26 Bills – “The Wheel of Fortune”

As cabinet ministers rose in the legislature on July 7, 1983 they introduced 26 new pieces of legislation as well as a budget slashing social programs and labour rights.  No government in Canada had ever before delivered such a massive assault on rights.

Transcription:

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE

Key

[symbol] centralization

[symbol] termination of jobs

[symbol] loss of rights

[symbol] women affected most

[symbol] higher taxes

1 PROCEDURAL ACT TO OPEN THE BUDGET LEGISLATION [arrow points right] Routine opening of session. Permits the budget debate to begin. Watch the first step – it leads to the rest!

2 PUBLIC SERVICE LABOUR RELATIONS ACT [arrow points right] Removes terms and conditions of employment from realm of public sector collective bargaining.  Workers have no contract protections for hours of work, leaves, vacations, etc.

3 PUBLIC SECTOR RESTRAINT ACT [arrow points right] Contracts can no longer be renewed automatically. All public employees lose job security. Widespread cuts in programs and services throughout public sector.

4 INCOME TAX AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points right] Repeals personal income tax credit and the renters’ tax credit retroactive to January 1983. This measure was first announced in November of 1982.

5 RESIDENTIAL TENANCY ACT [arrow points right] Rent control is abolished. Rent review repealed. Disputes now to go to courts. No ceilings on rent increases. Evictions. Rentalsman Offices close.

6 EDUCATION INTERIM FINANCING ACT [arrow points right] Gives extraordinary powers to the Ministry of Education to control School Boards’ budget in all categories. No provision for public disclosure. Permanent.

7 PROPERTY TAX REFORM ACT [arrow points right] Gives Municipal Councils power to set variable tax rates for each class of property.

8 ALCOHOL AND DRUG COMMISSION REPEAL ACT [arrow points right] Dissolves Alcohol and Drug Commission. End to supervised treatment facilities.

9 MUNICIPAL AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points right] Abolishes the Regional Planning Board. Agricultural Land Freeze is in danger.

10 INTERIM SUPPLY LEGISLATION [arrow points right] Allows Government to continue spending money until budget debate ends in Legislature.

11 COMPENSATION STABILIZATION ACT AMENDMENT [arrow points right] Limits bargaining rights on all wage settlements to plus 5 percent or minus 5 percent in public sector. Contracts may be opened in mid-term and changed according to “ability to pay”.

12 PROPERTY TAX REFORM ACT NO. 2 [arrow points right] Introduces variable tax rate for municipal property taxes.

13 TOBACCO TAX AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points right] 26 percent increase in tobacco taxes

14 GASOLINE TAX AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points right] New tax structure for bunker fuels.

15 SOCIAL SERVICES TAX ACT (7 PERCENT SALES TAX) [arrow points left] Increases tax on fuel-efficient automobile purchases, long distance telephone calls and restaurant meals over $7.00. Eliminates tax reduction on fuel-efficient cars.

16 EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT ACT [arrow points left] “Job Creation” program $415 million allotted to capital projects, hospitals and highway construction.  Allows “contracting out”.

17 MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points left] Omnibus bill which increases Government’s taxation powers and enforcement of taxation collection

18 PUBLIC SERVICE PENSION AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points left] Limits funding to Public Services pension plan.  Allows Government to take back its contributions from pensions of employees who quit, die, or are dismissed.

19 INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points left] Allows Minister of Education greater control on creation and abolition of courses and programs.  Adds five members to Board of Governors.

20 COLLECGE AND INSTITUTES AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points left] Abolishes Occupational Training Council and Academic Advisory Council. Gives Minister of Education total control of curricular decisions. Local representation of School Boards ends.

21 CROWN CORPORATION REPORTING REPEAL ACT [arrow points left] Crow corporation watch-dog investigation legislative committee is dissolved. Government need not report.

22 ASSESSMENT AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points left] Property assessment changes from annually to every two years. Leasee may demand to see a copy of assessment.

23 MOTOR VEHICLE AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points left] Motor Vehicle Testing Branch is closed. Privatization of vehicle safety standards. No inspections required.

24 MEDICAL SERVICES ACT [arrow points left] Allows doctors to “opt out” of the Medicare System.  Changes fee structures for health care. Allows increase of “user fees”.

25 HARBOUR BOARD REPEAL ACT [arrow points left] Dissolves the Harbour Board. Transfers functions of Harbour Board and its assets to B.C. Rail and B.C. Development Corporation.

26 EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS AMENDMENT ACT [arrow points left] Amends Employment Standards Act. Dissolves the board to monitor grievances. Allows contracts to undermine minimum labour standards.

27 HUMAN RIGHTS ACT [arrow points left] Repeals Human Rights Code. Abolishes Human Rights Branch

and Commission. Four member council to be appointed by Government. Complaints to be filed [illegible].

28 PROVINCIAL TREASURY FINANCING ACT [arrow points left] Gives Ministry of Finance extraordinary power to borrow on provincial credit. Enables Government to transfer funds from one crown corporation account to another.

S/W

AJ:lr

Y’ Takes Yer Chances…