Second Session, 42nd Parliament

(2021) OFFICIAL REPORT

OF DEBATES

(HANSARD)

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 52

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

CONTENTS

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Statements (Standing Order 25B)

Volunteer firewood supply initiative in Valemount

S. Bond

Rabbit River Farms and sustainable farming by Steven Easterbrook

A. Singh

Peace Crossing Historical Society and history of Taylor area

D. Davies

MOSAIC services for immigrants

N. Sharma

Tsuts’weye support network for women entrepreneurs

G. Kyllo

Autism awareness and artwork by Margaux Wosk

R. Glumac

Oral Questions

Anti-Asian racism and proposal for anti-racism education day

T. Wat

Hon. D. Eby

Grace Seniors Home in Chinatown

B. Stewart

Hon. D. Eby

Protection of coastal Douglas fir and Islands Trust legislation

A. Olsen

Hon. J. Osborne

Grace Seniors Home in Chinatown

M. Lee

Hon. D. Eby

Wages for community social services workers

D. Davies

Hon. N. Simons

Government response to freedom-of-information requests

B. Banman

Hon. L. Beare

Massey Tunnel replacement project

I. Paton

Hon. R. Fleming

Orders of the Day

Second Reading of Bills

Bill 3 — Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2021

Hon. H. Bains

G. Kyllo

A. Olsen

Hon. H. Bains

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

Hon. J. Whiteside

R. Singh

TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2021

The House met at 10:03 a.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: J. Tegart.

[10:05 a.m.]

Mr. Speaker: Members, before I invite members to make introductions, I would like to

wish a very special happy birthday to someone who is working so hard to keep us

safe and healthy, day in and day out. I would like to wish a wonderful day to

our dear friend — I’m going to name him today — Adrian Dix, Minister of

Health.

Introductions by Members

N. Sharma: Would the House join me in giving a warm welcome to the team from

MOSAIC today, including Olga Stachova, CEO; Sharon Butler, director of

corporate partnerships and social investment; Sherman Chan, director of

family and settlement services; Michael Radano, director of employment,

language and social enterprise; Sue Trevor, director of finance and

administration; and the MOSAIC board of directors.

Thanks for joining us today.

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

VOLUNTEER FIREWOOD SUPPLY

INITIATIVE IN

VALEMOUNT

S. Bond: It is National Volunteer Week, and the theme is “The value of one

and the power of many.” We know that there have been countless acts of

kindness during the last year, but we also know that British Columbians

are exceptional volunteers, not just during a pandemic but all the

time.

As MLAs, each of us in this chamber could share many stories of

amazing individuals and organizations that make a difference every day

in our communities and our regions. I want to share one of those stories

today.

It was started in 2017 by Valemount RCMP Sgt. Robert Dean as a way

for new detachment members to get to know their community and to

contribute in meaningful ways in the place they would call home. RCMP

members would be joined by community volunteers and the Valemount Junior

Canadian Rangers patrol to buck and split wood at a variety of

locations.

Over the last four years, timber has been donated from a number of

sources, including the Valemount Community Forest Company. The firewood

is then loaded and deli­vered to seniors and others in the

community that may need a little bit of extra support. And the

generosity doesn’t end there. Fuel, oil and equipment are also donated

by a variety of local businesses.

Since 2017, more than 70 volunteers have completed over 600

volunteer hours. The volunteers have ranged in age from eight to 80

years old, and an average of 12 households have been helped each year

since the program began. I think this is exactly the kind of story that

demonstrates the power of many.

Today, during National Volunteer Week, it is the perfect time to

honour and recognize this very special group of volunteers in my riding.

Thank you for working together to improve the quality of life for

everyone in Valemount.

RABBIT RIVER FARMS AND SUSTAINABLE

FARMING BY STEVEN

EASTERBROOK

A. Singh: I rise today to speak about Rabbit River Farms. In

Richmond-Queensborough, as you turn in off River Road and onto the

farms, you’ll likely be greeted by a very excited and friendly Blue,

Steven Easterbrook’s border collie, whose job it is to corral the hens

who roam free outside the hatchery in a massive, secure yard.

Steven is committed to the values of socially responsible,

sustainable and humane farming practices. The family farms produce

certified organic, free-range and free-run eggs. All of their chicken

flocks live in a cage-free environment and receive top-quality feed,

clean water, fresh air and tender care. And I emphasize “tender

care.”

Steven is a pioneer and leader in Canadian organic and cage-free

egg production. In addition to being the pioneer in producing organic

eggs — the first farm in Canada to do so — Rabbit River was the very

first SPCA humane-certified farm in Canada, and he was vital in having

that certification instituted and recognized all across

Canada.

In recognition for his contribution to advancing sustainable

agriculture and enabling easier access to new egg farming, the family’s

Rabbit River Farms received the B.C. Ethics in Action Award in 2001.

Steven was also crucial in authoring the original Canadian certified

organic egg production standards.

Rabbit River and Steven are committed to their livestock’s health

and well-being, their family’s and employees’ health and well-being as

well as the health of the community, their customers, farming partners

and other stakeholders. They’re a leader in environmental stewardship

and in sustainable, organic farming practices.

[10:10 a.m.]

The quality of life for their livestock is of supreme importance

to them. I myself have seen these happy and proud hens. Advancing humane

farming practices for all types of livestock is the backbone of his

business.

Please join me recognizing Steve Easterbrook and Rabbit River

Farms today.

PEACE CROSSING HISTORICAL SOCIETY

AND HISTORY OF TAYLOR

AREA

D. Davies: History is not only about the past. It is ongoing and happening

now. The Peace Crossing Historical Society, in the district of Taylor,

aims to preserve and collect the history of the community and the

surrounding area. The Peace Crossing Historical Society is excited to be

working with the district of Taylor council and the surrounding

historical groups to further the understanding and knowledge of the

remarkable history of the area of Taylor.

Peace Crossing has been collecting artifacts and stories in the

Peace region, working toward a museum in Taylor that will supplement the

current assortment of history displays throughout our northern area.

Many of these local, precious artifacts are being stored in homes,

garages and other museums.

In 1972, the Taylor Museum was located on Peace Island Park on the

Peace River. The original museum in Taylor was first part of Camp Alcan

on the Alaska Highway during the Second World War before becoming part

of Central Elementary school in Fort St. John and then becoming the

museum. I remember, numerous times, visiting the museum as a kid.

Unfortunately, it did close a number of years ago and has yet to be

replaced.

Peace Crossing has also identified about 14 local veterans

interred at the Taylor Cemetery, with great thanks to Warren Moore’s

work. There are plans in place to have the cemetery graves marked on a

public map, noting these heroes.

The society’s short-term goal is to seek the district’s help with

getting the society, first of all, fully functioning, while in the long

term, it’s looking at building and moving into a larger space. As any

non-profit, they will be seeking grants for this work.

Peace Crossing Historical Society looks forward to continuing to

explore the vision of the museum in Taylor, which highlights the

community’s long history. The huge collection is a valuable knowledge

archive that is currently housed by various people in Taylor, which

really highlights the need for a permanent home. They also hope to be

helping celebrate Taylor Elementary School’s 100th anni­versary

this year.

Societies such as the Peace Crossing Historical Society are

priceless to our communities, and I applaud all of those who volunteer

their time in preserving our history.

MOSAIC SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS

N. Sharma: Today I rise, virtually, to acknowledge April 23 as MOSAIC Day.

For 45 years, the Multi-lingual Orientation Service Association for

Immigrant Communities, more commonly known as MOSAIC, has enriched

communities and furthered the success of newcomers in B.C.

As one of the country’s largest settlement and employment services

non-profits, MOSAIC’s team of dedicated staff and volunteers serve

roughly 35,000 people a year at 51 locations in greater Vancouver,

providing support, advocacy and services in 83 languages. Their mission

is to create a sense of belonging for everyone, whether they are

immigrants settling in Canada, refugees seeking asylum or international

students and migrant workers who are here temporarily.

While these numbers attest to the mission of MOSAIC and the good

work they’re doing in community, what speaks loudest are often the

smallest moments, like when Sharvin, a newcomer from Iran, joined other

seniors through MOSAIC to knit warm clothing for people in need. Not

only did she find a way to help others, but she was also able to bond

with her granddaughter, who wanted to learn how to knit.

Or when Almira, a nurse from the Philippines, took training at

MOSAIC to qualify for a position in the health care sector and got help

to find a job. She now gives back to the community through her work with

seniors, and she continues her education. Or when Ayaan, a student from

Somalia, found a community of other refugee youth through MOSAIC. She is

now working on a master’s de­gree, focusing on migration and

diaspora studies, and advocates for other refugees.

