1994 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 35th Parliament
HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.

Official Report of

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(Hansard)

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994

Afternoon Sitting

Volume 13, Number 1

[ Page 9417 ]

The House met at 2:05 p.m.

This being the first day of the third session of the thirty-fifth Legislative Assembly of the province of British Columbia for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a proclamation of the Hon. David C. Lam, Lieutenant-Governor of the province, 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.

Speech from the Throne

Hon. D.C. Lam (Lieutenant-Governor): Hon. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, before beginning to read the Speech from the Throne, I would beg your indulgence for a few moments. The Prime Minister of Canada has requested that I continue in office until September of this year. My wife and I are honoured yet feel humbled that we have been given the opportunity to continue to serve, to encourage and to work on behalf of the people of British Columbia. I remember the many kind words expressed by members when I was last in this House. During the remainder of my term, I shall cherish and shall attempt to continue to live up to those warm sentiments expressed here. Thank you.

Hon. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly, in opening this third session of the thirty-fifth parliament of British Columbia, I extend greetings on behalf of our Sovereign, Her Majesty the Queen. I take this opportunity to say how much we will welcome Her Majesty's visit to British Columbia this August when Victoria hosts the fifteenth Commonwealth Games.

Hon. Speaker and members, there is a saying: "Times change, and we change with them." Around the world change has become the watchword for this historic decade. Here in British Columbia the winds of change swept in a new government elected to lead our province in a new direction. In the last two and a half years, we have indeed seen a profound change in provincial government, especially with regard to fiscal policy. Spending growth has been cut in half, and the budget deficit has been reduced by $1 billion. Conservative estimates project a balanced budget by 1996, and a practical plan for managing government debt will soon be put into effect. In order to protect the pocketbooks of British Columbians and provide the highest level of service to the public, the government has moved to further eliminate wasteful spending and to control administrative costs, realizing significant savings without sacrificing quality in education, health care and other vital social services the people of British Columbia expect and deserve.

By putting our province's fiscal house in order, this government has made an important contribution to sustained economic growth. In 1993, employment in British Columbia increased at a rate of 2.9 percent, three times faster than the rest of Canada. Last year, new capital investment grew at a rate of 8.4 percent, more than five times the national average. Our province can take pride in the fastest-growing economy in the country. One of this government's top priorities is to continue this record of success.

This has been a period of sustained and meaningful change, and despite the inevitable difficulties, British Columbia today stands on a firm foundation. Now let us look to the future. As we prepare for the twenty-first century, we face challenges that test our ingenuity and resolve.

Record population growth will put more pressure on our urban communities, our environment and government services. Discriminatory reductions in federal transfer payments to B.C. from the new government in Ottawa would be counterproductive to our budget process and could harm our economy.

Restructuring our forest industry, the heart of British Columbia's economy, will require close and continued cooperation between government and the forest sector.

Land use disputes must be settled in a fair and timely manner to protect jobs, our environment and treaty negotiations with first nations.

New rules governing international trade present an excellent opportunity to expand our export industries and further cultivate ties with Asia-Pacific countries as well as our neighbours in North America.

B.C. businesses will need well-trained workers to expand and compete in the global economy. We must place greater emphasis on skills training to prepare our workforce for tomorrow's jobs.

[2:15]

Crime is a growing concern across our province. We must take steps to prevent crime and make our communities safer from violence, drugs and gangs.

Restoring the integrity of our social safety net is a pressing concern. We must provide for those who are truly in need and help people on welfare back to work, while enforcing strict regulations that curb fraud.

Our generation has a solemn responsibility to preserve British Columbia's magnificent natural heritage. Expanding our provincial parks and protecting wilderness areas has been and will continue to be a major commitment of this government.

The well-being of every citizen depends on maintaining stability in our health care system. This government is forging a new partnership with care providers and patients to ensure an even greater share of every health dollar is spent directly on medical services.

The task before us is great, but so too is the spirit of British Columbia. This government stands ready to meet the challenges ahead, and asks every member of this Legislative Assembly to join with them in building a more just and more prosperous province.

To accomplish our goals, this government has established four key priorities to develop a strong and sustainable provincial economy, and to ensure that citizens and communities have the opportunity to shape their lives and the issues affecting them: investing in long-term job creation and economic growth, skills training for the twenty-first century, revitalizing our forest sector, sound fiscal management and fair taxation.

The budget this government will propose for the coming year reflects a major commitment to these priorities -- priorities that put the people of British Columbia first.

