2008 Legislative Session: Fourth Session, 38th Parliament

HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational purposes

only.

The printed version remains the official version.

Official Report of

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(Hansard)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008

Afternoon Sitting

Volume 26, Number 2

CONTENTS

Routine Proceedings

Page

Introductions by Members

Statements (Standing Order

25 B )

Downtown Victoria Business

Association homelessness initiatives

C. James

Nechako River flood mitigation

Rustad

International Development Week

Trevena

Lunar new year celebrations

R. Lee

Esquimalt Legion

Karagianis

First nations economic

development report

Bennett

Oral Questions

Disclosure of documents in B.C.

Rail court case

C. James

Hon. W.

Oppal

L. Krog

Farnworth

Simpson

TimberWest logging operations

Trevena

Hon. R.

Coleman

Protection of forest industry

jobs

Routley

Hon. R.

Coleman

Fraser

Simpson

Point of Privilege

(Reservation of Right)

C. Trevena

Throne Speech Debate

R. Cantelon

J. McIntyre

C. James

M. Polak

L. Krog

Hon. M. Coell

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008

The House met at 2:04 p.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Prayers.

Introductions by Members

C. James: We have a number of guests who are visiting us today to talk about the crisis in our forest industry. I have three guests to introduce today: Arnie Bercov, who is the national forestry officer with the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers of Canada; Ken Wu, the campaign director of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee; and Bill Routley, president of Local 180, United Steelworkers of Canada. Would the House please make them welcome.

[1405]

Hon. R. Thorpe: On behalf of Mr. Speaker, I'd like to welcome to the House today from Oliver, British Columbia, retired teacher Ken Hayes. Ken is joined by two Rotary students, Daniela Vasquez from Ecuador and Juad Paulino from France, who are part of the Rotary exchange program. They are both visiting and staying in Osoyoos and the wine capital of Canada, Oliver, until the end of this school year. Would the House please make them welcome.

I would also like to advise the House that a former member of the House, Rick Kasper, the former member for Malahat–Juan de Fuca, was taken ill last Friday and is in the Victoria General Hospital. I visited him last night. He's resting comfortably. I know that the House will want to send Rick their best thoughts and prayers. Rick wanted all members of the House to know that the British Columbia health care system was there when he needed it.

C. Trevena: I am pleased to welcome to the House some members of the CEP Local 1123 workers from Elk Falls mill in Campbell River who last week heard that their mill was going to be closed on May 8, putting them and more than 200 other workers out of a job. Among them are the president of the local, Scott Doherty, and other executive members Ian Simpson and Duane Riddoch. I would like the House to welcome them and all the other CEP members who are in the gallery welcome.

D. Hayer: It is my honour to introduce Harjinder Parwana from my city of Surrey. She is a doctor of pharmacy student at UBC. As part of her studies, Harjinder is currently working in the pharmaceutical services division of the Ministry of Health. She is here to visit the Legislature and to observe question period. Would the House please make her very welcome.

H. Bains: In the House there are a number of Steelworkers trying to bring their issues to the attention of this House and the forest industry: Richard Arnason; Rick Sohye; Kelly Heslop; and Rick Wangler, president of Local 1363. Please join with me and extend them a warm welcome.

L. Krog: Joining us in the gallery from the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union are Bill Kerr, Mike Fenton and Don Boucher. I'd ask the House to please make them welcome.

R. Austin: It's my pleasure to introduce four members visiting in the gallery today from CEP. They are Dan Bergsma, Audrey Bergen, Roy Cardinal and Jim Derhousoff. Will the House please join me in making them welcome.

S. Fraser: I'd like to welcome four members from PPWC. That's Gerald DeJong, Nick Shepard, Rod Burkowsky and Scotty Hutton. From Port Alberni and the Save Our Valley Alliance is Rob McCurrach. Please make them feel very welcome.

H. Bloy: It's my pleasure today to welcome three guests from Simon Fraser University. They're part of the Simon Fraser Student Society, working for all students up there. We have the president, Derrick Harder. We have the graduate issues officer, Amanda van Baarsen, and we have the internal relations officer, Haida Arsenault-Antolick. If the House would please welcome them.

D. Routley: I'd like the House to help me welcome two members from the Youbou Timberless Society, a group that pursues public education and public policy issues related to forestry. Visiting us are Ken James and Chris Olsen; and then from the Steelworkers, here to hear their issues discussed, Brian Butler; from the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers, Mike Ruff; and from the Vancouver Island safety support group, Leanne Baird.

K. Conroy: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce some constituents from Castlegar. David White is a young contractor in Castlegar who grew up with my son Ben, and Stesha Davidoff is a student at the University of Victoria. Would the House please join me in making them welcome.

[1410]

B. Simpson: I would like to add to the list of CEP members from Campbell River who have come down here to raise their issues. In the gallery today are Dan MacLennan, Dwayne Callaghan, Roy Keller, Jim Erickson, Jon Miller, Nick Brown and Gerry Mathason.

Thank you for travelling down here to raise your concerns with us. Would the House please make them welcome.

Hon. G. Abbott: I'd like to welcome to the gallery today two friends, two former constituents from Shuswap, two former residents of my hometown of Sicamous. Tamara Schweeder is here with her father, Lloyd Schweeder. Would the House please make them welcome.

R. Fleming: I'd like join with my colleagues in welcoming other forest workers and conservationists who are with us here in the gallery today. From the United Steelworkers union we have Wade MacGregor, John

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Wheeldon and Arnold Remmen, and from the Western Canada Wilderness Committee please welcome Jessi Junkin.

J. Horgan: I, too, would like to welcome members from the CEP local from Campbell River. They are Mike Manson, Lori Fox, Doug Stockton, Rod Saunders, Dave Mudge, Andrew Kirk, Ed Lawrence and, lastly, Richard Janicks. They're here to hear their issues represented in this Legislature.

I'd also like to take a moment to say that my mom is convalescing at Royal Jubilee Hospital. She likes to watch one of her children every day at this time, and she won't be able to, because they don't have any cable up there. Maybe the Minister of Health could do something about that.

C. Evans: We all know that we built this House with the beautiful timber of British Columbia and the labour of the people that cut it down, so I'd like Dave Brunson, Chad Megeart, Trevor Wall and Chris Barton to be welcomed to the House that they built.

C. Trevena: I'd like to make two personal introductions. In the gallery today are two people who are very important to me. One is the love of my life, my life partner, my best friend, my stalwart support and my most respected critic — my husband, Mike McIvor. With him is his son, my stepson, Josh McIvor.

Josh is a young man who is doing supremely well in his chosen career. He has a moral integrity and a passion and commitment to social justice in Canada and internationally. It's Josh's first visit to this place. He managed just to escape a snowstorm in Ontario. He's making the most of that province's new public holiday, Family Day, and he's here to witness B.C. politics and then go off and enjoy Vancouver Island skiing at Mount Washington and Mount Cain.

I hope the House will make them both very welcome.

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome back Kate Ryan-Lloyd, a Clerk in the committees office. That's following her maternity leave with her newest daughter, Molly Bridget Ryan-Lloyd, who was born on July 23.

Statements

(Standing Order 25

B) DOWNTOWN VICTORIA BUSINESS

ASSOCIATION HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES

C. James: Here in Victoria, like much of the province, communities are struggling to cope with rising homelessness rates. More and more people struggling with addiction and mental illness are living on our streets with few places to turn. Others just can't afford housing.

It's a crisis that needs solutions and a crisis that needs communities to come together. For years, many not-for-profit community groups and organizations have worked tirelessly to address the challenges of the most vulnerable. I want to thank and recognize all those who've worked so hard.

Now here in Victoria and around the region, the capital region is moving forward with a progressive action plan. The cornerstone of this plan is the creation of the Greater Victoria commission to end homelessness, which will be co-chaired by the hon. Ted Hughes and Mayor Alan Lowe.

[1415]

Today I'd like to recognize the Downtown Victoria Business Association, which committed $100,000 to get the commission up and running. It was a very welcome and much-needed announcement for my community and many of my constituents. Not only will these funds help establish the commission; they'll also help create opportunities like training programs for Victoria's most vulnerable people.

I'd like to applaud the Downtown Victoria Business Association for their commitment to help those struggling in the capital region, and I want to recognize their efforts to raise even more funds for the commission. They've called on all levels of government and other business groups to commit to this project. They believe, as I do, that if the community works collectively, we can make a real difference and improve the lives of all those in our community.

NECHAKO RIVER FLOOD MITIGATION

J. Rustad: I stand today to talk about the Nechako River — and no, it's not about the plight of the white sturgeon. Sixty-five days have now passed under a state of local emergency for the people and businesses along the Nechako River in Prince George. This winter's ice jam and associated flood has taken its toll on many. Twenty-four homes have been under an evacuation order and many others on evacuation alerts. Businesses have closed for temporary periods, and the uncertainty has been significant for hundreds of people.

But finally we've received some good news. The state of local emergency has come to an end. Residents will finally be allowed to go back to their homes and start the process of cleaning up.

Since before Christmas, crews have been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to try to keep people safe and to protect homes and businesses from further damage. The Prince George fire and rescue department played a key role in keeping people safe. Right from the beginning their crews helped to fight this disaster. Ice-rescue and swift-water rescue teams worked passionately to help keep people safe and to assist with the flood mitigation efforts.

City works crews, contractors and volunteers played significant roles in safeguarding the community from what could have been crippling floods, as water surpassed the 200-year floodplain levels. Through all of this, Mayor Colin Kinsley and everyone at the city really stepped up to the plate and took decisive action to protect the community.

The province played a major role in meeting and exceeding the needs of the city, but the real thanks goes

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to the dedicated people who fought this battle. Please join me in thanking and saluting the many people involved in helping Prince George's 65-day battle with Mother Nature.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK

C. Trevena: I am very proud to be standing here today to mark International Development Week. Canada has an outstanding reputation globally for its development work. That, I think, is one of the reasons we hear constant disputes about our mission in Afghanistan. Are we there to help the country evolve and develop, or are we there to fight?

We stand in this House and argue about health care and about education, about roads and about the public services which should remain public, which we take for granted and which we are incredibly, extraordinarily fortunate to have. But for billions of people around the world, these are not givens. They do not have clean water, access to health or access to education. That's why those individuals who work in development are so important — the water and sand people — ensuring wells are built so that people can have clean water.

We see them in emergencies dropping their normal lives to try to rebuild after a disaster. We often don't see them other times, those who are there every day without a disaster — engineers, teachers, nurses working for the large organizations like Oxfam, CARE, UNICEF or Medecins Sans Frontieres, and people working for the small NGOs, assisting in democratic development or journalism training and media assistance.

International development isn't glamorous. It's hard work. It's time spent assessing what's needed, time spent developing projects, time spent in difficult conditions a long way from home implementing those projects. The results are often not seen for years down the road. But it's imperative that we, the wealthy, comfortable countries, take on that responsibility and make development a reality for those billions of people who don't have the life that we can expect.

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

R. Lee: Thursday, February 7 marked the beginning of the lunar new year, and many British Columbians are celebrating this week. Celebrating the new year is also an opportunity to recognize the significant contributions of British Columbians of Asian ancestry.

