Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
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Name	Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Location	Victoria, British Columbia

Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is the provincial legislature of British Columbia, Canada, and is composed of members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who are elected by single-member electoral districts. The assembly is part of the British Columbia Legislature, which also includes the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is located in Victoria, British Columbia, the capital city of the province, and is situated in the British Columbia Parliament Buildings. The assembly is responsible for making laws for the province, approving the budget and taxation policies, and holding the Executive Council of British Columbia accountable for their actions.

● History

The history of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia dates back to the British Columbia gold rush of the mid-19th century, when the Colony of British Columbia was established in 1858. The first elections were held in 1864, and the first assembly was convened on February 21, 1864, with Governor Frederick Seymour as the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. The assembly played a crucial role in the Canadian Confederation process, with British Columbia joining Canada as the sixth province in 1871. The assembly has been located in the British Columbia Parliament Buildings since 1898, and has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major restoration project in the 1990s led by Premier Mike Harcourt. Notable events in the assembly's history include the Great Fire of Victoria in 1862, which destroyed much of the city, and the Vancouver Island coal miners' strike of 1912-1914, which was led by Albert "Ginger" Goodwin.

● Composition

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is composed of 87 members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), who are elected by single-member electoral districts using a first-past-the-post system. The assembly is currently represented by four main parties: the British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP), the British Columbia Liberal Party (BC Liberals), the British Columbia Green Party (BC Greens), and the Conservative Party of British Columbia. The assembly also has a number of independent members, including Andrew Wilkinson and Sonia Furstenau. The MLAs represent various regions of the province, including Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland, and the Interior. Notable MLAs include Premier John Horgan, Premier Christy Clark, and Carole James.

● Officers and Structure

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is led by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, who is elected by the MLAs at the beginning of each parliamentary session. The speaker is responsible for maintaining order and decorum in the assembly, and for ensuring that the rules and procedures of the assembly are followed. The assembly also has a number of other officers, including the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. The assembly is divided into several committees, including the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services and the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth. The assembly also has a number of caucuses, including the British Columbia New Democratic Party caucus and the British Columbia Liberal Party caucus. Notable officers include Darryl Plecas and Linda Reid.

● Procedures and Practices

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia follows a number of procedures and practices, including the introduction of bills and the holding of debates and votes. The assembly also has a number of standing orders, which govern the procedures and practices of the assembly. The assembly meets in parliamentary sessions, which are typically held from February to May and from October to December. The assembly also has a number of special committees, including the Special Committee on Reform of the Police Complaint Process and the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. The assembly is also responsible for reviewing and approving the budget and estimates of the province, which are presented by the Minister of Finance. Notable procedures include the throne speech and the budget speech.

● Buildings and Facilities

The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is located in the British Columbia Parliament Buildings, which are situated in Victoria, British Columbia. The buildings were designed by Francis Rattenbury and were completed in 1898. The buildings have undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major restoration project in the 1990s led by Premier Mike Harcourt. The assembly chamber is located in the Parliament Buildings and is decorated with a number of stained glass windows and wood carvings. The buildings also house a number of other facilities, including the Legislative Library of British Columbia and the Parliamentary Dining Room. Notable buildings and facilities include the Fairmont Empress Hotel and the Royal British Columbia Museum. The assembly also has a number of art collections, including the British Columbia Legislative Assembly Art Collection, which features works by Emily Carr and Jack Shadbolt. Category:Legislative assemblies of Canadian provinces and territories