Second Session, 43rd Parliament

Official Report

of Debates

( Hansard )

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 126

The Honourable Raj Chouhan , Speaker

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

Contents

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Tributes

Fred Luvisotto

George Anderson

Introductions by Members

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill 9 — Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Diana Gibson

Human Rights Code Repeal Act

Tara Armstrong

Members’ Statements

Westham Island and Bridge

Ian Paton

Rainbow Kitchen

Darlene Rotchford

District of Lillooet and Emergency Health Service

Tony Luck

Japanese Culture and Nikkei Place

Paul Choi

Canadian Athletes at 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Jeremy Valeriote

Heritage Week and Ladysmith Historical Society Awards

Stephanie Higginson

Oral Questions

Mental Health Services and Psychiatric Facilities

Claire Rattée

Hon. Josie Osborne

Investigation of Shootings in Tumbler Ridge and Call for Public Inquiry

Larry Neufeld

Hon. David Eby

Government Action on Drug Toxicity Crisis and Safe Supply

Jeremy Valeriote

Hon. Josie Osborne

Responsibility for Shootings in Tumbler Ridge

Tara Armstrong

Hon. Lisa Beare

Government Action on Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trade

Jordan Kealy

Hon. Nina Krieger

Hon. Niki Sharma

Campbell River Hospital Capacity and Provision of Long-Term-Care Beds

Anna Kindy

Hon. Bowinn Ma

Long-Term-Care Facility Project in Delta

Ian Paton

Hon. Bowinn Ma

Access to Emergency Health Services in Boundary-Similkameen Area

Donegal Wilson

Hon. Josie Osborne

Rural Retention Incentive for Health Care Professionals

Scott McInnis

Hon. David Eby

Petitions

Á’a:líya Warbus

Orders of the Day

Budget Debate (continued)

Trevor Halford

Hon. Brenda Bailey

Questions of Privilege (Reservation of Right)

Peter Milobar

Kiel Giddens

Tony Luck

Gavin Dew

Lynne Block

Budget Debate (continued)

Thursday, February 26, 2026

The House met at 10:03 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Heather Maahs.

[10:05 a.m.]

Introductions by Members

Hon. Josie Osborne : I have two introductions to make this morning.

First of all, today is B.C. Care Providers Day, and I am delighted to see the B.C.

Care Providers Association here with us in the gallery. Please welcome Marc Kinna,

board president; Mary Polak, CEO; Lara Croll, senior director of policy; Tiffany Trownson,

director of public affairs; and Erika Buban, the events and administrative coordinator.

Speaking of events, last night we had the B.C. Care Awards, and we have a number of

the recipients in the gallery here with us today as well. Every day, of course, thousands

of seniors care providers provide care and support older adults in their homes, in

community settings, in long-term care settings. Their work is absolutely essential

to our health care system, and they have so much to be proud of. It was such a wonderful

event last night to celebrate the contributions that care providers make here in British

Columbia every day.

Would everybody please join me in welcoming them all to question period today.

May I make my second intro?

I am also very pleased to introduce Dr. Dale Clayton and Cheryl Davies, who are joining

us in the House today. Dr. Clayton is a dedicated leader in diabetes care, and Cheryl

Davies is the chief operating officer at B.C. Women’s Hospital and Health Centre,

advancing care for women across our province. Their work reflects something very important,

and that is access to the right treatment that saves and changes lives.

This Sunday, March 1, B.C.’s national PharmaCare plan launches full coverage for diabetes

medications and menopausal hormone therapy. This is supporting nearly 570,000 people

in British Columbia who are living with diabetes and 160,000 people who experience

menopause. This removes cost barriers and improves quality of life.

Please join me in welcoming Cheryl and Dale to the House today.

Steve Morissette : I’m proud to rise today to acknowledge a constituent of mine who is here with us

in the chamber today. Linda Frew won a prestigious award last night at the B.C. Care

Providers Association awards ceremony.

My apologies, Linda, that I couldn’t be there.

Linda Frew of Fruitvale was the recipient of the B.C. Care Provider of the Year Award

(Assisted Living), in recognition of the leadership and kindness she exemplifies every

day as a community manager at Castlewood Village in Castlegar.

Linda is known for creating a welcoming, inclusive community for everyone. Linda is

innovative, developing an adult day program that blends clinical support for high-need

seniors with community engagement to reduce stigma and strengthen community.

I would ask the House to join me in congratulating Linda for receiving this award

and for everything she does to make every day a special day for seniors.

Brennan Day : I’d just like to join the Minister of Health and the Kootenay-Monashee MLA’s acknowledgement

of the B.C. Care Awards dinner last night, especially the most hilarious speech I’ve

heard in a good, long while from Linda Frew. If anybody here needs to hire a joke

writer, I highly recommend her.

On that note, I would like to recognize all of the award winners — Nahin Ahmed, Linda

Frew, Gloria Larson, Judy Calhoun, Graham Freeman, Christian Bunz, Nancy Webb, Nitin

Jain and Don Ho — as well as the B.C. Care Providers staff that are doing a fantastic

job advocating for seniors across our province, especially the former Minister of

Health, Mary Polak; and their amazing team led by Tiffany Trownson.

Would the House make them all feel very welcome.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : I just want to take a moment, if I could, to wish my mom a happy birthday — Rhonda

Bailey of Nanaimo, B.C.

We’re going to have a very B.C. birthday. She’s coming over to join me in Vancouver

to see the Emily Carr exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery, 110 Emily Carrs on display.

Can’t wait for it.

Happy birthday, Mom.

[10:10 a.m.]

Kristina Loewen : I just want to mention Gloria Larson from Kelowna, who won the B.C. caregiver award

of the year.

It was an honour to meet her last night at the awards ceremony, and her spirit, her

personality and her character came through just in the conversations that I had. Her

51 years of service is incredible, and I can see that she’s an exemplary person.

So just help me in honouring her again today.

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside : I also had a chance to join with colleagues and friends at the B.C. Care Awards celebration

last night.

I wanted to take a moment to introduce and welcome Judy Calhoun to the House today.

She was the recipient of the 2025 B.C. Care Providers Family Champion Award. I just

have to say, anybody who has had a loved one in care — my mother lived her last time

in long-term care — knows how important advocacy is and knows how important family

and resident councils are to ensuring that there are connections, that there is compassion,

that there’s a friendly voice of advice there for what is often a very difficult period

for families and their loved ones.

Judy, thank you so much for the work that you do at Royal City Manor in my community

of New Westminster. You’ve been active on the family resident council there for a

long time and have cared for your family members there, as well as having helped others’

families through difficult times. Thank you very much.

Would the House please join me in welcoming Judy to the House.

Rob Botterell : It is with affection and sadness that I rise to wish farewell to our B.C. Green caucus

team member, G ud Takin Jaad, Rose Williams.

Rose joined the caucus as a legislative intern and, thankfully, never left. As our

social justice policy advisor, Rose has been a constant voice for those who are too

often forgotten or overlooked. They have stood up for people across this province,

and we are all the better for their work.

Rose is our resident baker and always made sure that we are well fed. We are privileged

to have been part of Rose’s journey, which is now taking her home to work for the

Haida Nation. Our loss is their gain.

Thank you for everything, G ud Takin Jaad.

Tributes

Fred Luvisotto

George Anderson : I rise to honour the life of Fred Luvisotto, a beloved Nanaimo teacher, ballroom

dancer, musician, volunteer and true Renaissance man.

For more than four decades, Fred shaped young lives in our classrooms, including mine,

with lessons, patience, humour and a belief in just being a good person. For generations,

he was known as Mr. Groovy Luvy. For over 60 years, he played the trumpet and was

part of the Nanaimo Concert Band. He coached and volunteered with the Cavallotti Lodge,

where he held the positions of vice-president and president many times.

