British Columbia Hansard — 18 October 2021, p.m., Issue 107 (42nd Parliament, 2nd Session)

20211018pm-Hansard-n107

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 42nd Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday, October 18, 2021 Afternoon Sitting Issue No. 107 THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC Second Session, 42nd Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training...........................................................................................................Hon.

Anne Kang Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries......................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing .............................................................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................................Hon.

Mitzi Dean Minister of State for Child Care...................................................................................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services.....................................................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Education .................................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation ........................................................................................Hon. Bruce Ralston, QC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy............................................................................................. Hon. George Heyman Minister of Finance .......................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Selina Robinson Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development ................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations................................................................................. Hon. Nathan Cullen Minister of Health and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.............................................................................Hon.

Adrian Dix Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation .......................................................................................... Hon. Murray Rankin, QC Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation....................................................................................................... Hon. Ravi Kahlon Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon.

George Chow Minister of Labour ...................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Harry Bains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.............................................................................................................. Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Minister of Municipal Affairs ............................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Josie Osborne Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ........................................................................................................... Hon. Mike Farnworth Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction........................................................................................... Hon. Nicholas Simons Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport .................................................................................................................. Hon.

Melanie Mark Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure................................................................................................................... Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of State for Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Bowinn Ma LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition...................................................................................................................................................Shirley Bond Leader of the Third Party .......................................................................................................................................................... Sonia Furstenau Deputy Speaker..........................................................................................................................................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Assistant Deputy Speaker..............................................................................................................................................................Norm Letnick Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole .......................................................................................................................... Ronna-Rae Leonard Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...........................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel.............................................................................................................................. Seunghee Suzie Seo Clerk Assistant, Parliamentary Services........................................................................................................................... Artour Sogomonian Clerk of Committees.......................................................................................................................................................................

Jennifer Arril Clerk Assistant, Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ..............................................................................................Susan Sourial Senior Research Analyst ................................................................................................................................................................... Karan Riarh Sergeant-at-Arms ........................................................................................................................................................................... Ray Robitaille

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Alexis, Pam (BC NDP) ............................................................Abbotsford-Mission Anderson, Brittny (BC NDP) .........................................................Nelson-Creston Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal Party) ............................................................... Penticton Babchuk, Michele (BC NDP)...............................................................North Island Bailey, Brenda (BC NDP).................................................. Vancouver–False Creek Bains, Hon. Harry (BC NDP).........................................................

Surrey-Newton Banman, Bruce (BC Liberal Party) ............................................ Abbotsford South Beare, Hon. Lisa (BC NDP) .......................................

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

Surrey South Chandra Herbert, Spencer (BC NDP).................................Vancouver–West End Chant, Susie (BC NDP) ..............................................North Vancouver–Seymour Chen, Hon. Katrina (BC NDP) ............................................... Burnaby-Lougheed Chouhan, Hon. Raj (BC NDP).................................................Burnaby-Edmonds Chow, Hon. George (BC NDP) ..........................................Vancouver-Fraserview Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal Party)........................Columbia River–Revelstoke Conroy, Hon.

Katrine (BC NDP) ....................................................Kootenay West Coulter, Dan (BC NDP) .......................................................................... Chilliwack Cullen, Hon. Nathan (BC NDP) ................................................................... Stikine Davies, Dan (BC Liberal Party)................................................. Peace River North de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal Party)....................................Abbotsford West Dean, Hon. Mitzi (BC NDP) ...............................................

Esquimalt-Metchosin D’Eith, Bob (BC NDP) .........................................................Maple Ridge–Mission Dix, Hon. Adrian (BC NDP) ................................................ Vancouver-Kingsway Doerkson, Lorne (BC Liberal Party) ........................................Cariboo-Chilcotin Donnelly, Fin (BC NDP) .......................................... Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Dykeman, Megan (BC NDP)............................................................... Langley East Eby, Hon. David, QC (BC NDP).......................................

Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (BC NDP) ..................................................Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike (BC NDP) .................................................Port Coquitlam Fleming, Hon. Rob (BC NDP) ...............................................

Victoria–Swan Lake Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) .............................................Cowichan Valley Glumac, Rick (BC NDP) ..................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Greene, Kelly (BC NDP) ........................................................Richmond-Steveston Halford, Trevor (BC Liberal Party) .........................................Surrey–White Rock Heyman, Hon. George (BC NDP) .........................................Vancouver-Fairview Horgan, Hon. John (BC NDP) ......................................... Langford–Juan de Fuca Kahlon, Hon.

Ravi (BC NDP) .............................................................. Delta North Kang, Hon. Anne (BC NDP) .................................................. Burnaby–Deer Lake Kirkpatrick, Karin (BC Liberal Party) ........................West Vancouver–Capilano Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal Party)....................................................................Shuswap Lee, Michael (BC Liberal Party) ..............................................Vancouver-Langara Leonard, Ronna-Rae (BC NDP)...............................................

Courtenay-Comox Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal Party) .................................. Kelowna–Lake Country Lore, Grace (BC NDP)........................................................... Victoria–Beacon Hill Ma, Hon. Bowinn (BC NDP).....................................North Vancouver–Lonsdale Malcolmson, Hon. Sheila (BC NDP)........................................................Nanaimo Mark, Hon. Melanie (BC NDP).................................Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Mercier, Andrew (BC NDP) ........................................................................

Langley Merrifield, Renee (BC Liberal Party)......................................... Kelowna-Mission Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal Party) .......................... Kamloops–North Thompson Morris, Mike (BC Liberal Party) ................................. Prince George–Mackenzie Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal Party).................................................. Cariboo North Olsen, Adam (BC Green Party)............................ Saanich North and the Islands Osborne, Hon.

Josie (BC NDP)........................................Mid Island–Pacific Rim Paddon, Kelli (BC NDP) ................................................................Chilliwack-Kent Paton, Ian (BC Liberal Party) ............................................................... Delta South Popham, Hon. Lana (BC NDP)........................................................ Saanich South Ralston, Hon. Bruce, QC (BC NDP) .............................................Surrey-Whalley Rankin, Hon.

Murray, QC (BC NDP) .............................Oak Bay–Gordon Head Rice, Jennifer (BC NDP) ...................................................................... North Coast Robinson, Hon. Selina (BC NDP)...................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal Party)......................................................................... Skeena Routledge, Janet (BC NDP) .............................................................Burnaby North Routley, Doug (BC NDP)...........................................

Nanaimo–North Cowichan Russell, Roly (BC NDP).................................................... Boundary-Similkameen Rustad, John (BC Liberal Party)......................................................Nechako Lakes Sandhu, Harwinder (BC NDP) .................................................Vernon-Monashee Sharma, Niki (BC NDP)..........................................................Vancouver-Hastings Shypitka, Tom (BC Liberal Party) .................................................... Kootenay East Simons, Hon. Nicholas (BC NDP).........................

Powell River–Sunshine Coast Sims, Jinny (BC NDP) ................................................................. Surrey-Panorama Singh, Aman (BC NDP) .............................................Richmond-Queensborough Singh, Rachna (BC NDP)...................................................Surrey–Green Timbers Starchuk, Mike (BC NDP) ......................................................... Surrey-Cloverdale Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal Party) .......................................................

Kelowna West Stone, Todd (BC Liberal Party) ...............................Kamloops–South Thompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal Party) ............................. West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal Party)....................................................... Fraser-Nicola Walker, Adam (BC NDP) ....................................................... Parksville-Qualicum Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal Party) ....................................... Richmond North Centre Whiteside, Hon. Jennifer (BC NDP) .........................................

New Westminster Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal Party)......................Vancouver-Quilchena Y ao, Henry (BC NDP) ..................................................... Richmond South Centre LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission................................................................................. Pam Alexis Abbotsford South...............................................................................Bruce Banman Abbotsford West......................................................................

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

Janet Routledge Cariboo-Chilcotin ..........................................................................Lorne Doerkson Cariboo North.................................................................................... Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ...............................................................................................Dan Coulter Chilliwack-Kent .................................................................................... Kelli Paddon Columbia River–Revelstoke .........................................................

Doug Clovechok Coquitlam–Burke Mountain...............................................................Fin Donnelly Coquitlam-Maillardville ...................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson Courtenay-Comox................................................................... Ronna-Rae Leonard Cowichan Valley ............................................................................. Sonia Furstenau Delta North................................................................................... Hon.

Ravi Kahlon Delta South ..................................................................................................Ian Paton Esquimalt-Metchosin .................................................................... Hon. Mitzi Dean Fraser-Nicola .........................................................................................

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

Renee Merrifield Kelowna West ..........................................................................................Ben Stewart Kootenay East.......................................................................................Tom Shypitka Kootenay West........................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Langford–Juan de Fuca .............................................................. Hon.

John Horgan Langley .............................................................................................Andrew Mercier Langley East....................................................................................Megan Dykeman Maple Ridge–Mission.............................................................................. Bob D’Eith Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows............................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim............................................................ Hon.

Josie Osborne Nanaimo.............................................................................Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Nanaimo–North Cowichan............................................................... Doug Routley Nechako Lakes........................................................................................ John Rustad Nelson-Creston ............................................................................. Brittny Anderson New Westminster.............................................................. Hon.

Jennifer Whiteside North Coast ........................................................................................... Jennifer Rice North Island................................................................................... Michele Babchuk North Vancouver–Lonsdale......................................................... Hon. Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour...................................................................Susie Chant Oak Bay–Gordon Head..................................................Hon.

Murray Rankin, QC Parksville-Qualicum........................................................................... Adam Walker Peace River North ................................................................................... Dan Davies Peace River South ................................................................................ Mike Bernier Penticton ................................................................................................. Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam...................................................................... Hon.

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

Shirley Bond Richmond North Centre..........................................................................Teresa Wat Richmond-Queensborough..................................................................Aman Singh Richmond South Centre .......................................................................... Henry Y ao Richmond-Steveston ............................................................................

Kelly Greene Saanich North and the Islands .............................................................Adam Olsen Saanich South .............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Shuswap...................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo Skeena........................................................................................................... Ellis Ross Stikine........................................................................................ Hon.

Nathan Cullen Surrey-Cloverdale .............................................................................. Mike Starchuk Surrey-Fleetwood.....................................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers........................................................................Rachna Singh Surrey-Guildford......................................................................................Garry Begg Surrey-Newton ..............................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ...................................................................................... Jinny Sims Surrey South ................................................................................ Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Whalley ................................................................. Hon. Bruce Ralston, QC Surrey–White Rock .......................................................................... Trevor Halford Vancouver-Fairview.............................................................. Hon.