[1420]

This lunar new year celebrates the Year of the Rat. In ancient times the rat was welcomed as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. As we also survey the 150th anniversary of the founding of the grand colony of British Columbia, it is clear that with a strong economic outlook, this will be a great year for our province.

Last Sunday a celebration parade in Vancouver's Chinatown was attended by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, the Premier and many members of the House. Nearly 50,000 people participated and enjoyed this exciting gathering. The celebration is also known as the spring festival.

Many Asian countries celebrate the spring festival with public holidays, allowing people to spend time with families and friends. In Canada, although the lunar new year is not an official holiday, lots of celebrations take place in communities across the country. As well, Canada Post issued New Year's–themed stamps and numismatic coins. I was at the launching at the Chinese Cultural Centre last month.

Now more than ever, British Columbia has established economic and cultural linkages with the Asia-Pacific region. I am pleased to have this opportunity to share the lunar new year celebration in this House and to recognize the great diversity of our province and to celebrate our status as a gateway to the Asia-Pacific. Gong xi fa cai. Gung hay fat choy .

ESQUIMALT LEGION

M. Karagianis: It's my pleasure to stand in the House today and share with members the exceptional story of the Esquimalt Legion. Established in 1944, the Esquimalt Dockyard branch No. 172 of the Royal Canadian Legion has served in my community for more than 60 years. In a town that's home to the Pacific naval fleet, the Esquimalt Legion has a proud history as a gathering place and a place of support for veterans, servicemen and -women, and for military families.

Two years after its founding the branch moved to a small, six-room house at 622 Admirals Road. That little house was to serve for the next 25 years until a new building was completed in 1972. To make that dream a reality, several members got together and put up $76,000 of their own money.

Over its remarkable life the Esquimalt Dockyard branch has been guided by strong hands and dedicated hearts, and today the secretary-manager, Doug Grant, continues that proud tradition. Mr. Grant is a lifetime member of the Legion and has served for the past 18 years as its director. He's led the branch through some good times and some not-so-good times.

Today the membership stands at 1,300, and the branch is an active, vibrant place in the community. With an event capacity for more than 500 people, the Esquimalt Legion hosts everything from special events, weddings and mess dinners to anniversaries, reunions and more. Among the Legion's many events is the annual dinner for the homeless, which this January served 350 needy citizens.

Now, under the steady hand of Mr. Grant and his enormously dedicated executive, the branch is building for the future. There are plans for a new facility on Admirals Road with much-needed housing for veterans, units of affordable housing, and modern dining

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and gathering spaces. I am very pleased to support their efforts, and I hope the members will join me in acknowledging the exceptional service of the Royal Canadian Legion's Esquimalt Dockyard branch No. 172.

FIRST NATIONS ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT REPORT

B. Bennett: Today in Vancouver over 200 first nations people are gathered together to review a report to the B.C. Assembly of First Nations and to the First Nations Leadership Council, called The Journey to Economic Independence: B.C. First Nations Perspective , and to develop over the next two days a first nations economic development framework. I presented the report this morning on behalf of government, today being a cabinet day, and I must tell you that there is optimism in the air there.

All of us in this House want first nations people to lead successful lives, to have the same opportunities we and our children have. As the first nations leaders have said themselves, good jobs not only sustain aboriginal families and communities; good jobs bring hope and confidence in the future.

Mr. Ted Williams, a member of the Cowichan Tribes, is primarily responsible for the report. The Minister of Economic Development gave Ted and the first nations leadership a wonderful opportunity over the past year to work within the ministry and to use the resources of the ministry to get this report done. Ted and his small team interviewed 11 diverse first nations to understand and record how they have created economic success — how to do it and how not to do it.

[1425]

The stories in this report are inspiring. They are involved in everything from green power projects to 99-year land leases to mining partnerships to off-reserve woodlots. And, of course, there is the St. Eugene Mission Resort in my riding, which is the vision of Sophie Pierre, chief of the Ktunaxa First Nation. She took a symbol of oppression, an old stone residential school, and turned it into a symbol of hope for the future — a very successful project.

Did you ever think you would hear a B.C. first nations chief say — and this is a quotation: "If first nations are going to move forward, we are going to have to partner with corporate Canada"?

There is much to be done, and there are many, many first nations communities that have not yet found the jobs and economic development they need to achieve meaningful independence in their lives. But as Ted Williams says in the report, no one can change the past. However, together we can change the future.

Oral Questions

DISCLOSURE OF DOCUMENTS

IN B.C. RAIL COURT CASE

C. James: The B.C. Rail corruption trial has been tied in knots for months because this government refuses to disclose key e-mails, key evidence, to the defence. More than 100 e-mails have been kept secret. One of those e-mails is so significant that Justice Bennett says it goes to the heart of the "innocence at stake" principle.

So my question is to the Premier. He promised full disclosure. He promised openness. Now he's hiding behind privilege. Why won't he release this evidence, and who is he protecting?

Hon. W. Oppal: I'm sure the Leader of the Opposition knows the rule about sub judice. This matter is before the courts. We do not comment on matters before the courts.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. W. Oppal: Obviously, matters of principle are a matter of comedy for the people on the other side. We have principles that we abide by, and those are pretty sound principles that are set out in our law — that people in the Legislative Assembly do not comment on matters that are before the courts.

Mr. Speaker: Leader of the Opposition has a supplemental.

C. James: There's only one part of that response that I would agree with. This is about principle. This is a principle of accountability and openness of this government that they are ignoring.

This goes to the heart of commitments that the Premier himself made: "I've told everyone to be open and transparent." Another quote: "Our job as government is to be open and transparent as possible about this."

Well, the Premier has a choice to make. He can waive privilege. He can actually choose to live up to his word or not. Again, my question is to the Premier. Will he waive privilege? Will he allow this trial to move forward, or will he continue his fight to protect himself and his office?

Hon. W. Oppal: The judges and the lawyers run these trials independently of anybody in this House.

Mr. Speaker: Leader of the Opposition has a further supplemental.

C. James: This is about the evidence they have to be able to make those decisions in court. This is about what evidence is available to them so that we can ensure that justice is served. This is about evidence that the Premier has a choice about, whether he waives privilege or not.

Perhaps the Attorney General should listen to the justice. Justice Bennett said: "The public interest in having this case heard outweighs just about everything else." I agree. British Columbians certainly agree. The public interest outweighs the Premier's desire to protect his cabinet and his office.

[1430]

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The Premier has a choice to waive privilege, and he should do it today. So my question is again to the Premier. Will he live up to his word? Will he live up to his words that said he wants to be open and transparent? Will he ensure that the evidence is available so the B.C. Rail corruption trial can actually move forward?

Hon. W. Oppal: I think the Leader of the Opposition has almost got it. It is about the evidence, and it's about the independent assessment of the evidence. It's about the right….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Attorney, just take your seat.

Members.

Continue, Attorney.

Hon. W. Oppal: Our judges must have an unfettered power and the unfettered authority to decide these cases without any political statements made by uninformed politicians.

L. Krog: Make no mistake about it. This is a test, the real test of the Premier's commitment to justice in this province. It is a test to the Premier's own word and the promises he made, and to date he has failed.

By fighting to keep evidence secret, he is jeopardizing the entire trial — the fairness of a trial in our criminal courts. Justice Bennett left no room for

interpretation. The e-mails in question could help decide the innocence or guilt of two free citizens of this province before the courts.

My question is to the Premier. What is more important to him? Is it a fair trial or just keeping his secrets buried?

Hon. W. Oppal: I want to quote from a statement made by the member opposite who just asked that question. It's a November 2, '06, news release. "It is essential to the rule of law that the integrity of the judicial process not be interfered with. High-profile…."

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Attorney, just take your seat.

Continue, Attorney.

Hon. W. Oppal: I want to carry on with the quote from the member for Nanaimo. "It is essential to the rule of law that the integrity of the judicial process not be interfered with. High-profile prosecutions have failed in the past because politicians felt compelled to make comments in public that were later deemed prejudicial."

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

L. Krog: I'm delighted to hear the Attorney General quoting my words back to me. What is at stake here is the right of two accused persons to a fair and just trial. Their right to do so is in jeopardy because this government holds within its power, and the Premier holds within his power, the ability to release crucial evidence so that Justice Bennett can do the job that both she and every member of this House are sworn to uphold, which is the law of the province of British Columbia.

She's made it clear that the e-mail evidence in question includes communications with the Premier's office. It was the Premier who promised full disclosure.

Will he announce today that all e-mails between him and his staff related to this trial will be disclosed so that justice can be done?

Hon. W. Oppal: Well, obviously the member opposite didn't hear my comments or didn't understand them. They're his words, and I'll repeat them: "High-profile prosecutions have failed in the past because politicians felt compelled to make comments in public that were later deemed prejudicial."

[1435]

Now, those are true words. That's reflective of our process. That is, judicial independence is fundamental to our process. It's fundamental to any democratic process, and it is totally improper for any politician to make comments that would compromise those principles.

M. Farnworth: The refusal to waive privilege would in fact be interference. That's what this is about. This is about not commenting on a trial. This is about the fact that the Premier has a choice. He has a choice to waive privilege or not. He has a choice.

So the question is clear. Will he do the right thing, ensure that all the documents go to the defence so that we can have the most open trial, and waive privilege?

Hon. W. Oppal: All of the documents are in the hands of the lawyers, and the judge will decide which of the documents are admissible. I'm sure the legal experts on the other side know better, but whatever documents are admissible will be held to be admissible by the trial judge.

The trial judge is in the unique position of weighing the arguments on both sides of the issue, and she'll make her appropriate findings without any type of advice from this House.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

M. Farnworth: The Attorney misses the point, and it's really quite simple. The government, the Premier, can waive privilege on some extremely important documents.

To ensure that we get to the bottom of this sordid matter, the question is clear. Will the Premier, if they've got nothing to hide and they're not concerned about anything, waive privilege on these crucial, important documents?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. W. Oppal: Well, essentially the same question, only put forth in a louder tone. I'll repeat. The

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judge is independent. The judge will make the appropriate findings. We'll live with the findings made by the judge.

S. Simpson: The B.C. Rail corruption trial is tainting this government. It's tainting this Premier's office. The Premier does have a choice here.

The Premier's choice is that he can do what he committed to do, which is be open and transparent and make sure all the information is available to this trial, or he can continue the cover-up. Will the Premier do the right thing just once? Release the information.

Hon. W. Oppal: We will do what we have always done, and we will respect the….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Continue, Attorney.

Hon. W. Oppal: We will not interfere in the process. The process is too precious. This process is too precious for a bunch of uninformed politicians to interfere with.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

S. Simpson: One thing the Attorney is right about is that he is doing what this side always does, which is to perpetrate interference by covering this material up.

[1440]

The reality here is…. Will you release the information? The interference here is the lack of availability of information to the courts so they can make a decision. This Attorney General is perpetuating the cover-up for the Premier. Release the information.

Hon. W. Oppal: There's a special prosecutor appointed under the Crown Counsel Act. There's an independent judge appointed by the federal government. They'll do the appropriate things.