In addition, this government will build on the significant policy initiatives and positive changes introduced in the legislative sessions of the past two years. Continued energy and resources will focus on action to re-establish public confidence in our social safety net, improve the quality of public education, work towards equality for women, forge a new relationship with aboriginal peoples, carry out responsible land use planning, and ensure medicare keeps up with our changing needs.

[ Page 9418 ]

British Columbia must create jobs with a future. We must also boost our regional economies. This government is investing in British Columbia's regions to expand and diversify our economy for the future. B.C. 21, the government's major initiative introduced in last year's budget, will make new public sector investments in our province's infrastructure. This means construction work in the short run and, in the long term, will make our province a better, more productive place to do business -- and that means jobs. By spending B.C. 21 tax dollars wisely in education and health care facilities and in transportation, communications and municipal infrastructure, we can create a climate which encourages long-term private sector investment and jobs. This government looks to invest these tax dollars cost-effectively and to ensure that benefits to B.C. communities include good local jobs and training for young people.

To diversify our economy, we are promoting small business, developing export trade, encouraging value-added manufacturing and making venture capital available to entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. As British Columbia evolves into a more knowledge-based economy, we must increase our investment in advanced research to attract high-tech industries like telecommunications and biotechnology. This government will be building a new partnership with the private sector to help expand these industries and construct B.C.'s electronic highway.

Families will continue to receive support from this government as it expands child care services for children, with 7,500 new spaces in the next three years. This will enable more parents to take full advantage of job or training opportunities.

A strong economy requires a highly skilled, productive workforce. The Premier has placed particular importance on educating our children and re-educating workers so British Columbia can compete successfully in a global economy. To that end, this government has increased education funding more than any other province in Canada.

In order to build on our initiatives to improve public education, including caps on administrative costs and funding new classroom computers, this government is completing changes to K- to-12 education with an emphasis on basic educational skills that students need to succeed in the working world. We are also constructing new schools in areas of rapid population growth. This government will continue to demand the highest standards of performance and accountability for students, teachers and administrators to better prepare our children for the challenges ahead.

The new Ministry of Skills, Training and Labour has been established, and in the coming months will introduce initiatives to strengthen skills training in British Columbia. These will include a new emphasis on high-quality skills training, community-based training to help bridge the gap between social assistance and work, and new apprenticeship and work experience opportunities to better prepare high school students for the world of work.

This government also supports education and training outreach for women, aboriginal people, visible minorities and persons with disabilities.

On the horizon, a provincial learning network will interconnect schools, libraries, colleges and universities to enhance skills training throughout the province. The granting of four-year degrees by B.C.'s colleges and institutes will also be expanded in this session as part of the government's new direction to provide more post-secondary choices for young people.

Perhaps the most complex and demanding issue facing this government concerns our province's vast forests, which have provided a good living and a way of life for generations of British Columbians. Management of our forests by past governments and industry without regard for long-term sustainability has jeopardized future jobs and communities.

For the past year the Forest Sector Strategy Committee has brought together representatives from industry, labour, municipalities and first nations, as well as environmental advocates and academics. This committee is in the process of formulating a comprehensive strategy that will enhance the economic and social benefits derived from our province's forests.

This government will be presenting to you a comprehensive set of measures designed to ensure future jobs and the sustainability of communities. This will include major investments in the forest and forest lands, in forest workers and in their communities, all built on recognizing economic, ecological, recreational and cultural values. As a result, we will achieve significant gains in job creation, training and labour adjustment, value-added manufacturing, long-term timber supply, environmental values and the participation of first nations.

The Commission on Resources and Environment has submitted the Vancouver Island land use plan to the government for consideration. The Premier has indicated that land use changes will not proceed until economic and social impacts can be dealt with satisfactorily. Your government will ensure that workers and their families have a real opportunity to stay in their communities and pursue their life hopes and aspirations at home.

As promised, the government will introduce B.C.'s first Forest Practices Code this session. This landmark code will make better forest practices the law in our province and include stronger enforcement and tougher penalties.

[2:30]

The pocketbook of every British Columbian is a priority of paramount importance to this government. By pursuing a fair, progressive and responsible fiscal policy, this government has brought spending under control and lowered the deficit by $1 billion, while maintaining vital public services. In addition, this government will balance the budget by 1996, and will soon put in place a plan to manage provincial debt.

