Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia, Fifth Edition

Standing Orders

Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Updated to current Parliament and Session.

Browse the Index to the Standing Orders by Subject

Chapter 1 — Legislative Assembly Overview

1.1	Indigenous Heritage
1.2	British Columbia Joins Canada
1.3	Constitutional Framework
1.4	Government and the Confidence Convention
1.5	Functions of the Legislative Assembly
1.6	Political Parties, Government and the Opposition
1.7	Parliament Buildings
1.8	Parliamentary Symbols
1.9	Statutory Officers

Detail of the exterior of the Parliament Buildings

Chapter 2 — Basis of Procedure

2.1	Introduction
2.2	Constitutional Framework
2.3	Statutory Provisions
2.4	Standing Orders
2.5	Review of the Standing Orders
2.6	Speakers’ Rulings
2.7	Practice
2.8	Sources for Speakers’ Rulings

Chapter 3 — Members

Chapter 4 — The Speaker

4.1	Introduction
4.2	Overview of the Duties of the Speaker
4.3	Election of the Speaker
4.4	The Speaker’s Role in Preserving Order and Decorum
4.5	The Speaker’s Impartiality and Casting Vote
4.6	Other Presiding Officers
4.7	Unavoidable Absence of the Speaker

Chapter 5 — Sitting Days and Business

5.1	Introduction
5.2	Schedule of Sittings of the Legislative Assembly
5.3	Parliamentary Calendar
5.4	Opening and Closing of a Sitting
5.5	Daily Routine Business
5.6	Adjournment of Debate or of the Legislative Assembly
5.7	Adjournment on a Matter of Urgent Public Importance (Special Purposes)

Chapter 7 — Rules of Debate

7.1	Introduction
7.2	Manner and Right of Speech
7.3	Rules on Content
7.4	Time Limits
7.5	Curtailment of Debate — Closure
7.6	The Sub Judice Convention

Chapter 10 — Legislative Process

Chapter 11 — Committees of the Whole

11.1	Introduction
11.2	Historical Perspective
11.3	Presiding Officers
11.4	Quorum
11.5	Rules of Debate
11.6	Role of the Chair
11.7	Points of Order and Questions of Privilege in Committees of the Whole
11.8	Role in the Legislative Process

Chapter 13 — Questions

13.1	Introduction
13.2	Oral Questions
13.3	Written Questions

Chapter 15 — Public Petitions

15.1	Introduction
15.2	Presenting a Petition
15.3	Form of a Petition

Chapter 16 — Private Bills

16.1	Introduction
16.2	Origins of Private Bills
16.3	Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills
16.4	Member Sponsoring a Private Bill
16.5	Application for a Private Bill
16.6	Parliamentary Agent to Obtain Certificate
16.7	Referral of a Bill and Committee Examination
16.8	Application of the Standing Orders to the Consideration of Private Bills
16.9	Summary of Practice for Private Bills

Chapter 17 — Parliamentary Privilege

17.1	Introduction
17.2	Definition of Parliamentary Privilege
17.3	Historical Perspective on Parliamentary Privilege
17.4	Privileges of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
17.5	Contempt of Parliament
17.6	Privileges Defined — Individual Privileges
17.7	Privileges Defined — Collective Privileges
17.8	Procedure for Raising a Question of Privilege

Chapter 18 — Administrative Support and Management

18.1	Governance and the Legislative Assembly Management Committee
18.2	Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
18.3	Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
18.4	Table Officers
18.5	Sergeant-at-Arms
18.6	Legislative Assembly Departments

Main Index

Browse the index by subject for information in the text. Alphabetical index entries appear as main headings, subheadings and linked page locators. Cross-references provide related information.

3.1	Introduction
3.2	Role of Members
3.3	In the Chamber
3.4	Representation
3.5	Additional Parliamentary and Caucus Roles
3.6	Service on Parliamentary Committees
3.7	Participation in Interparliamentary Organizations
3.8	Caucus Responsibilities
3.9	Legislative and Constituency Offices
3.10	Election of Members of the Legislative Assembly
3.11	Oath of Allegiance
3.12	Members’ Orientation Services
3.13	Attendance
3.14	Vacancies
3.15	Pecuniary Interest
3.16	Members’ Conflict of Interest Act
3.17	Offer of Money to Members and Bribery in Elections
3.18	Members’ Remuneration and Pensions Act
3.19	Members’ Disclosure Reports and Receipts

6.1	Introduction
6.2	Unwritten Rules of Chamber Decorum
6.3	Rules for Minimizing Interruptions During Debate
6.4	Disorderly Conduct
6.5	Suspension of a Member for Disorderly Conduct
6.6	Effect of Suspension or Order to Withdraw
6.7	Instances of Grave Disorder
6.8	Motion Concerning Discipline of a Member
6.9	Strangers
6.10	Order in Addressing the Chair
6.11	Use of Respectful Language in Debate

8.1	Introduction
8.2	No Dissenting Voice
8.3	Voice Vote
8.4	On Division
8.5	Formal Divisions
8.6	Divisions in the Committee of Supply
8.7	Deferral of a Division
8.8	Divisions in Parliamentary Committees
8.9	Votes Where Supermajority Support is Required
8.10	Rescinding a Decision

9.1	Introduction and Definition of a Motion
9.2	Types of Motions
9.3	Form, Content and General Process
9.4	Notice of Motion
9.5	Debatable Motions
9.6	Moving a Motion
9.7	Amendments to a Motion
9.8	Dilatory Motions
9.9	Decisions on Motions
9.10	Effect of Prorogation and Dissolution

10.1	Introduction
10.2	Types of Bills
10.3	Formation and Drafting of Bills
10.4	Stages of Consideration of a Bill by the Legislative Assembly
10.5	Referral of a Bill to a Parliamentary Committee
10.6	Recommittal of a Bill
10.7	Defeat of a Bill at Second Reading or Third Reading
10.8	Withdrawal of a Bill
10.9	Royal Assent
10.10	Commencement (Coming into Force)
10.11	Accelerated Consideration of a Bill — Urgent and Extraordinary Occasions
10.12	Time Allocation
10.13	Administrative Arrangements for Bills
10.14	Effect of Prorogation and Dissolution
10.15	Statute Revision
10.16	Executive Legislation