Nanaimo feels a little darker without Fred, but because of him, thousands of lives

shine brighter. This is the mark of a life fully lived and that is the light he leaves

with all of us.

I hope the whole House will join me in expressing our condolences to his wife, Doris;

daughters Carmella and Fernanda; and all of his loved ones.

Introductions by Members

Sunita Dhir : I’m proud to celebrate two constituents of mine, Al and Jenny Jina, who received

the Ed Helfrich Long-Service Award last night at the B.C. Care Providers Association

Care Awards ceremony.

Al and Jenny Jina live in Vancouver-Langara. More than three decades ago, Al and Jenny

co-founded Park Place Seniors Living, with a simple but powerful mission — to create

homes where seniors feel valued, respected and truly at home. Together Al and Jenny

have built more than seniors residences; they have built communities.

I would ask the House to join me in congratulating Al and Jenny for receiving this

award and welcome Al Jina to the House today.

[10:15 a.m.]

Á’a :líya Warbus : I would like to take a moment to introduce and thank some of the members from the

B.C. Treaty Commission. We are able to spend some time there today and understand

a little bit more about the treaty process unfolding in British Columbia.

We’d like to welcome and thank Celeste Haldane, chief commissioner; George Abbott,

commissioner; Mark Smith, general counsel, joining us in the House today; and Sashia

Leung, director of international relations and communications.

My dad, Steven Point, once held the position of chief commissioner with the BCTC.

I know how hard the work is and the processes and the negotiations.

My hands go up to all of you for being here today. Thank you so much.

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson : I have two introductions.

First, I invite the House to extend congratulations to the 81 workers at Social Development

and Poverty Reduction and at Community Living B.C. Last night at Government House,

they were honoured for long service, 81 individuals collectively having contributed

2,470 years of work dedicated to serving the most vulnerable people in the province.

Please extend their thanks to them and also extend a welcome to Brent Frain and Sonjia

Grandahl, in the gallery, self-advocates whose advice is continuing to help build

a better system of care and income assistance program.

Will the House please extend congratulations and thanks to all those people.

Hon. Grace Lore : I see that we are joined by a grade 10 social studies class from Vic High. The students

are here with their teacher, Mr. Dunstan. I understand that Mr. Dunstan encourages

political engagement and welcomes debate and conversation in the class — like yourself,

Mr. Speaker, though I suspect he has better-behaved students.

I want to single out a particular student, Arden, who is an actor and musician, but

really want to thank her for a moment of kindness I saw with my children in the difficult

moments outside the Legislature at the vigil recognizing the loss in Tumbler Ridge.

We all came together, but I just want to share that some young people came together

in that moment as well.

I look forward to connecting further with this class. I always think it’s important

for you to be here to watch this and for us to share with you, so thank you for joining

us.

I hope the House will help me make them welcome.

George Anderson : I rise today to welcome a friend and constituent, Sarah Au-Yeung, to the Legislature.

Sarah works as a pharmacist at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital as part of the care

team that supports patients in getting the best care possible in our province, based

on the fact it’s in Nanaimo.

She’s also the creator behind Nanaimo Noms, with a large following across multiple

Vancouver Island. While the internet can sometimes lean towards negativity, Sarah’s

pure joy of food, and of celebrating the chefs and creators who make it, remind us

that joy is shared and can be amplified. So I’m very excited to take her to lunch

in the parliamentary dining hall later.

I ask that the whole House join me in making Sarah feel welcome.

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

Bill 9 — Freedom of Information

and Protection of Privacy

Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Diana Gibson presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor: a bill

intituled Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026.

Hon. Diana Gibson : I move that the bill be introduced and read for the first time now.

I’m pleased to introduce legislation to amend the Freedom of Information and Protection

of Privacy Act. FOIPPA has two fundamental purposes. It protects people’s privacy,

and it upholds the public’s right to access information held by public bodies. These

principles are essential to public trust, transparency and accountability.

[10:20 a.m.]

The amendments before the House today are about ensuring this important legislation

continues to work for people in British Columbia in a modern, digital environment.

These proposed changes will support more connected, people-centred government services

while maintaining strong privacy protection. They will also introduce practical efficiencies

to how freedom-of-information requests are processed, helping public bodies better

manage growing volumes and complexity without limiting people’s rights to access.

Many of the changes respond to recommendations made by the Information and Privacy

Commissioner’s office and past special committees to review FOIPPA. At their core,

these amendments are about improving how people experience government, making services

easier to access, reducing duplication and enabling more transparent, people-centred

service delivery.

I look forward to discussing the bill further with members during the second reading.

The Speaker : The question is first reading of Bill 9.

Motion approved.

Hon. Diana Gibson : I move the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next

sitting of the House after today.

Motion approved.

Human Rights Code Repeal Act

Tara Armstrong presented a bill intituled Human Rights Code Repeal Act.

Tara Armstrong : I move that a bill intituled Human Rights Code Repeal Act, of which notice has been

given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read a first time now.

The purpose of this bill is to end the assault on freedom of speech by our Human Rights

Tribunal. Last week they fined Barry Neufeld three-quarters of a million dollars for

refusing to believe that a man could become a woman — for his own personal opinions.

This bill will protect ordinary people with common beliefs from politically motivated

financial attacks. The Human Rights Code Repeal Act is the only solution to this assault

on our rights. This bill will protect the freedom of speech of Canadians. It will

abolish the Human Rights Tribunal, a kangaroo court, and repeal the human rights code

that the Left is using to punish and profit from anyone who doesn’t adopt their views.

The bill will terminate the position of a Human Rights Commissioner, who makes over

$300,000 a year to police speech, and it will invalidate any outstanding orders made

by the tribunal against Canadians like Mr. Neufeld.

Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of our democracy. The judgment last week was

a wake-up call, and Canadians are demanding their freedoms back.

To the members in this House: this is our chance to answer their call. Therefore,

I urge you to vote in favour of this bill.

The Speaker : Members, the question is first reading of the bill introduced by the member for Kelowna–Lake

Country–Coldstream.

Division has been called.

[10:25 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.]

Motion negatived on the following division:

YEAS — 37

Loewen

Kindy

Milobar

Warbus

Halford

Rattée

Wat

Kooner

Banman

Hartwell

L. Neufeld

Clare

K. Neufeld

McInnis

Bhangu

Paton

Day

Chan

Toor

Hepner

Giddens

Dhaliwal

McCall

Wilson

Maahs

Block

Stamer

Tepper

Mok

Brodie

Kealy

Armstrong

Williams

Chapman

Bird

Doerkson

Luck

NAYS — 50

Lore

Blatherwick

Dhir

Routledge

Elmore

Toporowski

B. Anderson

Neill

Osborne

Brar

Krieger

Davidson

Parmar

Sunner

Beare

Greene

Wickens

Kang

Begg

Arora

Higginson

Sandhu

Lajeunesse

Choi

Rotchford

Chant

Phillip

Popham

Dix

Sharma

Farnworth

Eby

Bailey

Kahlon

Chandra Herbert

Whiteside

Boyle

Yung

Malcolmson

Gibson

Glumac

Shah

G. Anderson

Chow

Morissette

Valeriote

Botterell

Sturko

Boultbee

Members’ Statements

Westham Island and Bridge

Ian Paton : Where the heck is Westham Island? Well, it’s a remarkable and historic part of our

province. Westham Island in Delta is located next door to Ladner Village, a small

island best known for its agriculture and the Reifel Bird Sanctuary.

