Second Session, 42nd Parliament

(2021) OFFICIAL REPORT

OF DEBATES

(HANSARD)

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Afternoon Sitting

Issue No. 49

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

CONTENTS

Routine Business

Reports from Committees

Selection Committee, report, April 15, 2021

Hon. M. Farnworth

Motions Without Notice

Powers and role of Finance Committee

Powers and role of Children and Youth Committee

Powers and role of Public Accounts Committee

Hon. M. Farnworth

Orders of the Day

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

Hon. K. Conroy

A. Olsen

P. Alexis

C. Oakes

J. Routledge

B. Stewart

D. Coulter

M. Lee

K. Greene

E. Ross

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

The House met at 1:32 p.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Reports from Committees

SELECTION COMMITTEE

Hon. M. Farnworth: I have the honour to present the interim report of the Special

Committee of Selection for the 2nd session of the 42nd

parliament.

I move that the interim report be taken as read and

received.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. Farnworth: I seek leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the interim

report.

Leave granted.

Hon. M. Farnworth: I move that the interim report be adopted.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. Farnworth: I seek leave to move three motions related to the terms of

reference for three select standing committees. The full text of these

motions has been pro­vided to the two other House

Leaders.

Leave granted.

Motions Without Notice

POWERS AND ROLE OF

FINANCE

COMMITTEE

Hon. M. Farnworth: I move the first motion regarding the Select Standing Committee on

Finance and Government Services:

[That the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government

Services be empowered to:

1. Examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect

to the budget consultation paper prepared by the Minister of Finance in

accordance with

section 2 of the Budget Transparency and

Accountability Act (S.B.C. 2000, c. 23) and, in particular,

to:

a. conduct public consultations across British

Columbia on proposals and recommendations regarding the provincial

budget and fiscal policy for the coming fiscal year by any means the

Committee considers appropriate; and

b. prepare a report no later than November 15, 2021,

on the results of those consultations.

2. Consider and make recommendations on the annual reports,

rolling three-year service plans and budgets of the statutory officers,

namely, the:

i. Auditor General;

ii. Chief Electoral Officer;

iii. Conflict of Interest

Commissioner;

iv. Human Rights Commissioner;

v. Information and Privacy

Commissioner;

vi. Merit Commissioner;

vii. Ombudsperson;

viii. Police Complaint Commissioner;

and

ix. Representative for Children and

Youth.

3. Inquire into and make recommendations with respect to other

matters brought to the Committee’s attention by any of the

aforementioned statutory officers.

That the Committee be designated as the Committee referred to in

sections 19, 20, 21 and 23 of the Auditor General Act (S.B.C.

2003, c. 2) and that the report in

section 22 of the Auditor General

Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2) be referred to the Committee.

That the Committee be designated as the Committee referred to in

sections 47.02 and 47.03 of the Human Rights Code (R.S.B.C.

1996, c. 210).

That, in addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select

Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on

Finance and Government Services be empowered to:

a. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and

to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the

Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers

except the power to report directly to the House;

b. sit during a period in which the House is

adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following

Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient;

and

d. retain personnel as required to assist the

Committee.

That the Committee report to the House as soon as possible; and that

during a period of adjournment, the Committee deposit its reports with

the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the

sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may

be, the Chair present all reports to the House.]

Motion approved.

POWERS AND ROLE OF

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

COMMITTEE

Hon. M. Farnworth: I move the second motion regarding the Select Standing Committee

on Children and Youth:

[That the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth be

empowered to foster greater awareness and understanding among

legislators and the public of the BC child welfare system, including the

specific needs of Indigenous children, youth, families and communities,

and in particular to:

1. Receive and review the annual service plan from the

Representative for Children and Youth (the “Representative”) that

includes a statement of goals and identifies specific objectives and

performance measures that will be required to exercise the powers and

perform the functions and duties of the Representative during the fiscal

year;

2. Be the Committee to which the Representative

reports, at least annually;

3. Refer to the Representative for investigation the

critical injury or death of a child;

4. Receive and consider all reports and plans

transmitted by the Representative to the Speaker of the Legislative

Assembly; and

5. Undertake, pursuant to

section 30(1) of the

Representative for Children and Youth Act , (S.B.C. 2006, c.

