British Columbia.

• Author: Fershau, Jonathan
• Position: Report

In accordance with British Columbia s parliamentary calendar, the fall sitting of the Third Session adjourned on November 29, 2007. Since the previous legislative report, only a few additional public bills were passed by the House prior to adjournment.

Legislation

Fulfilling the government's Throne Speech commitment to take concerted provincial action to halt and reverse the growth in greenhouse gas emissions, the Minister of Environment Barry Penner introduced Bill 44, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act. The bill requires British Columbia to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 percent below 2007 levels by 2020; obligates the Government to set interim targets for emission reductions for 2012 and 2016; and further establishes an emission reduction target of 80 per cent below 2007 levels by 2050. The bill also requires the provincial government--including provincial ministries and agencies, schools, colleges, universities, health authorities and Crown corporations--to become carbon neutral by 2010.

At committee stage debate, opposition members put forward several amendments to Bill 44, including setting the ultimate reduction in B.C.'s greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels; capping future emissions at 2007 levels; establishing an independent body to monitor and report on B.C.'s progress; as well as creating a new parliamentary committee to receive and review emission reports. While all proposed amendments were either defeated or ruled out of order, the Opposition ultimately voted in favour of the Bill. Additional legislation to support a "cap-and-trade" system for large emitters and low-carbon fuel standards is anticipated to be presented to the House in upcoming sessions.

The fall sitting also saw the signing of the second modern-day treaty in 2007. Introduced by the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Michael de Jong, Bill 45 Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement Act, provides the five Maa-nulth First Nations with a capital transfer of $73.1 million; annual resource revenue payments averaging $1.2 million for 25 years; and a land package totalling approximately 24,550 hectares. The treaty also recognizes the Maa-nulth First Nations' Aboriginal rights and title and defines rights regarding the ownership and management of lands and resources.

Immediately following first reading of Bill 45, elders from the five Maa-nulth First Nations were invited to address the Assembly from the Bar of the House. The...