By eliminating bureaucratic waste whenever and wherever we find it, this government is fulfilling its pledge to do more with less. This has direct bearing on issues like restoring public confidence in our social safety net.

Social programs are a vital part of the British Columbia economy and society. Programs such as medicare, social assistance, unemployment insurance, public education and a minimum wage define who we are as a society and how we take care of each other. They help us to cope with the unpredictable crises of life, such as the loss of a job or ill health. Today Canadians are discussing the future of our social programs. Too often this discussion focuses only on whether we can afford them. Our goal now must be to ensure that they remain relevant, effective and accessible. It costs us all when people fall through the social 

[ Page 9419 ]

safety net -- in poor health, lost potential and dependency.

This government believes that the people of B.C. can't afford to lose our social safety net. Consequently this government will ensure that British Columbians lead in shaping the future of our social programs. The Premier will sponsor a forum on new opportunities for working and living, which will bring the people of B.C. into the discussion. Together we will design the future of our social safety net and the security we provide for all British Columbians.

Renewal of our health care system also depends on our ability to manage costs and is essential if we are to meet the medical needs of a changing population. This government's new initiatives will include delivering health services closer to home, encouraging preventive care by British Columbians and limiting administrative costs to ensure the largest share of each health care dollar is spent directly on medical services.

The average taxpayer is the true beneficiary of this government's balanced approach to fiscal management. A three-year tax freeze, combined with increased tax enforcement and pressure on Ottawa for our share of federal revenue, demonstrates this government's commitment to tax fairness.

Hon. Speaker and members, our province has arrived at a turning point. The people of British Columbia have demanded change, and this government has done its best to meet the challenge. Our record of success in fiscal management speaks for itself. Maintaining services people depend on, like education and health care, while reducing the budget deficit means we have laid a firm foundation for the future.

As British Columbia has grown from a frontier outpost to the fastest-growing economy in Canada, the tradition of neighbour helping neighbour has remained strong. Like those who came before us, we must now work together to build a sturdy home on this strong foundation, a home where hard-working men and women can raise their families, a home where people live in peace with one another and in harmony with nature, and a home where we all are welcome and no one is turned away from the table.

British Columbia is our home. We enjoy a special quality of life unique to our province, and this government is determined to do its very best to protect this land we love and the people we represent.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

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

Introduction of Bills

AN ACT TO ENSURE THE SUPREMACY OF PARLIAMENT

Hon. C. Gabelmann: Hon. Speaker, I move that a bill intituled An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament be introduced and read a first time now.

The purpose of this bill is to assert the right of this House to deliberate and to act without leave of the Sovereign. The introduction of this bill prior to the consideration of the throne speech is a reaffirmation of parliament's assertion of independence from the Crown in matters of legislation, first made almost 400 years ago.

Bill 1 introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Hon. G. Clark: I move, seconded by the Member for Fort Langley-Aldergrove, that Mr. Emery Barnes, member for Vancouver Burrard electoral district, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

Hon. G. Clark: I move, seconded by the member for Fort Langley-Aldergrove, that Ms. Gretchen Brewin, member for Victoria-Beacon Hill electoral district, be appointed Deputy Chair of Committee of the Whole for this session of the Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

Hon. C. Gabelmann: Hon. Speaker, I move that the Votes and Proceedings of this House be printed, being first perused by the Speaker, and that she do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as she shall appoint do presume to print the same.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. Harcourt: I move that the select standing committees of this House for the present session be appointed for the following purposes:

(1) Aboriginal Affairs; 
(2) Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations;
(3) Education, Culture and Multiculturalism; 
(4) Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology; 
(5) Environment and Tourism; 
(6) Finance, Crown Corporations and Government Services;
(7) Health and Social Services; 
(8) Agriculture and Fisheries;
(9) Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources;
(10) Transportation, Municipal Affairs and Housing; 
(11) Women's Equality; 
(12) Public Accounts; 
(13) Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders

and Private Bills; which said committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House, and to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers and records; and that a special committee be appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to compose the above select standing committees of this House under standing order 68(1), the committee to be composed of Hon. G. Clark (convener), Hon. J. MacPhail, U. Dosanjh, G. Janssen, S. Hammell, S. O'Neill, G. Farrell-Collins and W. Hurd.

D. Mitchell: I wish to say a few words to the Premier's motion, only because this is the single opportunity to do so: the time where we appoint the select standing committees for this session of the Legislature.