TIMBERWEST LOGGING OPERATIONS

C. Trevena: TimberWest has announced it's going to close permanently its only sawmill remaining on the coast. That's the Elk Falls mill in Campbell River.

I have a question for the Minister of Forests. Since TimberWest is now, by its own admission, a log export and land development company, why do they still have logging rights to our public forests?

Hon. R. Coleman: It is unfortunate that TimberWest has decided to close its Elk Falls sawmill. As the member may know, after a sawmill closes, some issues take place with discussion with the government. That has not started as yet because this is a recent announcement.

I feel, quite frankly, for the employees of the sawmill. Quite frankly, when you lose your job because of market pressures and the inability for a mill to be successful, it's difficult for all.

We're going to be there for those workers in transition and training and bridging to pension. We will do that. We will begin work with the union and the community to deal with this particular closure.

You know, hon. Members, it's not something actually to catcall about when we lose jobs in the forest sector. The reality is that for every penny….

Interjections.

Hon. R. Coleman: Look, the reality is that a year ago the dollar was 85 cents. Every one-cent sustained increase in the dollar is $130 million out of the forest sector in British Columbia.

We are in some difficult times in the forest sector. This company was not making money on this mill. They did not have the ability. You can't possibly expect them to run at a loss and not be able to sustain it.

Mr. Speaker: Member for North Island has a supplemental.

C. Trevena: I'm rather disappointed that the minister didn't answer my question. While it's fine that he feels for the workers, I'm intrigued that he says it's market pressure that is forcing the mill to close. I'm not sure whether the Minister of Forests realizes that Elk Falls mill could be a viable operation producing lumber products for the Japanese market.

TimberWest has not been providing the mill with the logs it needs to run efficiently, and they will not guarantee a log supply to investors who might be interested in buying it.

So to the minister: if, as he has claimed now — and as he repeatedly claims — he wants to maintain jobs in the coastal forest industry, will he show leadership, take back the public logging rights from TimberWest, and make these rights available to an investor who will maintain the 257 jobs that this mill provides?

Hon. R. Coleman: The mill has been up for sale for over two years, hon. Member, without a buyer internationally with any interest. To make those type of statements is completely showing…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. R. Coleman: …a misunderstanding of what efficiencies are and what people have to do in order to be competitive in the forest sector today.

Quite frankly, I don't find it surprising, actually, because this was the member that didn't raise a finger to actually save Port Alice when we stepped up to the plate and turned that mill around and gave it an opportunity.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

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Hon. R. Coleman: We've had the experiences with the NDP when they decided to interfere in the marketplace, like Skeena Cellulose, and blew half a billion dollars of taxpayers' money to no avail. We know that.

On the coast we actually have a significant situation in forestry — in North America. You guys don't want to believe it. You don't like the housing-start argument. You don't like the sub-prime mortgage. You don't like the dollar. You don't want to understand that you have to be competitive. You don't understand that the prices are lower than they were in 1991, because you don't want to admit that this industry has some significant challenges.

For you to think that somebody is going to come in and run a mill at a loss, you're dreaming in Technicolor.

[1445]

Mr. Speaker: I want to remind members that we want to listen to the question and listen to the answer.

PROTECTION OF FOREST INDUSTRY JOBS

D. Routley: There's a group of people in this House who need answers from that Forests Minister. They're logging contractors who are losing their jobs from my constituency. In the past this minister has justified the release of private lands as a way to protect jobs, but that just isn't working.

Will the minister stop being a spectator and start showing some leadership, and will he tell us right now what he'll be doing to protect those people's jobs?

Hon. R. Coleman: I find it interesting that he never gets up and thanks me for the fact that there was a significant multi-million-dollar investment made in a mill to reopen it in his particular riding in the last year.

Let's be honest. We're not happy and you're not happy about Elk Falls closing. Nobody is. Nobody is happy. These people will actually get an opportunity to look at worker transition and training and bridging to pension, because we cannot just turn around and reopen a mill that doesn't make money.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

D. Routley: This is about showing some leadership. This is what I'm asking of the minister. Will he stop being a spectator? These are real people losing real jobs — real families. What action will he take to protect those jobs now?

Hon. R. Coleman: Well, we can't go back to the past to renew our industry. "Skeena Cellulose–style bailouts just are not on." Do you know who said that? The Leader of the Opposition said that.

The fact of the matter is, Member, that there is an adjustment taking place in the market. There's a significant challenge. Understand something. We're going to try and work with these workers to have them transition to other jobs, training and pension. We're going to do that. That we're going to do — right?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. R. Coleman: The member opposite from Columbia River is actually catcalling me about the fact that he's the one who stood up and said the softwood lumber deal was good for the Downey Street mill — which it was — and his own leader wants to tear it up and put your value-added industry at risk, hon. Member.

We've done it. We have a coast action plan moving to second growth. We are investing money in FPInnovations to find new products and new markets. We're in China. We're in Japan. We're in Korea. We're actually trying to build an industry, and we'll work with these workers to find them a future as well.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Just take your seat, Member.

S. Fraser: We've got sawmill workers in the audience today, and they're concerned that when the few remaining mills on the coast under forest devitalization are closed, a thousand more jobs will be lost.

The recent Pulp and Paper Task Force states that investment in this sector will not occur unless this critical fibre shortage is addressed. Now, I'm not going to stand for the obfuscation that the minister just levelled at us before. This is a forest policy issue. It's not about the dollar. This requires the minister to actually do something, to show some leadership.

To the Minister of Forests and Range: will he address the critical fibre shortage that's his job, before we see thousands more jobs lost in this sector?

[1450]

Hon. R. Coleman: The member from Port Alberni gets up and says something about the Pulp and Paper Task Force saying investment won't come. We've been working with the Pulp and Paper Task Force for the last couple of years. They asked us to give some leadership.

Interjections.

Hon. R. Coleman: Just a second. Just a second. So I actually thought he was going to get up and thank us for actually encouraging the pulp and paper sector in the province of British Columbia, because they just told you that they're investing $12 million and opening up another paper line in your community, hon. Member.

B. Simpson: I first want to set the record straight. The member for North Island stood in this House — it's a matter of the public record; it's on Hansard — and she fought for the circumstances to keep Skeena Cellulose open. But this is typical of this minister, who simply wants to gloss over how real the issues are and how much he is responsible, and the Premier and the government are responsible, because it's their forest

[ Page 9638 ]

policy that has made this situation worse than it needed to be.

Now, the minister stands up, and he goes off about how hopeless the situation is, how terrible the situation is in the marketplace. What we are saying is that forest policy is the problem.

The throne speech that we were delivered yesterday is one of the first in decades that says almost nothing about the forest sector. How can that be? At a time of unprecedented crisis in the sector, how can that be? The real people are in this audience — real forest workers, pulp mill workers, real people who live in forest-dependent communities.

Will the minister clear his calendar today, meet with these people and hear their solutions that can be implemented today?

Hon. R. Coleman: You're absolutely wrong. You know what? If we hadn't made…. You know this. You would never admit it publicly, but you know this, hon. Members. The forest revitalization plan that was brought in by….

Mr. Speaker: Minister, through the Chair, please.

Hon. R. Coleman: The forest revitalization plan that was brought in by this government in 2003 was what changed the direction for forestry in British Columbia so that today, in Canada, there is one forest sector that still has a large part of it operating, one forest sector that's still shipping to its clients and customers around the world because the changes actually brought on modernization, investment of capital, streamlining of information and building of a better industry.

Mr. Speaker: Member has a supplemental.

B. Simpson: The minister has not answered one question today. I know this is question period, not answer period. He's been asked specific questions of specific actions that he could take to save the last remaining jobs on Vancouver Island in the forest sector — logging contractors that he could intervene to save their jobs, sawmill workers that he could intervene to save their jobs, pulp mill workers that he could intervene to save their jobs. He's not doing a thing. He's not doing his job.

The throne speech talked about forests for tomorrow. It did not talk about jobs for today. It did not talk about communities for today. The government is bankrupt of ideas. The ideas are in the gallery.

Will the minister and the Premier clear their calendars this afternoon, meet with these folks and find out how we can take action to save those jobs today?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Take your seat, Minister.

Hon. R. Coleman: You know, for the critic for the opposition to say that all the jobs are being lost in milling and logging on Vancouver Island shows me a real lack of knowledge on behalf of the critic. Western Forest….

[1455]

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Minister, just take your seat.

An Hon. Member: Stand up and apologize.

Mr. Speaker: Members. The member that said that….

[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker: Members, Members. Was it on that side?

Continue, Minister.

Take your seat.

H. Bloy: I hear voices — language coming from the gallery, Mr. Speaker.

Hon. R. Coleman: Western Forest Products, which is the largest tenure holder on Vancouver Island and the coast, told me last week that it plans to cut its entire annual allowable cut in 2008. So if they're not cutting it, and you don't think they're milling it, I don't know what they're doing with it. They're actually going to run their mills….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. R. Coleman: This isn't these guys, hon. Member. You know, the fact of the matter is that we're going to sit down with the workers from Elk Falls, as will the community and as will the company, and discuss their future.

In addition to that, let's recognize there are companies still working in British Columbia. There are still lots of thousands of jobs that are working in British Columbia in the forest sector.

You know, the member from Nelson likes to catcall me. But if I'd made the decision that he wanted me to make before Christmas, two mills wouldn't have been bought and jobs wouldn't have been saved in the Kootenays, because you would rather have seen that happen than shut down in the Kootenays altogether.

[End of question period.]

Mr. Speaker: I want to remind the members.…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Point of Privilege

(Reservation of Right)

C. Trevena: I stand to reserve the right to raise a point of privilege.

[ Page 9639 ]

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. de Jong: I call debate on the throne speech.

Throne Speech Debate

R. Cantelon: I move, seconded by the member for West Vancouver–Garibaldi, that:

[We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in session here assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour has addressed to us at the opening of the session.]

[K. Whittred in the chair.]

Further, it is my honour to stand here and represent the people of Parksville, Nanaimo and communities of Lantzville, Nanoose and ancillary communities. It's an honour to represent them because they've invested in me and in this government their trust to govern in a way that enables them to achieve their hopes, aspirations and goals.

[1500]

I want to say that I'm able to stand here and enthusiastically support this throne speech because this throne speech expands the framework of support that will enable the enterprise and the individual to expand their enterprises with their creativity and with their innovations to build a future filled with opportunities and choices for their children, for themselves and for their grandchildren.

I mention "enables" and I mention "choices" because that is at the core of what the philosophy of this government is. We began some time ago, in 2001, to build a strong foundation of fiscal responsibility and prudence that would enable this economy to grow and flourish — indeed, it has grown and flourished — that would enable the citizens and businesses of this great province to make their choices and that would enable them to move forward with their ambitions.

In many cases, I want to say, the policies that are put forward in this throne speech don't lead, frankly, so much as, in many ways, they follow these aspirations and these goals of the people in our province. They, too, want to build a British Columbia that has a clean environment, that provides opportunity of education for everybody and that indeed does have sustainable health care achievements. These are their goals as well, so to that extent, this speech mirrors their goals and aspirations.

