No. 65 VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE Legislative Assembly of British Columbia First Session of the Forty-third Parliament

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

One-thirty o’clock p.m.

Prayers and Reflections by Mandeep Dhaliwal.

Elenore Sturko reserved her right to raise a question of privilege regarding an investigation with respect to the release of internal government documents.

Order called for “Members’ Statements.”

Order called for “Oral Questions by Members.”

Harman Bhangu made representations regarding the question of privilege raised by the Hon. Ravi Kahlon with respect to trucking union matters.

Amna Shah presented the Report of the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills for the First Session of the Forty-third Parliament (Third), May 14, 2025, regarding its consideration of Bill (No. M 205) intituled Mental Health Amendment Act, 2025.

The Committee recommended that Bill (No. M 205) not proceed.

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. 14) intituled Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act.

The debate continued.

On the motion of Amelia Boultbee, the debate was adjourned to the next sitting of the House.

(In Committee — Section A)

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

Trevor Halford moved a proposed amendment to clause 1 of Bill (No. 15) 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 Trevor Halford to clause 1 of Bill (No. 15) was ruled out of order.

Trevor Halford moved a proposed amendment to clause 1 of Bill (No. 15) which was defeated on the following division:

Clause 1 of Bill (No. 15) passed.

On clause 2 of Bill (No. 15).

Section A of Committee of the Whole reported progress on Bill (No. 15) intituled Infrastructure Projects Act and asked leave to sit again.

Bill to be considered at the next sitting.

Committee to sit again at the next sitting.

By notice from the Hon. Mike Farnworth to the Table, Motion 30 was withdrawn from the Order Paper.

By notice from the Members to the Table, Rohini Arora and Mable Elmore exchanged places on the List of Precedence for Private Members’ Business.

And then the House adjourned at 8.48 p.m.

HON. RAJ CHOUHAN, Speaker

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

Thursday, May 15

31  The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That, pursuant to Standing Order 86, the order for third reading of Bill (No. M 202) intituled Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act be discharged and that the bill be recommitted to the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills;

That the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills reconsider clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Bill (No. M 202) intituled Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act for the purpose of considering amendments to those clauses;

That the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills report Bill (No. M 202) intituled Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act to the House by Monday, May 26, 2025;

And that, notwithstanding Standing Orders 27 (1), 27 (4), and 28, Bill (No. M 202) intituled Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act take precedence on the Order Paper once it is reported from the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills.

Monday, May 26

32  The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That a Special Committee to Review Provisions of the Human Rights Code be appointed to review sections 47.01 to 47.24 of the Human Rights Code (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 210), pursuant to section 50.1 of the Act.

That the Special Committee have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition be empowered to:

a. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Special Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b. 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;

c. conduct consultations by any means the Special Committee considers appropriate;

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

e. retain personnel as required to assist the Special Committee.

That the Special Committee report to the House within one year of its appointment, and that during a period of adjournment, the Special Committee deposit its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may be, the Chair present all reports to the House.

That the Special Committee be composed of the following Members: Jennifer Blatherwick (Convener), Rohini Arora, Dana Lajeunesse, Scott McInnis and Teresa Wat.

33  The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That Nina Krieger replace Dana Lajeunesse as a member of the Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills.

34  The Hon. Mike Farnworth to move —

That Susie Chant replace Paul Choi as a member of the Special Committee to Review the Lobbyists Transparency Act.

35  The Hon. Josie Osborne (Minister of Health) to move —

That this House supports this Government’s work to train, recruit and retain more health care professionals to relieve the pressures on British Columbia’s health care system and increase access to health care services.

36  The Hon. Josie Osborne (Minister of Health) to move —

That given the rising cases of measles in some jurisdictions, this House affirms that vaccines are safe and effective, condemns the spread of all anti-vaccine misinformation including by the United States Health Secretary and urges parents to vaccinate their children consistent with the advice of B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer.

37  The Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert (Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport) to move —

That this House recognizes the importance of arts and the creative industries in our province and celebrates their commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and sustainability.

38  Rohini Arora to move —

That this House condemns the intolerant views of the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA), including its harmful discrimination against transgender people, its belief that homosexuality is “immoral” and its explicit policy goal of restricting abortion access in British Columbia.

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