29), a comprehensive review of the Act or portions of the Act before

April 1, 2022 to determine whether the functions of the Representative

described in

section 6 are still required to ensure that the needs of

children and young adults as defined in that

section are

met.

That, in addition to the powers previously conferred upon Select

Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on

Children and Youth be empowered to:

a. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and

to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the

Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers

except the power to report directly to the House;

b. sit during a period in which the House is

adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following

Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. conduct consultations by any means the Committee

considers appropriate;

d. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient;

and

e. retain personnel as required to assist the

Committee.

That the Committee report to the House as soon as possible; and that

during a period of adjournment, the Committee deposit its reports with

the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the

sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may

be, the Chair present all reports to the House.]

Motion approved.

POWERS AND ROLE OF

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

COMMITTEE

Hon. M. Farnworth: I move the third motion regarding the Select Standing Committee on

Public Accounts:

[That all reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia

transmitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly be deemed

referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts. For

greater certainty, the following exceptions are provided:

a. the report referred to in

section 22 of the

Auditor General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2) shall be referred

to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services;

and

b. reports of the Auditor General respecting the

Legislative Assembly prepared under the provisions of the

Legislative Assembly Management Committee Act (R.S.B.C.

1996, c. 258) shall be referred to the Legislative Assembly Management

Committee.

That the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts be the

Committee referred to in sections 6, 7, 10, 13 and 14 of the Auditor

General Act (S.B.C. 2003, c. 2).

That, in addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select

Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on

Public Accounts be empowered to:

a. appoint of its number one or more subcommittees and

to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the

Committee and to delegate to the subcommittees all or any of its powers

except the power to report directly to the House;

b. sit during a period in which the House is

adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the next following

Session and during any sitting of the House;

c. adjourn from place to place as may be convenient;

and

d. retain personnel as required to assist the

Committee.

That the Committee report to the House as soon as possible; and that

during a period of adjournment, the Committee deposit its reports with

the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and upon resumption of the

sittings of the House, or in the next following Session, as the case may

be, the Chair present all reports to the House.]

Motion approved.

[1:35 p.m.]

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. Farnworth: I call continued throne speech debate.

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

Hon. K. Conroy: I’ll carry on from where I left off this morning. I was talking about

the resilience of the communities and people across the constituency, and

the appreciation that is expressed for the many available programs that have

been provided.

[N. Letnick in the chair.]

I’ve seen businesses change how things have always been done, and how

they’ve gone online or outside to provide their business. I’ve seen schools

adapt and adjust and continue to provide the incredible learning and

supports that all children need, now more than ever. I’m grateful to the

people that are educating our kids — those teachers, teachers’ aides and the

support people in the school system. You’re all doing an incredible job. So

thank you.

Before I move away from the many deep impacts of COVID, I want to

thank our health care team here in the Kootenays. Interior Health has been

working tirelessly to support, care for and provide necessary medical care

throughout our region. I just don’t think there are enough words to share

our appreciation for all of your efforts. So thank you to you

all.

Our government is committed to providing the highest-quality health

care, and our area is benefiting from this commitment. With much gratitude,

I want to make note of some of these investments.

The Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital, which is based in Trail.

Their emergency department upgrade was finally finished, and it was an

almost $20 million cost that was shared by the province, the West

Kootenay–Boundary regional health district and the Kootenay Boundary

Regional Health Foundation. Even though it’s finished, I haven’t been able

to see it in person — which, in retrospect, is probably a good thing — but I

have had an online tour and heard from many people who have visited, all so

happy with the new emergency department in Trail.

The good news at KBRH continues, as the building of the new ambulatory

care area and the pharmacy are underway. People are really excited about

that as well.

