Nos. 56 and 57 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia First Session of the Forty-third Parliament

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Ten o’clock a.m.

Prayers and Reflections by Jennifer Blatherwick.

The Speaker made the following statement:

Honourable Members:

As always, the Chair is keenly observing debates of the House and wishes to offer a few reminders to Members about decorum and rules of debate.

First, the Chair reminds Members of the sub judice convention. This long-established parliamentary practice requires Members to exercise restraint in debate as it pertains to matters that are before a court of law or that are subject to an active police investigation. The purpose of this convention is to ensure that the debates of this House — which unfold in a very public manner — do not unfairly influence the judicial or investigative processes. Members are encouraged to consult Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, 5th edition, from pages 175 to 182 to better understand the sub judice convention and its application to debate in the House.

Second, the Chair reminds Members that the rule of anticipation applies during Oral Question Period to both questions and responses that touch on bills before the House. If a bill is on the Order Paper, the appropriate time to canvass its contents is during debate on the bill — including at second reading and in committee. As noted in Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, 5th edition, at page 324, a general inquiry regarding background or the subject matter of the bill may be in order, depending on how the matter is framed in the context of the contents of the bill. As always, the Chair retains final discretion on the procedural admissibility of a question and a response.

Third, the Chair reminds Members of the practice of presenting a petition, which is outlined in detail in Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, 5th edition, from pages 362 to 363. When presenting a petition, a Member is to be brief — which the Chair defines as being no more than 15 seconds.

Fourth, the Chair reminds Members of Standing Order 17B (4), which provides, “Clothing and badges with brand names, slogans, advertising or messages of a political nature are not permitted to be worn during proceedings of the House.” This includes things such as pins and laptop stickers, and Members are asked to be mindful of this rule and to follow the Chair’s direction as it may apply to the enforcement of this Standing Order.

Lastly, the Chair asks Members to be respectful of one another and this institution in debate. The Chair recognizes that the days are long and that the work is not easy. But the Chair calls on all Members to be temperate in debate — by engaging with one another respectfully and thoughtfully, avoiding inflammatory language, and focusing on the substance of arguments rather than personal criticisms.

Hon. Raj Chouhan, Speaker

On the motion of Steve Kooner that Bill (No. M 213) intituled Drug Use Prevention Education in Schools Act be introduced and read a first time, the House divided.

Motion agreed to nemine contradicente on the following division:

Bill (No. M 213) introduced, read a first time, and 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 Hon. Raj Chouhan (Speaker) tabled the Ombudsperson Public Report No. 56, No Benefit, Period: How a Flawed Audit and Unjust Legislation Left People Scrambling to Repay the BC Emergency Benefit for Workers, May 2025.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Order called for Committee of Supply.

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

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

(In Committee — Section B)

Section B of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

(In Committee — Section A)

Section A of Committee of Supply reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

(In Committee — Section C)

Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act was again committed.

On clause 14 of Bill (No. 7).

Section C 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 11.55 a.m.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

One-thirty o’clock p.m.

The House proceeded to “Orders of the Day.”

Order called for Committee of Supply.

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

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

(In Committee — Section B)

42. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $1,121,960,000 be granted to His Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2026.

Section B of Committee of Supply reported the Resolution and completion of the estimates of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

The House resumed the adjourned debate on the amendment to the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 5) intituled Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2025.

The amendment on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 5) was negatived on the following division:

The debate resumed on the main motion.

The House divided.

Motion agreed to nemine contradicente on the following division:

Bill (No. 5) read a second time and Ordered to be placed on the Orders of the Day for committal at the next sitting after today.

On the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 11) intituled Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2025, a debate arose.

On the motion of Brennan Day, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.

(In Committee — Section A)

38. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $116,223,000 be granted to His Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2026.

43. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding $5,747,116,000 be granted to His Majesty to defray the expenses of Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Ministry Operations, to 31st March, 2026.

