The controversial Animal Health Act is among four bills the British Columbia legislature will not have passed when the spring session ends today.

"I felt we could probably do without these for the time being," said the government's house leader, Rich Coleman. "I had discussions with ministers about priorities and felt some of these might need a bit more work."

The Animal Health Act included provisions that information and privacy commissioner Elizabeth Denham said unnecessarily override the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

NDP agriculture critic Lana Popham declared victory in a blog post. "Public outrage . . . has forced the BC Liberals to shelve the Bill," she said. "Our success in stopping Bill 37 is a victory for those who spoke out against its draconian powers and indeed for everyone who values free speech and open government."

Coleman said the bill will stay on the order paper until the legislature is officially prorogued. The other three bills held back are the Emergency Health Services Amendment Act, the Motion Picture Amendment Act and the Energy and Mines Statutes Amendment Act.

"I just looked at the time frame for them and tried to be fair to the opposition," said Coleman. "I could have said, 'let's do them all.'"

Just after 2:30 on May 30, Coleman set out the work remaining for the legislature and the amount of time that would be allocated to debate each bill.

Here's the complete motion as recorded in The Hansard:

Pursuant to standing order 81.1(2), effective immediately, all remaining stages of the following Bills shall be completed and disposed of in the order prescribed and for the duration indicated:

Second reading of Bill (No. 47) intituled Coastal Ferry Amendment Act, 2012 (30 minutes);

Second reading of Bill (No. 49) intituled Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2012 (30 minutes);

Second reading of Bill (No. 56) intituled New Housing Transition Tax and Rebate Act (30 minutes);

Second reading of Bill (No. 50) intituled Athletic Commissioner Act (30 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading on Bill (No. 14) intituled Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2011 (30 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 53) intituled Family Day Act (30 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 44) intituled Civil Resolution Tribunal Act (30 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 46) intituled Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2012 (60 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 52) intituled Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No. 2), 2012 (30 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 30) intituled Energy and Mines Statutes Amendment Act, 2012 (30 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 38) intituled Pension Benefits Standards Act (30 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 51) intituled South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority Amendment Act, 2012 (60 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 47) intituled Coastal Ferry Amendment Act, 2012 (45 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 49) intituled Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2012 (30 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 50) intituled Athletic Commissioner Act (30 minutes);

Committee and Third Reading of Bill (No. 56) intituled New Housing Transition Tax and Rebate Act (45 minutes).

And further, committee of Bill (No. 54) intituled Provincial Sales Tax Act shall be completed and disposed of by 4:00 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012.

At the conclusion of these times indicated, but no later than 4:00 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012, the Speaker and any Presiding Officer will forthwith put all necessary questions for the disposal of any remaining stages of the said Bills without amendment apart from Government amendment, or debate. Divisions called on sections of the said Bills shall be taken in accordance with Practice Recommendation No. 1. Any divisions called on second or third reading of said Bills may be taken in accordance with Standing Order 16 and all other divisions will be covered by Practice Recommendation No. 1.

Proceedings under this motion shall not be subject to the provisions of Standing Order 81, or the Standing or Sessional Orders relating to the times and days of the sitting of the House.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Find him on Twitter or reach him here.