million.

Given the severity of the recession and the magnitude of the revenue reduction, I feel this represents a remarkable achievement. It is a credit to all ministers and government managers that the deficit in such circumstances could be held below $1 billion.

Nevertheless, government revenue will remain weak for a considerable time. In fact, removing that part of revenue growth accounted for by inflation, per capita government revenue has now declined to the level reached seven or eight years ago. A return of revenue to the peak levels reached in 1979-80 is not anticipated within the foreseeable future.

Similarly, while employment has increased in recent months, the seasonally adjusted rate of unemployment remains above 13 percent, and improvement is expected to be slow through 1983 and 1984. Fundamentally stronger international markets, an extended period of economic stability and a superior effort at restraining costs and increasing productivity will be essential; indeed, it will be vital to sustained recovery in British Columbia.

My overall fiscal objective is, therefore, to achieve a balance between the restraint which is essential for longer-term recovery and the provision of funding to stimulate employment in the short term. To accommodate the competing objectives of restraint and employment creation, I am combining a comprehensive program to restrain permanent expenditure with a plan to load certain future expenditures into the present year for job creation purposes.

Reviewing the expenditure plan, I can say that British Columbia's core social programs will be preserved. In the main social policy ministries — Attorney-General, Health, Education, Human Resources and Universities, Science and Communications — total appropriations are proposed to increase by 8.1 percent over last year's spending, and will account for over 70 percent of all ministry expenditure. Appropriations for all other ministries, excluding interest on the public debt, call for an increase of less than 1.4 percent over 1982-83 spending, while the expenditure increase for all government ministries is to be held to 6.4 percent.

I should stress, Mr. Speaker, that no provision has been made in this budget for general compensation increases this year for either direct provincial employees or those in public bodies. Increases simply are not affordable in the absence of offsetting productivity increases.

In addition to ministry expenditure, provision will be made for program and project spending of $415 million through the employment development account. This employment stimulation initiative meets the commitment made earlier this year to provide a major expenditure injection for creation of immediate employment relief, primarily through the private sector. The funding for the employment development account comprises two major components: the appropriation for the current year will be $245 million, while the remaining $170 million will be financed through regular capital funding mechanisms and amortized over a number of years.

Most of the program represents accelerated capital expenditure which would otherwise have occurred in future years. Highways construction of $190 million, diking expenditures of $12 million, agricultural projects of $4 million, and health facilities capital totalling $170 million are being advanced to create employment now when it is most needed. This government's policy of advancing capital projects during recessions also secures savings through lower construction costs obtained through more competitive project tenders when industrial activity is slow.

Finally, $40 million will be designated in the employment development account for a series of job creation programs, again focused on the private sector. Included among the programs to be funded are summer youth employment subsidies, funding for the NEED program to assist in employment of UIC exhaustees and welfare recipients, and a program of assistance for unemployed apprentices. A portion of this funding will be made available for other projects to be elaborated upon in the weeks ahead.

The expenditure of funds from the employment development account is creating between 15,000 and 20,000 man-years of employment in British Columbia. It will make a critical contribution to the easing of unemployment as our economic recovery begins gradually to gain momentum.

The last major element of this year's expenditure plan will be the payment of interest on direct provincial debt outstanding. Total direct debt of $2.4 billion is forecast by the end of 1983-1984, and interest costs of $181 million are anticipated for the current year.

While the government has rejected the severe taxation increases or expenditure cuts needed to avoid the deficits of 1982-1983 and 1983-1984, it must nevertheless be recognized that borrowing represents either deferred taxation or deferred expenditure reductions. Every dollar for payment of debt or interest is a dollar which has to be collected in taxes and which cannot be directed to provision of government services. The debt must be repaid, and the interest must be paid. This government's restraint program will restore balance to our fiscal affairs over the next several years.

Total consolidated revenue fund expenditure, including expenditure by ministries and government offices, initiatives under the employment development account and interest costs on direct debt, is estimated for 1983-1984 at $8.445 billion. This represents a 12.3 percent increase over last year.

Although the existing revenue base is expected to increase to $6,669 billion, a 2 percent increase over 1982-1983, it is not sufficiently strong to bring revenue into line with expenditure. In fact, a number of fundamental weaknesses, particularly in resource and corporation income tax revenue, will cause the revenue base to fall short of expenditures for a number of years. Consequently, Mr. Speaker, I shall be announcing a number of revenue measures in this budget. In the current year these measures will yield an estimated $173 million and bring total revenue to $6.842 billion for a 4.6 percent increase over last year.

