British Columbia Hansard — Tuesday, March 1, 2016

20160301am-Hansard-v33n10

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fift h Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Morning Sitting Volume 33, Number 10

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Fifth Session, 40th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Linda Reid EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council .............................................................................................................. Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing ......................Hon.

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for TransLink ................ Hon. Peter Fassbender Minister of Education ............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Mike Bernier Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review .....................................................................Hon. Bill Bennett Minister of Environment ..........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Finance .................................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations......................................................................................Hon. Steve Th omson Minister of Health ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacifi c Strategy and Multiculturalism ........................................................................................... Hon.

Teresa Wat Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon. Suzanne Anton Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ................................................................................................................. Hon.

Mike Morris Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch ........................................................................................................ Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation..............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Stilwell Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................................ Hon.

Amrik Virk Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon. Todd Stone Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness .................................................................................................................... Hon.

Naomi Y amamoto LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ...................................................................................................................................................John Horgan Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................. Richard T. Lee Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ............................................................................................................................................ Pat Pimm Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ................................................................................................................................................... Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees .................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk ...................................................................................................................................................Roderick MacArthur, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Anton, Hon. Suzanne (BC Liberal) .............................. Vancouver-Fraserview Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal).....................................................................Penticton Austin, Robin (NDP) ................................................................................ Skeena Bains, Harry (NDP) ....................................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ............................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Bennett, Hon.

Bill (BC Liberal) ...................................................Kootenay East Bernier, Hon. Mike (BC Liberal) ......................................... Peace River South Bing, Dr. Doug (BC Liberal) ................................ Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Bond, Hon. Shirley (BC Liberal) ........................... Prince George–Valemount Cadieux, Hon. Stephanie (BC Liberal) ................................Surrey-Cloverdale Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) .................................Vancouver–West End Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ...........................................................

Burnaby-Edmonds Clark, Hon. Christy (BC Liberal) ........................................ Westside-Kelowna Coleman, Hon. Rich (BC Liberal) ...........................Fort Langley–Aldergrove Conroy, Katrine (NDP) .............................................................. Kootenay West Corrigan, Kathy (NDP) ..................................................... Burnaby–Deer Lake Dalton, Marc (BC Liberal) ............................................. Maple Ridge–Mission Darcy, Judy (NDP) ..................................................................New Westminster de Jong, Hon.

Michael, QC (BC Liberal) .............................. Abbotsford West Dix, Adrian (NDP)............................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Doug (NDP) ......................................................................... Stikine Eby, David (NDP) ..........................................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP) ................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Mike (NDP) ............................................................ Port Coquitlam Fassbender, Hon.

Peter (BC Liberal) ................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Fleming, Rob (NDP) .......................................................... Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal) .......................................................Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Scott (NDP) ............................................................Alberni–Pacifi c Rim Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) ............................................. Abbotsford-Mission Hamilton, Wm.

Scott (BC Liberal) .................................................Delta North Hammell, Sue (NDP) .................................................... Surrey–Green Timbers Heyman, George (NDP) .................................................... Vancouver-Fairview Hogg, Gordon (BC Liberal) ............................................... Surrey–White Rock Holman, Gary (NDP) .......................................Saanich North and the Islands Horgan, John (NDP) .......................................................................

Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ....................................................Surrey-Panorama Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ............................................................. Nanaimo Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr.

Terry (BC Liberal) ....................Kamloops–North Th ompson Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) .........................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal) ......................................................Burnaby North Letnick, Hon. Norm (BC Liberal) ..............................Kelowna–Lake Country Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ....................................Columbia River–Revelstoke McRae, Don (BC Liberal) ............................................................ Comox Valley Mark, Melanie (NDP) ...........................................

Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal) ..................................................................Chilliwack Morris, Hon. Mike (BC Liberal) ........................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Hon. Coralee (BC Liberal) .............................................Cariboo North Pimm, Pat (BC Liberal) .........................................................Peace River North Plecas, Dr. Darryl (BC Liberal) .............................................Abbotsford South Polak, Hon.

Mary (BC Liberal) .............................................................. Langley Popham, Lana (NDP) ...................................................................Saanich South Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ................................................................ Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon. Linda (BC Liberal) ..................................................Richmond East Reimer, Linda (BC Liberal) ........................................

Port Moody–Coquitlam Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ........................................................................North Coast Robinson, Selina (NDP) .............................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Routley, Bill (NDP) .................................................................. Cowichan Valley Routley, Doug (NDP) ............................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, Hon. John (BC Liberal) ................................................

Nechako Lakes Shin, Jane Jae Kyung (NDP) ...............................................Burnaby-Lougheed Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ................................... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Shane (NDP) ..................................................... Vancouver-Hastings Stilwell, Hon. Michelle (BC Liberal)............................... Parksville-Qualicum Stilwell, Dr. Moira (BC Liberal) ........................................ Vancouver-Langara Stone, Hon. Todd (BC Liberal) .........................

Kamloops–South Th ompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal) ..................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Sullivan, Sam (BC Liberal) ...........................................Vancouver–False Creek Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal) ..................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal) ............................................................Fraser-Nicola Th omson, Hon. Steve (BC Liberal) .......................................Kelowna-Mission Th ornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ..........................

North Vancouver–Seymour Th roness, Laurie (BC Liberal).................................................Chilliwack-Hope Trevena, Claire (NDP) .................................................................... North Island Virk, Hon. Amrik (BC Liberal) ............................................. Surrey-Tynehead Wat, Hon. Teresa (BC Liberal) .............................................. Richmond Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (Ind.) .......................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wickens, Jodie (NDP) ..........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Wilkinson, Hon.

Andrew (BC Liberal) ........................ Vancouver-Quilchena Y amamoto, Hon. Naomi (BC Liberal) ................ North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, John (BC Liberal) ......................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ......................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Dr. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacifi c Rim .......................................................................... Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen ................................................................ Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ...................................................................

Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ..........................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .............................................................Jane Jae Kyung Shin Burnaby North .............................................................................. Richard T. Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ........................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................... Hon.

Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ......................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Hope ....................................................................... Laurie Th roness Columbia River–Revelstoke .................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley.....................................................................................Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .......................................................Jodie Wickens Coquitlam-Maillardville...........................................................

Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................ Bill Routley Delta North .........................................................................Wm. Scott Hamilton Delta South...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon.

Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola.................................................................................... Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon.

Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon. Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ...........................................................................

Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan ......................................................... Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ........................................................................ Hon. John Rustad Nelson-Creston ........................................................................Michelle Mungall New Westminster ...............................................................................

Judy Darcy North Coast......................................................................................Jennifer Rice North Island .................................................................................. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ........................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ..................................................Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .......................................................Hon.

Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ................................................................................ Pat Pimm Peace River South ..................................................................Hon. Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast .................................................

Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie ....................................................Hon. Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount ................................................... Hon. Shirley Bond Richmond Centre ......................................................................Hon. Teresa Wat Richmond East ..........................................................................Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ..............................................................................John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands ....................................................

Gary Holman Saanich South ................................................................................ Lana Popham Shuswap ................................................................................................Greg Kyllo Skeena .............................................................................................. Robin Austin Stikine ....................................................................................... Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................... Hon.

Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Fleetwood ........................................................... Hon. Peter Fassbender Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ................................................................................. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................................... Marvin Hunt Surrey-Tynehead ......................................................................Hon.

Amrik Virk Surrey-Whalley.............................................................................. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock ....................................................................... Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Fairview ..................................................................George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek ................................................................... Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview ......................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Vancouver-Hastings ....................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington .................................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..........................................................................Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara .................................................................Dr. Moira Stilwell Vancouver–Mount Pleasant .........................................................

Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................................................David Eby Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................ Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Vancouver–West End ...............................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee ...............................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill .......................................................................Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake.........................................................................Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano ............................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..........................................................Jordan Sturdy Westside-Kelowna ................................................................

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 48; New Democratic 35; Independent 2

CONTENTS Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Personal Statements .............................................................................................................................................................. 10865 Withdrawal of comments made in the House D.

Routley Introductions by Members ................................................................................................................................................... 10865 Introduction and First Reading of Bills .............................................................................................................................. 10866 Bill 2 — Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Management) Act Hon. S. Th omson Bill 20 — Supply Act (No. 1), 2016 Hon.

M. de Jong Statements (Standing Order 25B) ....................................................................................................................................... 10867 Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen H. Bains Emily Overholt and athletic achievement R. Sultan St. James Community Square D. Eby Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxiliary L. Reimer Soroptimist International J. Wickens B.C. Winter Games in Penticton D.

Ashton Oral Questions ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10869 Private fl ights and use of camera crew by Premier J. Horgan Hon. C. Clark Government spending priorities and bus pass program changes M. Mungall Hon. Michelle Stilwell B.C. Hydro power demand projections A. Dix Hon. B. Bennett Water quality in Spallumcheen area G. Heyman Hon. T. Lake L. Popham Health information technology project issues and costs J. Darcy Hon. T.

Lake Point of Privilege (Reservation of Right) ........................................................................................................................... 10874 M. Mungall Reports from Committees .................................................................................................................................................... 10874 Special Committee of Selection, fi rst report, March 1, 2016 Hon.

M. de Jong Motions Without Notice ....................................................................................................................................................... 10874 Appointment of Select Standing and Special Committees Hon. M. de Jong

Point of Privilege (Reservation of Right) ........................................................................................................................... 10876 L. Popham Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills ........................................................................................................................................................ 10876 Bill 5 — Miscellaneous Statutes (Signed Statements) Amendment Act, 2016 (continued) M. Farnworth K.

Corrigan Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply ............................................................................................................................................................ 10884 Estimates: Ministry of Environment (continued) Hon. M. Polak G. Heyman N. Macdonald

TUESDAY , MARCH 1, 2016 Th e House met at 10:03 a.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. Personal Statements WITHDRAW AL OF COMMENTS MADE IN THE HOUSE D. Routley: I’m standing to withdraw remarks that I made in my speech yesterday in this House. I used un- parliamentary terms. I apologize to the House. Madame Speaker: Th ank you, Member. Introductions by Members Hon. C.