I was in Nanaimo recently. In fact, I had the pleasure of attending to the entire caucus — the cabinet and the entire Liberal government — in Nanaimo, and we had very successful meetings learning about the achievements, the plans and the progress of that community.

I also emphasize that building the base also includes getting out of the way of government and enterprise. I want to compliment…. They were enthusiastic about the work that the Minister of Small Business and Revenue has done in chopping away impediments and clearing paperwork out of the way so that businesses can indeed flourish.

That was very evident in Nanaimo. The mayor addressed us, and he was very enthusiastic about the way the economy in Nanaimo has broadened, not so much turning away from resources…. I'll comment about that later, because resource-based industries will continue to be important. He said it was night and day to the decade of, as Mayor Korpan put it, "neglect, despair and poverty." May I say, Madam Speaker, that if the acronym fits the members across, I'm afraid they're wearing it.

The communities up and down the Island that I represent, Nanaimo, Parksville and Lantzville, are moving ahead, and things are going quite well in this new economy. In Nanaimo, for example, the business licences have increased 15 percent since January 2001, from 4,700 business licences to 5,400 business licences. On average since 2001, 595 — nearly 600 — businesses have established themselves annually. From fewer than 500 in 2001, there were 805 new business licences in Nanaimo.

Things are moving ahead not only on the small business front in Nanaimo, but Nanaimo has expanded their opportunity by the creation of a new conference centre. In May 2008 the city of Nanaimo will open up a $72.5 million Vancouver Island conference centre. This will serve up to 900 delegates and be a magnet for businesses and delegations to take advantage of Nanaimo's amenities.

It also includes a new Nanaimo museum and includes 300 parking spaces to expand the downtown parking. I think that in the artistic area one significant aspect that should be noted is that a mural by E. J. Hughes, valued at $200,000, was removed from the old Malaspina Hotel and will be included in the new centre.

Other public projects include the new Oliver Woods recreation centre, which will open in February 2008. This centre features two gymnasiums, a health and wellness centre, a community policing station and a children's area. The new building was designed to be built as energy efficient as possible. The city is targeting leadership in energy and environmental efficiency silver certification.

Private projects have also been encouraged by the new atmosphere of opportunity that's been created in Nanaimo. Recently the Origin retirement community development was opened by InSight. It's a 170-unit, $50 million facility that offers one- and two-bedroom apartments, a spa, swim, on-site pub, gourmet meals. I can tell you, it's a fabulous facility.

[1505]

The Pacifica condominium project in downtown Nanaimo replaces the old, derelict Malaspina Hotel with a 160-unit highrise condominium that will increase the density in the downtown area and also contribute to greater densification — much in line with the themes represented in the throne speech, of densification to take advantage of resources downtown and to minimize transportation.

Parksville is also an area that's advanced, and it's little known for some of its technical advances, the enterprise of some of the businesses there. Camtech Industries, a small company run by Charles Robinson, markets internationally. Mr. Robinson right now is on

[ Page 9640 ]

his way to Pakistan. He builds mockup models of aircraft to train personnel in safety and, behind the pilot's doors, service to passengers. They build complete mockups of the shells of the airplanes for use in training. It's a worldwide market, run right out of Parksville.

Another one is Detailed Design. Visiting this, you walk into a room full of energetic, enthusiastic young people. I would say the median age is 30. They design advanced, complex steel structures that are used worldwide — buildings like the Superdome, for example. So though we may think of Parksville as a recreation centre, certainly in this and many other ways it's a hub of high-tech industry and enterprise.

Lantzville has recently incorporated, and I'm happy to say they've taken great advantage of our program of Towns for Tomorrow. They badly needed and have applied for — and, I'm happy to say, we've successfully delivered to them — a variety and a sequence of funding to enable them to hook into the Nanaimo sewer system and to expand their water system. It was, frankly, a very unsafe situation, where the sewer and water used to hit hardpan and literally flow out into the water, out underneath the overbear right onto the sea floor.

We heard some interesting complaints, I guess, from across the way about the state of our forest industries. What I didn't hear were any positive or concrete suggestions, but I want to tell you that the people in Nanaimo and our area are willing and ready to respond to the announced round table that the Premier has indicated will be taking place, chaired by the Minister of Forests and Range. In his letter here, he indicates that he was happy to see such a great turnout for our luncheon, and he found it encouraging. I'm reading from his letter.

"It seems that the party is doing many good things for our province and our city and smaller communities. As suggested in the Premier's speech, the Liberals are also looking for new ideas and ways to help major industries which all of us depend on, which is why I'm writing to you.

"I feel this is an appropriate time and opportunity for me to put forward an idea which I'm confident will not only be of great help to members of your constituency and coastal British Columbia generally, but which would show that the B.C. government is playing a significant role in getting our forest industry back on its feet. With large investors coming back to the table during the past two or three months, some as recently as January, I feel this could be the right time for such a discussion."

He's asked me to meet with him, and I certainly intend to do that.

Mr. Hitchcock is the president and chief executive officer of the Forest and Marine Financial Group in Nanaimo. They are a major financial player in the forest industry. He's coming forward with ideas and investments to rejuvenate and change the forest industry. Certainly in Nanaimo and on the coastal communities we look for continued prosperity in the forest industry. There's no question that it's at a low point right now, but as in talking to David Lewis, there is certainly sympathy and an appetite in the forest community to reinvent and reapply ourselves to new opportunities.

We can't change realities. We must face them and find new ways. So here we have a private individual, the president of a significant company located in Nanaimo, ready to bring investors and to talk about new ways to do business. I look forward to that conversation.

The throne speech also talks about building a new relationship, and it talks about building self-reliance, self-determination, mutual respect and recognition for people who are first nations people and for interim treaty organizations.

[1510]

During our meeting with the caucus in Nanaimo we had the opportunity to have a face-to-face and extensive discussion with Snuneymuxw First Nation. Once again, I have to comment that truly, Madam Speaker, they're leading us and we're following. The principles and the programs laid out in the Speech from the Throne are very much in tune and in sympathy with and supportive of the direction they're taking.

I want to read a few comments from what they told us when they met with us in Nanaimo. Chief Viola Wyse and their economic development officer David Mannix put forward to us…. They talk about a new economy, "based on the population growth emerging on Vancouver Island, less reliant on resource exploitation in forestry and fishery. The new economy is going to be based on knowledge and people-oriented — tourism, development, construction, health care, transportation and value-added services."

There's a significant opportunity with the Snuneymuxw First Nation. They have a total population of about 1,500, and almost 40 percent of the on-reserve population is under the age of 20 years old. As they say, their youth require hope for the future and the tools to be prosperous and healthy, and they must ensure that these youth have the incentive, motivation and receive the appropriate education and training and have access to career opportunities created by a new economy.

Certainly, I cannot disagree but only endorse Mr. Mannix's comments that the youth are our future. The youth training and education, role models and mentorship, the special relationship with Malaspina University College…. I'll comment about that at some length as well.

Malaspina is attempting to tailor programs specifically to aboriginal needs. The First Nations House of Learning is a concept that they are putting forward. Of course, there's the opportunity, with the Department of National Defence lands adjacent, to expand the college with an aboriginal theme.

They're looking forward, and I think a significant comment is that they regard partnerships as central to everyone's success, and they've built partnerships. The city of Nanaimo framework agreement, with regular meetings every six weeks to build relationships and trust and mutual understanding…. They've made progress on that already, Madam Speaker. The Newcastle Island Marine example is a three-way partnership between the province, the city and Snuneymuxw First Nation to manage this significant park, which is about

[ Page 9641 ]

the size of Stanley Park, in a way that's beneficial to all parties concerned.

In the economic development, they see nothing but opportunity, and they're focused on sustainable development and assets to support our nation. Again, the word "sustainable" is key. One of the other key statements they've made that, again, echoes what we have said in the Speech from the Throne is that the Snuneymuxw First Nation's game is a long game. It's a multigenerational, very long-term perspective. It requires patient capital. They're looking not just to today, not just to tomorrow but to build a future for their children and their grandchildren.

They modestly have asked us to pursue new models as a foundation for Snuneymuxw First Nations and for the province. They want to be known as a new-economy first nation, and they have invited the Premier — and the Premier has certainly given his commitment to caucus — to show leadership and innovation on this intergovernmental front. I expect, and would be surprised not to hear, that they'll be looking to pursue the opportunities under interim treaty opportunities to start to build their new economy. So they're much in tune with what we've said.

I think one of the most significant things that I learned when we were up there — or events that happened — was at a luncheon hosted by Malaspina College. A young first nations gentleman who sits on their council, a man named Darren Good, stood up and came forward — unannounced, uninvited — and spoke in his first nations tongue to congratulate us and to welcome us. It was a very, very significant and very moving point during that meeting. He was able to have the confidence.

We talk about self-determination. We talk about respect and dignity. Here was a great example of a young man standing on his feet — unannounced, unheralded — to talk in his native tongue to the Premier and the caucus. It was quite a moving moment. He spoke deferentially to Auntie Wyse, as he said — to the chief.

[1515]

It represents some of the successes we've had with the funding we've provided for the aboriginal cultural initiatives, whose core funding is a million dollars from the province, but the hundred-million-dollar trust fund that we've entrusted to the first nations council has more than doubled that amount, almost tripled that amount. The effects of it are seen in the emergence of people like Mr. Darren Good. It was a moving moment.

They're also doing much good work in mentoring nursing to establish first nations nurses that will do public health work and, basically, provide a first nations face in a first nations cultural context to people who need health services in villages in some of the more remote areas throughout the province.

I mentioned earlier that Malaspina College is a key element — Malaspina University College, I hasten to add. I want to say — and correct myself and catch myself — that we want this to be Malaspina University, and I intend to press the ministry. I see this as a great opportunity for our government to acknowledge the opportunities that Malaspina presents, as a full-fledged university, to fulfil the role of education and training in the area.

President Ralph Nilson, who was here yesterday in attendance for the throne speech, certainly was enthusiastic about the opportunities that the throne speech delivered for him. He said that a couple of these institutional attributes — which are the government's focus on aboriginal people, the environment, health care, child development and safe communities — are all areas that Malaspina has expertise in and can play an important role.

The president later says: "Couple these attributes just mentioned with Malaspina's geographic location at the entrance to the Canadian Pacific gateway, and I believe there is a wealth of opportunity for Malaspina that could flow from the throne speech." We hear this unequivocal support from the head of the Malaspina University College.

Malaspina University College has certainly been a mainstay in supporting the efforts. I want to mention some facts that clearly give evidence to their support of the first nations achievements and aspirations.

There are 7,400 full-time students at Malaspina College, but significantly, over 1,800 of these students attend Malaspina, which is the largest single total number of any post-secondary educational institute in the province. They, in fact, have worked on many programs specifically designed to develop the support and the capacity-building of leaders within the aboriginal community. As first nations peoples develop economic opportunities, institutions like Malaspina College and specifically Malaspina University will be vital in training the first nations leadership of the next generation.

They are doing many things specifically now that help expand the opportunities economically for first nations people. I mention here the shellfish program that is a very advanced part of Malaspina University's vocational programs. It's a research institute, and they are learning, basically, how to culture shellfish that are indigenous and specific to individual beaches within aboriginal communities.