On a consolidated revenue fund basis, expenditure is estimated to exceed revenue by $1.603 billion in 1983-1984. While the budget shortfall exceeds the $978 million in 1982-1983, this is due in part, as I indicated earlier, to the acceleration of employment creation expenditure.

Our view is this: by implementing revenue measures now, it should be possible to avoid substantial tax increases in the years immediately ahead. However, it is essential that expenditure restraint continue. The choice is clear: we must either restrain our demands for government services or we must be prepared to contribute more tax dollars to pay for program costs.

[2:45]

The government's decision is clear: we shall restrain expenditure. We shall reduce the size of government; we shall increase productivity and keep public sector costs to a minimum. We shall not take the irresponsible course, the course of widespread tax increases, of excessive burden of government on the economy. We shall not lead British Columbia down the path of economic decline.

Program of restraint for recovery. As I indicated a few moments ago, the expenditure plan for the current year combines restraint in permanent government expenditure with accelerated funding for employment creation. The overall focus of restraint is to eliminate unnecessary government, but it is a positive program. In too many cases expenditure programs, which may be desirable for some groups, do not support the broader goals and aspirations of all British Columbians. Expenditure, therefore, for such programs should be trimmed, and the trimming should be welcomed.

At a more general level there's a simple truth that bears repeating: government has grown too large. Since 1971-72 the provincial government has more than doubled the amount it spends for the average British Columbian. Even after accounting for the increased expenditure resulting from inflation, there's been a 60 percent increase in real expenditure for every man, woman and child in the province. One must surely question whether people are receiving 60 percent more or better services from government over the same period. Governments everywhere have run up against the law of diminishing returns: the more expenditure grows, the less each dollar adds in service to the public. It is time to reverse this process. It is time to strive for more with less. Productivity must become a central theme.

In pursuit of leaner, more efficient government, the fiscal plan for the next few years calls for continued staff reductions. From a base of nearly 47,000 full-time-equivalent staff authorized in April 1982, staff reduction plans have brought government ministries down substantially. Additional progress is essential if our targets are to be met. The budget for the 1983-84 fiscal year will provide funding for 39,965 fulltime equivalent staff, with a further reduction planned for 1984-85. To enhance accountability and control, the estimates of revenue and expenditure for this year contain a more comprehensive picture of government manpower than in previous years. The presentation of full-time-equivalent staff, in place of the former enumeration of established positions, provides, we believe, a broader and more accurate measure of staffing for each ministry. Full-time equivalents will also form the basis of future budgetary manpower monitoring. The required legislation will be tabled in this House very shortly.

In line with staff reductions, the British Columbia Buildings Corporation will also be implementing a generalized space and cost reduction program in 1983-84. Following a comprehensive review, space standards for government offices have been reduced by 10 percent, and standards of operation and building maintenance are being reduced where possible. This, together with lower space requirements resulting from government staff reductions, is expected to reduce accommodation costs in this fiscal year and in future years.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, government vehicle fleets are to decline by up to 20 percent in 1983-84, and rules governing the use of vehicles by government employees are to be tightened.

The compensation stabilization program will continue to play a very central role both in bringing down inflation and in supporting government restraint and productivity improvements. Legislation to extend and revise the program is to be tabled. The revisions will ensure that the primary consideration with respect to salary levels is the employers' ability to pay. Where increases are affordable they will be determined largely on the basis of productivity.

Effective today, the CSP regulations will be revised to provide the range of compensation adjustments from minus 5 percent to plus 5 percent. This will allow significant scope for ability to pay and productivity adjustments. In addition, the program will require that the cost of salary increments be included as part of the compensation package.

Steps will also be taken in the weeks ahead to achieve greater consistency in compensation patterns among senior managers in the public sector. Deputy ministers and other senior executives in government ministries, senior executive officers of Crown corporations, hospitals, school districts and other agencies and institutions are to be placed within a common compensation framework.

Legislation will be tabled to allow the government to regulate individual salaries of senior executives. A small team of senior public officials is to provide recommendations to cabinet by September 15 for subsequent implementation. Until recommendations are made and adjustments can be considered, senior management salaries are to remain frozen.

In several ministries steps are being considered to improve productivity through organizational changes and consolidation. For example, the Public Service Commission performs a number of functions that can be consolidated with a considerable saving to the taxpayer.

In the area of advertising, government publications and information services, some $3 million in savings will be realized by an organizational consolidation. Duplication in staffing, printing equipment and advertising will be substantially reduced by the transfer of this function from individual ministries to the Ministry of Provincial Secretary and Government Services.