Its fertile soils have been farmed for generations, producing a diverse array of crops:

potatoes, vegetables, berries, honey, hay, livestock and specialty produce. On just

over 700 acres, farmers grow dozens of products, supplying markets, grocery stores,

restaurants and residents across the Lower Mainland and beyond. While small in size,

Westham Island packs a punch in agricultural output, producing more than 25 percent

of B.C.’s seed potatoes.

At the heart of this productivity is the historic Westham Island Bridge. Built in

1909, this single-lane wooden swing bridge is more than infrastructure. It’s a lifeline

connecting farmers and families to the Mainland and carrying harvest to processing,

retail and export markets.

Over a month ago, the bridge was hit by a barge and badly damaged. TransLink is currently

fixing it, but it’s closed to vehicles and pedestrians, forcing residents onto water

taxis and barges for daily transportation.

This has been a profound hardship. Families are cut off from daily routines. Students

face longer trips to school via water taxi. Farmers are scrambling to transport equipment,

livestock and perishable crops by barge.

During this difficult time, Westham Island and Delta residents have shown remarkable

resilience. Neighbours, farmers, volunteers and the city quickly mobilized to transport

supplies, share resources and support one another, demonstrating the true solidarity

and the community’s unwavering commitment to keeping this island connected and functioning.

Through it all, Westham Island reminds us of the strength, perseverance and heart

of rural communities.

This bridge is broken, but Westham Island’s rich agricultural heritage, its spirit

of cooperation and the care it’s received from the community are not. It makes this

small island truly exceptional.

Rainbow Kitchen

Darlene Rotchford : Today I am honoured to highlight an extraordinary organization in my community of

Esquimalt-Colwood that is changing lives every single day: the Rainbow Kitchen, located

at 500 Admirals Road.

Rainbow Kitchen’s mission is simple yet profound: to provide food security and access

to resources to all who walk through their doors through effective community partnerships,

to feed bellies and feed souls in the community they serve. That is exactly what they

do.

[10:40 a.m.]

What began in 2001 in a small Anglican Church hall on the border of Vic West and Esquimalt,

serving tea, coffee and sandwiches one day a week, has grown into a cornerstone of

food security in the capital regional district. In 2010, the Rainbow Kitchen was formally

established, and then just two years later, it expanded and moved into its home on

Admirals.

Today Rainbow Kitchen acts as a hub for food security programming across the region.

They rescue more than 10,000 pounds of food every single month, food that otherwise

would go in the trash, and they transform it into nourishment and dignity for our

neighbours. They serve over 250,000 meals each year and welcome everyone — seniors,

family, children and anyone who needs a meal.

Under the leadership of CEO Patrick Jawes — along with a dedicated team and over 200

committed volunteers, who are collectively contributing hours annually — this organization

delivers hope alongside their meals. Their impact is especially felt among children.

Rainbow Kitchen operates school meal programs supporting five schools, providing over

6,000 meals each month to students in our community. That means thousands of children

are better able to focus, learn and thrive because they are not distracted by hunger.

During the week they serve breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 and from 11:30 to one — no

questions asked, simple, free — to effect something powerful: dignity, compassion

and community.

I want to extend my sincere thank-you to Patrick and his team, donors and community

partners for making this work possible.

Your compassionate commitment embodies the very best of British Columbians.

District of Lillooet

and Emergency Health Service

Tony Luck : Today I rise to recognize the district of Lillooet, a historic, resilient and truly

remarkable rural community in British Columbia.

Nestled along the Fraser River, surrounded by rugged mountains and wide-open skies,

Lillooet is as beautiful as it is remote. Known as Mile Zero of the Cariboo gold rush

and home to the proud and deeply rooted First Nations in the area, it is a community

built on strength, history and neighbours who stand shoulder to shoulder in time of

need. This is a tight-knit community in every sense of the word, but remoteness brings

challenges.

Lillooet is approximately 2½ hours from the nearest tertiary hospital. When emergency

services close, there is no nearby alternative, only distance and winding highways.

The reality is that in an emergency, every minute matters.

Over the past year, the community has endured multiple emergency department closures.

In any town, that would be difficult. In a rural community, this isolation is deeply

concerning. Families were left uncertain in moments of crisis. First responders carried

heavier burdens. Anxiety across the region was very real.

Yet through it all, Mayor Laurie Hopfl and council remained steady. They did not inflame

tension. They did not give up. They were respectful and persistently alongside Interior

Health, physicians, provincial representatives, neighbouring communities and First

Nation partners to find practical solutions to stabilize emergency services. Their

leadership reflects what makes rural British Columbia strong, resilient, collaborative

and determined in their need for strength at this time.

Today I ask the House to recognize Mayor Laurie Hopfl and the council of Lillooet

for their steadfast advocacy and their unwavering commitment to protecting the health

and safety of their residents.

Japanese Culture and Nikkei Place

Paul Choi : I rise today to recognize Japan’s National Foundation Day, observed annually on February

11. Known in Japan as Kenkoku Kinen no Hi, this day reflects on the founding of the

Japanese nation and the enduring continuity of its culture, tradition and institutions.

It is a moment to celebrate national identity, resilience and unity.

As we reflect on National Foundation Day, we also note that His Majesty Emperor Naruhito’s

birthday was on February 23, a significant national occasion in Japan that symbolizes

continuity and constitutional democracy.

Here in B.C., and especially in my riding of Burnaby South–Metrotown, we are proud

of the vibrant Japanese-Canadian community that has shaped our province’s history

for generations.

I would like to especially acknowledge the incredible work of the Nikkei National

Museum and Cultural Centre. The Nikkei Centre is more than a cultural institution.

It is a living testament to heritage, perseverance and reconciliation. It preserves

the history of Japanese Canadians, including the painful chapters of internment during

the Second World War, while celebrating the contributions of Japanese Canadians to

our society today.

[10:45 a.m.]

I also want to invite members of this House and our community to join us on March

7 for an enchanting evening of the Nikkei Place Foundation Sakura Gala, celebrating

25 years of Nikkei Place, a community built through the vision and dedication of Japanese

Canadians, or nikkei, to preserve history and culture and to provide compassionate

care for seniors. This milestone is a powerful example of community leadership and

intergenerational responsibility in action.

Japan remains one of B.C.’s most important economic and strategic partners. In my

role as Parliamentary Secretary for Trade, I’ve seen firsthand the strength of the

B.C.–Japan relationship, from forestry to natural resources to technology, clean energy

and cultural exchange.

May we continue to deepen these ties and celebrate the shared values of democracy,

peace and mutual respect. Arigatō gozaimasu. Thank you very much.

Canadian Athletes at 2026 Olympic

and Paralympic Winter Games

Jeremy Valeriote : The 2026 Winter Olympics have come to a close, and the Paralympics will open on March

6. Today I’d like to celebrate the grit, determination and excellence of our Olympians

and Paralympians.

West Vancouver–Sea to Sky plays an outsized role in Canada’s success. Vancouver and

Whistler 2010 facilities are the training ground for many of our athletes. In recent

months, we watched athletes who live and train in Whistler represent Canada on the

world stage, carrying the strength and support of the local community with them. They

inspire us to dream big, train hard, overcome adversity and support our teammates.

They inspire me too. After watching the alpine skiing events, my daughters and I went

for a few fast groomers, and I dreamed of what might have been for me and what could

be for them. They are speed demons, and I’ve never been so proud.

Olympians also inspired me to sign up for the 40th annual legendary Peak to Valley

race this Saturday. Over one vertical kilometre of thigh-burning fun. Please wish

me luck.

An Hon. Member : Yeah. We might not see you Monday.

