No. 72 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia First Session of the Forty-third Parliament

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

One-thirty o’clock p.m.

Prayers and Reflections by the Hon. Kelly Greene.

Order called for “Members’ Statements.”

Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”

Rob Botterell sought leave to move a motion without notice.

Leave not granted.

Paul Choi presented the Report of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, Review of Statutory Offices’ Supplementary Funding Requests for 2025–26, for the First Session of the Forty-third Parliament (First), May 2025.

The Report was taken as read and received.

By leave, Paul Choi moved that the Report be adopted.

A debate arose.

Motion agreed to.

Jeremy Valeriote presented a petition regarding Bill (No. 15) intituled Infrastructure Projects Act.

The Hon. Garry Begg (Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General) tabled the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch Annual Report, 2023–2024.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

On the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 5) intituled Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2025, a debate arose.

Bill (No. 5) read a third time and passed.

Order called for Committee of Supply.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A and Section C of Committee of the Whole.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.

(In Committee — Section B)

14. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $750,254,000 be granted to His Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Attorney General, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2026.

15. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $112,638,000 be granted to His Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Attorney General, Judiciary, to 31st March, 2026.

16. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $24,500,000 be granted to His Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Attorney General, Crown Proceeding Act, to 31st March, 2026.

17. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $12,652,000 be granted to His Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Attorney General, Independent Investigations Office, to 31st March, 2026.

Section B of Committee of Supply reported the Resolutions and completion of the estimates of the Ministry of Attorney General.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again later today.

Order called for Committee of Supply.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.

(In Committee — Section B)

Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Office of the Premier.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again later today.

Pursuant to the time allocation motion adopted on May 6, 2025, all remaining questions to complete consideration of Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act were put.

On the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, a debate arose.

The House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

Bill (No. 7) read a third time and passed.

By leave, Steve Kooner presented a petition regarding Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act.

Order called for Committee of Supply.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.

(In Committee — Section B)

Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Office of the Premier.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again later today.

(In Committee — Section C)

Bill (No. 14) intituled Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act was again committed.

Jordan Kealy moved a proposed amendment to clause 15 of Bill (No. 14) which was defeated on the following division:

The Chair announced that the votes being equal, and in accordance with established practice to maintain the bill in existing form, she cast her vote in opposition to the amendment.

Clause 15 of Bill (No. 14) passed on the following division:

The Chair announced that the votes being equal, and in accordance with established practice to maintain the bill in existing form, she cast her vote in favour of the motion.

Clauses 16 through 19 of Bill (No. 14) passed.

Jeremy Valeriote moved a proposed amendment to add clause 19.1 to Bill (No. 14) which was defeated on the following division:

The Chair announced that the votes being equal, and in accordance with established practice to maintain the bill in existing form, he cast his vote in opposition to the amendment.

A proposed amendment by Jeremy Valeriote to add clause 19.2 to Bill (No. 14) was ruled out of order.

Clause 20 of Bill (No. 14) passed.

Jeremy Valeriote moved a proposed amendment to add clause 20.1 to Bill (No. 14) which was defeated on the following division:

The Chair announced that the votes being equal, and in accordance with established practice to maintain the bill in existing form, he cast his vote in opposition to the amendment.

Pursuant to the time allocation motion adopted on May 6, 2025, all remaining questions to complete consideration of Bill (No. 14) were put and deemed to have passed.

Clauses 21 through 24 of Bill (No. 14) passed.

Clause 25 of Bill (No. 14) passed, on division.

Clause 26 of Bill (No. 14) passed, on division.

Clause 27 of Bill (No. 14) passed, on division.

The title of Bill (No. 14) passed.

The motion that the Committee rise and report Bill (No. 14) complete without amendment passed, on division.

Section C of Committee of the Whole reported Bill (No. 14) intituled Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act complete without amendment.

On the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 14) the House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

The Speaker announced that the votes being equal, and given that Bill (No. 14) had passed earlier stages of consideration by the House with a majority of votes, he cast his vote in favour of the motion.

Bill (No. 14) read a third time and passed.

Sheldon Clare rose on a point of order regarding the application of Standing Order 8 (3) (b) with respect to a Member participating remotely in the division on third reading of Bill (No. 14).

The Speaker ruled that Members participating in the division on third reading of Bill (No. 14) did not contravene the Guidance for Members Participating in Proceedings of the Legislative Assembly Remotely issued under Standing Order 8 (3) (b).

Order called for Committee of Supply.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.

