British Columbia Hansard — 24 April 2018, a.m., Issue 123 (41st Parliament, 3rd Session)

20180424am-Hansard-n123

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Morning Sitting Issue No. 123 THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

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

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

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

Jinny Sims Minister of Education............................................................................................................................................................ Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources...............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Mungall Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.............................................................................................Hon.

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

Scott Fraser Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology............................................................................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon. George Chow Minister of Labour...................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

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

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

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

Raj Chouhan Assistant Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................... Linda Reid Deputy Chair, Commi ttee of the Whole................................................................................................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ....................................................................................................................................................Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Commi ttees.................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Clerk Assistant — Commi ttees and Interparliamentary Relations ..........................................................................................Susan Sourial Sessional Law Clerk...............................................................................................................................................Loredana Catalli-Sonier, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal)........................................................................ Penticton Bains, Hon. Harry (NDP)...............................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal)................................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Beare, Hon. Lisa (NDP).............................................Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry (NDP) ..................................................................... Surrey-Guildford Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal).......................................................

Peace River South Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal)......................................... Prince George–Valemount Brar, Jagrup (NDP)..................................................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal)....................................................... Surrey South Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–West End Chen, Hon. Katrina (NDP).....................................................Burnaby-Lougheed Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ............................................................... Burnaby-Edmonds Chow, Hon.

George (NDP)............................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal)................................ Columbia River–Revelstoke Coleman, Rich (BC Liberal)...............................................................Langley East Conroy, Hon. Katrine (NDP)......................................................... Kootenay West Darcy, Hon.

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

Doug (NDP).....................................................................Stikine Eby, Hon. David, QC (NDP).............................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP)....................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike (NDP) ...................................................... Port Coquitlam Fleming, Hon. Rob (NDP) .....................................................Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal)........................................................... Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Hon.

Scott (NDP) ................................................ Mid Island–Pacific Rim Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) ........................................... Cowichan Valley Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal)................................................. Abbotsford-Mission Glumac, Rick (NDP)........................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Heyman, Hon. George (NDP).............................................. Vancouver-Fairview Horgan, Hon. John (NDP) ...............................................

Langford–Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal).......................................................Surrey-Cloverdale Isaacs, Joan (BC Liberal).........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain James, Hon. Carole (NDP)...................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Johal, Jas (BC Liberal)...............................................

Richmond-Queensborough Kahlon, Ravi (NDP)..............................................................................Delta North Kang, Anne (NDP)..................................................................Burnaby–Deer Lake Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ..................................................................Nanaimo Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Shuswap Larson, Linda (BC Liberal).............................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Michael (BC Liberal)......................................................

Vancouver-Langara Leonard, Ronna-Rae (NDP) ....................................................Courtenay-Comox Letnick, Norm (B C Liberal)............................................Kelowna–Lake Country Ma, Bowinn (NDP)................................................... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Mark, Hon. Melanie (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal)...................................................................... Chilliwack Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal)....................................

Kam loops–North Thompson Morris, Mike (BC Liberal)..........................................Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Hon. Michelle (NDP).................................................... Nelson-Creston Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal)...........................................................Cariboo North Olsen, Adam (B C Green Party)........................... Saanich North and the Islands Paton, Ian (BC Liberal)......................................................................... Delta South Plecas, Hon.

Darryl (Ind.) ..........................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Mary (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Langley Popham, Hon. Lana (NDP)..............................................................Saanich South Ralston, Hon. Bruce (NDP) .......................................................... Surrey-Whalley Redies, Tracy (BC Liberal)..................................................... Surrey–White Rock Reid, Linda (BC Liberal)................................................

Richmond South Centre Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ............................................................................ North Coast Robinson, Hon. Selina (NDP) ....................................... Coquitlam-Maillardville Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal)..................................................................................Skeena Routledge, Janet (NDP) .................................................................. Burnaby North Routley, Doug (NDP) ................................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, John (BC Liberal)..............................................................

Nechako Lakes Shypitka, Tom (B C Liberal).............................................................Kootenay East Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ........................................Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Hon. Shane (NDP)................................................ Vancouver-Hastings Sims, Hon.

Jinny (NDP) .............................................................Surrey-Panorama Singh, Rachna (NDP) ........................................................Surrey–Green Timbers Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal)................................................................Kelowna West Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal)..............................................Parksville-Qualicum Stone, Todd (BC Liberal)........................................

Kam loops–South Thompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal).......................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Sullivan, Sam (B C Liberal)...............................................Vancouver–False Creek Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal)......................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal)................................................................ Fraser-Nicola Thomson, Steve (BC Liberal).....................................................Kelowna-Mission Thornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal).............................

North Vancouver–Seymour Throness, Laurie (BC Liberal)..................................................... Chilliwack-Kent Trevena, Hon. Claire (NDP) .............................................................. North Island Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal)................................................Richmond North Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (BC Green Party) ......................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal).............................. Vancouver-Quilchena Yap, John (BC Liberal)..........................................................

Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ..........................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Hon. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West.................................................................... Michael de Jong, QC Boundary-Similkameen.....................................................................

Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ...............................................................................Anne Kang Burnaby-Edmonds ..............................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Burnaby North................................................................................

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

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

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

Jackie Tegart Kam loops–North Thompson............................................................Peter Milobar Kam loops–South Thompson ................................................................Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country....................................................................Norm L etnick Kelowna-Mission.............................................................................

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

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

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

Jennifer Rice North Island............................................................................ Hon. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale................................................................. Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour......................................................Jane Thornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head..........................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .....................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North..................................................................................

Dan Davies Peace River South............................................................................... Mike Bernier Penticton................................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam .................................................................... Hon. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam .....................................................................Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast.....................................................

Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie..................................................................Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount.................................................................Shirley Bond Richmond North Centre ........................................................................Teresa Wat Richmond-Queensborough.......................................................................Jas Johal Richmond South Centre........................................................................

Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston.................................................................................. John Yap Saanich North and the Islands............................................................Adam Olsen Saanich South............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Shuswap .................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo Skeena.........................................................................................................

Ellis Ross Stikine ..................................................................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale...............................................................................

Marvin Hunt Surrey-Fleetwood...................................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers ......................................................................Rachna Singh Surrey-Guildford....................................................................................Garry Begg Surrey-Newton.............................................................................Hon. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama........................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Surrey South...............................................................................Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Whalley........................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock............................................................................. Tracy Redies Vancouver-Fairview ............................................................ Hon. George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek.......................................................................

Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview .............................................................Hon. George Chow Vancouver-Hastings.............................................................. Hon. Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington ..................................................................... Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway ................................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara.............................................................................. Michael Lee Vancouver–Mount Pleasant................................................... Hon.

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

Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano................................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..............................................................Jordan Sturdy Party Standings: BC Liberal 42; NDP 41; BC Green Party 3; Independent 1

CONTENTS Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4167 Tributes..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4167 Lyall Hanson E.

Foster Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4167 Tributes..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4167 Lyall Hanson Hon. J.

Horgan Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4167 Tributes..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4168 Elliot Eurchuk A.

Weaver Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 4168 Introduction and First Reading of Bills................................................................................................................................ 4168 Bill 18 — Local Government Statutes (Housing Needs Reports) Amendment Act, 2018 Bill 23 — Local Government Statutes (Residential Rental Tenure Zoning) Amendment Act, 2018 Hon. S. Robinson Bill 25 — Real Estate Development Marketing Amendment Act, 2018 Hon. C.

James Bill 26 — Child, Family and Comm unity Service Amendment Act, 2018 Hon. K. Conroy Statements (Standing Order 25B)......................................................................................................................................... 4170 Vancouver International Trade Forum and trade with China T. Wat Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society R. Leonard B.C. Comm on Ground Alliance and Safe Digging Month P. Milobar Little Mountain Neighbourhood House M. Elmore SHARE Family and Comm unity Services Society in Tri-Cities area J. Isaacs Westshore AIDS Vancouver Island Health Centre M.

Dean Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 4172 Referendum on electoral reform A. Wilkinson Hon. J. Horgan S. Sullivan Hon. D. Eby Environmental assessment process and professional reliance model S. Furstenau Hon. G. Heyman

Oral Questions (continued) Referendum on electoral reform J. Martin Hon. D. Eby T. Shypitka M. Morris C. Oakes R. Coleman M. Lee Hon. J. Horgan Petitions.................................................................................................................................................................................... 4177 D. Ashton Ministerial Statements............................................................................................................................................................ 4177 Violent incident in Toronto Hon. J. Horgan A. Wilkinson A.

Weaver Orders of the Day Motions Without Notice......................................................................................................................................................... 4178 Establishment of Agriculture, Fish and Food Commi ttee Hon. M. Farnworth Hon. L.

Popham Tabling Documents................................................................................................................................................................. 4179 Ministry of Agriculture discussion paper prepared for the Select Standing Commi ttee on Agriculture, Fish and Food Motions Without Notice......................................................................................................................................................... 4179 Membership and powers of Agriculture, Fish and Food Commi ttee Hon. M.

Farnworth Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 4179 Bill 15 — Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2018 Hon. M. Mungall M. Bernier S. Furstenau D. Barnett Hon. M.

Mungall Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Commi ttee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 4184 Estimates: Ministry of Children and Family Development(continued) L. Throness Hon. K. Chen

TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018 The House met at 10:05 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. Introductions by Members M. Bernier: I am proud to introduce my first grand- daughterand B.C.’s newestcitizen,born this morning:Lillian AvaStenersen, a healthy 7 pounds 3 ounces.Please join me in congratulating mom and dad, Devlyn and Chris, and in welcoming baby Lillian to the world. Hon. K. Conroy: I’m honoured today to introduce Kúkpi7 Wayne Christian of the SplatsinFirstNation and tri- bal chief of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council.

Chief Christian is a tireless and passionate advocate for the recognition of Indigenous title and rights and the strength of Indigenous nations. I had the pleasure to be in Invermere this weekend with him and the Secwepemc peoplefortheirspring gathering and waterceremony, along with the memberfor Columbia River–Revelstoke. Itwas an incredibly emotional and quite passionate, moving cere- mony that I truly had the honour of being at. I’d like everyone to join me, with greatrespect,in recog- nizingapre-eminentleaderin ourIndigenous comm unities, Kúkpi7 Christian. Tributes LYALL HANSON E.

Foster: I rise today to speak of a gentleman who satin this House from 1986 to 1996, Mr. LyallHanson. He was the Ministerof Labourfrom ’86 to ’89 and the Ministerof Muni- cipalAffairs from ’89 to ’91. Lyallpassed away yesterday after a long illness. I was talking to some of his family members last night. Lyallwas the mayor of Vernon before he was an MLA, a tireless supporter of our comm unity at that time and, cer- tainly, afterhe retired from provincial politics.

