Thread by @SoniaFurstenau

Today, for the first time since 2019, a Private Member’s Bill was debated in the Legislature.

The Equal Pay Reporting Act tabled by @Stephanie4BC will help eliminate the gender pay gap which sees women in BC earn 32.4% less than men annually. 1/ #bcpoli #PayEquity #GenderPayGap

This is an important issue which merits debate, and yet @Stephanie4BC had to introduce the bill 6 times before it was finally debated.

Since 1970, only 15 PMBs have been passed in BC, compared to 6 passed in the past year in the federal House of Commons. /2 #bcpoli #PMBs

Why does this matter?

Because PMBs allow MLAs from all parties to table legislation that matters to their constituents. It reflects what British Columbians want, and strengthens representation. /3 #bcpoli #PMBs #democracy

The governing party are not the only ones with good ideas, as @jjhorgan has said.

Across Canada, debating and passing laws from Private Member’s Bills is frequently done.

In BC, our bills are stonewalled from debate because of outdated practices. /4 #bcpoli #PMBs

Today, all parties let the bill be debated, proving that collaboration can change this Legislature for the better.

I hope that today’s events mark a change in the history of this House, towards a future where ideas are valued on their merit, not by their affiliation. 5/5 #bcpoli