George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek...................................................................... Brenda Bailey Vancouver-Fraserview...............................................................Hon. George Chow Vancouver-Hastings ..............................................................................Niki Sharma Vancouver-Kensington....................................................................... Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..................................................................... Hon.

Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara................................................................................ Michael Lee Vancouver–Mount Pleasant..................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey ............................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Vancouver-Quilchena........................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Vancouver–West End .....................................................Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee .....................................................................

Harwinder Sandhu Victoria–Beacon Hill............................................................................... Grace Lore Victoria–Swan Lake.................................................................... Hon. Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano...........................................................Karin Kirkpatrick West Vancouver–Sea to Sky................................................................Jordan Sturdy Party Standings: BC NDP 57; BC Liberal Party 28; BC Green Party 2

CONTENTS Monday, October 18, 2021 Afternoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 3461 Introduction and First Reading of Bills................................................................................................................................ 3462 Bill 22 — Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2021 Hon. L.

Beare Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 3463 Islamic Heritage Month and anti-Muslim racism R. Singh Food security and food prices I. Paton Muslim community and anti-Muslim racism M. Elmore Peter Bentley A. Wilkinson Action on poverty B. Anderson Vancouver’s Chinatown T.

Wat Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 3465 COVID-19 booster shots for seniors in long-term-care facilities S. Bond Hon. A. Dix M. Bernier Construction of rental units and HousingHub program A. Olsen Hon. D. Eby COVID-19 circuit breaker relief grant for businesses in northern B.C. D. Davies Hon. R. Kahlon Ambulance response times and service management T. Stone Hon. A. Dix Hon. J. Horgan K. Kirkpatrick B.

Banman Speaker’s Statement ................................................................................................................................................................. 3471 Role of Sergeant-at-Arms Motions Without Notice......................................................................................................................................................... 3471 Appointment of Sergeant-at-Arms Hon. M.

Farnworth Orders of the Day Committee of the Whole House............................................................................................................................................ 3472 Bill 19 — Societies Amendment Act, 2021 Hon. S. Robinson M.

Bernier Report and Third Reading of Bills......................................................................................................................................... 3477 Bill 19 — Societies Amendment Act, 2021 Committee of the Whole House............................................................................................................................................ 3477 Bill 14 — Early Childhood Educators Act(continued) K. Kirkpatrick Hon. K. Chen

Reporting of Bills..................................................................................................................................................................... 3479 Bill 14 — Early Childhood Educators Act Third Reading of Bills ............................................................................................................................................................. 3479 Bill 14 — Early Childhood Educators Act Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 3479 Bill 21 — Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 2021 Hon.

D. Eby M. de Jong S. Furstenau Hon. B. Ma D. Coulter S. Cadieux M. Dykeman B. Bailey R. Leonard H. Y ao Hon. R. Kahlon M. Bernier

MONDAY , OCTOBER 18, 2021 The House met at 1:34 p.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Introductions by Members Hon. J. Horgan:I just want to advise all members of the House that there is an Olympic gold medal in the gallery today. That Olympic gold medal belongs to Andrea Proske, who was sitting at No. 4 in the women’s eights. In under six minutes — as many of you will know, I often can’t get to the point in six minutes — they travelled the distance to beat all comers, from beginning to end, and to win the gold medal for us in the Tokyo 2020-21 Olympic Games. [Applause.] Y es.

Hear, hear. [1:35 p.m.] It’s particularly exciting for me to introduce Andrea to the House and to British Columbians. My wife, Ellie, and I were on theLady Rose leaving Port Alberni on our way to Bamfield in the late winter, I guess, in January of 2020. There were very few people on theLady Rose at that time. I can tell you that a holiday in the Alberni Inlet is unusual for that point in the year, but if you’re an avid scuba diver, it’s a place to go. Robin Swanson, who joins Andrea here today, is not only a physicist of big bang theory fame.

He also operates a cyclotron — which is not a Peloton, member for Delta North, but a cyclotron. Robin and Andrea were travelling to do some scuba diving, and Ellie and I took up a conver- sation, over the course of the trip, which led to, actually, cookies being delivered to the vessel on the way back from the camp that they were staying at, and then text messages back and forth between Ellie and Andrea as she prepared for the 2020 Olympic Games. Well, we all know COVID got in the way of that, and an Olympian’s dream was almost dashed.

At 27, Andrea took up rowing late in her athletic career, and the opportunity may not have come back had Tokyo not gone forward. Nonetheless, she persevered. She con- tinued to train, was supposed to be in the pairs in Tokyo and was cut at the last minute. This is the story that I think should stick with all of us: try, try again, as my mom used to say and, I’m sure, all of your moms used to say. Andrea persisted and was named to the women’s eights team.

Then a few months later, despite COVID, despite a delay, despite no fans on the waterway, she joined the many, many women who had success in the pool, who had success on the water, later on the soccer pitch and, of course, on the ball diamond as well, to become now and forever an Olympian. Andrea’s story is an inspiration to all of us. She will be joining us in the Hall of Honour after question period. I know all of you will want to come by and touch, as I did, the gold medal. Andrea, when she was cut from the pairs, went out and bought a pair of socks to cheer her up.

Now she uses those socks to hold her medal so that it doesn’t get scuffed. She finished, of course…. I don’t know if any of you remember, but certainly Ellie and I were glued to the tele- vision set to watch Lisa Roman, Christine Roper, Madison Mailey, Sydney Payne and Avalon Wasteneys — the British Columbians in the eights boat with Andrea. Andrea, of course, was born in North Vancouver and makes her home now in Langley. For the members from Langley, you’re going to want to get some mail out right away on this one.

It is just exciting for me to have the opportunity to high- light many of the British Columbians who were success- ful in Tokyo this past summer. Of course, Christine Sin- clair and Julia Grosso, on the soccer pitch. In athletics, Jerome Blake took a bronze medal. Taylor Ruck, in the pool, took a bronze. The bronze medal for our softball team, Danielle Lawrie, Emma Entzminger, Larissa Frank- lin, Sara Groenewegen, Kelsey Harshman, Lauren Regula, Jennifer Salling. Also, of course, in the boats, Caileigh Filmer and Hillary Janssens. I know that this is really exciting for me; I hope it’s excit- ing for all of you.

Would you please once again put your hands together for our once and always Olympic champi- ons. [Applause.] M. Dykeman:I’m just thrilled to see our friend and col- league from Abbotsford-Mission back today, MLA Pam Alexis. I was wondering if the House could please join me in giving her a warm welcome back. Hon. R. Kahlon:Hon. Speaker, joining us today in the members gallery, from Germany, is a delegation from the state of North Rhine–Westphalia, led by Dr. Stephan Holthoff-Pförtner, Minister of Federal, European and International Affairs. The minister is here as the first offi- cial visit to British Columbia.

Earlier this morning he had the opportunity to meet with you, hon. Speaker, and, I believe, with the opposition leader and the Third Party Leader as well. The Premier and I had the pleasure of meeting with the minister, with Klaus Schmidt, the consul general, and with the entire delegation this afternoon. I would hope that this House can make them all feel very welcome today. N. Letnick:If you want to blame anyone for me being here, that would be Doris and Norbert Kotscha, right up there. I’ d like to make them feel very welcome. [1:40 p.m.] Also, today I met with Michael and Brenda Bacon. All 3461

six of us are grandparents and enjoying the life immensely. Please make them feel very welcome. Hon. S. Robinson:I’m very pleased today to welcome to the House David Miller. David wears many hats, all of them fashioned for a person who cares about the environ- ment, the economy, social equity and sustainability. David currently serves as the chair of the board of dir- ectors for B.C. Infrastructure Benefits, a Crown corpor- ation we launched in 2018 to employ underrepresented or underemployed workers on public infrastructure pro- jects operating under the community benefits agreement.

I want to thank David for helping make sure that British Columbians get access to good-paying jobs, skill develop- ment and apprenticeships and for providing opportunit- ies to underrepresented groups like Indigenous peoples, women and people with disabilities. Now, David has and continues to hold a variety of public and private positions. He’s also the director of internation- al diplomacy and global ambassador of inclusive climate action for the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. He also is an economist and a lawyer. David also is very famil- iar with public service.

He served as the mayor of a small little town called Toronto for seven years. Would the House please make David feel welcome. T. Wat:It is my pleasure to welcome my constituency assistant William Tu and his two young friends Benny Lam and Jackson Su to this House this afternoon. This is the first time that my CA William has come to the Legislature since he became my volunteer for my rid- ing — I think more than four years ago, when he was still a student at SFU, studying communications.

He has been working as my part-time CA for the last several years, and I’m so pleased that he’s taking time off from his work to take his two young friends to see democracy at work and to see what the life of the elected official is like. I’m so proud of these young people who are paving the way for the future of British Columbia and also paving a multicultural and diverse community in harmony. Would the House join me in welcoming the three young guys. B. Anderson:Y esterday was my mother-in-law’s birth- day. Y ou know what they say about mothers-in-law? I have the very best one.

She is incredibly kind and compassion- ate. If I can’t get a hold of my own mom and I need some motherly advice, I can always count on Marian Dixon from Cranbrook to pick up the phone and give me some excellent guidance. I’m grateful every day for you, Marian. Will the House please join me in wishing you a happy birthday. Hon. K. Conroy:I just wanted to add to the Premier’s introduction. He neglected to introduce a very, very spe- cial person, someone that I refer to as Saint Ellie, and that is the Premier’s wife, Ellie, who is up in the gallery as well. Hon. B.

Ralston:Change is a constant here at the Legis- lature. In that vein, I wish to note that Andrew Cuddy, my senior ministerial assistant, is, as of today, performing the same role for the Minister of Forests. His diligence, formidable work ethic and good advice will be as welcome in his new role as I will miss his help in my ministry. Hon. L. Beare:Joining us today in the gallery are my lovely administration staff, Brianna Leppard and Shay McEwen. We all know how important our staff are in keep- ing our offices organized and keeping us running. I want to say a big thank-you to these two amazing women.

Would the House please make them feel welcome for their very first question period. M. Starchuk:This morning’s private member’s motion spoke to women working in traditionally male-dominated industries. There are a number of MLAs who had specific references to women firefighters in this morning’s debate. Joining us today are two of Vancouver Island’s heroes. Join me in welcoming to the House firefighter Amy Tai from the Victoria fire department and assistant chief Haida Fortier from the Esquimalt fire department. [1:45 p.m.] S.

Chant: Thank you for the opportunity to rise and make two introductions to the House this afternoon. The first is my friend of over 40 years, who recently retired from the Canadian Armed Forces as a chief petty officer in the military police. Now, if you don’t know what a vastly underrated position for females that is, think about it a bit. The other important role that she holds is that she is godmother to my daughters, Lindsey and Nicole. My daughter Lindsey Chant is also in the gallery with Jennifer. I hope the House will welcome these two generations of strong, independent women.

Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 22 — FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIV ACY AMENDMENT ACT, 2021 Hon. L. Beare presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2021. Hon. L. Beare:I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now. I am pleased to introduce Bill 22. This bill amends the 3462 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 18, 2021

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This act has not been substantially updated since 2011, and we are quickly falling behind other jurisdictions. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted people’s need for safe and convenient online services. This bill proposes amendments to ensure government provides the level of service people deserve, keeps pace with new technology and enhances privacy protection.

The changes we’re proposing will strengthen govern- ment accountability and transparency by enabling us to be more responsive to the needs of people by adding more public bodies and charging new offences for destroying records to evade FOI. By updating FOIPPA ’s data residency provisions, we will improve how people access government services while we continue to ensure that the personal information that people trust us with is protected.

We will enhance public sector privacy protections and increase accountability by implementing mandatory privacy breach reporting and increasing penalties for general and privacy offences under the act. We are demonstrating the province’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, reconciliation and equity by increasing information-sharing with Indigenous peoples, adding Indigenous cultural protections and removing non-inclus- ive language. Indigenous leaders, stakeholders and public body representatives have been asking for these changes for over a decade.

These amendments will address their feedback and make it easier for people to access informa- tion while also strengthening B.C. ’s leadership role in safe- guarding information. Mr. Speaker:Members, the question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. L. Beare:I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. Bill 22, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2021, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Statements (Standing Order 25B) ISLAMIC HERITAGE MONTH AND ANTI-MUSLIM RACISM R. Singh:Today I would like to extend my best wishes to Muslim Canadians as they celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi, the birth of the prophet Muhammad, one of the largest cel- ebrations of the year. Eid Milad-un-Nabi marks the birth, life and teachings of the prophet Muhammad. To make it even more special, I stand before the House today in recognition of Islamic Heritage Month. It is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the perseverance and generosity of Muslim communities and to learn more about the history of Islam in Canada.

Our Muslim sisters and brothers have a rich history of contributions in B.C., whether it’s in arts, culture, academics or business, and these contributions consolidate the depth and diversity of an abundantly multicultural province. While this is a time to celebrate the community, we also know that the community has experienced significant challenges over the past few years.

We have seen a notable increase in hateful attacks against Muslims across Canada and British Columbia, a substantial increase in anti- Muslim comments on social media and in incidents of women being attacked for wearing a hijab, and these are just the incidents that are actually reported. [1:50 p.m.] Hate has no room in our province, and it takes all of our collective voices to stand in solidarity against hate. I’m proud of our commitment to tackle race-based and faith- based hatred as well as discrimination of all kinds in this province.

It heartens me that we are moving forward on anti-racism data legislation, which will help pave the way to a more equitable and more inclusive province. Last but not least, I would like to ask my colleagues here in the House, and others around the province, to join in celebrating Islamic Heritage Month by participat- ing in local events in your community and learning more about various Islamic cultures and traditions that make our province so culturally rich and diverse. FOOD SECURITY AND FOOD PRICES I.

Paton:On Saturday, we marked World Food Day, a day to celebrate our agrifood system but also an oppor- tunity to reflect on how we can make the system more sustainable. What does that mean? It means less food and the resi- liency to avoid shocks to the system, like extreme weather or a global pandemic. It means limiting, not worsening, the impacts on our environment. It means we can supply a wide variety of nutritious, safe food that is available at an affordable price to everyone. That’s becoming more and more of a challenge for people.

Just the other week I heard a story about how our gro- cery bills are going up yet again. The cost of meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, in particular, is going up due to weather patterns, logistical challenges due to the COV- ID-19 pandemic and the ever-increasing costs of produc- tion facing B.C. farmers and ranchers. This means more and more people are clipping coupons, looking for deals, reducing the intake of meat and taking other measures in a bid to save money on food. Monday, October 18, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3463

We can probably surmise that these are the realities faced by more affluent folks in our society, who are still able to grocery shop regularly but are noticing the hit to the pocketbook as well. It reminds us that there are many others in our communities who are much more food insecure and vulnerable. This is something that has been on the minds of farmers in my riding of Delta South, as they reflected on the pandemic and wondered how they could help those in need.

Over the past year, my constituency assistant and I have spent many Wednesday mornings picking up 300 pounds of potatoes from our generous Delta spud farmers and delivering them to the dedicated volunteers at the South Delta Food Bank. I want to thank these farmers and volun- teers for ensuring that people in our community continue to have access to fresh, nutritious food. I also want to acknowledge the hard work they do each and every day as a critical part of Canada’s national food security. We know it takes more than farms to feed a country.

It also takes whole supply chains of feed, fertilizer and equip- ment suppliers; veterinarians; crop specialists; transpor- ters; processors; and distributors. There are so many valued participants in our agrifood system, and it’s up to all of us to support them on World Food Day and beyond. MUSLIM COMMUNITY AND ANTI-MUSLIM RACISM M. Elmore:Mawlid is the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which is commemorated in Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar, and 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal translates to August 29, year 570 in the Common Era.

That’s the accepted date among most of the Sunni and Shia scholars. This year that begins tonight, on the evening of Monday, October 18, and ends on the evening of Tuesday, October 19. This day is celebrated the world over in mosques and homes with the recitation of poetry, the sharing of food and charity. That is how the robust and diverse Muslim community in B.C. will also celebrate this important day of faith. B.C. has a long relationship with its Muslim citizens. By 1911, there were reputed to be over 500 Muslims here, mostly from Turkey and Bulgaria, and they faced the racism that was rampant at that time.

Right from their introduction, Muslim organizers were integral in challenging the discriminatory laws that non- European communities faced. Twenty-seven of the pas- sengers on theKomagata Maru, which we have spoken about many times here, were Muslim.

Although the com- munity has been subject to some of the most vile and violent discrimination, it endures and has grown to be- come a vibrant and integral part of the fabric of British Columbia, with several mosques representing the diver- sity, and many organizations that actively give back to the larger society. [1:55 p.m.] Some of these communities include the Vancouver Madinah, Voices of Muslim Women, Sisters Speak and the Muslim Food Bank and Community Services Society, headquartered in Richmond with a space right next to the Carnegie Centre, from which they serve food to the community in the Downtown Eastside.

In recognition of the contributions of the community, this government has already declared October Islamic History Month. I want to also take this opportunity to give gratitude to all Muslims in British Columbia and to ask that we all cel- ebrate this very important day for the community. PETER BENTLEY A. Wilkinson:On September 6, British Columbia bid farewell to Peter Bentley. This is a name that’s known throughout the province. He was a kind, gentle man who was known to make the most of every opportunity.

In his 91 years, almost all spent here in British Columbia, he built a legacy that all of us can be proud of. Peter Bentley was born in Vienna in 1930. We all take note of that date, because eight years later Austria was annexed by the Nazis. His family fled in the dark of night, with nothing. They eventually settled in Vancouver. They found light and safety here as darkness fell over Europe. They also found endless opportunity, and they started a small, small business in New Westminster. That business came to be known as Canfor. Peter believed in making the most of every opportunity in life.

He was tireless in making sure that people had the chance to get ahead, and his legacy is enormous. From the growth and success of Canfor to the opening and growth of the University of Northern British Columbia to the establishment of the Vancouver General Hospital Found- ation, which has raised over $1 billion to support health care in British Columbia, Peter Bentley was instrumental and essential to their success. The list goes on, from bringing NHL hockey to British Columbia — to keep the Leafs out of our territory — to the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame and to Golf Canada.

Peter was tireless in using his endless goodwill and energy to make British Columbia a better place for everyone. He liked to get things done, and he did exactly that. Our province has benefited enormously from his loyalty, from his commit- ment, from his dedication, from his energy, and we will miss him for that. We wish his family every success, and our condol- ences, as his family continues to move forward in build- ing British Columbia. ACTION ON POVERTY B. Anderson:I have lived in Latin America, Asia and 3464 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 18, 2021

Africa and have seen people living in deep poverty. People don’t only live in poverty in the global south but in each one of our communities in British Columbia. This morning I had anti-vax protesters outside of my office, and I was checking in on my staff to ensure that they felt safe. My CA said: “Thank goodness we have such a good relationship with the people that hang out in our back alley. I know if I have to escape, they’ll have my back. ” Many of these people, who we know by name and who frequently hang out in our back alley, behind my office, live well below the poverty line.

Many of them are cur- rently homeless or have experienced homelessness. Our government is working hard not only to house these peo- ple but to ensure they have the support they need through our Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduc- tion. Globally the number of people living in poverty is expected to rise by approximately 150 million people this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why I rise today to raise awareness of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

This year’s theme is “Building for- ward together: ending persistent poverty, respecting all people and our planet. ” In 2018, the Poverty Reduction Strategy Act set targets to reduce overall poverty by 25 percent and child poverty by 50 percent by 2024. In 2019, B.C. lifted 185,000 people, including 81,000 children, out of poverty. [2:00 p.m.] While this is great news, we need to make sure we aren’t slowing down.

We need to continue to ensure ade- quate supports are in place and that people in B.C. — our friends and our neighbours, including the people who hang out in my back alley — have the opportunity to get ahead.All British Columbians need to know that we have their back. V ANCOUVER’S CHINATOWN T. Wat:B.C. is home to a wide array of unique neigh- bourhoods and landmarks. Symbols of pride, they exem- plify the spirit of our hometowns. In Vancouver, few places are as iconic a landmark as our historic Chinatown.

The massive arches of the Millen- nium Gate, the bright neon lights and colourful cultural buildings of Chinatown stand as more than a symbol of our city’s success. It is a testament to our multicultural heritage, the hopes of so many new immigrants to our province and the dreams of countless multicultural famil- ies that could be achieved in our great province, as well as an homage to so many generations before us that helped forge the prosperity and success that we all enjoy today. Like many communities across B.C., Chinatown has faced some incredible challenges over the past 20 months.

But the people who still call this great neigh- bourhood home have and continue to show the resili- ence and spirit of hard work that the people of Chin- atown are known for. Light Up Chinatown took place last September, an ini- tiative by the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation to kick- start the return of friends and visitors to our beloved Chin- atown.

Through live entertainment, food trucks, light fest- ivals, decorations and much more, the Light Up Chin- atown weekend served as a way to show people that the area’s businesses and residents are still here to welcome people to the neighbourhood and help restore Chinatown to its former glory. I was in Chinatown to experience much of this event and was so excited to see so many young people and fam- ilies there of different ethnicities, not only Chinese Cana- dians, enjoying the many businesses and attractions that Chinatown has to offer.