I know this is somewhat of a traditional motion, but sometimes traditions need to change or be reformed. We know that this impressive list of select standing committees is not functional. Most of those committees do not meet during the life of a session. With some of those that do meet, we sometimes wonder why they do. Hon. Speaker, the question is: do we really need this list? We know that the House can strike a committee at any time for any purpose. The House has that ability and that flexibility. So do we 

[ Page 9420 ]

really need all 13 standing committees that the Premier just referred to in his motion, or could we get by with fewer?

Of the 13 that he has mentioned, I can count two that are truly required. One is the Public Accounts Committee, which is needed for this House to perform the post-audit function of the budgetary cycle. The other one is the Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills. That committee is needed only when private bills come before this House.

I can think of a third committee that might be needed and that I'd like to recommend today. It's a committee on Crown corporations. This is not a new idea; it's an idea that I've discussed over the last couple of years and that members of the governing party strongly advocated when they were in opposition. We need a committee on Crown corporations in this Legislature for this session, because Crown corporations are the fastest-growing part of government in British Columbia today. There are new Crown corporations being created by this government on a regular basis; in fact, we're not even sure how many Crown corporations there are in British Columbia today.

[2:45]

Hon. Speaker, we need a committee of this House to review the function of Crown corporations, in much the same way the Public Accounts Committee reviews the ministries of government, to provide a post-audit function for Crown corporations. This House needs to be able to determine why and how B.C. Hydro is able to levy huge increases in the charges that they apply to both residential and industrial customers. A committee of this House should be able to inquire into why B.C. Rail is trampling over the rights of individual communities where it operates. These are just two examples of many that I could cite where Crown corporations need to be held accountable in a much more concrete fashion. This Legislature needs to play a role, hon. Speaker.

So with those few comments -- and I'll keep my comments brief -- I would like to move an amendment to the Premier's motion so that after the words "following purposes," Nos. 1 through 13 be deleted, and the following substituted therefor: "(1) Crown Corporations; (2) Public Accounts; and (3) Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills."

On the amendment.

Hon. G. Clark: I'm slightly puzzled by the member's motion today, for a couple of reasons. First of all, the select standing committees of the House have really been revitalized in the last two and a half years. In fact, hon. Speaker, we've had committees report on the North American Free Trade Agreement and hold hearings around the province. We've had a select standing committee dealing with lumber remanufacturing report to this House. We've had an excellent committee on health care issues relating to tobacco regulations. We've had a committee on recall and initiative, which has held dozens of hearings around the province on that question. We've had a parliamentary committee on the make-up of the First Citizens' Fund.

In fact, hon. Speaker, we've had more use of parliamentary committees in the last two years than in the previous 50 or 100 years of this parliament's existence, and I think all members should be congratulated on that very good work. In addition, of course, when that member was House Leader for the Liberal Party -- lo, those many years ago -- we actually amended the list to include parliamentary reform and ethical conduct at the suggestion of the then-House Leader for the Liberal Party. It was brought into the House with some discussion. So we on this side of the House are open to a whole series of parliamentary reform initiatives.

But unfortunately, hon. Speaker, there are two issues here. One is that there is a committee: it's called Finance, Crown Corporations and Government Services. So there already is a committee of the House. Secondly, all members of the executive council are accountable and have had lots of debate and discussion around Crown corporations for which they are responsible in this House -- in fact, more than has been the case in the past. And then finally, there is another innovation. The Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, the member for Delta South, is a member of the Liberal Party; and for the first time ever, I think, in the history of Public Accounts, Crown corporations are appearing before Public Accounts, being held accountable, questioned and discussed. That, again, is another innovation.

So we're very open to parliamentary reform. There will be a number of other initiatives on parliamentary reform, I hope, during this session. We've discussed it with the opposition party. We've accommodated their request in a variety of ways. We will not discriminate against that member because he's not in the official opposition anymore. I'm quite prepared to discuss with him ways in which we can continue the excellent work on parliamentary reform which this parliament has engaged in. Unfortunately, because we already have all of these initiatives underway and because we've had discussions in the past, we are not able to support an amendment at this time.

G. Farrell-Collins: I would probably have to speak against the amendment. First of all, virtually all of the items that the member is speaking of already appear on the list of committees that this House is entitled to refer matters to.