They actually take shellfish from beaches in the community, culture them, grow them to a reasonable size and then reseed them into the beaches of first nations communities. This will provide an ongoing opportunity economically to develop shellfish culture — which is growing, generally speaking, across the province — and gain economic advantages for their communities.

I think it's absolutely critical that we do develop these economic opportunities for first nations people in their villages, however remote they may be, because we either fix the problems with first nations in the communities they live in, or we solve them on Vancouver's east side, if they migrate there from lack of opportunity.

These are some of the things that Malaspina College is moving forward and joining with us in leadership on. Malaspina University College is joining with us as a partner in moving the vision of Nanaimo together, and I'm happy to say that I've worked with the city, with the airport commission, with Snuneymuxw

[ Page 9642 ]

First Nation and with the port authority in a way that envisions a joint approach. We call it a shared vision. We see it not just as an economic opportunity to drive the economy of the area but to share that economic opportunity with the entire central Island area.

A new airport is vital to the interests of the Cowichan area. We need better and faster links to the outside world to take advantage of expanding markets.

[1520]

The throne speech still talks…. I'm going to just hit highlights and hit them, I think, where it's relevant to our community and display where our community is in sync and supportive of the throne speech. We're all heading in the same direction.

It talks about our environment. I'm happy to report that an initiative that an individual, David Scott, took last spring turned to be very successful. We talk about many of the new parks that we've expanded and created in the province. We were having a social gathering, and Dave Scott approached me with an opportunity where the Nature Conservancy had hooked up a deal to buy Gerald Island, an island in the archipelago just off Nanoose. It's a beautiful, unique island, and they had acquired an interest in it — the conservancy — but there was a backup offer from American interests a half-million dollars higher.

Through expeditious discussions with the Ministry of the Environment and the Premier's office, we were able to basically cut the Americans out of the deal and keep that island preserved, this beautiful island, for all the citizens of British Columbia forever. Again, I think this is an example of how a local person, a local group, taking initiative can be supported by our government when they're working — and they are — very much in sympathy with our objectives.

This speech talks extensively about choices and enabling. So we're not making the decisions. So much of the opportunity in our future rests not just on what the government does for you. I think this is a philosophical difference between us and the other side of the House. We want to offer choices where people can make the choices that enable them to move forward the way they want to move forward. We're not going to do it for you. We're going to give you opportunities and choices. This is very, very true with respect to the environment.

We're going to enable choices on an individual level with regard to saving energy. We're going to give you Power Smart meters in every home so that you can monitor and individuals can see how their energy consumption is going. In fact, we're going to give you opportunities to minimize your power costs. There will be meters that will basically…. Well, I should say the rates will be inclined so that the more you use, the rate goes up. I think this is very consistent with our collective aim to use less.

The innovation clean energy fund will hope to see 100,000 homes take use of solar energy power. I think this will be something that's going to be enthusiastically taken up by our communities, by our individuals, as will the Trees for Tomorrow, which sees us planting more trees to lock carbon atoms into the trunks of trees and use it as a carbon sink. It'll be a very effective way, and I'm sure it'll be warmly received by many people.

But Nanaimo and Nanaimo regional district are already leaders in energy conservation and use. Recently I was at an opening at the Nanaimo sewage station where they plan to convert methane gas into energy production and put it into the grid. It was quite an event, really. We stood there in front of this methane gas flue, several of us politicians. I don't know if the bureaucrats planned it this way, but our talks, our speeches, were punctuated by these mini explosions as the gas burst into flame and shot up in the air to kind of punctuate the effect of our speeches. Instead of this gas being burned off, they're going to use it, convert it. It'll provide energy for about 250 homes.

In the Speech from the Throne, it talks about this. Nanaimo regional district, which has already won awards for its leadership in energy saving, is already ahead of the curve. Again, I might reiterate that in some ways we're following our communities instead of leading them. But we're definitely heading in the right direction.

They're also recouping all the methane gas from the landfill, and that already is being converted into diesel power and pumping energy back into the grid. But there will be many opportunities.

[1525]

Nanaimo also has a goal for zero waste. They long ago far exceeded the 50 percent waste, and now they're heading for 70 percent reduction of waste into the landfill site. They've already required all commercial organic garbage to be collected and recomposted. That is being done by an innovative company on Duke Point, and I'll talk about that.

Now they're doing a test market — again that I think shows leadership for the entire province — to convert household recyclable organic material into composting material. This is done by a company called International Composting Corporation. Through their patented technology, they are able to convert a wide range of organic material — trees to vegetable — with a digesting system that converts it into compostable material that comes out as a very clean, non-pathogenic material that can be used for supplements for gardens and so on and so forth.

Now they've embarked on a very ambitious plan whereby gasification can convert it to methane and probably right through to ethanol and then be used as a supplement to gasoline. It has the effect of taking a million cars off the road. I know that our government will follow with interest their progress and their ideas, because it certainly offers a great opportunity.

One of the certainly great goals of the throne speech is healthier families. There's much ambiguity about where we stand on health care, but there shouldn't be, because the throne speech clearly says there's one public payer for services under the Canada Health Act. It will be delivered by public and private providers.

I think many of us forget that all our doctors are private business men. The vast majority of the delivery of the health care system is indeed, has always been,

[ Page 9643 ]

We talk about choices, and we are going to put more choices, particularly in health care, in the hands of our constituents. We're going to make health records available to them so that people have a better understanding of their health, of how it's progressing and of their treatments. We're going to examine the feasibility of an independent living savings account so that people can — perhaps, if it's feasible to do — put money away, up to the age of 75, in a tax-sheltered fund that would enable them to pay for their own assisted living, should that become a necessity. Also, a special referral service would be made available.

We're going to continue some of the excellent work and research that's been done. B.C. is a leader in this area. The brain research centres develop much good research. We are now going to have a centre for brain health that will enable people to have a better understanding of issues that affect people with brain injuries so that they can better take

part in our community.

I've said: "Make choices." I've said that individuals lead us better than we perhaps often lead ourselves. We have a citizen in my constituency by the name of Lou Dredge. From time to time Lou has produced many excellent ideas and continues to send them in to me. I've had dialogue and discussions with him. Once again, he has offered a letter — in fact, this was dated sometime before the throne speech — in which he anticipates some of the things that we should be doing.

Let me read you his letter: "A Decima Research poll in September found that approximately five million Canadians have a family doctor as their first point of contact when they need access to medical care." He goes on to say: "Now, it is known that without a family doctor in this country, you will have trouble accessing the health care system."

Certainly, one of the initiatives that this government has done that's been quite successful — and I was happy to participate in it — was the $100,000 support that we give new doctors to set up a practice, to defray some of the costs they have in setting up that initial practice, to enable them to perhaps pay off some of their student loan and to get roots in the community.

[1530]

One of the things that he mentions here is that we should not require patients to see their doctor to renew their prescriptions. This suggestion was made to us some time ago, and I'm happy to report to Lou that, indeed, this will not be required. As of this throne speech, we will rectify that, and people will be able to renew their prescriptions beyond the three-month requirement without having to go to a doctor. That would certainly be an important part.

The other aspects of the throne speech that I know will be enthusiastically accepted are the suggestions for an ActNow seniors park. Now, this I know in Parksville is going to be a hit. We already have a seniors association called PGOSA. I won't try to go through the entire acronym, but it involves golden oldies. It's a very active club. They play baseball. They play football. They do lots of very active things that you wouldn't think seniors would be doing.

I was talking to a reporter, and he said: "What's a seniors ActNow park going to look like? Will it have bigger swings and bigger slides?" Well, I don't think so, but I can tell you that whatever it will look like, this seniors group in Parksville is going to grasp this opportunity with great enthusiasm, and you're going to see a seniors park that keeps you active, keeps you busy. I can tell you that if it's visited by the minister for ActNow, it will raise his heart rate to something that will challenge his fitness and health.

These are some of the opportunities, again, that are very much in tune and in sympathy with where we're going already — where our communities, the communities I live in, are already headed.

We talk about safer communities. Again, when we visited Nanaimo, we learned about the initiative that Nanaimo city council and the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership has initiated together. They call it SAFER Nanaimo. It involves VIHA. It involves the contribution of $139,000 that was put forward by the Ministry of Health through VIHA to mental health workers to help get people off the street, and it has been extremely successful.

We've tripled our investment in housing, and it's showing in Nanaimo. It shows with facilities like the one in Nanaimo where the builders came forward and said: "We'll build you six units of affordable housing." The ministry, through B.C. Housing, responded, and instead of six units, they ended up with 20 units of social housing with mortgage in place, financing in place and support for the residents.

Sometimes the program has limitations, and we heard a bit about that, because not everybody that they're getting from the street can be put in a social environment quickly. Many can be, but not everyone can be. This government's commitment to expand services at Willingdon and Riverview is a welcome addition, because we don't do people with severe mental illness a favour by taking them off the street and turning them back to a community that they're not prepared to deal with.

We're going to care for them. We're going to deal with them and treat them until they're perfectly well and ready to move back into society, and we're going to keep them in a safe, clean, dry, nurturing, healing environment.

The speech also talks about an important and, I think, groundbreaking part — the comments about early learning. There's no question that this is a great opportunity for our community. In fact, again I have to say that we're leading. We're looking at developing concepts for early education.

Firstly, let me talk about the StrongStart program that has been so greatly successful in our community. I participated. In fact, the member opposite for Nanaimo was with me. I'm sure he won't contradict the fact that

[ Page 9644 ]

he gave very enthusiastic…. I would rate it as enthusiastic — he's nodding; I know that that's the case — approval of the effect that this was having.

It was great to see these caregivers, the mothers and grandparents, together in a room in an environment where these young children could hook into early learning. They were starting to learn. They were starting to learn how to learn, how to communicate with each other and understand what the learning environment was all about. So now we're going to take that to the next phase, and I think communities like Nanaimo and Parksville are going to embrace this new opportunity.

[1535]

We're going to expand it and look at the feasibility of doing first full-day kindergarten for five-year-olds. Then we'll consider the possibilities of doing this for four-year-olds and then even for three-year-olds. I think this will address many concerns that communities have over their community schools and offer the opportunities for them to become involved directly in their education.

Madam Speaker, I have to say that once again we're a bit behind the curve, because in Parksville they're already doing it. They have a program called Building Learning Together, BLT, which is a great, great program that involves over 200 volunteers within the community. It involves the RCMP and great programs that speak of the innovation they have.

They have a place called Munchkin Land. What young person can't like to go to a place called Munchkin Land? I know the minister has visited it and, again, enthusiastically endorsed it. We had to kind of drag her away. It was so entrancing, the images and the programs that they were running.

They have a new program called WOW. They have a bookmobile bus that goes around and takes it to the remote communities in the Parksville-Qualicum areas that can't access books. It's run, again, by seniors who painted up and fixed the bus. A good friend of mine, Bruce Carle, does it, and they do a wonderful program.

They're also now doing research about how this is affecting children as they move through the system. The Building Learning Together has been operating for about six years. Now they're looking at: how does this early start, this strong start, affect their ability as they move through the system?