Jeremy Valeriote : Maybe not standing.

In January, I had the pleasure of visiting Whistler Adaptive Sports at the Jeff Harber

Adaptive Sports Centre on Whistler Mountain. For over 20 years, executive director

Sian Blyth and her team have helped disabled and neurodiverse folks access sport by

breaking down the financial, physical and social barriers. They do this work year-round,

facilitating skiing, hiking, paddling and biking.

Having the option to participate in sport is so important for building confidence,

health and well-being and just plain fun. It was inspiring to witness this in action

on this day, watching the skill required to manoeuvre a sit-ski in a blizzard, facilitated

by the amazing work of the staff and volunteers. I’m always happy when I get to ski

for work. It doesn’t happen often, but it sure makes the job much easier.

Behind every athlete there is a village — families, coaches and volunteers. Today

we celebrate the athletes that represent us with pride and the village that made their

successes possible.

Heritage Week and Ladysmith

Historical Society Awards

Stephanie Higginson : Last week was Heritage Week in B.C. B.C. Heritage Week sets out to inspire people

to connect with local heritage and to raise awareness of the many ways it shapes our

communities, our identities and our daily lives.

The theme for 2026 is “Stir the pot.” “Stir the pot” has two important meanings. It

recognizes the importance that food has in bringing us together, tying us to traditions

and families and ancestors. But “Stir the pot” also suggests advocacy. It’s a call

to create space for dialogue and conversation.

This evening I am thrilled to be invited to attend the Ladysmith and District Historical

Society’s seventh annual Heritage Awards. In Ladysmith, heritage is a key part of

the community profile and economy, and much of the credit for showcasing the community’s

history belongs to the volunteers of the Ladysmith and District Historical Society.

The event will not only be an evening to honour those who work on the preservation

of the town’s history but, adhering to the theme of “Stir the pot,” will feature a

traditional Stz’uminus meal prepared and served according to Coast Salish protocol.

This year four worthy recipients will be honoured with an award: Ladysmith Secondary

School’s land and language program, which is an immersive cultural curriculum focused

on Coast Salish language and culture through land-based, experiential learning; Bruce

Mason, for his cultural contributions through the Ladysmith Little Theatre; Michael

Dean, for documenting local heritage through his art; and Michael Robinson, for his

heritage timeline in the Ladysmith and District Credit Union.

Thank you to the people of Ladysmith for growing and learning together, expanding

their understanding of heritage beyond what was taught in school and finding a way

to weave together the ancient heritage of the lands that we live on with the important

contributions that contemporary heritage play on community.

[10:50 a.m.]

Huy ch q’u to the Ladysmith and District Historical Society for their courage and

grace. I would say that this year they have nailed the theme.

Oral Questions

Mental Health Services

and Psychiatric Facilities

Claire Rattée : Ezra Cool was struck and killed by a semi-truck after he managed to somehow escape

from 24-7 supervision at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. He was only 22 years old, and he

voluntarily admitted himself to the hospital. He knew that he needed help. He underwent

an assessment, and he was certified under the Mental Health Act.

Vernon’s hospital experienced mass resignations of psychiatrists that have negatively

impacted patient oversight. Ezra did the right thing, and he asked for help, but this

government system failed him. B.C. desperately needs a dedicated psychiatric hospital.

My question to the minister is: will she commit to building a psychiatric hospital

in B.C. today?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question and for speaking up about Ezra. This is

an incredibly tragic incident, and I know upon hearing about this that every member

of this House automatically would think of the friends and the family of Ezra and

reflect on just how tragic this is.

This is an incident that’s being reviewed by the RCMP. As such, of course, I cannot

speak to the specifics of the case. It’s really important that the critical incident

review that’s being undertaken by Interior Health goes underway as it needs to and

that the RCMP continues to do their investigation.

Of course, incidents like these speak to the need to continue to press and to continue

to expand addictions treatment, mental health supports for people of all ages, in

all communities large and small across B.C. This year’s budget commits new funds to

do just that, and we’re going to continue this incredibly important work.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Claire Rattée : With respect to the minister, I wasn’t asking for specifics on the details of this

case. I think we already understand pretty clearly what’s happened here overall. I

was asking if she would commit today to building a psychiatric hospital in British

Columbia, because that is desperately needed.

In the last year, our province has experienced an unprecedented number of tragic events

where mental health was a central factor. Whether it’s Lapu-Lapu or Tumbler Ridge,

when tragedy strikes, people expect a system strong enough to intervene before crisis

turns fatal. This government’s system is not. Last year this government cut funding

to Saplings Mental Health, eliminating immediate in-person psychiatric services for

children across the Peace region.

To the minister, does she think, in her opinion, that the current level of in-person

mental health and psychiatric supports for children and youth in this province is

acceptable?

Hon. Josie Osborne : It’s incredibly important to acknowledge the pressures that young people are facing

Young people need effective relationships. They need safe places. They need access

to mental health and substance use services to prevent small problems from beginning

to steamroll and become larger, which is why our government has taken such a focus

on providing mental health services for youth.

Building on a system that has been chronically underfunded, we have made concerted

effort and put historic investments, including $500 million in Budget 2025, following

on $1 billion in Budget 2023, continuing in this budget to protect these core services

and to strengthen them, to make sure that students and youth have access to services

like Foundry, like integrated child and youth care teams, PreVenture programming in

schools, helping youth learn the skills to cope with the pressures they face to avoid

these problems from becoming worse.

When we hear of tragic incidents like the member has raised, we know we have to double

down. We have to keep doing this work so that our children are safe, so they have

access to the services they need and be able to live healthy lives.

[10:55 a.m.]

Investigation of Shootings

in Tumbler Ridge

and Call for Public Inquiry

Larry Neufeld : Tumbler Ridge: pain, loss, devastation, gut-wrenching and soul-tearing anguish. And

it’s not the first community that has faced this in the last 12 months.

My question is to the Premier. Will he today commit to a public inquiry to gain every

bit of information that is possible to try and prevent this from happening to another

community?

Hon. David Eby : Thank you to the member for the question.

My commitment to British Columbians is clear, and I’m happy to make it on the record.

There’s a police investigation underway. They’ll release what information they can

at the conclusion of their investigation. The coroner is likely to play a significant

role here. There may be a coroner’s inquest that will reveal additional information.

Whether it’s a coroner’s inquest or a public inquiry, we are committing, I am committing,

on the record, that we will use any tools available to ensure that all questions are

answered about this tragedy, so, at a minimum, from the wreckage, we can say with

confidence we’ve done everything possible to prevent anything like this from ever

happening again.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Larry Neufeld : Thank you to the Premier for that answer.

I know that I have thanked the Premier personally. I have thanked the ministers personally

that contributed to this, and I would like to publicly thank them again. I made it

very clear at the time that politics was not welcome in that situation. In my time

in this place of honour…. We’re all aware of some of the performative things that

happen here but what happened in Tumbler was genuine, and I thank the individuals

from across the aisle for doing that.

When I last stood and spoke in this place of honour about this unspeakable event,

language that would approach description of this event.

An individual reached out to me. I’m not going to disrespect the Korean community

by trying to pronounce it, but I understand that there is a word in Korean that might

from the description is that this Korean word represents the absolute black, inky

depth of the centre of blackness, yet it represents hope. That is what I have experienced

in Tumbler Ridge over the last few weeks.

My question to the Premier is: could we please have a timeline on the information

on the public inquiry or the coroner’s inquest?

Hon. David Eby : Thank you to the member for his comments.