With respect to education, I am informed that the number of teachers employed in the public school system grew from 27,200 in 1975 to 28,200 in September 1982. Over that same period, however, the number of students declined by 38,600; the ratio of teachers to pupils grew by 12 percent. My colleague the Minister of Education will therefore be implementing a plan for reducing the ratio of teachers to pupils over a period of several years. We believe this can be accomplished while continuing to improve the quality of education in British Columbia schools.

The minister will also be restraining costs and improving productivity through initiatives such as an improved financial management and budgeting system to be used by school districts and the ministry. With the new budgeting system it will be possible to determine more accurately the cost of providing a basic level of educational service in each district. Savings will be effected through the elimination of the three councils involved in the allocation of college funding, and consideration will also be given to achieving further savings through amalgamation of certain school districts with small enrolments. The Minister of Education will table the legislation necessary for implementation of these and other changes. Similar initiatives in other areas, such as the amalgamation of certain hospital boards, is also to be examined.

Over the years the trend to regionalization of government operations has led to some duplication and inefficiency. This trend is to be reversed. The number of staff and the amount of office space in communities around the province will be pared where reduction or elimination of regional offices can be achieved without loss of essential service to the public.

Budgetary adjustments have been made to reflect reduction or elimination of regional offices in the Ministries of Forests; Provincial Secretary and Government Services; Environment; Finance; Municipal Affairs; Transportation and Highways; Consumer and Corporate Affairs; and Lands, Parks and Housing.

Years of government expansion have led to a proliferation of committees, boards, commissions and other agencies in government. In many instances this has resulted in excessive use and employment of highly paid professional staff to support regulatory processes. As an example, savings are to be realized by initiatives affecting the Employment Standards Board in the Ministry of Labour, the office of the rentalsman in the Ministry of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, the human rights branch and the Human Rights Commission in the Ministry of Labour, the planning branch in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, regional resource management committees operating under the aegis of the Environment and Land Use Committee of cabinet, the Agricultural Land Commission, and the motor vehicle inspections branch of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways.

My colleague the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources will also be taking steps to streamline the regulatory processes of the British Columbia Utilities Commission.

In addition, legislation will be presented to remove from regional districts those planning and zoning functions which apply to municipalities. It is the government's view that this represents an unnecessary and an inefficient duplication of functions which are performed by municipalities.

Further, where possible, the government intends to give the private sector the opportunity to take over functions and activities not appropriate to government. Budgetary adjustments have therefore been made to allow the following facilities and activities to be assumed by the private sector: the Cypress Bowl ski facility; Manning Park Lodge and ski facilities; Pacific Coach Lines Ltd.; Beautiful British Columbia magazine, and a number of other magazines published by some ministries; and Tranquille and Colony institutional farms.

In speaking about privatization, which essentially means less government and lower expenditures, two points must be restated. Our job has just started. It is by no means complete now, nor will it be in the course of this fiscal year. Further, this government will continue to examine other program areas with a view to reducing cost, while at the same time maintaining essential services.

The government will invite the private sector to identify areas of government where a function can be provided less expensively by that sector. All genuine and serious proposals will be carefully reviewed and considered for future government action.

In certain areas, full privatization is neither possible nor desirable. The government will, however, reduce staffing while drawing more heavily on services offered by the private sector wherever appropriate.

Legal services to government are now largely provided by staff employed by the Ministry of Attorney-General, for example. Budgetary adjustments will reduce staffing in this area, with more emphasis to be placed on private sector legal advice.

Similarly, future needs for planning analysis, architectural services, engineering services, computer systems advice and staff training services can and will be met to a greater extent by contracting with the private sector.

[3:00]

Many government programs are presently open-ended. Expenditure grows automatically, regardless of whether the expanding cost is either affordable or desirable. When government revenue growth has been strong, the relentless expenditure growth for such programs has been supportable without major tax increases. That is no longer the case.

This budget therefore reflects initiatives to reduce, restrain or eliminate a number of open-ended programs. Further steps can be expected next year.

In the Ministry of Attorney-General, the scope of the criminal injuries compensation program will be reduced substantially. My colleague the Attorney-General (Hon. Mr. Smith) will table legislation to effect the required changes.

In addition, the legal aid program, jointly funded by the province, the federal government and the Law Foundation of British Columbia, will be the subject of an intensive review. The budgetary provision for this program has been held to $13.4 million. To meet this expenditure level, program coverage will be carefully reassessed and eligibility will be limited to those most in need.