To many of us in those days — younger, aspiring politicians — he was a great mentor and a source of a lot of knowledge. [10:10 a.m.] I mentioned to the memberfor Richmond South Centre this morning, who sat in this House when Lyall was here in the early ’90s, thathe had passed. She remembered him fondly and referred to him as one of the Socred six-pack. At the end of the Socred era,Lyallwas one of the few Socreds that we managed to get re-elected. Ourcondolencesto his family and allof his good friends in Vernon. Introductions by Members L.

Krog: It’s always a wonderful thing when the birth of grandchildren are announced in this cham ber, and it’s timely because every childshouldgrow up with the right to dig in the dirt. However, this is Safe Digging Month in British Columbia. B.C. Comm on Ground Alliance hosted a breakfast this morning for both sidesof the House as a reminderto allof us of the dangers of diggingin thatdirt,withallof the under- ground infrastructure this province has. I’m delighted to ask the House to welcome to the chamber this morning a long list of peoplefrom the B.C.

Comm on Ground Alliance: Dave Baspaly, the executive director; Cheryl Hogg, CFO; M.J. Whitmarsh, well known to many of us, theirconsultant;and from the board, DanielPalmer, Michelle Petrusevich; Raj Sharma; Kevin Ramsay; my old friend Chris Hyland; Mike Ippen; Ian Turnbull; Patricia Poulton; Andrew Mark; Lance Ollenberger; Marc Spencer; Don Schouten; Chris Atchison; Abigail Fulton; Rieghardt van Enter; and Susanna Pirfeck. They willbe engaged in apresentation ceremony conduc- ted by the Minister for PublicSafety and Solicitor General laterthis morning. Wouldthe House please make them all welcome.

Tributes LYALL HANSON Hon. J. Horgan: I just rise to join with the member for Vernon-Monashee, on behalfof the government,to acknow- ledge the passing of Lyall Hanson, a memberof this place. With he and allmembers of this House, on ourbehalf, hon. Speaker, wouldyou please pass on our condolences to his family and to the peopleof Vernon who supported Lyallas a member of this place and as mayor. It’s a greatloss. Wheneversomeone who has been in here passes away, itreminds us allthatourtime in here is finite and thatwe need to do the bestwe can to make sure we’re doing everything we can to make B.C. abetterplace.

I know that was Lyall Hanson’s mission when he was here. I certainly, on behalfof the government,wantto pass on my condolences to the family. Introductions by Members Hon. J. Sims: It’s a pleasure of mine to welcome to the Legislature three classes from an elementary school in my riding. They are somewhere in the building rightnow, three classes from Hyland Elementary School. They are accompanied here by their teachers Michelle Diamond, SanjeevHundaland Erin Potts.I’ve hadthe pleas- ure of spending time with these three classes at different 4167

times, and I can tell you that when I went to their classrooms, these young peoplehad done theirhomework. They hadexcellentquestions to ask aboutwhatwe alldo in this amazingplace, aboutthe roleof the Legislature and what the Speaker does. Whatalways amazesme aboutyoung peoplewhen I visit classrooms…. One is thatI always feelI’m home again when I’m back in aschool, butsecond is the mostthoughtfulques- tions they ask — maybe some thatgrownups are reluctantto ask but that the kids are not. Please help me to welcome ouramazing citizens who are doing such a wonderful job in finding out how this Legis- lature works. I.

Paton: I believe my guest is m aybe still on a ferry getting over here for the installation of the new Lieuten- ant-Governor. I speak of MayorLois Jackson, the m ayorof Delta. She’s been a good friend to m e in my eightyears on Delta city council. Mayor Jackson firstgoton to Delta city councilin 1972, which was 46 years ago, and she has been the mayorof Delta for19 consecutive years. She is retiring this coming fall, so I hope you allsee herlaterthis afternoon overhere and con- gratulate her on 46 years in municipal politics. Tributes ELLIOT EURCHUK A.

Weaver: Today I rise, with profound sadness, to convey my deepest sympathies to the family of Elliot Cleveland Eurchuk, who tragically passed away on Friday, April 20, from an accidentaloverdose of opioids atjust16 years of age. Elliot and his family are constituents, and Elliot was a grade11 studentatOak Bay High School. He loved sports, hiking, books and hoped to study medicine in the future. He was known for his wit, humour and profound kindness. [10:15 a.m.] I cannot imagine the grief his family and friends are experiencing. His schooland ourcollective comm unity are grieving, together with his family.

His parents, Rachel Staplesand Brock Eurchuk — Brock, a longtime friend of mine who I graduated from high schoolwith — have bravely spoken outto telltheirstory and warn otheryouth and par- ents about the danger of prescription opioids. Every day in British Columbia we are losing youth in our comm unities. The B.C. Coroners Service reports that the numberof overdose deaths among ten- to 18-year-olds almostdoubled, from 12 in 2016 to 23 in 2017. One life lost is truly heartbreaking, yetthe scaleof this emergency could hardly be articulated in a way thatrespectsand reflectsthe grief felt around B.C.

To Elliot’s parents and family, please accept my sincere condolencesfor yourtragic loss. I’m sure I speak on behalf of all my colleagues in this chamber when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with you at these difficult times. Introductions by Members J. Martin: Soon to join us for QP festivities: 19 grade11 studentsfrom MountCheam Christian Schoolare on their way. Please make them feel welcome. M. Dean: I’m very pleased to welcome two specialguests today representing AIDS Vancouver Island comm unity organization. Katrina Jensen is the executive director, and she has worked with AVI for 19 years.

Also joining us is ChadDickie, the chairof the board of directors forAVI. He’s also a part-time studentatthe University of Victoria School of PublicHealth and Social Policy, and he’s been involved with AVI since 2015. Both have offered countless hours of serviceto the comm unity. Please wouldeverybody join me in making them very welcome. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 18 — LOCAL GOVERNMENT STATUTES (HOUSING NEEDS REPORTS) AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 Hon. S.

Robinson presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Local Government Statutes (Housing Needs Reports) Amendment Act, 2018. Hon. S. Robinson: I move thatBill18, the LocalGovern- mentStatutes (Housing Needs Reports)AmendmentAct,be introduced and read a first time now. I am pleased to introducethe LocalGovernmentStatutes (Housing Needs Reports) Amendment Act. Local govern- mentsare key partners in supportingthe delivery of housing, due in partto theirrolein the land use planning, develop- ment and building approvals.

The success of our collective efforts to deliver the right kind of housing in British Columbia will rely, however, on ourability to truly understand localneeds and the type and extent of required housing. Consequently, it is critical that localland use planning and housing decisions are based on up-to-date information. This billwillm ake housing inform ation collection areg- ular partof localgovernmentbusiness. In doing so, itwill ensure that local governments have the housing inform- ation they require when they are updating foundational land use plans.

In order to m ake good decisions about the housing needs of today and understand what our needs will be tom orrow, we need to have solid, reliableinform ation. In addition to helping localgovernmentsin theirplanning, it willhelp the province putourhousing investm entswhere they are needed most. Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. 4168 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Hon. S. Robinson: I move thatthe billbe placed on the orders of the day forsecond reading atthe nextsitting of the House after today. Bill 18, Local Government Statutes (Housing Needs Reports) Amendment Act, 2018, 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. BILL 23 — LOCAL GOVERNMENT STATUTES (RESIDENTIAL RENTAL TENURE ZONING) AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 Hon. S.

Robinson presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Local Government Statutes (Residential Rental Tenure Zoning) Amendment Act, 2018. Hon. S. Robinson: I move thatBill23, the LocalGovern- ment Statutes (Residential Rental Tenure Zoning) Amend- ment Act, 2018, be introduced and read a first time now. [10:20 a.m.] I am pleased to introducethe LocalGovernmentStatutes (Residential Rental Tenure Zoning) Amendment Act. Our government, in both the throne speech and Budget 2018, has commi tted to buildand retain housing thatpeoplecan afford.

This work will require partnerships with local gov- ernmentsand the use of new and existingland use tools. This bill delivers on that commi tment. Municipalities across British Columbia are experiencing low vacancy rates due to the shortage of rental supply and the high demand on rental housing due to the increased costsof home ownership. Underthe currentplanningframe- work, localgovernmentsare notpermitted to zone forresid- ential rental tenure.

Today we are proposing changes to B.C.’s local land use planning system thatwillgive localgovernmentsincreased abilities to preserve and increase the overallsupply of rental housing in comm unities across British Columbia by using theirzoningbylaws to limitthe tenure of rentalunitsto rent- al in specificareas where they see fit. This is a boldaction thatwillgive localgovernmentsa new toolto betterenable the development and protection of the homes that people need in their comm unities. Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. S.

Robinson: I move thatthe billbe placed on the orders of the day forsecond reading atthe nextsitting of the House after today. Bill 23, Local Government Statutes (Residential Rental Tenure Zoning) Amendment Act, 2018, 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. BILL 25 — REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT MARKETING AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 Hon. C. James presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Real Estate Development Marketing Amendment Act, 2018. Hon. C.

James: I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now. I am pleased to introduce the Real Estate Development Marketing Amendment Act, 2018. This bill will require developers to collectand reportcomprehensive information about strata lot contract assignments, otherwise known as presaleassignments, to the property transfer tax adminis- trator. Developers willbe required to include new terms in their contracts to inform purchasers of the new reporting requirements. Currently there’s no comprehensive information on strata lot contract assignments, or presales, that is collected or available.

The assignment information will be used by the CanadaRevenueAgency and the ministry’s revenuedivision to address federaland provincialtax avoidance. Othertech- nicalamendmentsin this billwillalso strengthen the super- intendent’s enforcement tools. Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. C. James: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day forsecond reading atthe nextsitting of the House after today.

Bill 25, Real Estate Development Marketing Amendment Act, 2018, 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. BILL 26 — CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 Hon. K. Conroy presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Child, Family and Comm unity Service Amendment Act, 2018. Hon. K. Conroy: I move that Bill 26 be introduced and read a first time now.

I am pleased to introducethe amendmentsto the Child, Family and Comm unity ServiceAct.This bill’s amendments address the issue of Indigenous children being overrepres- ented as children in care. These changes reflect comm ents and concerns thatwe’ve heard from ourIndigenous partners through various tables,engagements, caucus sessions and Tuesday, April 24, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4169

consultations. The proposals help fulfil Grand Chief Ed John’s recom- mendations regarding a more collaborative approach to childwelfare and improved information-sharing. Reducing the numberof children in care is also a priority of the Truth and Reconciliation Commi ssion’s calls to action. The proposed amendments will provide more tools for socialworkers to share information and involve Indigenous comm unities in protecting, supporting and caring for their children.