Historically we know that if 25 percent of the young people who start school aren't ready, unfortunately, consequently at the other end 20 percent are virtually the same young people who are not finishing school. They're looking to see if their work and their efforts are changing, as I'm confident it will, the focus of those opportunities.

Much has been done, and we've come a long way. These communities have moved themselves forward with their own initiative, with their own enterprise, with their own creativity, with their own innovation.

They've moved forward, and they're creating a new economy — a vibrant economy — and it's been much changed since 2001. It's been changed because the hope and expectation of these communities has changed. The foundation has been set. It had been set some time ago with good fiscal management and good responsibility.

Really, the key element for a business investor is expectation. Can we count on the government being a good business manager? Indeed, you can count on this government being a good business manager, so they can reliably invest in the economy, confident that the baselines are there.

This is a big change to the kind of environment that was referred to by the mayor in the '90s. It wasn't good. I was at that time, during the mid-'90s, managing a real estate company. I was the sales manager, and it was my task to smilingly stand before a room full of salesmen and say: "Go at it, ladies and gentlemen. The market may not be good, but this will change. If you work hard and diligently apply yourself, you'll do well."

I had to give the same speech every Tuesday, but every Tuesday during the '90s, nothing changed. They would throw themselves at the market, and the market would throw them back. But they carried on.

I want to tell you that that's all changed now. A lot more has changed. I was happy to attend the opening of the $23 million expansion of the operating theatres in 2005. Now, this was a building that sat empty in Nanaimo. Why? Because the NDP decided not to finish the operating theatres. This building was left vacant for ten years.

This government invested $23 million to build and complete state-of-the-art operating theatres for Nanaimo and in Chemainus. There are many other ways, but operating theatres are only one part of it, as the members opposite would know. The other

part is the supporting people. There has been a shortage of nurses. Why? Because there weren't any trained.

Well, over the past three years the Vancouver Island Health Authority, under the direction of this government, has been able to offer full-time temporary employment to 200 graduating nurses. They have made it….

Deputy Speaker: Excuse me, Member. The time has elapsed. Are you the designated speaker?

R. Cantelon: I will wrap up. I believe I have 40 minutes, Madam Speaker.

[1540]

Deputy Speaker: Yes. The time has elapsed.

R. Cantelon: Time goes quick.

Deputy Speaker: So if you would wind up, please, Member.

R. Cantelon: The time goes fast when you're having fun, Madam Speaker, and I do have fun supporting this government.

Let me just close with one last statement, if I may, and that's from Margaret Strongitharm, a free person of the city and a former city councillor, who used to say to us: "There are three types of people in this world.

[ Page 9645 ]

Those who wonder what happened" — which, I think, might be some of the people opposite — "those who watch it happen, and those who make it happen." I'm happy to be on the side of the government that does that.

Hon. R. Coleman: Madam Speaker, in question period today I made a comment about the member for North Island's involvement in supporting a mill in Port Alice. Whether in the heat of the moment or otherwise, they were inappropriate, not correct, and I apologize to the House and to the member and withdraw the comments.

J. McIntyre: It is my privilege and honour today to second the motion made by the member for Nanaimo-Parksville. I rise today to respond to the 2008 throne speech in the year of the province's 150th anniversary. It's an honour to stand here representing the constituents of West Vancouver–Garibaldi.

Yesterday, February 12, 2008, was indeed an historic day. Not only did we have an inspiring throne speech, overflowing with proposals and vision, as the media have quickly pointed out, but this throne speech was the very first for our new Lieutenant-Governor, Steven Point, who is making history as the province's first aboriginal leader to hold this honoured position.

By coincidence, February 12, 2008, also marks the two-year countdown to the magic day when over two billion people worldwide will witness the Olympic torch completing a journey that will light up the lives of millions of Canadians and light up B.C. Place at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It's no coincidence that there is now increasing prosperity, confidence and excitement that you can now feel palpably in many communities around the province. Our government has been on a clear, unwavering path since June 2001, making continual progress in achieving our major goals for a prosperous decade.

At every turn we're actively pursuing opportunities to improve the security and the quality of life for B.C.'s families. The Premier has demonstrated strong leadership and vision throughout by laying the economic foundation to build upon, by turning around the province in very short order under very difficult circumstances. This is despite the naysayers. They were creating the underpinning for all that we're doing today and tomorrow for B.C.'s families, starting with significant tax cuts.

The results of these sound fiscal decisions over the last years speak for themselves. One statistic alone speaks volumes. Employment in the province grew by 2.4 percent above the national rate of 2 percent from January '07 to January '08, and there are 53,000 more people employed in B.C. this January than a year ago — 53,000.

The Premier's vision and leadership in the drive to win the opportunity to host the 2010 games set us on a course that has been a catalyst for much of the economic success that we're enjoying today. As that expression goes, confidence breeds confidence.

Since that special day, July 2, 2003…. I was there in Prague as a volunteer supporter, before life in public office, to witness that historic event. Quite appropriately since then, through a series of programs and investment, we have been consciously able to create significant legacies that individuals and communities are already and will for generations to come be benefiting from. Believe me, this is not only about two weeks of time in 2010, while we're having games.

[1545]

For the last several years we've been leveraging economic development, building infrastructure, building community spirit and volunteerism, celebrating our diversity and our rich heritage and culture as well as striving for excellence in sports, providing our young athletes with the tools and the training not only to compete internationally but to fulfill their personal dreams by owning the podium.

Very much tied into this week is also Spirit of B.C. Week, which is clearly gaining momentum all around the province. There are now spirit committees in over a hundred towns that are getting into the swing with a number of local events, celebrations, music and arts festivals, and athletic contests.

Just as an example, I was at three events in one night last Friday evening at the kickoff of Spirit of B.C. Week — three events in West Vancouver alone. I went to an opening of an art show that had actually moved their usual Tuesday night to Friday night just to coincide with spirit week. I was also at the opening of a relatively new festival in West Vancouver, WinterSong, at the local Kay Meek theatre with a very famous North Shore resident, Dee Daniels, performing absolutely brilliantly. It was a great, great concert.

All of that evening started off with an amazing four-hour kickoff in Park Royal village, where they had music, live bands and athletes. Jean-Luc Brassard was there. They had a parade of 200 athletes from 17 countries, all waving their flags, parading through the village to huge roars and cheers from the crowds.

I believe this is just a taste of what's to come. Picture this just for a moment: West Vancouver, a city of 40,000 people, hosting a World Cup event. Think about the spinoff benefits now and for years to come. Who would have dreamt of that ten years ago?

This weekend I moved on to Pemberton Winterfest, which was also tied into B.C. spirit week. It was so gratifying to see all the balloons and banners all celebrating with B.C. spirit. There was a parade through the town, and I think half of the people in the parade were youngsters. It was just wonderful to see them all eagerly participating, engaged — it was snowing; everything that should be in a winter festival — and they also had the opportunity to enjoy the three imaginative Olympic mascots. It was a great treat.

Squamish's successful Wild at Art Festival, which normally is held in February, has decided to move to coincide with Nordic events in the Callaghan Valley in early March, and their festival will be expanded to stretch over the two weeks of the Olympic Games by 2010.

[ Page 9646 ]

These are just a few wonderful examples that I can personally relay regarding how 2010 can galvanize, inspire and engage families right across the spectrum. As stated in the throne speech, the Olympics are a great unifying force. They are bringing our citizens together in support of Canada's athletes in celebration of Canada's artists, and in pursuit of our most sustainable games in history.

I can proudly report that the construction is virtually finished on all the snow sport venues, which just happen to be located in the constituency I represent. Just a coincidence, I'm sure.

They're in Cypress Provincial Park, where we will host the aerials, the moguls and the snowboard events; the sliding centre at Blackcomb Mountain, designed for bobsled, skeleton and luge; and in the Nordic centre in the Callaghan Valley, which has developed — I've heard nothing but accolades for it — the top international cross-country trails and ski jumps that will now give the world an entirely new reason to visit or return to Whistler, which already has a first-class international reputation for their alpine skiing.

There was a commitment to have these venues completed on budget and in plenty of time for our athletes to practise and to get an edge. I am very proud to report that this promise is being delivered by government and VANOC in spades. John Furlong, the CEO of VANOC, in his CBC radio interview — again on this historic date of February 12, 2008 — said, and I'm just going to read here from the transcript:

"For Vancouver 2010, our job is to try to make sure we live up to every promise we made, to keep our commitments, to do what we said we would do, and over time, as we've knocked back every milestone and delivered on many of those promises, I think more and more people are giving us more credit for living up and being an honourable organization.

[1550]

"I think there are some people, probably, that we'll never convince, but I hope that by games time, people will have come to realize that we meant what we said by 'This is for everybody, that we want to include everybody.' We're doing our best to try to make this the most inclusive games imaginable."

Further inspired, actually, by the recent international ski jump events in the Callaghan, we're now working on allowing young women ski jumpers into the 2010 competition and, I understand, making progress. I just read the other day that Jacques Rogge of IOC has agreed to meet with Helena Guergis, the minister of state for sport, our federal minister, at meetings later this month. Where there's a will, there's a way. It happened in women's hockey, so let's hope and keep our fingers crossed for the women ski jumpers.

These 2010-related activities represent jobs. They represent small business opportunities. They represent tourists coming to our province. They represent volunteerism. They're lasting legacies, and we have a populace striving for and celebrating excellence. How great is that?

We have so much more to look forward to, like the torch race, as an example. It will touch families in many communities right across this country, and in the province, in ways that we cannot truly anticipate.

I just want to relay a story. In the years before the province was awarded the bid, I was at a board of trade luncheon where Michael Leavitt, the Governor of Utah at the time, was invited to speak about the effect and the impact hosting the Olympics had on Utah, his state. He told the most touching story. You could have heard a pin drop in the room.

He relayed a story about a youngster in school who was chosen by his principal to participate. They had deliberately decided not to take the most outstanding student in the school or the track specialist or anything, but they actually chose a young boy who I guess they felt, in the principal's opinion, would really benefit from this. He told the story about what had happened and how this had actually completely transformed this young boy's life.

I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. It was just an amazing story, and it gives you the goosebumps when you realize you can't even imagine and anticipate the effect this is going to have on us.

Still on the same topic. Additionally, on Tuesday, February 12, yesterday, another landmark event: the call for 25,000 volunteers for 2010 was issued. I understand they've been swamped. From the media reports today they've been swamped, which just again is a measure of the success.

This will be another once-in-a-generation experience for everyday British Columbians that I see the Leader of the Opposition is referring to in her comments — when she clearly could not figure out the many benefits detailed in the throne speech. I think, quite frankly, her comments…. I don't think we were in the same room yesterday, obviously. However, that's another story.

In strictly economic terms, we can look forward to $2 billion being spent indirectly in the run-up to the games by suppliers, sponsors, licensees, sporting delegations, athletic teams and visiting tourists. The Royal Bank of Canada economics department estimates that preparations for the 2010 Winter Games will add between 0.9 percent and 1.2 percent each year to growth in British Columbia's gross domestic product between 2008 and 2011. Again, it's hardly only about two weeks in 2010. This is about unprecedented opportunity, when you go for gold and you take advantage of the opportunities before you.