The courts and correctional systems represent another area of open-ended expenditure growth. In the case of corrections, over 40 percent of incarcerations are now related to drinking drivers. It is becoming prohibitively expensive to keep people in jail — at an average cost of almost $100 per person per day — and many correctional facilities, as we know, are bulging at the seams. Proclamation of certain sections of the Motor Vehicle Act will therefore be delayed pending a review of the role and effectiveness of fines, impounding of vehicles and other possible deterrents. We must examine more cost-effective methods for reducing the carnage on British Columbia roads caused by drinking drivers.

I wish to assure you and the House, however, Mr. Speaker, that budget adjustments will not, of course, prevent the proclamation of those sections of the act which will allow blood tests to be taken from drivers hospitalized after an accident where alcohol may have played a role.

I'm informed that consideration is also being given to increased use of minimum-security prisoners for work in park maintenance, salmonid enhancement and construction of equipment and facilities for use in the public sector. Such initiatives are to be welcomed, both for the work experience gained by offenders and the reduction of costs to the taxpayer.

I also want to make it clear that no provision has been made in this budget for increased costs in connection with the federal Young Offenders Act. While reform and improvement in the juvenile justice system may be a laudable aim, the full implementation of the proposed changes could cost this province alone some $60 million each year.

British Columbia takes the position that such costs are unacceptable in an era of declining government fiscal capacity. If the federal government wishes to proceed with these changes, we shall require full and permanent compensation for the expenditure demands this would place on the justice system administered by this provincial government.

Mr. Speaker, as indicated in the Speech from the Throne, this government's commitment to health care is absolute. British Columbians will continue to enjoy services at a standard and quality difficult to match anywhere in North America. More fundamentally, no one in British Columbia, regardless of income, is denied access to top-level medical care. It has, however, been very costly. Health expenditure has increased at an average annual rate of 17.7 per cent since 1976-77. As a share of total expenditure, spending by the Ministry of Health has increased from 24.2 percent in 1976-77 to 29 percent in 1983-84.

The proposed $2.45 billion expenditure for the Ministry of Health represents a 7.3 percent increase over 1982-83 levels. In addition, $170 million in health construction projects has been advanced for employment creation and is included in the employment development account.

It must be stressed and understood that improvements in the health care system have required significant sacrifices in other areas of government. We are, I believe, reaching the limits to which other programs and government services can be constrained to support further enhancements in health care. Mr. Speaker, it is time for all Canadians to assess realistically how much more we are prepared to pay for health care services. The question must also be addressed as to the appropriate balance between the costs to be borne by the general taxpayer and by those benefiting directly from the service.

My colleague the Minister of Health (Hon. Mr. Nielsen) will be taking steps to develop an overall health care strategy for the balance of the 1980s. Work is proceeding on a multi-year hospital facilities plan to ensure that British Columbia communities are provided with access to basic health and hospital care, that unnecessary duplication is avoided, and that there is consistency between communities in the standards of care offered. In order to ensure a more integrated and efficient health care delivery system, the minister will also table legislative amendments to bring the Alcohol and Drug Commission directly into the Ministry of Health.

In addition, legislation will provide the government with greater control over the number and location of doctors entitled to bill the Medical Services Plan. Steps will be taken to work with the British Columbia Medical Association to review alternative ways of ensuring that individual doctors' billings to the Medical Services Plan are both fair and reasonable, and that total billings do not exceed the budget provided. These are positive and timely initiatives which will ensure that our health care system continues to be financially viable, while protecting the high quality and ready access to services that British Columbians want, expect and deserve.

Restraint measures in the Ministry of Human Resources must be viewed against a 1982-83 expenditure increase of 32.9 percent. This growth reflected the dramatic increase in the number of people out of work and in need of income assistance as a result of the recession. Despite the enormous expenditure increase last year, the budget plan calls for a 1983-84 allocation of $1.37 billion, a further increase of 13.9 percent.

Again, the government is committed to maintaining basic and essential income assistance programs. In order to preserve such services, however, sacrifices have been required in less critical areas.

My colleague the Minister of Human Resources (Hon. Mrs. McCarthy) will maintain welfare rates at their current level. This government continues to believe it is better to assist more people at existing rates than to escalate payments for a restricted number of people.

I am also reconfirming today that legislation to cancel the renters' and provincial personal income tax credits will be presented during this session of the Legislature.

The budget will make provision for the implementation of a program of automatic enforcement of maintenance orders. The details are to be developed and announced by the Minister of Human Resources later in the year. The objective is for automatic collection procedures to be initiated when maintenance payments for separated spouses and their children who are clients of the GAIN program are not forthcoming.