Section A of Committee of Supply reported the Resolutions and completion of the estimates of the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and further reported progress of the estimates of the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.

Report to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

(In Committee — Section C)

Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act was again committed.

Clause 14 of Bill (No. 7) passed on the following division:

Clause 15 of Bill (No. 7) passed.

Clause 16 of Bill (No. 7) passed on the following division:

Steve Kooner moved a proposed amendment to clause 17 of Bill (No. 7) which was defeated, on division.

On clause 17 of Bill (No. 7).

Section C 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.

The Hon. Mike Farnworth moved —

That, pursuant to Standing Order 81.1 (2):

Bill (No. 5)

1. All remaining stages of consideration of Bill (No. 5) intituled Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2025, be disposed of by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, as prescribed:

a. If at 2.50 p.m., the bill is still being considered at committee stage, the Chair shall forthwith put any remaining question to complete the consideration of the bill, without further amendment or debate, which shall be deemed passed and which shall not be subject to a formal division call, but which may be taken in accordance with Practice Recommendation No. 1.

b. Notwithstanding section 1 (a), if the committee has not considered the amendment to clause 25 of the bill standing on the Order Paper in the name of the Minister of Finance, the amendment to clause 25 shall be deemed to have passed, and clause 25, as amended, shall be deemed to have passed.

c. Once the title of the bill has passed, the committee shall rise and report the bill complete with or without amendment, as the case may be, to the House.

d. Immediately thereafter, notwithstanding Standing Order 80, Standing Order 81, or any Standing Order or Sessional Order relating to the times and days of the sittings of the House, the question on all remaining stages of consideration the bill shall be put forthwith without amendment or debate.

e. If a division is called on the motion for third reading of the bill, the division shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

Bill (No. 7)

2. The question on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, and the question on any motion in amendment thereto, be put by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, without further amendment or debate, and that, if a division is called, it shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

3. All remaining stages of consideration of Bill (No. 7) intituled Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act be disposed of by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, as prescribed:

a. If at 3.50 p.m., the bill is still being considered at committee stage, the Chair shall forthwith put any remaining question to complete the consideration of the bill, without further amendment or debate, which shall be deemed passed and which shall not be subject to a formal division call, but which may be taken in accordance with Practice Recommendation No. 1.

b. Notwithstanding section 3 (a),

i. if the committee has not considered clauses 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 26 of the bill, they shall be deemed to have been defeated;

ii. if the committee has not considered the amendment standing on the Order Paper in the name of the Member for Saanich North and the Islands to add a new clause 28.1 to the bill, the amendment shall be deemed to have passed;

iii. if the committee has not considered the amendment standing on the Order Paper in the name of the Member for Saanich North and the Islands to add a new clause 28.2 to the bill, the amendment shall be deemed to have passed;

iv. if the committee has not considered the amendment to clause 29 of the bill standing on the Order Paper in the name of the Attorney General, the amendment to clause 29 shall be deemed to have passed, and clause 29, as amended, shall be deemed to have passed.

c. Once the title of the bill has passed, the committee shall rise and report the bill complete with or without amendment, as the case may be, to the House.

d. Immediately thereafter, notwithstanding Standing Order 80, Standing Order 81, or any Standing Order or Sessional Order relating to the times and days of the sittings of the House, the question on all remaining stages of consideration the bill shall be put forthwith without amendment or debate.

e. If a division is called on the motion for third reading of the bill, the division shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

Bill (No. 11)

4. The question on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 11) intituled Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2025, and the question on any motion in amendment thereto, be put by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, without further amendment or debate, and that, if a division is called, it shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

5. All remaining stages of consideration of Bill (No. 11) intituled Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2025, be disposed of by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, as prescribed:

a. If at 4.50 p.m., the bill is still being considered at committee stage, the Chair shall forthwith put any remaining question to complete the consideration of the bill, without further amendment or debate, which shall be deemed passed and which shall not be subject to a formal division call, but which may be taken in accordance with Practice Recommendation No. 1.