The police investigation is ongoing. There’s not a defined timeline for when that

will conclude. The public inquiry couldn’t start until that’s concluded anyway. The

timeline of when we’ll be able to do this is defined by the police investigation and

any associated criminal prosecutions that may come. I understand the police are investigating,

for example, the origin of the guns that were used in this tragedy.

We support the police to take the steps necessary to do the work necessary to answer

those questions and potentially through the criminal process. Immediately following

that is when any public inquiries or inquests would take place.

Government Action on Drug

Toxicity Crisis and Safe Supply

Jeremy Valeriote : I just want to thank the member for Peace River South for his strength and courage

over the last few weeks.

I’m asking this question in appreciation for our outgoing staff member Rose Williams

who’s put her heart and soul and substantial intellect into this issue for at least

the last four years.

Over the past two decades, we have seen the unregulated drug supply become more toxic,

chaotic and deadly. In November, we saw the sharp rise of medetomidine in the unregulated

opiate supply. This veterinary tranquilizer is one of many substances that can complicate

overdose reversals. It has been found in over one-third of tested samples.

This past January 21 was the highest single-day record for drug poisoning calls in

B.C.’s history, and, in April, we will mark ten years of this public health emergency.

To the Premier: when will you set politics aside, heed the chief coroner and provincial

health officer’s evidence-based advice and lead us out of this emergency by supporting

a regulated alternative to the toxic supply?

[11:00 a.m.]

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question. I also want to pass on my gratitude to Rose

for the support that she’s provided in the previous agreement that we had with the

B.C. Greens.

The member raises an incredibly serious issue. Of course, with the tenth anniversary

approaching of the toxic drug crisis, it’s an important time to reflect and to take

stock and to remember all of the lives that have been lost in this crisis and the

people, the families and communities that have been impacted.

This government has been so focused on the work that has to be done to support people

who are experiencing substance use and addictions issues, building out a full continuum

of supports that recognizes each person is on their own journey and needs supports

when they are ready and when they ask and that is there for them.

That is why we have been so focused on building out prevention and intervention, harm

reduction services, treatment and recovery, aftercare — a seamless journey for people

through Road to Recovery, first piloted in Vancouver, now being rolled out across

the province.

As we see the toxic drug supply ever evolving and changing, it reminds us that we

must stay on top of that and that we must provide the services for people to keep

them alive, like naloxone, like opioid agonist therapies for people, like overdose

prevention sites, the places where people can get connected and get access to the

care.

With the introduction of contaminants like medetomidine making this even more unpredictable,

I’ll use this opportunity to urge any British Columbian using unregulated drugs to

do so using the LifeguardConnect app, using opioid prevention services and accessing

the services so that we can help British Columbians overcome this terrible affliction.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Jeremy Valeriote : Despite report after report describing evidence-based solutions to this crisis and

the supports that the minister has just described, it doesn’t feel like we have responded

to this emergency. The only solution to an increasingly poisoned and chaotic supply

is a regulated alternative.

Almost 20,000 people in this province have been killed by the poisoned, unregulated

drug supply since 2016. This staggering loss of life is a direct result of this government’s

policy choices.

At the start of this crisis, we said every drug death is a policy failure. A decade

in, we have to change our language. Every drug death in B.C. is a policy choice.

To the Premier: when will you admit that we have failed British Columbians and need

to change our approach?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you again to the member for the question.

We are going to continue with a focused, concerted effort using the investments and

the funding that this government has put into building out a continuum of mental health

crisis supports, addictions treatment, the help that people need.

This work isn’t going to end. We know that we have to continue to do this. Although

we are encouraged to see the number of overdose deaths coming down, we know that we

have to continue with all of the services that we’re providing — whether it’s the

several thousand people who are using prescribed alternatives to protect them from

a poisonous, unregulated drug supply, to keep people alive while we’re able to connect

them to the care that they need….

We’re going to continue this work because we know that British Columbians’ lives depend

upon it.

Responsibility for

Shootings in Tumbler Ridge

Tara Armstrong : This week the Premier blamed the Tumbler Ridge horrific tragedy on OpenAI. Well,

AI didn’t immerse a 12-year-old in radical gender ideology in the classroom. He did.

AI didn’t release a dangerous and mentally ill man back into the community, despite

every red flag available. He did.

AI didn’t return guns to a man who threatened to kill his family and try and burn

down their home. He did. His government and his failed policies did.

My question to the Premier: whose job is it to protect B.C. families? It’s his job,

isn’t it?

Hon. Lisa Beare : I have said continually to this member and to every person in this House that B.C.

schools and B.C. communities need to remain safe. They need to remain welcoming for

everyone.

[11:05 a.m.]

To use the horrible actions of one person to attack an entire group is simply unacceptable.

This kind of rhetoric is dangerous. The fact that this member is using a tragedy like

Tumbler Ridge…. To exploit this tragedy and use it to advance their personal political

agenda is just appalling.

This member’s fixation on our most vulnerable population that is 400 percent more

likely to commit self-harm and suicide is simply unacceptable, and the member should

retract.

Honestly, MLAs are supposed to represent every single person in their community. This

member is clearly unable to do that, and she should resign.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Tara Armstrong : This is what the NDP does. It’s classic. Every time they cause a disaster, they try

to attack the people holding them accountable. They call you names. What was it today?

Did I get “hateful bigot”? Probably. They try to manipulate you, to silence you. This

is their move.

Well, I will not be manipulated. We will not be silenced. They will be eventually

held accountable to the people of this province. Why? Because we must prevent the

next disaster.

My question to the Premier. When will he stop trying to blame others for his own government’s

failure to prevent this horrific tragedy from happening?

Hon. Lisa Beare : I want to be very clear to the member and to every person in this House that B.C.’s

schools are safe, that we do everything we can to ensure that our schools and our

communities are safe, welcoming places.

For the member to continually, continually create an unsafe environment for people

in our communities, for people in our schools, is absolutely appalling. I want every

single person in British Columbia to know that we in the B.C. NDP, our government,

will stand against this kind of hate, will stand against this kind of intolerance.

We will be the wall that shields the communities and shields our schools from this

behaviour.

I want every person who is affected by this question to know that we see you, and

we will protect you. The member should retract.

Government Action on Organized

Crime and Illicit Drug Trade

Jordan Kealy : Currently we are seeing anarchy break out in Mexico because the cartels have solidified

positions within that society, and Canadians are stranded there.

Right now British Columbians feel stranded as this government championed a failed

drug exemption and lowered enforcement thresholds. It doesn’t matter where you live

in B.C. We are seeing escalated organized crime activity, from shootings in Fort St.

John to extortion in Surrey and a superlab in Falkland, all linked to the drug trade.

Just last week the RCMP intercepted 2,700 kilograms of meth hidden in fake canola

jugs destined for Australia.

My question to the Premier is: how do British Columbians trust this government to

find a solution to fix this when they are the ones who created these conditions in

the first place?

Hon. Nina Krieger : Thank you to the member opposite for the questions. Gangs and organized crime are

what are fueling the toxic drug crisis and violence in our communities.

While we’re fighting the toxic drug crisis by building more treatment options, highlighted

by the Minister of Health, we’re also going after criminals that are making and trafficking

illegal drugs. This includes historic investment in policing in our communities, over

$230 million to ensure that we have sufficient frontline officers in our communities.

This includes $100 million annually towards Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit,

the CFSEU, the largest integrated policing unit in Canada.

[11:10 a.m.]

We also are going after organized crime in our own communities, going after three

more Hell’s Angels clubhouses, taking away the proceeds of crime in initiatives such

as civil forfeiture.

We will continue to go after organized crime in our province with all the tools available

to us to ensure that our communities are kept safe.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Jordan Kealy : For thousands of years, the Ten Commandments have taught us simple truths for a civil

society to operate off of and what our constitution was built on. Do not steal. Do

not destroy thy neighbour. Do not profit from harm.