In Nakusp, at the Arrow Lakes Hospital, we have upgrades ongoing for

the expanded emergency department, and the new urgent and primary care

centre in Castlegar has been such a boon to the community. I get lots of

great feedback from people who are using the centre. The communities work to

try to make sure we have doctors in our area, but for those who don’t, they

can access that urgent and primary care centre, and it has been really,

really valuable.

We also have increased dental surgeries at Kootenay Boundary Regional

Hospital for the first time in many, many years. It has been good for people

who don’t have to travel all the way now to Kelowna to get dental

surgeries.

There are also investments and training opportunities for mental

health care workers, support workers and health care assistants, through

Selkirk College.

When it comes to jobs and rural development, this is an area that I

can speak about for quite a while, as there are so many investments in

various sectors. We’ve invested over $2 million in reforestation efforts in

Kootenay West. Over $1 million in FireSmart projects have been done around

Silverton, Nakusp, Rossland and throughout the regional district of

Kootenay-Boundary and the regional district of Central Kootenay. Those are

such important projects to prevent…. We’ve had some pretty terrible

wildfires in the region, and these are really critical projects.

We’ve also invested in Eagle graphite mine. This is a producer of

much-needed graphite, used to produce batteries needed in electric cars.

It’s a zero-impact mine. You know, I toured it, and I didn’t even realize I

was in the minesite. We were standing in the middle of it, and I asked the

tour guide, the fellow leading us through: “When are we going to get there?”

He says: “You’re there.”

It’s just pretty incredible. You’ve got the beautiful Valhalla

mountains on one side, you can look down Slocan Valley on the other, and

you’re in a minesite. It’s pretty amazing. It’s producing graphite that we

all need if we’re going to use electric cars, which are becoming more and

more popular here in the Kootenays. Since innovation in our small rural

areas should be celebrated, I just think this is one that should be

celebrated.

This is also evident in the local industrial circular economy. There

are municipalities and several of our chambers of commerce. Non-profits,

such as The Lift co-work space in Silverton, have got funding, as well as

arts organizations right throughout the constituency.

[1:40 p.m.]

One that I want to mention is Castlegar Sculpturewalk, which has made

Castlegar known internationally as the Sculpture Capital of Canada. We have

sculptures come, every year now, from all across the world — some pretty

incredible sculptures that are on display for people to walk around and see.

It’s outdoors; it’s COVID-friendly. People can appropriately distance.

There’s some pretty amazing artwork to be seen.

The government has also invested almost $500 million to improve

connectivity in our rural areas in collaboration with the Columbia Basin

Broadband Corp. That’s critically important. Especially nowadays, we know

how important connectivity is.

I think it’s really exciting news for our region that the Castlegar

and District Chamber of Commerce has an­nounced their $5 million

expansion for a multi-use building. It’s a huge announcement that means the

chamber will finally be able to move ahead with plans for this new building.

They’ve been developing plans for their dream building for more than eight

years now.

The executive director, Tammy Verigin-Burk, is just so thrilled to see

all of this hard work come to fruition. I want to give kudos to her for her

tenacity. She’s been leading the charge on this project and has just brought

it to where it is today. It’s going to serve as a hub for tourism economic

development.

Besides the chamber, the 7,000-square-foot building will house the

visitor centre, the economic development office, a satellite branch of

Community Futures, and Destination Castlegar. It will also include

co-working spaces, a large collective space for community events or

gatherings, tech-charging stations and office spaces for rent. It will also

be accessible for public use. It will be an L-shaped building that will be

built on the same property as the chamber’s current building and will also

provide outdoor park space, which will be included on the

property.

What I also think is pretty exciting is that the new building will be

built to Passive House certified building standards, one of the few

buildings of this type in western Canada, if not Canada, I believe they were

saying. It’s a leading standard for low-energy-efficient buildings. To meet

the standard, construction uses the passive influences in a building, like

sunshine, shading and ventilation, instead of heating and cooling systems.

It will be coupled with very high levels of insulation and airtightness.