Since the Legislature was not sitting in September, I would like to take this opportunity now to extend a very heartfelt thank-you to Carol Lee and the Chinatown Foundation, the Chinatown Business Improvement Area as well as the countless business owners, staff members and volunteers who made this weekend such a success. Our work to save Chinatown is far from over, and there will be many events to come that will help promote and preserve this iconic neighbourhood.

Whenever you members are in Vancouver again, please take a moment to visit our historic Chinatown, see the Millennium Gate for yourself, dine and shop to help our small businesses and help save this historic site that, for more than a century, has been a symbol of all that makes our province great. Mr. Speaker:Members, a reminder to all members that statements are to be only two minutes long. Please keep that in mind. Oral Questions COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS FOR SENIORS IN LONG-TERM-CARE FACILITIES S. Bond: The numbers are staggering.

As many as 80 residents, more than 20 staff and at least ten deaths as a result of COVID, and that’s just at Willingdon Care Cen- tre. It only has 95 beds. Vulnerable seniors in long-term care were supposed to be getting their booster shots starting weeks ago. But when it comes to implementation, this Premier rolls out the plan and then fails to deliver. What we’re seeing is a slow, overly bureaucratic, unco- ordinated rollout, a patchwork across health authorities.

And you can imagine my shock when, in a Fraser Health document, it was confirmed — a timeline for when boost- er shots may take place. “We expect that all eligible resi- dents and tenants will be offered a third dose by mid- Monday, October 18, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3465

December. ” That is simply unacceptable, and the Premier knows it. Outbreaks and tragedies are mounting across the province, including at Willingdon Care Centre in Burn- aby. Mid-December is not good enough for frail, elderly British Columbians. Our seniors need protection, and they need it now. [2:05 p.m.] Will the Premier get up today and assure British Col- umbians and their families that frail, elderly British Col- umbians will receive their booster shot immediately, not by mid-December? Hon. A.

Dix: As the member will know, a number of British Columbians have started to get booster shots since the middle of September based on the recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. On September 13, we started to immunize the extremely vulnerable. There are about 15,000 people in that category. On September 28, the day that the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended that we pro- ceed in long-term care, we started the process of immun- izing people in long-term care.

The standard is six months after second dose, which is, I think, where the member gets the information from. That immunization will be completed long before the middle of December. So far, about 62 care homes, across all health author- ities, have been immunized with a third dose, a booster dose, and 60,000 British Columbians have received either a dose to complete their course, their original course, in the case of the extremely immunocomprom- ised or in the second category of moderately immuno- compromised and the third category in long-term care.

That’s 60,000 — in addition to the 4.133 million British Columbians who, of course, have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Mr. Speaker:The Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplemental question. S. Bond: Thank you very much to the minister. Those words are cold comfort for families who are deeply con- cerned about their frail, elderly loved one, who may have to sit in long-term care, not my words — Fraser Health Authority’s words — and wait for their booster shot. In fact, we know that the majority of residents in long- term care and assisted living received their second dose in February.

So the wait is too long, and the minister knows it. The minister can reference NACI all he wants. Let’s look at what this note from Fraser Health actually says. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization warns that delaying the third dose will increase the period during which individuals “may have reduced protection” — reduced protection. Perhaps the Premier can get up and answer the ques- tion. Let’s look at Saskatchewan. They started their booster shots on September 7. Alberta started on September 1. Ontario started in August, and they have provided third doses to 96 percent of long-term care residents.

What do we find here in British Columbia? A message that says: “ Actually, you might have to wait until mid-December. ” This is not a supply issue. We know that. The govern- ment has the supply necessary. It is a failure to organize the rollout. Let’s be clear. Frail, elderly British Columbians need and deserve protection. Will the Premier stand up today and commit that frail, elderly residents in long-term care and assisted living will receive their booster shots immedi- ately? It is all hands on deck. Time is of the essence. Hon. A.

Dix:I agree it is a priority for all those in long- term care and assisted living to receive a booster shot of a COVID-19 vaccine. That’s precisely what we’re working to do — 62 care homes already and more every day. We’re working systematically through the care homes. Those are not the only people who require a booster dose. As the member will know, our extremely immuno- compromised population…. It was recommended on September 13, I believe. We proceeded, and the vast majority of them have already received their dose — that 15,000 people. Over 60,000 people have received a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

As the member also knows, with respect to many of the innovations that have been done to protect long-term care in B.C., from the single-site order to the 5,000 workers that have been hired to sup- plement people in long-term care, British Columbia, I believe with Quebec, was the first jurisdiction to imple- ment mandatory vaccination of all staff in long-term care homes as of October 12. M. Bernier:With all due respect to the minister, if it’s such a priority, why will it take until December to help these vulnerable people?

We all know many vulnerable British Columbians started receiving their second dose at the beginning of the year. That was well over six months ago, so protection is waning. [2:10 p.m.] Vulnerable seniors are worried and rightfully so. They’re waiting on this government, and they’re not getting a clear message on how they will be protected and get these much-needed boosters. The B.C. Care Providers have been calling on seniors to receive this booster shot since the beginning of September, almost two months ago. I quote from them: “We all knew this was coming. We all knew the need was coming.

We were caught flat-footed. ” To the Premier, to his government, why were they caught flat-footed? Why can they not just implement this now for the seniors that need it? Hon. A. Dix: Well, as I said in the answer to the first 3466 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 18, 2021

question, people across the long-term-care sector, across long-term care and assisted living, will receive their boost- er dose well in advance of December. So that is not correct, and that is not the situation that we’re facing. To date, 62 care homes have been immunized in this effort. In addition, I’ll just say that I was asked questions dir- ectly, and I’m answering those questions directly. They will be done before then. That is what I’m saying. People in care homes across British Columbia know that they have the protection that every worker in a care home now is vaccinated.

That is not without its challenges, as all members of the House know. That’s why B.C. was first to do that, first to do single site, has provided extraordinary resources in long-term care and, as the seniors advocate report stated, has, I think — compared to the other equi- valent jurisdictions in the country — the best record of protecting seniors. There is urgency in this. This is not, I would say to the House Leader of the Opposition, a laughing matter. It’s not a laughing matter for me. It’s not a laughing matter for anybody. I say to you: we take it extraordinarily seriously.

That’s why the people at Immunize B.C. — who put on, I think, what is on record as the largest immunization program in the history of the province, with enormous skill and dedication — are apply- ing themselves to this task with that same skill and that same dedication. Mr. Speaker:The member for Peace River South, a sup- plemental question. M. Bernier: Well, the minister is correct. It’s not a laughing matter, but for this government, it seem to be a confusing matter.

The minister and this government need to get on the same page as the health authorities because the problem is that everybody is getting a different message. No wonder people are confused. No wonder seniors and family mem- bers in this province are worried. Frankly, this government lost the public’s trust on this issue after burying the Ernst and Y oung report with their response to deaths in long-term care. Frankly, people don’t trust the messages coming from this government, because it’s always changing and never the same.

There’s a tragedy unfolding right now, as we’ve been talking about, in the Willingdon Care Centre, where at least ten deaths have been reported so far. Ten people have died. Those are families affected. These are people that we’re talking about, not just deaths. These are people. The head of the B.C. Care Providers says: “If the resid- ents there had had their booster when Alberta and Ontario were giving out their boosters, it’s highly probable this would not have happened.

We’re heartsick, because we’ve been asking the Ministry of Health about boosters since the first of September. ” To the Premier, why, again, can we not do this now? Why are they failing the seniors around the province and, specifically, now at the Willingdon Care Centre? Hon. A. Dix: I think members will know that, obvi- ously, COVID-19 is devastating in long-term care. It’s why, from March of 2020, our government has led on this question. Our public health officer has led on this question.

It’s why we’ve had, I think, compared to other jurisdictions, including the jurisdictions that have been used as examples here in this House, the best record in responding. That doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been extraordinary loss and extraordinary tragedy that everyone involved feels every single day. It’s why we put in place a single-site order to protect people in long-term care. It’s why we ensured, before all those jurisdictions that were mentioned here, that contracted long-term care homes had access to PPE.

It’s why we’re ensuring today that everyone will be vaccin- ated — everyone — in long-term care and assisted living. [2:15 p.m.] That priority and that announcement was made and ini- tiated the day that NACI made the recommendation — the day. And 62 care homes have already received that vaccin- ation and more to come every day. It is a high priority for obvious reasons, and we’re going to continue to work with the same diligence that Dr. Penny Ballem and Dr. Bonnie Henry, our leaders in this effort, have put in from the beginning to ensure that everyone gets the protection they need from COVID-19.

CONSTRUCTION OF RENTAL UNITS AND HOUSINGHUB PROGRAM A. Olsen:Today I’m hoping to better understand this government’s perspective on housing. Does this govern- ment consider housing to be a human right? Hon. D. Eby: I think there’s been quite a dramatic shift in government’s philosophy around housing since our CASA agreement with the Green Party that brought the NDP into government in 2017. Now, that shift was a shift from seeing housing as purely a market-driven commod- ity to seeing housing as a human right.

That shows up in a number of aspects of our work, from our response to encampments to the speculation tax, which says that if you’re holding housing empty, you should pay more because that is costing the system more. These are really important principles. We stand by them. I thank the member for the question. Mr. Speaker:The member for Saanich North and the Islands on a supplemental. A. Olsen:As I think everybody in this House knows, we have been languishing in a housing crisis since the 2017 election. This morning when I opened up my email from Monday, October 18, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3467

the Capital Daily, I read that the Canada Mortgage and Corp. report doesn’t believe that Victoria’s housing market is overpriced, even though the cost of a single-family home has increased 30 percent since pre-COVID and the aver- age home costs 20 times the median income. Despite this government’s 30-point housing plan, the housing market is increasingly less affordable. One response of this government was to create the B.C.

Hous- ingHub to increase the supply of affordable rental housing and home ownership through community, government, non-profit and private sector partnerships. [Applause.] Take your victory lap. That’s good. Billions of dollars of public money are now being used to finance new construction. It’s a smart program as long as that public investment is not just more fuel on a red- hot housing market. I’ve heard many stories that housing that is called affordable is still out of reach for many British Columbians.

Again to the Attorney General and Minister Respons- ible for Housing, what specific safeguards are in place to ensure that the billions of dollars of public money that we are investing in the HousingHub are going to build non-market solutions that British Columbians can actually afford to live in? Hon. D. Eby: Thank you to the member for the ques- tion. First, a few numbers. B.C. Housing just released their data around housing registration. This is completed hous- ing in the province, their September report.

