British Columbia Hansard — 27 February 2020, a.m., Issue 317 (41st Parliament, 5th Session)

20200227am-Hansard-n317

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fifth Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Thursday, February 27, 2020 Morning Sitting Issue No. 317 THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC Fifth Session, 41st Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Darryl Plecas EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance............................................................................................................................Hon.

Carole James Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training..................................................................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Minister of Agriculture.........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General.................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ............................................................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Minister of State for Child Care...................................................................................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services...................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Anne Kang Minister of Education ............................................................................................................................................................ Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources ..................................................................................................... Hon. Bruce Ralston Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy............................................................................................. Hon.

George Heyman Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development ..............................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Minister of Health .....................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon.

Scott Fraser Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness.............................................................................Hon. Michelle Mungall Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon. George Chow Minister of Labour ...................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions............................................................................................................................ Hon. Judy Darcy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.................................................................................................................. Hon. Selina Robinson Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ........................................................................................................... Hon.

Mike Farnworth Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction..............................................................................................Hon. Shane Simpson Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.....................................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure................................................................................................................ Hon.

Claire Trevena LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition................................................................................................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Leader of the Third Party .................................................................................................................................................................Adam Olsen Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Assistant Deputy Speaker............................................................................................................................................................. Simon Gibson Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ................................................................................................................ Spencer Chandra Herbert Acting Clerk of the Legislative Assembly...............................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Clerk Assistant — Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ..........................................................................................Susan Sourial Associate Law Clerk ..............................................................................................................................................Loredana Catalli-Sonier, QC Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel............................................................................................................................................ S.

Suzie Seo Acting Sergeant-at-Arms..................................................................................................................................................................Greg Nelson

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal) ......................................................................... Penticton Bains, Hon. Harry (NDP)................................................................ Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) .....................................................Cariboo-Chilcotin Beare, Hon. Lisa (NDP)..............................................

Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry (NDP) .......................................................................Surrey-Guildford Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal) .........................................................Peace River South Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal)...........................................Prince George–Valemount Brar, Jagrup (NDP).......................................................................Surrey-Fleetwood Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal)........................................................

Surrey South Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) .......................................Vancouver–West End Chen, Hon. Katrina (NDP)...................................................... Burnaby-Lougheed Chouhan, Raj (NDP) .................................................................Burnaby-Edmonds Chow, Hon. George (NDP).................................................Vancouver-Fraserview Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal) ..................................Columbia River–Revelstoke Coleman, Rich (BC Liberal) ................................................................ Langley East Conroy, Hon.

Katrine (NDP)...........................................................Kootenay West Darcy, Hon. Judy (NDP) ............................................................. New Westminster Davies, Dan (BC Liberal) ........................................................... Peace River North de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal) ..............................................Abbotsford West Dean, Mitzi (NDP)................................................................ Esquimalt-Metchosin D’Eith, Bob (NDP) ................................................................Maple Ridge–Mission Dix, Hon.

Adrian (NDP)....................................................... Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Hon. Doug (NDP)...................................................................... Stikine Eby, Hon. David, QC (NDP).............................................. Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP).........................................................Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike (NDP) ........................................................Port Coquitlam Fleming, Hon. Rob (NDP) ......................................................

Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal).............................................................Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Hon. Scott (NDP) ..................................................Mid Island–Pacific Rim Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) .............................................Cowichan Valley Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) ...................................................Abbotsford-Mission Glumac, Rick (NDP).........................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Heyman, Hon. George (NDP) ................................................Vancouver-Fairview Horgan, Hon.

John (NDP) ................................................ Langford–Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ........................................................ Surrey-Cloverdale Isaacs, Joan (BC Liberal) .......................................... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain James, Hon. Carole (NDP).................................................... Victoria–Beacon Hill Johal, Jas (BC Liberal).................................................Richmond-Queensborough Kahlon, Ravi (NDP)............................................................................... Delta North Kang, Hon.

Anne (NDP)......................................................... Burnaby–Deer Lake Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)..............................................................................Shuswap Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) .............................................. Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Michael (BC Liberal) ........................................................Vancouver-Langara Leonard, Ronna-Rae (NDP) ..................................................... Courtenay-Comox Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal).............................................

Kelowna–Lake Country Ma, Bowinn (NDP) .....................................................North Vancouver–Lonsdale Malcolmson, Sheila (NDP) ........................................................................Nanaimo Mark, Hon. Melanie (NDP) .......................................Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal)....................................................................... Chilliwack Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal)..................................... Kamloops–North Thompson Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ........................................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Hon.

Michelle (NDP)......................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal) ............................................................ Cariboo North Olsen, Adam (BC Green Party)............................ Saanich North and the Islands Paton, Ian (BC Liberal).......................................................................... Delta South Plecas, Hon. Darryl (Ind.) ........................................................... Abbotsford South Polak, Mary (BC Liberal) ............................................................................. Langley Popham, Hon.

Lana (NDP)............................................................... Saanich South Ralston, Hon. Bruce (NDP) ............................................................Surrey-Whalley Redies, Tracy (BC Liberal) .......................................................Surrey–White Rock Reid, Linda (BC Liberal) ................................................. Richmond South Centre Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ............................................................................. North Coast Robinson, Hon.

Selina (NDP) .........................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal)................................................................................... Skeena Routledge, Janet (NDP) ....................................................................Burnaby North Routley, Doug (NDP) ................................................. Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, John (BC Liberal) ................................................................Nechako Lakes Shypitka, Tom (BC Liberal) ..............................................................

Kootenay East Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ......................................... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Hon. Shane (NDP)..................................................Vancouver-Hastings Sims, Jinny (NDP) ........................................................................ Surrey-Panorama Singh, Rachna (NDP) .........................................................Surrey–Green Timbers Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal) ................................................................. Kelowna West Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal)...............................................

Parksville-Qualicum Stone, Todd (BC Liberal)..........................................Kamloops–South Thompson 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 Thomson, Steve (BC Liberal)......................................................

Kelowna-Mission Thornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ...............................North Vancouver–Seymour Throness, Laurie (BC Liberal) .......................................................Chilliwack-Kent Trevena, Hon. Claire (NDP) ................................................................North Island Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal) ................................................. Richmond North Centre Weaver, Dr.

Andrew (Ind.)................................................Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal) ................................Vancouver-Quilchena Y ap, John (BC Liberal)............................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission............................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South....................................................................... Hon. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West......................................................................

Michael de Jong, QC Boundary-Similkameen...................................................................... Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake....................................................................... Hon. Anne Kang Burnaby-Edmonds................................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Burnaby North .................................................................................

Janet Routledge Cariboo-Chilcotin .............................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North.................................................................................... Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ............................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Kent ...............................................................................Laurie Throness Columbia River–Revelstoke .........................................................

Doug Clovechok Coquitlam–Burke Mountain.................................................................. Joan Isaacs Coquitlam-Maillardville ...................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson Courtenay-Comox................................................................... Ronna-Rae Leonard Cowichan Valley .............................................................................

Sonia Furstenau Delta North.............................................................................................Ravi Kahlon Delta South ..................................................................................................Ian Paton Esquimalt-Metchosin ..............................................................................Mitzi Dean Fraser-Nicola .........................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Kamloops–North Thompson .............................................................Peter Milobar Kamloops–South Thompson..................................................................Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country .....................................................................Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission ..............................................................................

Steve Thomson Kelowna West ..........................................................................................Ben Stewart Kootenay East.......................................................................................Tom Shypitka Kootenay West........................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Langford–Juan de Fuca .............................................................. Hon. John Horgan Langley .....................................................................................................

Mary Polak Langley East.........................................................................................Rich Coleman Maple Ridge–Mission.............................................................................. Bob D’Eith Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows............................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim................................................................ Hon. Scott Fraser Nanaimo......................................................................................

Sheila Malcolmson Nanaimo–North Cowichan............................................................... Doug Routley Nechako Lakes........................................................................................ John Rustad Nelson-Creston ................................................................... Hon. Michelle Mungall New Westminster........................................................................... Hon. Judy Darcy North Coast ...........................................................................................

Jennifer Rice North Island.............................................................................. Hon. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale................................................................... Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour........................................................Jane Thornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head............................................................Dr.

Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum.......................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ................................................................................... Dan Davies Peace River South ................................................................................ Mike Bernier Penticton ................................................................................................. Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam...................................................................... Hon.

Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam.......................................................................Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast....................................................... Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie....................................................................Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount ..................................................................

Shirley Bond Richmond North Centre..........................................................................Teresa Wat Richmond-Queensborough.........................................................................Jas Johal Richmond South Centre ......................................................................... Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ...................................................................................

John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands .............................................................Adam Olsen Saanich South .............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Shuswap...................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo Skeena........................................................................................................... Ellis Ross Stikine....................................................................................Hon.

Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ................................................................................ Marvin Hunt Surrey-Fleetwood.....................................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers........................................................................Rachna Singh Surrey-Guildford......................................................................................Garry Begg Surrey-Newton ..............................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ...................................................................................... Jinny Sims Surrey South ................................................................................ Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Whalley ......................................................................... Hon. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock .............................................................................. Tracy Redies Vancouver-Fairview.............................................................. Hon.

George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek........................................................................ Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview...............................................................Hon. George Chow Vancouver-Hastings ............................................................... Hon. Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington....................................................................... Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..................................................................... Hon.

Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara................................................................................ Michael Lee Vancouver–Mount Pleasant..................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey ............................................................Hon.

David Eby, QC Vancouver-Quilchena........................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Vancouver–West End .....................................................Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee ....................................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill.................................................................. Hon. Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake.................................................................... Hon. Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano...................................................................

Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky................................................................Jordan Sturdy Party Standings: BC Liberal 42; NDP 41; Independent 2; BC Green Party 2

CONTENTS Thursday, February 27, 2020 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members................................................................................................................................................... 11279 Statements .............................................................................................................................................................................. 11279 B.C. Winter Games Indigenous pin design by Aidyn Abel D.

Davies Introductions by Members................................................................................................................................................... 11279 Introduction and First Reading of Bills.............................................................................................................................. 11280 Bill 13 — Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2020 Hon. D.

Eby Statements (Standing Order 25B) ....................................................................................................................................... 11280 Small Business Awards and businesses in West Vancouver–Sea to Sky area J. Sturdy Coldest Night of the Y ear fundraising walk M. Dean Island Good and promotion of local products on Vancouver Island M. Stilwell Squamish Nation housing development in Vancouver B. Ma Tricia Datene S. Furstenau Wounded Warriors fundraising run S.

Malcolmson Oral Questions....................................................................................................................................................................... 11283 University of Victoria staff and student society involvement in protests J. Johal Hon. M. Farnworth Hon. J. Horgan M. Polak LNG Canada project and government relationship with Wet’suwet’ en Nation A. Olsen Hon. S. Fraser Activation of Aboriginal Affairs Committee A. Olsen Hon. J. Horgan Property tax assessment increases and proposed legislation T. Stone Hon. S. Robinson J.

Thornthwaite Forest industry tenure transfer in Clearwater area P . Milobar Hon. D. Donaldson Retirement bridging program for forest workers D. Barnett Hon. H. Bains Orders of the Day Budget Debate(continued) .................................................................................................................................................. 11288 S. Cadieux Hon. C. James

THURSDAY , FEBRUARY 27, 2020 The House met at 10:06 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers and reflections: S. Malcolmson. Introductions by Members Hon. D. Eby: I’m pleased to rise to introduce guests from MoveUP who are here in the gallery today. I see some of them across from me here this morning. MoveUP represents more than 12,000 union members from public and private sector companies in western Canada. Certainly, ICBC is among them but not exclus- ively the members that they represent.

They work with community groups to ensure that the public and elected government officials understand the value that unions bring to B.C. ’s economy. With us are today are David Black, Lori Mayhew, Annette Toth, Christy Slusarenko, Melissa Maher, Brenda Chu, Gunter Seifert, Colin Clark, Daniel Fung, Kim Chartier, Safar Alikhani, Hani Dakkak, Glenn Redding, Jen Anthony and Todd Haupmann. Would the House please join me in offering them a warm welcome to the House today. M.

Stilwell:Joining us in the House today are Mark Smith, board chairman, and Katie Bishop, board director, of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance. VIEA is a non-government, non-profit organization focused on eco- nomic development. I’m sure many members in the House are familiar with the annual Vancouver Island economic summit. It’s also behind the initiative of Island Good, which brands Island-produced goods. I’m also happy to introduce representatives from Qual- ity Foods: Noel Hayward, president and CEO; Bob McK- itchie, marketing consultant; and Colin Johnston, the dir- ector of meats and delis.

Quality Foods is one of the gro- cery stores that was on board with the Island Good initiat- ive from the start. Would the House please join me in extending a warm welcome to our guests. T. Shypitka: It’s always exciting when I have some guests from the Kootenays show up, and today is a great day for me. We’ve got some folks here from the Kootenays — big political heavy hitters, I guess you might call them. In the gallery, we’ve got the mayor of Fernie, Ange Qualizza; we’ve got the CAO of Fernie, Michael Boro- nowski; and the CAO from Sparwood, Michele Schalekamp.

Also, somewhere roaming around in the precinct, we’ve got Mayor David Wilks from the city of Sparwood; Mike Sosnowski, the area A director for the RDEK; and Steve Fairbairn, councillor for the city of Elkford. Would the House please give them a warm welcome. Hon. B. Ralston: It gives me distinct pleasure to introduce to the House Adrien Sala, who is an MLA in Manitoba. He was first elected in the recent election, 2019, and is MLA for St. James in the heart of Winnipeg city. He’s the opposition critic for Manitoba Hydro; Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis; and Efficiency Manitoba.

He’s also a songwriter and musician who has performed at local venues and festivals. [10:10 a.m.] He’s visiting the precinct this week to learn about the great work the government of British Columbia is doing through B.C. Hydro and our CleanBC programs to achieve our clean, sustainable energy objectives. Please join me in welcoming Adrien Sala. Statements B.C. WINTER GAMES INDIGENOUS PIN DESIGN BY AIDYN ABEL D. Davies:As you are all aware, Fort St. John has just completed hosting a very, very successful 2020 B.C. Winter Games.

I’ d like to thank the 2,000 volunteers and 1,500 athletes and all the sponsors that made the games such a success. I’ d like to introduce one young gentleman, nine-year- old Aidyn, who is a member of the West Moberly First Nations living in Fort St. John. During this year’s games, Pembina Pipeline had a competition with Indigenous communities of the area to create an Indigenous Winter Games pin, which I’m wearing here today. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to use props, but anyway….

They sent out a call to Indigenous communities for the youth to create and develop some artwork around this pin, and of course, Aidyn won the competition. After speaking with Aidyn and Pembina, we decided that I would bring a few of these pins back with a little write-up and some of the original artwork, and I’ll be providing those for the Premier, the minister of sport and our critic, the Leader of the Opposition, as well as the Third Party. Would the House please give Aidyn a big round of applause for his accomplishment. Introductions by Members E.

Ross: It’s a great pleasure to introduce three guests today from my constituency — one that used to be a con- stituency member but has moved to the region of the Kamloops twins. We all know the Kamloops twins there, the MLAs from the Kamloops area. He’s now a constituent. Sid Peltier is an entrepreneur, semi-retired, but he was 11279

also a member of the Aboriginal Business Investment Council when I was the inaugural chair of the Aborigin- al Business Investment Council. He’s a gentleman, and he’s actually applying to be a senator for this great coun- try of Canada. The other two guests are Barb Campbell, a great com- munity member back in Kitimat, a huge volunteer. She’s all over the place in Kitimat. She’s here with her friend, Marika Czink. Will the House please join me in welcoming my three guests to the Legislature. S. Malcolmson:I want to reinforce the welcome to Vancouver Island Economic Alliance.

They’re based in Nanaimo, doing groundbreaking work that benefits all the MLAs on all of Vancouver Island, working on devel- oping innovative business cases, innovative forms of facilitating trade, reinforcing the markets for local foods and bringing all leaders on Vancouver Island together in a hugely successful economic summit that happens every fall. We’re grateful for their work and welcome them to the Legislature. B. Ma:I believe he was already introduced by the Attor- ney General as part of the MoveUP delegation, but I would love to welcome Gunter Seifert here to the House today.

He and his husband live in the riding I represent, known as North Vancouver–Lonsdale. Thank you so much for join- ing us here in the House today. Would the House please join me in welcoming him. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 13 — MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2020 Hon. D. Eby presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2020. Hon. D. Eby: I move the bill be introduced and read a first time now. I’m pleased to introduce Bill 13, the Miscellaneous Stat- utes Amendment Act, 2020.

This bill amends the following statutes: the Adoption Act; the Assessment Act; the Build- ing Act; the E-Health (Personal Health Information Access and Protection of Privacy) Act; the Evidence Act; the Fam- ily Maintenance Enforcement Act; the Family Law Act; the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act; the Interjurisdic- tional Support Orders Act; the Labour Mobility Act; the Land Owner Transparency Act; the Land Title Act; the Land Title and Survey Authority Act; the Lobbyists Regis- tration Amendment Act, 2018; the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3), 2010; the Motor Vehicle Act; the New Relationship Trust Act; the Pharmaceutical Services Act; the Supreme Court Act; the Trespass Act; the Vital Statistics Act; and the Water Sustainability Act.

