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legislative assemblyThe Legislative Assembly of British Columbia has been the
elected component of the Province’s
parliamentary system
of government
since the establishment of self-government in the Province in 1871.
It is currently a representative body of 79 members elected from
single member districts
for a term of
four years unless dissolved earlier (see
fixed term
;
dissolution
). The government must
maintain the support of a majority of the members of the Assembly
to stay in office. The functions of the legislative
assembly include passing legislation, authorizing the raising and
expenditure of public money, scrutinizing the activities of
government
, raising issues of public
concern, investigating matters of public interest, and acting as a
forum for publicizing the concerns of individuals and groups
throughout British Columbia.
All Canadian provinces have a representative assembly which
discharges similar functions. All but three provincial
assemblies are called the legislative assembly; Nova Scotia, and
Newfoundland and Labrador each have a house of assembly, and Quebec
has a national assembly.
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