NDP's Mike Farnworth & the Speaker of the BC Legislature on Kash Heed's resignation as Solicitor-General

In Tuesday's Oral Question Period, the NDP's House Leader and MLA for Port Coquitlam, Mike Farnworth asked the Premier the following question:

The police are currently investigating a leaflet that was used as part of a smear campaign during the last provincial election. The Premier has a responsibility as leader of the Liberal Party — but, more importantly, as Premier of British Columbia —to protect the integrity of the democratic process in British Columbia. So my question is for the Premier.

When the issues around this leaflet first surfaced during the election campaign, what steps did he take to ensure that no B.C. Liberal Party officials or B.C. Liberal government officials were involved in the planning, distribution or implementation of this smear campaign?

However, the House Speaker (Hon. Bill Barisoff) replied with the following statement:

Hon. Member (Member for Port Coquitlam), a matter under investigation by the police, while not sub judice in a strict sense, has by precedent not been discussed in this House. It's a matter of courtesy to the investigation to avoid debate in parliament, so I'd ask all members to observe this well-established rule

Later, in the afternoon, during an interview on Global-BC's "News Hour", Mr. Farnworth stated the following:

"Asking the question in the House today, I got shut down faster than any question I've seen in my entire time as a MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) indicates the Provincial Government is extermely concerned about this"

Now, I find it unfortunate that the NDP is suggesting that the House Speaker is acting as an "agent for the government" but it is not unprecedented. In October of 2007, the Speaker ruled that Carole James Private Members' Bill M-214 (Minimum Wage Fairness Act, 2007) out of order as it infringed on the Crown Prerogative. Hours later, the NDP issued a press release entitled: "B.C. Liberals Cut Off Minimum Wage Debate" in which it accused House Speaker of acting at the behest of the Provincial Government

Let's remember that the House Speaker is required to uphold all rules and practices (including previous precedents) of the Legislature regardless of his/her political affiliation and I would urge the BC NDP to keep this in mind when criticizing the House Speaker on which question(s) he has or has not allowed and which bill(s) he has or has not allowed to be debated