Included is the rights of Indigenous children to learn about and practise their Indigenous traditions, cus- toms and languages and live in their comm unities. There willbe greateropportunitiesforsocialworkers and Indigenous comm unities to collaborate and be involved early with a family when there’s a concern.

This will help keep children out of care, find permanency for those chil- dren who are in care and provideaway forconnecting Indi- genous children to their cultures and comm unities. [10:25 a.m.] Here today to support the changes to the legislation is Kúkpi7 Wayne Christian of the SplatsinFirst Nation and Tribal Chief of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. Chief Christian is a tireless and passionate advocate for recogni- tion of Indigenous titleand rightsand the strength of Indi- genous nations. Kúkpi7 Christian believes, and I agree, thatourchildren are ourfuture and the future is rightnow.

He is here because he knows these amendmentswillnotonly help children and familiesin his comm unity but children and familiesright across the province. Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. K. Conroy: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day forsecond reading atthe nextsitting of the House after today. Bill 26, Child, Family and Comm unity Service Amendment Act, 2018, 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) VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL TRADE FORUM AND TRADE WITH CHINA T. Wat: Recently I was pleased to attend the Vancouver International TradeForum 2018 in Richmond, along with the member for Richmond-Steveston and the member for Vancouver-Langara. The theme this year was “Canada’s international tradeand China’s belt and road initiative,” which is adevelopmentplan introduced by the Chinese gov- ernment in 2013 to promote tradeand economic coopera- tion among Eurasian countries.

As aform erMinisterof InternationalTrade, I took great pride in signing the MOU on behalf of B.C. with China’s Guangdong provincein 2016 to mutually supportand par- ticipate in this beltand roadinitiative and the B.C. Pacific gateway strategy. This m emorandum m eant much m ore than just another agreement between the two provincial governments. It was a pivotal step in extending the belt and road initiative to North Am erica, which was not ori- ginally covered.

By signing this cooperation scheme, B.C. has not only strengthened itsrelationship with China, oursecond-largest trading partner, butalso seized new opportunitiesby joining a framework thatunites more than 68 countries, 4.4 billion peopleand 40 percent of the world’s GDP. I’d like to con- gratulate the organizers of this forum, the North American Investment Association and the Canada-China lobbyists, general chamber of comm erce.

The North American Investment Association has been authorized, as the exclusive representative in Canada, to organize a Canada pavilion in the first-ever Belt and Road InternationalFood Expo, to be heldin Hong Kong in June this year. Itwillbe a fantastic opportunity to showcase our province’s finest food and drink, including our renowned B.C. wine and seafood. I wish the expo a great success. MOUNTAINAIRE AVIAN RESCUE SOCIETY R. Leonard: Today I wouldlike to make some observa- tions about MARS — not the planet,rather Mountainaire Avian RescueSociety.

Maj Birchfounded MARS decadesago and dedicated herlife to conserve and protectnative wildlife in its natural habitat through education and rehabilitation. We lostherin 2015, butshe lefta generous bequestthat supported a new wildlife rescue centre just a few minutes north of Courtenay. Itwillbe open to the publicin August. It’s staffed mostly by adultand youth volunteers as they con- tinue to carry on with Maj’s vision. Mentorship and education are at the core of MARS. There’s an opportunity for six- to 12-week student placements.

During baby bird and fawn season, they’re busy 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with those 4 a.m. feedings in between. They’re involved in rescuesand releases, and they administertreatm entsand help with building projectslike the new flight cage. Then there’s the comm unity outreach. Ambassador owls, hawks and eagles,who are rescued birds themselves, come outto many eventswith theirambassador human partners, drawing curious and excited onlookers.

Whilethere’s a cap- tive audience, the human ambassadors talk about the res- cued birds and relay importantinformation aboutsafe and appropriate human-wildlife contact.And 2016 saw 800 res- cues, with a release rate of 33 percent.The rescue numbers are rising due to more human-wildlife interactions. [10:30 a.m.] I’m gladto know we’re investingin revitalizingB.C.’s wild- 4170 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 24, 2018

life management initiative and hiring more conservation officers. We allhave a rolein conservation and protection of the nature which surrounds us. MARS has played and con- tinues to play an important role in the web of life. B.C. COMMON GROUND ALLIANCE AND SAFE DIGGING MONTH P. Milobar: It gives me great pleasure during April, Safe Digging Month, to welcome the British Columbia Comm on Ground Alliance to this place. The B.C.

Comm on Ground Alliance is a non-profitorganization established to leadthe development of consistent practices and coordination of activities to ensure the highestpossiblestandards of worker safety, publicsafety and damage prevention in connection with underground infrastructure. Coming from Kam loops, my understanding is thatthis year Kam loops had the fewest strikes underground with construction work, which is an importantpartwe need to highlight during April — that in spite of a fast-growing economy, we can m ake sure the work is done properly and safely for all.

As we see further densification, further services being moved to underground areas, it’s critical that the workers are protected and that six simplesteps are followed before peopledecideto dig. We want to make sure everyone gets home safely from work on the worksite, and we also wantto make sure thatneighbourhoods aren’timpacted forany long term through infrastructure being struck, like fibre optic lines or gas lines or other similar infrastructure. The six before-you-dig rules are very simple. Clearly identify and white-line the excavation area. Call B.C.

One Callat1-800-474-6886 oruse clickbeforeyoudig.com atleast three working days before you dig. Contact all utility, pipeline, property or infrastructure owners who are not B.C. One Call members. Visually inspect the worksite for signs of underground site featuresand othersafety concerns. Obtain all agreementsand permitsand keep them on site. Lastly, verify the location and expose underground utilities by hand digging orotherapproved non-mechanicalexcava- tion means. This is thoroughly doable, and I hope peopletake Aprilas Safe Digging Month quite seriously. LITTLE MOUNTAIN NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE M.

Elmore:On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, the LittleMoun- tain Neighbourhood House in Vancouverwillbe celebrating its40th anniversary. This celebration takes placeduring the fifth annualNeighbourhood House Week, which is a yearly event involving all 14 neighbourhood houses in the Lower Mainland. Together, all neighbourhood houses employ more than 1,500 individuals and engage more than 3,000 volunteers in the provision of comm unity services to youth, seniors and families.More than 100,000 individuals receive services every year.

The Little Mountain Neighbourhood House, located on Main Streetin the heartof Vancouver, is an importantpart of the neighbourhood houses movement. It offers services in French, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Tagalog, Mandarin and Cantonese to residentsin the areas of Riley Park, Mount Pleasant and Cambie. The LittleMountain Neighbourhood House Society act- ively facilitates the developmentof a healthier, more inclus- ive comm unity.

With the financial support of all levels of government, comm unity foundations, local businesses and individual donors, the Little Mountain Neighbourhood House is atthe forefrontof serviceprovision in the areas of immigrant settlement, childcare, seniors, youth program- ming and many other areas. I invite allmembers to join me to celebrate ata dinneron May 2 in Vancouver. You’re welcome to join us. They have a very exciting initiative. They’re going to be moving into a new building atthe LittleMountain redevelopmentproject, where they willhave a new neighbourhood house and child care centre.

I’d like to ask all members to join me to wish the Little Mountain Neighbourhood House a happy 40th anniversary, to express ourgratitudeto the staff, board and volunteers for the servicesthey provideto the Vancouvercomm unity and, also, to wish them another successful 40 years. SHARE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY IN TRI-CITIES AREA J. Isaacs:Whetheryou are anew residentin Coquitlam or a longtime residentof the Tri-Cities, individuals and famil- ies know who they can turn to when they need assistance. SHARE is anot-for-profitorganization servingthe Tri-Cities comm unity.

With 140 employees and language translation services, SHARE’s programs have expanded through the years, and today the SHARE family connects,engages and strengthens individuals and families. [10:35 a.m.] Newcomers are welcome and supported through pro- grams such as the English practicegroups orparentand tot drop-in, and the resource centre provides opportunities to access employment and financial support. SHARE’s consulting services offer courses on relation- ships, parenting skills, separation ordivorce, angermanage- mentand anxiety, trauma, gambling and much more.

From early intervention therapy for children under five to sub- stance use prevention for teenagers, there is counselling for both individuals and families. The Better at Home program helps seniors with simple tasks, light housekeeping and transportation to appoint- ments. There are also welcoming senior spacesfor people aged 75 orolder. They organizegroup meetingsand connec- tion with othercomm unity members, and recruitand train outreach volunteers. SHARE also operates the food bank and receives dona- Tuesday, April 24, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4171

tions from great corporate citizens as well as farmers and individual donors. Volunteers and staff work tirelessly allyear to make sure thateveryone is beingserved. Itis the commi tmentof volun- teers that allows SHARE to continue to expand and grow programs and services. This year SHARE’s Imagine gala was another great suc- cess. The generosity of many sponsors and individualdona- tions contributed to this year’s record success of over $120,000. This is money thatwillbe wellspenthelping Tri- Cities families who are in need of assistance.

Congratulations, SHARE, on your many years of service in ourcomm unity, connecting, engaging and strengthening individuals and families. WESTSHORE AIDS VANCOUVER ISLAND HEALTH CENTRE M. Dean: The Westshore AIDS Vancouver Island health centre has been open in my comm unity since November 2017. It is a thriving and busy clinic,with patientscoming in for opiate agonisttherapy and otherfamily practicecare. This extracare is very important,especially as many of the patients do not have their own family doctor. A bigpartof the focus atthe centre is educationaltraining sessions.

Overdose prevention tips and naloxone kits are provided by staff to patientsand family members. Referrals are also made for counselling and treatment. Because they wantto maintain an accessible, low-barrier service, the centre does not charge patientsa monthly fee, but some other clinics do. We’re so grateful to have this centre right in our com- munity. It’s making such a difference in the lives of patients and theirfamilies.As one mom said: “It’s been an absolute godsend to our family.

Without it, I don’t know where my son would be.” AIDS VancouverIsland is looking to expand itscare and treatmentin WestShore and offermore education and sup- portgroups. Theirvision sees a comprehensive comm unity health clinicin the near future whilethey work towards a worldfree of HIV and hepatitis C. Untilthatis reached, they continue to supportthose mostatrisk who are marginalized by stigma and discrimination as well as disease. The Westshore AIDS Vancouver Island health centre is justone exampleof the ways thatourcomm unitiesare step- ping up to respond to the current overdose crisis.