I will be pleased to elaborate on the nature of these amendments during second reading of this bill. [10:15 a.m.] Mr. Speaker:The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. D. Eby: I move that this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. Bill 13, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2020, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Statements (Standing Order 25B) SMALL BUSINESS AW ARDS AND BUSINESSES IN WEST V ANCOUVER–SEA TO SKY AREA J. Sturdy:As you know, small business drives the eco- nomy of British Columbia. West Vancouver–Sea to Sky is no exception. Last Friday I attended the 17th annual Small Business Awards in Vancouver with a table of guests from West Vancouver–Sea to Sky. This annual event celebrates and recognizes small business and presents best-of awards in eight different categories. West Vancouver–Sea to Sky was well represented, as it typically is.

It is impressive to see such diversity, innovation and creativity in the region and from across the province. There were ten companies from the communities of Whistler, Squamish and Bowen Island recognized as nom- inees during the awards review process. These nominees included: from Whistler, the Whistler Staging Co., The Velvet Underground, Sea to Sky Sourdough, Lighthouse Visionary Strategies, and Space coworking; from Squam- ish, Skin Focus and Squamish Water Kefir; from Bowen Island, Tell Y our Friends Cafe.

The Squamish Connector and theSḵwálwen Botanic- als, both from Squamish, were nominees as well as top five finalists. Transportation, food and beverage, health and wellness, retail, the sharing economy and consulting services were all represented. As a small business owner myself, I know the commit- ment, the risks, the adaptability required and involved in running a small business. Y ou may need to be a strategic planner, an accountant, an HR problem-solver and a plumber all on the same day. Y ou need to be ready to deal 11280 British Columbia Debates Thursday, February 27, 2020

with customers and banks and government bureaucracies or any one of a thousand other details. I’m certain the House shares my respect for all small business risk-takers. I especially would like to recognize those entrepreneurs from West Vancouver–Sea to Sky. Y ou’re trail-blazers, innovators and, above all, doers. Y ou enrich your neighbourhoods and fuel the economy of British Columbia. Thank you for your hard work. Congratulations to all nominees, finalists and winners from across the province. COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR FUNDRAISING W ALK M.

Dean:February 22 is the Coldest Night of the Y ear, an opportunity to raise dollars for charities that serve hungry, homeless and hurting people in 136 communities across Canada through a friendly national walkathon. This year our community held its first one on the West Shore. The walk started at Langford fire hall, with options of two, five and ten kilometres. Members of our com- munity warmed up with a hot drink, Coldest Night of the Y ear toques and some exercises.

Participants were walking this year to raise funds for two organizations who do so much for our community: Our Place Society and Pacific Centre Family Services Association. Our Place offers some of greater Victoria’s most vulner- able citizens a home, nourishment and hope through liv- ing, sharing, learning and worshipping together. Our Place operates a therapeutic community in View Royal. Pacific Centre Family Services Association has been promoting dignity and quality of life for families and indi- viduals on the West Shore for more than 50 years through education, counselling and creative programming.

They offer a wide range of vital services for people dealing with trauma, substance use, mental health issues and daily life challenges. We are so grateful to Our Place and Pacific Centre Fam- ily Services Association for their incredible service over so many years. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy to participate, organize and raise money for the Coldest Night of the Y ear. Thanks, especially, to the volunteers, donors, walkers, team captains and sponsors for their commitment to taking on poverty and homelessness and making a difference in our community.

ISLAND GOOD AND PROMOTION OF LOCAL PRODUCTS ON V ANCOUVER ISLAND M. Stilwell:Island shoppers don’t have to look far to find quality foods and products. A new initiative is making sure that they know how. Island Good is a Vancouver Island initiative to promote locally made and grown products under a single brand.

It’s the brain child of Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, a non-profit focused on the economic vitality of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. [10:20 a.m.] Realizing the Island was not producing the level of goods it needed for a stable economy, the team came up with the idea for Island Good, a brand that could encour- age production and support the economy while also rais- ing consumer awareness of local goods. The team believed that people wanted to buy local and that if shoppers could find those products easily, they would respond with their wallets.

The theory was put to the test, and over six months in 2018 across 45 grocery stores, retailers like Quality Foods could advertise the brand in flyers or use Island Good stickers to identify bulk products that came from local businesses. Producers could also include the label on their products. The result was beyond the alliance’s imagination, with the average increase of sales of 16.4 percent. With early success, Island Good shows no signs of slow- ing down. Shoppers can find the brand in grocery stores and retail locations, and licensees range from producers of seafood to mattresses.

Nanoose Edibles Farm, French Creek Seafood, Aux Box and Springford Farm are among the businesses in my region that have jumped on board. VIEA and Tourism Vancouver Island also now have a part- nership to market Island Good in the tourism sector, recognizing that tourists also want to buy local. I want to commend George Hanson, VIEA president, and the Island Good team for their work to launch this brand and support our economy. The next time any of the members visit a local grocery store, I encourage you to keep an eye out for Island Good. SQUAMISH NATION HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN V ANCOUVER B.

Ma:With over 4,000 citizens, the Squamish Nation is made up of Coast Salish people who have lived in their ter- ritory in greater Vancouver, Howe Sound and the Squam- ish River watershed for at least 10,000 years, based on archaeological records. Five decades after the creation of the Indian reserve system by the federal government, 16 communities that were regarded as separate Indian bands united as the Squamish Nation on July 23, 1923, in what is known as the amalgamation. Squamish territory measures 6,732 square kilometres.

But after the Indian Act forced people onto reserves, the Squamish people were living in a number of Indian reserves encompassing 28.28 square kilometres, scattered from Vancouver to Gibsons Landing to the area north of Howe Sound. But they’ve been rebuilding. And in the words of Squamish Nation councillor Khelsilem, they are becoming powerful in their territory once more. In addition to being a partner of the MST Development Corp., the nation itself is becoming one of the most power- ful land developers in the Metro Vancouver region. Last Thursday, February 27, 2020 British Columbia Debates 11281

year they announced their plans to build 6,000 new units in 11 towers on reserve land at the southern foot of Bur- rard Street Bridge, on False Creek. The vast majority of these new units will be purpose-built rental. Called Senakw, this development is a $3 billion development that will help the nation develop economically, with the inten- ded revenue to pay for social services and housing. Some people are calling it the single largest development on First Nations land in Canada.

Then they created a not-for-profit housing society called Hiy̓ ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh Housing Society, which aims to bring many Squamish citizens home into their communit- ies by building over 1,000 units of affordable and support- ive non-market rental housing with rents tied to income. Everyone in this House should have an understanding of what colonialism has done to Indigenous people like those who make up the Squamish Nation — stripped of their land, their language, their culture. What Senakw andHiy̓ ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh represent is more than economic development.

It’s a way forward and a way to bring people together so that they can heal in the love and support of their community, because Hiy̓ ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh literally means “the Squamish are coming home. ” TRICIA DATENE S. Furstenau:Each of us in this chamber will under- stand when I say that I could not do my job without my constituency staff, and my constituency assistant Tricia Datene is no exception. Tricia started as a volunteer in our office almost from the time we opened in 2017, and it became obvious very quickly that her skill set was precisely what we needed.

Tricia had retired from her career in social services and believed in social justice issues since she was a young woman. All of these experiences and a lifetime of many others have provided us with the most patient, caring and understanding person imaginable. [10:25 a.m.] A highly distressed constituent can walk into our office, and Tricia meets them with compassion and kindness. She’s able to work with people who are quick to anger and conflict because they don’t feel heard, and Tricia hears them. She sees the kindness in their core and treats them with the same respect that she treats everyone.

She’s helped countless people in her calm and thoughtful way. When I listen to her counsel constituents whose issues can range from not receiving a disability cheque to men- tal health challenges that lead to unimaginable out- comes, I’m amazed at her ability to absorb these sad tales and provide advice and guidance that at least provides hope and often helps to solve their immediate problem. Most baffling to me is that she has the incredible ability to leave the work at work. She and I were talking about a particularly difficult file, and when I thanked her for her service, she said: “It is I who am grateful.

I get to make a difference. I have a purpose. ” Well, Tricia, I am truly grateful, and you really are making a difference. Thank you for your service to so many Cowichan Valley constituents. I couldn’t do this job without you and all the members of the constituency office dream team. WOUNDED W ARRIORS FUNDRAISING RUN S. Malcolmson:“Honour the fallen; help the living. ” This is the mantra of Wounded Warriors, who are run- ning through Bowser right now, and they’re heading this way.

For life-changing PTSD and operational stress injury programs to help veterans, first responders and their families, Wounded Warriors are relay running the length of Vancouver Island right now. That’s 600 kilo- metres in eight days. As families support injured veterans, armed forces and first responders, Wounded Warriors support both families and the injured. This is an email I got from Nanaimo paramedic Mark Blachuras last night. He said: “Last year, January, I took time off for an occupational stress in- jury I suffered after a young boy in Nanaimo was tragically killed after being run over by a large truck.