Another important area of open-ended expenditure growth has been the aid program for students in colleges and universities. The budget for this program will be limited to $14.6 million in 1983-84. The Minister of Universities, Science and Communications (Hon. Mr. McGeer) and the Minister of Education (Hon. Mr. Heinrich) will be implementing strict criteria and program limits to ensure that necessary assistance is provided in the most appropriate manner.

The Minister of Lands, Parks and Housing (Hon. Mr. Brummet) will take steps to limit expenditure on certain housing programs. Both the rental and purchase markets have eased considerably in the past year. Consequently, the first home grants program will be cancelled and the social housing rent scale is to be adjusted in relation to tenants' incomes.

Finally, the government will be taking a fresh approach to its industrial assistance programs. Too often, governments have fallen into the trap of providing grants to business, leading in many cases to subsidized firms competing with non-subsidized firms. In other cases, firms have become subsidy-dependent. They collapse without further infusions of money. Consequently, my colleague, the Minister of Industry and Small Business Development (Hon. Mr. Phillips) will be reorganizing industrial assistance programs and giving them a focus more attuned to today's economy. The emphasis is to be on provision of risk capital at preferred rates to high technology ventures having the potential to thrive, grow and add diversity to British Columbia's economic base. To the maximum extent possible, program costs will be funded by successful loan recipients. Funding for this program will come from a combination of voted expenditure and the proceeds of housing and employment development bonds.

The measures I have noted represent some of the major initiatives to be taken, but the list is not comprehensive. In every ministry, every government office, every Crown corporation and every public body, restraint measures will be taken. Restraint is a top priority in the current year and can be expected to be a top priority next year.

With respect to revenue measures, Mr. Speaker, the deterioration in our fiscal position is not entirely recession-related. A number of fundamental changes have undermined certain major components of the revenue base — most notably the general weakening in resource revenue, revenue losses resulting from reductions in federal transfers, and federal tax policy initiatives which have reduced the provincial tax base.

In 1979-80, for example, natural resource revenue reached $1.32 billion. In spite of significant increases in water rental charges, by 1982-83 resource revenue had fallen

to $545 million and is forecast to decline further to $527 million in the current year. Although some recovery is expected over the next several years, few look for the kind of resource market strength characteristic of the boom periods in the 1970s.

Federal government transfers, which have traditionally contributed about 20 percent of British Columbia revenue, have also been reduced substantially in recent years. As an example, the federal government has implemented funding reductions for health and post-secondary education transfers — EPF transfers — costing this province $725 million over the five-year period 1982-1983 to 1986-87.

[3:15]

In the taxation area the provincial government is partner to the Canada–British Columbia tax collection agreement, which enables corporate and individual taxpayers to file a single income tax return through Revenue Canada. Under this arrangement the federal government collects provincial corporation and personal income taxes, the provincial government saves tax administration costs, and the taxpayer is spared the necessity of filing two income tax returns. In return, British Columbia agrees to accept the federal tax base for provincial purposes. Here again, federal tax concessions have cost millions of dollars in forgone provincial revenue. Corporation income tax changes contained in the April 1983 federal budget will result, as an example, in substantial reductions in provincial revenue for the next three to five years, perhaps costing as much as $180 million.

While revenue has undergone a structural erosion, expenditure pressure, particularly in the social program areas, which occupy over 70 percent of the budget, has continued to grow.

After careful consideration of the government's current and forecast fiscal position, I have concluded that a number of revenue measures are necessary. To avoid facing this reality would require acceptance of permanent borrowing and ever-growing interest costs or massive cuts in core social programs, neither of which is acceptable to this government.

Therefore, effective midnight tonight, the social service tax rate will be increased from 6 percent to 7 percent. This change will provide an estimated $126 million in additional revenue this year and some $170 million in a full year. Even at the new rate, British Columbia's sales tax rate is as low as, or lower than, that in six of the nine other provinces.

The variable social service tax rate for new automobiles will also be replaced by the new general rate of 7 percent. With energy prices now closer to world levels, it is no longer necessary to offer a graduated Social Service Tax rate as an added incentive to purchase fuel-efficient automobiles,

In announcing these changes, I want to emphasize that British Columbia's exemptions from the sales tax compare extremely favourably to those in other provinces. Literally thousands of items are exempt. In fact, roughly half of the consumer dollar in this province is exempt from sales tax. There are, however, a number of items currently exempt which in a time of restraint are difficult to justify.