Thank you to the enormously dedicated team at AIDS VancouverIsland forthe importantwork thatis done today and every day. Oral Questions REFERENDUM ON ELECTORAL REFORM A. Wilkinson: Last Thursday we had quite a show put on by the Attorney Generalas he demonstrated thathe was unwilling or unable to answer the most basic questions about the proportional representation referendum that is apparently happening someday this fall. The supposedly neutral arbiter of the process has demonstrated in the past, through his statements and behaviour, that he is in fact deeply biased in favour of a positive outcom e forthatvote.

He has completely failed to avoid the perception of bias. In any judicialsystem, he’d be voluntarily recusing himself from the role. However, the Attorney Generalcarries on and m aintains the facadethat he can be neutral. Willthe Premierkeep his promise madeduring the elec- tion thathe willestablish a truly independentand non-par- tisan oversight process for the referendum? [10:40 a.m.] Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the Leaderof the Opposition for the question, butI have to say I rejectthe premise.

I have full confidencein the Attorney Generalto discharge his respons- ibilities to this place and to the people of British Columbia. We will be having a referenda in the fall to address the question of electoralchange. That’s something thatwe cam- paigned on. That’s something the peopleon the othersideof the House putinto a throne speech thatdidn’tmake itpast first-day debate. But nonetheless, they seemed enthusiastic about it then. I don’t know why they’re not now. Mr. Speaker: The Leaderof the OfficialOpposition on a supplemental. A. Wilkinson: This is diagnostic of the problem.

The Premiertakes an arrogant,dismissive approach to this issue, which is going to be fundamentalto how this institution is governed and how our province is governed. Interjections. A. Wilkinson: The members opposite mock the need for an objective process. Listen to them sneering atthe prospect of an open process. What we have is a record. In 2005 and in 2009, British Columbians were asked questions that were formulated by an independentbody thattook more than a yearto develop those questions in cooperation with the academic com- munity, with Elections B.C. The entire process was clearand transparent.

Instead, today we have a referendum with no date. We have a question apparently to be decided by cabinet. We don’t know if there will be one or more questions. There’s no prospectof a debate in this House on whatthe questions mightbe. There’s no setdate for the referendum. There’s no clarity whatsoeveraboutany fundingfororganizations, both acting in favourand opposed to the referendum. We are told nothing. The peopleof BritishColumbiaare keptin the dark, and this is supposedly five months away. And we have arrog- ant and dismissive answers from the Premier. 4172 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 24, 2018

To the Premier, how can he justify this charadein com- parison to the 2005 and 2009 open, transparentand public engagement processes? Hon. J. Horgan: We have had a record response to this question in terms of feedback from the publicto the govern- mentand to this Legislature aboutwhere the peopleof Brit- ish Columbia want us to go with respect to this question. Electoral reform was a key pillar in our election cam- paign, as wellas for the Third Party. Again, as I say, itwas embraced m ostrecently by those on the other side of the House last June.

I would say to the Leaderof the Opposition that we’re doing our level best to ensure that we have everything in order in a timely matter so that the publicwill have an opportunity to have theirsay on whetherthey wantto keep the first-past-the-postsystem orthey wantto have adifferent approach in British Columbia. We’re commi tted to that,and I wouldhope thatthe mem- bers on the other side would join us in that regard. Mr. Speaker: The Leaderof the OfficialOpposition on a second supplemental. A. Wilkinson: The Premier has broken his promise of a simpleyes-or-no question.

No debate aboutthat.The Premi- erhas broken his promise forregionalthresholds. No debate about that. The Premier has broken his promise to setup an all-party commi ttee on proportional representation. No debate about that. A series of broken promises. Now the Premierfalls back on an on-line contactprocess, for which they refuse to disclose the actual material that came in and where it came from. Was this done by bots from Zimbabwe? We don’tknow because they won’ttellus.

This process is entirely secretive, is entirely hidden,and the Premiersmirks with glee as he says: “I’m getting away with it.” This is an insult to the people of British Columbia. Will this Premier finally acknowledge that this cynical exercise is nothing more than an effortto mollify the Greens to keep his fragile coalition together? Hon. J.

Horgan: Cynicalexercises are being practised by those on the othersideof the House who forgettheirrecord of 16 years of indifferenceto publicparticipation, theirindif- ferenceto engaging with the publicto getatrueunderstand- ing of where the people of British Columbia want to go. We’re engaging in that process now. To suggest I’ve broken a promise on a question that we don’tyetknow is a littlebitof a reach by the Leaderof the Official Opposition. I understand that asking questions from that side of the House is new to those members and that they’re going to getbetteratitovertime.

ButI think they shouldhave some patience, allow us to fulfilthe commi tmentswe madeto the people of B.C. It will be known in the fullness of time. I have fullconfidencein the Attorney Generalto dothatin an impartial and just way. [10:45 a.m.] S. Sullivan: Victoria and Saanich have recently metwith provincial officials to discuss the creation of a citizens’ assembly on amalgamation. This is a process the municipal- itiesof Duncan and North Cowichan followed and have just concluded. No citizens’ assembly is being contemplated for electoral reform.

The citizens’ assembly is an excellentway of dealing with contentious issues.There needs to be acredibleprocess. In many of the mostadvanced democraciesin the world, this process would be illegal. Can the Attorney Generalexplain why there is no legitim- ate process and no citizens’ assembly on something as fun- damental as electoral reform? Hon. D. Eby: I thank the memberforhis submission.

The way that this is structured is that we went out to British Columbians and said:“Whatis the process thatwe shouldbe using forthe referendum?” And then, atthe end of it,there’s avote where every British Columbian who is eligibleto vote getsto vote on which voting system we use to send members to this place. I’m notsure which aspectof thatwouldbe illegalin other countries.I’m sure the memberknows. As faras designing a process thatis based on the feedback of 88,547 peoplewho spentan average of about16 minutes completing a detailed questionnaire about how we should run this process….

I don’tknow why itwouldbe illegal, and I’m gladit’s nothere. Mr. Speaker: Vancouver–False Creek on a supplemental. S. Sullivan: Well, 2 percent of the population of our province…. Now, Duncan and North Cowichan were con- gratulated on their citizens’ assembly by the Minister of MunicipalAffairs. The ministeralso is quoted: “An import- antfocus willbe to ensure thatthe electorate has access to the information they need to make an informed decision when voting.” Buton electoralreform, we have no answers as to when the vote willoccur, whatthe ballotquestion willbe oreven what the rulesare.

In m ost advanced democracies,there are rulesand there are processes in orderto bring abouta referendum. To the Attorney General, when is he goingto answerthese basic questions? Hon. D. Eby: The largestpublicengagementin B.C.’s his- tory meant that we received almost 90,000 submissions in multiplelanguages from British Columbians. Staff are going through those recomm endations, that feedback from the public,and preparing a reportbased on it— recomm enda- tions based on thatfeedback. Thirty organizations provided detailed submissions as well, from the pro-rep side, from the pro-first-past-the-post side.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4173

Staff are incorporating those allinto a report,which will be madepublic,as willthe recomm endations, which willgo to cabinet.Cabinetwillthen use those recomm endations to create the regulations for the rules for the referendum. There willabsolutely be rules,Member. I can assure you of that.Notonly that,there willbe aprocess based on the feed- back of tens of thousands of British Columbians. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND PROFESSIONAL RELIANCE MODEL S.

Furstenau: Comm unities across this province are facing increasing challenges due to an approach to resource development that focuses on harvesting our resources and exporting them raw instead of adding value and building long-term economic opportunities for the people of B.C. This approach goes hand in hand with the environ- mentalassessmentand decision-making processes thatrely on professional reliance. Projectsare treated as one-offs in the application process, with little or no recognition of cumulative impacts. This translates to economic impacts.

Tourist operators lose business when viewscapes are destroyed. Sportsfish- eries face losses when salmon habitats are impacted by logging. And local governments shoulder the costs of water turbidity and the need for expensive filtration sys- tems for drinking water. My question is for the Ministerof Environment.Itis not a company’s responsibility to look atcumulative impactsor ecosystem-based management; it is the government’s. Will this governmentmake these foundationalprinciplesin how they reform the environmentalassessmentand professional reliance models? [10:50 a.m.] Hon. G.

Heyman: Thank you to the memberforthe ques- tion. I know the member and members of her comm unity know firsthand whathappens when governmentdestroys its capacity to monitorenvironmentalimpacts,to monitorpub- lichealth impacts and to protect the publicinterest. They know firsthand what happens when government abdicates its responsibility for oversight. I have to say that it didn’t take the previous governmenttheirfull16 years in officeto accomplish that.They diditin a few shortyears and perfec- ted it over the remaining time in office. We are reviewingthe professionalreliancemodel. I expect areportthis spring.

I expectfurtherpublicdiscussion before we enact changes. We’ve consulted extensively. We’re con- sulting with professionalassociations thathave broughtfor- ward excellentideas. We are also reviewing, in a robustway, the entire environmental assessment process. Mr. Speaker: The House Leader, Third Party, on asupple- mental. S. Furstenau: Comm unities do not benefit from short- term economic decision-making. Itmerely setsthem up fora boom-and-bustcycle. A huge pieceof this puzzleis the com- munity’s role in decision-making.

The current assessment model mutes the voicesof com- munities and elevates the voices of proponents. There is ampleevidenceof this in the dozens of written submissions to the professional reliance review. From Spallumcheen to Haida Gwaii and Fort St. James to Youbou, comm unities across B.C. wantmore say in whathappens to the land, air, waterand resourcesthey depend on fortheirlocaleconom- ies and their well-being. My question is to the Minister of Environment.

I know he is waiting for Mark Haddock’s report to make specific recomm endations, butI’m looking for a commi tmentfrom him today thatany action this governmenttakes willfocus on lifting up the voices of the comm unities across this provincethatcurrently feelshutoutof decision-makingpro- cesses thataffectthem the most.Willthe ministermake this commi tment? Hon. G. Heyman: Thank you again to the memberforthe question. There is a comm on thread through ourreview of the professional reliance model. It’s a comm on thread that extends through our review of the environmental assess- mentprocess.

We wantto hear from comm unities, because in orderto have a prosperous economy and good economic development in British Columbia, we need to have public trust.To have publictrust,we need to ensure thatwe consult with Indigenous peoplearound the provinceand thatvoices from im pacted comm unities are heard. They’re heard throughoutthe process. That’s builtinto the process. The considerations of comm unities, the considera- tions of the environment,the considerations of Indigenous people— theirknowledge, theirculture, theirrightsand title — are allbuiltinto the process.