Clark: Joining us today in the precincts to witness the introduction of groundbreaking legislation are Chief Marilyn Slett of the Heiltsuk First Nation and the president of the Coastal First Nations, Dallas Smith of the Nanwakolas Council. As British Columbians, we all know that the land sus- tains us. Th e land in British Columbia makes us unique, and it makes us who we are. Th ese two leaders and the groups of First Nations that they represent….

I under- stand it was something like 80 chiefs, thereabouts, over the ten years that the Great Bear Rainforest agreement was being negotiated, that saw their way to and from the table. [1005] Th ose First Nations, their leaders, have been our part- ners in the land use planning that has led us to the his- toric creation of the Great Bear Rainforest. Th ey have worked with us to ensure that this jewel is protected, while also in continuing the ancient tradition of sus- taining themselves through using the land. I know that members of this House, on this historic day, will make both of them feel very welcome. Hon.

S. Th omson: Also joining us today to witness the introduction of this groundbreaking legislation are our other critical partners in achieving this very, very important agreement. In the gallery joining us to- day are Ric Slaco from Interfor, Eduardo Sousa from Greenpeace Canada, Jens Wieting with the Sierra Club of B.C., Valerie Langer with ForestEthics Solutions, Jody Holmes with the Rainforest Solutions Project and Gary Gwilt from our ministry, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

All played leadership roles and great work in collabor- ation to achieve this groundbreaking agreement — this very, very important agreement — which will be intro- duced in legislation today. J. Rice: I, too, as the MLA for the Great Bear Rainforest, would like to invite and welcome our guests from the Great Bear Rainforest. I would particularly like to intro- duce Marilyn Slett, who is also a constituent of mine. She comes from Heiltsuk territory in Bella Bella, which is part of the North Coast constituency, so I’ d like to make a special welcome to Marilyn. S.

Hammell: Today I’ d like to welcome to the House Deborah Conner. Deborah is the executive director of the B.C. Schizophrenia Society. Would the House please make her welcome. Hon. T. Lake: I’ d like to join my colleague in welcom- ing Deborah here today. Th e B.C. Schizophrenia Society is a non-profi t organization. It was founded in 1982. Th ey have a head offi ce in the hon. Speaker’s home community of Richmond, but also 13 branches across the province.

Its mission is to improve the quality of life for those af- fected by schizophrenia and psychosis through education, support, public policy and research, with a particular focus on families. Th is organization has a strong history of working col- laboratively and eff ectively with the B.C. government and with community partners. We’ll be meeting with them later today. So again, would the House please join me in welcoming Deborah Conner of the B.C. Schizophrenia Society here today. C. Trevena: I have to acknowledge that the Great Bear Rainforest does come as far south as part of my constitu- ency.

I think everybody is trying to claim a bit of it. I would like to acknowledge there’s been a huge amount of work by all parties to get to this stage. It is a ground- breaking way of going forward with the ecosystem-based forest management, as it’s now being described. I think everybody is going to be watching whether or not this really works and hoping that it does really work. I know that my constituents will be.

And I would like to add the welcome to Dallas Smith, who is on the fl oor of the House at the moment, of Nanwakolas Council, who is also one of my constituents and has been working extraordinar- ily hard with his council to ensure that this moves forward. Hon. C. Oakes: It truly is my privilege to introduce to the House today Steve Forseth, the very hard-working regional district director from the Cariboo. I’ve known Steve for many years in my previous hat of local govern- ment. I know he works tirelessly on behalf of his con- stituents, which we share. Would the House please make him feel welcome. 10865

British Columbia Debates10866 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 J. Horgan: I have a number of introductions to make today. Joining us from eastern Canada today is Ramneet Boparia, joined by Harleen Kang and Sunny Kaylon from my constituency of Juan de Fuca. Th is is Ramneet’s fi rst visit to the Legislature of British Columbia. I would love members to please make them very, very welcome. [1010] My second introduction is a special one, and it’s to introduce Alexandra and Katerina Kurz and their mother, Sarah Beukema, which is a great Frisian name.

Th ey’re visiting us today from the West-Mont Montessori School in my constituency of Juan de Fuca. Why this is special is because Alexandra worked very hard to convince her class and students to come to the Legislature earlier in the year, in February, for the open- ing of the session, and she wasn’t able to make it. So they’ve made a second trip today, and I want a big, big welcome to Alexandra and to Katerina and their mom, Sarah. Everybody up. Let’s go. K.

Corrigan: It gives me a great deal of pleasure, par- ticularly as the daughter of a professional engineer, to welcome into the precinct today the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists. Professional engineers and geoscientists protect the public. Th ey keep our buildings safe. Th ey build our province, and we owe a great debt to them. At the same time, they maintain the highest of standards, and their number one priority is to work in the public in- terest and to protect the public interest.

I wanted to thank them for hosting the offi cial opposition at a breakfast today and hope that the House will make them very welcome. S. Hamilton: It’s my pleasure to rise in the House to- day and introduce a number of guests. First of all, visit- ing from the corporation of Delta, here to discuss issues of mutual concern with various individuals, we have Mr. George Harvie, the chief administrative offi cer. We also have the chief constable for Delta, Neil Dubord, and at this time, on behalf of the Legislature, I’ d like to take the opportunity to welcome the chief to his new role in Delta.

He’s been there a few months, but he’s doing an exceptional job. I’ d like to congratulate him on our behalf. We also have Dona Packer, the executive assistant to Mayor Lois E. Jackson. Finally, we have the iron lady herself. We have a per- son who understands the importance of building for the future, who understands that a new crossing to replace an aging tunnel is of vital importance both to her com- munity and to the region and, besides opposition, stands in her resolve to see that happen. Ladies and gentlemen, would the House please welcome all of my guests, includ- ing Mayor Lois E. Jackson. C.

James: I am pleased to welcome a guest and a friend to the Legislature today. Sheenagh Morrison is a very active self-advocate for people with diverse abilities. She’s a very strong spokesperson. She’s a Special Olympics swimmer. She’s a proud Th rift y’s employee. I’ d like the House to please make Sheenagh very welcome today. I see a surprise visitor in the gallery today, a former UVic professor, a volunteer extraordinaire. We’ve been very fortunate that she has remained in Victoria in her retirement because, I have to tell you, I think Victoria wouldn’t survive if it wasn’t for the hours she put in.

Would the House please welcome Marilyn Callahan. G. Hogg: In an eff ort to tie or defeat the record of most introductions to one person, I’ d like to also wel- come an individual who participated in a White Rock Sea Festival parade with then Premier Vander Zalm and myself as mayor. I think he was seven or eight years old at the time. I’ d also like to welcome and thank Dallas Smith for all the wonderful work he’s done in getting us to this point. G. Holman: To extend that record, I also want to greet our First Nations guests. I do have a history with land use planning on the central coast.

I wanted to reintro- duce the House to the 1990s, when the land and resource management plans were initiated by Mike Harcourt and resulted in the Central and North Coast LRMPs, which established many of the protected areas that are in eff ect today. Congratulations to all involved. [1015] Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 2 — GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST (FOREST MANAGEMENT) ACT Hon. S. Thomson presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Management) Act. Hon. S.

Th omson: I move that the Great Bear Rain- forest (Forest Management) Act be introduced and read for a fi rst time now. Motion approved. Hon. S. Th omson: Today I’m very pleased to intro- duce the Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Management) Act. Th is act will enable implementation of the forest manage- ment aspects of ecosystem-based management, EBM, for the 6.4-million hectare Great Bear Rainforest, an area the size of Ireland, one of the largest intact, temperate rainforests remaining in the world.

Th is act signals to the world that our province understands the Great Bear Rainforest as a global treasure with unique cultural, eco- nomic and environmental values.

British Columbia DebatesTuesday, March 1, 2016 10867 Ecosystem-based management is the outcome of agreements arising from unprecedented collaboration involving the B.C. government, First Nations, environ- mental interests and the forest industry. Ecosystem-based management is an adaptive, systematic approach to man- aging human activities that seeks to ensure the coexist- ence of healthy, fully functioning ecosystems and human communities.

Th e act will help to: stabilize B.C. ’s coastal forest sector, providing certainty in investment; develop unique forest management and administrative rules that move beyond the current forest legislative framework, while ensuring the normal rules under the Forest Act apply as needed; along with other tools, such as the recently announced Great Bear Rainforest land use objectives order and recon- ciliation protocols with First Nations, achieve implemen- tation of ecosystem-based management and address that these unique provisions apply to this unique place — the Great Bear Rainforest.

I move that the Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Manage- ment) Act be placed on the orders of the day for second read- ing at the next sitting aft er today. Bill 2, Great Bear Rainforest (Forest Management) Act, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. BILL 20 — SUPPLY ACT (No. 1), 2016 Hon. M. de Jong presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Supply Act (No. 1), 2016. Hon. M. de Jong: I move fi rst reading of Bill 20. Motion approved. Hon.

M. de Jong: Bill 20 will provide interim supply for government operating expenses during the fi rst two months of the 2016-17 fi scal year. It also provides in- terim supply for government’s fi nancing requirements for the 2016-17 fi scal year, including one-third of the year’s voted capital expenditures and loans, investments and other requirements and 100 percent of the year’s re- quirements for revenues collected for and transferred to other entities. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for consideration by the House at the next sitting aft er today.

Bill 20, Supply Act (No. 1), 2016, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) GURU NANAK’S FREE KITCHEN H. Bains: “Love all; feed all” is the motto of Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen, or langar, established in the sum- mer of 2007 to help feed those in need in the Lower Mainland. Th e langar, or common kitchen, is a term used in the Sikh religion, where food is served, usually in a gurdwara, to all visitors.

It was designed to uphold the principle of equality, regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. In addition to the ideas of equal- ity, the tradition of langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community and an inclusive oneness of all humankind. Th e Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen was developed to en- courage Sikh youth to volunteer their service and time unconditionally to others. It has done just that and is a great success. Th e fi rst Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen event took place in November 2007, setting the stage for the service they pro- vide today.