Effective midnight tonight, I shall remove two significant exemptions from the social service tax. First, meals prepared and served on the premises and costing $7 or more per person will no longer be exempt from the social service tax. Secondly, long-distance telephone calls will no longer be exempt from the social service tax. The taxation of prepared meals and long-distance calls is consistent with the practice in most other provinces. Removal of these two exemptions will generate an additional $44 million in revenue this year and an estimated $60 million in a full year.

Effective midnight tonight, the tax rate on cigarettes and tobacco products is increased 25 percent. The tax on a package of 25 cigarettes will therefore be 50 cents, again comparable to most other provinces. This change will increase revenue by $18 million in 1983-84 and $24 million for a full year.

I'm also announcing that health co-insurance charges will be increased on September 1 of this year. A schedule of old and new rates for acute care, extended and long-term care, emergency and day surgery charges is presented in the appendices to the budget, which will be made available to members at the earliest possible moment today. The revenue from these measures is applied directly against the hospital programs appropriation in the Ministry of Health, and will therefore serve to reduce hospital programs expenditure by $12 million in 1983-84 and an estimated $23 million in a full year.

As I said earlier, health care has become a $2.45 billion expenditure program in British Columbia, representing the largest single area of government expenditure. The $166 million increase for 1983/84 alone is much larger than the total combined budgets of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Ministry of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the Ministry of Tourism. Fees and charges in the hospital programs and long-term care area remain a relatively minor contributor to total operating costs, providing only 7.5 percent of the $1.7 billion annual expenditure in that activity.

Finally, I can say categorically that no British Columbian will be denied the best medical care available, regardless of income or ability to pay. That is a principle to which this government is committed. Health fees and charges will continue to be paid on behalf of those unable to afford them, and our program of premium assistance for those on low incomes will remain securely in place. Failure to face up to restraining the enormous and growing burden of health costs on the general taxpayer could lead to the demise of universal health care. It would be an abrogation of our responsibilities. This government is not prepared to see that happen.

Looking now at property taxes, two minor changes are to be made. Firstly, the tax rate on rural land is to be increased from 12 to 13 mills. This change, to come into effect January 1, 1984, reflects the increased costs of providing services to rural areas. Secondly, the minimum property tax payable after application of the homeowner grant will be raised from $125 to $150, effective January 1, 1984. However, the minimum $1 for seniors and handicapped remains in effect.

Major legislation to reform property taxation is also being tabled in this Legislature in this session. The introduction of the variable tax rate system will allow municipal governments to establish property tax rates which reflect the sharply different patterns of real estate values among communities in the province. Most people will, of course, remember clearly the property tax problems arising out of the real estate market volatility of recent years. Under the new system, stability will be restored to property tax levels, and municipal councils will gain increased autonomy to meet the particular needs and circumstances of their community.

In the course of extensive public meetings throughout the province last winter, it was made very clear that property tax applied to machinery and equipment has had a negative

impact on many small- and medium-sized businesses. To assist these firms, the present exemption for machinery and equipment of $1,500 of assessed value is to be increased to $50,000 of actual value. The government is also providing a new $10,000 actual value exemption for business and industrial properties. These major changes, effective for the 1984 municipal taxation year, will eliminate taxes paid on machinery and equipment for 15,000 businesses in British Columbia and will significantly reduce property tax for many other firms. Our work in reforming the property tax system is also by no means complete. Further changes to enhance the fairness, efficiency and stability of the property taxation system can be anticipated.

I want now to comment upon the schedule of water rental charges implemented over the past 18 months. The proposed increases were to bring the cost of energy produced from hydro power developments into a more consistent relationship with the costs of producing the power and the cost of other energy sources. The major changes, scheduled to take place over three years, were introduced prior to the economic deterioration brought on by the recent recession.

In order to assist industry and other consumers of electricity during these early stages of the economic recovery, I am announcing today that the significant increase scheduled to take place on January 1, 1984, will be deferred and replaced by the simple indexing of water rental charges for next year. This change will reduce revenue by $16 million in 1983-84 and a further $66 million in 1984-85.

Finally, I am announcing a change in the taxation of marked bunker fuel to encourage the growth and expansion of marine refuelling at British Columbia ports. The tax rate applied to marked bunker fuel will no longer be linked to that for clear gasoline, but will be set at a rate per litre fixed quarterly at 20 percent of the pre-tax price. It is expected that the revenue loss from this lower tax rate will be fully offset by increases in sales volumes.