To ensure a prosperous future beyond 2010, we're also making the necessary improvements to our transportation infrastructure to ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods all around B.C., including opening up the Port of Prince Rupert and the transportation hub in Prince George. This also includes the $600 million upgrade for the Sea to Sky Highway, which is not just about a road to Whistler for 2010 — on which detractors will try and mislead you, like my neighbour here to my right.

Interjection.

J. McIntyre: Instead it's about investing on behalf of residents of the many communities — including Pemberton, Mr. Member — all along the entire corridor

[ Page 9647 ]

who, along with visitors and commercial operators, will experience greater safety and security when they travel what was once the most notorious highway. There are almost 15,000 cars a day on that highway, and this investment is about investment in our province and attracting new families to live, work and play in the most beautiful area of the world.

[1555]

This government is committed to taking advantage of the geographic opportunities afforded to us as Canada's natural Pacific gateway. We're also committed to working with other counterparts in other regions, be it ensuring trade and labour mobility through agreements like TILMA or tackling climate change via our membership in the western climate initiative. As a government member of PNWER, I see the benefits of regional partnership firsthand on a regular basis.

All of the above underscores the leadership and vision exemplified by our Premier — vision that was even being acknowledged by our illustrious columnist Vaughn Palmer, when he noted in his Vancouver Sun column today that as for the vision thing, he's got it, and he's got it big.

Leadership is not being afraid of but rather embracing change — having a vision about where we want to go and where we want to be years down the road, not making short-term band-aid fixes to age-old problems simply to score political points. Leadership is also knowing when to truly engage the general public, as our Premier and this government did with the Conversation on Health.

Coming from the public opinion business, I can appreciate the magnitude of this task on this scale, but that said, the benefit of gaining a firsthand understanding of patient needs is invaluable for our decision-making. It forms the foundation for improving the delivery of such an important and integral service. The conversation produced valuable ideas in addition to creating awareness of and highlighting the challenges faced by our health care system.

The health care initiatives in the throne speech build on the input from the Conversation on Health and will improve care for the long term with a more efficient and integrated system, along with new emphasis on patient choice, enhanced access, quality, professional opportunities and accountability — all within the framework of the Canada Health Act and all with one public payer. That's despite, again, what the opposition is going to tell you.

I am particularly excited about the proposed expanding role of health care professionals — nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, midwives and naturopaths. In many cases they will get to contribute in more meaningful ways, maximizing their skill sets. British Columbians in return will get to enjoy the results of improved choice, quality and access in addition to protecting our public health system for families in the future — a win-win for workers, their families, and the families and individuals they serve in such a dedicated fashion.

Another strategy for ensuring the sustainability of our health care system is disease prevention and health promotion. This is where taking personal responsibility has a great role to play. Each and every one of us needs to be serious about this. We have to act now.

This process begins at the start of life. Some time ago we introduced a universal hearing, dental and vision screening program for B.C.'s youngest. We'll be now looking at investments aimed at strengthening our ability to prevent and treat such childhood afflictions such as FAS disorder, ADHD and autism as well as mental illnesses in youth that exert a lifelong impact on family.

This process continues into childhood. New minimum physical activity requirements are in place for B.C. students. Now we will be developing a new Walking School Bus program to enable students to walk to school safely, the way we were able to do years and years ago. We've banned the sale of junk foods in schools and vending machines and provincially owned buildings, and we're now going to be tackling trans fats with a ban by 2010, and I say yea. I didn't get to say that yesterday, so I'll say it again: yea.

Our government is committed to improving the health of all British Columbians, young and old. Promoting continued activity as we age is important for our health and family life. Our government intends to build upon our successes with ActNow, a government initiative that I'm particularly proud of. It is now winning awards, capturing the imagination of British Columbians, as I witnessed when the tour rolled through Whistler this past summer, and attracting attention nationally and internationally. I say congratulations to all that made that happen, including the students who have been engaged in that program.

[S. Hammell in the chair.]

We're building on ActNow. We heard yesterday that there will be seniors parks throughout the province that will doubtlessly help these individuals stay mobile, active and healthy, as well as having some fun, because I say we've got to have some fun. We've expanded the school fruit and vegetable snack program to include 164 schools across the province, with the additional goal of offering every public school in B.C. the opportunity to participate in the program by 2010. I see, again firsthand, hundreds of children in my own constituency benefiting from this great program.

[1600]

I know that in spite of the province's successes, we always recognize there is more to be done to ensure a prosperous future for our children and grandchildren. It's my expectation that the reforms and programs implemented this spring session will actually be instrumental in improving our children's future.

As a good illustration, I applaud this government's decision to expand upon the original 84 StrongStart centres. By 2010 — which is only two short years away, as we know — 400 of these centres will be open across B.C. They will maximize use of our existing public physical assets paid for by taxpayers in the first place, and they will provide the ultimate gift of ensuring that our youngest will have every advantage entering school. I'm very excited about the prospect of looking

[ Page 9648 ]

at extending these services to four- and three-year-olds, as the member before me mentioned.

This government believes in providing a helpful hand up wherever possible and that it will make a significant difference in people's lives. Another example: in October 2006 the province launched the provincial housing strategy, Housing Matters B.C. It commits to existing programs that have proven successful and to new approaches to meet the range of housing needs of British Columbians.

The province is investing like never before in housing and shelter programs to ensure that British Columbians have affordable and appropriate housing. Through Housing Matters B.C. the province invested — ready for this? — nearly $328 million, well over a quarter of a billion dollars, in shelters and affordable housing last year alone, more than three times as much as in 2001.

An Hon. Member: Commitment.

J. McIntyre: It is. It is commitment.

Over the past year a number of achievements were made toward breaking the cycle of homelessness. Over 1,600 homeless people were assisted off the street and into stable housing in 30 communities, including a government support program that I'm familiar with in Squamish that is doing absolutely fantastic outreach work at a homeless centre through the Sea to Sky Community Services and other agencies. Many now know that 11 single-room-occupancy hotels were purchased by the provincial government in Vancouver and Victoria to upgrade and help preserve this important source of affordable housing.

The province enhanced their rental assistance program. The maximum income level to qualify for assistance rose, and additionally, the method used to qualify for monthly payments was changed, resulting in greater assistance for those who qualify and increased assistance levels for those who were already enrolled. As a result, even more families can benefit from this program. And in 2006 the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program, known as SAFER, was enhanced, resulting in a large increase in rental assistance.

I think most people now all well know that our government is also facing the global environmental challenges head on. We're taking a leading role in Canada in joining the western States to stem the tide of rising greenhouse gases and working to mitigate the effects of climate change that can emerge, like the devastating pine beetle that we're experiencing in our very own back yard.

I'm not going to expand here, as many others following no doubt will be commenting on the Premier and this government's will and determination to tackle this generational challenge. I think, needless to say, that the changes we make here in B.C. and in the implementation of LiveSmart B.C. initiatives will contribute largely to the type of healthy, active communities that we need to thrive and to secure a future for our children to thrive.

Speaking of thriving in B.C., we are forging ahead with the new relationship with our first nations peoples. We're recognizing that not one size fits all but that a variety of approaches — of treaties, of economic, of land use agreements — will play a role in building a brighter future and close that gap in health, housing, education and economic opportunity between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities that so needs addressing. I think we've amazingly accomplished in a few short years what has not been properly addressed in over 100. I do have to tip my hat to what's been accomplished where there's a will and where there's honest, respectful reconciliation on both parts.

The list of our efforts to improve life in this province goes on and on. Transformation truly is the hallmark of this government's term in office.

[1605]

Now, as I am getting closer here, I would like to take a little bit of a look in more detail at what this government — not the opposition — has been able to accomplish for families in this province, particularly in my constituency of West Vancouver–Garibaldi as an example of what no doubt is going on all around the province.

In child care we're creating new spaces with significant funds. In our situation we had almost $1.5 million go into three different facilities in capital grants in Mount Currie, Pemberton and Squamish. In fact, while I was at Winterfest last weekend in Pemberton, I had the great opportunity to have a tour of the brand-new facility that has opened in Pemberton. I say, again, hats off and congratulations to the team — Lisa Ames, Stephanie Coughlin — people who have made their dream a reality in that community, a community of not even 3,000 that had 80 babies there last year, which again just shows the boom in this province.

The hub model in Squamish has also proved to be very, very successful and is efficiently delivering a cluster and a group of early childhood services in the local community.

We've passed booster-seat legislation to improve our children's safety, an initiative from the member here beside me, my colleague from Port Moody–Westwood.

The mention in the throne speech yesterday of banning smoke in vehicles where children are present is another great step forward, and I say congratulations.

I've already noted my support for StrongStart centres, but the centre in Squamish is proving to be an absolutely unqualified success. Like the member for Nanaimo-Parksville, I had exactly the same experience. I think he actually took the words out of my mouth.

I went to the opening of the StrongStart in Squamish. It was unbelievable: 110 families had been there in the first two weeks. I saw firsthand the caregivers, the grannies, the moms and dads who were there with their kids, and they were so eager to learn. There were actually little testimonials put up on the board about the difference it had made in people's lives in a few short weeks. I can't say enough about that program, and the fact that we're expanding to 400 communities is just fantastic.

I think it's also a real example of commitment — the commitment that our government has to lowering that shocking figure of 25 percent of children not being

[ Page 9649 ]

prepared to learn when they arrive at the kindergarten door. Clearly, this government recognizes the value of investing in the future of our province — our children.

Education funding is at an all-time high: nearly $5.5 billion, while enrolment continues to decline. Funding per student is also at a record high, an average of just under $8,000. In school district 45 it's just over $7,300, and in 48, Howe Sound, it is just over $8,000.

Graduation remains at an all-time high of 79 percent, but we're not satisfied with that. No. We are striving for improvement. We're not going to stop there. Class sizes have been reduced in all 60 school districts since 2005.

Our government's commitment to educational excellence extends to post-secondary as well. We've improved access. Students with a B average or better can now look forward to advancing their education here in B.C., just as the Premier made a commitment several years ago. And because we've capped tuition increases to the rate of inflation and implemented student loan reduction programs for grads who go to work in rural areas, more of them will be able to afford it as well.

In the process of expanding the number of seats to 25,000, we have in our region two very exciting projects in Squamish: Quest University, which has been the dream of Dr. Strangway for a number of years, opened last fall to international and some provincial students, and the expansion of Capilano College as part of the revitalization in downtown Squamish is going to be a major, major event. In fact, Capilano College in Squamish is already very well positioned. It's already been designated as an innovation and tourism centre of excellence.

Of course, they are very hopeful about the possibility of a university college designation in the community. They've been working hard on that. A lot of this is thanks, in part, to the good work of the Campus 2020 report that was commissioned by this government.

In an earlier budget there was $400 million announced for skills training, which will make a significant difference. We've already more than doubled the apprenticeships. I'm very proud to say that this touches me personally, as my son is currently — and I have to say no pun intended — enrolled in a preapprenticeship course to become a certified electrician under the auspices of the joint electrical training committee, through the union. I'm very, very encouraged by that.

[1610]

On yet another front, our government remains committed to ensuring B.C. is the most literate jurisdiction in North America. I could not think of a better legacy, as reading and education are key to our ultimate success as a developed society and a caring, compassionate society.

