The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.
The printed version remains the official version.
Ten o’clock a.m.
Prayers and Reflections by the Hon. Kelly Greene.
The Hon. Jennifer Whiteside (Minister of Labour) presented to the Speaker a Message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, which read as follows:
Wendy Cocchia
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor transmits herewith Bill (No. 11) intituled Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2025, and recommends the same to the Legislative Assembly.
Government House,
April 14, 2025.
Bill introduced and read a first time.
Bill Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for second reading at the next sitting after today.
Order called for “Members’ Statements.”
Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A of Committee of the Whole.
Sharon Hartwell withdrew comments with respect to the question of privilege raised by the Hon. Brenda Bailey.
The House resumed the adjourned debate on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 5) intituled Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2025.
On the motion of the Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
Elenore Sturko rose on a point of order regarding comments made by the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.
(In Committee — Section A)
Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act was again committed.
On clause 2 of Bill (No. 7).
Section A of Committee of the Whole reported progress on Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act and asked leave to sit again.
Bill to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 11.52 a.m.
One-thirty o’clock p.m.
The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”
Pursuant to Sessional Order, order called for Section A of Committee of the Whole.
The House resumed the adjourned debate on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 5) intituled Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2025.
The debate continued.
On the motion of Ward Stamer, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.
The Speaker made a statement regarding relevance in debate with respect to Bill (No. 5) intituled Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2025.
(In Committee — Section A)
Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act was again committed.
Clause 2 of Bill (No. 7) passed.
A proposed amendment by the Hon. Niki Sharma (Attorney General and Deputy Premier) on the Order Paper to clause 3 of Bill (No. 7) passed.
Steve Kooner moved a proposed amendment to clause 3, as amended, of Bill (No. 7) which was defeated on the following division:
| Nays — 7 | |||
| Sunner Beare |
Routledge Sharma |
Begg Shah |
Botterell |
| Yeas — 5 | |||
| Kooner Dew |
Boultbee |
Mok |
Williams |
On clause 3, as amended, of Bill (No. 7).
Section A of Committee of the Whole reported progress on Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act and asked leave to sit again.
Bill to be considered at the next sitting.
Committee to sit again at the next sitting.
And then the House adjourned at 6.28 p.m.
HON. RAJ CHOUHAN, Speaker
Wednesday, April 16
John Rustad to introduce a Bill intituled Income Tax (Grocery Rebate Accountability) Amendment Act, 2025.
Wednesday, April 16
4 Lynne Block to ask the Hon. Minister of Education and Child Care the following questions: —
1. Transfers: Could you please provide a written breakdown of the $63,527 million in transfers, specifying each partner organization and the initiatives or services they are funding?
2. B.C. training and education savings program special account: Regarding the $30,001,000 allocated to the B.C. training and education savings program special account, can you please provide a detailed breakdown of what this funding covers and how it impacts training and education?
3. Teachers Act special account: Could you please confirm the accurate net amount for the Teachers Act special account and clarify the reason for the difference between the figures presented on page 63 and the financial overview?
4. EAs for K to 3: Of the $370 million allocated to support K-to-12 education, could you specify the amount earmarked for the commitment of an education assistant in every kindergarten-to-grade-3 classroom, and can you please provide a projected timeline for full implementation across the province?
5. Early intervention and literacy screening: Could you please provide data on the number of children screened to date under the $30 million early intervention program, the number still awaiting screening, and details regarding the government’s commitment to ongoing funding for this program beyond the initial three years? What metrics will be used to evaluate the program’s success over the three-year period to inform decisions about future funding?
6. SOGI resources age-appropriateness: Could you please provide specific details regarding the criteria being developed within the provincial framework to ensure SOGI resources in schools are age-appropriate and focused solely on anti-bullying, and what is the anticipated timeline for the implementation of this SOGI-specific guidance? What will be the consultation process involved in developing this framework and which stakeholders will be involved?
7. The allocation of the $9 billion between Education and Child Care: Could you please provide specific breakdowns of the $9 billion (both for operating expenses and ministry operations) between the Education and Child Care branches in the current budget? How “fluid” is this allocation process and what is the specific criteria used to determine the amounts for different categories?
8. School districts’ budget cuts: As the Minister stated that the budget remained the same, please outline projected impacts the Education Ministry anticipates with the removal of the carbon tax revenue and school districts’ future financial stability.
9. Shift away from letter grades: Has the Ministry collected any data or feedback from parents, teachers, and/or students regarding their understanding and perception of the proficiency scale compared to traditional letter grades? Are there any plans to re-evaluate the effectiveness of the current grading policy?
10. PISA and FSA results: The PISA and FSA results show dips in numeracy and literacy. As the Minister acknowledged these concerns, is the Ministry looking at any specific strategies or interventions that the Ministry may plan to implement to address these declining scores, beyond the existing literacy and numeracy funding?
11. Mental health of children and youth: As the government has committed to a counsellor in every school, please provide a more concrete timeline or targets for achieving this goal. How will the Ministry measure the impact of increased mental health supports on student well-being?
12. Mental health of teachers: Could the Ministry provide specific data regarding teacher burnout and retention, and how the effectiveness of any initiatives in addressing these issues, will be evaluated?
13. MyEdBC: Does the Ministry have any plans for upgrades or improvements to the system to address the ongoing frustrations reported by teachers?
14. Select Standing Committee on Education: Will the Minister support the reinstatement of the standing education committee, which has not met since 2006? If so, what steps would need to be taken to make this happen?
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