If we do thatright,we will have asystem in British Columbiain which industry can see a clear pathway to success — success that has comm unity supportinsteadof comm unity opposition and a comm unity that feels shut out of the process. REFERENDUM ON ELECTORAL REFORM J. Martin: Last week in this House I asked the Attorney Generalto revealthe rolehis politicalstaff hadin the draft- ing of the skewed electoralreform questionnaire. We never received an answer. He stated that the information had already been made available.

But we all know that is not accurate, as multiplefreedom-of-information requestshave been withheld, stalled or came back with no information whatsoever. The Attorney Generalhas hadsom e time to think about the question, so I putitto him again. Willhe tablein this House allinputhis politicalstaff hadin the drafting of the survey? Hon. D. Eby: There are two piecesto this question. One 4174 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 24, 2018

is, obviously, the member’s failure to draftFOI requeststhat providereturns. It’s notmy responsibility. I don’tknow what he said. But what I can tell him is that all FOI requests that come to my office are filled with integrity, which is something new for the government. That’s something that we’re doingon this sideof the House. We are nottriple-delet- ing, okay?

I regretvery much the member’s suggestion of a lack of integrity in FOI request-fillingin my office, whichI take very personally, and I do not like. [10:55 a.m.] The second pieceof itis the questionnaire — thatpolitical staff or I, as a politician, had some influence in the ques- tionnaire. The answeris yes. Yes, I have politicalaccountab- ility for the questionnaire that went out, obviously. It went out undermy office’s name. I approved all the questions. I approved the questionnaire. I have the support of staff in that. I am p roud of that. The questionnaire stands for itself.

I understand that people who are pro first-past-the-post are opposed to the questionnaire. I understand thatpeoplewho are pro-PR are opposed to the questionnaire. The questionnaire strikes a balancebetween the two sides.I’m proud of it.The member might not like it, but I will stand here and take political responsibility for that questionnaire. Mr. Speaker: The member for Chilliwack on a supple- mental. J. Martin: I understand that the Attorney General finds itsomewhatamusing, having his thumb on the scaleof this very important process.

But it’s very serious, and in this House, we have a rightto have some very serious questions answered. By now, the Attorney Generalhas seen the memo written by abureaucratwithinhis ministry. Itstates: “Ourminister’s officehas also hadinput.” Yetdespite thatevidence, he con- tinues to dodge the question and refuses to acknowledge what role his political staff played in shaping this question. To the Attorney General, we know his politicalstaff had directinputinto the drafting of the skewed survey. Willhe tableallrelevantinformation and tellthe publicexactly what their input was? Hon. D.

Eby: I’m not sure what more I can say. We approached expertsto assist us in drafting this. I take full politicalresponsibility forthe questionnaire. My staff defin- itely assisted — I assisted — in the drafting of the question- naire, in which we tried to strike a balancebetween the two sides in this referendum. I understand that the first-past-the-post people aren’t happy with the questionnaire. I have correspondence from pro-PR peoplewho are notsupportive of the questionnaire. I stand here to tellthe memberand this House thatI believe the questionnaire struck the rightbalance.

The memberdis- agrees with that.I understand that.Butdefinitely, this politi- cian stands up and says thatyes, I have responsibility forthe content of that questionnaire. T. Shypitka: Well, we now know thatthe Attorney Gen- eral’s politicalstaff helped shape the skewed survey. Butlast fall the Attorney General said nothing about political staff inserting themselves into the design of the survey. Instead, he implied thatfouracademicexpertsguided and signed off on the questionnaire. To the Attorney General, whatroledid his politicalstaff have in vetting the academics’ advice? Hon. D.

Eby: I relied on my political staff. I myself reviewed the questionnaire that was put forward and that was posted publicly on the website. Ithad188,000 site visits, and 88,547 people completed the questionnaire. Mr. Speaker: The memberforKootenay Easton asupple- mental. T. Shypitka: According to one of the academics: “I provided some feedback on the survey you constructed. But that’s aboutit.” Itis clear thatitwas the Attorney General’s office guiding the process.

Again to the Attorney General, can he explain why it appears his political staff had a m ore significant role in the construction of the skewed survey than the academic experts? Hon. D. Eby: The ministeris right.My officedidguidethe questionnaire. Thatwas the responsibility given to my office by the Premier. I’ll point out to the member that some of the experts, for example, provided contradictory recomm endations, so decisions have to be madein politics.

One of the decisions that my officemade, and that I stand here accountablefor, was to release the survey in the form itwas released to the public for completion. I believe the survey struck the rightbalance. I’lltake polit- icalaccountability forthat.I rely on my staff forassistancein the work thatI do every day, and I’m very proud of them in the work they do. M. Morris:The Attorney General has toldthe publicto simply trusthim, thathe willproducea reporton the con- sultation feedback thathe’s received. Butthere’s no one who views the Attorney General as non-partisan or neutral.

In the interestsof transparency, willthe Attorney General publicly release allof the raw datareceived through the pub- lic engagement? Hon. D. Eby: We have 88,547 completed questionnaires, as well as metadata, IP addresses and so on. [11:00 a.m.] I’m gladto work with the memberand anyone else on the othersideto make sure they have access to the information Tuesday, April 24, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4175

they need withinthe limitsof information release underlaw in British Columbia. Mr. Speaker: Prince George–Mackenzie on a supple- mental. M. Morris:I’ve worked with that legislation probably as much as the Attorney has overthe years. If he eliminates the personal data off that, he can release the information that they’ve provided with no problem atalland follow through with the requests that have come through that. The Attorney General has information from public engagement in front of him, on his desk. He quoted from itextensively lastweek.

We know his politicalstaff are act- ively involved in the process, and today he continuesto with- holdthe information whileit’s being manipulated. There is no excuse for withholding information from independent scrutiny. Will he make all of the raw data available today? Hon. D. Eby: The memberis going to have to acceptyes for an answer. The only caveatI puton itis thatthe release has to be in accordance with B.C. law. The memberagrees with that, so I think we’re good. C. Oakes: Last fall the NDP said that even if the voter turnoutwas as low as 10 percent,the outcom e wouldstill be valid.

Butwhen asked lastweek, the Attorney General said that“there willbe a record voterturnoutfor this ref- erendum.” To the Attorney General, if he is so confident of record turnout, why is he so afraid of setting a threshold? Hon. D. Eby: I do appreciate the member reading the quote. As I recall, I say “based on this record publicengage- ment.” BritishColumbians are incredibly engaged, and based on that,I wouldexpectarecord turnout.If this is any indic- ation of the level of interest, which is very high, I’m very hopeful.

Now, the member, I understand, wantsa different setof rulesforthis referendum than are in the act.The rulesare in the act.The ruleswere voted on in this minority parliament, and those rules are set for the referendum. Mr. Speaker: Cariboo North on a supplemental. C. Oakes:The Attorney Generalhas repeatedly refused to say itwilltake more than 10 percentof the voters to change something so fundamentalas how British Columbians elect theirrepresentatives.Evenchangesas insignificantas intern- al NDP party politics require two-thirds majority. I repeat: two-thirds majority.

To the Attorney General, willhe seta thresholdrequire- ment, or is he too afraid to do so? Hon. D. Eby: All of the decisions that have been taken — certainly by my office, to date — have been around mak- ing sure thatas many British Columbians know aboutthis as possible and that participation is as high as possible. For example, we chose a mail-inballot process because it had higher turnout. We want British Columbians to be engaged in this. We want them to vote on how we send members to this place.

We wantthere to be a high turnout, and I hope thatthe memberassistsus in that,in getting the word out in her constituency. R. Coleman: The Premier has made and broken major promises on proportional representation. There will be no all-party commi ttee. There willbe no simpleyes-or-no ballot question and no reasonable threshold requirements. To the Attorney General, what justifies these broken promises? Hon. D. Eby: Well, thank you, Member.

I know I have been criticized for pointing out the record of the previous administration on referenda.Butthe memberwho justasked that question was around the tablewhen the decision was made to vote on whether or not First Nations peoplehad rightsin this provinceby mail-inballot— with some of the most offensive questions, double negatives. I do understand that we cannot hold ourselves to the standard of the previous government on referenda.

It’s not sufficient.We willdo better, and we willdo British Colum- bians proud with a referendum thatpeoplecan have confid- encein, with aquestion orquestions thatthey can have con- fidence in. And there willbe a reportthey can look atand understand how we gotto those recomm endations based on the feedback they provided to us in record numbers. [11:05 a.m.] Mr. Speaker: The memberfor Langley Easton a supple- mental. R.

Coleman: The Premier used to support the concept of a higherturnoutthresholdfor som ething as important as changing the ways we electMembers of the Legislative Assembly in British Columbia, on behalf of British Columbians. According to the memberforCowichan Valley, the Green Party stilldoes supportthose thresholds. On November29, she said: “We saw a50 percentturnoutin the Vancouverref- erendum on transit.We wouldlike to see something atleast comparable to that.” So we know it wasn’t the Green Party. Why didthe Premierbreak his word on thresholdrequire- ments? Hon. D.

Eby: I think allof us wouldlike to see a higher turnoutthan the previous government’s effortsin referenda. I think we all want as high a turnout as possible. M. Lee: I think thatallmembers of this House willagree thatwhatwe’re askingforis forthis governmentto holditself 4176 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 24, 2018

accountableto the promises itmade. We’re talking abouta referendum that is going to fundamentally change, poten- tially, the electoral system of this province. The Premierhas madepromises. He’s madepromises that there willbe asimpleyes-or-no ballotquestion. He promised that British Columbians would have a regional approval thresholdto ensure that there was a broad consensus for a fundamentalchange of this nature. Butwith this Premier, it’s say one thing and do another.

Can the Attorney Generalexplain how British Columbi- ans willhave confidencein this referendum whenthe Premi- er’s promiseshave been broken on something as fundament- al as changing our electoral system? Hon. D. Eby: I thank the member for the question. The idea of a referendum is quite straightforward. Each eligibleBritish Columbian ableto vote willbe ableto vote on how we send m embers to this place. That is how they willhave confidence in this. They willbe the ones voting. They willbe the ones deciding aboutwhich system we use.

Whetherwe keep the currentfirst-past-the-postsystem or we m ove to aproportionalrepresentation system, they will be the ones who choose that.Thatis how British Columbi- ans willhave confidence, and thatis why we are engaging in this process. To inform the rulesaround the process and the structure of it,we engaged with British Columbians directly and had the largest participation in the history of the province in public engagement. Mr. Speaker: Vancouver-Langara on a supplemental. M. Lee: British Columbians need a fairand open process.

The Premier talked about ensuring that this referendum is being conducted in a timely manner. Time is running out for British Columbians. They need to know what question is going to be asked. They need to have the opportunity to inform themselvesaboutthe form of proportionalrepresent- ation that is going to be presented in this referendum. Changing our electoral system should not be an issue of partisan politics. You laugh, butitisn’t.