I’m happy to say that in 2021, year to date, 11,000 new rental housing units have opened, just since the beginning of 2021. And 2019 was the previous high, with 13,000 rental housing units opened that year. Let me just have a look at pre-2017 here. It’s tough — an average of about 2,000 units a year. So right now we’re building five times the number of rental housing units a year. In 16 years, the previous government built 130 stu- dent housing beds. Let me just check. We’ve got four times that amount under construction at one school, BCIT — one school. The member asked about safeguards.

It’s an important question. Safeguards are important, especially when we saw what happened under the previous government and their combination of political donations and housing policy. [2:20 p.m.] Safeguards are really important. We know that having a safe and effective system in place of oversight is critic- ally important. That’s why we’ve commissioned a third- party business firm to come in and do a review of B.C. Housing safeguards. We’re working with the Office of the Auditor General to review B.C. Housing’s work, to make sure the money is going where it’s supposed to. Over- sight is vital.

We’re providing that in ways that we haven’t seen previously. COVID-19 CIRCUIT BREAKER RELIEF GRANT FOR BUSINESSES IN NORTHERN B.C. D. Davies:Many small businesses in the north, particu- larly locally owned restaurants, have been trying very hard to do the right thing as we fight this pandemic, and it has not been easy. It’s come at a cost, not just to their bottom lines but to their physical and mental health. The new restrictions for the north add more worry to these people who are struggling to survive, struggling to pay the bills, to pay their workers.

To the Premier, will the circuit breaker grant programs be reoffered to those businesses in Northern Health facing these new restrictions? Hon. R. Kahlon:No doubt, the last 19 months have been challenging for businesses all across this province, and this Small Business Week we pay homage to all the struggles that they’ve had. We are proud on this side of the House that we have provided the highest per-capita support for businesses and people throughout this entire pandemic.

Just in the north alone, that means $15 million has gone directly to business owners so they can pivot their businesses and navigate this challenging time. The new health restrictions that have come in place, limiting alcohol serving till 10 p.m…. Businesses can still operate in a safe way. We’re going to continue to communicate with the loc- al chamber and businesses on the challenges that they may have, and we’ll see how the pandemic proceeds into the future. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. The member for Peace River North, supplemental. D.

Davies:I’m not sure what I heard there, but it cer- tainly wasn’t what business owners and small businesses across the north are wanting to hear. Let’s look at the program that’s been rolling out for the first, second, third wave — a $156 million, of $470 million, combined small business recovery grant and the circuit breaker. That’s only a third that has been put out as of this summer. And $300 million still not put out to these busi- nesses that need it. We’re not talking multinational corporations here.

We’re talking small businesses, ma-and-pa shops, men and women who are living in the Peace country throughout the north that are supporting their communities. It’s kind of like this government and the Premier live in a bubble that they can’t look beyond and see the issues that are out there that people are struggling with. If you’re going to be imposing these restrictions, these 3468 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 18, 2021

businesses need support. They need these circuit breaker grants to be delivered so that they can continue to support their communities. But here we are, 20 months later. We saw the failure in the first, second and third wave of deliv- ering these grants. Will the Premier help out these small businesses across the north that are barely holding on by a thread? Hon. R. Kahlon:I’ll start by saying the member’s num- bers are completely off. I’m not quite sure where he’s get- ting his numbers from. Hon.

Speaker, $526 million has gone out the door to support small businesses throughout this province, and $15 million in the region that the mem- ber’s from going directly to businesses. We lead the country in economic recovery. We’re lead- ing the country. We have more jobs right now than we did prior to the pandemic. It didn’t happen by accident. It’s because people followed the health guidelines led by the Minister of Health and Dr. Henry. People are following the rules. They’re doing what they can. They’re getting vaccinated. They’re using the vaccine cards. We had a StrongerBC plan. Interjections. Mr.

Speaker:Members. Hon. R. Kahlon:A StrongerBC plan — billions of dol- lars of targeted supports supporting those businesses with the needs that they need, built by them because we listened to them when we built our plan. We have provided hun- dreds of millions of dollars of support. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members will listen to the answer, please. Y ou are wasting your time. Hon. R. Kahlon:We’re going to continue to support businesses through these challenging times. [2:25 p.m.] AMBULANCE RESPONSE TIMES AND SERVICE MANAGEMENT T.

Stone:On the evening of October 9, Kamloops resi- dent Sue Mark was beyond worried. Her mother had fallen, and she may have broken her hip. Her mother had fainted, and her mother has a history of stroke. Sue did what anyone would do. She called for an ambulance. It took 15 minutes for that phone call to be answered, and it took two hours before the ambulance actually arrived — two hours. Sue says: “This is unbelievable and so terrifying. A two- hour wait could have been the end for my mom. ” My question to the Premier is this.

Does the Premier think it’s acceptable for a frail senior who has fallen, might have broken her hip — a senior that has fainted, a senior that has a history of strokes…? Does the Premier think it’s acceptable for that senior to have to wait two hours for an ambulance to arrive in her moment of need? Hon. A. Dix: I think that when you call 911 and you need an ambulance urgently, you should get an ambulance urgently.

That’s what I think, and that’s why, since becom- ing Minister of Health, other than Mental Health and Ad- dictions, we’ve increased the budget of the Ambulance Service more than any other part of the Health Ministry. As you know, there’s significant demand across the Health Ministry. We’ve gone from $424 million, when we started, to $559 million. We’ve seen, I think it’s fair to say, this year an unprecedented increase in stresses on our ambulance sys- tem.

We are acting by increasing supports in remote com- munities, increasing 24-7 care in rural communities, increasing care across urban communities as well, adding ambulances, adding dispatchers and adding ambulance paramedics. I believe — and I think I share the view of the hon. member — that when people call for an ambulance, they should get one. Mr. Speaker: The member for Kamloops–South Thompson on a supplemental. T. Stone:The minister can sit here and rattle off all kinds of numbers and statistics. He can talk about budgets. At the end of the day, that’s cold comfort for people that have lost their lives.

It’s cold comfort for the families of loved ones who have nearly lost their lives because a call doesn’t get answered for 15 minutes or an ambulance takes up to two hours to arrive. That’s on this government. That’s this minister’s res- ponsibility — to address those realities that are happening in our emergency system, which, frankly, Mr. Speaker, is on the verge of collapse. Now, unfortunately, Sue’s experience is not an outlier. We are all hearing stories just like Sue’s. I’ll share a couple more quickly.

On the same night in Kamloops, October 9, Elaine had this to say about her experience calling 911: “I couldn’t get through last night. I waited on hold for 30 minutes. BCEHS called me back one hour and 45 minutes later to ask if I still needed an ambulance. I was already at the hospital. ” Or Judy, who had this to say — again, about the same night in Kamloops: “I called an ambulance for my mom who was unresponsive, and I was put on hold. I called back four times, and I finally screamed: ‘Don’t put me on hold. ’ It was a nightmare, an absolute nightmare. ” Mr. Speaker, what does the Premier have to say to Sue?

What does he have to say to Elaine? What does he have to say to Judy and the countless other British Columbians just like them who want to know when the Premier is going Monday, October 18, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3469

to actually take the decisive action that’s required to make sure that British Columbians get the emergency services that they need when they need it? Hon. J. Horgan:I thank the member for Kamloops– South Thompson for bringing these issues to our attention. As the Minister of Health has already said, we have made significant investments to try and beef up a system that was clearly failing under the previous government. We have much more work to do. We have much more work to do. It’s not dissimilar… Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Members. Order, please. Order. Hon. J.

Horgan: …to references to long-term care, where, prior to coming onto this side of the House, nine out of ten care facilities didn’t have sufficient staff to meet the challenges. We’ve been working on all of that. We’ve been doing it in collaboration, by and large. [2:30 p.m.] To the families that the member references, I absolutely understand their complete frustration. It is unacceptable to wait that long to get emergency services wherever you may live in British Columbia. We have made that commit- ment since we came to government. We’re going to contin- ue to make the investments to put…. Interjection. Hon. J.

Horgan:During those four years, we’ve been making investments… Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. J. Horgan:…to build up the capacity. It’s all well and good to stand up in this place and say it’s not good enough, but you have to work with us to bring these issues forward in a collaborative way. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. J. Horgan:Y elling louder will not help, but keep it up. Keep it up. Mr. Speaker:Members, when the question is asked, let’s listen to the question. When the answer is given, let’s listen to the answer, please. K.

Kirkpatrick:To be clear, the system is failing under this government. Erin Booth, in the Premier’s home of Victoria, needed an ambulance but gave up after waiting 30 minutes on hold and took a cab. Almost two hours later, at the hospital, while she was getting prepped for a scan, she got called back, asking if she still needed an ambulance. She says: “I think our current government is really into hiding what is actually going on, trying to minimize it.

There wasn’t even a triaging process, and anyone calling is going to be faced with that wait. ” People should not need to call a cab to get to their hos- pital, but that’s where it’s at under this Premier. So when is the Premier going to stop the talk and start providing the care people need? Hon. J. Horgan:I thank the new member for her ques- tion. Again, sometimes I wonder if the opposition under- stands…. “They just arrived a couple of days ago, and everything was fine when they got here. ” It wasn’t. These are complex systems that require nurturing and care all the time. It requires investment.

It requires investment not for four years, not for four months but ongoing. That’s exactly what we’re doing: the largest investments in B.C. history, budget over budget, to increase emergency health services. That means hiring people, something they didn’t want to do. That means making sure we’re putting people in place. We’re putting infrastructure in place in the north — $66 million for air ambulance, $66 million that went to new equipment and more people. That’s what we were faced with. I’ d like to go back to the question about long-term care. The member… Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. J.

Horgan:…on that side of the House did not mention him by name, but the person responsible for the private care facilities is a guy named Terry Lake, who happened to be the Minister of Health for four years while that government didn’t fund long-term care. They didn’t hire enough people to do the job, and they didn’t invest in health care. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:All right. The first question is over. Members, come to order, please. B.

Banman: Under this NDP government, under this Premier’s leadership, people are dying, literally dying, waiting for medical care. 3470 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 18, 2021

Y ou can blame the other side all you want. Under your watch, right now, people are dying. Mr. Speaker:Member, through the Chair. B. Banman:Despite record delays, despite a pandemic, this government has yet to address the bureaucratic red tape that prevents those first on the scene from saving lives. Firefighters are often the first to arrive, but they are not allowed to provide any medical help or transport peo- ple to the hospital. The Auditor General released a report on access to emergency services in 2019 that called for government action.