Th ey operate weekly, serving food, clothing and other items to residents in need, and 3½ thousand meals are served every month. In 2012, they arranged their fi rst annual Christmas toy drive, where hundreds of individuals and families donated toys for families in need. On Valentine’s Day, they deliver roses and chocolate to aboriginal centres and shelter homes. On Mother’s Day, mothers of all faith are honoured. I had the honour to attend a few of these events over the years, and I tell you that it is really heartwarming to see the generosity in the community.

I would like to commend Indy Panchi, Paul Hundle, Raman Khaira, Raveen Kandola, Tes Kaur and the hun- dreds of volunteers for their continuous dedication and hard work in helping people in need. [1020] I’m sure, on behalf of everyone in this House, I can say thank you for the work you do. Keep up the good work. EMILY OVERHOLT AND ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENT R. Sultan: I believe this is the only time a member of this Legislature has won four Olympic medals. I refer, of course, to the member for Parksville-Qualicum. She will compete in another Olympic Games in Brazil in August.

I predict another British Columbian will also stand on the podium in Brazil — my constituent Emily Overholt. Emily joined our Otters Swim Club at age eight. At age 16, she was the youngest member of Canada’s team at the Commonwealth Games, anchoring the 4 x 200-metre freestyle relay to a silver medal. A year later, at the Pan Am Games, she won three medals, including a gold, for the 400-metre freestyle. Th en at the world champion-

British Columbia Debates10868 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 ships in Russia, she won a bronze and set a Canadian record. Th is superbly trained athlete graduated from West Vancouver high school only last year and was accepted into science at UBC. But she knew that if she wanted to go to Rio, she would have to train full time. She put UBC on hold. She currently trains six days a week, starting at 6 a.m. in the pool, then dry-land training, then back into the pool for a very long day. Th is is what it takes to win. Olympic trials take place in Toronto in about six weeks. Go, Emily, go. ST. JAMES COMMUNITY SQUARE D.

Eby: In March of last year, residents of Vancouver– Point Grey learned that, aft er operating as a commun- ity centre at West 10th and Trutch for over 21 years, St. James Community Square was likely going to be sold and redeveloped. Here’s just some of what takes place in this humble for- mer church building. St. James hosts the Vancouver Y outh Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1930. It’s home to the 30-year-old Rogue Folk Club, who present 50 folk, Celtic and roots concerts every year. Th e offi ce for the 80-year- old Kitsilano Showboat stage is at St. James. There’s a child care and a preschool.

All-candidates debates for every level of government always take place there. Martial arts classes, music, arts classes, Japanese classes, yoga, theatre, community meetings. Hon. Speaker, 5,000 people regularly attend St. James. It hosts over 500,000 visits total per year. Y ou can imagine the news that this place was closing was a shock, but you don’t operate for 21 years as the heart of Kitsilano without making some friends. Owners Trinity United Church and the United Church presbytery brought time, energy and goodwill. Th e city of Vancouver brought fi nancial support and a desire to preserve the space.

And the St. James Community Square Society and well-loved local activist Mel Lehan worked overtime to bring everyone together with a business plan and a fund- raising strategy to make saving St. James a reality. On Saturday, February 12, of this year, I was lucky enough to witness the announcement by the city of Vancouver that they would purchase St. James Community Square to ensure community ownership of the facility and its continuation as a cultural community asset and thriving space for all ages.

Congratulations to the city of Vancouver, the United Church, Trinity United Church and the informal coali- tion of community members who saved this special place. An extra thank-you to Mel Lehan and the whole of the St. James Community Square Society board, staff and vol- unteers for all of their work saving St. James and keeping the heart of our community alive. EAGLE RIDGE HOSPITAL AUXILIARY L. Reimer: On behalf of my constituents in Anmore, Belcarra, Port Moody and Coquitlam, it’s my pleasure to congratulate the Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxiliary on cele- brating their 40th anniversary last Th ursday, February 25.

Since 1976, the auxiliary has been supporting patients and staff of Eagle Ridge Hospital as well as the wider Tri- Cities community. Th e auxiliary is a 100 percent volunteer non-profi t or- ganization. Th ey rely on the dedication and hard work by over 100 regular members who collectively donated 17,000 volunteer hours to the hospital and surrounding community last year.

Th e auxiliary worked with hospi- tal staff to care for and console patients through projects like their weekend coff ee program and the comfort kits they prepare. [1025] On top of this work, their bake sales, thrift shop and other fundraising eff orts raise money to purchase new equipment that helps hospital staff provide first-rate care to patients. Each year the auxiliary donates ap- proximately $25,000 to Eagle Ridge Hospital. Since their founding, their fundraising has totalled over $1 million.

Additionally, each year they award a $1,000 bursary to an outstanding Tri-Cities student to pursue post-secondary studies in the fi eld of health care or medicine. Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxiliary is a shining example of individuals who have come together to make a diff er- ence in their community. In 2014, they were named Port Coquitlam Community Organization of the Y ear for their outstanding work. I’m incredibly proud of this organiza- tion and its members for their dedication and service to the community we all love and cherish.

I wish the aux- iliary all the best and look forward to another 40 years of excellent work by them. SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL J. Wickens: For over 16 years, the Soroptimist International of the TriCities have been committed to improving the lives of women and girls, both locally and internationally. Th e name Soroptimist means best for women, and the Soroptimists of the Tri-Cities are truly women in my community at their best, helping other women to be their best. I had the great pleasure this past weekend to be invited to their sixth annual Give Her Wings Gala.

It was my fi rst time attending the gala, and I was truly inspired by the stories told about some extraordinary women. Attendees had the pleasure to hear stories of resiliency, stories of strength and stories of women of various ages who truly defi ne what it means to give back to their community. Because of the great fundraising eff orts these amazing women do, so much is accomplished for women and girls in the Tri-Cities. Just a few of the programs they provide

British Columbia DebatesTuesday, March 1, 2016 10869 are Bea’s Kloset, CABE lunch and learn, To Dream It, Be It career counselling, A Warm Place for Women. Th e vi- sion that these ladies have is a world where women and girls have access to the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential. Standing here today in the Legislature as the youngest woman and mom to a little girl, I really wish that in 2016 we didn’t still have to work for these things. But sadly we do, and it’s because of women like the Soroptimists that we are one step closer to an equitable and just soci- ety.

Will everybody join me in thanking these ladies for their wonderful work. B.C. WINTER GAMES IN PENTICTON D. Ashton: With 17 sports, 22,000 meals and more than 1,300 athletes from all corners of British Columbia, the 28th edition of the B.C. Winter Games was held in my hometown of Penticton last weekend. In all, there were 533 medals awarded. Th ere was a wonderful sense of camaraderie and good sportsmanship that fl ooded the city. New friendships were made, and the spirit of good will burned as brightly as the B.C. Games fl ame.

Some of those young athletes will be household names in the years ahead as they achieve Olympic glory, and behind every one of those athletes were incredible par- ents’ and coaches’ continual dedication. For the games themselves, more than 1,900 wonderful volunteers and sponsors made it all happen fl awlessly, along with the guidance of Bill Bidlake and his fellow organizers. Th e vision of the B.C. Games, winter and summer, is to strive to inspire exceptional experiences through sport.

Generations of British Columbia athletes have had un- forgettable experiences since the games were fi rst creat- ed — in Penticton, actually, in 1978 — something Kelly Mann and his team from the B.C. Games Society con- tinue to consistently provide. It was an honour for me to take

part in the games in Penticton. It was the fourth time that we’ve hosted them, and I would like to thank the members for Coquitlam- Maillardville and Burnaby-Lougheed, who also attended. For those who may question if the B.C. Games are worth the eff ort year in and year out, let me tell you the answer is a resounding yes. I urge all of you to sup- port your constituency’s young athletes as they gather in Abbotsford on July 21 to 24 for the B.C. Summer Games. Oral Questions PRIV ATE FLIGHTS AND USE OF CAMERA CREW BY PREMIER J.

Horgan: Last week we learned the true extent of the Premier’s penchant for private jets over WestJet, Air Canada and other commercial airlines. [1030] I appreciate that the Premier has a busy schedule. Th at was certainly the fi rst line of defence of the indefensible — half a million dollars in private jet fl ights back and forth to places in British Columbia and around Canada — but there are dozens of fl ights a day to the Premier’s constituency, where she visits periodically, of Kelowna. Th e Minister of Agriculture can make it on commercial fl ights.

Th e Minister of Natural Resource Operations can make it on commercial fl ights. My question to the Premier is: why is it that private jets seem to be more common for you than your colleagues? Hon. C. Clark: Well, certainly when it comes to trav- el, my staff work as hard as they can to make sure that we fi nd the most cost-effi cient ways to travel around the province. And the numbers, in terms of the amounts that have been charged in my offi ce for me, are very consist- ent — about the same as or a little less, in many cases, than previous Premiers, including previous Premier Glen Clark.

But it’s not just the government that’s defending this. Th e former NDP president also said that if you take a look at the necessity to be able to run an eff ective government, you have to be able to move around the province effi cient- ly, and I think the criticism in this instance is overstated. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. J. Horgan: Again, the Premier just doesn’t want to be accountable for her actions. She prefers to go deep into the past, and it’s always nice to hear her quoting New Democrats in this place. It’s always nice to hear her do- ing that.

But let’s see if we can focus on…. Interjection. J. Horgan: It’s great to have the minister of defence clapping at the appropriate times. But maybe the Premier can help us understand. If we’re not going to talk about the excessive use of the jets, how about the people that are travelling with the Premier? And I can understand the Premier would need a press secretary. I travel with a press secretary. I can under- stand…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. J. Horgan: I can understand a personal assistant. I don’t travel with a personal assistant.

But I have a little bit of trouble, and I think most British Columbians would, with having the camera crew, having the videographer on board to go and visit my constituency. If I’m driving out

British Columbia Debates10870 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 to Juan de Fuca and I’ve got a camera crew in my car, my constituents are going to say: “What are you all about?” My question to the Premier is this: what possible value to taxpayers is there to travel with your own camera crew when you’re visiting your own constituency? Hon. C. Clark: Let me just say again that staff do fi nd the most cost-effi cient ways to travel, whether that’s com- mercial or non-commercial. I make the biggest eff ort that I can to travel the entire province.

Th at includes making sure that I am a regular visitor to places like Nanaimo, Bella Bella, Port Edward, Fort Nelson, Cranbrook — all places that I have been over the past fi ve years, some of them many times more than once.

As Premier of British Columbia, as someone who is in charge of the policy levers of government, I have a re- sponsibility to make sure that I’m staying in touch with the people of the province, visiting communities, mak- ing sure I have a full understanding and a grasp of their wishes and aspirations for the future of British Columbia and talking to them about all the ways that we want to work together — just like with the Great Bear Rainforest — to get to yes. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Offi cial Oppo- sition on a supplemental. J.

Horgan: I meet people in airports, I meet people on the bus — I travel on the bus quite regularly — and I talk to British Columbians about their hopes and their dreams and their aspirations. I’m curious what the vid- eographer is providing to us in that regard. If it’s not just going to your own constituency…. How about this one. Th is is a real, real peach. Th e Paris con- ference on climate change — critically important to all of us in this place, all British Columbians.

It’s appropri- ate that the Premier should be there, appropriate that she should take the appropriate public servants to en- sure that that conference, a science-based conference — not a photo op, not a red carpet but a science confer- ence…. Wouldn’t it be better to take along the people who understand climate change? Instead, the Premier took the camera crew. [1035] Can I ask you, hon. Speaker, if the Premier could tell the people of British Columbia how we are benefi ting the Climate Action Team by sending along a videographer to watch the Premier walk along the Seine and up and down the Champs-Elysées?

Why is that? Hon. C. Clark: I don’t know if the Leader of the Opposition is positing an argument for him to have at- tended. I didn’t invite him because he and his entire cau- cus opposed the carbon tax. British Columbia had one of the smallest delega- tions…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Members. Mr. Leader of the Opposition. Hon. C. Clark: I feel like I’ve hit a sore spot with the opposition here today. Our government took one of the smallest delegations — I think the smallest — of any of the provinces that were attending.

Th at was appropriate, but we also wanted to make sure we were there to profi le the work that British Columbia has done. Th e carbon tax, which the Leader of the Opposition campaigned against and lost an election on, was the centrepiece of what we were able to present at an invi- tation of the World Bank and of Canada when we went to Paris to talk about a revenue-neutral, transparent, economy-wide carbon tax that’s been in place for eight years in British Columbia. Th is wouldn’t have happened if we’ d taken advice from the opposition.

It certainly wouldn’t have happened if British Columbians had listened to the opposition in the election. Instead, they rejected their opposition to the carbon tax. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. C. Clark: Th ey supported a government that wants to change the future of British Columbia and pro- tect our climate for our children so that we can leave this place better than we found it. GOVERNMENT SPENDING PRIORITIES AND BUS PASS PROGRAM CHANGES M. Mungall: Sheenagh Morrison is here today. She receives disability and is an active self-advocate with Inclusion B.C.

She is a swimmer and has a job at Th rift y’s. To get to the pool and to get to work, Sheenagh needs to take a bus. As she put it, she simply has no other choice. She wants to know from the Premier why she has to pay an extra $624 each year for her bus pass, while the Premier gets to take a private jet. Hon. Michelle Stilwell: Th e guest that the member op- posite has brought here today deserves to know the truth.

It is so disheartening for me to know that the member opposite is misleading this lovely young lady in her be- lief of what we have actually done to change and makes a diff erence for people with disabilities. She still has her bus pass. She will have an increase in the rates for $25 a month, as well as continue working at Th rift y’s, because it is the annualized earning exemption that this govern- ment put in place that allows for people to earn.

British Columbia DebatesTuesday, March 1, 2016 10871 M. Mungall: Th e minister should just be ashamed of herself to suggest that Sheenagh doesn’t know what’s going on in her own life. Sheenagh most certainly does. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members, the Chair will hear the answer and the question. M. Mungall: Madame Speaker , Sheenagh knows what’s going on in her own life. She knows that she’s been paying more for B.C. Hydro, for food and for other ne- cessities these last nine years without an increase to her disability.

She thought she was going to get to keep the $77-a-month increase that this government proposed so that she could pay for those extra costs. [1040] Th en she found out that she was going to have to pay this new bus pass fee of $52 a month because of B.C. Liberal choices. She’s going to be paying more for rent too. Here’s what we have. The Liberals gave with one hand, and they are taking away with the other, and that money is going straight into the coff ers of the Minister of Transportation and the Minister for Housing. Meanwhile, the Premier is on private jets.

So can the Premier explain how this is fair to Sheenagh? Hon. Michelle Stilwell: Again, the fear and the anx- iety that the member opposite is creating for people with disabilities around this province is wrong. I understand that people would have liked to see a big- ger increase in the income assistance rates. We have done what we can, and we continue to invest — $170 million that we’re investing to help raise the rates and provide bus passes for individuals in this province while equalizing it for everyone in the province. Everyone receives the same amount of money no matter what their ability is. B.C.

HYDRO POWER DEMAND PROJECTIONS A. Dix: Th ere’s a growing gulf between B.C. Hydro’s ex- aggerated electricity demand forecasts and the real world — the real world, where the amount of electricity we are actually using is going in a completely diff erent direc- tion. In the minister’s imaginary world, where the sky is apparently gold, B.C. Hydro’s domestic requirements are still going up by 40 percent over the next 20 years. In the actual world, where people actually use electricity, B.C. Hydro is already way off target. Actual domestic demand this year is off 1,750 gigawatt hours. Th at’s this year alone.

Over the past ten years, in- dustrial demand is down 15 percent. In the minister’s world, 28 percent rate increases are low and aff ordable. In the actual world, they do harm to low-income people, to working people, to small busi- ness and to jobs. In the minister’s world, where reality doesn’t interfere, these demand forecasts for Site C are still on track. In the real world, for at least Site C’s fi rst four years, it will be built entirely for export at a $1.2 billion loss. Can the minister explain why he and B.C.

Hydro have been covering up the impact of the reality of the rate fore- cast up to now and why he needs six more months to up- date B.C. Hydro’s integrated resource plan? Hon. B. Bennett: Well, I can certainly give the member a dose of reality, if that’s really what he wants. I can tell the member that the electricity prices that the people of B.C. are paying today are actually the same as they were, if you account for infl ation, in 1976. I can remind the member that British Columbia residents pay the third-lowest electricity prices in North America. He knows that’s true. He knows that that is true.

Now, the member and other members on the other side of the House like to talk about Site C. “We don’t need it right now. ” Well, that’s true. We don’t need the electricity from Site C right now. But I think the member knows that Site C won’t be completed for at least a decade — a decade. B.C. Hydro forecasts…. I am the Energy Minister, but I don’t presume to do the forecasts. We have people at B.C. Hydro who are actually educated in how to do fore- casts properly. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. B. Bennett: Th e member is always saying that we should take things to the BCUC. Well, actually, B.C.

Hydro — here’s another dose of reality for the member — has taken their forecasting methodology to the BCUC. And what did the BCUC say? He thinks it’s funny, but this is what the BCUC said. Th ey said that the forecasting methodology used by B.C. Hydro is the best in the world. [1045] Madame Speaker: Vancouver-Kingsway on a supple- mental. A. Dix: I note that the minister didn’t mention LNG. The load resource balance — he’s talking about the BCUC; it is provided to the BCUC — claims 3,000 giga- watt hours of load from LNG projects a year.

Th e Premier may have her fantasy fund, but there the Minister of Energy has his fantasy line item. And while the Premier’s line item only cost $100 million — her fund — his costs $300 million. His fantasies have more ambition than the Premier’s but no more basis in reality. Meanwhile, out in the real world, contradicting what the minister just said, B.C. Hydro is racing around try- ing to fi nd customers for Site C — Alberta, costly new transmission lines, a new industrial rate in April and May.

British Columbia Debates10872 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 And, oh yes, the minister was begging in the Globe and Mail today for a federal subsidy for Site C. In short, the minister and B.C. Hydro know that they exaggerated the load forecast and that ratepayers will pay the price. Why didn’t he just acknowledge today that B.C. Hydro was wrong and that the business case they put for- ward is in tatters? Hon. B. Bennett: Well, if the member can hold on until May, June, July when B.C. Hydro fi les its fi nal rev- enue requirements application, he will be able to see for himself what B.C.

Hydro forecasts for the next ten years and the next 20 years in terms of demand. Th e members on the other side of this House are so negative, so pessimistic that they can’t envision that this province is actually growing. Th is province is actually ex- panding. We have the strongest economy in the country, we lead Canada in employment growth, and we’re going to need Site C. Now, the hon. members on the other side obviously don’t support Site C, and everybody knows that. Th ey don’t support anything. Th ere’s nothing that they support.

I say to the hon. member who asked me the question: we’re proud on this side of the House that our econ- omy is growing, that there are people moving to British Columbia, that there are people moving back to British Columbia. We’re going to need more electricity, and we’re glad about that. W ATER QUALITY IN SPALLUMCHEEN AREA G. Heyman: Okanagan residents are subject to a whop- ping 125 water system safety advisories.

In Spallumcheen, locals are legitimately concerned about the safety of their drinking water, and they want a public health order to stop provincially approved liquid manure spraying above their water source. Y et this government won’t even pro- vide the local waterworks district with the test results and documents the Environment Ministry relied upon in its decision to allow manure spraying above the aquifer. Can the Minister of Environment tell Spallumcheen residents and others why she believes they shouldn’t have the information they need to ensure that their drinking water is safe and protected? Hon. T.

Lake: Safe drinking water is obviously some- thing that we in the Ministry of Health and in all health authorities are concerned about. Interior Health is work- ing closely with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health to ensure safe drinking water for the residents of Spallumcheen. Th e reality is that the nitrate levels are slightly elevat- ed above normal. In the short term, that’s not a problem.