CPR was performed on the scene. This tragedy struck the whole community, including my spouse. “ Although I could not imagine what the family was going through, it’s sometimes forgotten that we are affected by these events too. I presented with many symptoms that outline PTSD and was later diagnosed by a trauma therapist who specializes with first responders. I was in denial about my injury. “By reaching out, I was able to get the help I needed, which has allowed me to go back to work and helped me cope with the tragic things I’ve experienced through my job. ” Runners started in Port Hardy on Saturday.

Folks in Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni, Parksville and Lantzville can cheer them on today and Friday. Nanaimo’s legions and Serious Coffee host them Friday. Check out woundedwarriors.ca. Y ou can see when they’ll be in your town, and you can donate to their major fundraising effort that they are doing right now. In Victoria, you can greet these fine runners on Sunday at 4:30, here behind the Legislature on Superior Street. The front line keeps us safe every day.

Please come out and support the Wounded Warriors as they finish their epic journey down Vancouver Island, and let them know that we have their backs too. 11282 British Columbia Debates Thursday, February 27, 2020

Oral Questions UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA STAFF AND STUDENT SOCIETY INVOLVEMENT IN PROTESTS J. Johal:We know the Minister of Environment is good friends with foreign-funded agitators behind these illegal blockades. We know the Parliamentary Secretary for TransLink supports the illegal blockades and the shut- down of the resource sector. This week the member for Nanaimo added her voice to those who back the foreign- funded agitators. But there’s also public money being expended.

Can the Minister of Advanced Education confirm if she supports the University of Victoria staff who are organiz- ing and advocating for these illegal protests? Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. M.

Farnworth:What’s insulting is that every day that side of the House is trying to smear members of this House who have been doing their job. [10:30 a.m.] What is insulting is an opposition that is trying to sow dissension and inflame a situation which all of us on this side of the House, provinces across the country and the federal government recognize is at a critical stage and are working to find solutions to get the blockades down. That’s what’s insulting. Mr. Speaker:The member for Richmond-Queensbor- ough on a supplemental. J.

Johal:I’ll remind the Solicitor General that this week an Ipsos-Reid poll came out, and 63 percent of Canadians want their government to show a backbone and do some- thing about these blockades. Instead, that side of the House keeps playing footsie with agitators. Let’s talk for a moment about their friends. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. J. Johal:Let’s talk about the NDP’s friends. We have UVic prof Seb Bonet, who helped organize the shutting down of government ministries. I have an email from him here.

He says: “ A whole bunch of us have committed to coordinating the shutdown of as many B.C. government ministries as we can. ” We have UVic professors cancelling classes and res- cheduling mid-terms. I have an email here from a third- year poli-sci instructor, Dr. Glezos, who says: “Several stu- dents have been in touch with me about missing class tomorrow to participate in the rally at the Legislature building in support of the Wet’suwet’ en.

To ensure that anyone wishing to participate can, I will be cancelling class tomorrow. ” Other classes have been taking field trips to the block- ades being funded by foreign money. Does the Minister of Advanced Education believe this is an acceptable practice for a publicly funded institution? Hon. J. Horgan:I appreciate that the member wants to sow further discontent in a situation that’s already very volatile. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. J. Horgan: It has been our objective from the beginning to find a peaceful resolution.

It has been our objective to acknowledge that dissent is part of a demo- cratic society. But it is also important that lawlessness and unlawful behaviour be acknowledged and dealt with by appropriate authorities. There was a time not that long ago that those on the oth- er side of the House wanted the RCMP to be directed to take actions. We’re not going to do that. No other province across the country is directing law enforcement.

I’ve spent the past two weeks working with the Council of the Federation and Premiers of different political per- suasions and different levels of understanding of the chal- lenges of hereditary versus elected governance structures. I thought, when members on that side of the House stood with us and members of the Third Party, unanim- ously supporting the declaration on the rights of Indigen- ous peoples, that they wanted to join us in the future, not dwelling in the past — the good old days when they were in government, and they just directed people to do what they wanted them to do. We’re not going to do it. M.

Polak:I’m sorry if the government’s QP prep didn’t accurately target the angle we were going to take in ques- tion period today. Let me clarify what we’re asking about once again. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Members, unless we can prop- erly listen to questions and properly listen to answers, we’re going to have to take a recess here. This is too much disorder. M. Polak:The Premier mentions appropriate authorit- ies.

It would seem to me that if opposition has a question about the appropriate use of taxpayer-funded institutional activities like the University of Victoria, the appropriate Thursday, February 27, 2020 British Columbia Debates 11283

authority to ask is the Minister of Advanced Education. So I’ll try again, and let’s be clear. That’s what this is about. The mission statement of the University of Victoria Stu- dents Society says: “Our mission is to be a leader in providing high-quality accessible services, advocacy and events that enhance the student experience, and to build a campus community that embodies our values. ” [10:35 a.m.] Now the student society is actively involved in the illegal protests here at the Legislature. They even enjoyed a movie-and-popcorn night last night, which I understand was powered by a generator.

I’m curious what fuel they put in the generator. Nevertheless, to the Minister of Advanced Education, does the Minister of Advanced Education support the use of student dues being there for the engagement in illegal activity? Hon. J. Horgan:Here we go. Now the official opposi- tion wants to ban popcorn and movies here in British Col- umbia. Unbelievable. If they could take a pause in their campaign to sow dis- content among British Columbians and try and work with us to unify people… Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. J. Horgan:…for a common purpose, for a better B.C., we’ d all be better off.

Leave the kids to figure it out themselves. Let’s focus on the issues of the day. Mr. Speaker:The House Leader for the official opposi- tion on a supplemental. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Members, we shall hear the question. M. Polak:This really is disturbing that the answer you get is around whether or not they think we like movies and popcorn. The question, though, is a pretty serious one. If you’re a student at UVic, if you’re an undergrad at UVic, guess what. Y ou’re required to pay student dues, and you’re trusting that your student dues are going to go for a legit- imate purpose. Interjections. Mr.

Speaker:Members. Members, we shall hear the question. M. Polak:Is it the view of the Minister of Advanced Education that student dues being used to provide, for example, a tent outside for an illegal protest…? Does she think that that is an appropriate use of their student dues? Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Members, this is not a product- ive use of question period. Premier. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Interjections. [Mr. Speaker rose.] Mr. Speaker:Members. Members, order, please. We’ll bypass the answer to that question. We’ll move on to the next question. [Mr.

Speaker resumed his seat.] LNG CANADA PROJECT AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIP WITH WET’SUWET’EN NATION A. Olsen: Last night we heard news that the federal and provincial governments will be meeting with the Wet’suwet’ en Hereditary Chiefs. We can all agree that that’s a positive development for all Canadians. We have to be honest about how we got here. The people in this chamber today are not responsible for 150 years of colonial policies designed to undermine and exclude Indi- genous people. But they are responsible for their votes to continue that legacy.

This time last year nearly every member of this chamber voted to provide the ignition point for this conflict. Bill 10 handed billions of taxpayer dollars to LNG Canada, indu- cing their final investment decision. All members of this chamber, excluding the B.C. Green caucus, voted more than a dozen times, knowing full well of the long-standing rights and title challenges in that territory. When the B.C. Green caucus was notified of the gov- ernment’s intention to push forward on the project, I asked whether they had a plan to resolve the situation, the long-standing situation.

I was told not to worry about it; it’s taken care of. Well, this does not appear taken care of, does it? My question is to the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Why did this government vote to advance LNG Canada before clarity around governance and reconciliation in the territory had been established? Hon. S. Fraser:I thank the Leader of the Third Party for his question. I also want to thank him for his continued 11284 British Columbia Debates Thursday, February 27, 2020

work on addressing reconciliation issues. I appreciate the question. However, we have secured meetings with the Office of Wet’suwet’ en, the Hereditary Chiefs, beginning this afternoon and tomorrow. [10:40 a.m.] I believe that this is a hopeful sign. I’m an optimist, of course, but it is time that we pull together and not reflect on the past. We have decided that working with the Office of the Wet’suwet’ en, in cooperation to find a way forward, we’ll address the rights and title issues of the Wet’suwet’ en people and do so with respect. That is what I’m focusing on. Mr.

Speaker:The Leader of the Third Party on a supple- mental. ACTIV ATION OF ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE A. Olsen:It’s a difficult thing not to acknowledge the actions that got us here — over generations and decades, actually. Now that the on- and off-again talks are on again, it’s my sincere hope that the representatives are going to the Wet’suwet’ en territory to sit at a table for as long as it takes for a good-faith solution to this Coastal GasLink conflict, and not just to deliver an ultimatum. It has become painfully obvious to British Columbians and Canadians that this system is broken.

It’s not serving anyone well in this country or province. This Legislature has had a Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs for the past 30 years. I’m on that committee. It exists in title only, because the government has not empowered it to be effective. That is a fitting symbol, I would say. We have a tool for all of us here to work togeth- er, across party lines, to find solutions to make the system- ic changes that are needed to ensure that the people in this chamber don’t just continue the dysfunctional cycle that has been going on here for generations.