When governments blur legal boundaries and soften consequences, criminals do not retreat;

they expand.

My question to the Premier is that British Columbians want justice, and, at one time,

in the Bible, eye for an eye existed to deliver that justice. When is he going to

restore law and order and justice in B.C.?

Hon. Niki Sharma : This government has been focused solely on increasing our public safety and making

sure that our court system is functioning as it should. We’ve been leaders across

this country in strengthening our criminal code to make sure that our laws and our

bail laws and our laws around repeat offenders that are wreaking havoc on our communities

are strong.

We have the strongest bail policy in the whole country, and Bill C-14, which has a

lot of ideas straight from B.C. in it, has passed the House. I’m looking forward to

that bill passing the Senate, and I call upon all those members of the Senate to make

sure that they pass it quickly so we can have stronger Criminal Code laws across this

province.

We’re going to keep at it. We’re going to keep being leaders across this country and

strengthening our safety across the whole country.

Campbell River Hospital Capacity and

Provision of Long-Term-Care Beds

Anna Kindy : Campbell River Hospital has been running seriously over capacity for many years,

a 95-bed hospital running at over 160 people. Our hospitals are filled with patients

waiting for a long-term-care bed. That means seniors are stranded for months in a

hospital bed or a stretcher.

I’d like to stop here for a minute, because question period seems to be a bit of theatre,

and I want people to imagine what it’s like to be in an emergency department in a

stretcher waiting to be admitted.

I want you guys to imagine what it’s like to be 22 years old, psychotic, waiting for

six days in an emergency department. It’s unsafe to the patient, it’s unsafe to the

staff, and this is happening everywhere in the province.

Psychiatric patients are waiting in every hospital for a bed. So those numbers that

you’re quoting are meaningless if access isn’t improved. You’ve had ten years to fix

this. The reality is that, on the ground, it’s getting worse.

The Premier himself came to my riding, promised a long-term-care bed, and now he’s

cancelling that much-needed promise. That means seniors waiting in stretchers — and

I want you to imagine that, stretchers — waiting in hospital for a proper long-term-care

bed. So again, those platitudes are meaningless unless access is improved.

To the Premier, what does he have to say to the seniors in my riding who were promised

a bed and deserve to be treated with respect? This issue that deserves to be treated

with urgency.

Hon. Bowinn Ma : I want to thank the member opposite for bringing the human reality to the circumstances

on the ground.

The member is absolutely correct that we need many more long-term-care beds. Over

the last many years, our province has engaged in the largest investment program into

health care capital in B.C. history. We have so far completed 16 long-term-care projects,

opening over 1,600 long-term-care beds, and we have an additional six long-term-care

beds underway, despite fiscal challenges here in this province.

We also know that it is not enough, and that is why the work that we are doing right

now to take a pause and re-evaluate how we deliver long-term-care beds is so incredibly

important.

[11:15 a.m.]

When we have projects coming in at an estimated cost of $1.8 million a bed or more,

we know that we will not be able to deliver at the scale that is required to actually

serve communities. We need to be able to deliver at scale, and that is why the work

that we’re doing right now to re-evaluate how we deliver those beds is so important.

Long-Term-Care Facility

Project in Delta

Ian Paton : This government is cancelling the long-awaited long-term-care project in my riding

of Delta — which, by the way, is already in progress. The Beedie long-term care centre

is a 200-bed facility that would have provided seniors in Delta with the beds they

so desperately needed.

The Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation has done their part by raising

$18 million for this project. In 2023, the current Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth

said: “We’re making sure seniors in Delta have access to the right care and services

in spaces designed for them close to their loved ones.” Seniors in Delta will no longer

be getting the care and services promised to them.

Why did government promise this to Delta seniors only to leave them languishing in

a 50-year-old facility that sits there now?

Hon. Bowinn Ma : This is another example of the incredibly important work that we have to do. We need

to be able to deliver those long-term-care beds, and we need to be able to do so sustainably.

The member mentions an $18 million fundraising program. In that project, $18 million

buys ten beds. When taxpayers and community donors are putting their hard-earned dollars

towards these public infrastructure projects, they need to know that they’re actually

able to deliver what the community needs.

We have two choices in this circumstance. We can charge ahead and continue to build

projects regardless of the cost escalations, or we can take another look and actually

make better decisions and take better approaches, more innovative approaches, to actually

delivering those projects.

That’s why we’re taking a pause. We’re taking a look at standardized design models.

We’re taking a look at the opportunities that prefabricated builds and construction

technologies can afford us so that we can actually deliver the projects that these

communities need in a sustainable way.

Access to Emergency Health Services

in Boundary-Similkameen Area

Donegal Wilson : Saturday night the Princeton emergency room was closed, which offers overnight virtual

emergency room care.

If this minister can’t keep a virtual emergency room open, I’ve lost a lot of hope

for what we have for the future of British Columbia.

When will this government ensure reliable emergency care for my constituents in Boundary-Similkameen?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question. Of course, we were all sorry to hear that

the Princeton General Hospital was diverted for an evening. As we have addressed many

times in the House, health authorities do everything they possibly can to prevent

this from happening, taking steps right up to, sometimes, just hours before to deal

with the staffing gaps, including ones that sometimes happen suddenly, as did in Princeton.

We know how important it is for people to be able to rely on emergency care, on emergency

access. That’s why Interior Health has taken innovative steps in introducing virtual

care into four different communities as a way of being able to provide physicians

with the opportunity to sleep at night so that emergency nurses and other trained

personnel are there to help people with the access of virtual technologies.

We’re going to continue to innovate, but what’s so vitally important is that we attract

more physicians, that we train more physicians here in British Columbia and that we

increase the number of nursing seats, as we have, so that we have the personnel in

emergency rooms so that they stay open. We’re going to continue to take action — like

speeding up the credentialing; like building a second medical school in Surrey, an

opportunity that members of the opposition turned down.

Our work is working. We are seeing movement in the right direction, with the number

of emergency room closures coming down. There’s a lot more to do. We have a plan,

we’re addressing it, and we’re going to keep doing it.

Rural Retention Incentive for

Health Care Professionals

Scott McInnis : Here’s something that’s not working. For over a year, I’ve been asking when health

care professionals in Cranbrook and Kimberley will receive the provincial rural retention

incentive.

[11:20 a.m.]

Continuously these health care professionals express extreme frustration at being

excluded. Government has offered vague assurances of ongoing evaluations, with no

further explanation as to what that criteria is for the PRRI.

My question to the Premier is a simple one. When will these hard-working individuals

in rural B.C. get paid what they deserve?

Hon. David Eby : Thank you to the member for the question. I think it’s important to recognize the

work that rural health care professionals do across this province to deliver care.

They’re under a huge amount of strain, understaffed, not just in British Columbia

but across Canada.

It’s hard to recruit and retain people in these positions, which is why health authorities

and the Ministry of Health are evaluating the recruitment and retention bonuses and

incentives that actually work. They have to actually work to deliver additional support.

The number one retention initiative for people delivering rural care is that they

have a team around them to support them so they can deliver the level of care that

they want to deliver, and they’re not exhausted and stressed out. That’s what we’re

working on.

I have tried hard through this question period to pretend like everything is normal,

but this has been a very abnormal day in the province of British Columbia. It has

been a long time in this House since people’s basic human rights to not be discriminated

against in applying for a job or getting a home or accessing services were put up

for debate.