Construction is expected to begin in spring of 2022.

Tammy says that another exciting feature of the building will be the

materials it’s constructed with. They are working with Kalesnikoff Lumber to

include locally manufactured mass timber products in the building, which I

think is incredible and goes along with my ministry’s goal of ensuring that

we have more mass timber products utilized across the province.

So it’s an exciting project, and I’m just so happy that they’ve got

the provincial government, through our CleanBC communities fund, as well as

other funding bodies in the area. It’s just a great project that I want to

give them lots of kudos for.

As a mom of four, a granny of nine and a former early childhood

educator, I really appreciate the increases in child care that our province

has undertaken. You know, our government has invested over $17 million just

in Kootenay West alone. This is huge. We have put back over $5 million —

it’s almost $6 million now — into the pockets of families through reduced

fees and benefits. We’ve created new spaces in Castlegar, in Winlaw, in

Nakusp. There are 47 prototype spaces at Selkirk College. These families pay

no more than $200 a month and $10 a day. We’ve also announced new projects

at Glenmerry Elementary school in Trail, and in New Denver.

I just can’t overstate what these spaces and programs mean to the

families who can now access them. I hear all the time from people that I run

into that are utilizing the services and are so excited for the new ones

coming onstream.

Also, children with extra needs at Kootenay Family Place, my old

stomping grounds. They’re now supported more fully, which is really, really

important. In total, we have supported the creation of over 300 new licensed

child care spaces, just in Kootenay West. I think that’s amazing and well

worth celebrating.

I know we are all really heartbreakingly aware of the impact isolation

has had on many, and with it is an increased need for mental wellness

supports. Many are aware of the free supports and phone lines and virtual

options put in place by our government. These are wonderful and

much-needed.

I also want to acknowledge that much of the grant funding is going to

support the incredible local not-for-profits who do the challenging work of

meeting the needs of people where they need support. These not-for-profits

provide child care, family supports, seniors programming, environmental

work. There are so many things that they do. There are millions of dollars

of support that have been going to the communities because our government

recognizes that people need support not only during the pandemic, but

always.

[1:45 p.m.]

I want to talk a bit about poverty reduction. Our government has

created a solid plan to address poverty called TogetherBC. We continue to

spend money to ensure that it is helping those who need it most. On top of

the many supports available to assist with COVID-related issues, we’ve also

added the biggest-ever increase to those living on disability. This and all

of the other supports are created to have the biggest impact on the largest

amount of people possible. I think when we lift up those who are the most

vulnerable, we all benefit.

When we talk about supports that are needed, we need to talk about

housing. Our government has been working so hard to address the challenges

in the housing market. There is a need for local, affordable housing, and it

can be hard to find. To date we have supported essential housing needs

assessments across the region, and we’ve partnered with the Columbia Basin

Trust to fund affordable units in Slocan, Trail, Rossland, Nakusp and

Castlegar, and more are in the works. B.C. Housing is working hard to

support communities and organizations to solve some of these

problems.

Education has been an area needing support for such a long time. Under

our government and the previous coalition government, we have been able to

increase support significantly. All the school districts have seen increases

in funding, teachers and support staff. There have been school enhancement

funding and upgrades for schools in Trail, Castlegar, Nakusp and New Denver.

In fact, all three school districts in my constituency, school districts 10,

8 and 20, have all had upgrades and additional funding.

Recently we announced the really excellent news that Glenmerry

Elementary in Trail will receive the much-needed funding for a really,

really needed new school. It’s almost doubling the current capacity. People

are very excited about that. And we don’t just stop at the school

infrastructure, but we recognize the need for children to play. So we’ve

also funded new playgrounds in Winlaw and Castlegar Primary. The one at

Castlegar Primary is amazing. Whenever I drive by, I always see kids out

playing on it.

