British Columbia.

• Author: Simpson, Nicki
• Position: Legislative Reports

Fourth Session of the 41st Parliament

After the Third Session of the 41st Parliament prorogued on February 12, the Fourth Session commenced that afternoon at 2:00 pm with the Speech from the Throne delivered by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin. The Throne Speech highlighted changes to medical service plan premiums, the implementation of a poverty reduction strategy, and measures to address real estate speculation and money laundering.

On February 19, Minister of Finance Carole James presented the government's second full budget. The budget proposed expanding the existing child benefit program, eliminating interest on provincial student loans, putting measures in place to support renters including a rent bank, and providing for a poverty reduction strategy to be released later in the year. The Official Opposition Critic for Finance, Tracy Redies, expressed concern with respect to higher taxes, the pace and scale of spending, and the budget's limited efforts to encourage investment and job creation. The Leader of the Third Party, Andrew Weaver, expressed overall support for the budget and its measures to address climate change and encouraged consideration of additional childcare funding.

Legislation

Bill 2, the Protection of Public Participation Act, which had been introduced in the Third Session, was re-introduced and received royal assent on March 25. The legislation discourages lawsuits that are intended to limit public participation or expression by establishing an expedited process for the dismissal of a lawsuit if it hinders the defendant's ability to speak freely on a matter of public interest.

Bill 11, the Civil Forfeiture Amendment Act, 2019 received first reading on March 5. The bill proposes to enhance the ability of the civil forfeiture office to trace, reserve, and forfeit the proceeds of crime through the use of new tools, and address drug trafficking and organized crime by making the forfeiture process more efficient and fair.

Bill 6, the Supply Act, 2018-2019 (Supplementary Estimates) received royal assent on March 25. The bill authorizes additional funding for the operation of government programs in the 2018-2019 fiscal year and draws on a budget surplus to fund new initiatives within the fiscal year. This was the first time supplementary estimates have been authorized since 2008-2009.

By-election Results

A provincial by-election was held on January 30, 2019 in the electoral district of Nanaimo. The by-election was conducted...