Recommendations of the emergency medical assistants licensing board on the expansion of firefighters’ scope of practice were due September 6. That was a month and a half ago. Right now people expect action and all hands on deck. [2:35 p.m.] To the Premier: will you stop and please tell us what the recommendations are? Stop hiding behind it. Will the gov- ernment table them today and act now to save lives? Hon. A. Dix: I think the facts…. The member from Kamloops said it was unfair to talk about investments. Well, investments reflect priorities of government.

When you double the investment, the rate of increase to the Ambulance Service, that reflects double the interest in real terms. That’s a significant difference. From 2017 to 2019, 115 permanent positions added, 14 ambulances. Between January 21 this year and June 21, 271 paramedics hired, including 66 new scheduled on-call positions. On July 2, 322 new paramedic positions were rolled out across the province. The issues that the member refers to between ambu- lance paramedics and firefighters have been around, as the member will know from his experience, for decades.

We are dealing with it by working with firefighters, by working with ambulance paramedics. We will be responding and bringing not just reports, not just recommendations but change soon. [End of question period.] Speaker’s Statement ROLE OF SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Mr. Speaker:Hon. Members, I would like to advise the House that I’ll be recognizing the Government House Leader momentarily to present a motion for your consid- eration regarding the appointment of the next Sergeant-at- Arms.

As members will know, our Sergeant-at-Arms leads the Legislative Assembly Protective Services, which ensures our safety and security on the legislative precinct, enabling members to undertake our duties without interference or interruption, thereby ensuring the continuity of our democratic system of governance. The Sergeant-at-Arms also oversees the chamber, gallery and corridor teams and undertakes duties as prescribed in our standing orders. The Legislative Assembly undertook an external open recruitment competition for the position of Sergeant-at- Arms.

The successful candidate in this competition was Ray Robitaille. Ray has a passion for public service and a deep respect for this institution. He joins us from a career in policing — specifically, the Calgary police service, from which he retired in 2019 at the rank of deputy chief of police. He was invested as a member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by the Governor General of Canada. Ray brings with him a strong track record of leadership, and I am confident that he is very well suited to take up his new responsibilities. Ray, welcome to the Legislative Assembly.

On behalf of all members, we wish you the best as you take up the role of Sergeant-at-Arms. I would also like to thank Greg Nelson for his service as Acting Sergeant-at-Arms since October 2019. His steady hand during a period of great change has been most appre- ciated. On behalf of all members, I wish to sincerely thank Greg for his service to the Legislative Assembly in this capacity. Hon. M. Farnworth:I seek leave to move a motion con- cerning the appointment of the next Sergeant-at-Arms. Leave granted. Motions Without Notice APPOINTMENT OF SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Hon. M.

Farnworth:By leave, I move, seconded by the member for Kamloops–North Thompson and the member for Cowichan Valley: [That effective immediately,Ray Robitaille be appointed Sergeant- at-Arms.] Motion approved. [2:40 p.m.] Orders of the Day Hon. M. Farnworth:I call Committee of the Whole, Bill 19, Societies Amendment Act. Monday, October 18, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3471

Committee of the Whole House BILL 19 — SOCIETIES AMENDMENT ACT, 2021 The House in Committee of the Whole on Bill 19; S. Chandra Herbert in the chair. The committee met at 2:44 p.m. On clause 1. The Chair:We are on Bill 19, Societies Amendment Act, 2021. Did the minister want to jump up? Hon. S. Robinson:I look forward to going through this bill clause by clause. I want to introduce my staff team, here to help us get through this piece of legislation. I’ve got Renée Mount- eney, my assistant deputy minister.

I have Andrew Avis, who is the director of business organizations, financial and corporate sector policy branch, and Maria Montgomery, who is the senior policy advisor, financial and corporate sector policy branch. I look forward to the members’ questions. M. Bernier:Thank you to the minister, and welcome to her staff. We’ll spend some time here going through some riveting stuff here on the Societies Act. [2:45 p.m.] I know in second reading we talked about the import- ance of this and why the act was brought in originally.

But maybe I’ll just backtrack for a moment on a few generals before we get into a few more specifics, if the minister will indulge me. My first question is…. The original consultation that I’m aware of…. I believe the minister said, too, that it was in 2019. There was some consultation that was done about looking at maybe some of these changes that were brought forward. I guess my question is: are these changes brought forward specifically and selectively only from that con- sultation?

Or have we learned anything through the last 18 months of the pandemic and some of the stresses or chal- lenges that maybe the societies faced that they have maybe reached out to the ministry? Hon. S. Robinson:Specifically to the member’s ques- tion, almost all of this is actually as a result of those consultations that were done prior to the pandemic. The member will recall that we made some legislative amendments to the Finance Statutes Amendment Act that allowed societies to hold fully electronic meetings with members and directors as a result of the pandemic. That work has already been done.

This is about all that consultation and that work that had gone on prior to the pandemic. M. Bernier:Okay. So a lot of the changes that have been brought forward, then, were based on that two-years-ago consultation. I know we’re going back a little bit, but the minister is fortunate enough to have her staff next to her maybe to help. To put things in perspective then, when that consulta- tion was done in 2019, what kind of feedback…? What kinds of numbers, approximately, did we have through government then? What kinds of submissions through agencies? Maybe give a bit of a cross-section. I’m just curious on….

I mean, there are 115 sections here. As we talked about quite a few, mostly, I would say minor…. A few are significant changes. But I’m just curi- ous. What kinds of numbers or the feedback that came in, considering there are about 29,000 societies out there…? Was it just from a few? Or was there a really a good uptake on the consultation? Hon. S. Robinson:Thank you very much. Grateful for staff who are around to facilitate that. Back in July, summer of 2019, the Ministry of Finance conducted a public consultation.

There was a letter sent to every deputy minister inviting them and their staff who work with societies to provide feedback. Information about the consultation was posted on public government websites — the Ministry of Finance’s website, the corpor- ate registry website and Societies Online. An email with the consultation letter was also sent to 27,000 societies and other identified stakeholders, includ- ing members of the public and the legal community who have commented on the Societies Act.

Recipients included many Indigenous friendship centres that are structured as societies here in British Columbia. [2:50 p.m.] The ministry also engaged with the First Nations Sum- mit, the Métis Nation B.C., the B.C. Assembly of First Nations and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. As well, both theNisg̱ a’a Lisims Government and the First Nations Summit reviewed the draft legislation. So there’s been a wholesale engagement. Societies and public were able to provide their feedback by email to a societies consultation email account or by mail to the financial and corporate sector policy branch.

What we received was over 150 responses to the public consultation from societies, from lawyers, other ministries and the public. Many of the responses were positive, commending gov- ernment for doing the consultation and proposing amend- ments to make the Societies Act more user-friendly. A few responses raised concerns about making amendments to a newer act. This was the basis of the consultation, as the member had requested. 3472 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 18, 2021

M. Bernier:Too many years in a rock ‘n’ roll band. I had a hard time hearing the minister. Did she say just over a hundred people responded? She can nod if I am incorrect or if it was higher. Sorry. Maybe I’ll just have you quantify that. Hon. S. Robinson:It was 150. M. Bernier:Out of 27,000…. So 150 agencies. The min- ister talked about that going out to everyone. One of my questions then will be…. Since it is only 150 respond- ents….

In the past, feedback on submissions when there was a consultation like this would usually be posted pub- licly so people would have an opportunity to see what kind of feedback was submitted. Is that going to be happening here in this case? Hon. S. Robinson:In response to the member’s ques- tion about reporting out…. There are no policy changes. These were more technical and housekeeping in nature. So as a result, there was no reporting out. M. Bernier:My apologies if the minister misunder- stood. It’s not from government reporting out. It’s more of….

In the past when there’s been consultation, the con- sultation feedback that comes to government — a lot of times through redaction or others — usually gets posted online publicly so people have an idea what kind of feed- back was garnered by government through a consultation process. My question was more: is that information going to be posted online or public? Not government responding back to them, but the information that people gave to govern- ment. Hon. S. Robinson: Thank you very much. Perhaps I didn’t communicate my previous answer well.

As practice, we don’t communicate back what we heard on a housekeeping, technical consultation around what this consultation was about, which is more around feed- back around how this legislation is working or not work- ing and how it needs to be tweaked. It wasn’t about a large policy perspective, per se. It was more about what would make this work better and better meet the needs of societ- ies. Clauses 1 to 3 inclusive approved. On clause 4. M. Bernier:I’ll thank the minister for her last answer. I mean, there are honestly some changes in here — not many but some that we have questions on. In

section 4, we’re talking about the meeting of mem- bers and general meetings that are in here. They’re being changed. Can the minister provide an overview of the obligations, I guess, around minute-taking? How will those be facilitated now? How are those going to change with this section? [2:55 p.m.] Hon. S. Robinson:This change is really about making it very clear, when reading legislation, about what the expectation is — the type of meeting for which societies must keep minutes. In this case, it’s the general meeting. M.

Bernier:When I’m reading that, though, are there any other special circumstances or any other areas where minute-taking will be required, then, under the Societies Act? Or now with this change, is it going to be just the gen- eral meetings? Hon. S. Robinson: In this case, it is for the general meeting, unless their bylaws state otherwise, and to provide clarity. A prime example would be when a group gets together, of the society, to plan an event. That doesn’t need to be offi- cially minuted in the way that is required under the Soci- eties Act.

They might want to, to hold people accountable for the things that they said they would do and then don’t do. Then that’s a whole different kind of requirement. This is for the Societies Act’s purpose. It’s for the general meeting. Clauses 4 to 8 inclusive approved. On clause 9. M. Bernier:Just a quick change here in clause 9 that I’m curious about. Can the minister explain this change and why it was needed? This one here is really about report- ing remuneration of only the ten most highly remunerated people within a society, if I’m reading that correctly.

Can the minister explain why that recommendation came for- ward or why this change is needed? Hon. S. Robinson:In short order, it’s truly about trans- parency. Societies are independent, democratic agencies. Members of a society must have access to the society records to ensure that the society is run appropriately, including financial decisions. So to that end, the Societies Act requires all societies to present financial statements and auditors reports to members at the annual general meeting.