The problem we have isn't with the list of Crown Corporations that's there, and it's not with the use of committees as they appear here; it's with the abuse of committees that has been perpetrated by this government. Time and time again we have seen the abuse of those standing committees by the government. The only issues that see their way to those standing committees are the issues that the government doesn't want to deal with. So they hand them off to the standing committees and use their majorities to ram items through. With the exception of the committee on health that dealt with tobacco, there has been nothing but abuse of those committees by the members opposite -- particularly the Premier -- in referring matters to them.

Far more changes need to be made to the structure of those committees and the way this House works than are in the simple amendment that we see here today.

The Speaker: I regret, hon. member, that the mover of an amendment does not have the right to close the debate, so I cannot recognize you unless you are rising on a point of order.

D. Mitchell: A quick point of order, hon. Speaker.

The Speaker: I hope it's a real point of order, hon. member.

D. Mitchell: I wish to inform the Chair that I will be calling for a recorded division on this amendment. I ask for leave to waive the five-minute bell and allow the guests to remain on the floor for the recorded division.

[ Page 9421 ]

The Speaker: Thank you, hon. member. Seeing no further speakers on the amendment, I will read the amendment for the benefit of members. Moved by the hon. member for West Vancouver-Garibaldi: "That after the words 'following purposes,' Nos. 1 through 13 be deleted and the following substituted therefor: '(1) Crown Corporations; (2) Public Accounts; (3) Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills'; and that standing order 68(1) is hereby amended so as to reflect that said committees have the powers referred to by section 69 of the Constitution Act."

A division has been called. I presume that I have the consent of the House to proceed with the division with guests on the floor, since it is a pro forma day.

Amendment negatived on the following division:

J. Tyabji: Further to the motion by the Premier, I have a suggestion for the Premier on amendments. Further to the comments from the member for West Vancouver-Garibaldi, one observation that can be made with regard to the select standing committees as they are proposed is that in large part they don't meet. In addition to that, there are some pieces of legislation which we recognize will be coming before the House this session and for which there isn't a select standing committee to address.

To the motion by the Premier on the select standing committees, I would like to point specifically to the issue of water resources. We are all aware that this will be addressed by the government in this session. Although there is a Select Standing Committee on Environment and Tourism, it does not specifically address things like the Kemano completion project, the Nechako River diversion or the North Thompson River diversion, which is currently before both the Ministry of Environment and the ministry of economic development. We know there is going to be increasing demand and pressure on this government from the United States for water diversion, for control and for bulk water exports. We know the moratorium on bulk water exports will be lifted this year, and we know that the Fraser River will be further concentrated in terms of the volume of pollutants going into it, as opposed to the water that will be diverted -- for example, the one million acre-feet that will be diverted through the North Thompson diversion, if that is successful.

I would like to move an amendment to the motion by the Premier that after the words "following purposes," Nos. 1 through 13 be deleted, and the following substituted therefor: "(1) Water Diversion, Control and Export; (2) Public Accounts; (3) Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills"; and that standing order 68(1) is hereby amended so as to reflect that said committees have the powers conferred by section 69 of the Constitution Act.

On the amendment.

Hon. G. Clark: Hon. Speaker, it should be an interesting few months here, I think.

I want to say that the member has raised some very legitimate issues which we hope to canvass in debate in this House. They are important issues; we take them seriously. We will review whether committees can deal with them or this House might deal with them in Committee of the Whole. Nevertheless, what the member has done is make recommendations for subject matters which the committees might hear, and that is quite appropriate. We will certainly discuss with members over the coming months whether a committee is the appropriate place. There are committees in place. For example, the Committee on Environment and Tourism could easily deal with questions like water exports if we so choose.

Unfortunately, we have to vote against the amendment to completely revamp the committee structure. The committee structure is the result of a consensus we had last session. I appreciate that's more difficult today, and getting more difficult every day. But we will take seriously the member's comments on some very important issues and review whether they are appropriately dealt with by select standing committees or by other methods of debate in this House.

The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers on the amendment, and for the benefit of the members, I will read the amendment: "That after the words 'following purposes,' Nos. 1 through 13 be deleted, and the following substituted therefor: '(1) Water Diversion, Control and Export; (2) Public Accounts; (3) Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills'; and that standing order 68(1) is hereby amended so as to reflect that said committees have the powers conferred by section 69 of the Constitution Act."

Amendment negatived on division.

