Tag: legislature

Horgan Apologizes for Profanity in Legislature During Tense Question Period

British Columbia Premier John Horgan says he apologizes for “intemperate comments” he made during a heated question period in the legislature. During a debate Monday with Opposition Liberals in the legislature over the province’s shortage of family doctors, the premier used the F-word. The question period ended shortly afterwards with Speaker Raj Chouhan calling for…


Former Speaker of BC Legislature Didn’t Consider Conflict of Interest: Trial Hears

VANCOUVER—A former Speaker of the B.C. legislature says he doesn’t recall being worried about a conflict of interest after he took guidance from the same lawyer who gave a former clerk advice about a retirement payment that’s at the centre of a breach-of-trust trial. In the Supreme Court of British Columbia on Monday, Crown prosecutor…


Falcon Heads to Victoria Pledging BC Liberal Rebuild, Looks for Seat in Legislature

VANCOUVER—The new leader of the British Columbia Liberals says he’s on his way to Victoria with promises that will rebuild the party and attract voters while he also seeks his own seat in the legislature. Party members acknowledge that Kevin Falcon has a big renewal job ahead, as the Liberals have lost two consecutive elections…


BC’s Legislature Deputy Clerk Told to Trust Advice on Retirement Payment: Trial

VANCOUVER—The former deputy clerk of the British Columbia legislative assembly told a trial that before she returned a retirement allowance she had received assurances from government officials that it was a valid claim. The $258,000 retirement allowance that her then-boss, former clerk Craig James, received in 2012 is the largest among several payments that are…


BC Crown Says Recent Documents Identified Could Be ‘Exculpatory’ in James Case

VANCOUVER—A surprise disclosure temporarily delayed proceedings at the B.C. Supreme Court trial of the former clerk of the legislature Thursday, while a key witness shed light on the controversial purchase of a wood splitter “for emergencies” that was stored at the clerk’s home. Craig James is accused of misspending public money for personal gain and…


Breach of Trust Trial Begins for Former BC Legislature Clerk Craig James

VANCOUVER—A special prosecutor says the former clerk of the British Columbia legislature took advantage of his position as one of province’s most senior public officials to allegedly use government funds for personal benefit. Craig James pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of breach of trust by a public…


New California Laws for 2022: More Duplexes, Fewer Ketchup Packets and All Mail-In Elections

By Andrew Sheeler From The Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO, Calif.—A slate of new California laws set to go into effect on Jan. 1 touches on everything from police accountability to housing reform, ketchup packets, and how veterinarians gather blood donations for sick pets. Some laws Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last year, such as a ban on…


Protesters Storm Guadeloupe Legislature Over Vaccine Rules

PARIS—Protesters angry over virus and vaccine rules occupied Guadeloupe’s regional legislature because of stalled negotiations over their grievances about management of the French Caribbean island. Regional Council President Ary Chalus agreed to a meeting with some of the protesters’ representatives, the council said on Twitter after Thursday’s incursion. Officials in Guadeloupe and Paris denounced the…


We Must Return to Properly Functioning Legislatures

Commentary When an early Blackfoot or Plains Cree tribe faced a problem of food supply or contagion such as smallpox in their territory, councils met to discuss it. Typically a group of senior men—war chiefs, shamans, hunters, and the like—talked, in turn, and considered the various aspects of the problem. The input of many experienced…


‘Do You Have the Courage’ to Stand Up for US Constitution, Giuliani Asks Georgia Senate Hearing

President Donald Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani urged the Georgia state legislature “to stand up to the obligation the Constitution of the United States put on you to save our people from fraud” during a spirited testimony to a Senate subcommittee hearing on Wednesday. Giuliani, New York City’s former mayor who is known for his tough policies…