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How can I contact an MLA? |
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This website is a good place to help you contact your
MLA. The MLA section helps you
locate MLAs by name, constituency, community, or postal code,
provides email addresses and includes pictures and short biographies.
Another way to reach your MLA is by calling his or her constituency
or legislative office. You can look up the number in the phone
book, or you can make a toll-free call to Enquiry B.C.
In Victoria, call 250-387-6121
In Vancouver, call 604-660-2421
Elsewhere in BC, call 1-800-663-7867
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How can I visit the Legislature? |
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The Legislature, also commonly referred to as the Parliament
Buildings, is located at the south end of the Inner Harbour
in downtown Victoria. It is open to the public all year round,
even when the House is not sitting. From Monday to Friday,
you can take part in a guided tour, offered in several languages.
During the summer months, the buildings are also open on weekends
and statutory holidays. You may also arrange
for a booked tour by calling Pamela Welch, Tour Coordinator
at 250-387-3046.
The hours for the Legislature are:
Summer (May to September)
- seven days a week 8:30 – 5:00
October through April
- Monday through Friday 8:30 – 5:00
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What is a Bill? |
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A bill is proposed legislation introduced to the
Legislative Assembly by a Member. It becomes an Act when passed
by the Legislative Assembly and given Royal Assent by the
Lieutenant-Governor. |
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What is the Votes and Proceedings? |
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Votes and Proceedings is the official published
summary record of the decisions and activities undertaken
each day in the House – similar to minutes. A listing
of the bills introduced, documents tabled motions introduced,
decisions made and the results of any votes in the House are
recorded in the Votes and Proceedings. It also outlines the
status of all legislation introduced in the session. |
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What is the Orders of the Day? |
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The Orders of the Day is the official published
daily agenda of House business. It provides a comprehensive
overview of the status of business before the Legislative
Assembly. Its listings include the status of legislation,
debates, motions and resolutions, as well as written questions
directed to Ministers. |
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What is Hansard? |
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Hansard is the official report of debates in
the Legislative Assembly. Hansard is a full and verbatim transcript
of everything said in the House and in committee meetings.
Repetitions and obvious mistakes are edited out to make it
easier to read. Hansard transcripts are available in print
form as well as through this website.
Hansard also oversees the live
telecast of the proceedings in the House throughout the
province via satellite. |
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What are Parliamentary Committees? |
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Parliamentary Committees allow MLAs to look closely at a
particular issue and explore it in depth. They also provide
a way for MLAs to examine the activities of government ministries
and keep the government and the public service accountable
to the people of British Columbia. In committees, MLAs can
consult with experts and review documents and papers. They
can also collect the views of community, professional, business,
academic and other groups as well as well as the general public
providing an opportunity for direct involvement in the workings
of the Legislative Assembly.
There are both Select Standing Committees authorized by the
Legislative Assembly to investigate and report on a particular
aspect of government operations and Special Committees, which
can be occasionally set up to look at a single specific issue.
Both types of Parliamentary committees
present a final report to the House. |
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What is adjournment, prorogation and dissolution? |
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All business not concluded at the time of
adjournment stands over to the next sitting. Prorogation is
the ending of a parliamentary session that abolishes all pending
business and halts all committee work. Dissolution is the
bringing to an end of a parliament. This is done by the Lieutenant-Governor
and is followed by a general election. Adjournment ends a
sitting, Prorogation ends a session and Dissolution ends a
parliament. |
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How can I obtain printed copies of legislative materials? |
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Crown Publications Inc.
521 Fort St.
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 1E7
Telephone: (250) 386-4636
Fax: (250) 386-0221 |
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How do I navigate through the site? |
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The site provides two navigation
bars and a search engine to find information within the site:
- Use the blue vertical navigation bar on the left
of the screen that reads "Public Written Questions,
Speaker, Members, Officers of the House, Documents
and Proceedings, Legislation, Parliamentary Committees,
Legislative Library, Hansard (Debates), Legislative
Television, Public Education & Outreach, Discover
Your Legislature."
- Also use the white horizontal navigation bar on
the top of the screen that reads "Site Map, Contacts,
What's New, Using the Web Site, FAQs, Glossary."
You can also navigate by clicking "Site Map"
in this navigation bar.
- You can also use the search tool which is accessible
on the top right corner of every page.
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My navigation bars don't work, what is wrong? |
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The navigation bars require a Javascript enabled
browser. You must either enable javascripting in your browser,
or download a newer version of your browser that supports Javascript. |
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What if I am having trouble finding what I want on the
web site? |
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You can use the search function in the upper
right hand corner of the screen, or click the "Advanced
Search" link in the upper right hand corner of the screen.The
"Site Map" link in the white navigation bar along
the top of the window will provide an easy to read table of
contents for the whole site. |
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How do I learn more about my Legislature? |
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To find out more about your Legislature, take
a look at the Discover Your Legislature
section of this website. It is an interactive multi-media resource
that lets you explore the Parliament Buildings through a virtual
tour and learn about its history, design and purpose. You can
learn about the many people who make up the Legislative Assembly
and also find out more about the role of the Legislative Assembly
in the democratic governance of our province. There are even
interactive games to test your knowledge.
Copies of the CD-Rom are available at the Legislative Tour Office for $10.00 Canadian, $8.00 American. |
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Where are the publications that are produced by the Legislative
proceedings?
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Click the "Documents and Proceedings"
link on the blue navigation bar on the left of the screen. You
may also find a link to brochures on the "Public Education
and Outreach" menu on the blue navigation bar on the left
of the screen. |
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What is the Legislative Library?
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The Legislative Library provides reference and
research services to the Members of the Legislative Assembly,
their research staff, the Officers of the House, and legislative
support staff. Provided there is no conflict with service to
these primary users, the Library also assists provincial government
employees, and in exceptional circumstances, members of the
public. |
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How do I gain access to the Legislative Library
Catalogue? |
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Go to the Library
page and click the "Search our Library Catalogue"
link. |
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How do I find out about employment opportunities with
the Legislative Assembly? |
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Click the "Contacts" link on the white
navigation bar at the top of the page, and then click on the
"Human Resources Office" link. |
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I've encountered terminology that I'm not familiar with,
how can I get help? |
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There are many parliamentary terms used in the
Legislative Assembly that may be unfamiliar to you. A glossary
has been created to help you understand. Simply click on the
upper Glossary button in the top right hand side of your screen
and search for the word. |