In addition, I shall provide this House with the necessary legislative amendment to ensure that imported bunker fuel is subject to taxation on a consistent basis with that which is supplied domestically. It will no longer be possible to avoid provincial taxation when refuelling in British Columbia with imported bunker fuel.

Mr. Speaker, this budget has been constructed from the twin foundations of restraint and employment creation. Growth of government is being reversed, and the private sector is encouraged to increase employment. It is a budget for recovery. While our return to prosperity cannot precede international recovery, we in British Columbia cannot be passive. In the months ahead the accelerated projects and program funding from the employment development account will assist the private sector to provide employment opportunities during the transition to full recovery. Through the restraint program, longer-term recovery will be secured. It will be achieved through common sacrifice and effort from all groups in British Columbia. No one group has been, or should be, singled out. All can share fairly and equitably in the costs and benefits of restraint, and all must be willing to play their part.

It is essential to recognize that this is not restraint for the sake of restraint; it is restraint for recovery. It is restraint for a return to earned prosperity. I must repeat the earlier statement: compensation increases in the absence of offsetting productivity gains are simply not affordable.

[3:30]

The budget provides what is needed to contain the size and burden of government so the private sector — our major resource companies, all businesses, small and large — will have the climate needed to ensure that our fragile recovery gains momentum.

The budget calls for major change. It calls for a new way of thinking about government, and about the expectations that we all have. It calls for a recognition of the cost of government, a recognition that those costs have become excessive in recent years.

It calls as well for a recognition that our economic future, the future health of our economy, lies not with government but with the individual decisions that we take and the demands we make. Ultimately, it is individuals who seek compensation increases, and they must decide what is reasonable. It is individuals who must apply themselves with ingenuity and enthusiasm if productivity is to be increased. It is, fundamentally, our approach as British Columbians that will determine whether government can be contained and our economy allowed to grow and prosper.

The recovery is fragile but it is within reach if we are prepared to reduce the size and scope of government; if we are prepared to accept only those wage increases we justify through increased productivity; if we accept the importance of a sound labour-management climate.

I believe the people of British Columbia have clearly chosen restraint and private-sector job creation. I believe people have chosen the direction they wish to take, and I believe we have the resolve to once again lead the nation in solving the economic problems of Canada today.

Hon. Mr. Curtis tabled the statutory report of the investment portfolio of the province for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1982.

MR. STUPICH: I anticipate the minister will be answering a few questions about the budget in the next few hours, and I'd like to make just a point or two before he has that opportunity, while saving tomorrow for a more detailed analysis of the budget.

As the minister points out, this is his fourth budget as Minister of Finance. He neglected to point out that this is the first time that he's predicted a deficit, although we have experienced a deficit for the fourth year in a row, starting with the year ending March 31, 1981, most of which was in 1980 — a very good year, by the minister's own admission. In that year there was a deficit of $313 million. This government, since that minister has been in office, has been engaged upon a policy of profligate spending such as we've never known before in the province of British Columbia.

They give lip service to restraint, but they do look after their friends. A Socred image-maker gets an 18 percent increase. The Premier's batman gets a 55 percent increase — that's restraint. To pay for their excesses, in this budget they tell us they're going to put their hands into the pockets of every consumer in the province and into the tills of every small business operator in the province.

We're told this is a budget for restraint for recovery, and they promise to achieve recovery by increasing taxes and unemployment. Some restraint! This government, by the time we have finished with this budget and the estimates, will have been spending money without legislative approval for some six months, yet their own admission of their absolute

failure to satisfy the needs of the people of our province is best illustrated in the increase in the spending in the Ministry of Human Resources. The prediction last year was that it would go up by 19.2 percent; we're told today that the increase was actually 32.9 percent. The greatest single increase in dollars of any ministry projected for the year ahead is in the Ministry of Human Resources. Some recovery, Mr. Speaker!

Mr. Stupich moved adjournment of the debate.

Motion approved.

The House took recess at 3:36 p.m.

The House resumed at 3:50 p.m.

Introduction of Bills

PUBLIC SECTOR RESTRAINT ACT

Hon. Mr. Chabot presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Public Sector Restraint Act.

Bill 3 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.

PUBLIC SERVICE LABOUR RELATIONS
AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Chabot presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Public Service Labour Relations Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 2 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.

PENSION (PUBLIC SERVICE)
AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Chabot presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Pension (Public Service) Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 18 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.

COMPENSATION STABILIZATION
AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Compensation Stabilization Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 11 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.

HARBOUR BOARD REPEAL ACT

Hon. Mr. Phillips presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Harbour Board Repeal Act.