To the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Recon- ciliation, I’m calling on this government to immediately strike and rename the Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and empower it to better inform the decisions in this chamber. Will they do so? Hon. J. Horgan:I thank the member for his question. He will know, as a new member of the House, that com- mittees of this place are struck by consensus. The commit- tee is going to be convened — all committees are going to be convened — and then we decide within this place what we charge those committees to do.

The member will also know that although it hasn’t received a lot of attention, earlier this week the First Nations Leadership Council was meeting with govern- ment officials to begin the work to put in place a work- plan to implement the declaration act that was suppor- ted unanimously by all members of this House not two months ago. Work is underway, government to government, and that work will then make its way to the committee so that all members can participate in that. The work has to be initi- ated before we can get to that step. I thank the member for his thoughtful question.

I can’t wait for the committee to be constituted and do its work. PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT INCREASES AND PROPOSED LEGISLATION T. Stone:Last fall the Housing Minister rejected our proposed solution to address the challenge of skyrocketing property taxes on undeveloped airspace. She said at the time that she would instead “have a solution that works for everybody. ” Well, we now have her plan. The reviews are in, and they’re not very good. Vancou- ver mayor Kennedy Stewart had this to say: “This law fails to provide tax relief for small business and non-profits, and it could wind up costing them even more.

There’s a huge gap between what we are asking for and what this is. ” My question to the Minister of Housing would be this. Will she scrap her bill, take the advice of the mayor of Van- couver, and adopt the solution that was not just developed but was proposed by a broad range of stakeholders? Hon. S. Robinson: First of all, I want to certainly acknowledge that we have arrived in this place with strato- spheric property taxes because of the rising value of land, because the previous government didn’t do what was asked of them.

Again, we received a letter from the CFIB just a year and a half ago that said they’ d been asking for ten years for someone to do something, and they failed. They absolutely failed. I was very proud to get a working group underway. That working group came up with a number of solutions. They came up with about half a dozen different solutions. We are continuing to work with them, to work it through, to make sure that it works for everybody. [10:45 a.m.] The solution that was proposed is not actually keen for a number of communities. The community of Whistler, for example, is not interested in the proposal.

There are oth- er communities — I believe in the Cariboo, as well — that had some serious concerns about that proposal. We abso- lutely have lots of work to do. We are not backing away from that. We are prepared to continue working with local governments. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. S. Robinson: However, in the meantime, busi- Thursday, February 27, 2020 British Columbia Debates 11285

nesses were struggling. They were struggling because they didn’t do their work. We have a bill before the House. I hope they’ll join us in supporting it to make sure that businesses will finally get the support that they deserve. Mr. Speaker: The member for Kamloops–South Thompson on a supplemental. T. Stone:Well, the mayor of Vancouver actually had this to say with respect to there not being enough time. He said that on Monday the ministry had said there wasn’t enough time to address those issues for 2020 but that “we started talking about this with the province in late 2018.

There has been time. ” Those are the words of the mayor of Vancouver. The proposed solution was actually a solution that the Intergovernmental Working Group developed. That was a working group that was convened by her ministry, and she has turned her back on the solution that they brought forward. When I urged the minister to adopt my bill last fall, she had the gall to say: “Clearly, they’re not interested in hearing about what local governments have to say…. They don’t care what local governments have to say. ” That’s what the minister said when we brought forward a solution.

Here’s more of what Vancouver mayor Stewart had to say: “What scares me is how many businesses will go down before we get this fixed. ” Again, to the Minister of Housing, will she scrap her bill and call the private member’s bill that we have put forward that actually embodies the solution that local governments and all the other impacted stakeholders have been calling for? Hon. S. Robinson:We have not backed away from any- thing. We are working very, very closely with local govern- ments.

In fact, I got off the phone today with the president of the UBCM, who was very clear and wants us to contin- ue working with her, working with them and making sure it can address the issues. There are absolutely communities that are very keen to do this work. I spoke with the mayor of Port Coquitlam. He’s excited to take a look at this opportunity to deliver relief to his community. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. S. Robinson:Furthermore, staff did look at the opposition’s bill. We took a look at it because we like ideas, wherever they come from.

They actually tell me, in looking at it and looking at the technical details, that it will not give relief to the small businesses that need it. In fact, it would impact the tax treatment of thousands of properties in British Columbia, and it would leave small businesses worse off because they’re proposing to give tax cuts to speculators and big developers who will bene- fit from their ideas. J. Thornthwaite:Well, that’s not what this person I’m just going to quote said about your bill. Linda Buchanan is the mayor of the city of North Vancouver, and she had this to say.

The proposed changes of your bill “won’t allow us to target businesses who are disproportionately being affected by property values and could even pos- sibly result in tax relief for large international compan- ies. ” She goes on to say, “I’m disappointed the province hasn’t delivered…the solution recommended by the intergovernmental working group, ” which was convened by your ministry. When will the Housing Minister stop talking, actually listen to the mayors and adopt the solution laid out in our private member’s bill? Hon. S.

Robinson:I want to remind the chamber that it was our government that stepped up to give relief to small businesses, not theirs. They had a decade. The CFIB called them out, and we’re stepping up. Now, the other thing that I want to say…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Members. At very least, it is patently unfair that the public doesn’t have an opportunity to hear an answer from government. At least you could do that. Thank you. [10:50 a.m.] Hon. S. Robinson:Thank you very much, hon. Speaker.

This bill that is before the House — and I expect there will be some further debate — will be an opportunity for local governments to very, very carefully designate which properties need the greatest amount of relief. They have an opportunity to do that, and I look forward to the debate in the House on that as we go through second reading. Again, I want to assure this chamber that this govern- ment is committed to working together with local govern- ments, to working together with business, to making sure that we have a solution that works for everybody. J. Thornthwaite:I sense a pattern here.

The NDP loves to consult. They love their task forces like the MSP Task Force, the Small Business Task Force, the ride-sharing committees, the caribou task force, but they ignore everything they’re told by these experts. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. 11286 British Columbia Debates Thursday, February 27, 2020

J. Thornthwaite:Mayor Buchanan was really clear, and I’ll quote her again: “I’m asking the province to reconsider their approach and work with cities toward a solution that will actually deliver results. ” So one more time, to the minister, when will she listen and deliver the solution that the mayors are asking for? Hon. S. Robinson:Well, we are working with municip- alities on a permanent fix, because that’s what we all want. We all want a permanent fix. So we did an intermunicip- al working committee with a handful of local governments in the Lower Mainland.

The members seem to forget that they also represent Whistler, that they represent the Cariboo, that they repres- ent Fort St. John. But they want to take a look at how…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. S. Robinson:They want to understand how any tax changes will be implicated for those communities. I just spoke with the president of the UBCM, and she also wants us to proceed with caution. She wants us to make sure we consult with the UBCM. She wants to make sure and I want to make sure we consult with the business com- munity. And you know what? We’re doing that.

But in order to get all that work done and give relief to businesses now for 2020, we want to be able to do that. The only way to do that is with this interim solution. However, it’s up to local governments to work with us, but I’m committed to making sure there’s a tool that will work for small businesses. Y ou know why, hon. Speaker? Because those people didn’t do it when they had the chance. FOREST INDUSTRY TENURE TRANSFER IN CLEARW ATER AREA P .

Milobar:Last week when I raised questions on behalf of the residents, the contractors, the forest work- ers in Clearwater and the North Thompson valleys, the Forests Minister played a little cute with his wording of his answer.

Although it was technically correct that the paperwork had not crossed his desk, the people in the valley that have been impacted for the last nine months of inaction by this minister were not as impressed when, on Friday, the minister admitted on Kamloops radio stations that in fact, he’ d been talking back and forth with his staff since early November — for four months — on this exact file. It doesn’t sound like he wasn’t aware of what was going on with the tenure transfer.

We then found out that Canfor has announced that if they don’t have an answer from this minister by tomor- row, the deal is off, and all bets are off on what happens in the North Thompson. We know the Indigenous com- munity in the North Thompson is not happy either with these delays. I’ll ask again today. It’s been nine months since this file started. It’s been four months since all sides submitted their proposal, which all sides…. By the mayor of Clear- water’s own words, none of them love; all can live with.

When is the minister going to actually do his job and get an answer for the people in the North Thompson Valley on what is happening with the tenure transfer, given that he’s had the file for four months? [10:55 a.m.] Hon. D. Donaldson:Thank you to the member for rais- ing an important topic in this House. A decision on this important matter will be expected very soon. I can say to the communities, to the First Nations and to the workers that we take their concerns seriously. But as late as ten days ago, the proponents were still amending their final draft to us.