How we deter- mine who we elect and how we elect m embers of this House is som ething thatshouldbe done by aneutralarbit- er, som ething thathas been done in the pastinvolving the publicbeyond just this 2 percent survey, a biased survey. This process clearly cannot withstand the scrutiny within this House. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall hear the question. M. Lee: Itis nothing m ore than a sham eless attemptby the NDP and the Green Party to achieve the result that they want.

To the Attorney General, I ask again, what justifies the complete lack of answers to basic questions and the fun- damental disregard for the past promises given to British Columbians about this referendum? Hon. J. Horgan: I’ve listened intently forthe past30-odd minutes to questions from the othersideof the House about the effrontery of asking the peopleof British Columbia to vote on how they electpeopleto this place.

How outrageous of us to campaign on thatcommi tment.How outrageous of us to join withthe GreenParty, who also campaigned on that commi tment,to make sure thatwe getproportionalrepres- entation in this House. That’s whatwe campaigned on; that’s what we’re going to deliver. Butthe memberfor Vancouver-Langarajustlastfallsaid the following. [11:10 a.m.] Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. J. Horgan: Perhaps the member for Langley East willwantto hearthis. This is whatthe membersaid justlast fall. “It’s only going to be used to getwhatwe have today.

We have a situation where they have to getalong with each oth- er, and that’s not good government.” I can’tbelieve thatthose words couldbe uttered by amem- berof this Legislature, butthe notion of working togetherin the interestsof British Columbia is anathema to the people on that side of the House. I getthat. We agree to disagree. You don’twantto engage with people;we do. We’re going to ask them whatthey think. They’re going to have an oppor- tunity to vote, and if they vote to change the electoralsystem, we’ll get better government as a result. [End of question period.] Petitions D.

Ashton: I have a petition given to me by the regional district chair, Karla Kozakevich. The majority of Naramata residentswho live on the higherelevations of thatwonderful comm unity are askinggovernmentforany and allhelp avail- ableto address the springfloodingand waterdrainage issues. Ministerial Statements VIOLENT INCIDENT IN TORONTO Hon. J. Horgan: I rise to make a ministerial statement. Hon. Speaker and members of this place, we heard in the prayerthis morning from the memberforNanaimo.

We were reminded of the tragedy that took place in Toronto yesterday, where innocentcitizens walking on a sunny day, going about theirbusiness, were run down by an assailant who has now been apprehended by the good work of first Tuesday, April 24, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4177

responders in the city of Toronto. We on this side of the House and, I know, all members grieve for the familieswho have had ten lives taken from them and for the 15 injured from the senseless violence brought upon the good peopleof Toronto for reasons not yetknown. It’s the notion thatcitizens cannotenjoy the pur- suitof peace, orderand good government,thatparticularly Canadian way to look atthings. This sortof activity thatwe often hearaboutin otherjurisdictions has come home to us here in Canada.

I know thatallmembers willjoin with me and, certainly, in the momentsahead, speak of theirown personalfeelings around this issue. For me, to have hadthe HumboldtBron- cos incident visited upon the people of Canada, and now this…. I think itspeaks to ourability to rise above tragedy and to holdfastas Canadians to those quintessentialCana- dian valuesof toleranceforeachother, respectforthe dignity of individuals and, of course, the sanctity of life. Again, I speak on behalf of the government of British Columbia, and I know others in this House will speak to the people of Toronto.

To the families,particularly, who were affected, our deepest, deepest condolences. And to the firstresponders and the victims and the witnesses that experienced one of the m osttragicdays we couldeverpos- sibly imagine, ourheartsand ourthoughtsare with you at this time. A. Wilkinson: In Canada, we are sadly accustomed to seeing tragic eventsunfoldin other countries, but it rarely comes home to us here. A massive motor vehicleaccident in Saskatchewan occurred very recently and shocked us all because of the innocentliveslost,the tragedy of the moment. Butthatwas by no means intentional.

Whatwe saw yester- day was the intentional act of an individual who just went out and sought to destroy lives. Forallof us in this chamberand the many British Colum- bians with relativesand friends in Toronto, we are notaccus- tomed to turning our eyes to the television and thinking: “Where are they?” All of us have to recognize that this kind of thing does come to Canada. We cannot be naive.

We have to commi t ourselves, in this chamber and throughout our society, to working togetheracross this country to reinforcethe funda- mentalprincipleof Canada, which is peace, orderand good government, because we all depend on it every single day. A. Weaver: On behalfof my colleagues,I, too, wouldlike to join the Premier in extending our sincere condolences to the familiesof those who tragically losttheirlives in the motorvehicleattack in Toronto. We understand thatthis is a very difficulttime for them.

We understand thatToronto is hurting, and all of Canada is grieving. [11:15 a.m.] Letus hope thatas we move forward and learn from what has happened here, we getto the source of these issues. We understand that peoplewith mental illness or other issues need the treatment that they do. Let’s hope that we can prevent future such occurrences from occurring. Oursincere condolencesto the peoplein Toronto and the families of the victims. Orders of the Day Motions Without Notice ESTABLISHMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISH AND FOOD COMMITTEE Hon. M.

Farnworth:I seek leave to move a motion to amend the listof selectstandingcommi tteessetoutin stand- ing order 68(1). The full text of this motion has been provided to the two House Leaders. Leave granted. Hon. M. Farnworth:I move: [ThatStanding Order68(1) be amended by adding the textshown as underlined: Atthe comm encementof each Session aCommi ttee of Selection shall be appointed without notice, whose duty it shall be to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, listsof Members to compose the following Select Standing Commi ttees of the House: 1. Aboriginal Affairs; 2. Education; 3.

Finance and Government Services; 4. Health; 5. Public Accounts; 6. Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills; 7. Crown Corporations; 8. Legislative Initiatives; 9. Children and Youth; 10. Agriculture, Fish and Food] Hon. L. Popham: Thank you for allowing me to address this motion. Going back as far as 1901, the SelectStanding Commi ttee on Agriculture was an important part of this place. The commi ttee madeimportantcontributions to agri- culture in this province for many decades. In the 1970s, forexample, the commi ttee issued more than 20 reports.

The commi ttee ran until dissolution of parlia- ment for the 2001 general election. However, when parlia- mentwas recalled afterthe election and the usualstanding commi ttees were recreated, Agriculture was absent. Since that time, many members in this House persistently called forthe return of the SelectStanding Commi ttee on Agricul- ture. I think I personally called for it at least eight times. I am very pleased that at long last, agriculture has once again officially regained its voice in the B.C. Legislature.

I wantto thank the legislators from allthree partiesfortaking on this importantresponsibility, because we willallbenefit from their work. Motion approved. 4178 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Tabling Documents Hon. L. Popham: Atthis time, I wouldlike to tablein this House aone-page discussion paperprepared by the Ministry of Agriculture. Ithas been prepared to assistthe commi ttee in itsfirstresponsibility to examine, inquire into and make recomm endations concerninglocalmeatproduction in Brit- ish Columbia. They willwork to determine how to increase slaughter capacity in rural comm unities whilemaintaining the meat inspection program’s credibility through strong animal welfare and food safety standards.

As the motion states, they willheardirectly from farmers, producers, processors, consumers, restaurateurs and alloth- erindividuals and organizations interested in localmeatpro- duction. I know that all members will join me in thanking the members of this commi ttee as they take on this very import- ant work. Mr. Speaker: Shallleave be granted for the tabling of the report? Leave granted. Motions Without Notice MEMBERSHIP AND POWERS OF AGRICULTURE, FISH AND FOOD COMMITTEE Hon. M. Farnworth:I seek leave to move a motion to activate the SelectStanding Commi ttee on Agriculture, Fish and Food.

The fulltextof this motion has been provided to both House leaders. Leave granted. Hon. M. Farnworth:I move: [Further to the motion establishing a Select Standing Commi ttee on Agriculture, Fish and Food to examine matters concerning agriculture, fish and food in British Columbia, that the Commi ttee shall initially examine, inquire into and make recomm endations concerning localmeatproduction in British Columbia, based on the discussion paperreleased by the Ministerof Agriculture on April24, 2018.

The Commi ttee shall seek to consider the views of farmers, producers, processors, consumers, restauranteurs and all other individuals and organizations interested in local, small-scale meat production. In undertaking its inquiry, the Commi ttee shall considermatters related to areas of provincial responsibility with respect to meat production regulations. The Commi ttee shallhave allthe powers previously conferred upon the other Select Standing Commi ttees and shall also be empowered:

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommi ttees and to referto such subcommi ttees any of the matters referred to the Commi ttee;

b) to sitduring a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the nextfollowing Session and during any sitting of the House;

c) to conduct consultations by any means the Commi ttee considers appropriate; and

d) to adjourn from p lace to place as may be convenient; and shallreportas soon as possibleto the House, butno laterthan October 1, 2018, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reportswith the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournmentand upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.

The said Select Standing Commi ttee is to be composed of the following Members: Ronna-Rae Leonard (Convener), Nicholas Simons, Rachna Singh, Doug Routley, Jackie Tegart,Donna Barnett, Mike Morris, Ian Paton and Adam Olsen.] Motion approved. Hon. M. Farnworth:In this chamber, I callsecond read- ing debate on Bill 15, Energy, Mines and Petroleum ResourcesStatutes AmendmentAct.In Commi ttee A, I call continued debate on the estimates of the Ministry of Chil- dren and Families. [11:20 a.m.] [L.

Reid in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 15 — ENERGY, MINES AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2018 Hon. M. Mungall: I move now that Bill 15 be read a second time. I’m pleased to present the Energy, Mines and Petroleum ResourcesStatutes AmendmentAct,2018. Bill15, which is this very bill, amends provisions in the Oiland Gas Activit- ies Act and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act. FirstI’llsay afew words aboutwhatwe’re doing to amend the Oil and Gas Activities Act.

What peoplein the House may or may not know is that the downturn in the oil and gas sector over the last few years has resulted in several challenges formany companies.They are seeing higherdebt loads and more difficulty to meettheiroverallexpenditures. As a result,they’re having to declare bankruptcy, which has obviously led to an increase in insolvenciesin thatparticular sector. How thatimpactsus is something thatwe’re trying to deal with here today in Bill 15. Specifically, the B.C. Oiland Gas Commi ssion has seen a significantrise in the numberof orphaned wells since2016.