There are countless stories that I could share, but even these few

moments show how MOSAIC’s positive impact has a ripple effect, changing

more lives in B.C. for the better. That’s why I would like to invite all

members to join me and everyone in British Columbia to recognize April

23 as MOSAIC Day and to celebrate MOSAIC moments all around

us.

[10:15 a.m.]

TSUTS’WEYE SUPPORT NETWORK

FOR WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

G. Kyllo: Hon. Speaker, I rise in the House today to speak on an important

community network in the Shu­swap: Tsuts’weye Women’s Entrepreneur

and Innovation Network, supported by Community Futures Shuswap and

funded through Western Economic Diversification Can­ada. This

important project supports women-owned or women-led enterprises and the

start-ups, expansions or ongoing operational phases of business in the

Shuswap.

The name of the project, tsuts’weye , means “butterfly” in

Secwepemctsin and is symbolic of the butterfly effect. When one woman is

empowered in a community, the effects can often be powerful and

far-reaching. Tsuts’weye, led by project manager Carmen Massey, is

guided by an advisory round table of experienced businesswomen from

diverse backgrounds and is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to

business training for women. Tsuts’weye works with Secwépemc

communities, Shuswap Immigrant Services Society, Canadian Mental Health

Association and other community groups to guide and support diverse

wo­men in the Shuswap.

Through their entrepreneur-in-residence program, networking

opportunities, workshops, courses in marketing, Tsuts’weye has impacted

hundreds of businesses and women in the Shuswap area. It is undeniable

that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been especially challenging for

all, but women and their businesses have been particularly hard hit.

However, throughout the pandemic, Tsuts’weye has continued to support

women entrepreneurs with their programs, courses and networks — a truly

remarkable and noteworthy endeavour.

I’m incredibly proud to have Tsuts’weye Women’s Entrepreneur and

Innovation Network in my riding, and I’m very grateful for the work they

continue to do. I urge all members of this House to think about the ways

that you can support and empower female entrepreneurs in your

communities.

AUTISM AWARENESS AND

ARTWORK BY MARGAUX

WOSK

R. Glumac: April is Autism Awareness Month. Actually, this is autism

acceptance month, because it’s not enough to just be aware of

autism.

We all know that autistic individuals are an important part of our

community. I had the opportunity, recently, to meet with a constituent

of mine by the name of Margaux Wosk, who is a very talented autistic and

non-binary artist and writer. They recently received a grant from the

B.C. Arts Council. Margaux sells artistic creations such as enamelled

pins, face masks and clothing on an Etsy page called Retrophiliac and

runs a Facebook group called Made By Autistics, with over 3,200 members,

that supports autistic writers, crafters, musicians and others that have

something unique to share or sell.

Margaux’s extensive artwork is bright and vivid and is something

that they dream of one day showcasing in a live art exhibition. The pin

that I’m wearing today is one of these creations, inspired by the

neurodiversity symbol. Margaux wants to move away from some of the

puzzle-piece logos and bluish designs that have been used to represent

autism. Instead of a puzzle piece, suggesting that something needs to be

fixed or solved, this symbol is a bright and beautiful spectrum and

looks more like a game board, representing a journey.

To find out more about Margaux’s unique journey and to learn more

about their artwork and message, please visit navigatingjourney.com. I

look forward to attending Margaux’s first art exhibition in the

future.

Mr. Speaker: I understand the Minister of Health is online now. So I invite him

to make that introduction he wanted to make earlier.

Introductions by Members

Hon. A. Dix: Thank you very much, hon. Speaker.

I wanted to wish a special happy belated birthday — the birthday was

yesterday — to Riley Dewerson. It’s his 14th birthday. He’s a regular viewer

of our live stream and will be watching this from home today. He’s also the

co-host of a Vancouver Co-op Radio show called Neurodiversity Now and a

member of the MayDay Choir for Neurodiversity. He is watching

today.

Please wish Riley — and all of the people that he’s involved with and

involved in learning about the Legislature — a happy, happy belated birthday

on April 19.

[10:20 a.m.]

Oral Questions

ANTI-ASIAN RACISM AND PROPOSAL

FOR ANTI-RACISM

EDUCATION DAY

T. Wat: On March 28, I stood with leaders from B.C.’s Asian community at

the Stop Asian Hate rally in response to the horrifying shootings in

Atlanta. Here in B.C., anti-Asian hate crimes have risen by 350 percent

in Burnaby and over 700 percent in Vancouver. Leaders from the community

asked for the proclamation of anti-racism education day to prevent this

from happening again.

On April 6, Tuesday, I submitted the application to the

proclamations office and sent a letter to the Attorney General. Since I

have not heard from the Attorney General, I started an online petition

last Sunday. In just over a week, over 6,000 people have signed in,

calling for this.

My question is to the Premier, on behalf of all of the affected

communities. Will the Premier proclaim May 29 as an annual anti-racism

education day?

Hon. D. Eby: Thank you to the member for this very important

question.

I don’t think there is anybody in this House who doesn’t recognize

and who isn’t alarmed by the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in our

province — and not just in our pro­vince, across North America.

This is a topic of discussion internationally. I think it’s incumbent on

all parties to work together to fight hate in our province, all forms of

hate, including anti-Asian racism, and I want to thank the member for

her efforts to raise awareness around this important issue.

In that spirit, I have written back to the member to respond to

her letter, to thank her for her work on this issue and to share with

her details about work that government is doing on a week of recognition

around anti-discrimination. There are many initiatives that our

government has put in place to fight racism. I’m happy to go into

detail.

What my letter says to the member, and what I’d encourage her to

consider, is that we work together on this week to fight hate, including

anti-Asian racism. I think we’re better together on this very important

issue.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Richmond North Centre on a supplemental.

T. Wat: Thank you for the minister’s response and thank you for suggesting

that we should all work together. I have always been working together

with this government, from day one, and I wish this government could

include me in a lot of consultation and idea-sharing. The whole B.C.

Liberal caucus would love to do that.

I haven’t heard from the minister whether this government is going

to proclaim May 29 as an annual anti-racism education day. Anti-Asian

hate crime has risen by 350 percent in Burnaby and over 700 percent in

Vancouver, as I stated in my earlier question.

Next month is Asian Heritage Month. Certainly, other than

celebrating the contribution of Asian communities in B.C., we are forced

to reflect on how discrimination exists in our society today. We need to

do better, and it can start with action from this government

today.

The community who suggested the idea to me is now watching. They

are confident that the Premier and the minister and this government are

listening and are walking their talk.

My question once again to the Premier. Will the Premier commit

that this May 29 will be the first anti-racism education day?

Hon. D. Eby: If the member hasn’t received my letter, she will be receiving it

imminently. In the letter, I thank the member for bringing forward this

request from the community for recognition on a particular day, and I

share with the member information about a planned week of recognition

that government has in the works.

Our work clearly overlaps. There’s an opportunity for recognition

and for us to work together on this important issue of anti-Asian racism

as well as to fight other forms of hate in our province. I look forward

to working with the member on that. We’ve got a lot of work to

do.

Part of that is around raising awareness, and part of that is

around taking action, as the member says. To that end, I’m very proud of

our government’s work through the Parliamentary Secretary for

Anti-Racism, where she has delivered a Resilience B.C. framework that is

already supporting groups that are the target of hate.

[10:25 a.m.]

I note that the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre…. When they were

the target of Zoombomb hate directed at them, it was the Resilience B.C.

spoke in Richmond that reached out to them to provide them with

support.

We need action. We need awareness. I’m happy to work with the

member on ensuring that appropriate recognition is made of anti-Asian

racism and that we all fight it together. I look forward to working with

her.

GRACE SENIORS HOME IN CHINATOWN

B. Stewart: Earlier today I spoke with Christina Lam, whose parent lives at

Grace Seniors Home. I also have received many other letters from the

families of the 70 vulnerable seniors living at Grace Seniors Home near

Chinatown at risk of being evicted in the middle of the

pandemic.

We’ve learned B.C. Housing is funding the operator that is taking

over this site but will only guarantee their housing until appropriate

options are identified. Families are saying that if they are forced to

move out, it will be “an earlier death sentence.”

Will the Premier today guarantee that all the occupants of Grace

Seniors Home will be allowed to stay permanently?

Hon. D. Eby: Thank you to the member for the important question.

The federal government has a rapid response to homelessness

initiative through which they directly fund non-profit organizations to

buy spaces, where there are supposed to be spaces available, for people

who are currently homeless to move in quickly. Through that federal

program, the Grace manor site was purchased by a non-profit

organization. I’m very grateful that it was purchased because it was at

risk of being purchased not by a non-profit organization but, in fact,

by investors, speculators or developers. So it’s now in non-profit

hands.

The member raises an important issue. The building is, in fact,

full of Chinese seniors. They’re very reliant on the immediate

community, as well as each other, for their health and well-being. We

are seeing a challenge around the conversion of, in particular, housing

for Chinese seniors, especially older housing like this, in the

Chinatown area in Vancouver.

I think we have a very elegant solution coming to provide support

for those seniors and for their families, who are clearly concerned, but

also to recognize that the non-profit who bought this space has a very

significant number of urban Indigenous people who need to get off the

street and get inside.

I thank the member for the question. I assure him it is front of

mind for me. It is a very significant concern for our government. We are

working with CMHC and the non-profit who purchased the building to find

a solution, and I think the member will be very pleased, given the

nature of his question.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Kelowna West on a supplemental.

B. Stewart: Thank you very much, Minister, for that response. I like the

elegant option you mentioned, but the families that are in there,

Minister, disagree. Frankly, they have been rattled by the letter that

they received from Mr. Lee, who currently owns

the building.

This was intended to be housing that fits a certain criteria by

the city of Vancouver. The vast majority of the residents…. Their

concern is they’ve been left in the dark about what’s happening.

Homeworkers are actually telling them that this is just a PR stunt by

the government. So they should leave anyways.

That’s not what they want. These people are in culturally

appropriate housing with the right care in Chinatown, and they are

looking to stay where they’re at.

These evictions will destroy one-fifth of the culturally sensitive

homes in the area. I have personally visited culturally sensitive homes,

like Grace, and know how important and unique they are to the health and

well-being of their seniors.

I would ask that the Premier intervene and prevent these seniors

from losing access to their culturally sensitive care.

Hon. D. Eby: Any senior or family member of a Grace manor senior who is being

advised to move should not take that advice. We are working on a

solution to this problem that will maintain the social supports and the

community supports for these seniors. We recognize the sensitivity and

vulnerability of this group.

I’m very grateful to the time that B.C. Housing has put in to work

with CMHC and the non-profit operator to find a solution that will make

everybody satisfied. I think that we will have good news for the member.

I advise him that this is not a PR stunt. This was a building that was

for sale and that could have easily been purchased. In fact, there was

significant interest in the building from the private sector to purchase

it.

[10:30 a.m.]

I also accept, very much, that this was a very regrettable set of

actions by the owner of the building, including advertising that he was

looking for a warehouse to put these seniors into. I hope that was just

a translation error. The original ad was in a Chinese language. I’m

incredibly concerned about the actions of the owner of this building.

Those seniors were not safe in their housing.

It is now in non-profit hands, and B.C. Housing is working on a

solution to maintain those social connections that the member rightly

recognizes are so important. I look forward to having an update for him

imminently.

PROTECTION OF COASTAL DOUGLAS FIR

AND ISLANDS TRUST

LEGISLATION

A. Olsen: When we hear about the Salish Sea, it’s often in the context of

the southern resident killer whale or the sockeye salmon. Both are

iconic, both are endangered, and there is an overwhelming response in

Saanich North and the Islands when they’re raised. Add the coastal

Douglas fir to species that draw the attention of my

constituents.

A narrow strip of land circling the Salish Sea, including greater

Victoria and the southern Gulf Islands, is known as the coastal Douglas

fir biogeoclimatic zone. This zone is characterized by a unique

geography and diversity of ecosystems that include unique wetlands,

shorelines and the Garry oak meadows.

Over the last four years, my Islands Trust colleagues and I have

heard from our constituents on the southern Gulf Islands who want these

sensitive ecosystems protected from clearcuts. Neither the Islands Trust

nor the provincial government have the policy in place to stop clearcut

logging from taking place in the area. It turns out the powers extended

in the Local Government Act do not exist in the Islands Trust

Act.

My question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Will the

minister amend the Islands Trust Act to allow local trust councils to

implement and enforce bylaws to regulate tree cutting?

Hon. J. Osborne: Thank you to the member for the question. It’s an honour to rise

in this House and receive my first question as the Minister of Municipal

Affairs.

As those in this House know, I’m a passionate advocate for local

governments, for families and for the environment. I appreciate this

question very much because I know how much the member cares about this

issue too.

The former government did not do enough to prioritize

environmental protection; nor was enough done to ensure that communities

had say in how their forests were managed. This government is focused on

making different choices to make sure that forests and biodiversity are

there for generations to come.

I did have the opportunity to recently meet with the Islands

Trust. I commended them for the excellent work that they’re doing, heard

them and listened to them to gain insight into their proposal. We have

committed to further discussions.

Again, thank you to the member opposite for the

question.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Saanich North and the Islands on a

supplemental.

A. Olsen: Thank you to the minister for the response.

Clearcut logging is having a dramatic effect on the landscape of

the southern Gulf Islands. It’s having a detrimental impact on the

environment and Gulf Island neighbourhoods. A public information

campaign is underway, and Gulf Islanders have been demanding

accountability from their elected officials, and they should.

As the Coastal Douglas-fir Conservation Partnership website

highlights, the CDF zone is “home to the highest number of species and

ecosystems at risk in B.C., many of which are ranked globally as

imperiled or critically imperiled.” For more than a decade, the

conservation partnership has included all levels of government, ENGOs,

landowners and industry, yet the clearcuts continue

unregulated.

At the Islands Trust council meeting in September of 2020, a

motion was passed by council requesting the province give the trust the

power to create the tree-cutting bylaws like a municipal government has.

They’ve asked for these powers through their council table.

Again to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, every day we delay is

another day that these endangered ecosystems are at risk. Will the

minister commit today to urgently amend the Islands Trust Act as per the

request of the council, and when can the council see to have the power

to create tree-cutting bylaws?

Hon. J. Osborne: Again, I know just how much coastal communities care deeply about

forests, about waters, about wildlife, about biodiversity. And as a

former marine biologist myself and a member, a resident, of a coastal

community, I resonate and understand these concerns.

Again, I really appreciated sitting down and talking with

representatives from the Islands Trust about this issue. The member

opposite knows how much I care about this. I definitely invite him…. My

virtual office door is open, and I’m happy to discuss this with him

further.

Again, I’m committed to continuing to work with my colleagues.

This government is listening to communities, understanding their

concerns, and we are here to work with them. I welcome the opportunity

to discuss this further.

[10:35 a.m.]

GRACE SENIORS HOME IN CHINATOWN

M. Lee: The government has a responsibility to act to ensure that

culturally sensitive care is maintained for the residents of the Grace

seniors manor. Family member Tim Lam says: “All of this comes at a time

of heightened anti-Asian racism targeting our elders. Not only do they

face outward violence on the streets, they also face systemic violence

from institutions that continually forget and devalue their

needs.”

I’ve heard from one elderly couple, together for 80 years, who

have been told they will have to be split up to qualify for long-term

care. Will the Premier intervene and guarantee that these seniors will

not be separated?

Hon. D. Eby: I hate to ruin a question period. I know how much work goes into

preparing these questions.

I don’t pretend that this is a trivial issue. It’s not. But I can

tell the member that telling elderly seniors that they’re at risk of

being split up, when I have explicitly said now, twice, that government,

I believe, has a solution that we’ll be presenting imminently that

allows seniors to maintain their social connections, both within the

building and in the broader community, is simply

irresponsible.

Now, I welcome questions from the members on all matters related

to housing, but I think that Grace seniors have been through enough. I

am very grateful to B.C. Housing, to CMHC and to the non-profit

organization involved in working together to come up with a solution to

support these seniors.

This is not an outcome that anybody wanted, that seniors would be

split up. I do understand the emotion around the issue and why it would

be a serious issue of concern for the opposition. But I can assure the

member, and I’ll assure all the members that are going to ask questions

after this, if they continue on this theme, it is front of mind, and we

will address it.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Vancouver-Langara on a supplemental.

M. Lee: B.C. Housing failed to communicate with the residents here. There

has been a total failure of communication. Residents in that seniors

care home found out from the newspaper that they had to move —

advertising, looking for places to move the residents in, to warehouses.

This is the communication that was given to these residents. They’re in

their 80s and their 90s.

The stress and the anxiety that this government has caused these

residents is unforgivable. This government had the responsibility to

ensure there was a proper, appropriate plan in place to ensure

culturally sensitive care was maintained for these elderly

residents.

Let’s hear from a family member again: “B.C. Housing appears more

concerned with managing a PR crisis, rather than finding an adequate

solution for families.” Families say they have virtually had no

communication from B.C. Housing. Culturally sensitive care is very hard

to come by. Two- and three-year wait-lists to get culturally sensitive

care and there have been no guarantees it will remain under the

Premier’s plan for this housing.

Will the Premier personally guarantee that these seniors will be

allowed to permanently remain in their homes and keep their culturally

sensitive care?

Hon. D. Eby: I don’t want to let the facts get in the way of a great question,

but here we go. The statement about moving seniors into warehouses was

made by the actual owner of the building. The federal government has

taken ownership away from that person, I think appropriately

so.

The member blames B.C. Housing for a lack of communication. It’s a

federal government program that purchased the building directly through

a non-profit organization. The member says that B.C. Housing is engaged

in a PR campaign, rather than taking actual action, despite the fact

now, in three — this is the fourth — questions in a row, I have been

very clear that B.C. Housing has been taking action, and we will be

protecting those seniors. Those are the facts.

WAGES FOR COMMUNITY

SOCIAL SERVICES

WORKERS

D. Davies: The wages of all front-line workers in B.C.’s community social

services sector are funded directly by the province, but 17,000 workers

continue to be discriminated against by this government for simply not

belonging to a union.

[10:40 a.m.]

This is what Reach Child and Youth Development Society has to say:

“Your work should determine your salary, not your union status. If

you’re going to do the same work, you should receive the same

pay.”

Will the Premier stop this discrimination?

Hon. N. Simons: I would like to, first of all, thank the member for showing an

interest in this sector. Obviously, it’s one that has been providing

important services to British Columbians throughout the

province.

As the member knows well, it’s a very diverse sector, and there

have been some historic issues that I’m proud to say our government has

taken on head-on. That includes issues around wages, recruitment and

retention. I’m very pleased to say that the Social Services Sector

Roundtable, which this government established, is a very good venue for

these discussions to be discussed and for us to find a resolution that

the previous government ignored.

Thanks for the question. Work is being done in this sector. I

think that all parties at the table are confident that it will be

successful.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Peace River North on a supplemental.

D. Davies: I’m sorry to say that this minister isn’t listening, nor is he

working with this sector. The service agencies have had to file labour

complaints. In the middle of a pandemic, the very people who are putting

their health at risk are being discriminated against by this

government.

Communitas Supportive Care Society says: “For more than two years,

we’ve been fighting for equality for all our community service workers

who are delivering an essential service. It is time for the government

to listen and act.”

My question again to the Premier or the minister: will they end

the discrimination?

Hon. N. Simons: Thanks again to the member for his question. I appreciate

it.

I’d like to just reiterate the importance of looking for long-term

solutions to the historic inequalities that have existed in this very

diverse sector. I think it’s very important that government takes on

this issue seriously, as it has and will continue to do.

The table is made up of members from the diverse sector that

exists in this province. Issues are being discussed, and resolution is

forthcoming. We have a number of ways of addressing this issue. The fact

that we’re together at the table, dealing with them, I think is a good

sign. I appreciate the question.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO

FREEDOM-OF-INFORMATION

REQUESTS

B. Banman: On December 15, 2017, we, the opposition, filed a

freedom-of-information for a list of files. Finally, after over three

years of delays, the government was ordered to produce the records. But

in spite of that order — which was over two months ago, I might add —

the records have still not been provided. The latest excuse is: “Your

request requires consultation. Therefore, we are extending the

legislated due date.”

To the Premier, who is it that’s being consulted?

Hon. L. Beare: I want to thank the member for the question.

Our government is working really hard to ensure that our records

are retained appropriately and that we’re responding to all British

Columbians and their requests in a timely manner.

The volume of FOI requests has increased by more than 40 percent

over the past two years. In fact, there has been a 250 percent increase

from political parties alone. Yeah.

These requests have cost the B.C. taxpayers almost $43 million,

and they take time — broad, sweeping requests like this for records that

haven’t historically existed for government. They didn’t exist under the

previous member’s government; they didn’t exist under our government. We

have had to create computer programs to actually generate those

records.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, let’s listen to the answer, please.

[10:45 a.m.]

Hon. L. Beare: That takes time, and that takes hard work from the public sector,

which is responsible for this. The member has indicated we have

responded, and those records will be coming when they’re

ready.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Abbotsford South on a supplemental.

B. Banman: I can understand why screenshots take so long to get. But this is

a very familiar picture for the media, interest groups and anyone trying

to access information from this government — endless and unexplained

extensions, even for the most basic of requests, such as a

screenshot.

In this case, the request was over three years ago. The NDP was

ordered to produce the records over two months ago, yet we still have

zip — not a single record — in spite of paying the $2,700

requested.

To the Premier or the minister, will they commit to actually

meeting the current due date, or will this government yet once again

find a reason to delay?

Hon. L. Beare: I want to let the member know that creating those programs to get

those screenshots that didn’t exist under their government, that don’t

exist under our government until now, until we’ve created these programs

— that’s 90 hours of work by our hard-working public

servants.

The member talks about time, the time required. Under their

government’s watch, the response rate for FOI requests was 74 percent in

2015-2016. Our government has a response rate of 86 percent. That is

despite the 250 percent increase. Our public servants are working hard

to fill these requests.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, listen to the answer, please.

Minister, continue.

Hon. L. Beare: Our government is working hard to fill those requests. In fact,

last year alone we released 1.86 million pages of documents. We are

being open, we are being transparent, and we will continue to

be.

MASSEY TUNNEL REPLACEMENT PROJECT

I. Paton: The Premier’s throne speech did have one laugh line, but it’s no

joke to the people still sitting in the largest traffic bottleneck in

British Columbia. The NDP said the George Massey replacement would

continue to be a priority, which is just so disrespectful to the

thousands of motorists, truckers and transit users still stuck in

traffic.

If the Premier hadn’t been playing political games, a replacement

crossing would be opening next year. Instead, the Premier ignored all

the work already done, the hours of public consultation, endless

engineering studies, countless stakeholder meetings and a mountain of

paperwork, and we’re still at zero.

Will the Premier commit that actual funding for the Massey

replacement will be in the budget?

Hon. R. Fleming: Thank you to the member for the question.

It’s interesting. I had time to reflect upon previous throne

speeches, after listening to a lot of disparaging content from the

opposition. The one that catches my attention is the throne speech that

was delivered on June 22, 2017, by a government desperate to cling on to

power, about to test the confidence, and fail, in the House. That

speech, that clone speech, I think it’s better known as, said this.

“Recognizing concerns about the design, your government will listen and

work collaboratively to move this project forward.”

Isn’t it interesting that the opposition promised, to try and

cling to power, that they’d go back to the drawing board? They promised

that they would start to work with and not against local governments on

this project. That’s exactly what we have done. We have worked with the

mayors in the region to align their regional transportation priorities

with the province’s regional transportation priorities. That work is

complete.

We have also satisfied another additional condition for going

forward, which is that we have worked on a different financing model. We

utterly reject and continue to reject a toll-based regionally

discriminatory tax that is applied to commuters each and every day just

because they live south of the Fraser, and we rejected that private

model that the previous government proposed. No tolls, Mr.

Speaker.

[10:50 a.m.]

The third element that we need is a successful federal

partnership. I am pleased to say that our government has the highest

level of engagement possible. I am working with the Minister of

Infrastructure. The Minister of Jobs and Economic Recovery is working

with his counterparts. The Premier is engaged with the Prime Minister’s

Office.

This is a nationally significant trade corridor. It deserves

investment from the federal government, just like bridges get in Ontario

and Quebec. British Columbia deserves the same treatment, and that’s

what we’re working toward.

Mr. Speaker: The Chair will allow one more question.

I. Paton: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

To the 85,000 commuters a day that use the George Massey Tunnel, I

think moving forward we will take that answer as a: “No, we’re not going

to see anything in the budget about the George Massey Tunnel ever being

replaced.”

The only work done on the tunnel has been the addition of some new

lighting, which makes it easier, I guess, for commuters, seniors and

parents to see how long the traffic jams are when they’re in the tunnel

and to observe the old, grey, cracked and decaying walls inside the

tunnel.

The Premier might say the Massey is a priority, but there’s no

mention of it, obviously, in the current budget coming up in a few

hours, and there’s still no decision on whether to go with a bridge or

another concrete tube. Can the Premier confirm, at least, to me, which

option he’s chosen for such a high-profile priority?

Hon. R. Fleming: I will say this to the member: I am proud to be part of a

government with the most ambitious capital program in the country. I

think the member will be very pleased this afternoon that our government

is building on the most ambitious capital plan in the country that

existed before the pandemic, to build back better after the

pandemic.

The member should know that corridor improvements are already

being contemplated and in the design phase and going to be underway on

Highway 99 so that the existing tunnel flows better, that there is

better traffic management there. And we are determined to work with the

federal government to make sure that this nationally significant trade

corridor receives federal dollars.

His government would have charged moms and dads every weekend —

who take their kids to the museum or go to a soccer tournament or,

heaven forbid, even go to work each and every day — thousands of dollars

out of their pockets. We’ve promoted affordability in every way as a

government. We reject that approach.

We have worked with the region to get a consensus on the best

approach. We have a business case that we have shared with the federal

government to support an investment decision. I’m proud of the work that

we’re doing, and I’m proud of the results that our government has made

in investing in infrastructure and creating jobs in British

Columbia.

[End of question period.]

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. Farnworth: I call second reading of Bill 3, Employment Standards Amendment

Act.

Second Reading of Bills

BILL 3 — EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

AMENDMENT ACT,

Hon. H. Bains: I move that Bill 3 be read a second time now.

Bill 3 amends the Employment Standards Act to provide up to three

hours of paid leave per dose to employees in British Columbia who are

receiving their COVID-19 vaccination.

[S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.]

COVID-19 is an unprecedented public health emergency, not only

here in British Columbia but across the world. An essential part of this

province’s immunization plan is to remove barriers that prevent British

Columbians from easily accessing the COVID-19 vaccine.

With this leave, both full-time and part-time employees will be

allowed up to three hours of paid leave per dose in order to be

vaccinated against COVID-19. For example, if an employee needs a leave

from work half an hour early to receive their first vaccination, they

would be entitled to be paid leave for that half an hour.

If for a second vaccination, for example, the employee needs to

leave work in the middle of their shift — that would happen in different

circumstances, different scenarios — they would be entitled to be paid

three hours, and they will not be losing any pay or their job as a

result of that.

Removing barriers to employees easily accessing COVID-19 vaccines

will help stop the spread of this virus, ensure safe workplaces for all

and support the economic recovery.

[10:55 a.m.]

While we hope that the vaccination clinics’ hours will provide

enough option for employees to be vaccinated outside of their working

hours, making sure that those employees who are unable to do so do not

lose pay or their job is another way of removing barriers to

access.

There can be many different scenarios. In many places, the clinic

hours, as I said before, are such that people would be able to

schedule

their vaccination outside of their working hours. But there would be

scenarios in different regions of the province — shift schedules are

such, the clinic hours are such or the location of those clinics — where

workers may have to travel a distance. They need this protection because

many workers are paycheque to paycheque. They cannot afford to lose even

this amount of pay in order to go get vaccinated. This leave will

benefit those in rural communities or those who must travel greater

distances to get to a vaccination clinic or where a local clinic has

limited hours.

It will also help women, youth, minimum-wage earners and other

groups who are more likely to be in lower-paid jobs that do not provide

employer-paid leave benefits. It will also assist Indigenous women, who

we know have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Last spring the government passed the Employment Standards

Amendment Act (No. 2), 2020, Bill 16, which introduced a job-protected

leave entitlement to employees impacted by COVID-19, including when they

have been diagnosed with the virus or are in self-isolation or need to

stay home to look after a child because of a school or daycare

closure.

More recently, April 1, regulatory changes were made that extended

the unpaid job-protected leave entitlement to include employees being

vaccinated against COVID-19 or assisting a dependent family member to do

the same. This regulatory change was brought in as an interim measure

until ministry staff and I could consult on a proposal to introduce paid

COVID-19 vaccination leave by legislation. Bill 3 incorporates feedback

we heard during these consultations with the business community, labour

organizations, Indigenous partners and other stakeholders.

Most employers understand the benefit of having workers vaccinated

and the need to provide a safe workplace for both workers and their

customers. In addition, when their customers know that that particular

business and their workers have the vaccination provided to them, they

know that the businesses are winning their confidence — knowing that

their health and safety is protected when they cater to those

businesses, knowing that the workers are protected, knowing that the

workplace is safe for them to do business with. That is very, very

beneficial to the businesses, and the businesses know that and

acknowledge that.

We recognize that many employers are also in a tough spot at this

moment of the pandemic. The intent of this legislation is not to add

burden to employers but to promote the safety of their employees and all

British Columbians by removing a barrier to their ability to receive

COVID-19 vaccination.

To employers, I would like to thank you in advance for supporting

your workers to get their vaccinations. Many employers are supporting

their workers to go get a vaccination, because they know the benefits of

having their workers vaccinated. They know that this is key for all of

us to overcome the pandemic that we are facing right now.

That’s the best thing that could happen to all of us to stop this

pandemic. This is one way, probably the best way, to have every British

Columbian, especially the workers, vaccinated at workplaces. This bill

will remove the barriers to vaccination for many of those workers. The

best thing for all of us, as I said, is for us to stop this

pandemic.

[11:00 a.m.]

When we developed this legislation, we have been mindful of the

requirements of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

We have done an assessment of this legislation as it relates to aligning

with the United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Introducing paid COVID-19 vaccination leave for employees in British

Columbia, covered by the Employment Standards Act, as this bill

proposes, does not uniquely affect Indigenous rights described in the UN

declaration.

We undertook consultation with employers and workers’

representatives and other stakeholders along with Indigenous partners to

seek and consider their input and perspectives during the development of

this bill. This included the Indigenous leaders and other

representatives on the B.C. COVID-19 Industry Engagement Table and

representatives from the Minister’s Advisory Council on Indigenous

Women, the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and the

First Nations Health Authority.

I was advised that the paid vaccination leave will particularly

assist Indigenous women, who have been disproportionately impacted by

COVID-19. I also heard that the paid leave could be a greater financial

challenge for small businesses that do not currently provide paid

vaccination leave, particularly those in rural areas and Indigenous

communities where travel may be required to access vaccinations. Our

government appreciates this concern, and it is one that the small

business community has also raised with us more generally.

Throughout this pandemic, we have been mindful of the need to

support workers and businesses. That’s why our government recently

introduced another business support, the circuit breaker business relief

grant. As a way to support employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19,

we are proposing the paid leave in this bill.

Turning to the specifics of this bill, I will highlight some of

the features of the proposed COVID-19 vaccination leave. Paid leave of

up to three hours will be available to employees in British Columbia for

each dose if they need to take time off work to receive their COVID-19

vaccine.

If an employee needs more than three hours or time off to assist a

dependent family member to receive their vaccination, the unpaid

job-protected leave introduced earlier this month will remain in place

to support workers in this situation. The bill sets a formula for

calculating the amount of pay for this leave, which is based on an

employee’s average hourly wage for the previous 30-day period. This is

similar to the formula already in place under the Employment Standards

Act for calculating an average day’s pay for the purpose of statutory

holidays and paid domestic or sexual violence leave.

The legislation will permit an employer to ask an employee for

reasonable, sufficient proof that the employee is entitled to the leave

— for example, a copy of the confirmation email detailing the date, time

and place of an employee’s COVID-19 vaccination appointment. The bill

specifically provides that a worker will not need a note from a doctor,

nurse or nurse practitioner to take this leave. If this bill is passed,

the leave will be retroactive to the day it was introduced — yesterday,

April 19 — to maximize the paid vaccination leave coverage for

working-age British Columbians.

We’re not alone in recognizing the need for this important support

for employees. Saskatchewan recently passed a law granting one

three-hour paid leave for employees to receive their COVID-19

vaccination.

Bill 3 recognizes that the need for this leave is time-limited

while COVID-19 remains a threat, and it may be repealed by regulation

once the crisis has passed. This bill not only supports employees but

also helps ensure the safety of all British Columbians. By helping to

ensure that as many employees as possible are vaccinated, paid leave

will play a vital role in the fight against the spread of

COVID-19.

British Columbians know that their government has their back

throughout this crisis, and together, we will get through this. I look

forward to debate on this bill. Thank you very much for the

opportunity.

[11:05 a.m.]

G. Kyllo: It’s always a pleasure, and I’m very proud to rise in the House

today on behalf of the hard-working men and women of the Shuswap and in

fulfilling my obligation, my duty, as the critic for Labour to respond

to Bill 3, Employment Standards Amendment Act.

I think it’s very important that we put on the record that no

worker should have to choose between a paycheque and getting vaccinated.

Vaccinations are extremely im­portant. I don’t think anybody would

in any way suggest otherwise. But I think what’s important to note is

the fact that as this bill is coming forward, we are now two months into

the legislative session.

The minister has characterized the fact that government has the

backs of employees and employers in the province. Yet if we had to look,

the pandemic has been upon us for over 13 months now — 13 months. We

knew 13 months ago that there was going to be a need for vaccinations in

this province. We certainly knew last fall, at the start of the fall

legislative session, of the potential opportunity for

vaccinations.

Yet this bill, which is a very simple bill — it does not appear

that it took a lot of drafting time to put together — we did not see

previously. As well, when we had the December sitting, there was ample

opportunity in order to bring this legislation forward. Yet here we are,

two months into the spring legislative calendar, with this bill being

tabled.

Now, as the minister has clearly indicated, this bill, should it

pass, will come into force and effect as of yesterday, the day it was

actually tabled in this Legislature. However, it’s also my understanding

that over one million British Columbians have already been vaccinated.

So the timing of this bill…. When the minister characterized, or tries

to characterize, that this government has the backs of employees and

employers, that certainly was not the case when they called that

unnecessary and risky snap election last fall.

Employers want to support their employees. There are ample

opportunities…. As the minister has indicated, the opportunities for

getting vaccinated in many communities is seven days a week with

extended hours of operation, and there is always the opportunity for

employees to

schedule their vaccinations outside of their work

schedule.

One of the pieces that I’m hearing from businesses that is very

concerning is the fact that this applies to even part-time employees.

Now, there is not a definition of what a “part-time employee” is. But

for a moment, let’s think about those struggling small businesses that

are challenged right now just keeping their doors open. They’ve had a

significant amount of additional cost pressure, reduced revenue,

business closures around the circuit breaker and otherwise, yet now

these businesses will be potentially saddled with additional

costs.

For a part-time employee that may only be working ten hours a

week, I fail to understand why it would be necessary for that worker to

have the opportunity of paid leave when the large majority of their week

would be open in order to

schedule their vaccination at a time other

than working hours. You know, we need to find balance. That is the one

challenge. What we have seen from this current government is additional

layering on of additional ex­penses and taxes onto the backs of

hard-working businesses at a time when businesses are

struggling.

There’s no question that vaccinations are for the greater public

good, and most businesses would amply want to support their workers in

becoming vaccinated. But I think we have to have a look at the manner in

which this bill is being brought forward specifically with the

opportunity for part-time employees to also have access to this

particular funding.

There are many concerns that business organizations have. The

other area comes to the proof — the ability of an employer to actually

have confirmation that an employee has taken time off for valid reasons

and actually received the vaccine. Now, the minister has indicated that

in order to request leave of an employer, getting confirmation of a

registered appointment, whether that is either through a text or through

an online email, would be sufficient evidence to provide to your

employer in order to gain access for the paid leave

component.

[11:10 a.m.]

What I did not hear from the minister was: how is the employer

able to verify and ensure that the employee has actually been

vaccinated? If the intention of this bill and this piece of legislation

is truly to provide the paid leave to ensure that workers are not losing

any of their pay in order to become vaccinated, I think it’s also — to

provide that balance — imperative that the employer has the ability to

request confirmation from the employee that they’ve actually become

vaccinated.

I’m certainly happy to canvass some further questions in committee

stage, but I think that is going to be a very important piece. Employers

will want to know that if they’re indeed paying their employees for time

away to become vaccinated, they have the ability of actually confirming

that their employee has indeed actually obtained that

vaccination.

Again, I just wanted to bring back the fact that this particular

piece of legislation is now two months into the legislative calendar. As

we know, over 1 million British Columbians have already received their

vaccination shot. The funding and the opportunity for employees to take

advantage of paid leave…. Those million-plus British Columbians will now

lose out on that opportunity. As much as we know that the vaccine has

been available, and there is going to be the need and necessity for

British Columbians to be vaccinated for well over a year now, it just

seems a little bit odd that this piece of legislation is coming in this

late in the day.

I was provided an opportunity to have a briefing from senior staff

from the minister’s office yesterday. I asked specifically about the

level of consultation that was undertaken and the timing of that

consultation. Al­though I had requested more specific information

about the consultation — the depth, the breadth, the number of

organizations that were actually consulted — I was denied that

opportunity. I guess we have to take the minister at his word that the

consultation has been very broad and included a large number of

different business organizations.

Then also, think about the timing. If we have known for over 13

months that there is going to be the need and necessity for British

Columbians to become vaccinated, I would certainly be very interested in

finding out at what point in time government actually undertook that

very important consultation.

When we have a look at the supports that have been provided for

businesses….This is where it’s important to have a look at the balance.

We certainly want to support employees, but we also need to be able to

provide the necessary supports for the employers.

We know, as I’ve shared earlier, the significant litany of

additional new taxes that have put additional cost burden on the backs

of businesses. The minister referenced the restart program. I’d like to

remind listeners at home who may be watching today and may have interest

in this particular topic of the fact that the $345 million COVID restart

funding program — the botched $345 million program — was very late to

come out of the gate, and $5 billion in funding was provided by all

members of this Legislature, in unprecedented fashion, last March. The

$345 million COVID restart program was not announced until just days

ahead of the current Premier dropping the writ and throwing us into an

unnecessary and risky snap election. As of last week, it’s my

understanding that only $120 million of the $345 million program has

actually gone out the door.

With all due respect, the funding that was committed to and agreed

on by all members of this House last March was intended to be put into

the hands and the pockets of struggling small businesses to help them

meet their financial challenges.

Yet what happened? The current government chose to put their

political self-interest ahead of the health and well-being of businesses

and employees and individuals across this province.

I’m very concerned about the lack of balance. When government does

come forward with a program to help small businesses, it’s delayed.

There are significant challenges. With respect to the current challenge

with restaurateurs that have been shut down from in-dining experiences….

There are many businesses that are going to close over the next coming

months, yet the $50 million that was identified to help those specific

businesses is not new money. They’ve simply reallocated funds out of the

$345 million of the COVID restart program.

[11:15 a.m.]

That funding should have already been out the door. There is no

benefit to British Columbians or the economy of this province until

those funds leave government coffers and actually land in the hands of

those struggling small businesses that are trying to meet

payroll.

I’m very supportive of employees. I certainly am very interested

in hearing further commentary through committee stage and canvassing the

minister further on some very specific questions. But I really do want

to say that I am very supportive, as are my colleagues, of supporting

vaccination programs in this province and providing supports for

employees. As I indicated at the outset of my comments today, no worker

should have to choose between a paycheque and becoming

vaccinated.

A. Olsen: It’s my honour to rise today to speak to Bill 3. I’d like to thank

the Minister of Labour for bringing forward this bill.

I very much echo the sentiments of my colleague from Shuswap with

respect to the fact that we should not expect workers in this province

to have to make that difficult decision between going to work and

receiving a vaccination. Just as we want to see the support for British

Columbians who are feeling ill to be able to make the decision to be

able to keep their job as well as keeping their colleagues in the

workplace safe, we also want to be encouraging British Columbians to be

getting a vaccination for those brighter days that this government

continues to talk about so that we can perhaps see the light at the end

of the tunnel — that, indeed, through vaccination, we will be able to

achieve that.

This bill does provide the workers the ability to be able to step

away from their jobs, to be able to go out and get that vaccination

without losing pay and without perhaps losing their job because of

it.

I do think it’s perhaps somewhat unfair to raise these issues

within the context of this bill. However, I think it is important to

echo the comments that were raised by the member for Shuswap with

respect to the delay in receiving this bill and, as well, the online

platform for British Columbians to sign up for vaccinations. It is

important that British Columbians know that the members of the

opposition parties are raising these concerns with

government.

When government has said numerous times that they were prepared

and ready for the vaccination program…. Thinking back to this time last

year, in 2020, the governments and our government were talking about how

vaccinations could take 12 to 18 to 24 months and that, really, the way

that we were going to get through this pandemic was through mass

vaccination. It should be of no surprise — I think it is important to

note — that for the platforms that have been put in place, the

government took a long time to get there.

We’ve, thankfully, seen the registration platform work very well

for the government. I think that it’s important that we and members of

the opposition do apply that pressure to government to ensure that they

are putting in place the resources and the infrastructure to be able to

support this mass vaccination. This bill, I think…. Despite what the

member said earlier of perhaps the delay and the number of weeks ago

that this could have been brought in, I’m very happy to see it here

today.

I’m just going to leave it at that. I’m interested in the

questions around the consultation that will come, I think, in the

committee stage. I just want to reiterate our support for this

initiative to ensure that British Columbians don’t have to make that

choice as it was framed earlier.

[11:20 a.m.]

I thank the minister for bringing this forward, and I do encourage

the provincial government, with this vaccination program, to expend the

resources to put in place the infrastructure to be able to support

British Columbians to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to speak to Bill 3. I

look forward to supporting this bill through the process.

Deputy Speaker: Seeing no further speakers, I go to the Minister of Labour to

close second reading debate.

Hon. H. Bains: I do appreciate the comments by the member of the opposition — the

member for Shuswap — and the member from Saanich for their very valuable

input. I think I understand, from their commentary, that they do

recognize the importance of having a very successful immunization

program. The plan that B.C. has put in place is one of the largest and

one of the most complex plans that we have seen in the history of this

province.

All experts know that having a successful immunization plan is the

key to coming out of this pandemic. Businesses know. That’s why they’re

supporting their workers already — many of them are — to encourage them

to go and support them to go and get vaccinations. Workers know that not

only is it their health, it’s their fellow workers and the families that

they go back to live with. And their communities that they live in also

are benefitting from the vaccination program. Overall, it is a

win-win-win situation.

We all understand the best thing that can ever happen to all of

us, including businesses — especially businesses, I will say — is to

have this pandemic ended. I think this is one way of doing it: removing

barriers to vaccination. Many workers…. I have said before, and it’s

been recognized, that there are many of those who, for a variety of

reasons, may not be able to

schedule outside of their working

hours.

The member talked about part-time. I think at the end of the day,

it is the labour relation between the employer and employee. If an

employee knows, “I have a number of days. I’m a part-time worker for

this particular operation. I have a number of days to go and get

vaccinated and get my appointment during those off days,” they will do

that. But again, a part-time worker may be with this employer, but they

may have another job somewhere else. They may have to work with that

employer as well. Overall, they may not have any time outside of their

working hours to get vaccinated. Every situation will be

different.

I do recognize and appreciate the comments and the concerns that

are raised. Those issues were looked at. I think a lot of thought went

into it, because we want to make sure that the employers aren’t burdened

over and over with the cost implications of any policy that government

brings in. We are very, very cognizant of that situation.

Again, it is also recognized — and I appreciate that the

opposition, both parties, recognize — that we need to work together to

make the vaccination program successful. That’s the only way we are

going to get out of this pandemic. I really do appreciate the

comments.

Now I move second reading of Bill 3.

Motion approved.

Hon. H. Bains: I move that the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole

House to be considered at the next sitting of the House after

today.

Bill 3, Employment Standards Amendment Act, 2021, read a second time

and referred to a Committee of the Whole House for consideration at the next

sitting of the House after today.

H. Yao: If you don’t mind, I forgot to make this introduction

earlier.

Deputy Speaker: The member seeks leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

H. Yao: I want to take a moment to wish my nephew Logan Robertson a happy

birthday. He is the first grandchild on both sides of the family, and we

really love that little rascal. I want to thank the House for giving me

this opportunity and ask everybody to wish him a happy

birthday.

Hon. H. Bains: Could we ask for a five-minute break, please?

Deputy Speaker: I will approve that request. We are on recess for five

minutes.

The House recessed from 11:25 a.m. to 11:27 a.m.

[S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.]

Hon. R. Kahlon: I call Address in Reply to the throne speech.

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

Hon. J. Whiteside: Again, it’s a pleasure to resume my response to the throne speech. I

think when I left off yesterday, I was singing the praises of my community

of New Westminster and some of the really important organizations and people

who work to make that community such a thriving, resilient place.

I wanted to also mention important organizations, such as the Centre

for African Immigrants who have been the recipient of an important grant as

part of the B.C. multiculturalism grants for work to tackle anti-Black

racism. The centre was formed in 2003 with the goal of supporting visible

minorities with ethnocultural barriers and assisting them in settlement,

adjustment and integration processes. The work they do in the community is

important and a real example of the way in which we are increasingly valuing

diversity and inclusion.

I wanted to also note that, again, along the vein of the work that our

government has committed to and that was outlined in the throne speech

around anti-racism, the Purpose Society — also based in New Westminster and

another very important part of the fabric of our community — provides

social, health and education programs across the Lower Mainland. They’ve

received, also, a grant to further their community-based anti-racism work

through the Resilience Anti-Racism Network.

[11:30 a.m.]

This work is really foundational to the values that are expressed in

the throne speech about how we build strong and resilient communities. Other

organizations, as well, like the Last Door Recovery Society and the Lookout

Society, are providing very important supports to vulnerable people in our

community. They have been called on to step up, during this pandemic, to

protect vulnerable people, and they have done so with compassion, with

dedication, with commitment. We all, I think, in our community, owe them a

debt of gratitude.

Really, these kinds of values — around putting people first, making

strong investments in the supports and services that people need;

recognizing and taking steps to support diversity, equity, inclusion and

reconciliation; ensuring that we are supporting people to live with dignity,

no matter what their circumstances, and in fact working hard and fighting

every day to change and improve those circumstances — are the key

ingredients to building strong communities. That is how we nourish

communities. That is where community resilience comes from.

These elements — investing in health care and education, child care,

skills training for workers to take up the jobs that will be created as we

build a green economy — are the values and actions that our government has

committed to. They’re the values that are reflected in the throne

speech.

I think that in this time we reflect on: what is the role of

government coming out of and helping to navigate the scope of a global

pandemic? It’s an event that we had never anticipated any of us would be

living through. The role of government, as we are finding, is critically

important in supporting communities, in nourishing communities, in ensuring

that people have the services and the supports that they need. Our

government has been and will continue to be absolutely committed to ensuring

that British Columbians have the services and supports that they

need.

I want to take a moment now just to turn to, specifically, the

portfolio that I have in the role as Minister of Education. I have to say it

is such an incredible privilege to serve in this position and to be, really,

an advocate for British Columbia kids and for the people who are working in

our education system. We have, indeed, an excellent education system by many

measures. Of course, we also have some challenges that we need to address.

We have laid out, in our government program and through the values and

principles we have articulated in the throne speech, a path

forward.

I have to say that kids, in particular, have been doing a remarkable

job during this pandemic. I think this generation of children will of course

be marked by their experience of the pandemic, for a lifetime. They have had

to pivot suddenly to online learning, in some cases. They have had to change

how they interact with their friends.

We have seen, across the education system, incredible work done in

order to respond to this unprecedented time. We’ve witnessed, across so many

parts of our society, particularly in education, just remarkable feats of

compassion and resilience as workers, families and students have pivoted.

When we closed schools last spring at the start of the pandemic, we know

that that had significant consequences in terms of the challenges that it

posed both for students and parents and for everybody across our education

system.

[11:35 a.m.]

In a report that was produced by the BCCDC in September examining this

period, they looked very closely at the impact of this period on kids. What

they identified were an increase in the sense of isolation, an increase in

mental health concerns, difficulties adapting to online learning, the fact

that kids were missing their teachers and those social connections, and also

the very real concern that this pandemic, as we know, has impacted people

and communities in different ways. There are vulnerable communities. Kids

living in vulnerable communities have been disproportionately impacted in

negative ways by this pandemic.

That is why our government made it a really clear commitment —

following the advice of our provincial health officials — that, really,

keeping our schools open was critical, not only to maintain the connection

to learning that is so important for children but also to ensure that kids

retained a connection to the mental health supports they have access to in

schools, to the meal programs, to all of the other services that support a

child as a whole individual.

It’s not as though kids are only students when they show up at the

door of the school, that they then leave the rest of their life behind them

and come in and are just a student. They bring their whole lives with them.

Some of those lives are challenging, and school is a refuge and an important

source of supports. We have prioritized maintaining those critical

supports.

I know that it has been very, very hard, and there have been so many

incredible acts of support from principals and teachers ensuring that kids

who were not in school had groceries, ensuring that they’re working to

maintain those connections. It has been tremendously humbling to witness the

degree of compassion, commitment and effort that has gone into keeping

schools going. We owe a significant debt of gratitude to all of those on the

front lines in our education system for making it work.

I know we’re at a very challenging point in the pandemic right now,

but we are of course starting to turn our thoughts to what things will look

like in September as we build back. We know we have a challenging few weeks,

several weeks, to get through at this point in the pandemic, but we know

that there’s light on the horizon. When we are planning for September and we

think about what September is going to look like, we certainly are hoping

that that’s going to look much more like a regular September for kids across

our schools.

