But look back with pride | A lengthy, acrimonious debate. . .

Cont'd. from page 1. ;

Eighty-two government bills became law during the session, which lasted through the summer for the first time since early in this century.

The session started both began and adjourned while mired in

controversy.

In January, ap ition criticism led Premier Bi nett to call a judicial inquiry into alleged im- proprieties revolving around

evelopment of the Grizzly Valley natural gas pipeline.

PHILLIPS CLEARED .

The inquiry, conducted by Mr. Justice Walter Kirke Smith, sub- sequently cleared Economic Development Minister Don Phillips of any wrong-doing.

When the house adjourned at 12:50 pm. PDT on Tuesday, it had just

ished giving final passage to two of the more controversial bills of the session: the bill to dismantle the Vancouver Resources Board; and the bill setting up tougher regu- lations for unions seeking certi- fication.

Bennett said that as far as he was concerned, it was “the most

roductive " session in British

lumbia’s history,” on which “we can all look back with pride.”

“More major legislation covering a wide variety of areas from ser- vices to people, to greater ac- countability to people from government, and to improving relationships and revenue-sharing with other governments, has been passed,” the premier said.

Bennett noted that the session had not prorogued formally, and that it could be called back any time before the end of the fiscal year on March 31. ;

RECORD LOAD

“There is substantial time left to improve on what already has been a record work load of major legislation,” he said.

While Bennett dwelled on the bills that were of a more non- controversial nature, Opposition Leader Dave Barrett said that two of the most significant pieces of legislation were the VRB bill and the bills abolishing succession duties and gift taxes.

PRIORITIES TWISTED Barrett said the repeal of suc- cession duties best exemplified the government’s twisted priorities.

He said that instead of lessening the tax burden on the lower classes, the repeal indirectly increased it by removing a measure which raised $30 million a year by taxing the very wealthy.

“Allin all, I can’t say that it’s been a productive session,’ the NDP leader said,

He said the session produced no answers to the most important question of the day—unem-. ployment—and he chastized the government for adjourning before anything had been done to deal with the problem.

Barrett said the VRB controversy showed the government has no

Legislature wrap-up

social conscience, and will wreck perfectly good programs solely to produce more ministerial power.

Rosemary Brown (NDP— Van- couver-Burrard) fulfilled a promise by filibustering against the bill in attempt to hold up its passage. SET RECORD

Her five-day s legislature record.

Progressive Conservative leader Scott Wallace, who. announcec earlier he is retiring from politics, said that, to him, the best and most significant piece of legislation was the Municipal Amendment Act, which sets up a formula for provincial revenue-sharing wit municipalities.

h set a BC.

He said, however, that in general, “it’s been a very lengthy and un- productive session in relation to the

unt of time we’ve spent.” _ Walizce, along with the rest of the opposittan, ha strongly criticized e

another section of Municipal Amendment Act, which give: Municipal Affairs Minister Hugh Curtis the right to overturi municipal bylaws.

Wallace said it was ironic that the Social Credit government cam paigned on a platform of freedom, ut has introduced several pieces of legislation which centralize power in Victoria.

The Conservative leader listed as examples of that centralization the VRB bill, changes to the Municipal Act, and a change to the B.C. Land Commission which gives the cabinet unrestricted final say in ruling on appeals to the commission.

beral leader Gordon Gibson was out of the country and not available for comment. LED TO CONTROVERSY ;

Non-legislative issues which led to considerable controversy involved the Insurance Corporation of B.C., the Constitution Act: and the B.C. Railway. |

George Kerster (SC—Coquitlam) was accused by the NDP of im- properly influencing the Crown- owned insurance corporation. forcing them to break their own rules to pay three claims,

After several stormy sessions of the house’s public accounts com- mittee, Kerster was cleared by the government majority.

The Constitution Act controversy involved four government MLAs— including Kerster—and Wallace.

The five unwittingly accepted expense money from the gov- emment, and the opposition said they ‘thus technically disqualified themselves from sitting in the legisiature.

A special committee of the house

‘has been struck to deal with the

matter, although Wallace has launched court action to resolve the situation.

Another controversy led to the establishment of a royal commission to examine the Crown-owned B.C.

The controversy was triggered by an out-of-court settlement to MEL Paving for work done on the Dease Lake extension, which experienced drastic cost overruns. The com- mission was still hearing evidence.

_Another controversy helped lighten the often-tedious and hot summer sittings. :

The legislative pages, led by 15- ear-old George Cessford, staged a ighly-publicized revolt, com- plaining of their hot, out-dated uniforms.

The pages were subsequenil fired, but then rehired after OF.

position protest, and Cessford |

ame a minor celebrity.

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The idea is to improve service to the B.C.G.E.U. members living and working here. But we believe this office will also help us reach another goal — increased involvement 5 in community activities. Our facilities, staff and _

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