Bill 25 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.

CROWN CORPORATION REPORTING REPEAL ACT

Hon. Mr. Gardom presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Crown Corporation Reporting Repeal Act.

Bill 21 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.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG
COMMISSION REPEAL ACT

Hon. Mr. Nielsen presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Alcohol and Drug Commission Repeal Act.

Bill 8 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.

MEDICAL SERVICES ACT

Hon. Mr. Nielsen presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Medical Services Act.

Bill 24 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.

MOTOR VEHICLE AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. A. Fraser presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 23 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.

RESIDENTIAL TENANCY ACT

Hon. Mr. Hewitt presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Residential Tenancy Act.

Bill 5 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.

EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT ACT

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Employment Development Act.

Bill 16 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.

GASOLINE (COLOURED) TAX
AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Gasoline (Coloured) Tax Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 14 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.

[4:00]

SOCIAL SERVICE TAX AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Social Service Tax Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 15 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.

TOBACCO TAX AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Tobacco Tax Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 13 introduced, read a first time and ordered to be place on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

PROVINCIAL TREASURY FINANCING
AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Provincial Treasury Financing Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 28 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.

INCOME TAX AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator, a bill intituled Income Tax Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 4 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.

MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES (FINANCE
MEASURES) AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Miscellaneous Statutes (Finance Measures) Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 17 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.

HUMAN RIGHTS ACT

Hon. Mr. McClelland presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Human Rights Act.

Bill 27 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.

MUNICIPAL AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Ritchie presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Municipal Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 9 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.

ASSESSMENT AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Curtis presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Assessment Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 22 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.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM ACT (NO. 1), 1983

Hon. Mr. Ritchie presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Property Tax Reform Act (No. 1) 1983.

Bill 7 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.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM ACT (NO. 2) 1983

Hon. Mr. Ritchie presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Property Tax Reform Act (No. 2) 1983.

Bill 12 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.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. McClelland presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Employment Standards Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 26 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.

COLLEGE AND INSTITUTE
AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Heinrich presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled College and Institute Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 20 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.

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Heinrich presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Institute of Technology Amendment Act, 1983.

HON. MR. HEINRICH: I ask leave to move first reading of the bill accompanying the message.

MR. SPEAKER: You've heard the motion. All in favour say aye.

MR. COCKE: It's been a very interesting afternoon, and on a matter of order, when the minister asks leave, I would expect that the Speaker would ask the House whether leave be granted. Instead of that, you're issuing a challenge of a motion. I just wonder whether or not we should get back to asking leave on these ministerial bills.

MR. SPEAKER: If the Chair has fallen into error, it apologizes on that matter.

Bill 19 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.

EDUCATION (INTERIM) FINANCE
AMENDMENT ACT, 1983

Hon. Mr. Heinrich presented a message from His Honour the Administrator: a bill intituled Education (Interim) Finance Amendment Act, 1983.

Bill 6 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. Speaker, Order, please. Will the House allow the Chair just a moment, please?

Hon. members, prior to commencement of the budget debate, the hon. member for Skeena (Mr. Howard) raised as a matter of privilege a proposal that the response to the budget address by the hon. member for Nanaimo (Mr. Stupich), as finance critic of the official opposition, be permitted to be televised. In support of the matter raised, the hon. member for Skeena referred the Chair to the course taken by the Hon. Mr. Speaker Schroeder in submitting to the House a new proposal not consistent with previous practice relating to the televising of a budget address. I note that in his remarks, recorded in Hansard on April 5, 1982, Mr. Speaker declined to treat the matter as one of privilege, and I concur with that ruling. It is my opinion that the proper course, as previously followed, would be for the House to indicate its unanimous consent, or otherwise, to a material departure from the well-established practice of only permitting television coverage of proceedings on the opening day of a new session and of the budget address itself.

MR. HOWARD: Mr. Speaker, if it's your ruling that we follow the course set by Mr. Speaker Schroeder on April 5, 1982, then I think you should test the House and ask that leave of the House be given to televise the comments of the member for Nanaimo tomorrow.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, while it is somewhat a move from practice, I would be prepared to put that question on the understanding that raising a matter of privilege does not constitute a need for the Chair to put any particular question to the House. However, in this case, because of the time constraints and because of the preparation that would have to be undertaken if such a motion were to pass, I would therefore put the question. The question is that television coverage be allowed tomorrow for the reply to the budget speech by the government today.

[4:15]

Motion negatived.

Hon. Mr. Gardom moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 4:16 p.m.