Legislative Watch Newsletter: Issue 2 of the 2nd Session, 39th Parliament

March 21, 2010

2010 Legislative Session: 2nd Session, 39th Parliament
Government Announcements and News

 

• Industrial property taxes under review – Conflicts between major industrial properties and B.C. municipalities have led to the creation of a joint review of major industrial property assessment and taxation, established between the Province, the Union of B.C. Municipalities, and industry. The committee’s challenge is to balance the revenue needs of municipalities with the needs of major industry to pay competitive property taxes. The committee is expected to report to the province by the fall of 2010. Read more

• Clean-energy projects top major projects inventory list - A record number of major construction projects are proposed in British Columbia, and nine of the 10 top-valued projects focus on clean energy. The number of proposed major construction projects has risen to a record high of 516. The value of the projects planned or underway is $187 billion, near the all-time high of $189 billion. Among the clean energy projects planned or underway across the province are the $1.2-billion Rocky Creek Wind Energy Project, the $900-million Machmell River Hydropower Project in Campbell River and the $222-million Upper Lillooet River Hydroelectric Project. Read more

• One step closer to the HST – The governments of Canada and B.C. signed a human resources agreement to provide provincial public servants with positions within the Canada Revenue Agency as part of the move to wind down PST and implement HST on July 1, 2010. Read more

• New chair appointed to Forest Practices Board - Al Gorley will assume the role of chair of the Forest Practices Board for three years effective May 1, 2010. Created in 1995, the Forest Practices Board is an independent watchdog that reports to the public about compliance with forest practices legislation. The other members of the board are vice-chair John Dunford of Kamloops, Dr. Rachel Holt of Nelson, Andrea Lyall of West Vancouver, Mike Nash of Prince George, Dave Patterson of North Vancouver and Debbie Zandbelt of Vernon. Read more

Question Period Topics

• Budget debate
• Mintz report on HST
• Impact of harmonized sales tax on restaurant and tourism industries
• Community gaming grants
• Tax on private sale of vehicles and motorboats
 • Government support for tourism industry

Status of Bills
BILLS INTRODUCED (first reading)

Government Bills
• Bill 3 – Supply Act (No. 1), 2010

Reports
• Auditor General's report No. 10, 2009-2010, Wireless Networking Security in Government: Phase 2

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