(In Committee — Section B)

Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Office of the Premier.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again later today.

(In Committee — Section A)

Bill (No. 15) intituled Infrastructure Projects Act was again committed.

Clause 6 and clause 7 of Bill (No. 15) passed.

Pursuant to the time allocation motion adopted on May 6, 2025, all remaining questions to complete consideration of Bill (No. 15) were put and deemed to have passed.

Clause 8 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 9 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 10 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 11 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 12 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 13 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 14 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 15 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 16 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 17 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 18 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 19 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 20 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 21 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 22 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 23 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 24 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 25 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 26 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 27 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 28 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 29 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 30 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 31 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 32 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 33 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 34 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 35 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 36 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 37 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 38 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 39 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 40 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 41 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 42 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 43 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 44 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 45 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 46 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 47 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

Clause 48 of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

The title of Bill (No. 15) passed, on division.

The motion that the Committee rise and report Bill (No. 15) complete without amendment passed, on division.

Section A of Committee of the Whole reported Bill (No. 15) intituled Infrastructure Projects Act complete without amendment.

On the motion for third reading of Bill (No. 15) the House divided.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

The Speaker announced that the votes being equal, and given that Bill (No. 15) had passed earlier stages of consideration by the House with a majority of votes, he cast his vote in favour of the motion.

Bill (No. 15) read a third time and passed.

Peter Milobar rose on a point of order regarding the application of Standing Order 8 (3) (b) with respect to a Member participating remotely in the division on third reading of Bill (No. 14).

The Hon. Mike Farnworth made representations.

Sheldon Clare made representations.

The Speaker stated that the ruling with respect to the earlier point of order raised by Sheldon Clare stands.

The Speaker stated that Gavin Dew must withdraw from the Chamber until his comments are withdrawn.

Order called for Committee of Supply.

Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section B of Committee of Supply.

(In Committee — Section B)

Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Office of the Premier.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

Gavin Dew withdrew his comments.

And then the House adjourned at 8.48 p.m.

HON. RAJ CHOUHAN, Speaker

NOTICE OF BILLS

Thursday, May 29

Mandeep Dhaliwal to introduce a Bill intituled Parental Transparency and Age-Appropriate Education Act.

Harman Bhangu to introduce a Bill intituled Passenger Transportation Amendment Act, 2025.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Thursday, May 29

43  The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That in addition to the terms of reference provided to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services by the Legislative Assembly on February 24, 2025, the Committee be designated as the Committee referred to in section 28.2 of the Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act.

44  Sheldon Clare to move —

1. That a Commission on MLA Remuneration and Allowances (the “Commission”) be appointed to review, examine, and make recommendations respecting:

a. basic compensation paid to Members of the Legislative Assembly pursuant to section 2 of the Members’ Remuneration and Pensions Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 257);

b. annual salaries for certain positions prescribed in section 4 of the Members’ Remuneration and Pensions Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 257); and,

c. allowances available to Members of the Legislative Assembly that are established by policy of the Legislative Assembly Management Committee, including existing allowances and the creation of new allowances that would better enable Members to discharge their constitutional responsibilities,

and further recommend when any changes should come into effect.

2. That the Commission consist of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and four additional individuals appointed by the Clerk, being:

a. two former Members of the Legislative Assembly who served in the 41st or 42nd Parliament, one of whom represented an urban electoral district and one of whom represented a rural electoral district; and,

b. two academics specializing in political science, law, or public administration.

3. That the Commission be chaired by the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and that the Clerk may appoint an Acting Chair in the Clerk’s absence.

4. That quorum for the Commission be set at three.

5. That the Commission have the powers of a select standing committee and in addition be empowered to:

a. sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following Session, and during any sitting of the House;

b. conduct consultations by any means the Commission considers appropriate;

c. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and,

d. retain personnel as required to assist the Commission.

6. That, within six months of the appointment of the Commission, the final report of the Commission be transmitted to the Speaker and be tabled by the Speaker in the House if the House is sitting or deposited with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly if the House is not sitting.

7. That, upon tabling or deposit of the final report of the Commission, the final report be deemed referred to the Legislative Assembly Management Committee.

8. That, within 30 days of the referral of the final report of the Commission to the Legislative Assembly Management Committee, an implementation plan with respect to the findings and recommendations in the final report of the Commission be tabled by the Speaker in the House if the House is sitting or deposited with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly if the House is not sitting.

Copyright © King’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada