British Columbia Hansard — 20140313am Hansard v8n4

20140313am-Hansard-v8n4

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second 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) Th ursday, March 13, 2014 Morning Sitting Volume 8, Number 4

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Second 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. Amrik Virk Minister of Agriculture ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Pat Pimm Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ........................................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Education ..................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Peter Fassbender 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 State for Tourism and Small Business ....................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation..................................................................................................... Hon. Don McRae Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon.

Todd Stone LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ......................................................................................................................................................Adrian Dix Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................Douglas Horne Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ....................................................................................................................................... Marc Dalton 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, 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, 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 Horne, Douglas (BC Liberal) ..............................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain 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 Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP) ........................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant 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, Norm (BC Liberal) ........................................Kelowna–Lake Country Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ....................................Columbia River–Revelstoke McRae, Hon. Don (BC Liberal) ..................................................

Comox Valley Martin, John (BC Liberal) ..................................................................Chilliwack Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ..................................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Hon. Coralee (BC Liberal) .............................................Cariboo North Pimm, Hon. Pat (BC Liberal) ...............................................Peace River North Plecas, 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, 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 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 ............................................................................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...........................................................................Hon.

Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .....................................................Douglas Horne Coquitlam-Maillardville........................................................... Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................

Bill Routley Delta North ..................................................................................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 ............................................................... 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 .................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ...................................................................... Hon. Pat Pimm Peace River South ............................................................................Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................

Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast ................................................. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie ............................................................. 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 .........................................

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan 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 49; New Democratic 34; Independent 2

CONTENTS Th ursday, March 13, 2014 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 2197 Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2197 G. Jack Harris Hon.

M. de Jong Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 2197 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 2198 Bill M204 — Parliamentary Calendar Act, 2014 J. Horgan Bill 11 — Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2014 Hon. M.

Polak Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 2199 Kidney health K. Conroy Journée de la francophonie N. Letnick Michigan Street community garden C. James Cowboys and ranching heritage D. Barnett Canadian athletes at 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi S.

Robinson World Kidney Day Michelle Stilwell Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2202 Primary health care programs A. Dix Hon. T. Lake Preventive care programs at Mid-Main Community Health Centre J. Darcy Hon. T. Lake Call for public inquiry into Burns Lake mill explosion H. Bains Hon. S. Bond N. Macdonald Creditor protection for registered disability and education savings plans A. Weaver Hon. S. Anton Government action on crime in Surrey S. Hammell Hon. S. Anton B.

Ralston Appointment of John Les to earthquake preparedness process S. Simpson Hon. S. Anton Wholesale pricing in liquor distribution system S. Simpson Hon. S. Anton Funding for school of traditional Chinese medicine at Kwantlen Polytechnic University D. Eby Hon. A. Virk

Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 2206 J. Horgan C. Trevena J. Sturdy Orders of the Day Committee of the Whole House ............................................................................................................................................ 2207 Bill 4 — Park Amendment Act, 2014 S. Chandra Herbert Hon. M.

Polak Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 2213 Estimates: Ministry of Children and Family Development (continued) Hon. S. Cadieux C. James

THURSDAY , MARCH 13, 2014 Th e House met at 10:04 a.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. [1005] Introductions by Members N. Letnick: Aujourd'hui c'est la célébration de la journée de la francophonie à Colombie-Britannique, B.C. Francophonie Day. French language and culture are integral, of course, to our province's and our country's heritage. Since 2002 the province has joined Canada's other provinces and terri- tories in formally recognizing March 20 as International Day of la Francophonie. We have the pleasure today to have with us in the chambers Mr.

Jean-Christophe Tallard-Fleury and Ms. Him Shin Sin from the consul general of France. We have Dr. Réal Roy, president of the Fédération des franco- phones de la Columbie-Britannique; Ms. Fadia Saad and Y olaine Petitclerc-Evans, respectively executive director and president of Société Radio Communautaire Victoria, and other members of our B.C. francophone commun- ity. Will the House please join me in making them feel most welcome. M. Mungall: [French was spoken.] I'd also like to introduce the House to Michelle Tallico. She's up in the gallery today.

She's a single mom here in Victoria, and this is her fi rst time attending question per- iod. May the House please make her very welcome. Tributes G. JACK HARRIS Hon. M. de Jong: Th ere is great sadness in Abbotsford today and across the B.C. legal community. One of the province's most respected trial lawyers, G. Jack Harris, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away yesterday.

Jack, in addition to being a remarkable trial lawyer and skilled jurist, was noted for his zest, love of life, his sense of humour — frequently revealed in the strange circumstances that oft en characterize very serious trials and criminal trials. But he wa s also a great friend, par- ticularly to younger members of the bar, many of whom benefi ted greatly over the years from his willingness to tutor and mentor in a variety of diff erent ways. Th e only thing that Jack will be noted more for than his skill in a courtroom is his philanthropy in the commun- ity.

He was generous in the extreme, and no cause was too small to attract his attention and support. To his wife, Lynne, and their daughters, this will be a very diffi cult time, given the circumstances of the last 48 hours. I know that you and the House will join me in passing condolences along to the family of G. Jack Harris. Introductions by Members Hon. T. Lake: It's my pleasure today to introduce guests from the B.C. branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Th e foundation is celebrating its 50th year, and the member for Kootenay West and I were privil- eged to attend the Shine a Light Kidney Gala last week at the Telus World of Science to celebrate with them their 50 years. Here in B.C. we recognize the importance of advocacy, as one in ten people is aff ected by kidney disease. With early detection, the progression of renal disease can oft en be slowed down and, through medication and a healthy lifestyle, can sometimes be stopped entirely. We thank the B.C. branch of the Kidney Foundation for their efforts. We have a number of members of the foundation.

Th ey're led by Ron Walker, who is the president of the B.C. branch, and Dr. Adeera Levin, who is the executive director of the B.C. Renal Agency. Would the House please make them very welcome today. C. James: I have four members in the gallery today from the Michigan garden, which was recently renamed the neighbourhood garden of all sorts.

Dionne Kreischer and Sherri Loken are weekly pickers who gather the pro- duce to take to the James Bay New Horizons and to the James Bay Community Project to be shared. [1010] Peggy Mohrfeld, who is the longest-standing gar- den member, has been there from the beginning, and Dionne's ten-year-old son, Finn Kreischer, helps out at the garden on the monthly workdays. I understand he is an expert at the wheelbarrow and at picking raspber- ries. Would the House please make them very welcome. Michelle Stilwell: I have two introductions today. First, I'd like to welcome the students from Parksville Elementary School.

Th ese grade 5 students are accom- panied by Ms. Manuela Raviglione. Th e students are currently roaming the halls of our historic building, so if you see them around today, I ask that you all make them feel welcome and perhaps give them a high-fi ve or two. I'd also like to welcome to the House Ron Walker. Ron is one of my constituents from Parksville-Qualicum, and he's in Victoria today to off er support for people living with kidney disease, today being World Kidney Day. Ron is the president of the B.C. branch of the Kidney 2197

British Columbia Debates2198 Thursday, March 13, 2014 Foundation, and he has shared his knowledge about the disease with our government caucus. Please join me in thanking Ron, and give him a warm welcome. C. Trevena: In the gallery today as part of the delega- tion from the Kidney Foundation of Canada is the exec- utive director of the B.C. branch, who also happens to be a constituent of mine, Karen Philp. I hope the House will give her a very warm welcome — and continue in the good work that they are doing on the issue of kid- ney disease. D.

Horne: Madame Speaker, on your behalf, I'd like to introduce to the House two visitors from Richmond. Laurie and Darryl Drummond are here in the gallery to- day for their fi rst time at question period. May the House make them truly welcome. K. Conroy: I, too, would like to thank the Kidney Foundation for their presentation this morning to the opposition caucus — it was very informative — and for the gala that we were at last Th ursday. It was excellent, and it showed the real need for education around kidney disease in the province.

Just to add to the minister's and my colleague's intro- ductions, two of the people who were here this mor- ning are actually recipients of kidney transplants. Guy Lapierre is from Port Coquitlam, and Bonnie Leclair is from Quesnel. Th ere's also Dr. Robin Leary, who's from Prince George. Catherine Turner is the president of the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association. It shows how closely the Kidney Foundation and the Renal Agency work with other agencies in this province. Would the House please make them very welcome. M. Dalton: In the gallery today we have Tim Schindel. Th at's not a surprise.

He's here most days watching ques- tion period. He is the president of Leading Infl uence, and he's also the unoffi cial legislative chaplain here serv- ing both sides of the House. Also, he heads up PrayBC. Almost every day they choose one of us that most needs it, and it goes back and forth. We all need it, so we all get prayed for. If we just can express our appreciation to Tim and his organization, I know it will be appreciated. S. Fraser: It's March 13, which is also signifi cant in that it's the birthday of my wife and partner and love of my life, Dolores.

And I'm here, so there's no better way to say "I love you" than through the wonders of Hansard. Would this House please join me in wishing Dolores a very, very happy birthday. S. Hammell: Th ere are many students and their teach- ers and parents here from Strawberry Hill Elementary School in the southwest corner of Surrey–Green Timbers. Th is is a fabulous school with 68 percent of the students in the ESL program, yet this school has shown continu- ous progress since 2009 in an infamous comparison of B.C. schools done yearly.

I'd like the members of the House to make these children and their parents and their teachers very welcome. [1015] M. Hunt: As a new MLA, I'm still learning the rules of the House and how procedures work, but my learn- ed friend from Alberni–Pacifi c Rim has instructed me on how we express love in this House. Today is also my wife's birthday as well as my mother-in-law's birthday. I cannot do less than to wish both of them a very happy birthday here in the House, and I ask the House to help me express my love to them. K. Conroy: It's not my husband's birthday.

But for those of you who are desperate in this province for some really exciting hockey, you might want to make your way to Castlegar this weekend. Th e Selkirk College men's hockey team will look to capture their second con- secutive B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League champion- ship when they take on Trinity Western University in a best-of-three league fi nals, with the series beginning on Friday. Last weekend the Selkirk Saints advanced to their second consecutive fi nals with a victory over Th ompson Rivers University from Kamloops — sorry, guys from Kamloops.

Th e Saints swept the series with the best of three games against the WolfPack. Th e game is set to kick off on Friday night at the com- plex in Castlegar. I'm looking forward to some excellent hockey and invite you all. Hon. S. Anton: Well, I wasn't necessarily going to stand, but having the spousal birthdays, if a certain spouse of mine was watching today and I didn't stand in accord with the others, there may be a little bit of trouble at home. My longest supporter, the father of our three wonderful children, my dear husband who has helped me so much over the years — it is also today, March 13, his birthday.

So I hope the House will join me in saying happy birthday. J. Horgan: Although we won't be sitting on Monday, I just want to say to all those of Irish ancestry who will be celebrating on Monday: happy St. Patrick's Day. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL M204 — PARLIAMENTARY CALENDAR ACT, 2014 J. Horgan presented a bill intituled Parliamentary Calendar Act, 2014.

British Columbia DebatesThursday, March 13, 2014 2199 J. Horgan: I move that the bill intituled Parliamentary Calendar Act, 2014, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Motion approved. J. Horgan: The Parliamentary Calendar Act, 2014, sets a fi rm parliamentary

schedule for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia which includes both a spring and a fall session. Th e B.C. Legislature only sat for 36 days in 2013, the fewest number of days in any year since 2001. During the 37th parliament the government argued that our stand- ing orders needed signifi cant amendments to maintain the balance between the will of government and the ne- cessity of appropriate accountability. In order to avoid granting government the authority to invoke closure on business, a fi xed date in the spring and a fall session was done, and the government remained ac- countable.

However, at some point since that time, the government has lost its way. Since my election in 2005 the legislative session in the fall has been cancelled three times and on two occasions sat for less than seven days. Th e government has chosen to invoke time limits and closure on key pieces of legisla- tion to avoid a fall session and duck accountability. Th is government has chosen political expediency over polit- ical and public accountability.

Th is bill will prevent the government from cancelling future fall sessions and ensure that we're all here to do the work of the people of British Columbia as we were sent to do. I move that this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Bill M204, Parliamentary Calendar Act, 2014, intro- duced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on or- ders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. BILL 11 — PROTECTED AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AMENDMENT ACT, 2014 Hon. M.

Polak presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2014. Hon. M. Polak: I move that the bill be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Motion approved. Hon. M. Polak: Th is bill contains amendments to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act. Th e amend- ments will accomplish objectives respecting imple- menting land use plan recommendations, realizing the goals of government-to-government agreements with First Nations, fostering economic opportunities and cor- recting administrative errors.

Th e provisions of the bill will add lands or marine wat- ers to two class A parks and six conservancies. More than 33,000 hectares of land will be added to two conservan- cies established in 2012 from the implementation of the Atlin Taku land use plan. [1020] Marine foreshore areas totalling more than 22,700 hec- tares will be added to four existing conservancies that were established as a result of the 2006 coast land use de- cision. Lands will be added to two class A parks, Syringa Park in the Kootenays and Paul Lake Park near Kamloops.

Further, the provisions in this bill will modify the boundaries of one ecological reserve, six class A parks and one conservancy to exclude a residence and transfer the administration of lands to Canada; to remove lands required by the city of Campbell River for its replacement water system project; to enable the transfer of adminis- tration of 26 recreational lots to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; to provide ac- cess to safe drinking water; to remove a community water development from a park; and to provide an easement to a private holding.

Finally, the amendments make minor changes to the names of three conservancies, add a First Nation name to one class A park and correct administrative errors. On one administrative note, I want to point out to all members that the Office of the Clerk will be pro- vided with copies of the offi cial plans — in other words, mapped boundaries — for their review that depict the boundaries of the amended ecological reserve and most of the parks and conservancies. I move that this bill be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today.

Bill 11, Protected Areas of British Columbia Amend- ment Act, 2014, 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) KIDNEY HEALTH K. Conroy: Today is World Kidney Day, and March is Kidney Month. Our kidneys are the master chemists of the body, about the size of your fi st and actually looking just like a kidney bean. Kidney disease is, unfortunately, on the rise, oft en un- recognized and incurable. Many of the symptoms are

British Columbia Debates2200 Thursday, March 13, 2014 silent until almost 80 percent of the kidney function is lost. Th at is why screening and early detection are so important. The Kidney Foundation of Canada, which is cele- brating 50 years of service, is launching a new on-line risk assessment tool at kidney.ca. Take it and fi nd out if you are at risk of kidney disease. Again, there is no cure. Once kidney function is compromised, you require di- alysis or a transplant to stay alive. What can you do to ensure healthy kidneys?

Drink lots of water, eat healthy, exercise and cut back on salt and stress — not oft en easy in this job. To help the thousands of people in B.C. living with kidney disease, please consider making a donation to the Kidney Foundation or becoming an organ donor yourself. Both can be done at the kidney.ca website, and it will tell you if you are a registered organ donor or not. If you are feeling particularly generous, you might even consider a live donation of one of your own kidneys. We have two and can get by just fi ne with one. In fact, they won't take your donation if there are any concerns.

People oft en comment on what a selfl ess act it was for me to donate a kidney to a stranger in Toronto, but my response is that I benefi ted. I got to see my husband, Ed, thriving from a healthy kidney — no more dialysis — and be part of our kids' and grandkids' lives, although I sometimes think it is the birth of the dozen or more baby cows he delivers every year that makes him just as happy. Actually, the selfl ess act was the person who donated their kidney to Ed — someone we will probably never meet, who wasn't actually part of our domino donation, wasn't connected to any of the donors or recipients.

Th ey were an altruistic donor who, in our eyes, is the real hero. I ask all of you to do something healthy for yourselves. Give a toast of water to say thanks to everyone involved with the Kidney Foundation and kidney health in B.C. JOURNÉE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE N. Letnick: Th at was very moving. Th ank you very much. I am pleased to announce the proclamation of March 20, 2014, as Journée de la francophonie à Colombie- Britannique. Since the House will not be sitting on that day, this event will be celebrated at lunch here today in the rotunda.

Th e theme of this year's celebration is: "Our franco- phonie goes far and wide." Francophonie and franco- philes shape a considerable segment of our society in British Columbia. Th ey hold a signifi cant place in the demography of our province. Today we launch a new web-based mapping plat- form for French services. Th e map application will assist francophones and francophiles in fi nding French ser- vices in early childhood, education, health, the economy and health sectors throughout British Columbia. Today's proclamation of B.C.

Francophonie Day hon- ours our vibrant and dynamic French-speaking com- munity of more than 70,000 francophones, as well as about 300,000 British Columbians who speak French. Our francophonie is an invaluable part of our heritage and contributes to improving the social, economic, pol- itical and cultural fabric of our province and our country. [1025] Partout au pays, des Canadiens choisissent de vivre et de s’ épanouir en français. Félicitations à tous les franco- phones et francophiles Britanno-Colombiens pour leur contribution. Bonne journée de la francophonie!

Merci. [All over the country, Canadians choose to live and prosper in French. Congratulations to all Francophone and Francophile British Columbians for their contribu- tion. Have a great francophonie day! Th ank you.] [French text provided by N. Letnick.] MICHIGAN STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN C. James: For more than a dozen years a dedicat- ed group of green thumbs have been making a part of James Bay come alive just steps from the Legislature.

Th e Michigan Street community garden was created when LifeCycles, the James Bay Community Project and in- terested community members came up with an inspired idea to build a community garden. Th ey knew there was a vacant green space near the corner of Michigan and Menzies, and they approached the provincial govern- ment for the go-ahead. Today there are 20 raised garden plots, a fantastic oasis surrounded by parking lots and government buildings. Th is little garden is a source of recreation, relaxation, edu- cation and sustainable food production for the commun- ity.

Th e garden receives hundreds of positive comments from travellers and residents passing by, with many shar- ing their knowledge or wondering about how to start one in their neighbourhood. It's also a stop on my walks with my grandchildren to stop and see what's growing and to admire the new plants and fl owers Community gardens like this one promote urban agri- culture, food security and nutritious food production. Th ey make it possible for citizens to eat locally and know exactly what went into growing their food, without gen- etically modifi ed organisms or herbicides.

Th e province has now sold the property, and there's a redevelopment proposed, so the Michigan Street com- munity garden will need to move and put roots down elsewhere. Th e new owners of the garden property have generously agreed to allow this year's planting to pro- ceed and to give organizers time to look for a new home. I'm hopeful that with a little help from its friends the Michigan Street garden will sprout once again. Th e garden is small, but a growing group of green thumbs is dedicated to many more happy, productive years of

British Columbia DebatesThursday, March 13, 2014 2201 planting, growing, sharing the harvest and supporting one another and the environment now and for genera- tions to come. We all say thank you to the Michigan Street garden- ers for brightening our neighbourhood in so many ways. COWBOYS AND RANCHING HERITAGE D. Barnett: From the grasslands of the Fraser-Nicola, the grasslands of the Boundary-Similkameen country and the rugged landscapes of the Cariboo-Chilcotin, cowboy culture can be found throughout our province.

Th e cowboy spirit is about having a can-do attitude, tak- ing pride in your work and determination to always get the job done. For over two centuries these values have been passed down through generations, beginning with the first homesteaders, who settled the communities that we live in today, to the rancher that wakes up at fi ve in the mor- ning to treat a newborn calf. As cities become bigger and we become more dependent on technology, now more than ever we need to tell the stories to preserve the his- tory and impact of British Columbia's cowboy culture and ranching heritage.

Th erefore, it is an honour to stand in the House today to recognize and speak to the contribution of cowboys and ranchers in British Columbia. Th anks to the hard work of volunteer organizations that help cowboy culture and heritage, these stories can continue to be told to the next generation of British Columbians. The hard-working volunteers of the B.C.

Cowboy Heritage Society help generate so much interest in our shared history by organizing community events such as the annual 100 Mile House Cowboy Concert; the Cowboy Hall of Fame at the Museum of the Cariboo and Williams Lake; and the Kamloops Cowboy Festival, which starts today. Th is year's festival in Kamloops will feature some of the best country and western music you will ever hear and cowboy poetry performances, including two very tal- ented poets from the Cariboo-Chilcotin, Frank Gleeson and Corky Williams. Cowboy artists and artisans will be there.

Join me in celebrating British Columbia's cowboy heritage this weekend. CANADIAN ATHLETES AT 2014 PARALYMPIC GAMES IN SOCHI S. Robinson: I stand once more in the House with the heart of an athlete and a competitive spirit to match. Th is time I rise to acknowledge and recognize another group of athletes who demonstrate commitment, perseverance and dedication to their sport. [1030] Th e member for Parksville-Qualicum spoke of the Sochi Paralympic Games last week, reminding us that they started this past Friday and will conclude on March 16.

I thought that as Sport critic I would take the oppor- tunity to report on how our fi ne athletes are doing in the competitions. With three days left , Canada has won ten medals. Th ree are from British Columbia athletes. Joshua Dueck from Vernon won a silver in the men's downhill sitting. Th is is his second Paralympic Games. At the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games he was a sil- ver medallist in slalom and placed fi ft h in downhill and 13th in super-G.

In February 2012 Dueck shot to international acclaim when he went upside down and became the fi rst sit-skier to complete a backfl ip on snow, earning him worldwide notoriety and an appearance on Th e Ellen DeGeneres Show. The Kimberly, B.C., native is a powder hound when not racing and has gone cat-skiing and heli-skiing with his sit-ski, something I don't even do on my stand- ing skies. Kimberly Joines won a bronze. She's from Rossland. She won her bronze in the women's slalom sitting event. She's one of the world's best female sit-skiers. She's a two- time IPC world champion and a 22-time IPC World Cup winner.

Joines, who suff ered a spinal cord injury in a ter- rain park accident, returned to competition in 2011-12 aft er recovering from a serious injury that ruled her out of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Caleb Brosseau won a bronze. He's from Terrace. He won in the men's super-G sitting. He joined the para- alpine ski team in 2011-12. He has recorded fi ve top- ten fi nishes at IPC World Cup and world championship events. Th is sit-skier is consistently working his was to- wards the podium. Finally, I want to make note that in sledge hockey for Canada, we are currently losing 3-0.

We want them to play like girls. WORLD KIDNEY DAY Michelle Stilwell: On behalf of my constituents in Parksville-Qualicum, I am pleased to speak today of the importance of World Kidney Day, a day that brings atten- tion to those suff ering from kidney disease. It's estimated that one in ten British Columbians has kidney disease, but most people don't even know it. Th at's because more than 90 percent of the people with early stage kidney disease have no symptoms at all. Most people with early stage kidney disease won't even realize it until their kidneys begin to fail.

A positive impact that World Kidney Day can have is to increase the public profi le of this disease. Because kid- ney disease can oft en go unnoticed, it's important that people understand the risks. We can all make changes to our lifestyle, changes that will reduce the risk of or pre- vent kidney disease altogether. Early detection of kidney disease can delay or even

British Columbia Debates2202 Thursday, March 13, 2014 prevent the onset of kidney failure. If kidney disease is not treated, it will eventually require dialysis or a trans- plant. However, if kidney disease is diagnosed early, its progression can oft en be slowed and sometimes stopped. Medication and changes to lifestyle and diet really can make a diff erence. I'd like to take a moment to commend the B.C. Renal Agency. It's the organization that plans and monitors the delivery of kidney care services throughout our province. I encourage everyone to learn more about this agency and about kidney disease.

Th e Renal Agency has resources available on line, in- cluding a tool that helps you assess your risk. Check it out at kidneysmart.com. Please, spread the word about kidney disease and stay informed. Oral Questions PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS A. Dix: A question to the Minister of Health. Can he confi rm that primary care programs at community health centres such as Evergreen, South and Pacifi c Spirit in Vancouver are slated to be shut down? Hon. T. Lake: I am not aware of that. I will take that on notice and get back to the member. [1035] PREVENTIVE CARE PROGRAMS AT MID-MAIN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE J.

Darcy: Th e Mid-Main Community Health Centre in Vancouver serves over 5,000 patients. It provides highly eff ective diabetes group visits, programs for people with multiple chronic conditions like kidney disease and heart failure, and home visits for the frail elderly. Earlier this week staff at Mid-Main learned that cuts to their budget will result in the loss of a nurse practitioner and medical offi ce assistants, whose roles are absolutely indispensable to all of those programs. Why? Because health authorities are scrambling as this government con- tinues to underfund those very programs.

How can the Minister of Health possibly justify these shortsighted cuts to high-quality preventive care for people with kidney disease, with diabetes and for the frail elderly? How can he justify those cuts? Hon. T. Lake: I've heard members on both sides of this House talk about the excellent health care system we have here in British Columbia. I think we all agree on that. We take a triple-aim approach to health care, mean- ing that we look at the health of the population. Might I point out that we have the best health outcomes in all of Canada.

We look at the health of the individual and the patient experience, and we also look at value for money, because we know that if the costs of the health care sys- tem outpace economic growth and outpace population growth, it is simply not sustainable. By growing the economy, we will be able to support the best health care system in Canada, which is what British Columbia currently has. Madame Speaker: Th e member for New Westminster on a supplemental. J. Darcy: Let me talk about the triple-aim approach as it relates to the Mid-Main Community Health Centre in Vancouver.

Th is community health centre is at the cut- ting edge of providing innovative services to high-risk patients with multiple conditions. Th eir preventive care programs with multidisciplinary teams save money for the health care system. Th ey save lots of it. Just one example: a high-risk diabetic patient with a strong relationship to a family doctor costs an average of $6,000 a year in hospital visits, but a patient without that relationship costs about $17,000 per year. Th at's a saving of $11,000 per patient per year.

In light of the savings that result from innovative pre- ventive programs like Mid-Main's, will this government take action and reverse these cuts to high-quality care that's good for patients and good for saving health care dollars for the budget in British Columbia? Will he take action to reverse those cuts? Hon. T. Lake: We spend almost $17 billion every year on health care in the province of British Columbia, and 42 percent of the provincial budget is dedicated to pro- viding health services to the people of British Columbia.

There is an additional $2.5 billion over the next three years going into health care in this province. We have spent over $8 billion on new health care facilities throughout the province. We are committed to providing the highest-level of health care to the citizens of British Columbia, but we also are going to do it in a way that is sustainable to ensure our children and grandchildren have that same great health care system tomorrow. CALL FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO BURNS LAKE MILL EXPLOSION H.

Bains: Th e botched investigation into the Babine sawmill explosion clearly highlighted the dysfunction at WorkSafe B.C., the very organization whose mandate is to protect the health and safety of working people. Th ey're clearly failing at their mandate. Now we learn that WorkSafe B.C. had tools to do a proper investigation, going as far back as 2007, and they failed to use those tools in this investigation. [1040] It is the Justice Minister whose responsibility it is for public safety. Will she order a full public inquiry into

British Columbia DebatesThursday, March 13, 2014 2203 the Burns Lake explosion which will fully investigate why WorkSafe B.C. is failing to keep workers safe in this province? Hon. S. Bond: To the member opposite, he is well aware of the action taken by the Premier, recogniz- ing that there do indeed need to be changes made at WorkSafe and, certainly, in terms of the communication and expectations between both Crown and WorkSafe. A number of recommendations from a highly regarded and amazing public servant, John Dyble, said clearly that there were recommendations that needed to see an improvement in the protocol.

Th ere's also going to be an ongoing discussion about how information is shared. We also know that most recently Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe has said that she intends to conduct a coroner's inquest, which will result in the opportunity that fam- ilies are looking for to have that information examined, shared and recommendations created. Madame Speaker: I recognize the member for Surrey- Newton on a supplemental. H. Bains: We know the complete failure of WorkSafe B.C. Th e workers have been dying in this province under the watch of this government, and no one has been held accountable criminally.

WorkSafe B.C. is failing its man- date under the watch of that government. It means in this particular case, also, no one will be held criminally accountable. WorkSafe B.C. is obviously failing, and the people of British Columbia deserve to know why. WorkSafe B.C. had the tools to properly investigate the Burns Lake explosion. Th ey could have used those tools, such as search warrants and other proper investigation tools. Th ey did not do so, and the victims and the fam- ilies deserve to know why. Th e investigations announced to date, as the minis- ter mentioned, don't go far enough.

Th e coroner's in- quest can't assign blame. Th ese investigations won't keep workers safe. Only a complete public inquiry will get to the bottom of this. Will the minister in charge of public safety call an independent public inquiry into the Burns Lake explosion so that we can get to the bottom of this? Hon. S. Bond: None of us will forget the very emo- tional and poignant moments when members of families were actually here in Victoria and in the gallery. Th at's what drives us to ensure that the recommendations that have been provided by John Dyble will be fully imple- mented by WorkSafe and Crown.

What is really additionally unfortunate in this cham- ber is that the member opposite writes off all of the good work of hundreds of people who work for WorkSafe, hard-working individuals who do their best every single day. He writes them off . In fact, yes, there are issues with this investigation, and we intend to ensure they are fi xed. But we want to stand in this House today and say that many, many men and women who work in WorkSafe today do the very best they can and do a very good job on behalf of British Columbians. N.

Macdonald: Th e Premier, the minister, this gov- ernment, have admitted that there was a massive failure with WorkSafe. Th at's been admitted. Th e responsibility does not sit with the workers. It sits only in one place, and that's with the government and with the minister respon- sible. Th at's where the failure sits. [1045] Th e fact is that a coroner's inquest is clearly welcome, but as my colleague has said, a coroner's inquest is lim- ited. It does not assign blame. It clearly does not meet the needs that the families have articulated and that the workers in British Columbia deserve.

Th ere is only one thing that is going to meet the needs of the families that the minister references, and that is a full public inquest. Th e question to the minister again: when are those families going to get the justice they deserve? When are workers going to be protected in the way that they de- serve? When is there going to be a full public inquest into what took place at Babine? Hon. S. Bond: In fact, in the words of the chief cor- oner, Lisa Lapointe…. She said that the coroner's inquest is the best venue to address the many concerns and ques- tions raised about how and why the explosion happened.

Th e question about whether or not a public inquiry would change the outcomes was asked. It was one of the fi rst things that we did to ensure that we could say to fam- ilies…. We asked that question. We asked one of Canada's fi nest lawyers. In fact, he has done a number of very sig- nifi cant, very challenging cases here in British Columbia, and what he said was: "Y ou've asked me whether a pub- lic inquiry could result in the reconsideration of a deci- sion by Crown counsel.

I can confi rm that a decision of Crown counsel to approve or not approve changes is not a prior subject for…a public inquiry." Every member in this House wants to ensure that we do as much as we possibly can, and I have been the fi rst to say that words are not enough for families. Action is required. Th at's why we expect WorkSafe to make chan- ges and for them to cooperate with Crown to ensure that this does not happen again. CREDITOR PROTECTION FOR REGISTERED DISABILITY AND EDUCATION SAVINGS PLANS A.

Weaver: Most provinces, including British Columbia, have recognized the importance of protecting RRSPs and RIFs from creditors in the event of personal bankruptcy. Th ey've passed legislation to protect these

British Columbia Debates2204 Thursday, March 13, 2014 registered plans from being seized during bankruptcy. Th is provides a bankrupt individual a glimmer of hope that they will not be destitute in their old age. Here in B.C. such seizures are governed by the 1996 Court Order Enforcement Act. In 2008 the federal government passed legislation to al- low for the creation of registered disability savings plans. Th ese are called RDSPs. Th e RDSP is a tax-deferred, long- term savings plan for people with disabilities who want to save for the future.

Unfortunately, under the same act, RDSPs are not listed as a registered plan and are therefore not exempt from creditor protection. My question is to the Justice Minister. It's this. Does the government have a plan to provide creditor protec- tion for disabled individuals as in, for example, the prov- ince of Alberta? Hon. S. Anton: I thank the member opposite for bringing this matter to the attention of the House, be- cause it is an important one. Our government is com- mitted to modernizing our laws and keeping them up with protecting our vulnerable citizens.

When new things come along, like this particular plan, it has to keep up as well. It is an important issue for people with disabilities and their families. We are looking at it as part of the general review of the Court Order Enforcement Act. We're looking at our legis- lation. We're comparing it with other provinces to ensure harmonization. Th ere are complex questions attached to the issue, I'm told, but we will be looking at those. I'd be glad to keep the member abreast of where we're going and keep him involved in the discussion, because it is a matter that needs to be addressed.

Madame Speaker: Recognizing the member from Oak Bay–Gordon Head on a supplemental. A. Weaver: Th e province of Alberta actually, just this past December, also passed legislation to provide creditor protection for RESPs, the registered educational savings plans. My question again is: does the government have a similar plan to protect a child who, through no fault of their own, might see their education investment seized by creditors? [1050] Hon. S. Anton: Again, I would be very glad to have a look at that one as well. I think that the thoughts be- hind it are the same.

I appreciate the member bringing it to our attention. I'd be glad to work with him moving forward on it. GOVERNMENT ACTION ON CRIME IN SURREY S. Hammell: Serious crimes are on the rise in Surrey. A record 25 people were murdered in Surrey in 2013. In 2013 our city saw 28 percent more sexual assaults, 37 percent more abductions and 41 percent more cases of identity theft than we did the year before. Breaking and entering, motor vehicle theft , cocaine possession — they're all on the rise. Why does the Minister of Justice continue to ignore the crime problems facing our fastest-growing city? Hon. S.

Anton: Surrey has indeed had a terrible homi- cide rate last year, culminating with the death of Ms. Julie Paskall, which horrifi ed everybody. Everybody in this chamber can imagine going and picking up a child at a rink and how safe an activity that should be. Th at's why I have been in touch with the mayor on numerous occasions. I have met with the mayor. We are talking with her through police, through courts, as to how we can help in the provincial government. Essentially, community safety is community-led, and the mayor has put together her task force. Th ey have reported out. Th ey have some recommendations.

I am committed to working with her, to help the mayor and to help Surrey move forward with their community safety programs. Madame Speaker: The member for Surrey–Green Timbers on a supplemental. S. Hammell: In the throne speech this government promised to eliminate violence in this province. Th en a week later they cut funding for victim services and crime. Curbing violence takes more than a slogan. Our mem- bers from Surrey have called on all three levels of gov- ernment to support a Surrey accord, a collection of real measures aimed at improving health and safety in Surrey.

People are calling for more policing, community courts, regulation of recovery homes, a real mental health strat- egy and increased access to social housing. We asked the people of Surrey if they agreed with these measures to reduce crime, and 69 percent of Surrey residents have said yes. Will the Minister of Justice tell us why this government would rather cling to slogans than to support a real initia- tive that could improve lives in Surrey? Hon. S. Anton: As I mentioned, community safety is community-based.

Community safety in Surrey is taken up under the leadership of the mayor, who is very active in leading this initiative, in leading her task force and put- ting forward recommendations from our police offi cers for better social services and for other things in Surrey that will help community safety in Surrey. We are helping, in the provincial government. I'll mention another initiative. We now have a plan for new courtrooms in Surrey, and we are committed to working with the city of Surrey. In fact, my team is already work- ing with her team to establish what the optimum use is

British Columbia DebatesThursday, March 13, 2014 2205 of those courtrooms in Surrey. We're working on policing, we're working on courts, and we're working on other initiatives to help the mayor of Surrey, to help the citizens of Surrey have their com- munity be a safe place. Crime rates are going down, but they did have some very signifi cant tragedies last year. We're helping them to make sure that does not happen again. B. Ralston: Clearly, the provincial government has a huge role in these matters as well.

People in Surrey clearly want their governments at all levels to work together to bring more policing, regulated recovery houses, a men- tal health strategy, more accessible social housing and a community court. [1055] When appointing the Justice Minister, the Premier said: "When things need to be fi xed, she will be there to fi x them." Will the Minister of Justice join with us today and help fi x Surrey's rising crime problem by supporting the comprehensive Surrey accord? Hon. S. Anton: I believe I've already answered the question.

Indeed we are in touch with Mayor Watts on numerous occasions, have met with Mayor Watts and are working with Mayor Watts to help her on the community initiatives, on her initiatives to make Surrey a safer place. Public safety, community safety is community-led. It is for Surrey to determine and is determining through its task force what it needs, and it is for us to help where we can. We've made a very strong commitment to the mayor of Surrey to do that. We're working on a B.C. policing and community safety plan. We have a plan for courtroom expansion in Surrey.

We give more than $1.6 million in annual funding to Surrey programs that aid victims of crime and women and children impacted by violence. We have provided $470,000 from civil forfeiture to support crime preven- tion eff orts in Surrey. We have massive investments in crime prevention and fi ghting gangs and organized crime around British Columbia, including, obviously, helping Surrey as well. We are very committed to helping the public safety in- itiatives in the city of Surrey. Madame Speaker: Recognizing the member for Surrey-Whalley on a supplemental. B.

Ralston: I'm disappointed to hear that the Minister of Justice is not prepared to support the Surrey accord. Perhaps that's something she might want to take up with the member for Abbotsford South, who heads up a task force on real measures to help prevent crime here in British Columbia. Just recently the federal government announced it's putting an end to its community safety offi cer program. Surrey already ranks 31st in the province in the number of police offi cers per capita, despite having one of the highest crime rates in B.C. Now we will lose the work that those ten community police offi cers do.

Th is is a striking example of why all three levels of government need to start working together on this issue, and that's exactly what the Surrey accord, which we are proposing, is designed to do. It also has widespread com- munity support in Surrey. Will the minister step forward — I'll give her another opportunity — and commit to working together in mov- ing forward with the Surrey accord so that people in Surrey know that this government is committed to a bet- ter future for Surrey? Hon. S. Anton: Indeed I am.

I will answer enthusias- tically yes, committed to working together with the may- or of Surrey — highly committed. I was on the phone with the mayor of Surrey on New Y ear's Day to discuss their crime issues in Surrey. Th e mayor of Surrey and I have been in touch ever since, talk- ing about these initiatives. We've had a meeting in Surrey. We put money into Surrey and are helping Surrey on their other initiatives. If Surrey wishes to have more police offi cers, that, of course, is a local initiative. If they wish more police offi cers, they will have more police offi cers.

We are very committed through courts, through poli- cing, through public safety initiatives to help Surrey to become the safe community that it wishes to become, under the leadership of its mayor and council. APPOINTMENT OF JOHN LES TO EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS PROCESS S. Simpson: Th e government's procurement policy requires that all contracts valued at more than $75,000 be posted for open competition. Th e position fi lled for a day by John Les was never posted. Can the Attorney General explain why she broke the rules and failed to post this position? Hon. S.

Anton: Two days ago I announced an ex- tremely important public safety initiative. Th at may not interest the members opposite, but I can assure you that it does interest people in British Columbia. [1100] We need to be safe in British Columbia. We need to have public safety in place. We need to have citizens ready, communities ready and the province ready in case of a disaster. We appointed two co-chairs. I appointed them through my ministry. I announced the appointment. Th at was my decision. Th e contract for one of them did not fi t within…. Interjections.

British Columbia Debates2206 Thursday, March 13, 2014 Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. S. Anton: Th e dollars for one of them did not fi t within our goals of keeping government small. So we will go with the one chair, because it is so important for British Columbia that we carry on with this very im- portant public safety initiative in the province. Madame Speaker: Vancouver-Hastings on a supple- mental. WHOLESALE PRICING IN LIQUOR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM S.

Simpson: Well, since the minister's not prepared to answer the question about why she broke the rules around the procurement policy, we'll try something dif- ferent. Last summer in estimates I asked the minister if her predecessor's argument for a one-wholesale-price sys- tem for liquor distribution in B.C. was something that the minister was still considering. The minister re- sponded in estimates last year, saying: "Th e question of one wholesale price did get assessed at the time, and the assessment concluded that there would be signifi - cant impacts. Th ere would be winners and losers.

It would have been extremely disruptive to the industry and very complicated, so the decision was made not to go there." To the minister, does she still support her statement from July, and if not, why not? Hon. S. Anton: The Premier of British Columbia struck a real chord when she determined that there needed to a widespread review of liquor in British Columbia. Now, it started off with the sort of silly rules as to why you couldn't carry a beer across a hotel cor- ridor. It has ended up in a very broad-based discussion of retail liquor, wholesale and liquor consumption in the province.

My Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor did one piece of that. But the project, of course, has grown so as to take in consumption, retail, wholesale and, indeed, pricing, because the consultation demonstrated that there was widespread interest in looking at all facets of liquor. Th at's what we have done. I think that the province of British Columbia is happy that we have done that. We are changing the rules. We are changing the rules for consumption. We are changing the rules for retail. We are changing the rules for wholesale. It has widespread support amongst our stakeholders. Th at is what we are doing.

It's a big, broad-based review. It's the fi rst one in many, many years. I think the province is very appreciative that we're doing it. FUNDING FOR SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AT KW ANTLEN POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY D. Eby: In estimates last week the Minister of Advanced Education fi nally admitted that this govern- ment won't provide any funding for the new traditional Chinese medicine school at Kwantlen University.

Instead of funding Kwantlen's traditional Chinese medicine school, the Premier and Minister of Advanced Education gave the member for Burnaby North a brand-new role as the parliamentary secretary responsible for the school of traditional Chinese medicine. With the Premier's continuing cuts to post-secondary education in this province, schools like Kwantlen have no money for new programs. Th is means it'll come out of the pockets of students or out of existing programs at the school.

Will the Minister of Advanced Education stand up and confi rm now what he left out of his press release, and what the Premier left out of her election platform — that students at Kwantlen will be the ones paying for the Premier's election promise? Hon. A. Virk: Th e member opposite certainly left out a lot of the facts, which has become quite predictable.

Y ou may recall in the balanced budget that there's $750 mil- lion in the next three years that are planned for capital improvements across British Columbia. [1105] As I recall, the member for Victoria–Swan Lake joined me last week — just last week — in the photo op to con- gratulate the community of Victoria on the sod-turning ceremony for Camosun College. I'm more than willing to share the photograph with the member opposite. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Members. Hon. A. Virk: I'd be more than happy to share the photograph aft erwards as well.

We have a world-class system, and we're committed to keeping it world-class. [End of question period.] Petitions J. Horgan: I have a petition signed by 68 residents in the Mill Hill area of my constituency of Juan de Fuca, to add to the petition I tabled last week, calling on the gov- ernment to gift the lands that are for sale at the Provincial Capital Commission so that they can be maintained as green space coming from Goldstream Park into the city of Victoria.

British Columbia DebatesThursday, March 13, 2014 2207 C. Trevena: I have a petition of several dozen people, to add to the 1,300 people who submitted a petition from Bowen Island who are petitioning, saying that the ferry is an essential service seven days a week, including non- peak hours. In today's day and age a core level of service must be maintained to accommodate shift workers, business pro- fessionals, secondary and university students and fam- ilies, including families where both parents need to go to work at diff erent hours to support themselves.

Families and individuals moved to Bowen Island knowing that B.C. Ferries was their lifeline to the outside world, with well-established ferry runs to meet everyday needs. Th is includes medical appointments, specialist appointments and extracurricular activities to maintain social and physical health. Infrastructure like a commun- ity centre or ice rink or swimming pool or movie theatre does not exist. A medical visit off -island might also in- clude a medical clinic or a hospital, as both crucial ser- vices are not available on Bowen Island.

In Bowen Island municipality's 2012 household sur- vey, 83.3 percent of those rated Bowen Island as a good or very good place to raise a family. Th ese family values will be eroded as many families will need to leave the…. Madame Speaker: Member, can I ask you to conclude your remarks. C. Trevena: Financial implications for the already fra- gile Bowen Island businesses via both decreased local ex- penditures and decreased tourism will be immeasurable. Th ey request the House to take these on notice. J.

Sturdy: I rise today to submit a petition on be- half of 53 of my esteemed constituents representing the Canadian Federation of University Women of West Vancouver, expressing concerns regarding poverty in British Columbia. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: I call in Committee A, Committee of Supply, for the information of members, the on- going estimates of the Ministry of Children and Family Development; and in this chamber, committee stage de- bate on Bill 4, Park Amendment Act. [1110] Committee of the Whole House BILL 4 — PARK AMENDMENT ACT, 2014 Th e House in Committee of the Whole (Section

B) on Bill 4; D. Horne in the chair. Th e committee met at 11:11 a.m. On

section 1. S. Chandra Herbert: Th ank you to the minister and her staff . If she's able to identify the staff when she gets up to answer the fi rst question, that would be great — just for people at home to know the able staff members of the Ministry of Environment so that if they have more de- tailed questions down the road, they'll know who to fol- low up with. Th at would be helpful.

Section 1,

section 9(5) — what it does, I'm told, is amend the Park Act by striking out "in a park of any class having an area of 2 023 ha or less." Can the minister tell the House how many parks and what percentage of our park system this will aff ect? Hon. M. Polak: I'll fi rst introduce my staff . To my left I have Brian Bawtinheimer. He is our executive director of B.C. Parks. To my right I have Lori Halls, assistant deputy minister of B.C. Parks and responsible for the conserva- tion offi cer service.

With respect to the question, we have 445 of our class A parks, and that's 71 percent of them that are less than 2,023 hectares. S. Chandra Herbert: So this amendment aff ects 71 percent of class A parks. Of course, for those that may not know, class A parks — that's the highest designation of our park system. It's the highest level of protection with the highest degree of ecological value. Th ey've been classed as class A because of that.

I'm curious if the minister would be able to take us on a little bit of a history lesson in terms of what led to this designation originally when it was brought in and what the values were that it was meant to protect at the time. [1115] Hon. M. Polak: We have to then cast our minds back to before 1965, when the Park Act was brought in. At that time provincial parks, for the most part, had been man- aged under the Forest Act. At that time that meant that, on occasion, activities such as mining, logging, gravel pits and all sorts of other industrial-type activities were still taking place in parks.

Th ere was an eff ort at that time to provide stronger protection for those parks, and that fi nally resulted in the Park Act being struck and imple- mented in 1965. When they looked at the type of areas that were experi- encing those kinds of alienations, the majority of parks that didn't have those issues were under 5,000 acres, or 2,023 hectares. Th at's where you arrive at that number. So in order to protect those that remained, if you will — those that had not experienced that — then, in legisla- tion, that size amount was placed within it. Now, as we reach 2014, of course the Park Act itself has evolved.

Th ere are now other protective measures in the Park Act that would not allow for activities such as forest-

British Columbia Debates2208 Thursday, March 13, 2014 ry or mining. So the designation now, given our current protected area system, really isn't relevant. We treat all of those parks in the same manner. We currently do not treat the parks at the 2,023-hectare level any diff erently, so this is simply putting that into legislation. S. Chandra Herbert: Thank you for that answer.

I think the understanding, as some longtime park-watchers said, was that the designation of under 2,023 hectares was brought in because there had been an argument that if you were smaller than that, you weren't a wilderness area — that you weren't treated in that way. Th ey argued that this was necessary to protect those areas. When you're smaller as a park, should there be any ac- tivity — whether it be roadbuilding, whether or not it be potential other activities which might be considered in a park for a variety of reasons — because of the size of the park, they could be put more at risk.

Species that might rely on that park could be put more at risk, and there might be longer-term challenges as there's less room for a species, an animal or an ecosystem to move. I guess ecosystems don't really move that much, but certainly animals and species sometimes move to areas that are less well-traffi cked, less used by the public. Just if the minister could go a little bit further in terms of explaining what the practical diff erences, if any, there are between how the government currently treats smaller parks, under 2,023 hectares, and larger parks.

I under- stand that the reason was to treat them diff erently be- cause smaller parks would be more at risk. [1120] Hon. M. Polak: I should just fi rst point out — and it's a technicality — that the 2,023 hectares is not actually a designation. It simply maps out a diff erent type of treat- ment. To that end, though…. Th e member asks about the practical implications of this. For quite some time B.C. Parks has been managing parks of both that size and larger in the same manner, using the same kinds of tools and using the same kinds of evaluative criteria. Th e change is here because we cur- rently….

As you can see in the way the Park Act stands, the legis- lation doesn't refl ect what current practice is. At the time when this particular

section was put in place, there was a diff erent set of circumstances in B.C. parks such that you did have industrial activities like mining and forestry and other matters taking place in parks. Because that is no longer the case, there's no longer any diff erent treat- ment of those 2,023-hectare areas. S.

Chandra Herbert: Th e minister points out that the hectares is not a designation, that the size of the hectares is not a specifi c designation that maps out a diff erent kind of treatment, and then argues that, well, that has changed now — if I'm understanding correctly — because for a variety of reasons, the legislation is no longer what the ministry follows. Some have heard that argument before and argued to me: "Well, what does that mean? Does that mean the ministry is no longer following the law?" Of course, I would doubt that. But can the minister clarify what that means? Hon. M.

Polak: Almost, but it's the reverse. What's changed is not the treatment of the ministry or treatment of B.C. Parks toward the 2,023-hectare areas. What has changed is the manner in which we deal with the larger parks — that being that no longer are those industrial activities taking place. In the past, because you had a set of larger areas where there were activities like that…. It doesn't mean it was widespread. Th ere wasn't widespread mining in parks back in the day. Nevertheless, in those larger areas those activities were on occasion allowed.

Because of that, the specifi city that was placed in the act around 2,023 hectares then had a purpose. While the 2,023-hectare areas are still being treated the same, that now has extended to the larger areas, where no longer do you see mining, forestry, etc. Th e change that has taken place is not with respect to the treatment of the 2,023 being degraded. It's the other way around. Th e treatment of the larger areas has actually been enhanced. [1125] S. Chandra Herbert: In regard to this change…. Of course, we could ask this, and depending on how the minister answers, I could ask it for each

section of the bill. But I'll ask it now, and we'll see how it goes. Can the minister list all the groups that were consulted about this bill prior to its introduction and that were asked for feedback or asked for advice? Hon. M. Polak: Th ere were no consultations with re- spect to this. It is primarily an administrative change, and we would not typically be consulting with respect to an administrative change. S. Chandra Herbert: Can the minister clarify if she's answering the question just in regard to the fi rst

section of this bill,

section 1, or the bill in its entirety? Hon. M. Polak: Th e bill in its entirety. S. Chandra Herbert: Last summer the ministry sent out to a number of stakeholders — to people in the oil and gas sector who had interest in linear projects, in pipe- line projects — a briefi ng note on how they could apply for park boundary adjustments, what the policy is and how it works. At the time, when questioned later on when it became

British Columbia DebatesThursday, March 13, 2014 2209 public, the minister argued that it was just about setting the rules, that these were the rules and people just needed it to understand the rules. Th is act does change some of those rules. So I'm curi- ous: what changed between the time the minister sent out the linear parks document around how proposals for pipelines through parks worked and when the bill was introduced?

At the time, there was no indication that changes might be made to, I would argue, make it easier for proponents to potentially impact parks for industrial development or take sections of parks out for industrial development. What changed between when that linear park document was sent out and when this bill was introduced? Hon. M. Polak: Th e short answer is: absolutely noth- ing has changed. The amendment that is before the House right now will do absolutely nothing to change, aff ect or modify the park boundary adjustment policy. Th e member is correct.

At the time that that memo was sent out to industry, we were concerned that with the increasing interest on the land base, there were many proponents who had not, prior to this particular point in time, worked in British Columbia. In some cases they appeared to be unaware that we have a fairly rigorous and extensive approach to requests for the removal of land from parks. Anyone that looks at the memo that was sent out — or, indeed, looks at the policy — will see it is quite an oner- ous task to get through. Th is particular amendment does absolutely nothing to change that.

Th at policy and ap- proach remain in place. It is largely the same approach that was put in place fi rst in the year 2000. So it's long- standing. We intend to continue to not only impress upon pro- ponents the seriousness with which we take this process but also their obligations in terms of following the rules in British Columbia when it comes to their requests for movements of boundaries. S.

Chandra Herbert: Did the ministry or the govern- ment hear from any proponents for projects that they found the process too onerous, that they might not be able to do research or other activities in parks or that they would need to put forward boundary adjustments, between the time they sent the linear policy out and the introduction of this bill? If this is not the appropriate time to ask the question, I can go down further in the act. I'm happy for the min- ister to refer me down there to do that. Th e Chair: As the question appears to be on

section 3, are you having any further questions on sections 1 or 2? No.

Section 1 approved. On

section 2. [1130] S. Chandra Herbert: As people in this House will know, I'm been an advocate for the B.C. fi lm industry for quite some time and had, in a previous life, done some work in the fi lm industry. However, I'm also an advocate for parks and wild spaces and proper protection there. I understand this section. It relates to fi lm production. It would change how we treat fi lm production in B.C., in B.C. parks. My understanding is that it changes the act so it's no longer that you would have to prove that the fi lm activity…. As long as it's not detrimental to the rec- reational values of the park, that could proceed,

whereas the previous test was that the activity would have to be necessary to preserve or maintain the recreational val- ues of the park. Can the minister illustrate why the previous test was too detrimental or too diffi cult for fi lm companies to meet that test? Hon. M. Polak: Let's be clear. It actually doesn't alter the way that we have been working with the fi lm industry. Again, that's why we would consider this more of an ad- ministrative change than anything else.

What's changed is that we have been advised that the current test in the act, that being what the member just read out — "neces- sary to preserve or maintain the recreational values of the park involved" — left us open to challenge with respect to granting those permits. For anyone who is concerned…. I certainly had great fun, I should say, reading through this, because it's quite fascinating. If you take a look at the B.C. Parks website, the policy with respect to what the fi lm industry may or may not do — it goes all into explosions, special eff ects, but there's quite extensive instruction for them.

I say that only because I want to make it clear that it's not that in the intervening years staff didn't care about how fi lming impacted a park. It was that they thought there was suffi cient ability for them, suffi cient discre- tion, to grant these permits. We've since been advised that that's not the case. Having that knowledge, we need to correct the test so that the kind of commercial fi lm- ing that we think is very valuable for British Columbia and probably promotes a lot of our wild places in B.C. can continue. S.

Chandra Herbert: Is the minister aware of any fi lm- ing work that occurred in B.C. parks that was challenged, as the minister suggested was possible, under the previ- ous test, that this amendment would change? Hon. M. Polak: Th e complaints are very low. I'm ad- vised that we may or may not have had one particular challenge with respect to an explosion that took place. Nevertheless, part of our job is that if we are advised of a

British Columbia Debates2210 Thursday, March 13, 2014 legal issue with our legislation, then we have an obliga- tion to see that it is addressed as eff ectively and as quick- ly as we can. Again, part of the motivation for this is responding to that advice. Part of it also is recognizing that that be- comes more likely with the increase in activity that we expect we will be seeing. S. Chandra Herbert: Can the minister share what she means when she says that the increase of activity will be more likely? Have there been more applications for fi lm permits in parks? Is there a great desire to get into the parks?

Hon. M. Polak: I, along with the member, am always happy to see when our fi lm industry is successfully pro- ducing in British Columbia. We've seen that over the past fi ve years. We've seen 233 park use permits that have been issued for fi lm production. We average about 47 per year. [1135] We're seeing increased interest. Probably part of that is because of the dollar being low. I'll give you a sense of that: First Blood , The 13th Warrior , Twilight, The Lightning Th ief , Th e X Files , MacGyver, Double Jeopardy and the new Godzilla movie, which I'm told is to be re- leased in May.

I'm not particularly planning to see that, but for some of our monster fans…. Interjection. Hon. M. Polak: Maybe we should put it on the Sunshine Coast or something. Th at would be kind of fun. In any case, it is really about just considering what we expect to be increasing interest in the use of our parks, and we want to make sure that we have every legal pro- tection insofar as the decisions we're making. I should point out, because it's oft en forgotten, that that legal certainty cuts both ways, right?

If there is an instance where an application is made for a permit and the statutory decision-maker or I, as the minister, believe that the permit should not be granted, we want the legal certainty to be able to make that decision, as well, without the potential for challenge on the basis of the legislation. S. Chandra Herbert: Y es, I think the minister knows the fi lm industry. Langley is, of course, another hotbed for the fi lm activity. I've been out and met with a number of fi lm folks out that way. We may see an increase in fi lm activity due to the dol- lar.

Certainly I hope so, because I know there'd been a challenge in the real production and the actual physical production of fi lm — not quite so much on the techno- logical side, as much more is moved onto computers and out of physical landscapes with a resultant loss in jobs, in a sense, as technology has picked up where many, many people would have done the work before. But I under- stand that will also…. Sometimes you just cannot replace a park by using a green screen and a computer. I'm curious.

When we talk about "detrimental to the recreational values of the park" and that that will be the test that the minister has to decide upon, can the minis- ter share what "recreational values" means? Hon. M. Polak: The recreational values are really drawn from what the purpose of the park or the protect- ed area is and the kinds of things that people go there to enjoy when they recreate.

In the case of a class A park, the Park Act describes class A parks as "dedicated to the preservation of their natural environments for the in- spiration, use and enjoyment of the public." In the case of conservancies, they are set aside for a number of reasons: "(

a) for the protection and maintenance of their biological divers- ity and natural environments, (

b) for the preservation and main- tenance of social, ceremonial and cultural uses of fi rst nations, (

c) for protection and maintenance of their recreational values, and (

d) to ensure that development or use of their natural resources occurs in a sustainable manner consistent with the purposes of paragraphs (a), (

b) and (c)." Some of the things that the decision-maker would con- sider, in looking at a park use permit for fi lming. Th ey would look at occupying a portion of the park for a per- iod of time. How long do they need to have their sets there? How long does it take to set them up and take them down? Th ey would take a look at whether or not they had to temporarily close off an area of the park to public access while fi lm is occurring. Th ey would look at an impact like slowing down ac- cess to a park. If they had to redirect traffi c, what impact would that have?

If they had to temporarily alter some of the park facilities. Maybe they needed to change the signs so they could make it look like Y osemite Park or something like that. If there were increased noise levels for a short period of time, they'd evaluate that impact. Also, if they had to bring either domestic or exotic ani- mals into the park for a short period of time — in case they want to fi lm Jurassic Park. I guess those technically aren't animals because they're not actually real, but you never know, right? I hope that helps the member. [1140] S. Chandra Herbert: Y es.

I'm not aware of any existing dinosaurs that could be brought into a park that would suffi ce for a Jurassic Park remake, but you never know. Maybe up in Tumbler Ridge or something they'll fi nd one, one day. Certainly, incredible dinosaur footprints and skeletons and so on that they have identifi ed up in that area. Interjection. S. Chandra Herbert: I'm not going to repeat what the

British Columbia DebatesThursday, March 13, 2014 2211 member for Powell River–Sunshine Coast said. Hon. M. Polak: Come on. S. Chandra Herbert: "Oh, come on," she says. I could tell quite a story about…. I think the government on that side wanted at one time to designate a provincial fossil. I asked whether or not they were worried that some mem- bers might be nominated, but I didn't receive a response back from the minister — not this minister; a previous minister. Anyways, I digress. N. Simons: Y eah, you do. S. Chandra Herbert: Y es, I do. Th ank you.

I'm giving the minister time to catch her breath and not cough again. She's doing very well. I know she's been fi ghting a cold. I'm curious. Some have asked: "recreational values?" Recreational for many would assume…. Maybe it's play- ing sports, or maybe it's going for a hike or doing some- thing recreating in a park or a protected area, I suppose. Is there a thought to ecological values, or is that cap- tured when we talk about recreational values? Hon. M.

Polak: Th e defi nition that remains with re- spect to class A parks that I read out earlier — "dedicat- ed to the preservation of their natural environments for the inspiration, use and enjoyment of the public…." Th at phrase becomes the background for any decision made with respect to activities in parks. It certainly is considered in the granting of park use permits, but also is considered in the overall mainten- ance. And, as one observes what takes place in a park, it certainly would prohibit a signifi cant number of ac- tivities.

Obviously, there's a big diff erence between creating a baseball diamond in the middle of a pristine area versus a couple of people standing in a grass meadow and play- ing Frisbee. Th ere's discretion certainly involved, but a fundamen- tal part of our management of parks is to consider fi rst and foremost the purpose of the park, and that is fairly clear in 5(3). M. Elmore: May I seek leave to make an introduction? Leave granted. Introductions by Members M. Elmore: I'm very pleased today to welcome stu- dents from John Oliver high school in Vancouver, mem- bers of the Take a Hike program.

Y ou can see them up there. Y ou may be familiar with Take a Hike. It's an inter- nationally acclaimed program. Th ere was a documentary on the CBC. It's a unique program, only off ered at John Oliver, a partnership between Vancouver school board and the Take a Hike Foundation. It brings together adventure-based learning, academ- ics and community involvement. It's a great model. It has shown great success for grades 11 and 12 students, and they're here joining us today on their tour of the Legislature. Twenty students are joined by adults Tim Gale, Klaus Klein and Liane Langton.

Th ey wanted me to share that they recently attended a camping trip. Th ey went to Tetrahedron in Sechelt. Th e group slept one night in a cabin, one night in a tent and one night in a snow cave. I asked them if it was cold. Th ey said they were warm enough. Th en they also went to Elfi n Lakes — two nights in a tent and one night in a snow cave, and it was snowing so hard that it collapsed the tent, and they woke up. I think it really characterizes them as hard core. I want- ed to share that and congratulate them. Th ey also com- pleted a ten-day hiking and camping trip in Pemberton.

I'd like to ask everyone to please make them feel very welcome. Debate Continued S. Chandra Herbert: I think that's great. It's perfect that the students from John Oliver Secondary are here while we're discussing the Park Act. Th e Take a Hike pro- gram is one that I think is very valuable.

Of course, as we discuss parks and how we treat our parks, it's valuable — I hope — or of some basic interest to the students above, because that's what we're discussing today. [1145] We're currently discussing, for the students' benefi t, how fi lm activity could occur in our parks — whether it's fi lming for Godzilla, or it could even be Jurassic Park. Th at would be of interest. I'm jealous of the students. Sometimes members on the opposite side might tell me to take a hike when I ask questions, and sometimes I wish that I really could just go take a hike. It would help calm tensions in this place.

I'm curious in terms of fi lm activity. Th e minister dis- cussed some of the tests that the ministry has to take be- fore they decide to allow a permit for fi lm activity to go ahead. Is there ever…? I know in Vancouver, where I live, there are oft en noti- fi cation requirements for the public so that they don't drive for hours, in the case of some parks, only to arrive at a park where they think there'll be complete quiet and discover an explosion or something like that occurring for a fi lm activity. What are the requirements for public notifi cation and — in some cases, I would imagine — public consultation?

Hon. M. Polak: I'll start with the simplest part of the answer, and then I'm going to go and overcomplicate it

British Columbia Debates2212 Thursday, March 13, 2014 for you. Th e simplest part of the answer is that it really depends on the type of activity that they are seeking to have per- mitted. If it happens to be, for the sake of argument, one person with a camera who takes a 30-second shot of the heroine of the fi lm standing on a cliff , it probably doesn't need a big, broad bunch of notifi cations to the residents who might live within a 20-mile radius. On the other hand, if one was going to…. I'm told that, although I fi nd it interesting to read about explo- sions in fi lms, they're very rarely allowed in parks.

One can imagine why. But if one was to do something like…. We actually have a specifi c

section on artifi cial snow, be- lieve it or not. Maybe helicopters are going to be buzz- ing overhead if you're going to fi lm Red Dawn again or something like that. If you go to the extent where there's some very major activity with noise, maybe with traffi c, then you would increase your requirements around notifi cation and con- sultation. Th ose can actually be written into the permit as well. We could. We have the discretion.

Based on what the fi lm company is asking to do, we could even say with- in the permit: "Y es, you're permitted to do this, but you must take the following steps." For example, within some of the policy that you can look at — and I would encourage people to look on the B.C. Parks website — there's a whole

section on public consideration and safety that deals with having an appro- priate number of people who are there purely for safety reasons, the operation of radios, a safety manual plan, search and rescue signs. So it's quite extensive. [1150] Th e short answer is: it really depends on the type of park use permit that is being applied for. Y ou'll see that refl ected as we get onto the further con- versations in among research too.

Th e permitting pro- cess, whether it's here with respect to park use permits or even if you take a look at permits granted under FLNRO or Energy and Mines, is dependent upon the applica- tion. Th en the response is designed to take into account the extent to which that permit requires mitigation or requires other activities to ensure that nothing harmful takes place. S. Chandra Herbert: I agree with the minister. Explosions are rare occurrences in fi lm, becoming rarer these days as digital technology has allowed people to reduce costs and oft en explode things on computers.

I have a certain interest in that question. I used to, for a short while, work as a pyrotechnician in another life, in Vancouver parks, with a small charity for festivals. We could talk about that at another date or time. Th e Chair: Perhaps that would be in order. S. Chandra Herbert: Sorry, hon. Chair. He's drawing me back to the bill. Anyways, I wonder. For those residents…. I've heard from them. When they heard this discussion of this bill and this

section around commercial fi lming, they ex- pressed some concern that I, as an Environment critic — or advocate, as I think we could say — would fi nd it somewhat unacceptable that we would have fi lming in our parks. Just for the benefi t of people who are concerned about this issue, what kind of revenue does the park system raise from fi lm permits, and where does that money go to? Does it stay with parks? Hon. M. Polak: Th e revenue isn't hugely signifi cant. Th e application fee for all fi lming is $500 plus applicable taxes.

Th e permit fee for a minor shoot is $100, and a ma- jor shoot is $500, or $100 per day, whichever is greater, plus applicable taxes. Th ere may be other fees that apply, depending on what activities they're engaged in. Th at money, that revenue — which is generally the practice in all other areas of per- mitting — goes to the consolidated revenue fund. S. Chandra Herbert: Well, there is that cost to the fi lmmaker but revenue comes into the consolidated rev- enue fund.

I understand in some cities they would, in a park-like setting, assign park rangers or police or others to be on site and then charge that amount back to the fi lm company. Are there any requirements like that in B.C. Parks? Hon. M. Polak: Th ey very oft en are required to have on-site monitors. Again, that's another

section in loca- tion monitoring. But when they are required to have those, they oft en hire park rangers. Th ey have to pay for them. Th ey're required to foot the bill for that. Noting the hour, I move that the committee rise, report progress and seek leave to sit again. Motion approved. Th e committee rose at 11:54 a.m. [1155] Th e House resumed; Madame Speaker in the chair. Committee of the Whole (Section B), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again. Committee of Supply (Section A), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again. Hon. M. Polak moved adjournment of the House. Motion approved.

British Columbia DebatesThursday, March 13, 2014 2213 Madame Speaker: Th is House, at its rising, stands ad- journed until 1:30 this aft ernoon. Th e House adjourned at 11:56 a.m. PROCEEDINGS IN THE DOUGLAS FIR ROOM Committee of Supply ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT (continued) Th e House in Committee of Supply (Section A); M. Dalton in the chair. Th e committee met at 11:12 a.m. On Vote 16: ministry operations, $1,356,419,000 (con- tinued). Hon. S.

Cadieux: Before we get started with questions today, the member yesterday asked a question relating to the last time the child and youth with special needs budget was increased. We have that answer for you now. Th ere was a series of increases between '05-06 and 2008-09, with the last lift in 2008-09 of $4 million, but the cumulative lift over those four years was $34 million. C. James: Just to clarify those numbers, we were talk- ing at that point about special needs programs outside of the autism area.

Do those lift s include the autism area, or are those lift s to special needs programs outside of the demand-driven programs? Th at was the specifi c question. Hon. S. Cadieux: Y es, this is outside of the demand- driven programs. C. James: Perhaps we can go back to the mental health area then, where we left yesterday. We were speaking about the new beds at Maples, and the minister con- fi rmed that those beds were not in place, as was commit- ted to in the fall. Th ey were going to be in place at the end of April and, hopefully, open by the end of April.

Th ere was a second additional piece that the minister committed to back in July, where she said, from estimates, that that would be followed up by fi ve regional centres with four to six beds each, which would be available for children with high complex needs, mental health needs as well. Could the minister speak about those regional beds and where they are in the budget? [1115] Hon. S.

Cadieux: Y es, as I mentioned yesterday, as well, we will be looking to open those additional sites around the province for secondary level of care, aft er children have been stabilized at the Maples, just to return them to or closer to their home communities. We plan to have two sites of those fi ve identifi ed by the end of this fi scal year, so the end of this month, and operational by June of this year, followed by the three fi nal additional sites by the end of '14-15. As far as the costs associated with that, it's the same strategy as we were discussing yesterday.

We know that some of these children that have very complex care needs require diff erent interventions. We've had some great success with complex care interventions in some of our service delivery areas. What we're doing is centralizing the more intensive interventions in a provincial resource and a number of regional resources. Th ese will be used as intensive inter- ventions, aft er which the children and youth will be re- turned to their home communities, and we anticipate at that time needing less expensive interventions in those communities than they do today.

Furthermore, we'll have outreach workers in com- munities who can provide ongoing interventions to those children and youth, still without needing the more ex- pensive residential arrangements that we have in place today or that we will have in community and complex care resources when the full suite of six facilities is open. C. James: I know the minister made mention of this as well when we were talking about the Maples beds, and, in fact, when we were talking about special needs.

New initiatives, new programs that are being put in place in the ministry, it seems, can always be found by fi nding money somewhere else. Well, I just don't understand, and I certainly don't think the public out there understands, how on earth we could look at adding four to six beds in fi ve regions, an additional number of beds at Maples and not have to add additional resources into the budget. It makes absolutely no sense. I understand the minister saying that there are more cost-eff ective approaches, but the number of children who need to be served continues to remain.

Th e num- ber of children who move out of Maples, as the minister said yesterday, will go back into the community and will need supports. It doesn't make logical sense not to have some additional money in the budget. Four to six beds in fi ve regions, an additional number of beds in Maples will simply means squeezing the money from somewhere else. I think that is a huge concern and certainly something that we're tracking.

I appreciate that the minister says the ministry is looking to open these beds and will have two sites up and running, but the commitment in July was that the Maples beds would be open in the fall and the regional beds would follow. Now we're a year later, and we're still looking at opening up those beds.

British Columbia Debates2214 Thursday, March 13, 2014 I think it's a continued pattern that is a big concern in this ministry, where promises and commitments are made, resources don't back them up, staffi ng doesn't back them up, and the timelines don't back them up. I want to ask another couple of questions specifi c to Maples and the issue of staff violence that has occurred over the last while. As we all know, the staff raised a num- ber of concerns around violence issues in Maples. Just one specifi c concern that they raised was regarding panic buttons.

Th e minister said that the panic buttons were in place when they, in fact, weren't. I wonder if the minister could tell us why she wasn't aware of those specifi c issues in Maples when they were raised publicly. [1120] Hon. S. Cadieux: Previously, when WorkSafe issues occurred, notifi cation was posted at the worksite, and therefore we were not necessarily aware that there were issues in any particular circumstance. When this issue was raised through the media, obviously, it was extremely concerning because safety of staff and clients is equally important.

Right away I and my deputy went to visit the facility and investigate for ourselves what the situation was and, in fact, have taken a number of steps since then to en- sure that not only are all of the situations that were be- ing raised were addressed but, in fact, have taken steps to assure that any WorkSafe issues that occur not only at Maples but anywhere else, any other ministry site, are raised immediately to the attention of the ADM respon- sible for service so that can be monitored and the solu- tions implemented forthwith.

As it relates to the specifi c concerns at Maples around panic alarms, it was my understanding at that time that everyone had them. When I both learned that they didn't and, more importantly , went to see them myself and didn't personally feel that was necessarily adequate, I directed the deputy to fi rst ensure that everybody at the Maples, in the Crossroads and the rest of the Maples fa- cility, does indeed have individual personal panic alarms. Th e Crossroads facility does, in addition, have the walkie- talkie situation and 2-to-1 staffi ng for that so that the staff are never alone.

In addition, I directed that 24-hour security be avail- able on site and that that security on a go-forward would be trained in non-violent crisis intervention to be able to assist with restraints if required. All of those things are now underway or in place. Th e training for the guards is taking, I think, until the end of this week, but they are on staff now. [1125] I don't believe these, necessarily, are the longer-term fi x. But the last WorkSafe order is one that will take long- er.

WorkSafe has not put a time limit on it because it is dependent on the joint occupational health and safety committee coming up with some recommendations and some longer-term plans when they do report out. Indeed, if there are additional measures that can be taken or that they wish to have taken, we will be looking at those and having those implemented. C. James: Just so I'm clear from the minister, then, when there are violent incidents at facilities, that infor- mation will now go directly to the ministry and won't just remain at the worksite.

Just to follow up on one specifi c question around the walkie-talkies and the panic buttons. Is the minister look- ing — or is the facility looking, through the ministry — at having a wired-in security system? I think some very valid concerns were raised by staff that holding a pan- ic alarm when you're attacked…. Obviously, the panic alarm can be thrown aside. Holding a walkie-talkie when you're attacked…. Th e walkie-talkie can be thrown aside. In most facilities, for true security, you have a wired-in panic button. Y ou hit your panic button, and it goes to a main security person, who comes in.

Is there a plan at this point to look at a wired-in secur- ity system to provide safety? Hon. S. Cadieux: I agree with the concerns that she raised or the potential issues there. In fact, that was one of the things that I recognized when I was there. Th e Maples is, however, a unique facility in its size. Th erefore, some of the things that work well in other fa- cilities and that in fact are in place in, for example, youth justice facilities or larger hospitals don't necessarily work in the environment that we are looking at, at Maples.

Th e fi rst thing that the joint occupational health and safety committee is doing is looking at what would make sense within their work environment and making recom- mendations. At that point, we can look at implementing those recommendations. Indeed, if we — myself and the deputy — don't feel that those are even adequate or ad- dressed, we can go further. C. James: We heard the incidents that were going on around staff -and-client or staff -and-youth violence.

Could the minister tell me the rate of youth-on-youth violence and whether we've also seen an increase in those kinds of violent incidences at the Maples? Hon. S. Cadieux: In terms of a number, we'll get you that. We don't have that. What I can tell you is that when the deputy and I were there, we did discuss that issue with the staff .

I'm sure the member can understand, as well, that it is highly dependent upon the individual youth at the facility at any given time and their particu- lar challenges. [1130] Individual risk assessment plans and safety plans are, in fact, worked up for each individual youth at some points in time. Depending on the residents, there is more

British Columbia DebatesThursday, March 13, 2014 2215 risk of that occurring, and at other times there is little risk of that occurring. Th at is a client-by-client assessment. We'll get you the numbers — the most recent, anyway. C. James: Are those incidents required to be reported to the representative? And if so, were they? Hon. S. Cadieux: Absolutely. We're absolutely confi - dent that that is the case if it is a child in care. If the child, however, is in the Crossroads unit at the Maples as a re- sult of a referral from the review board, we are not 100 percent certain.

We will confi rm that and respond to you. C. James: Thank you, Minister. The minister men- tioned the ratio of 2 to 1 in one area of the Maples. Has that staffi ng ratio changed over the last year, and is that change to address some of the issues of violence? [1135] Hon. S. Cadieux: Because the Crossroads unit is specifi c to young people who have committed violent off ences but who are not deemed able to stand trial…. Th ey're oft en with us for a long period of time until, per- haps, they can be transferred, at 18, to a federal circum- stance.

Th ere is in that unit always a higher staffi ng ratio — 2 to 1 in that unit. Th at would vary at the diff erent parts of Maples that are not youth forensic facilities. C. James: I understand, as the minister said, that par- ticular…. But there's been no change compared to other years. Th ank you. Has there been any discussion or any plan put togeth- er or any requests from other parts of government to the ministry to sell the land that Maples is on or to sell Maples itself? Hon. S. Cadieux: Th e short answer is yes. Th e area where the Maples is, is being considered as a potential sale.

Th at said, any detail around that — the timing of that or more detailed questions about that — would better be directed at the Ministry of Technology and Innovation, as they are responsible for that process. What I can tell you is that there's a consultant that's been meeting with stakeholders to ask questions or seek advice on potential relocation sites or ideas, looking at suitability requirements for physical plant, and so on. C. James: So the plan is to sell the land and the build- ing — to sell the entire site — and to look for a new site, then, for Maples? [1140] Hon. S.

Cadieux: Y es, that is our understanding. Any such move, though, would likely be a couple of years down the road. Th e ministry will have input into any po- tential relocation site. C. James: It has certainly been rumoured out there. I think it's important for the ministry to look at that kind of planning time period. As we saw from the previous section…. We were talking about beds that were going to be put in place and weren't ever put in place. I would hope, if they're actually looking at a land sale, that it will be a good facility, that it will be a facility that makes sense.

I know there are lots of challenges with the existing Maples, but I would hope that it would be a facil- ity

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20140313am-Hansard-v8n4
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20140313am Hansard v8n4
Language	en
Format	pdf
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