It’s incumbent upon our government and my ministry to do the due diligence on those amendments and make sure that our due diligence has been done. Finally, it’s important to note that communities, workers and First Nations have input before the deal is closed, unlike what happened under the previous government. Mr. Speaker:Kamloops–North Thompson on a supple- mental. P . Milobar:Well, let’s be very clear. The minister seems to be all over the map with his answers on this. Last week on Tuesday, he wasn’t even really aware of the proposal, the way they framed it up in this House.

By Friday, he’ d been working on it for four months. On Friday, he also said that there would be a decision this week. He also was aware last Friday that tomorrow is the deadline for Canfor. Now he just answered that sometime in the near future, there will be an answer. Which is it, Minister? When will the people actually know what is going on, and when will you stop threatening the collapse of this deal by your lack of action? Hon. D. Donaldson:Well, the week isn’t over yet. I also want to remind the member…. Interjection. Mr. Speaker:Member. Hon. D.

Donaldson:I also want to remind the House and remind the member that their side voted against Bill 22, the very bill that gives public interest considerations to communities in this situation, unlike back in 2013… Thursday, February 27, 2020 British Columbia Debates 11287

Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. D. Donaldson:…when Canfor and West Fraser did a timber swap of timber sales. Over 450 people lost their jobs. The member over there who was the local MLA said that one hour before the deal was done, the com- munities found out about it. We’re determined to have public interest considerations. They voted against that. RETIREMENT BRIDGING PROGRAM FOR FOREST WORKERS D. Barnett:When the NDP announced a retirement bridging program for forest workers, people were told that if they took the money, they couldn’t work in forestry for 18 months.

Now, all of a sudden, the NDP have changed the parameters so that you’re not allowed to work at all for 18 months. My constituent Sandy Davidson wants to know: “How can the government change the parameters like that midway through?” My question is to the minister. What’s going on, Minis- ter? Hon. H. Bains:Due to the fact of the pine beetle epi- demic and unprecedented fires…. In 2015, that side of the House, when they were government, knew that 13 mills were going to go down, but they did nothing. When those mills started to go down, we knew that we needed to act. We dedicated $69 million to help those workers….

Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. H. Bains:So $69 million for retraining, job place- ment and pension bridging. I’m glad to say here today that 810 applications have been processed, and $6 million has been dedicated. There is another amount, $3 million, that is being processed, and 248 workers have actually benefited from the pension bridging plan. There’s a lot more work to be done. We have boots on the ground. There are five offices open in all regions so the people can get help in and near their communities. There are another 600 workers who have contacted those offices. [11:00 a.m.] It is working.

The workers are getting the help that they need, because we are committed to it. They deserve it. We’re going to continue to do that. [End of question period.] Orders of the Day Hon. M. Farnworth:I call continued debate on the budget. Budget Debate (continued) S. Cadieux: Mr. Speaker, are you better off because of this budget? That’s really the question that British Colum- bians have to ask themselves. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. S.

Cadieux: Before I begin my critique, let me say it does give me a great deal of pleasure to speak today to Budget 2020, both as the MLA for Surrey South and in my new role as the co–Finance critic. Now, I want to acknow- ledge the exceptional work of my co-critic, the member for Prince George–Valemount, for her initial response to the budget; to my colleague for Surrey–White Rock, who has provided additional support to both of us; and espe- cially to our colleagues and the staff, who helped dissect and analyze this budget.

I’ll also pause to acknowledge the work of the Finance Minister and the Finance Ministry staff. It’s no small job to produce a budget for the province, and I appreciate all of their work. [S. Gibson in the chair.] I do want to acknowledge, as well, my constituency staff back home in Surrey, both of whom have joined me since our last session. Kiran Dhaliwal and Ekamjit Ghuman do a stellar job for me and for the constituents of Surrey South. So thank you, ladies.

We’re being asked here today, as a part of this debate, to reflect on what we believe this budget will actually do for our province, for our constituencies and for the people that send us here to represent them. I’ve been reading and re-reading the budget and talking to constituents and busi- nesses. Here’s what we know. With this budget, government has abandoned a num- ber of major commitments — promises that they made to British Columbians. It’s a budget devoid of an eco- nomic strategy. It’s devoid of a plan to get and keep people working.

With this budget, government has now raised tax revenues by over $3,000 per household in British Columbia. If the full three-year plan holds, that will rise to $4,700 per family. At the same time, govern- ment says and wants you to believe that your life is more affordable, which leaves me with an overarching ques- tion: can we trust the budget, and can we trust the math? Let me explain, using some examples. 11288 British Columbia Debates Thursday, February 27, 2020

Capital spending. This budget lays out an ambitious — and I’m not even sure if that’s an adequate word — capital infrastructure plan. The plan is to spend $7.1 billion. It’s to raise the debt-to-revenue ratio over that time to 94.4 per- cent. That will put the triple-A credit rating at risk. That will push debt servicing costs to almost $3 billion a year. That’s without an interest rate increase and without the potential of a credit downgrade. Y et the minister confirms in this budget document that they failed to follow through on capital projects worth over $1 billion last year alone.

Government is trying to capitalize on a promise they made to build a second Surrey hospital. It’s a popular notion, I agree. I live in Surrey. But three years ago they made that promise. Three years ago the minister said the concept plan was underway. Now a business plan is getting underway, but the project itself — arguably one that will be a mammoth capital expenditure — is not in this budget. It is not in the capital plan. It’s a promise; it’s not a project. How many years will this be pushed out if, in year one alone, they were off in their capital budget by $1 billion? Now housing.

The NDP has built 2,400 or so new affordable housing units along their plan for 114,000. At this rate, it will take 98 years to fulfil that commitment. We know, from the government’s latest B.C. Housing cap- ital update, that only 18.8 percent of that budget has been allocated at this time. The B.C. Non-Profit Housing Asso- ciation has confirmed the challenges with this. The reason that many housing units have been announced by govern- ment but aren’t moving ahead is because they can’t be built for the amount of money provided.

Frankly, the math just doesn’t work. [11:05 a.m.] It’s not just in housing that we see this NDP math. It’s also apparent in their approach to funding child care. The NDP promised a $10-a-day child care plan for all parents, and that pledge has disappeared. Only 2,000 spaces have been created versus the promised 24,000 that were to be completed by 2021. That’s fewer than 1,000 per year under a capital plan that needed to be creating 8,000 spaces a year to keep that three-year promise made in Budget 2018. Now, there is no argument that a large investment was made to start delivering on a $10-a-day plan.

But let’s examine where we are. There are 29,000 families paying $10 a day or less. That’s about 6,000 more families than were receiving subsidy under the B.C. Liberals. That’s not all of the parents of British Columbia. Now investments in child care are going to flatline before year 5 of the NDP’s ten-year plan. That means that if you don’t have subsidized child care by next year, you likely won’t be getting it. The budget will peak at only one-third of what it would cost to provide $10-a-day child care to all kids under six.

I know these numbers well because I had to grapple with them when I was on that side of the House. This means that two-thirds of B.C. parents who were promised child care are out of luck. It’s a broken promise. The math doesn’t work. They’re having to stall the rollout, and they’re stalling that at one-third of the promise, halfway through that promised rollout. Parents in Surrey are dropping their kids off at school and watching them go to a growing number of portables instead of the classrooms they were promised. Govern- ment promised to rid Surrey, for example, of portables in four years.

The government boasts about 7,000 seats com- pleted or underway. But the fact is the member for Surrey- Panorama said it in her budget speech — that there were 7,000 kids in portables when the NDP took power, and now 7,000 seats are completed or underway. But what she isn’t saying is that 5,200 of those were underway when they took power. The bigger problem, though, is that they’ve added 32 percent more portables. We’re actually going backwards. The math just doesn’t work. It’s a broken prom- ise to the people of Surrey. Now, if we look at drivers….

Commuters are spending hundreds of dollars on gas and are waiting for the Premier to deliver on the gas price relief he promised almost two years ago. ICBC rates will continue to skyrocket this year, and any relief is not expected until after the NDP ask for your vote again in the next election. Under the NDP , the average premiums have gone from $1,500 to $1,800 and will rise to $1,900 this year. Instead of inducing competi- tion in the industry, the NDP are growing ICBC and tak- ing away accident victim rights. Just six months ago government was expecting ICBC to lose $50 million this year.

That number has almost doubled. Then they lost in court, and that was projected to cost $400 million. But they hid the numbers from us and from British Columbians and now want us to believe that ICBC will be in the black next year. They’ve introduced legislation to limit the cost of experts in cases — a limita- tion on all of our individual rights — in an effort to find a way to make those promises work. They’ve frozen rates, they say.

Well, sort of, because meanwhile, suggesting the transition costs to a new insur- ance model will include capital costs of $92 million and be complete in 2022, the reality is that these costs will be borne by optional rates, which are not frozen. So drivers can expect more increases. That’s guaranteed. We also don’t know what additional hidden costs lie in the trans- ition, so rates could continue to spike. Something just smells fishy. Now, maybe they exagger- ated the situation to suit their agenda to switch to no-fault insurance. Maybe things are rosy.