Now, the member who advanced her private member’s bill said that that private member’s

bill was about repealing the human rights code. There’s not a member in this place

that doesn’t understand what that means. The human rights code protects people on

the basis of race, protects women from discrimination, protects people with disabilities

to be able to access services.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh, Members.

Members, the Premier has the floor.

Hon. David Eby : This has been a matter of consensus among political parties in this place for generations.

To see the Conservatives stand up and vote to debate whether or not immigrants, people

who are Asian, South Asian….

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members. Shhh, Members. The Chair….

Interjections.

The Speaker : Please take your seats. Thank you.

Interjections.

[The Speaker rose.]

The Speaker : Members. Members.

Premier, you want to conclude, please?

[The Speaker resumed their seat.]

Hon. David Eby : When we were in opposition, the Minister of Energy brought forward a private member’s

bill as well, to repeal more than 160 racist laws that said South Asian people, people

who are Chinese and Indigenous people didn’t have the same rights as everyone else.

Now we see the opposition standing to repeal something else.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

Hon. David Eby : Standing to repeal something else, repeal the basic human rights of British Columbians.

I find that disgraceful, and I think the Conservatives owe British Columbians an apology.

Human rights are not up for debate.

[End of question period.]

Interjections.

The Speaker : The question period is over, Members.

[11:25 a.m.]

Petitions

Á’a :líya Warbus : I’m pleased to table a petition asking for an increase to the persons with disability

shelter allowance so it reflects current rental market conditions to support disabled

people to live with dignity.

Orders of the Day

Hon. Mike Farnworth : Just before I call budget debate, I’d like to remind the House…. I know some people

sometimes do forget that the budget bill and the bills that follow, Bills 2, 3 and

4, supply bills, are confidence matters of this House. I just want to make that clear.

With that, I call continued debate on the budget.

Budget Debate

(continued)

Trevor Halford : With great honour and great privilege, today I take my spot to rise to respond to

the budget.

Before I do that…. Obviously, the last two weeks in our province, or a few weeks,

have been like no other in a very unimaginable way. They have transformed our province

in a very unimaginable way. Obviously, I’m referencing what happened in Tumbler Ridge.

The remarks that were made in this House today by my colleague, I think, are vitally

important. But more important than that, the actions shown by my colleague and by

other colleagues that are in this House — whether it’s the Premier, whether it’s the

Solicitor General, whether it’s the Leader of the Third Party…. I want to thank them

for the work that they’ve put in, for putting the community on their shoulders at

an unprecedented time.

It’s an experience that I hope we never go through together, but the unification was

something I think we can take hope in. The fact that we actually got to bear witness

to a Prime Minister and a leader of the opposition, federally, that I saw working

together to help a father who had lost a child and help him find a way forward…. That’s

an image that will stick with me forever.

We’ve canvassed some very serious issues in this House today and the days prior, and

I think none of those issues are more important than mental health and the supports.

I represent a riding that I can drive within about five minutes. There are some ridings

in this House that are bigger, geographically, than the country of Denmark. But those

ridings matter. They’re vitally important.

My riding in Surrey and other members’ ridings in Vancouver are lacking supports when

it comes to mental health. Severe supports. Now, can you imagine what my colleagues

on both sides of the House are experiencing in those lacks of services?

I had one parent that I met with when I was up north that said they had to drive their

child 5½ hours for their psychiatric appointments that they had to do once a week,

that they were wait-listed for. Some 5½ hours they drive to get those appointments

in Prince George. But they do it because they understand how critical that is to their

child and as a parent.

We’ve heard stories here where emergency rooms shut down in rural communities, where

a parent has to put their child in the back of a car and drive hours to just access

basic health care. Never in this province has health care been in such dire shape.

It’s not as a result of the health care workers that are working every day on our

front lines and doing their level best. We know that.

[11:30 a.m.]

But it is the failure of this government, the failure of this government’s leadership,

when they cannot protect our basic access to health care. No matter where you live

— no matter if it’s in Surrey, Vancouver, Prince George, Kitimat or Fort St. John

— it doesn’t matter. Our health care system has crumbled, and this government knows

that. What they don’t know is that the public are suffering every day, languishing

in hallway beds, not for hours but for days. That’s their record.

I represent a riding that is predominantly seniors. I’m proud of that. Our province

was built on those people. They’re our volunteers. They’re the ones that show up every

single day. I don’t think any budget in the history of this province has shortchanged

seniors more than this one.

Targeting basic cable. Most seniors have basic cable. Most seniors have a land line.

To try and balance the incompetence of fiscal management on our most vulnerable citizens

— that, to me, is an absolute embarrassment, and this government should be ashamed

of itself for trying to get away with it.

With a record deficit level — the fact is, I think, we actually spend $24 million

a day on servicing that — you would think that with all the government credit cards

maxed out, our services would be at an impeccable level. Every government service

is producing some of the worst results that we’ve ever seen in this province’s history

— full stop. Whether it’s health care and the wait times, the emergency room shutdowns,

the fact that the maternity ward at Peace Arch Hospital….

The Speaker : Member, pursuant to Standing Order 45A,

schedule 2(iii), the debate must conclude

during this morning’s sitting. I ask the member to take his seat now, and the Minister

of Finance will make the closing remarks.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : Throughout this budget debate, we’ve heard several members opposite say that it feels

like we’re debating two different budgets. On that point, at least, they’re right.

On the one hand, there’s the budget that we delivered, a serious budget for serious

times. A budget grounded in the reality that British Columbians are living every day:

global economic instability, lower revenues, higher demand for public services, rising

costs and a rapidly aging population. A time when families are working harder than

ever and still not feeling like they’re getting ahead. This budget does not look away

from those realities. We look them in the eye.

We’re responding by grounding Budget 2026 in our social democratic values, that we

protect the most vulnerable; that quality public education is the foundation of a

free and democratic society; that health care is a right, not a privilege reserved

for those with income or influence; that when taxes must rise, those at the top should

contribute a little bit more; and that investing in economic development today is

how we build the British Columbia that will lead the country in economic growth. This

is the budget before the House.

Then there is this other budget, the one invented by the Conservatives. While we have

delivered one of the most serious budgets in recent history, their response has been

anything but serious.

[11:35 a.m.]

Frankly, it’s not surprising. Half of them are auditioning to lead their party. It’s

silly season in this Legislature.

On this side of the House, we are making hard choices. On that side, they’re making

easy accusations. They demand less spending and more spending. They demand a smaller

deficit while calling for expanded services everywhere we go. Spend less; spend more.

Have health care and education take the brunt; expand health care and education. They

want less spending and more services, deeper cuts and bigger programs, a smaller deficit

and a longer wish list. You cannot govern by contradiction.

The reason this debate feels so disjointed is because we’re debating two different

things. We’re debating the real budget introduced on February 17 while the Conservatives

debate a fictional version designed to scare people. It’s straight out of the Conservative

playbook of fear. Serious times….

Interjections.

The Speaker : The minister has the floor. Please, let’s conclude, because we don’t have much time

left.

Minister will continue.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : Serious times require serious budgets, not press releases disguised as policy.

Let’s do some fact-checking, shall we?

Let’s talk about income taxes. The MLA from Kamloops made assertions that were false

and misleading, telling minimum wage earners they would see a tax increase because

tax brackets were frozen. That is false. In Budget 2026, we increased the B.C. tax

reduction credit so that people who can least afford pressure pay less, not more.

As a result, minimum-wage earners will pay less provincial income tax in 2026. In

fact, 40 percent of British Columbians will see a tax cut.

Let’s be clear. British Columbia has the lowest personal income tax rate for individuals

earning less than $149,000, lower than Alberta, lower than Ontario, the lowest in

the country.

