British Columbia.

• Author: Riarh, Karan
• Position: Legislative Reports

Demonstrations and the Spring Sitting

Throughout much of February and early March, a number of demonstrators gathered on the parliamentary precinct in support of the hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en Nation and their opposition to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline project in northwest BC. The demonstrators congregated in the steps and archway of the ceremonial entrance used by the Lieutenant Governor, including camping overnight at times. Demonstrators also lit a ceremonial fire which affected air quality for offices in the front of the Parliament Buildings at times.

Demonstrators blocked entrances to the Parliament Buildings on February 11 when the House was scheduled to prorogue the Fourth Session of the 41st Parliament and open the Fifth Session, preventing some Members and staff from entering the buildings.

The demonstration also postponed the prorogation ceremony, which had been scheduled for 10:00 am that morning but continued in the afternoon. The Fifth Session commenced approximately 45 minutes later at its originally scheduled time of 2:00 pm with a Speech from the Throne delivered by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin.

Due to security concerns, the Legislative Assembly first closed public access to the Parliament Buildings on February 6. Following the events of opening day, the Legislative Assembly sought and was granted an anticipatory injunction on February 13. The injunction prevented further impeding protests, including actions interfering with and obstructing access of Members and staff at the Parliament Buildings and surrounding buildings and grounds within the Legislative Precinct. The injunction did not prohibit peaceful and lawful protest in the traditional protest area, being the front lawn of the Parliament Buildings. Public access briefly resumed from February 19 until the afternoon of February 24 and then was closed again until March 6 after demonstrators vacated the precinct.

Budget Presentation

On February 18, the Minister of Finance, Carole James, presented the provincial 2020-21 budget. The budget proposed additional capital infrastructure spending, increased investments in health care and education, the creation of a needs-based grant for post-secondary students, a new benefit for low and middle-income families with children, a new tax bracket for individuals making more than $1 million, and the application of the provincial sales tax to sweetened carbonated beverages.

In her response, Shirley Bond, the Official Opposition Co-Critic for Finance, expressed concerns with respect to new taxes and increases in spending. She questioned the government's efforts to foster a competitive business environment and encourage growth, drawing specific...