To comply with the act, the financial statements must contain a note specifying any remuneration paid to direct- ors and the cumulative remuneration paid to employees and contractors. This mandatory reporting requirement is just to help members of a society ensure that the society is spending money appropriately. Clauses 9 to 15 inclusive approved. Monday, October 18, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3473

On clause 16. [3:00 p.m.] M. Bernier: Thank you, Chair. If there are larger groups than that of clauses, I’ll let you know. But for the next little bit, we’ll continue to do this pace, if that works for the Chair. On clause 16, I guess the first question I have is maybe at the bottom. We’re eliminating — I’m trying to under- stand the rationale here — the right to vote by proxy, in this situation, for the meeting of directors. Can the minis- ter maybe explain what kind of feedback she heard, some of the challenges with that, of why we’ d now be eliminating proxy voting for directors?

It looks like just for a meeting of directors, when I’m reading through the entire act and the changes, but I just want to clarify that. Hon. S. Robinson: What this does is remove proxy voting for directors. I suspect the member opposite, per- haps, has been a director a time or two, as have I. When you think about how significant the bylaws and the liab- ilities to directors are, the thinking is that you need to participate in the voting in terms of the direction that society is moving in.

The Societies Act is really about appreciating and valu- ing the participation, so there was support in the consulta- tion to remove this. But also, what I think is interesting now, given that there are online opportunities, the need for any proxy opportunity is further reduced because people can participate legally in a remote way now, which fur- ther adjusts our ability to do business and conduct busi- ness and be fully present without being physically in the same room. M. Bernier:Y ou’re reading my mind on where I wanted to go on that, then, to clarify.

With technological changes — as we’ve all seen over the last, specifically, 18 months to two years — being able to use Zoom or other tech plat- forms for communication…. Is that specifically changed anywhere within this bill for the act, or was that already contemplated before? The minister is nodding yes. She might want to get up and add that. [3:05 p.m.] I’m just curious on…. I didn’t see any of those kinds of changes being made anywhere in this bill. So when I see that a director cannot vote by proxy, I just want to ensure that the other opportunities are there.

I know a lot of soci- eties have their own different bylaws that allow for or do not allow for technological attendance at meetings. But I’m just curious, within the act, because I didn’t see anything within this bill for change. Hon. S. Robinson:I appreciate where the member is coming from. It’s also an “and by the way. ” When this was put together, it really was the intent to make sure that people are fully present to participate in moving a society forward and that because of the liabilities to directors, they needed to engage rather than to do a proxy.

It’s with the act we changed in May, the Finance Stat- utes Amendment Act, where we amended…. It’s within that where we amended the Societies Act to permit soci- eties to hold fully electronic meetings of members or directors. That really furthers this piece that says you can participate. Even now you don’t need the proxy — even less now — given that we have this change that was brought forward in May. Clauses 16 to 18 inclusive approved. On clause 19. M. Bernier:On clause 19, I’m just trying to clarify a few things here.

It looks like the changes are more around the conflict-of-interest portions, because we’re talking about material interests. The wording is actually adding in the words “that is known by the senior manager or reasonably ought to have been known” after the portion of “material interest. ” To me, that’s the conflict-of-interest require- ments and disclosure under those rules. When the Societies Act consultation was going on, there was more of a look, if I remember, at the due dili- gence side of things. So I’m trying to, maybe, on this section, even though I know it’s only a couple of words being added….

I’m just wanting to give the minister an opportunity, I guess, to clarify in here. We understand its transparency. I’m trying to pinpoint now whether it’s just conflict-of-interest rules that are going to be con- templated. Are these due diligence requirements? We do mention the word “reasonableness” that’s coming in here. I’m just looking for a little bit of clarification around how the ministry sees that ruling. Hon. S.

Robinson:This particular clause clarifies that senior managers who are reasonably unaware of their conflict of interest need not disclose it, as it is impossible to disclose an interest in a matter in which the senior manager has no knowledge. The test considers conflicts of interest that are known or reasonably ought to have been known, and it makes the conflict-of-interest rules that apply to directors consistent in its application to senior managers. M. Bernier:Just one more for clarity. Can the minis- ter…? Obviously, some groups brought this forward. I’m trying to understand.

I think the overarching concept was already in there. I understand a bit of the word tweaking. Is this more from a legal standpoint, around the reason- ableness of defense in case it’s challenged legally on a…? We talk about conflict of interest, and to the minister’s answer there, as what somebody may or may not know. I’m just kind of trying to clarify again why this change was put 3474 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 18, 2021

in. Was it more, again, from a legal standpoint just for pro- tection of the directors in case of a legal challenge of some- thing that took place? [3:10 p.m.] Hon. S. Robinson:Again, this is around just clarifying what might be a conflict, but you can’t know it’s a conflict because you don’t have all of the information. For example, investing in a mutual fund that’s broad, but you don’t have all the specifics that might potentially be a conflict. But you don’t know because it’s in a fund. So that’s just an example of what this is trying to clarify. Clauses 19 and 20 approved. On clause 21. M.

Bernier:I’m glad you have good peripheral vision. Just on clause 21, very simple. We’re changing a general meeting — some of this — from 200 to 500 words. I’m just curious. Did we throw a dart at the board? Where did 500 come? Why the change from 200 to 500? Was that a very specific request from organizations, or did they just say they wanted more opportunity to have more words on the paper when they put a request? Hon. S. Robinson:I appreciate the member’s comment on this. I know that he is well aware that it actually takes much more skill to say something in 200 words than it does in 500 words.

But the feedback from the time this was implemented was that that’s just not enough words. So 500, I hope, should be sufficient. It’s more than double what people had been networking with before, and we expect that that should be sufficient going forward. Clause 21 approved. On clause 22. M. Bernier:Another kind of very simplistic question on here. It’s just another numbers one. I’m curious where this came from. When we’re looking in this

section here, we’re decreasing the number of members required for the pur- poses of notification from 250 to 100. Where did that number come from? Why a hundred? Why only a hundred? This is, again, around that, like spe- cifically around the threshold. I’m just trying to under- stand, because I know a lot of groups have a lot smaller, some a lot larger, but where do we come up with the hun- dred number for this? Hon. S. Robinson:In this clause, we’re amending the notice of general meeting, and what this does is it allows a greater number of societies to send the notice electronic- ally.

This is about continuing to move into the modern era. It helps save money for sure, reduces the need for an envel- ope-stuffing party for societies. Again, we heard feedback from many societies that being able to provide the notice electronically is time sav- ing, and it’s cost saving. What we’re proposing to do is to lower the threshold to a hundred members. Clauses 22 and 23 approved. On clause 24. M. Bernier:Y es, just another very simplistic…. I know we’re changing some numbers around. This one is adding a 500-word restriction to the combined length.

Were there any difficulties with the original member-initiated propos- als process, or why was this specific area wanting to be changed? [3:15 p.m.] Hon. S. Robinson:This is about being consistent. In the earlier clause, where we went from 250 to 500 to demand a meeting — this is just about being consistent. If you have a proposal, it’s the same consistent word count. Clauses 24 to 33 inclusive approved. On clause 34. M. Bernier:The minister mentioned earlier that I’ve always sat on a few societies or boards, as I know she has as well. There’s a

section in here…. We’re talking about dis- solved societies, though, and recordkeeping. Can the minister explain, under these changes of a dis- solved society, how those records are going to be main- tained, or how will they be tracked by government? Where is the accountability that will lie…? Who is truly account- able, and how does the government fit into that, if a society is no longer in existence? Hon. S. Robinson:I was just saying that I probably have records of societies that are dissolved that are probably 30 years old.

When dissolving, part of a dissolution requirement is appointing a recordkeeper, and their contact information, including their address, gets sent to the registrar of com- panies. They have to keep those records for three years. If there’s a change of recordkeeper within those three years, that too needs to be updated and needs to go to the regis- trar of companies. M. Bernier:Just for clarity, in 152.1 it is talking about the three years, because I might be in the same position as the minister. If it’s the day after three years, can you shred everything then?

Is there a requirement for government intervention to continue — the fact that those records are Monday, October 18, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3475

still carried on in some format? Or is the requirement no longer after three years on the dissolution of a society? Hon. S. Robinson:I am very happy to tell the member that he could have a shredding party. Y ou don’t need to keep them after three years. Clauses 34 to 50 inclusive approved. On clause 51. M. Bernier:Clause 51.

We’re talking now a little bit about donations coming to societies. [3:20 p.m.] When there’s one that is through a will, let’s say, as we’re talking about, in some areas here, “public donations” ensures donations, upon death, do not trigger unintended regulatory consequences owing to the difference between member-funded and other societies. It’s an interesting portion that I’m reading out there. Can the minister give an example, then, of when or how this could happen? Hon. S. Robinson:I believe that the member is talking about testamentary dispositions.

I’m much more familiar with bequests, but that’s what we’re talking about here. What we heard from an advisory group is about ex- panding the pool for member-funded societies, which generally don’t accept donations, contributions, from the public. This just allows those that were previous members to provide contributions to the member-funded society. M. Bernier:If I can, maybe in this section, too, I’ll ask. Donations are one thing. Funding coming through into societies….

We all saw, through the pandemic here, that there were some challenges, possibly, with some societies when they were looking at applying for government fund- ing or COVID grants while they’re already having some societal government funding, possibly, and some of the challenges that they could have with that emergency aid. I couldn’t find it, but is there anything in this that maybe helps clarify, for these societies, some of the exemptions? Because, especially in a circumstance, as we’ve seen…. We all stood in this House trying to look at ways to help organizations, employers and societies, in some conditions.

But we did hear, as I think the minister probably heard as well, that some societies were unable to or worried about applying and receiving some of these emergency aids because of the Societies Act and the way that it was worded, because of restrictions through gov- ernment funding. Were any changes contemplated, or are they here some- where that I missed? Hon. S. Robinson:I want to express gratitude for the member’s thoroughness. We did pass a regulation this summer to exclude member-funded societies from being challenged from taking some pandemic support, recog- nizing that created some challenges.

We addressed that through regulation this last summer. Clauses 51 to 64 inclusive approved. On clause 65. [3:25 p.m.] M. Bernier:In

section 65, we’re looking at extending the period of time for the societies to file a transition application from two years to six years. Can the…. Well, it’s great to see the Premier in here showing off his gold medal that he won in the hallway. Shiny gold medal. Y eah, he’s taking a lot of pride in that. I don’t know if he’ll give it back. Maybe I shouldn’t tell Hansard that the Pre- mier is this excited. It’s the first time he’s won something legitimately. It’s great to see. Anyway, I digress. On clause 65, extending from two years to six years. Can the minister explain why the change from two to six?

Was there a problem, I guess, with some of the societies for that transition? Was there a problem because of outreach and support? Why are we looking at having to change it from two years? What wasn’t working before that societies were saying they needed that much more time? Hon. S. Robinson: The member was correct in his assumption around that there is a reason for this. It’s taken a significant amount of time to get societies to transition to redo their bylaws. I know that he knows this — that they’re volunteers.