When I look at the way in which the values of our government are

reflected in the mandate that has been set out for our education system, the

values that are reflected in the throne speech…. We are working now on

developing an anti-racism strategy for education. We are working with

Indigenous rights holders on improving outcomes for Indigenous children. We

are increasing the presence of, contributing to and fostering the

revitalization of Indigenous languages, which are critical parts of our

government’s commitment to reconciliation.

We are working on developing, on the ground, in the school, integrated

mental health teams to support the mental health of children, and we have a

mental health in schools strategy that is about supporting students and also

adults in our school system.

Of course, we are going to bring our child care system into our

education system and connect up those two very important elements of

learning — early childhood learning with education — and build the kind of

child care system in this province that we know British Columbians need and

that will be fundamental to our recovery.

[11:40 a.m.]

We are building on the success of the work that we did in the previous

term of this government, in which we hired 4,200 teachers, including 700

special education teachers, and where we invested significant resources in

not only improving the staffing in our schools but improving the services in

our schools. I have to say that we also…. I think this is one of the most

significant elements of what we’re doing — the investments in capital

dollars and in infrastructure that is built by and owned by British

Columbians in which to build a modern education environment in which kids

can learn.

I’ve had a chance to tour the new high school in my own community of

New Westminster, and I have to tell you, it is such a remarkably different

environment than the high school that I went to or that many of us went to.

It is so open and light and designed around the principles of team learning.

I think about the kinds of competency and skills that kids are going to

learn in those environments and the kinds of contributions that they’re

going to make having gone through a modern education system — the

contributions that they’ll make to our society. It makes me feel very

hopeful, I have to say — extremely hopeful.

The work that we are doing on anti-racism in the sector is critical,

and on reconciliation. All of those elements also are critical to building

and imparting a sense of real empathy and compassion in kids. I think that

one of the most exciting elements of the work that we’re doing around child

care is just building all of those values and principles into early

childhood learning right from the very beginning and then as kids move into

elementary school. I think we are going to see such incredible fruits,

across society, of those investments that we are making, both in improving

the operational side — the content and quality and empathy and compassion in

our system — as well as improving the actual places that kids are learning

in.

I feel deeply privileged to be part of that work and to have an

opportunity to speak for and be part of a government that is making such

incredible contributions to the health and well-being of our

society.

R. Singh: It is such an honour for me to speak in support of the throne

speech.

Before I start, I really would like to thank my community of

Surrey–Green Timbers for having faith in me and getting me re-elected in the

last election. I would also like to thank my campaign team, especially my

campaign manager David Fleming, Hasan Alam and Anmol Swaich for all the hard

work that they put in, in my election campaign, which was very, very

different than the traditional campaigns that we are used to.

Also, a big thank-you to my constituency assistants, Sarina Grewal and

Balkaran Singh, for all the hard work that they put in. I always say about

them that they are my eyes and ears while I’m not there in the office,

listening to the concerns of the community and providing advocacy. So thank

you to all of them.

[11:45 a.m.]

We know that the last year was really challenging for all of us. We

were not expecting…. Last year when it first started, 2020, we had no idea

how challenging it would be. How the communities have come together and

faced this challenge…. Especially, I would really like to thank the

different community organizations in Surrey that have stepped up and helped

the most vulnerable populations in our communities.

I really want to thank our front-line workers, our health care workers

who worked on the front lines providing services for all of us that needed

them, a lot of times putting themselves at risk. My hands go up for them.

Really, I don’t even have enough words to say how thankful I am for all the

work that they have put in.

But we also know of the challenges that came last year, and which we

are still going through, that there were certain sections of the communities

that were disproportionately affected. We know that COVID does not

discriminate. It affects all of us. But certain populations, certain

communities that are already marginalized, already oppressed, felt the

challenges. The challenges for them were much more grave than what was felt

by the majority.

It was an honour for me that the Premier had this faith in me to

appoint me as the first Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives.

We know that racism and discrimination have been pervasive in Canada and in

British Columbia. But also, we need the commitment to tackle that, to spell

out that we have this kind of discrimination, that we have these issues in

our communities, and how to tackle that.

That’s why I was so pleased and I felt so proud of our government when

I saw in our throne speech that they have committed to the work that must be

done to dismantle systemic discrimination, which is still a lived reality

for so many in our province.

I would really like to thank the work that has already been done. An

especially big thank-you to my friend, my colleague, the Minister of Jobs

and Economic Recovery, the MLA for Delta North, and the work that he has put

in, in creating the anti-racism network for B.C., which is known as

Resilience B.C.

This year we recently nearly tripled the funding for Resilience B.C.,

for all the work that they are doing. This funding lift will support 36

organizations in 57 communities to fight discrimination and hate with

anti-racism initiatives throughout B.C. This increase is part of the $2.9

million investment from B.C.’s economic recovery plan, StrongerBC, to

deliver anti-racism initiatives.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

I would like to give some examples of how Resilience B.C. supports our

communities, especially the victims of hate crimes. The Resilience B.C.

folks are on the front lines doing outreach and contacting those victims,

people who are affected by this hate, and also creating a lot of educational

programs that will bring more awareness about these issues.

I would really like to name a few recipients which got this funding,

like Richmond Multicultural Community Services, which will promote and

further implement a community response protocol which outlines procedures to

respond to racist incidents and to facilitate focus groups to understand how

better to support victims of hate.

to respond to online racism and hate and to offer workshops on active

witnessing and bystander intervention and refine the community response to

racism.

Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society of Prince George will

create a manual for the public on the impacts of racism on health,

especially in the context of COVID-19, to raise awareness and lessen the

numbers of racist incidents in the health sector.

These are just a few examples of the organizations. There are many of

them who are doing amazing work, and we want to enhance and empower them

more. That’s why this increase in funding will help support these

organizations.

[11:50 a.m.]

We have also committed to introduce the race-based data collection to

help identify gaps in services and how to address them. We know that

systemic racism exists in policies and programs, and this has a negative

impact on people and communities. We need better information to ensure that

services are delivered equitably. Race-based data collection is about

identifying where gaps and failures exist so we can provide better services

for communities.

We are beginning to engage with Indigenous leaders and community

groups to develop a clear framework that will guide what we are asking

individuals to disclose, how to store the data, how it will be used and with

what goal, holding broader public consultations this summer.

This data is going to be so important to help us break down systemic

barriers, but we don’t want this data to be misused and misconstrued in a

way that’s harmful to communities of colour, perpetuating stereotypes and

furthering racist sentiments and violence. That’s why we need to work with

communities to ensure that it is stored and used properly. We are already

doing some early work on our end. In the coming months, we will start

engaging with community groups to develop a clear framework that guides what

we are asking individuals.

Also, the government will continue working with the communities to

develop B.C.’s first anti-racism law. The past 12 months, as I’ve already

mentioned, have shown that we need to address systemic discrimination and

hatred in the province. We have seen a rise in anti-Asian and

anti-Indigenous racism during COVID-19, and a worldwide focus on anti-Black

racism through the marches for Black Lives Matter. This act is a

recommendation from the multicultural advisory committee. The

Multiculturalism Act has been in place for more than 25 years, and it’s time

for a transition to active anti-racism.

The introduction of B.C.’s first anti-racism act will reinforce our

goal to combat racism in B.C. and ensure that individuals are treated

equally, regardless of their race or skin colour. We are hearing from people

that this needs to happen, and we are also hearing from them that it has to

be done in the right way. We are in the early stages of the work, as I said,

for the race-based data collection. It’s likely to come sooner, and this one

will follow. The anti-racism legislation will follow the race-based data

legislation.

We have been gathering feedback from our Multicultural Advisory

Council and Resilience B.C., the first B.C. anti-racism network. We are also

trying to find out how we get together and how we collect the information to

get legislation that is made in B.C. We have also reached to, as I

mentioned, our Indigenous leaders to begin these discussions.

I know I don’t have much time. I just want to say that the work…. I’m

so proud of our throne speech. We want to continue the work that we started,

almost four years ago, of putting people first — whether it was health care,

providing the health care resources, building more hospitals; putting more

funding into our educational sector; putting resources for the most

vulnerable and the marginalized populations…. Always, whatever we are doing,

we are putting people first. That’s what we will continue to do in the

coming year.

With that, I would like to stop now, and I would like to adjourn the

debate.

R. Singh moved adjournment of debate.

Motion approved.

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 11:54 a.m.

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