When members tell minimum-wage earners that they’re paying more tax when they’re paying

less, that’s not an error. That’s a choice to scare people for votes, mislead working

families. This is not fiscal responsibility. It’s MAGA-style politics, right here

in B.C.

Let’s talk about forestry and emergency management. The MLA for Kamloops Centre, joined

by the MLA for Fraser-Nicola, claimed that there was a $400 million cut to the Forests

budget.

This claim is inaccurate and misleading, and you know it.

The year-to-year variance….

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

Members, please.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : The year-to-year variance reflects statutory wildfire spending, which rises and falls

with the severity of the wildfire season. That’s how every budget works. A wildfire

response is not a cut. It’s a reality of governing in British Columbia.

The same applies to Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. Despite inaccurate

claims made by the MLA from Prince George, to suggest that these variances represent

abandonment of forestry workers and communities either reflects a misunderstanding

of statutory spending or a deliberate attempt to mislead.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : While they spread fear, Budget 2026….

The Speaker : Minister, the minister has to be careful in her comments, please.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : Budget 2026 includes an additional $50 million to support forestry workers and their

families.

If the members from Kamloops Centre, Fraser-Nicola or Prince George are still confused

about statutory spending, I’m happy to explain it offline. But let’s be honest. They’re

not confused; they’re misleading. It’s not a bug; it’s a feature.

On Public Safety, the MLA for Kelowna-Mission stated that funding is down. That, too,

is misleading. The year-to-year variance….

[11:40 a.m.]

This budget includes savings from ministry reorganization and expenditure management,

but it increases funding for policing, victim services and corrections, including

$139 million for community-specific supports to address repeat violent offenders and

chronic property crime.

Front-line funding is going up. We’re putting resources on the front lines and cutting

back administrative costs. The government funds the front lines. These are not talking

points.

Repayments. Let’s talk about property tax deferment. Some of the rhetoric we’ve heard

from the members opposite on property tax deferment goes beyond misleading. It’s irresponsible.

Let me be absolutely clear. Nothing in these changes increases seniors’ monthly expenses.

There are no monthly payments under this program. There never have been. Telling seniors

their monthly costs are going up when there are no monthly payments is not just wrong;

it’s worrisome. Repayments occur only when a home is sold or ownership changes.

What we ended was a loophole that allowed wealthy investors to borrow at below-market

rates, subsidized by seniors, renters and working families. Protecting an investor

loophole by frightening seniors is not fiscal conservatism.

Housing. We were told, including by the MLA for Delta South, that this government

prefers photo ops to building homes. Let’s look at the facts. Housing investments

in Budget 2026 are nearly five times larger than under the former government. Since

2017, more than 95,000 homes have been delivered or are underway. Five times the investment,

95,000 homes. Those are facts.

We’ve restricted short-term rentals. We’ve implemented the foreign buyer tax. We’ve

strengthened the speculation and vacancy tax. We’ve capped rent increases. We’ve introduced

the renters tax credit.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh, Members.

Please conclude.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : Let me be clear. British Columbians don’t need lectures on housing from the very

people who caused the housing crisis.

Let’s talk about economic growth. The MLA for Kelowna-Mission also attacked the new

$400 million strategic investment fund, calling it government control. That characterization

is false. This fund ensures that British Columbians can compete with jurisdictions

around Canada and around the world to actively partner and grow strategic industries

and protect economic sovereignty.

Investing in B.C.’s economy is not government control. It’s economic leadership. Jurisdictions

around the world have funds like this to partner in investment opportunities, and

this member, who claims to be pro-innovation, wants B.C. to compete with our hands

tied behind our backs.

Let’s look at who’s in favour of this fund.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members, shhh.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : The Council of Canadian Innovators welcomed this investment. B.C. Tech welcomed this

investment. Even BCBC welcomed this investment. The member for Kelowna-Mission has

shown his true nature when he chooses opposing government over what he well knows

is the right thing for innovation. That says a lot. Add that to the long list of contradictions.

We are living through global uncertainty, volatile markets…

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : …rising costs and serious fiscal pressure. Some members opposite, including the MLA

for Fraser-Nicola, told us to cut health care and education to balance the budget.

Others, including MLA from Boundary-Similkameen and the MLA from West Vancouver, demanded

expanded services in those very same areas. They want austerity, and they want more

spending. You can’t have it both ways.

Budget 2026 takes the responsible path between these two extremes. This is not the

time for reckless austerity. It is not the time for flashy expansion. It’s the time

for steady hands.

The Speaker : Just one minute. Please conclude.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : On this side of the House, our priorities are clear: protect core public services

people rely on, keep B.C. among the lowest-taxed provinces for working in middle class

families, reduce the deficit responsibly over time without breaking what works. The

choice is simple: steady hands in difficult times or reckless contradictions from

a party who has no idea who they are.

[11:45 a.m.]

The Speaker : Members, it’s unparliamentary to suggest that a member has deliberately misled the

House. I ask the minister to withdraw.

Hon. Brenda Bailey : I withdraw.

The Speaker : Thank you.

Members, it is 11:45 now.

Questions of Privilege

(Reservation of Right)

Peter Milobar : Mr. Speaker, given the litany of statements the minister made there, I reserve my

right of privilege, and I would encourage every member that was named in that diatribe

to do the same thing at this moment.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

Kiel Giddens : I reserve my right on a matter of privilege.

Tony Luck : I reserve my right for privilege.

Gavin Dew : I reserve my right of privilege.

Interjections.

The Speaker : It’s okay. Members, we will deal with that later.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members, shhh.

Lynne Block : I reserve my right of privilege.

The Speaker : Thank you very much.

Budget Debate

(continued)

The Speaker : Members, now, pursuant to Standing Order 45A,

schedule 2(iii), the Chair must now

put the question.

The question before the House is that the Speaker do now leave the Chair for the House

to go into Committee of Supply.

Division has been called.

[11:50 a.m.]

Members. Can I ask all the members online to make sure your cameras are on, please.

Thank you. Also, stay unmuted.

Seems like everyone is in the House. Should we waive the time or wait for another

two minutes?

[11:55 a.m.]

Motion approved on the following division:

YEAS — 46

Lore

Blatherwick

Dhir

Routledge

Elmore

Toporowski

B. Anderson

Neill

Osborne

Brar

Krieger

Davidson

Parmar

Sunner

Beare

Greene

Wickens

Kang

Begg

Arora

Higginson

Sandhu

Lajeunesse

Choi

Rotchford

Chant

Phillip

Popham

Dix

Sharma

Farnworth

Eby

Bailey

Kahlon

Chandra Herbert

Whiteside

Boyle

Yung

Malcolmson

Gibson

Glumac

Shah

G. Anderson

Chow

Morissette

NAYS — 46

Loewen

Kindy

Milobar

Warbus

Halford

Rattée

Wat

Kooner

Banman

Hartwell

L. Neufeld

Van Popta

Dew

Clare

K. Neufeld

Rustad

McInnis

Valeriote

Botterell

Bhangu

Paton

Day

Chan

Toor

Hepner

Giddens

Dhaliwal

McCall

Wilson

Maahs

Block

Stamer

Gasper

Tepper

Mok

Brodie

Kealy

Armstrong

Sturko

Boultbee

Williams

Chapman

Bird

Doerkson

Luck

Davis

The Speaker : Members, the votes being equal, the Chair must make a casting vote. The motion is

a confidence matter, and confidence of the House should not be decided at the sole

vote of the Chair. Therefore, the Chair votes in favour of the motion, and the motion,

therefore, is carried.

Hon. Mike Farnworth moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The Speaker : This House stands adjourned until 1 p.m. today.

The House adjourned at 12:00 p.m.