To this end we've implemented programs for early learners and adults who are struggling, and I can't help but remember the story the Premier has told so poignantly of a cleaning staff gentleman who he had an opportunity one evening to have a conversation with. He found that after he had learned to read, he had been viewed completely differently through the eyes of his family members. Literacy, the ability to learn to read, even as an adult…. In that whole process he had found pride and dignity — a very, very poignant story on a very personal level. You have to believe that that goes on all over the province.

I just participated in a version of the Raise-a-Reader in Squamish, and I am so proud of the literacy group there, the Squamish Chief and the Capilano College groups, which I will actually be making a statement about in the House coming up this spring. They had a dream to do the same thing.

They came to me and said: "Do you think we can pull this off? Can we do this? Will you support this?" And I did. I was also very fortunate and do thank the Minister of Education, because they matched their funds. We were out there in the freezing cold two weeks ago, making sure that every single person in Squamish knew that we supported literacy. So thank you for that program.

The opportunities to engage in trades and skills training have been implemented in high schools across the province. I see that at Howe Sound Secondary. I also had the great opportunity on a school tour to see it in action — an inspiring teacher and great work by the students at Pemberton Secondary. I was so impressed that these students are being exposed to this at an earlier stage. We know that not all our students go on to university, so the access to skills training and apprenticeships has been fantastic.

We have things like the Learning Roundtable that have brought all stakeholders together, now including parents and PACs, who now actually have a say in the development and learning of their own children. Congratulations to the Minister of Education for that as well.

We're also well on our way to ensuring the safety of our children through the seismic upgrades to our most vulnerable facilities.

I also just want to take a last few minutes to talk about what this province has done for aboriginal families in particular. I think many of you know that a significant proportion of their community is under the age of 25 years. After years of inequality and shameful treatment, aboriginal families need to know that they have a future in this province and a government with the courage and the will to engage in true reconciliation.

As another positive sign, the throne speech reveals that we will be introducing Jordan's principle to ensure care for the vulnerable aboriginal youth regardless of any kind of jurisdictional disputes. I see in my region, in the traditional territories of two of the four first nation hosts for 2010, the growing opportunities for aboriginal young people.

Great examples. They have a first nations snowboard team that went from ten kids to 200 kids, and with a real opportunity of one of them being on the podium in 2010. That alone…. It was just fantastic to see the engagement in that community. Now they have apprenticeships in the forests and in the construction on the Sea to Sky Highway.

We have examples in Mount Currie of a cluster where we've got a health care and a day care right beside the school that has their new cultural centre. We see all of this, and I just see it unfolding firsthand

[ Page 9650 ]

before my eyes, and I am so impressed. One of the young women who is a member of the community there in Mount Currie was so impressive that she's now been appointed to the minister's child care advisory team. All of these are just fantastic advancements.

Support for 2010 has brought historic land use and economic opportunities for the first nations in just a few short years — examples like the Sea to Sky Highway accommodation agreement, the land resource management plan in the Sea to Sky corridor that was mentioned in the throne speech yesterday and the historic land legacy agreements with the resort municipality of Whistler, where 300 acres were transferred to first nations.

We have all these unprecedented economic development opportunities available to first nations, and it gives them dignity and long-term economic security for their families.

The unemployment rate amongst the Lil'wat Nation, I understand, was over 80 percent several years ago, and it's now plummeting below 20. That's success. We have an aboriginal tourism blueprint, a model for the whole country, and the Squamish and Lil'wat First Nations cultural centre, which will be opening this year in Whistler, will be a positive new contribution.

We have over $60 million that was announced by the Minister of Advanced Education for aboriginal post-secondary education. These are fantastic opportunities. There are partnerships with the Crown agency, First Peoples Heritage, Language and Culture Council, where programs like FirstVoices are working to preserve first nation language and engage youth in learning and in venerating their heritage.

[1615]

We've come a long way in forging a new, respectful relationship, but I don't think anyone understands or underestimates how far we still have to go. But we cannot be daunted, and we can never give up. It's the right direction for society, and the incremental progress we make in B.C. will hopefully be forever remembered and will make a difference in the lives of B.C.'s aboriginal families. As I said, I'm seeing the positive changes unfold before my eyes in my own constituency, and I am so proud.

So as to conclude, I'd like to issue a challenge to the opposition. There is so much to celebrate in this province. We have made huge strides in so many areas, and progress should be recognized. Credit should be given where credit's due.

I lived in this province in the previous decade, which should have been my peak earning years, and believe me, they were not. I watched this province go from first to worst, and I'm not about to watch that happen again in my lifetime, certainly.

We're getting closer and closer to 2010, and I'm hoping that our province's optimism and excitement will not be deliberately dampened by our members opposite. Some months ago I sat in this House and heard a chorus of boos from this opposition to the Premier's remarks about 2010, and I sat here shocked and dumbfounded.

I want to make it clear in my remarks here at the end that this government stands for economic development and jobs that underpin our social programs. This government stands for advancing and sustaining our public health care system and for promoting healthy and active lifestyles. This government stands for tackling the challenges of climate change while driving and attracting economic development.

This government stands for improving educational opportunities for all, for improving literacy. This government stands for providing social supports for the most vulnerable and those in need.

The throne speech clearly lays out a path, even though the Leader of the Opposition hasn't figured it out. If the opposition members vote against this throne speech, it will be obvious to all, particularly to those they represent in their individual constituencies, that they are not in favour of, that they are opposed to, each and every one of these programs and services that are actually working in this province to improve the quality of life in B.C.

Families have hope again. We have once-in-a-lifetime opportunities before us related to the 2010 games, and we will have the tools and the opportunities to make individual choices about our environmental and personal health. Let's seize this moment in time in B.C.'s 150th anniversary. Let's work together to build an even better B.C. that we can proudly showcase to the world in 2010.

Finding the doom and gloom in every scenario, which the NDP is so adept at, is counterproductive, and I for one will be voting in favour of a throne speech that lays out programs and services that support, not tear down, family life. I'm voting for leadership and vision.

C. James: I'm pleased to rise in my response to the throne speech. I want to start off by talking about a movie that some of us in this Legislature, I'm sure most of us in this Legislature, will remember. It's a movie called Groundhog Day that starred Bill Murray. It was about a man who finds himself repeating the same day, every day, over and over and over again. It's a pretty funny movie.

I have to tell you, Madam Speaker, that listening to the throne speech yesterday reminded me of that character's predicament. I've definitely lived through this throne speech before — over and over and over again. After nine throne speeches from this government, we know that this plot goes absolutely nowhere.

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Countless slogans, countless commissions and countless studies — they'll all likely be forgotten the minute the credits roll.

Almost everyone in British Columbia has had their 15 minutes of throne speech fame — seniors, first nations, patients, children, students. The entire population of the interior at one point was in a throne speech. They've all been singled out for special attention by the Premier. Don't we wish that that attention actually meant action on their behalf? Sadly, it really is, for the Premier, 15 minutes of throne speech fame, because after that they're forgotten. It's completely fleeting

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when it comes to this Premier. The Premier's interest goes on to something else — the latest buzzword, the newest bestseller that he has read.

We'll all remember, I think, the worst example. It was the throne speech where the Premier promised a bright future for forestry. In fact, he even gave the interior a new name: the heartlands. Well, I can tell you it didn't take long before people in the interior started calling it the "hurtlands" because of the cuts that had happened under this government.

What we found out after that throne speech was that the Premier wasn't serious at all about giving support to the interior or forestry. It was just a cruel joke on forest workers, on their families, on the people who are struggling in tough economic times — families who've been abandoned by this government.

We saw that again this morning when a number of us on this side of the Legislature actually met with forest workers, met with their communities, met with people who came to try and get the government to listen to the crisis that the industry is in. We saw the Finance Minister say that we're simply spectators in British Columbia to their suffering. The Forests Minister, whose head is in the sand, said: "Don't worry. It's not as bad as you think." Well, it is bad. These communities have been devastated by this government. The B.C. Liberals have abandoned them, and New Democrats are going to stand with those communities.

In another throne speech the Premier unveiled what he called his five great goals. One of those goals was to make B.C. the most literate place in North America. Well, just last week the Auditor General provided us with an update on that goal. Again, just like the heartlands, it turns out that the Premier wasn't serious about that goal either. He hasn't lifted a finger to improve literacy.

What have we seen under the B.C. Liberals? We've seen closed schools, we've seen increased class sizes, we've seen special needs teachers cut, and we've seen teacher-librarians gone. The Premier is leaving young people behind. I can tell you that New Democrats are going to fight for the future of every young person in this province. Under New Democrats, it's not going to matter where their parents live or whether they have money in the bank. We're going to stand up for all British Columbians.

In that same year the Premier made another promise. He promised to make B.C. the North American leader when it comes to support for seniors. This was from a Premier who had already broken his promise to build 5,000 long-term care beds, who actually split up senior couples after a lifetime of living together, who privatized and downgraded long-term care homes.

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Understandably, many seniors were very skeptical of this new promise, and they had every right to be, because it turned out that on this promise, the Premier wasn't serious either.

The neglect that the NDP opposition uncovered in seniors care homes was shocking. When we read the inspection reports from a long-term care home that is right behind the Legislature, which could have been visited by the Health Minister anytime he wanted…. If he got up out of his chair and walked across the street, he could have actually gone and visited that long-term care home.

When we read those reports, I think all of us wondered how far this government was willing to go before it actually took action to improve the lives of seniors. I said it then, and I'll say it again today. The people who built this province deserve better from this government.

I can promise you that when we're on that side of the Legislature, we won't say one thing and do another. We will actually treat seniors with the dignity and respect that they deserve in British Columbia.

But that's not all, when it comes to broken promises by this Premier. In throne speeches in the past, the Premier has promised to house the homeless, to save the planet, to lift up the poor and to liberate our potential. But as is always the case, the Premier's big promises come with a no-action guarantee.

Nine throne speeches and hundreds of promises later, and B.C. still has the highest child poverty rate in this country for the fourth year in a row. Did we hear anything about child poverty in the throne speech? That's shameful. In a province as rich as ours, we should be well on our way to eliminating child poverty.

Nine throne speeches, and the crisis in our forest industry is now worse than ever. Dozens of mills closed, thousands of jobs lost, and what did we see from this government when it comes to forestry? This Premier gutted the Forest Act. This Premier made environmental stewardship self-policing. This Premier absolved the provincial government from any responsibility for forest health and replanting.

We've seen raw log exports increase, and we saw this government tear up the social contract that was designed to guarantee that British Columbians actually benefited from our forests.

Now in this throne speech, we saw the government actually throw in the towel. We saw more slogans, and we saw more empty promises. What did we hear on the area of forestry in this throne speech? We heard about forests for tomorrow, trees for tomorrow, and absolutely nothing for forest workers and those communities today. It's absolutely a disgrace.

As we all know on this side of the Legislature, interior and northern communities are the backbone of this province. If they go down, we all go down. Madam Speaker, I can assure you that New Democrats will not let that happen.

It's been nine throne speeches, and we still don't have a climate action plan. There's still not a housing plan. T