The bureaucracy of making sure that everything you’re doing is by the book is not what excites people to step forward to volunteer and to deliver. Usually it’s about delivering good service, taking care of the com- munity and providing some benefit in some way. So it has taken some time to get all 27,000 up to speed. We have about 600 left, and by extending it, we believe we can achieve that goal. We don’t want anyone to be offside, and so this is about making sure that we can help people transition and help societies transition. Clauses 65 to 115 inclusive approved. Title approved. Hon. S.

Robinson: I just want to take a moment to thank the member for his thoughtful questions. I know that with 115 clauses, it was a significant body of work on his part. So I want to thank him for being so thorough and representing so well, and I want to thank my staff who were diligent. With that, I move that the committee rise and report the bill complete without amendment. Motion approved. 3476 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 18, 2021

The committee rose at 3:30 p.m. The House resumed; Mr. Speaker in the chair. Report and Third Reading of Bills BILL 19 — SOCIETIES AMENDMENT ACT, 2021 Bill 19, Societies Amendment Act, 2021, reported complete without amendment, read a third time and passed. Hon. S. Robinson:I call Committee of the Whole, Bill 14, Early Childhood Educators Act. Committee of the Whole House BILL 14 — EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS ACT (continued) The House in Committee of the Whole on Bill 14; N. Letnick in the chair. The committee met at 3:32 p.m. The Chair:The committee will recess for five minutes.

The committee recessed from 3:32 p.m. to 3:38 p.m. [N. Letnick in the chair.] Clause 11 approved. On clause 12. K. Kirkpatrick:In “Inspections by the registrar, ” could the minister explain what would constitute or warrant entry into the facilities or the location of one of these schools? What would actually bring that on and the min- ister would feel it was warranted? [3:40 p.m.] Hon. K. Chen: Thanks to the opposition member for continuing this discussion, and thanks for the time that she’s spending on this very important legislation.

For inspections, they are necessary to ensure that insti- tutions are providing the necessary education and training to develop required competencies in their studies for their students. Authorities are also necessary to ensure that inspections are efficient for both the registrar and for the institution. The depth and scope of the inspection, in prac- tice, really depend on their circumstances. Normally, we may have an inspection upon the time of the application, during a routine visit or when there is a complaint. K. Kirkpatrick:Thank you to the minister for that answer.

It actually gives me a bit more clarity on this. Can I confirm with the minister: is this ever warranted by a non-compliance issue, and is notification required — to give to the institution — prior to one of these on-site inspections taking place? Hon. K. Chen: There is no requirement for notifica- tion before inspection. However, in practice, most inspections will have advance notice. There are circum- stances where advance notice is not provided. This is generally only done when the advance notice would compromise the inspection. K.

Kirkpatrick:Sorry, I actually didn’t hear that very last piece that the minister said. It would come at what point? Hon. K. Chen:Only when…. Normally, we would give advance notice. But when we don’t, this is normally only generally done because the advance notice would com- promise the inspection or the investigation. K. Kirkpatrick:In a scenario where it would comprom- ise the investigation, am I to understand that would be a compliance issue, where there was something egregious occurring in, perhaps, quality of programs or issues where the facilities weren’t safe? Hon. K.

Chen:Y es, those are some of the examples. K. Kirkpatrick:If there is a situation where there is a non-compliance issue where there are concerns about safety or, sometimes, about enrolment numbers not matching how many students — those kinds of things — would it not make sense to contact the investigators through the private training agency board? Is it not a duplication to have those powers vested in both organ- izations? [3:45 p.m.] Hon. K. Chen: No, it doesn’t duplicate the work.

The role of the registrar is really to focus on the competency of the programs and make sure that the program meets the requirement and the competency that’s required. For Advanced Education, for a public institution that’s offering diplomas and certificates, they normally don’t review that part. Then for the private training institu- tions branch, they also don’t review the competency part. Again, we do work very collaboratively with our Advanced Education partners to ensure that we don’t duplicate the process. Monday, October 18, 2021 British Columbia Debates 3477

K. Kirkpatrick:Thank you to the minister. Just so I can clarify. It wasn’t with respect to…. An on-site non-com- pliance issue, where you would actually go on site without giving notice to the institution, wouldn’t be for a curricu- lum issue. That would be where there was something a bit more egregious. There was a health and safety issue there. Or is that not the case? I mean, are there…? Let me just jump to…. This is the same, but a little bit different.

Regulatory reform requires you to go through this checklist to confirm that whatever you’re doing in new legislation, you’ve taken a look at how that legislation can work with other legislation so that it’s not duplicating a particular section. It comes back to…. If there was some kind of egregious regulatory issue, why would the minister, why would MCFD, have their own — I don’t know what you call them — investigators or officers when there is already some- thing else that exists that does that same thing for an egre- gious non-compliance issue with a school? [3:50 p.m.] Hon. K.

Chen: To clarify, Advanced Education has reviewed the draft legislation to ensure that the provisions related to both public and private post-secondary pro- grams are aligned with and do not overlap or interfere with Advanced Education programs and their existing author- ities for post-secondary institutions. No concerns were raised during this collaborative pro- cess. Advanced Education and MCFD will continue to col- laborate on the development of the regulations that we’ll be bringing into the Early Childhood Educators Act when it’s brought into force.

Also, just to clarify on the health and safety part, the registrar is really focused on the competency of the pro- grams. The health and safety is to ensure…. The compet- ency of the programs and the students and the quality of education will ensure the health and safety of the children that they care for. In terms of the health and safety of the institution or the students, that’s really under Advanced Education. Clauses 12 to 18 inclusive approved. On clause 19. K.

Kirkpatrick:“ Actions relating to approved pro- grams. ” To the minister, could you give an example of a circumstance when the registrar would suspend or can- cel a program approval, yet that program would still be registered under the Ministry of Advanced Education? [3:55 p.m.] Hon. K. Chen:If the program no longer offers curricu- lum that covers the required competencies, students grad- uating from the program are no longer eligible for the pro- vincial certification.

If the program is not willing or able to update their curriculum to meet the standards and come into compliance, the registrar may suspend or cancel the program’s approval. Again, that being said, as we discussed before, if the student already graduated when the program was still eligible, then they continue to be eligible. Suspension may also include a condition that lifting of the suspension will not occur until such time as the cur- riculum is updated to meet the requirement.

Suspension or cancelling a program is really the most restrictive action the registrar can take and would be taken in situations where the issues of non-compliance are serious and the program is unable or unwilling to come into compliance, which doesn’t really happen very often. Also, just to clarify, the registrar’s job is to make sure that the program meets the competency under the ECE registry. The program is eligible for registration under the ECE registry, but they can still be approved by the PTI or Advanced Education. K.

Kirkpatrick:Does the registrar have a duty to or an expectation that they will notify the Ministry of Advanced Education when an ECE school’s program is cancelled or suspended? Hon. K. Chen: Y es. The registrar’s office will normally work with the institution and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training to support and reduce the impact on students. Clauses 19 to 23 inclusive approved. On clause 24. K. Kirkpatrick:The registrar is able to exempt a person or a program from the requirements of this act.

Would the minister be able to give an example of something that might be exempted either for a person or for a program? Hon. K. Chen: Y es. For example, for individuals living in rural and remote communities where there is a shortage of certified early childhood educators, the experience requirement could be a barrier to registration. The regis- trar could, based on a situation, grant an exemption in the circumstances such as…. For example, the requirement to complete the 500 hours of work experience under the direct supervision of a Cana- dian-certified ECE could be reconsidered or waived. K.

Kirkpatrick:Just to clarify, that was for an indi- vidual ECE licensee. Does this also apply to exemptions that could be provided to some of the training institu- tions or universities? Hon. K. Chen: Y es. We will be working really closely with Advanced Education and institutions to make sure there is engagement and consultation. That will occur dur- 3478 British Columbia Debates Monday, October 18, 2021

ing the drafting of the regulations to make sure we look at potential scenarios. Clauses 24 to 53 inclusive approved. On clause 54. [4:00 p.m.] K. Kirkpatrick:This is a clarification just to, actually, help me understand how this works, then. It’s related…. This is an amendment or a change. Or it’s an addition. The question is related to criminal record checks, where an ECE worker is required to have a criminal record check.

Currently, they need to have a criminal record check spe- cific to a particular employer so that there isn’t, as I under- stand it, the ability for flexibility for an ECE worker to work at different child care facilities unless they had a CRC specific to that child care facility. Will this replace the fact that with the registrar now, they are having a criminal record check which has to be updated? Will that replace the need for the individual criminal record checks at each of the employers? Hon. K.

Chen: During the drafting of the regulations — that’s going to have a lot more details to this legislation — we’re going to be working really closely with PSSG and Ministry of Health to look at how we can ensure there are no duplications and burdens on early childhood educators and employers, while ensuring that we are protecting the health and safety of young children. K. Kirkpatrick:Thank you to the minister and her staff for the answer to that question. This is more a statement.

That would be a really great thing, because I know that it does stifle some flexibility and people being able to cover other shifts at other places. So end my questions on this bill. Clauses 54 to 57 inclusive approved. Title approved. Hon. K. Chen:I now move that the committee rise and report the bill complete without amendment. Motion approved. The committee rose at 4:04 p.m. The House resumed; Mr. Speaker in the chair. [4:05 p.m.] Reporting of Bills BILL 14 — EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS ACT Bill 14, Early Childhood Educators Act, reported complete without amendment. Mr.

Speaker:When shall the bill be read a third time? We are waiting for the minister, right? Member for Abbotsford West. M. de Jong: I beg your and the House’s indulgence. I see that my neighbour from across the river is back in her post. She was welcomed by members of her caucus back to these proceedings just prior to question period, but it is very good to see her up and about. I don’t know if that’s her office or her home — I’m sure they’re both equally well laid out — but it’s very good to see her up and about with a smile on her face.

Third Reading of Bills BILL 14 — EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS ACT Bill 14, Early Childhood Educators Act, read a third time and passed. Hon. N. Cullen:Mr. Speaker, I’m wondering if we could take a ten-minute recess to allow the minister to approach for Bill 21. Mr. Speaker: The House will be in recess for ten minutes. The House recessed from 4:08 p.m. to 4:17 p.m. [N. Letnick in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 21 — MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT (No. 2), 2021 Hon. D. Eby:

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20211018pm-Hansard-n107
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20211018pm Hansard n107
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	32460cb562de9a506c0bfdbce91e31f3af02bcf1

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (pdf).