Maybe I’ll just take a moment to explain what orphaned wells are. This mightbe anew term forothermembers in the House as well as for peoplein the publicwho are not as familiar with how things occuron a day-to-day basis in the oiland gas sector. As we drillfornaturalgas, which heatsmostof ourhomes in this province, those wells would be termed orphaned when a company, the parentcompany of thatwell, becomes Tuesday, April 24, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4179

insolventand no longerexists— hence, the term “orphaned well.” Very Oliver Twist kind of language, butthat’s the best way I can find to describe it so that people understand exactly whatwe’re dealing with here. A wellis no longeract- ive, butitstillexists,and the company whichwas responsible fordealingwith itno longerexists,however. Therefore, we as a government have a responsibility to deal with that well. Historically, how we have dealtwith these orphaned wells is through a funding model called the orphan site reclam- ation fund.

This is a fund thatcompanies pay into through a tax thatis defined in the Oiland Gas Activities Act.This taxis levied onto companies.Money goesinto thatfund, and we use thatfund to reclaim these orphan sites. Butbecause there’s been an increase, due to this downturn in the sec- tor, of orphan sites, we are finding thatthatfund is notable to keep pacewith the costof reclamation of the increase in orphaned funds.

That’s why we are here today, essentially — so thatwe can make sure that we have a sustainableway of dealing with orphaned wells going into the future, not only in terms of reclaiming them but how we prevent them. [11:25 a.m.] To do that,the proposed amendmentsthatwe have here for the Oiland Gas Activities Actdo two main things. One is improve that funding model for the orphan site reclam- ation fund. The second one is to introduce tools to reduce the numberof future orphan sitesand the liability associated with them. I’llbe talking about,in thatsecond part,inactive sites or dormantsites.

Butfirst,I’d like to talk abouthow we’re going to improve the funding modelfor the orphan site reclama- tion fund. These amendments will improve the funding model by replacing that tax, which I mentioned just a few minutes ago, with alevy. These are very legalisticterms. Peoplemight wonder: “What’s the difference?It’s money going into a gov- ernment fund. Isn’t that all just taxation?” Butnotquite. Taxation is somethingthatis defined within legislation.

Ithas aparticularformula.Itcan only be changed by legislation, and it’s notnecessarily, in this particularsitu- ation, responsive to this suddendownturn and thenthis sud- den increase of orphan wells. We’re proposing that a levy be imposed by regulation of the commi ssion board — that is, the board of the Oil and Gas Commi ssion — with, of course, governmentoversight. The rate of the proposed levy can be more easily adjusted as a result,if we do this through regulation, than the existing tax. And itprovidesa more flexibleavenue to secure funds when and as they are required.

Proposed amendmentswillalso provide flexibility to add funds from other sources, if that’s required, such as other money paid to the commi ssion by industry forthe purposes of restoration. At this moment, I just want to say that I think it’s really important,too, forgovernmentto ensure thatwe’re findinga strong balancebetween industry paying foritsown activities — and the need to reclaim those activitiesoncethey’ve con- cluded — and also the public interest being met here.

We feelthatthe levy is one of the ways thatwe’re going to be achieving thatvery importantbalance, and being ableto dothatthrough regulation overtime to make sure thatwe’re continuously ableto respond to the circumstancesof the day. This particular mechanism allows us to do that. The second thing these proposed amendmentsare meant to do willbe to introducepowers forthe Oiland Gas Com- mission — the OGC, for those who enjoy acronyms — to make regulations requiring the restoration of dormant or inactive oiland gas sites.I’m goingto use the term “dormant” going forward.

But for those who are in the industry who might be more familiar with “inactive sites,” we’re using those two terms interchangeably. A dormantsite is a site whose parentcompany stillexists. They are not insolvent, but the site has not been active. It is dormant for all intents and purposes, so it’s not produ- cing anything, and itactually needs to be reclaimed. Restor- ation work on dormantsites willreducethe liability associ- ated with these sites, so the soonerwe can restore them, the soonerwe can reclaim them, the soonerwe’re reducing liab- ility for the public interest as well as for industry.

We’d also be limiting the chancethatrestoration willneed to be funded by the orphan site reclamation fund, which I already spoke about— and the need to make sure thatthat fund is sustainable. But ultimately, we’d like to see restora- tion done before we even have to access thatsite. That’s that preventative componentto this legislation thatI was talking about and how we deal with our overall orphan well situ- ation in B.C.

This proposed framework will provide flexibility, obvi- ously, for the Oil and Gas Commi ssion to ensure that site cleanup requirements are manageable for permit holders and meetingthe testof the publicinterest.Amendmentsalso introduceothertools to reducethe numberof future orphan sites and the liability associated with them. These amendmentswillallow the Oiland Gas Commi s- sion to review permit applications and cancel or suspend permits if parties associated with the permit or applicant have ahistory of non-compliance. That’s an importantpiece.

If we know somebody has a continuous history, time and time and time again, of notcleaning up afterthemselves and leaving all of industry on the hook for their orphan site, maybe they shouldn’tbe doingbusiness in British Columbia. [11:30 a.m.] We want to make sure that we are preventing that from happening and thatthose who are responsibleoperators are the oneswho are, indeed, providing50 percentof us withthe natural gas that heats our homes. Itwillalso allow the commi ssion to reinstate and transfer permits to a new owner to facilitate continued activity or completion of restoration work.

Again, a company becomes insolvent, but there’s another company that’s interested in taking overthatwell. This willallow the Oiland Gas Com- mission to do just that and also provide them with the 4180 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 24, 2018

responsibility of restoring that particular site. Am endmentsare also proposed to enhance the powers of the commi ssion to respond to emergenciesand m anage heritage resources.Forexample, an emergency takes place. Rightnow the Oiland Gas Commi ssion is notableto dir- ectly m ove into that emergency site and block off roads and do whateveris necessary to m aintain publicsafety. We wantto m ake sure thatwe’re giving them the powerto do that.

After all, the m ostimportantthing atthe end of the day in all of this is ensuring that the publicis safe in an emergency situation, and we wantto m ake sure thatgov- ernmentis providing ourCrown agencieswith allthe tools possible to do that. We also want to make sure that we are maintaining our heritage sites in British Columbia. The Oil and Gas Com- mission has arole, butnotyetwithinlegislation. We wantto make that very formal. Finally, on the Oil and Gas Activities Act, the amend- mentswillallow the OGC to have greatertools around debt collection as well.

I mentioned thatBill15 also amends the Petroleumand NaturalGas Act.I’llspeak to those amendments.Whatthey will do, essentially, is ensure provisions enacted in 2014 regarding tenure extensions and rental reliefcan be imple- mented. These willprovide reliefto tenure holders who are prevented from accessing theirtenure due to circumstances beyond their control. Forexample, atenure holderwillbe looking to startsome exploration ordrillingwork on theirtenure, butalarge-scale construction projectmightbe taking place. There mightbe negotiations with First Nations or a local government that are causing delays.

We wantto make sure thatthey are not lefton the hook forthe costsassociated with those delays if it’s no faultof theirown. Whatwe wantto do is make sure thatthe tenure holders don’tlose theirtenure, for example, so that their opportunities still exist into the future when they become available. The proposed am endmentswillalso replacethe require- m entto advertise tenure dispositions in the B.C. Gazette. I know everybody here reads, daily, alladvertisementsthat occurin the B.C. Gazette — m aybe justone ortwo leftwho do.

Almost everybody in British Columbia now goes to the Internet,goes on line to governmentwebsites fortheir inform ation. Whilegovernment and the OGC has long been putting this type of information on websites, the officialmeans has still been the B.C. Gazette. We are now moving that over, in 2018, to be the Internet.Governmentis keeping up, just barely, with how everybody else is doing business. Thatconcludesmy remarks. I look forward to hearing the debate on this bill.

I will say, though, I’m very proud that we’re puttingforward this bill, because we dohave asituation where we need to find the appropriate balance between the publicinterestand industry so thatwe continue to see eco- nomic developmentin the northeast,around ournaturalgas sector — not just because it’s a good economic sector that provides good family-supporting jobs, but to this day, nat- ural gas is what’s heating 50 percent of British Columbian homes.I certainly don’twantto be the person responsiblefor turning the heat off in the middle of winter.

We need to make sure that we’re doing what we can to maintain thatindustry and make sure thatthe publicinterest is met.With that,I willtake my seatand listen to the restof the debate. [11:35 a.m.] M. Bernier: I appreciate, firstof all, the ministerbringing this billforward. When she says she’s looking forward to the debate, I think it’llbe more of justsome comm entary rather than debate. This is, actually, an importantbill— any time we’re mod- ernizing an actthatwe have. When you look atthe orphan site reclamation fund itself….

I mean, that was introduced by the pastgovernment,in 2006, fora lotof the same issues that the minister just addressed today. We wantto make sure thatwhenwe have companiesoper- ating in British Columbia, the due diligence is taking place. We wantto ensure the safeguards are in place, as well, to pro- tectnotonly the province, but,I wouldargue, more import- antly, to protectthe landowners and the peopleaffected with this industry. Whenyou look around atthe drillingactivity thatwe have rightnow, as the ministerhighlighted, itis pretty wellexclus- ively in the Peaceregion, in my part of the province.

So I agree with the premise of the bill, notonly as the critic for this issue, but also as the local MLA for the area. I’llhave some questions for the ministerwhen we getto commi ttee stage on this bill, just to try to address some of the, maybe I’d say, concerns of some of the areas. One of them thatwe’llbe asking about,which really raises aconcern forme, is when we starttaking more outof the act and putting itinto policy regulation.

Thatgives the oppor- tunity for cabinetand the ministerto actually work directly to change regulation behind the scenes, rather than in a publicand open, debatableformatlike we have here in the House, which obviously also has the scrutiny thatcan come forward from, notonly the opposition, butthe public,prior to a regulation being put into place. I willalso acknowledge, I guess, the comm entary the min- istermadethatwelcomed the OGC to the WorldWideWeb. Moving away from the Gazette and doing more on the Inter- net— obviously, thatis important.I know we say thatsome- whattonguein cheek.

There’s a lotof information the OGC has already outthere. I work very closely with them, as do citizens in my riding, on this specific issue. We look at the fact that we want to continue promoting this operation in British Columbia, that we want to look atcontinued drilling activity, continued pipeline activity to make sure thatwe have, as the ministersaid, the resource. So whenwe wantto heatourwater, we have the gas there. When we wantto heatourhomes, specifically — for six months a year, it’s been, this winter, up in my partof the world— this Tuesday, April 24, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4181

resource is important. It’s part of our economy, it’s part of society, and we need to ensure thatwe doeverything we can to promote, not hinder, the activity. But this bill, I think, is important — partsof this — as well, because every company thatI talk with, every company that’s doing business in British Columbia,wantsto dowhat’s appropriate as well— lookingoutforthe environment,look- ing out for the peoplein the area and the landowners that have to deal with this activity on their land.