b. Once the title of the bill has passed, the committee shall rise and report the bill complete with or without amendment, as the case may be, to the House.

c. Immediately thereafter, notwithstanding Standing Order 80, Standing Order 81, or any Standing Order or Sessional Order relating to the times and days of the sittings of the House, the question on all remaining stages of consideration the bill shall be put forthwith without amendment or debate.

d. If a division is called on the motion for third reading of the bill, the division shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

Bill (No. 13)

6. The question on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 13) intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, and the question on any motion in amendment thereto, be put by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, without further amendment or debate, and that, if a division is called, it shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

7. All remaining stages of consideration of Bill (No. 13) intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, be disposed of by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, as prescribed:

a. If at 5.50 p.m., the bill is still being considered at committee stage, the Chair shall forthwith put any remaining question to complete the consideration of the bill, without further amendment or debate, which shall be deemed passed and which shall not be subject to a formal division call, but which may be taken in accordance with Practice Recommendation No. 1.

b. Once the title of the bill has passed, the committee shall rise and report the bill complete with or without amendment, as the case may be, to the House.

c. Immediately thereafter, notwithstanding Standing Order 80, Standing Order 81, or any Standing Order or Sessional Order relating to the times and days of the sittings of the House, the question on all remaining stages of consideration the bill shall be put forthwith without amendment or debate.

d. If a division is called on the motion for third reading of the bill, the division shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

Bill (No. 14)

8. The question on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 14) intituled Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act, and the question on any motion in amendment thereto, be put by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, without further amendment or debate, and that, if a division is called, it shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

9. All remaining stages of consideration of Bill (No. 14) intituled Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act be disposed of by 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, as prescribed:

a. If at 6.50 p.m., the bill is still being considered at committee stage, the Chair shall forthwith put any remaining question to complete the consideration of the bill, without further amendment or debate, which shall be deemed passed and which shall not be subject to a formal division call, but which may be taken in accordance with Practice Recommendation No. 1.

b. Once the title of the bill has passed, the committee shall rise and report the bill complete with or without amendment, as the case may be, to the House.

c. Immediately thereafter, notwithstanding Standing Order 80, Standing Order 81, or any Standing Order or Sessional Order relating to the times and days of the sittings of the House, the question on all remaining stages of consideration the bill shall be put forthwith without amendment or debate.

d. If a division is called on the motion for third reading of the bill, the division shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

Bill (No. 15)

10. The question on the motion for second reading of Bill (No. 15) intituled Infrastructure Projects Act, and the question on any motion in amendment thereto, be put by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, without further amendment or debate, and that, if a division is called, it shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

11. All remaining stages of consideration of Bill (No. 15) intituled Infrastructure Projects Act be disposed of by 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, as prescribed:

a. If at 7.50 p.m., the bill is still being considered at committee stage, the Chair shall forthwith put any remaining question to complete the consideration of the bill, without further amendment or debate, which shall be deemed passed and which shall not be subject to a formal division call, but which may be taken in accordance with Practice Recommendation No. 1.

b. Once the title of the bill has passed, the committee shall rise and report the bill complete with or without amendment, as the case may be, to the House.

c. Immediately thereafter, notwithstanding Standing Order 80, Standing Order 81, or any Standing Order or Sessional Order relating to the times and days of the sittings of the House, the question on all remaining stages of consideration the bill shall be put forthwith without amendment or debate.

d. If a division is called on the motion for third reading of the bill, the division shall proceed forthwith in accordance with Standing Order 16 (2).

And further, that, for greater certainty, a committee considering a bill in Section B may rise and report progress for the purpose of receiving a report from Section A or Section C in accordance with this order.

Motion agreed to on the following division:

And then the House adjourned at 9.21 p.m.

HON. RAJ CHOUHAN, Speaker

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