Over the long term, we know, that’s a concern, which is why the ministries are working together to try to pin- point the source. [1050] Th ere are four diff erent agriculture operations that could be impacting that aquifer. It’s important to under- stand exactly where the problem is. Th e members oppos- ite would like us to shut down an agricultural operation without the proper evidence to take that kind of action. We are continuing to do the hard work necessary to en- sure we’re making evidence-based decisions on this fi le. Madame Speaker: The member for Vancouver- Fairview on a supplemental. G.

Heyman: Th is question is about evidence and in- formation and the provincial government’s duty, under legislation, to provide that information to the local water- works district. In 2013, following the collapse of the Testalinden dam near Oliver, the freedom-of-information commissioner said that this government failed in its duty to warn the public of a risk of signifi cant harm. She said that the duty to warn about risks to public health and safety was man- datory, not discretionary. Y et barely two years later, this government continues to conceal information as basic to public health as water test results.

Why does the Environment Minister continue to dis- miss her duty to let British Columbians know and see proof and evidence that their drinking water is safe and not contaminated? Hon. T. Lake: I think what’s really important is to know that the ministries involved are working together. In fact, just recently the Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Environment and myself sat down to talk about this to ensure that all of our officials are working togeth- er to ensure that we’re keeping the waters serving the Spallumcheen area safe to drink. Th at work is ongoing. Th e testing is being done.

Th e ministries are working together to ensure that the water is safe. We will do the hard work necessary to make deci- sions based on that evidence. Action will be taken if we can defi ne exactly where the nitrates are coming from, and we will address it once we get that information. L. Popham: Th e Minister of Health recently assured Spallumcheen residents that their drinking water poses no health risk. According to him, the water quality ad- visory associated with the nearby spraying of millions of litres of liquid cow manure over sandy soils isn’t serious, despite the dangers of nitrate pollution and E. coli.

Trustees of the waterworks district disagreed. Board Chair Brian Upper sent a letter to the minister stating that the present level of contamination represents “a proven constant risk from which there is no escape un- less the source is avoided. ” When will the minister stop dismissing serious health concerns to the Okanagan Valley residents and take ac- tion to protect their water?

British Columbia DebatesTuesday, March 1, 2016 10873 Hon. T. Lake: First of all, the member is deliberately mischaracterizing my comments around this. What I said was that there is not a do-not-use order. Th ere is an advis- ory letting people know that the levels of nitrates, at certain times, have been elevated. Over the long term, that is not a good thing, and it poses a risk for babies under six months of age. Th at is the concern. Th at is why the ministries are working hard to understand the source of that nitrate.

Now, the member opposite, I guess, would rather a housing development go up and take land out of the ALR, as she has supported in the past, in order to solve this problem. We, actually, want to fi nd out the informa- tion so we can get to the bottom of the problem and fi x it once and for all. Madame Speaker: Th e member for Saanich South on a supplemental. L. Popham: I absolutely support agriculture, but on this side of the House, we believe it’s unacceptable for the minister to expect British Columbians to drink the residue of cow manure.

High nitrate levels are a serious health concern for infants and can increase the risk of stomach cancer in adults. Area resident Al Price installed a nitrate fi ltering system, costing him $3,000, and says: “It really rankles that we are expected to pay through the nose to solve a problem we had no hand in creating and which the gov- ernment seems to have no desire to solve. ” [1055] My question is to the Minister of Health: why does your government have no desire to ensure the safety of the water that Al Price and other Spallumcheen resi- dents drink? Hon. T.

Lake: I can only imagine the reaction from the member opposite, who claims to stand for agriculture yet voted to take land out of the ALR for a housing develop- ment, if the government were to shut down an agricultur- al operation — not in her riding, of course, but in another riding — without the evidence necessary to understand that is the point source of the problem. Th ere are four dairy operations in that area. I had a very long discussion with the provincial health offi cer, Dr. Perry Kendall, about this issue this morning.

We are working hard to understand the source of the problem and to take the corrective action necessary to ensure the water is safe for the people of the North Okanagan. HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECT ISSUES AND COSTS J. Darcy: Last February, we raised the latest IT failure under this Liberal government — the debacle of the clin- ical and system’s transformation project in Health. Th is $840 million project had gone off the rails, and the con- tractor, a little company called IBM, had walked away from it. Well, in the fi ne fashion of Liberal failures, this one has become even worse.

Sources at Vancouver Coastal Health now tell us that the project will cost another $250 million and go well over a billion dollars. Th at’s billion with a “b. ” Th ese are precious health care dollars that are being squan- dered at a time when home support for seniors is being cut. Can the Health Minister tell us if he intends to cut care for seniors even further to pay for his government’s latest computer technology failure? Hon. T. Lake: Y ou know, I’m almost speechless at the member’s accusations in terms of…. Interjections. Hon. T. Lake: Well, thank you.

What we have done for the people that built this prov- ince — in terms of building new residential care facili- ties, being the fi rst province in Canada to have a seniors advocate, increasing home supports, focusing the energy of the Health Ministry on keeping people in their homes longer — that speaks for itself. Th e clinical and systems transformation project in the Lower Mainland will modernize the health care system to ensure that there’s one electronic health record for a patient, to ensure seamless care throughout a complex system. Th at will empower patients. It will empower the whole health care system.

It’s the right thing to do, and we’ll make sure that we do it correctly. J. Darcy: Every time we raise this debacle about the clinical and systems transformation project, the minister acts like everything is just fi ne or he completely ignores the question, as he did just now. When IBM walked away last spring, the minister came up with a notable analogy. “Th is marriage didn’t work out, ” the minister said, “but the children are beautiful. ” Well, it seems he was wrong on that score too.

Sources now tell us that this project will be delayed to at least October 2017, that it will cost more and it will be scaled back. So just to be clear, last May in estimates, the minis- ter said the project would still cost $840 million, that it would be delayed for a year but that it would go live in October of 2016. Is that what the minister is still telling this House today? Hon. T. Lake: Th is is a complex project. Th ere’s no question about it. We are taking steps to ensure…. [1100] Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Members. Please continue.

British Columbia Debates10874 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Hon. T. Lake: Th ank you, Madame Speaker. It’s a complex project that will make real diff erence to patients. But what we’ve done is we’ve created a…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Continue. Hon. T. Lake: What we’ve done is created a govern- ance structure that ensures accountability, transparency and proactive risk management.

We have external ad- visers on the project board with relevant industry ex- perience that will help in decision-making and a shift in responsibility for project management and delivery from a contracted service provider to the health organizations. Th ey are taking ownership of this project. I’m confi dent that it will be done and make a huge diff erence in terms of health care in the Lower Mainland. [End of question period.] Point of Privilege (Reservation of Right) M. Mungall: I rise on a point of personal privilege. Madame Speaker: Continue. M. Mungall: I reserve my right for a point of person- al privilege.

Reports from Committees Hon. M. de Jong: I have the honour to present the fi rst report of the Special Committee of Selection for the fi ft h session of the 40th parliament. I move the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. Hon. M. de Jong: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the report. Leave granted. Hon. M. de Jong: I move that the report be adopted. Motion approved. Hon. M. de Jong: With respect to the report that’s just been adopted, it of course lays out the names and popu- lates the various committees.

I think members of the gov- ernment and offi cial opposition caucus either have that information already, so I won’t read it into the record. Th e independent members of the House, I believe, are aware of their placements on the committees as well. Motions Without Notice APPOINTMENT OF SELECT STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES Hon. M. de Jong: In addition, I am seeking leave to move a series of motions activating six parliamentary committees. Th ese motions continue the work of four select standing committees and activate two new special committees of appointment.

Th e text of the motions has been provided to the Opposition House Leader and to both independent members. By leave, I move motion 1 regarding the Select Standing Committee on Children and Y outh. [Th at the Select Standing Committee on Children and Y outh be appointed to foster greater awareness and understanding among legislators and the public of the BC child welfare system, and in particular to: 1.

Receive and review the annual service plan from the Repre- sentative for Children and Y outh (the “Representative”) that in- cludes a statement of goals and identifi es specifi c objectives and performance measures that will be required to exercise the pow- ers and perform the functions and duties of the Representative during the fi scal year; 2. Be the committee to which the Representative reports, at least annually; 3. Refer to the Representative for investigation the critical injury or death of a child; 4.

Receive and consider all reports and plans transmitted by the Representative to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia; and, 5. Pursuant to

section 30 (1) of the Representative for Children and Youth Act, S.B.C. 2006, c. 29, undertake a comprehensive review of the Act or portions of the Act by April 1, 2017 to de- termine whether the functions of the representative described in

section 6 are still required to ensure that the needs of children and young adults as defi ned in that

section are met. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon Select Stand- ing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on Children and Y outh be empowered:

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee and to delegate to the subcommittee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess aft er prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c) to conduct consultations by any means the committee con- siders appropriate;

d) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and

e) to retain personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved.

British Columbia DebatesTuesday, March 1, 2016 10875 Hon. M. de Jong: By leave, I move motion 2 re- garding the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. [Th at the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Govern- ment Services be empowered: 1. To examine, inquire into and make recommendations with re- spect to the budget consultation paper prepared by the Minister of Finance in accordance with

section 2 of the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act, S.B.C. 2000, c. 23, and, in particular, to:

a) Conduct public consultations across British Columbia on proposals and recommendations regarding the provincial budget and fi scal policy for the coming fi scal year by any means the committee considers appropriate;

b) Prepare a report no later than November 15, 2016, on the results of those consultations; and 2.

a) To consider and make recommendations on the annual re- ports, rolling three-year service plans and budgets of the follow- ing statutory offi cers: (

i) Auditor General (ii) Chief Electoral Offi cer (iii) Confl ict of Interest Commissioner (iv) Information and Privacy Commissioner (

v) Merit Commissioner (vi) Ombudsperson (vii) Police Complaint Commissioner (viii) Representative for Children and Y outh; and

b) To examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to other matters brought to the Committee’s attention by any of the Offi cers listed in 2 (

a) above. 3. To be the committee referred to in sections 19, 20, 21 and 23 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2, and that the perform- ance report in

section 22 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2, be referred to the committee. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, the committee shall be empowered:

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee and to delegate to the subcommittee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess aft er prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved. Hon. M. de Jong: By leave, I move motion 3 regarding the Select Standing Committee on Health. [That the Select Standing Committee on Health be empow- ered to: 1.