But without the trans- parency on the numbers and the assumptions they are making, I am left, once again, saying that the math simply doesn’t work. I’ll take a moment to talk about advanced education, which, of course, Mr. Speaker, you know I was focused on just prior to this change to critic of Finance. The B.C. access grant. I will give kudos here. I think these grants are a very worthy spend, but I’m definitely curious about the detail. The minister says that 43,000 stu- dents will benefit. The budget document says 40,000. So Thursday, February 27, 2020 British Columbia Debates 11289

which is it? At any rate, students in need will benefit from grants of up to $4,000 per year, based on need, starting in September. If the average grant is $1,000, meaning some will get much less and some more, that would cost $43 million a year. But the budget is capped at $41 million. So the new grant, while students like it, is not a new grant. It’s a repackaged grant, like the rural dividend fund turned forestry fund. [11:10 a.m.] Now, I know student advocates will be okay with that, because they preferred a needs-based grant.

But do the students who were counting on the completion grant that existed know they won’t be eligible anymore as a result of this budget? When I asked the minister directly two years ago about this, I inquired as to whether the grant — which, at the time, had been promised as a completion grant and now has been switched to a needs-based grant, which is fine. But I asked whether that was to replace the existing com- pletion grant program. And she said: “ …I felt it was prudent for me to go in to look at what already exists in the basket. So there’s no repackaging.

I don’t think that’s appropriate, to assume that we’re trying to repackage any- thing, as a new government. There are two completion grants that fall within the realm of $30 million. ” We know now that that $30 million is, indeed, repack- aged, with an additional add this year in the budget of $8 million to get to that $41 million, give or take. But did the students do the math? And did the minister?

Because she said, herself, that instead of 33,000 people per year getting the existing completion grant — although the 2017 num- ber was actually 20,000 students at an average of $1,500 — she says now that 43,000 people will be eligible for $4,000 every year. The math just doesn’t work. I think we’ll see some unhappy students this fall. But either way, the budget for Advanced Education just doesn’t add up. It’s just fun with numbers. Now Health. Wow. The budget goes up by $1.3 billion. The bulk is in the wage mandate. But why should we have confidence that the ministry will come in on budget?

They overspent by $500 million in 2019. The budget document confirms it. Why should we have con- fidence in the numbers? With all of these inconsistencies and often misleading figures, it leads me to ask another question, and that is: who is government working for? There’s a lot of talk about affordability. Under the Premier, taxes are up $5.7 billion and will go up to $8.8 billion next year. That means 23 new and increased taxes — four new taxes this year alone. In fact, without four new taxes that the Finance Minister has reached into your pocket for, her budget would be in defi- cit.

The budget is balanced, but only because you are pay- ing four new taxes. This government will focus on the rich paying a little more, and many won’t argue with that. It’s actually 25 per- cent more on incomes over $220,000. There’s a new tax on vaping, which, again, most won’t argue with. But what they don’t want you to talk about and think about is the Netflix tax and the soda pop tax, because they needed those from you just to balance this budget. The NDP promised to bring housing prices down. They promised to make homes more affordable for the average British Columbian.

But housing prices are on the rise, and housing starts have dropped 22 percent. People are looking for their first home, and they’re learn- ing that mansions are more affordable for millionaires, but finding a condo, a townhouse or an entry-level home is still out of reach. In fact, prices in greater Vancouver are up 10 percent since January 2017. Strata councils are in crisis mode as they watch insurance premiums skyrocket by up to 400 percent. Those are your costs — the costs of each and every one of us.

The Finance Minister is quoted in theVancouver Sun around the Netflix tax as: “This is making sure that it’s a level playing field for everyone. Some are paying right now. Others aren’t. We need to make sure that there’s fairness for businesses. ” That’s fascinating. The NDP is now con- cerned about fairness for businesses. Where was that con- cern when they brought in the EHT? And jeez, you know, fairness for businesses. That means you, the consumer, will pay 7 percent more for your Net- flix and other streaming services, because businesses don’t pay this tax. It’s not Netflix that pays; it’s you.

It’s on your bill — a total of $11 million from you for the NDP to spend. Awesome. It doesn’t sound like life is getting any more affordable. [11:15 a.m.] What about the most vulnerable? How’s life for them? In Social Development and Poverty Reduction, money has been added for caseload pressures. That sounds good until you read the fine print, because caseload pressures in that ministry mean more people are on welfare — 10,400 more people than when they took power three years ago. Let that sink in — 10,400 more people now rely on a welfare cheque to live.

More money for CLBC is good until, again, you read the fine print, because at the same time, they are fore- casting to spend less per person at CLBC — $300 less, on average. Needs are getting more complicated, and we see it with increased per-case costs in MCFD for children in residential care, of almost $8,000 per year more. Many of those children will transfer to CLBC at 18, where they’re going to pay less. So why are these ministries’ plans at odds? I know some members will have heard from some of the anti-poverty and disability advocates.

The member for Powell River–Sunshine Coast mentioned in his remarks that advocates would have liked to see efforts continue to raise the rates for income assistance and disability supports. I will echo that member that the additional earnings exemp- tion room that is added in this budget is a good thing. 11290 British Columbia Debates Thursday, February 27, 2020

He also mentioned in his remarks that budgets are about choices, and, indeed, they are. In this budget, gov- ernment chose to invest in rebates for people who can afford to buy electric cars, rather than in supports for people with disabilities. It’s an interesting choice for a group of people who level daily condemnation at the pre- vious government for their choices. Now, there are a lot of broken promises. There’s no $400 renters rebate. The childcare plan is stalling. There’s no money to add to get people out of congestion, no money for the Massey Tunnel, which gets my goat.

Of course, first, they cancelled the project that was approved, permit- ted and underway for a ten-lane bridge and wrote off in the process $100 million, almost. But now there’s a plan to consult and to make a plan. And no, there’s nothing in the budget. There’s no money for commuter rail to the Fraser Valley, despite it being hinted at in the throne speech. It’s just a plan to make a plan. It’s simply not in the budget. There’s no new money to add to transit expansions or add to Sur- rey SkyTrain. There’s no action to promote new market housing or, really, to make housing more affordable.

Let’s focus on what the risks are to this budget, because I think that’s really important. Spending is going up faster than revenues and faster than the forecasted rate of growth for the economy. That isn’t sustainable. There’s no allow- ance been made for the world market forces that will undoubtedly affect B.C. ’s small open trading marketplace and already has. There are no allowances made for the coronavirus implications. This week we’ve already seen reactions on the stock market and banks starting to downgrade their pro- jections for our economy in Canada by 0.5 of a percent.

What is government doing to mitigate the potential impacts of Brexit? Now interest rates are low, but they will go up. There’s no room in the surplus projected to man- age debt-servicing cost increases or to match the pace of growth projected for the infrastructure debt they plan to incur. Housing starts are slowing 22 percent. With fewer homes being built, prices are going to become more unaf- fordable. B.C. has lost 32,000 jobs in the last eight months. That’s a clear downward trend. That means fewer people are working. Consumers are less confident in their buying habits, and retail sales are virtually flat.

Forestry is in crisis. Block- ades are delaying goods and projects. Community benefits agreements are inflating construction costs. B.C. is losing its reputation for investment. Business investment is slow- ing. It’s harder for B.C. companies to sell their products. Exports have fallen 6.4 percent. While government spending is at a record high and growing faster than revenues, at the same time they’ve cut the budgets of the job-creating ministries by $700 mil- lion. Agriculture — no ability to mitigate the effects of the blockades on B.C. farmers. Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources — reduced.

Forests — reduced. Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness — reduced. Now, “innovation” is a nice word, and we need more innovation, but this budget does nothing to help. Nothing to help businesses with tech adaptation or transformation. Nothing to help Surrey and other cities attract businesses to build the innovation corridor that is speculated about in their economic framework document released a few weeks ago. Nothing to stimulate productivity gains. [11:20 a.m.] We’re watching the government close trade offices.

We have a Trade Minister of State that hasn’t examined the impacts of the coronavirus on trade with China and impacts on businesses and the overall fiscal plan. And maybe the biggest risk is that a bunch of the ministers don’t seem to understand that they’ve had their budgets decreased. Should people be worried? Y es, they should. The Pre- mier told the people of British Columbia that they could expect decisive action on affordability and climate change. He told them they could expect significant improvements in housing and child care in the province and that they could expect an open and transparent government.

However, Budget 2020 confirms that the Premier has no intention of keeping the promises he made to British Col- umbians. In many cases, promises have been abandoned. It’s another tax-and-spend budget with no plan to grow the economy or to help people get ahead. The only source of revenue the NDP seem interested in is in the pockets of taxpayers. They have squandered the opportunity to help people, with no focus on growing the economy or deliver- ing on their promises to make life affordable. British Columbia is heading in the wrong direction, and that is a sad and difficult thing for me to say.

