On May 13, 2004, the Attorney General, in response to a question from an MLA during Question Period, announced that no changes would be made to Representation Agreements.

2004 Legislative Session: 5th Session, 37th Parliament

Excerpt From

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(Hansard)

THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2004

Afternoon Sitting

Volume 25, Number 12

[1440]

REFORMS TO LEGISLATION ON
REPRESENTATION AGREEMENTS

           R. Lee:  The question is to the Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations. I have heard from many of my constituents who are concerned that the government will be making changes to the Representation Agreement Act. Speculation has provoked the fears of many of my constituents who believe they will not be able to choose who will represent them in times of incapacity. What is the government's intention with regard to this Representation Agreement Act?

           Hon. G. Plant:  Over the last couple of years we have done some work to determine whether or not it was time to reform the law with respect to planning instruments in British Columbia. The idea was to try and bring all planning instruments into one statute to create a strong legal framework to ensure that they can be relied upon and to expand the range of instruments available to citizens as they plan for incapacity.

           We did hear some support for the idea that reform was timely, but we also heard concerns from a wide variety of citizens that the existing instruments are being used and relied upon and that any reform would not be helpful or necessary. Government has sat down, done its homework and listened to what we've heard, and we have decided to maintain the status quo. Accordingly, we will not be pursuing any further reforms in this area.