Identify potential strategies to maintain a sustainable health care system for British Columbians; and 2. Consider health capital funding options. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Health, the committee shall be em- powered:

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee and to delegate to the subcommittee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess aft er prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c) to conduct consultations by any means the committee con- siders appropriate;

d) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and

e) to retain such personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved. Hon. M. de Jong: By leave, I move motion 4 regarding the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts. [1.

Th at all reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia transmitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly be deemed referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, with the exception of the report referred to in

section 22 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2, which is referred to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services; and, 2. Th at the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts be the committee referred to in sections 6, 7, 10, 13 and 14 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the committee be empowered:

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee and to delegate to the subcommittee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess aft er prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House;

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved. Hon. M. de Jong: By leave, I move motion 5 regarding the Special Committee to Appoint a Representative for Children and Y outh.

British Columbia Debates10876 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 [Th at a Special Committee be appointed to select and unani- mously recommend to the Legislative Assembly the appointment of a Representative for Children and Y outh, pursuant to

section 2 of the Representative for Children and Youth Act, S.B.C. 2006, c. 29. Th e said Special Committee shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition is empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters re- ferred to the committee and to delegate to the subcommittee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess aft er prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and (

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved. Hon.

M. de Jong: By leave, I move motion 6 regarding the Special Committee to Appoint an Information and Privacy Commissioner. [Th at a Special Committee be appointed to select and unani- mously recommend to the Legislative Assembly the appointment of an Information and Privacy Commissioner, pursuant to sec- tion 37 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 165. Th e said Special Committee shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition is empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters re- ferred to the committee and to delegate to the subcommittee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess aft er prorogation until the next following Session and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and (

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved. Hon.

M. de Jong: Finally, for the information of mem- bers, independent members included, there is one re- maining committee that I have not charged today for which there is some ongoing work and discussions taking place. Th at is the Committee on Parliamentary Reform. Hopefully, we’ll be in a position to settle that in the next few days. Point of Privilege (Reservation of Right) L. Popham: I rise to reserve my right on a point of personal privilege. [1105] Madame Speaker: Th ank you. So noted. Orders of the Day Hon.

M. de Jong: In Committee A, Committee of Supply, for the information of members, the continued estimates of the Ministry of Environment. And in this chamber, second reading continues on Bill 5. [R. Chouhan in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 5 — MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES (SIGNED STATEMENTS) AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 (continued) Deputy Speaker: Seeing no further speakers on Bill 5, the minister to close. Okay, we are waiting for a member to speak. Interjection. M. Farnworth: I appreciate the minister wanting to rise, but I do know that there needs to be some more discus- sion on this particular bill.

I know that there are members in this place who sometimes have questions about exactly what a miscellaneous statutes bill is, so I’m going to take some time and talk about a miscellaneous statutes bill. Interjection. M. Farnworth: I see my colleague across the way go- ing: “Oh ho. ” He’s waiting for this. Th at’s good, because I know the member is a new member, and he’s not familiar with everything yet in this chamber. Interjection. M. Farnworth: No, no, no. I would not accuse the mem- ber of being wet behind the ears. I would never do that.

But certainly, in terms of outlining to people what a miscellaneous statutes bill is…. Th ere are a number of types of bills that come before this House. Many of them deal with a single particular item, and the item on the

British Columbia DebatesTuesday, March 1, 2016 10877 legislation will be a stand-alone bill. For example, today earlier we saw the government table a piece of legisla- tion that dealt with the Great Bear Rainforest. Th e bill is entitled that, and it deals with that, just a single topic. Other bills we have had in this chamber do exactly the same thing. Th ey deal with a single piece of legislation that the government wants to advance. Th ere are times, however, when the government de- cides to amend a number of statutes. When they do that…. Interjection. M.

Farnworth: My colleague from Vancouver- Kingsway says, “Tell us more, ” and I am more than happy to do that. Government sometimes wants to amend a series of statutes. In doing so, they bring in a piece of legislation that, for example, can amend…. It can be as few as two or three statutes, or it could be as many as six, seven, eight, nine, ten statutes. [1110] Sometimes those amendments can be substantive. Sometimes those amendments can be minor.

In fact, in terms of the minor amendments, there is another miscel- laneous statutes amendment piece of legislation that we will be dealing with later in this session that, amazingly, deals with comments, commas, periods — correcting punctuation and grammar. It will surprise people. Now, there will be considerable discussion on that, but I will be focusing my remarks today on the miscellaneous statutes act known as Bill 5. What this particular piece of miscellaneous statutes amendment does is implements recommendations…. Get this.

Th is gives you some indi- cation as to how slowly sometimes the wheels of govern- ment actually do turn. I see some strange looks from…. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Y ou may well be right. Th e recommen- dations are from a 2006 British Columbia Law Institute report, but it is 2016. It has taken ten years in the making, my colleague from Vancouver-Kingsway. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Ten years to read it. Now, I know the Minister of Advanced Education, whom I know may harbour ambitions to be Attorney General someday…. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Or perhaps even higher. Who knows? He says people read slowly.

I know he’s not referring to the current Attorney General. But it has been ten years since the report was done, ten years clearly fermenting, fulminating in the bowels of government, working its way up the chain within the bureaucracy, within the various ministries to the point where it is deemed worthy of po- tential consideration for a piece of legislation. It could have been brought in as a stand-alone bill. Th e decision was made not to. It was brought in as a miscel- laneous statutes amendment act. But it’s now before us. It is an update of the law from a 1976 report.

Th e genesis of this legislation has been ten years in the making. Y ou really wonder sometimes, given the fact that we sat here last spring, we sat here in the fall, and we sat here in the summer. Th ere’s been lots of time. Th e last fall session, for example, we really had to strug- gle at times to extend debate, so thick was the govern- ment’s agenda. In particular, I remember the Red Tape Reduction Day Act. Who can forget that particular piece of legislation? Interjection. M. Farnworth: Fascinating, as my colleague said. A whole legislative session devoted to making one day, to put it up there with B.C.

Day, Terry Fox Day, Holocaust Memorial Day and Remembrance Day — Red Tape Reduction Day. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Envy will get us nowhere, the mem- ber says. Let me put it this way, hon. Member. I may be envious about many things, but getting envious over the creation of Red Tape Reduction Day is not one of them, particu- larly when you see bills like this, and you go: “Y ou know what? Th ere’s a lot of good work here. We could have done that last session. Why did it take so long?” Th at’s one of the questions that I’m looking forward to the minister being able to answer.

Even by the snail-like speed with which this government moves to deal with im- portant public policy issues, except of course when it in- volves the Premier needing to catch a fl ight to Kelowna…. Th en, all of a sudden, heaven and earth is moved. Interjection. M. Farnworth: It may be operations in the mind of the minister but, clearly, it’s the Premier’s policy to take private whenever she can when she’s fl ying to Kelowna. I mean, the records are pretty clear on that. Back to the legislation at hand. [1115] Interjection. M. Farnworth: I know that.

I’m glad to see that the hon. member across the way fully understands that we

British Columbia Debates10878 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 should be talking to the bill during debate and is, in fact, listening. Anyway, one of the key questions we have on this par- ticular piece of legislation is: why has it taken ten years to achieve? Why has it taken ten years to implement these changes from a report that was done back in 2006? It’s not just the Law Institute recommendations, but this particular piece of legislation…. Th is amends numerous pieces of legislation. In fact, some 38 pieces of legislation are aff ected by this particular bill.

It’s important that we go through all of these sections on a clause-by-clause basis, which we will do at commit- tee stage. We’ve got the time to do it, and the ministers will be able to answer the questions that the opposition will ask. I’m sure they’ll be detailed questions, so we look forward to the responses to them. Just for people who are at home, sometimes — as we’ve learned from governments in the past, particularly this government — the devil, as they say, is in the details. Th e government likes to say, with miscellaneous statutes: “Oh, nothing to see here. Move along. It’s just miscellaneous statutes.

We’re just adding a comma here, a period there, an exclamation point there, the salutation. ” Who knows? Just so we can go through some of the pieces of legis- lation that this particular bill will be amending…. For example, it will be amending the Local Government Act,

section 13, which will change requirements for requests to reduce the area of a municipality to only require a signed statement. Now, that may be a good thing; it may not be a good thing. Th at’s what committee stage will be about, to ask why the change is being made. Who has requested the changes? What are the consequences of the change? Are there unintended consequences that the government has not thought about? Will they be open to amendment? Who knows? But these are the kinds of things that we will be able to ask at committee stage aft er we get through second reading. Another

section —

section 2, for example — deals with the School Act. Again, this is something, I’m sure, that the Education critic will be particularly interested in. Th is School Act section, 166.13…. What will happen here is it will require “the use of a signed statement as the method of applying to become a member of a francophone edu- cation authority. ” Now, this one, again…. I see my colleague who used to be the executive dir- ector of Parents for French in B.C., if I am not mistaken, nodding in the affi rmative. Interjection. M.

Farnworth: It may not have anything, but I’m sure he may have some thoughts or some queries about exact- ly what the government is doing. Again, this is one of those things that will come into force by regulation from Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council. Whenever that happens, that’s always an interest- ing topic for discussion because, as many in this House know and people watching might not be aware of, when regulations are proclaimed by Lieutenant-Governor-in- Council, they are done so without debate, in the closed door of cabinet, and then issued in the Gazette.