More importantly, we want to ensure that, in a perfect world, I guess, we would never actually need to have the orphan site reclamation fund. Although we’re going to be putting money in there, companies should be doing their due diligence. Companies should be doing the proper reclamation of sites. And they know that. This fund is appropriate in case there are circumstances where thatdoesn’ttake place, butin the forefront,the pur- pose shouldbe for companies to do that work at alltimes. Government expects it.

I would say the companies them- selves expectit.Butmore importantly, again, the publicand the citizens expect, when the work is finished, that proper reclamation takes place. [11:40 a.m.] Again, when thathappens, we actually wouldlook atthe situation, the proper reclamation where the landowners — the farmers, specifically — in the area can then utilizethat land going forward, once a reclamation is finished. I know there probably won’t be a lot of discussions spe- cifically to this bill. It’s something we are going to support— and have questions, though, as I said, forthe ministerduring commi ttee stage.

Again, I justwantto thank the ministerfor bringing this forward. S. Furstenau: The Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2018 improves the managementand restoration of orphan wells in B.C. — not to be confused with Orson Welles,who sounds alotlike this — in order to better protect our province’s environment. Orphan wells are sites thathave been identified by the Oil and Gas Commi ssion as sites of energy, mining and petro- leumactivity whereinthe company responsibleforthe activ- ity is insolvent or unresponsive to contact by the commi s- sion.

Similarly, dormantsites are sites of activity thatare no longerin use. In both these cases, the unused sites can create pollution leaks into the surrounding natural environment, and this pollution, in turn, impactsthe inhabitantsand com- munities nearby. To ensure thatcompanies thatcreate orphan or dormant sites are held accountable for their activities, this act provides better enforcement mechanisms to the commi s- sion.

These enforcementmechanisms include replacing our current tax base funding structure of B.C.’s orphan site reclamation fund with astructure based on funding gleaned from levies against non-compliant companies. To make sure that these companies pay these levies, the commi ssionermay issue and filewith the courta certificate to enforce payment. In this way, there will be increased accountability towards managementof orphan and dormant sites, and in turn, increased accountability towards our environment. This act also makes other notable changes.

It gives the commi ssion authority to limit permit requests if parties associated withthe party applyingforapermithave ahistory of non-compliance. Itprovidesthe commi ssion authority to protect publicsafety in the event of an emergency, and it increases the capacity of the commi ssion to manage heritage resources.Allof these are importantsteps of environmental and comm unity stewardship. Itis essentialthatwe take steps to ensure thatcompanies are as concerned aboutprotecting ournaturalenvironment as we are, and this act does take steps towards that.

The reason the acthas been created, as has been stated by the minister, is to address the downturn in oiland gas prices, which has intensified the Oil and Gas Commi ssion’s need forenforcementtools fororphan and dormantsite manage- ment.We wouldlike to maintain thatregardless of the state of the economy, environmental management is paramount to the health and safety of our province. I have anumberof concerns, both broadand specific,that I’d like to canvass as well, starting with some specificsfrom Bill 15. In

section 43.1, on dormant wells, it is not entirely clear how the new category of dormant wells will relate to the existing category of inactive wells. Dormantwells are to be defined by regulation, but how will proponents’ obliga- tions and rightswith respect to dormant wells differ from those with respectto inactive wells? Whatmustaproponent do to resume activity ata dormantwell?Whatsecurity, for example, musta proponentpostwith respectto a dormant well to resume activity? In

section 43.4, “Liability reduction plan,” there is no obvi- ous reason why a proponent should be able to negotiate reduced shutdown obligations with respect to any wells, because itdoesn’tseem to promote restoration. It’s notclear how reduced shutdown obligations mightrelate to the pro- ponent’s liability.

Section 47, “Orphan site restoration levy,” does notseem to change or enhance the requirementsfor wellrestoration. We wouldlike to see betterstandards or objectives for that restoration.

Section 47(2) doesn’t specify how the overall amount to be raised by the levy willbe determined and whetherthis is atthe discretion of the Oiland Gas Commi ssion board. The act doesn’t provide guidance or mandatory considerations, no minimum annual levy. Without some kind of transpar- ent audit of current conditions, practicesand standards, it wouldbe very difficultto know whetherthis amountwould be adequate. We do see that this determination of the levy isn’tleftto proponents,so that’s on the brightside. Butthere does seem to be some degree of informal negotiation that would be likely. [11:45 a.m.] 4182 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 24, 2018

The amendment doesn’t mandate how the commi ssion willestimate the costof complianceforevery permitheldby every permitholder, so there is no guidance or mandatory considerations, no minimum coststied to industry average restoration cost.However, again, we’re seeing thatit’s notleft entirely to proponents. I look forward to working through these questions and other specific concerns at the commi ttee stage.

A few of the generalomissions and broaderconcerns are: no requirement for proponentsto develop, fund or imple- ment comprehensive and detailed restoration plans across theirportfolios.So if you have apermitholderwith multiple permits,the portfolio, comprehensive restoration plan, isn’t there. So we’d like to look atthatin commi ttee as well. And no imm ediate oradequate penalty forfailure to restore asite. For example, automatically suspending other permits held by a proponentthatfails to adequately restore one site, and they have a permit elsewhere.

The new measures would prohibit affiliated individuals from obtaining new permits. Finally, no required role for FirstNations in defining restoration standards, establishing orphan site restoration levy or conducting restoration. I do have some broaderconcerns with the Oil and Gas Commi ssion generally. There is an inherentconflicthappen- ing when a regulatory agency is tasked with notonly mon- itoring and enforcing compliance in a sector’s development butalso promoting and supporting itseconomic growth. Yet this is the case with the Oiland Gas Commi ssion. Ithas led to some staggering issues in our province.

Underthe Oiland Gas Commi ssion’s watch, forexample, several dozen illegal dams have been built by oil and gas operations. These unauthorized dams violate several pro- vincialregulations, including companies applying for water licences after the dams have already been built, failing to submit engineering plans for structures that store huge amountsof water, failing to ensure proper safety measures are in placeor seismic evaluations completed and failing to adequately consult First Nations. I have seen reportslinking fracking to groundwatercon- tamination and numerous reportsof oldwells continuing to leak methane.

This is apattern of aregulatory body failingto enforceregulations thatare vitalto the health and well-being of B.C.’s citizens and environmentas wellas the public’s trust in this entire sector. Just as the National Energy Board has suffered when it comesto perceptions of transparency, accountability, confid- ence, safety and security, so too has the Oiland Gas Com- mission. A panelof expertsappointed by the federalgovern- mentto review the NationalEnergy Board recomm ended a series of reforms, including separating itsmandate into two distinct agencies.

I think the same shouldbe done with B.C.’s Oiland Gas Commi ssion. As this governmentbringsin reforms to envir- onmentalassessmentand professionalreliance, they should also be looking to reform the Oil and Gas Commi ssion so thatthis body is notsimultaneously promoting and regulat- ing the activities of industry in our province.

This bill, which providesformechanisms to dealwith one problem, shouldbe seen as only a firststep towards greater reforms of the regulation of this industry, reforms thatwill ensure that the citizens of B.C. benefit from the resources thatwe allcollectively own and do notincurthe coststhat should rightly fall to industry. Justa note on the use of gas in B.C., I noted the minister has said thatthe gas goes to heatmostof ourhomes in the province.

In 2016 we saw 56.3 percent of B.C.’s gas go to Alberta, used primarily for oil sands activities there, with 10.7 percentof the gas remaining in B.C., and 33 percentof ournaturalgas exportswentto the U.S. So it’s very import- antto recognize thata lotof ourgas is actually going to the provinceto the eastof us and being used fortarsands activ- ity there. It’s also importantto note thatbetween 2007 and 2016, gas production in this province increased by 72 per- cent,and we saw asignificantdecrease overthattime in rev- enues to the provincial government. I look forward to discussing this bill more in commi ttee. D.

Barnett: I rise today to take my placein the debate on Bill15, Energy, Mines and PetroleumResourcesStatutes Amendment Act, 2018. [11:50 a.m.] If passed, this bill will replacethe existing tax structure with a levy to be paid into B.C.’s orphan site reclamation fund. This is a result of incrediblework done by past gov- ernmentsto ensure that these regimes are predictableand followed. Itis importantwe continue this work here in Brit- ish Columbia. Itis importantwe work to ensure ourenvir- onmentalregulations are some of the strongestin the world.

I am very proud of the fact that here in British Columbia, we have some of the strictestenvironmentalregulations. The orphan site reclamation fund is an example of that work. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Established in 2006, this has been an industry-funded ini- tiative thatensures taxpayers are notliableforthe associated costsof reclamation. The fund is used to decommi ssion wells and restore land, including public,private and government lands.

This has helped build social licence to ensure that we have a plan in placeshouldthe ownerof a wellbecome insolventorthey are unableto be found by the Oiland Gas Commi ssion. This partnership is important, because it provides that certainty which creates and protectsjobs. As globalcitizens, we all have a great responsibility to ensure that British Columbia is leftbetterthan we found it.We owe this to our children, grandchildren and the generations thatfollow. Itis a responsibility thatI know we alltake very seriously in this chamber.

These types of partnerships are important.Itis incumbent on us to ensure they continue into the future. Governments of any stripe must operate in good faith and placeregula- Tuesday, April 24, 2018 British Columbia Debates 4183

tions in placethatgive the publicconfidence, whileensuring they protect our beautiful province. Proponents must also operate in good faith and follow these regulations and good relations that are required to operate in British Columbia. I am proud to have stood in this House and voted many times forlegislation thatis some of the strictestin the world butalso ensures thatcompanieshave the certainty they need to create jobs and invest.

One bill that springs to mind is the Greenhouse Gas IndustrialReporting and ControlAct, which introduced the provincialbenchmark of 0.16 tonnes of carbon dioxide for each tonne of LNG produced, which ensured thatB.C. willhave the cleanestLNG industry in the world. This is an exampleof us looking forward to ensure that we are leaders here in British Columbia. We do notwantto be amongstthe cleanest.We have an objective to be the cleanest. Hon. M. Mungall:I’llmake a coupleof closing remarks before I move ourgoing to commi ttee.

I wish thatthis was the time when schoolkids were up in the gallery, watching how allsidesof the House are talking abouthow important this pieceof legislation is and how much agreementwe have just comm unicated and our overall enthusiasm to get to commi ttee stage, allof us, and getrightinto the nitty-gritty of this billso we can make

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Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20180424am-Hansard-n123
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20180424am Hansard n123
Language	en
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