For my time in government and at the cabinet table, we made very diffi- cult decisions, decisions that had to be made to build B.C. to the best economy in Canada, to leave office with a $2.7 billion surplus — the difficult decisions not to spend more than we had, not to take more out of the pockets of British Columbians than was absolutely necessary. Sometimes to make difficult decisions not to do more and sometimes to step in, in the interests of growing opportunity for every- one in B.C. The B.C. NDP is taking a very predictable and different path.

B.C. is losing jobs, and every single economic indic- ator is pointing in the wrong direction. While incomes in the rest of Canada have gone up, according to Stats Canada, incomes in B.C. have dropped. British Colum- bians deserve fewer empty words and more action from this government. What the budget should have represen- ted was a blueprint for creating opportunity for all of B.C. By that measure, it misses the mark and fails British Col- umbians.

After Budget 2020, British Columbians are left paying more and losing out on programs they had set their hopes Thursday, February 27, 2020 British Columbia Debates 11291

on. Y et somehow their government is trying to tell them that they’re better off for it. As I said earlier in my remarks, this budget should prompt people to ask themselves: “ Am I getting ahead under the NDP?” I think for the vast majority of British Columbians, the answer is simply no. The simple truth is that despite what the rhetoric of this government would lead you to believe, life isn’t getting any more affordable for B.C. families. The NDP has squandered opportunity and broken its promises, and no one is getting ahead.

Deputy Speaker:I now call on the Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier to close debate. Hon. C. James: Thank you very much, hon. Speaker. Welcome to the job. I haven’t had the opportunity to say that to you. I also want to say thank you to all the members who took

part in the debate and the discussion. It is an important part, as we all know, of democracy to be able to have people put forward their criticisms, their ideas, their solutions. In fact, I heard a number of members talk about the things that they felt were positives in the budget and things that they wanted more information on, things they wanted to ask questions on, things they disagreed with as well. That’s an important part, as I said, of democracy. So I thank all the members in the Legis- lature for their discussion.

Now, I think it would be no surprise to anyone that I certainly didn’t agree with all the comments that were made over the last week or so. I know you’ll be shocked at that. There were a couple of common themes that I just want to take a few minutes to touch on in my close. I heard people talking about affordability. I heard people talking about taxes, our economy and programs and services. I just want to touch on a few of those comments that were made. I’m going to tie the affordability piece together with the taxes piece. I have to say….

I heard a lot of creative — I can’t think of any other or better word to use — use of numbers, creative use of information that was thrown around in here when it comes to talking about the support for the people of Brit- ish Columbia. [11:25 a.m.] I have to say that at some times during the debate, it would appear, if you were listening to the other side, that not one of them was around for the last 16 years. It would appear that they just weren’t here. I can understand that. I can understand that they’ d want to forget the last 16 years. I get that.

The public certainly wants to forget the last 16 years, so I think it would be no surprise. It would be no surprise that they would want to forget that they doubled MSP premiums, making life less afford- able, in fact, for people.

It would be no surprise that they would want to forget that they doubled tuition fees — making it more difficult for people to get into post-second- ary — that they charged tuition for adult basic education and English language learning, that they clawed back bus passes from people with diverse abilities, that there were thousands of jobs lost in forestry, that we saw jobs lost in health care and education because of contracts that were torn up, and there was reduced support for children and seniors. So I can understand why they want to forget that they were here.

Forget, in fact, that they cut services for ferry-depend- ent communities, that they actually cut supports for chil- dren in care and that we were the last province left without a poverty reduction plan under that side on the other side. Well, the public didn’t forget. That’s why they wanted a new government that would put people first, and that’s what we’ve done in this budget. In partnership with the Green caucus, we have, in less than three years, provided more support for the people of British Columbia than happened in the last 16 years under the other side. Let’s just look at a few of those pieces.

MSP premiums eliminated — savings for families and individuals. We froze ferry fares. The seniors discount is back on B.C. Fer- ries once again. We eliminated tolls on the Port Mann and the Golden Ears bridges, saving people dollars. We improved health care. We invested $1 billion to bring down surgical wait times, to support low-income seniors and to make sure that individuals got support with their medication costs, more MRIs, more diagnostic treatment, and we’re building hospitals — unlike the other side.

And 300,000 families in British Columbia are going to receive the B.C. child opportunity benefit this fall, until their children are 18 years old, providing them with money in their pockets. Each and every year, we have invested $1 billion to support our K-to-12 system, to sup- port smaller classes, to support our teachers, to ensure there are counsellors and teacher-librarians and support for students with special needs. We had to fix the challenges that were left us. We have ensured that we now have free tuition for adult basic edu- cation and free tuition for English language learning.

Former youth in care are receiving free tuition, and we eliminated interest on student loans. We didn’t stop there. We didn’t stop there. In fact, we built on that success in Budget 2020 by bringing in the B.C. access grant which will provide over 40,000 stu- dents with an upfront grant to help them get into uni- versity and college. What does that mean for families directly? Since the opposition’s last budget, let’s take a look at the amount of taxes that are paid by families. The average family with two children, who are earning $100,000 a year, now has a 22 percent net reduction in their taxes.

If a family with two children is making $80,000, they see a 42 percent net reduction in their taxes. If a family was making $60,000 with two children, they’ve seen a 60 percent reduction since that side’s last budget. 11292 British Columbia Debates Thursday, February 27, 2020

Where do you think the lowest taxes are for those people who are making $140,000 or less? Right here in British Columbia, across the country. [11:30 a.m.] Where in the country do you think the third-lowest taxes are for people making $475,000 or less? Right here in British Columbia. Where is the second-lowest small business tax rate? Right here in British Columbia. We ensured that we built on a strong economic founda- tion, and B.C. is expected to lead the country in economic growth in 2020 and 2021, once again. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Not only that, we aren’t stopping there.

This budget includes some major capital investments, creating 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, creating jobs in every corner of our province in investments. I also want to mention…. I mentioned earlier that we were the last province left without a poverty reduction plan. Well, no longer. Under our government, we have legislated targets, and we’re working hard to reduce poverty in British Columbia.

We’ve added to our historic investment in climate action through CleanBC — $900 million, a historic investment, in last year’s budget, and over $400 million in additional money in this year’s budget to ensure that we do our

part in British Columbia. I don’t want the other side to just listen to us. I think it’s important also to listen to what other people have said about our budget. “We commend the government for bal- ancing the budget and addressing issues like child care, and particularly post-secondary education. ” That’s from the B.C. Business Council. “The economy is strong and expected to remain so. B.C. ’s general economic fundamentals are solid, compared with its provincial counterparts” — Gary Mason, in Feb- ruary.

Justine Hunter: “British Columbia remains one of the strongest provinces in the country for labour markets and growth. ” Let’s hear from some of the students. “Trades students are often overlooked when it comes to student assistance programs. The access grant is going to make that some- thing different” — Vancouver Community College. Again on the issue of climate action. “It’s B.C. budget day. It’s clear that the B.C. government understands that every provincial budget needs to be a climate budget.

I’m glad that CleanBC will help us not only cut carbon pol- lution but help lower our energy bills” — Merran Smith, executive director of Clean Energy Canada. Budget 2020 builds on the progress we’ve made as a gov- ernment. It makes life more affordable, it improves ser- vices, and it builds a sustainable economy in every corner of British Columbia. With that, I move, seconded by the hon.

Premier of Brit- ish Columbia, that the Speaker do now leave the chair for the House to go into Committee of Supply. [11:35 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.] Motion approved on the following division: YEAS — 44 Chouhan Kahlon Begg Brar Heyman Donaldson Mungall Bains Beare Chen Popham Trevena Chow Kang Simons D’Eith Sims Routley Ma Elmore Dean Routledge Singh Weaver Darcy Simpson Robinson Farnworth Horgan James Eby Dix Ralston Mark Fleming Conroy Fraser Chandra Herbert Rice Malcolmson Leonard Furstenau Olsen Glumac NAYS — 39 Cadieux de Jong Bond Polak Wilkinson Lee Stone Coleman Kyllo Bernier Thornthwaite Paton Ashton Barnett Y ap Martin Davies Reid Sullivan Morris Stilwell Ross Oakes Johal Rustad Milobar Sturdy Clovechok Shypitka Hunt Throness Tegart Stewart Sultan Gibson Letnick Thomson Larson Foster Hon.

M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker:This House stands adjourned until 1:30 this afternoon. The House adjourned at 11:41 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2020 British Columbia Debates 11293

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Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20200227am-Hansard-n317
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20200227am Hansard n317
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	17e866565df2747e0d22ef8daa429c0495a80d1d

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