Th e abil- ity to question the decision-making at that time is vir- tually nil, unless you’re sitting around the cabinet table. Another

section of the School Act, a

section that’s go- ing to be amended by this particular piece of legislation, is School Act

section 166.24. Th is, again, will involve “the use of a signed statement in respect of an application to enrol a child in a francophone educational program. ” Again, it sounds pretty dry, but it’s one of those things that’s worthy of some questions being asked around it. Another

section of the School Act is what is referred to as consequential to amendments made to the act. Again, it’s done by regulation. And whenever you see the word “consequential, ” that should trigger a few warning bells, because, as we know, “consequential” means con- sequences, and whenever government passes a piece of legislation, there are consequences. As we have seen, when this government tables a budget, for example, there are consequences, as people in the disability community have been saying loud and clear to this government.

Th ey don’t appreciate the govern- ment’s consequences or the consequences of this gov- ernment’s decisions around bus passes in this budget. Again, issues that need to be raised in this House during the committee stage. [1120] But, as I say, I’m outlining in the second reading debate, around the principles of this bill, some of the things that we’re going to be looking at and need to address. Th ere are changes to the Cooperative Association Act,

section 184, in regard to “the use of signed statements in respect of persons who verify instruments of continua- tion. ” Now, that sounds really interesting, and I’m quite sure the lawyers in this chamber will have some interest- ing discussion around that. A similar change is being con- templated for the Credit Union Incorporation Act under

section 15.1 — another regulation by the Lieutenant- Governor-in-Council. Again, we will see what changes are being proposed by the government in that section. Ah, here’s one that will no doubt interest many people. It may, I think, need or, I’m sure, have some scrutiny ap- plied to it.

Section 7 will be some changes to the Gaming Control Act, sections 62, 65, 66 and 67. Th ese changes will remove affi davits “as a class of material to be includ- ed in an application for registration as a gaming services provider or gaming worker. ” Again, wow. Maybe now I can see why it’s taken ten years for this piece of legislation to get here — in fact just ten years, because complicated it certainly appears to be. Ah, yes. Now, this one many people will no doubt…. Th is has the word “tax” in it. Clearly, with this govern-

British Columbia DebatesTuesday, March 1, 2016 10879 ment and the word “tax, ” one has to pay close attention. Th is one,

section 8, will deal with the Insurance Premium Tax Act,

section 9. Th at will involve “the use of signed statements in respect of persons who verify, on receipt of a demand from the Commissioner of Income Tax, the correctness of a return. ” Hmm. Now, does this mean that they’re going to get serious about people from off shore buying property here in British Columbia, as to where they pay their taxes? Th at might be a useful piece of information. Somehow I don’t think this

section quite deals with that, because in the statements that I’ve heard from the minister, he doesn’t seem to be too interested in that issue or that question. I know that lots of the public are. Again, that’s one of the areas that we’ll be able to ask questions on and see whether or not, in fact, that’s what this

section addresses. Certainly, I don’t think the insurance premium…. It’s a shame it didn’t have the word “medical” in there, because that’s clearly a tax that this government doesn’t want to think of as a tax but is very unpopular with my constitu- ents and, I know, the member for Vancouver-Kingsway’s constituents and in fact, just about everybody’s constitu- ents in this province. Interjection. M. Farnworth: “No question about it, ” says my col- league from Victoria–Beacon Hill. A. Dix: Are you the designated speaker? M.

Farnworth: Y es, as a matter of fact, I think I am the designated speaker on this particular piece of legislation. I see the member from Prince George…. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Oh, the member from Prince George — I agree — did nothing. She said nothing, but the roll of her eyes said everything. I don’t blame the minister, either, by the way, because I probably would have had the same reaction if I were her. Having said that,

section 9 deals with land, the Land Act,

section 37. It involves proof by affi davit replaced by a signed statement “in respect of a matter arising out of an application for the disposition of Crown land or in re- spect of the fi nancial aff airs of the applicant, ” and estab- lishes an off ence for using a false or misleading signed statement. [1125] Now, that’s really interesting, because I would have thought that anything involving land and land sales would have already had in it a

section that establishes an off ence for using a false or misleading signed statement. I would have thought that that would have been, like, stan- dard in every piece of legislation that deals with trans- actions involving land. But apparently not. Hmm, I think. Perhaps there needs to be some ques- tions asked around like that. Y ou know: what is happen- ing here? Again, those are questions that could be asked in committee stage, and I’m sure that the appropriate members of the House will ask those questions. Th e Land Title Act is also going to be amended.

Th is involves replacing a sworn declaration with a sworn statement “in respect of an application to register” — now, this does sound interesting; maybe the Minister of Mines will be able to help us with this one — “a crystal- lized fl oating charge in a land title offi ce. ” Now, what is a crystallized charge? Does that have any- thing to do with crystals? I know the minister once stat- ed that this province was literally a giant emerald mine waiting to happen. Maybe this applies to that. I don’t know, but I am fascinated about what on earth a crystal- lized charge is. Interjection. M. Farnworth: No.

Interjection. M. Farnworth: Y es. He said…. Th e minister…. Interjection. M. Farnworth: No, he did, and it was fascinating, the thought. Aft er all, if the Northwest Territories is full of diamond mines…. People used to pooh-pooh that. “Th ere are no diamonds in Canada. Th ey’re all in South Africa or Australia” or wherever. Hon. A. Wilkinson: We digress. M. Farnworth: No, no, we don’t digress. Th is is relat- ing to the crystallized charges. No, the minister said: “Emeralds. We have the geo- logical conditions for emerald production in British Columbia. ” Th ere was an expectation that emerald mines would yield.

It is absolutely true. I know, because it’s been so long that we’ve been waiting for an emerald mine to open up. But anyway, I don’t want to digress too far because I know that the Minister of Advanced Education, with his advanced knowledge of parliamentary procedure, will call me to order. So that’s what that does. “Crystallized fl oating charge. ” Th at does sound interesting. Following that there’s a

section which will amend the Water Sustainability Act,

section 33. Th at’s important, and I know that the Minister of Health was on his feet to- day in question period answering some questions around

British Columbia Debates10880 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 water, which we found interesting. We look forward to the answers around the

section dealing with water sus- tainability. Sworn statements that “confi rm a licensee’s payment of compensation to the comptroller and the failure of the owner to execute the conveyance or instru- ment. ” Hmm. Sounds pretty dry.

Section 12 deals with the Weed Control Act,

section 7 — “the use of a signed statement setting out the costs of the control in respect of the inspector’s control of nox- ious weeds. ” Hmm. I’m looking forward to the minis- ter’s defi nition of what a noxious weed is. Th at has many possibilities. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Hmm, he says it could be legal soon. Well, I guess that’s up to the Prime Minister for that par- ticular weed. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Y es, it is. I mean, if the minister thinks it’s wasting time, that’s unfortunate, because it’s the gov- ernment that’s put the agenda on here, and…. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Oh please, Member.

I’ve been speaking to the bill. Y ou just interrupted me, and I was addressing your interruptions. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Uh-huh, and all of them relating to the bill. As the member knows — and I know the member for Vancouver-Quilchena likes to say he’s wet behind the ears now, and you’ve been here a lot longer than he has — there’s extremely broad latitude when it comes to the second reading of any particular bill, particularly when it comes to a miscellaneous statutes bill, because it is so wide-ranging. Anyway, back to the Weed Control Act,

section 15 — “establishes an off ence for knowingly providing informa- tion that is false or misleading. ” Th at seems to be a pattern here in this legislation about establishing an off ence for knowingly providing information that is false or mislead- ing. We saw it in the Land Act, and now we’re seeing it in the Weed Control Act. [1130] Hmm. Again, it’s kind of like: why has that not been in place before? I would have thought that a knowingly false or misleading statement would have been an off ence. But we shall fi nd out. Now, following that, there are amendments.

Th is will, obviously, apply to the Minister of Health. He seems eager to interject from time to time, so he’ll be more than happy to answer questions around amendments involv- ing the Continuing Care Act,

section 5; the Continuing Care Act,

section 12; and the Hospital Act,

section 7. Again, it involves our establishing an off ence for the use of a false signed statement. Th e number of times that this is now appearing in the diff erent sections of the legislation…. One wonders why the government didn’t just bother to table a piece of legislation saying: “Th is is the establishment of an ‘off ence for using a false signed statement act. ’” Th at would have been a straightforward piece of legislation that this government would have tabled, and it would have made sense. In fact, we’re now going through it and having to fi nd these things in terms of the bill. This is one of my favourites.

Section 18, “Repeal of amendment that may become inoperative. ” The Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council may repeal

section 16 of this act by regulation if it becomes inoperative. Well, that kind of makes you scratch your head.

Section 19. Labour relations code

section 149 replaces an affi davit with a signed statement for some directions for applications by a union.

Section 20 deals with the labour relations code.

Section 150 replaces the statutory declar- ation with signed statements for the principal offi cers of a trade union assuming supervision over subordinates. Here we see it again. Labour relations code

section 158.1 establishes an off ence for providing a false signed statement. Just confi rming that they really should have put in an additional piece of legislation, which would have given them some additional work to do, and it could have been the establishment of a piece of legislation that provides an “off ence for providing a false signed state- ment act. ” Th en there are a series of amendments to the Election Act. Sections 22 through 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 deal with the Election Act, and that’s always important.

As we saw in Ottawa, we had a federal government — many of whom parachuted here and found landings here in various ministers’ offi ces — that brought in, I think, some of the most odious changes to election laws in this country that we have seen in a very long time, making it more diffi cult for people to vote, creating and fabricating election issues or election infractions that, in fact, were not an issue, were not a problem.

So I think we do need to pay close attention to whenever changes to the Election Act are contemplated, and there are a number of sections here that I’m sure will get considerable discussion. Oh, the Recall and Initiative Act, sections 3, 19, 50, 97, 125 and 144. Again, that’s also an important piece of legis- lation. When there are changes contemplated to that, we want to understand exactly what they are. I mean, aft er all, who can forget the Initiative Act that was brought in — in the 1990s, I believe — under the leadership of Premier Mike Harcourt?