G. Wilson: Further to the Premier's motion, while I agree with both the previous motions with respect to the number and success of standing committees, I believe that since this government has graduated from bingo to Las Vegas-style casino, perhaps it's time for us to have a standing committee on gaming for profit in the province. Therefore I move an amendment that would add after the words "Constitution Act," "(14) Gaming for Profit"; and that standing order 68(1) is hereby amended so as to reflect that said committees have the powers conferred by section 69 of the Constitution Act.

[3:00]

[ Page 9422 ]

On the amendment.

J. Tyabji: Hon. Speaker, it's regrettable that the government isn't standing up to put on record their support for or opposition to this amendment. We know that one of the biggest issues facing the people of this province is the issue of gaming for profit. There isn't a day that goes by that there aren't submissions on this issue, both at the constituency office and the Victoria office. Not only are we dealing with the profit issue, we're also dealing with the non-profit societies that are currently doing a number of very beneficial community projects. They very much rely on the profits that they make from non-profit gambling. We need a debate on this issue in the House; if not a debate, we need a select standing committee. We need to hear from this government today where it stands with regard to an all-party committee of the House so that we can establish proper guidelines for this issue.

Hon. G. Clark: I thought it was only Liberals who thought that we'd solve the problem by forming a committee.

Frankly, this is a legitimate source of debate, and of course, that's what we're all elected here to do. Forming a specific committee to deal with this question may simply be one way of dealing with the issue. But there are other processes in place in every debate in this House every day to deal with these very matters, so we're not foreclosing a debate on that. We think it's quite an appropriate area.

Once again, I don't want to minimize the member's comments. These are important public policy issues in which all members of the House have a stake. It's the vehicle for which we have that debate that has not been discussed prior to today. At this time, we would suggest that it is not appropriate to form a committee. For example, there is the Committee on Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations to which this could be referred. There are other mechanisms for debate in this House. We're seeing some right now. We will continue to have some discussion over the course of the coming months. Unfortunately, we have to vote against this particular amendment.

J. Weisgerber: I do believe that this is going to be one of the critical issues facing British Columbia in the current year. I'm not convinced by the Government House Leader's argument that there is an appropriate committee here. I'm not certain that the one he mentions -- Justice, Constitutional Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations -- is at all appropriate. I would be quite willing to support the reference of this question to an existing committee -- if I saw one in the list. I don't believe there is one. While I voted against the other amendments, I do think that there is some legitimacy in voting in favour of and supporting a standing committee of the Legislature to examine the issue of gambling in British Columbia.

G. Farrell-Collins: Members of the Liberal caucus, obviously, have asked that this item be taken around the province and discussed with the people to see how it affects the aboriginal communities and the not-for-profit-gambling people, the charities that rely on that income. I think that this will be a venue that will be far more open and proactive, and will involve far more people in the community -- other than just the minister responsible. It's a novel idea, and I think it's something that we can all support.

The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers on the amendment, for the benefit of members, I will read this amendment. It is moved that there be added after the words "Constitution Act," "(14) Gaming for Profit"; and that standing order 68(1) is hereby amended so as to reflect that said committees have the powers conferred by section 69 of the Constitution Act.

D. Symons: On a point of order, if the mover of the motion wants to correct a mistake here and re-number the motion as No. 13, and make No. 13 on here No. 14, it would read more sensibly that way.

The Speaker: I regret that I am not understanding the member's point of order. There is an amendment before us -- which I have read -- to amend the list to add No. 14.

Amendment negatived on the following division:

On the main motion.

T. Perry: I'd just like to make some very brief remarks. I voted against most of the amendments because I agree with the points made by the Government House Leader that the committee structure adequately reflects the ability to deal with the issues raised by the members opposite. I also think the committee structure could potentially deal with the issues raised by the member for Okanagan East on the amendment that was just defeated.

The real issue is whether the House committees will take a more proactive, constructive role. I think the government has made an excellent start in the last two years. In particular, the Committee on Health and Social Services -- chaired, I think, by the member for North Vancouver-Lonsdale -- did an excellent job on the tobacco regulations. In fact, there is a potential for much more good work by 

[ Page 9423 ]

members on both sides of this House. I hope that members and the government will look at the experience in other jurisdictions, not only in Canada but also in our neighbouring state just to the south, and take advantage of the talent that's displayed in the ranks of these benches.

The Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, I call the vote on the main motion.

Motion approved.

Hon. G. Clark: A spirited beginning. I move the House do now adjourn.

Motion approved.

The Speaker: I would like to invite all members, their guests and legislative staff to a reception in the library rotunda upon adjournment.

The House adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

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