I remember being privileged to serve on the committee that came up with the recommendations around the Recall and Initiative Act.

British Columbia DebatesTuesday, March 1, 2016 10881 It was this government, this government sitting there right now, that was the subject of the fi rst successful in- itiative campaign in the province’s history. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Y es. I see my colleague from Coquitlam- Maillardville saying: “Wow. ” [1135] Hon. Member, I know you’re asking me: “What was that issue? What was that i ssue that was so successful?” What could it be that a government was so out of touch that people would form, get together right across this province…? Petitions would be signed. Th ey would be at shopping centres.

Th ey would be at Vander Zalm’s gar- den centre. Th ey were all over the province, and it was around the HST. Who can forget that? I know that the members oppos- ite sometimes may wish to forget that debate, and I know that the Minister of Finance has made comments about perhaps making some changes to our sales tax structure in this province, but he always takes great pains to say: “Oh no, we’re not bringing back the HST. ” Well, let’s put it this way. Interjections. M. Farnworth: No, I’m just explaining this section, the importance of this section.

And the importance of this section, as the member should understand, is that when a government has been burnt…. Deputy Speaker: Member, just to confi rm that you’re the designated speaker. M. Farnworth: Oh yes. Deputy Speaker: Carry on. M. Farnworth: I’m just reminding the member that given the fact that his government has gotten burnt — in fact, badly, badly burnt — over the handling of the HST…. An Hon. Member: He’s addicted to the HST. M. Farnworth: He’s addicted to the HST. Th at would not surprise me.

Given how the government got burnt, when we see a change to the Recall and Initiative Act, again, we want to pay close attention to it, and so we will. Other changes include the Trustee Act,

section 14; the Wills, Estates and Succession Act. Oh, wills and estates always get public attention. Interjection. M. Farnworth: Exactly. As somebody once said, wher- ever there’s a will, there’s always a relative. Th e Wills, Estates and Succession Act,

section 77, “re- places the use of a statutory declaration with the use of a signed statement in respect of the proof…of the death of a person named in an application made under

section 77 of the act” and establishes an off ence for using a false statement. Hmm. Again, I would have thought that mak- ing false statements about the death of a person would have already been an off ence, but it’s, again, one of those areas where there will be questions asked. Oh, and then there will be a number of sections around Petroleum and Natural Gas Act amendments, the Rent Distress Act…. Ah, the Liquor Distribution Act — sections 11.2 and 11.3, are going to be amend- ed. Th e Employment Assistance Act,

section 11. Th e Employment and Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act,

section 11. Th at will be interesting. We will see if that is received by the disability community as well as the other changes have been received that this govern- ment has made. Anyway, that’s just a brief outline of the changes made in this particular piece of legislation. I know that my colleague from Burnaby–Deer Lake was interested in weighing in on some aspects of the bill, particularly some areas around the Law Society. I know she has some very thoughtful comments that she wishes to make on that.

I see that we are getting close to 20 to 12, and I think it would be good to hear from other members in this cham- ber on this particularly important piece of legislation. A. Dix: More, more, more. M. Farnworth: My colleague from Kingsway says: “More, more, more. ” However, I do feel at this point that, having gone through all of the sections, we should hear from the member from Deer Lake, who, I know, is wait- ing patiently to take her place in this discussion. So I take my seat and await with considerable pleasure my col- league from Burnaby–Deer Lake. K.

Corrigan: I’ve spent a great deal of time looking at this bill. I know that it sounds like it’s…. In some ways, some people might think it’s trite and it’s not important, but it is, and that’s why we’re speaking on this bill. It is important because, essentially, what it’s going to do is…. [1140] We are going to be supporting the bill, by the way. Essentially, what it does is it’s going to make many people’s lives easier and going to save them some money. What this bill does is…. It goes back to 1976 and then, much later than that, to a report that was done in 2006. What it deals with is the concerns of the B.C.

Law Institute and, previously to that as well, right back to 1976, about the fact that people in this province have to sign sworn state- ments in a variety of places in their lives.

British Columbia Debates10882 Tuesday, March 1, 2016 Just for background, a sworn statement can mean a statement under oath, an affi rmation, an affi davit, a statu- tory declaration or a solemn declaration. Th ey all have distinct meanings, but essentially, that is what sworn statements are. Th ere have been many, many cases over the decades where people have had to sign sworn statements. Th is is where, for example, lawyers…. We really love the chance to take an affi davit because we get to use that seal.

Now, I’m sure there are going to be many very disappointed lawyers aft er this, because they’re not going to use that cool seal as much that they have. Th e truth is that there are many circumstances and there are reasons to say that we should not be requiring a sworn statement in the form of affi davits, affi rmations, statutory declarations or solemn declarations or oaths in as many circumstances as we presently do, and that’s why this piece of legislation has been brought forward. But you don’t want to take that lightly, because there are rea- sons that we have had people do sworn oaths in the past.

While we want to make things easier for people — we want to save them time, and so on, and perhaps money — we also want to make sure that we protect the processes that were being served by having sworn oaths. I’ll give you some examples of why that can be important. If you have a sworn statement, it reinforces the veracity, or the truth, of the written or oral communications, and there’s some legitimacy to that.

Th ere are times when having, for example, an affi dav- it or a solemn oath sworn introduces an element of so- lemnity or dignity or a ceremonial occasion, and there is validity for that under certain circumstances. Th ere are times when it’s important to interpose a third person into proceedings where that person will benefi t the par- ties. For example, one of the reasons why it is important at times to have sworn statements is that you can have a commissioner for taking affi davits who then verifi es that person who is there.

Also, having a commissioner for taking affi davits or having a sworn statement in some other form oft en im- poses a certain responsibility on the individual who is signing that statement by lift ing the proceedings a little bit with a little more solemnity. Having the seal, having the solemnity and the formality of the situation some- times does make a person who is signing that state- ment perhaps…. It interposes a little more expectation and belief that they have to be telling the truth. Th at is important, so you don’t want to remove that in all cir- cumstances.

One of the problems that we’ve had, though, and what the institute decided, was that there has been a great deal of delay and inconvenience that’s been caused by the re- quirement to give a sworn statement. Th ere are many cir- cumstances, so you really have to look. I think this is what has happened with the Law Society and also with this piece of legislation. It’s that you have to look at a variety of circumstances and say: is this a place where you need to be swearing an oath, or is this a place where you don’t? [1145] I think the extreme would be that….

Nobody would think that when you go into criminal trial proceedings, a murder trial, the person should not be swearing an oath and not be swearing that what they are about to say is true. On the other end of it, there are certain types of situations, such as some of the ones that are brought out in this act or covered in this act, where you don’t believe that there has to be the same level of scrutiny. It’s not the same level of seriousness — for example, replacing the use of an affi rmation with the use of just a signed state- ment. Th at’s what this bill is doing.

It’s replacing sworn statements with simply signed statements. Becoming a member of the Francophone Education Authority…. Well, I think we can all agree, and we will all support, that you shouldn’t have to use an affi rmation, the more formal mechanism, in that situation. Th ere are certainly many circumstances where it’s appropriate, and that would be one of them. What is trying to be done with this legislation is to get rid of some of the delay and inconvenience and costs that are associated with it. Th ere are times that there can be harm not only from the delay and the cost…. Y ou do have to balance it.

Intentional non-compliance with the requirement to give a sworn statement by giving a false statement can result in criminal liability. Y ou need to con- tinue to have mechanisms by which there are some pen- alties. If you’re not going to have a sworn statement, then you need to include penalties for people who just simply sign a document but are not telling the truth. Th at is why the legislation also includes a number of types of situations — not all of them. Some of the more serious ones include provisions that there will be of- fences established. For example, in the case of the Land Act….

Section 9, which deals with the Land Act, says…. It “replaces the authority to require proof by affi davit or otherwise with the authority to require proof by signed statement” — so you don’t have to do an affi davit; you can do a signed statement now — “or otherwise in respect of a matter arising out of an application for the disposition of Crown land or in respect of the fi nancial aff airs of the applicant. ” Y ou don’t have to do an affi davit anymore. Y ou don’t have to have the inconvenience, the time and the costs associated with that.

On the other hand, because the formality and the con- fi rmation of those circumstances by having somebody swearing before a commissioner for affi davits is gone, then there’s a penalty that is newly being attached to it. Th erefore, that

section “establishes off ences for knowingly providing false or misleading information with respect to a material fact contained in a signed statement or produ- cing or relying upon a signed statement given by another person while knowing the signed statement to be false or misleading in respect of a material fact contained in it. ”

British Columbia DebatesTuesday, March 1, 2016 10883 Th ere are many provisions where there are no penal- ties attached, but in some of the more serious situations, penalties are attached. With regard to the Land Act, pen- alties are attached. Th ere are several other ones with re- gards to health care, health amendments: the Continuing Care Act — there are penalties with regard to that as well — and the Hospital Act and some of the other acts.

It is trying to fi nd a balance between the convenience to people and reducing costs while, at the same time, maintaining the integrity of the process and making sure that when people sign their name, they are telling the truth — that when they’re signing a statement, they’re telling the truth — and if they are not, that there is go- ing to be a provincial off ence which can be attached to it. I dealt with this in my offi ce once — a problem. We had a constituent come in who had owned a commer- cial vehicle and had had a partner.

I can talk about this because I’m not going to talk about any of the particu- lars or, obviously, the individuals who were involved. He had had a commercial vehicle and a small business. Th e commercial vehicle was owned by the company that he owned, and he had a partner. [1150] Th e truck had been in his name. Th e partner had then signed documents, which were then passed on to ICBC — had forged his name — saying that the truck was be- ing transferred from this complainant, who came into my offi ce, over to the other partner. Th ere was, essen- tially, not a lot that could be done about it.

Th e police became involved. It does show that when people are simply si

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20160301am-Hansard-v33n10
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20160301am Hansard v33n10
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	0ce645900ad2f44d9dab3f0cc2e3c49fd119bebc

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