There have also been many new teacher positions funded. Learning

doesn’t just stop at high school. I know our government has made massive

investments in post-secondary. The tech and trades upgrades at Selkirk

College’s Nelson campus are benefiting students right throughout the region

— and all the new funded health care assistant seats, new spaces for web

application development certificates to support the tech industry, more

spaces for early childhood education, additional supports for co-op

opportunities, and mental health care support worker spots that have been

funded. They’ll produce more skilled workers and provide better supports for

those who need them.

Additional funding is also in place for more programs and initiatives,

and all of these encourage strong economic recovery for our region. We’re

also committed to the environment and protecting what makes B.C. and the

Kootenays such a special place to live. We have added land to Syringa Park

and improved its water systems. We’ve deferred logging for huge swaths of

land in the Incomappleux as part of the deferred old-growth areas. I will

talk more about that in a bit.

of trails in the area. In fact, we ran into a fellow out doing his ride on

the wheelchair. He’d come from Victoria because he said it was one of the

best trails that he’d been on. He said they were really hard to find, and he

was having a great day. He said he was spending the week there because he

could go on these trails, and he was totally self-sufficient. He just loved

it.

Also, there was funding for the Kootenay Columbia Trail Society. We

appreciate the space and beauty found in the Kootenays and are working hard

to protect it and develop it in a thoughtful manner that reduces the impact

on other species but also supports tourism, outdoor activities and healthy

interactions.

As a long-term rancher, I really appreciate the investments and

funding through the Canadian agricultural partnership to increase

resilience. We’ve also seen investment into the food hub in Creston and the

Boundary-Trail region. Many of the investments are in neighbouring ridings

and show the collaborative spirit of rural B.C. We all benefit from the

success of one another. Both regional districts in my constituency have

received significant funding for organic waste diversion, with nearly $2

million going towards this project and simultaneously reducing our

greenhouse gas emissions.

I want to touch a bit on my role as the minister responsible for, as

we like to say, all things Columbia — the Columbia Basin Trust, the Columbia

Power Corp. and the Columbia River treaty. First, I want to thank the staff

and board members who are doing such amazing work in the basin, supporting

residents in a way that was hoped for back in 1994, when the trust was

formed.

It’s the 25th anniversary of the trust, and they have published this

beautiful book telling the story of the trust, the basin in the last 25

years. It’s actually an incredible story, and I have to say that there are

very few people in the basin who haven’t been touched in some way by the

good work over the years. I want to acknowledge the vision and persistence

of the provincial and municipal leaders who ensured that this

happened.

[1:50 p.m.]

It all started over discussions of the fact that the Columbia River

treaty was potentially coming up for possible renegotiations by the year

2024. Just to clarify, the Columbia River treaty is an international treaty

signed in 1964 by the Canadian and U.S. governments. It was an agreement to

build three dams — the Hugh Keenleyside, the Duncan and Mica on the Canadian

side of the border and Libby in Montana. This was a way to control floods,

to generate power and to be beneficial to both sides of the

border.

Treaty modernization negotiations started in May 2018, and there’s no

deadline to complete the negotiations. There have been ten sessions to date.

In March 2020, the U.S. presented a framework proposal for modernizing the

treaty. Canada, including B.C., responded in June 2020 with a Canadian

proposal. The U.S. state department hasn’t responded to our proposal. I

think this has quite a bit to do with the fact that they had an election,

there was an interregnum, and their administration is just getting up and

running.

The thing is that our two proposals are pretty far apart with respect

to the key negotiating areas. The province is committed to working towards

achieving a really successful agreement in a timely manner. During

negotiations, treaty topics have included flood risk management, hydro

power, ecosystems, Libby dam coordination, enhanced flexibility and adaptive

management, and other benefits that the U.S. receives as a result of the

treaty.

Both B.C. and Canada have been committed to stren­gthening the

treaty for the benefit of both countries. Since the last negotiation round

in June 2020, the Canadian lead negotiator, Sylvain Fabi, has regularly

reached out to his U.S. counterpart to provide opportunities for further

discussions. We continue to wait, and we hope that those discussions will

carry on soon.

Canada and B.C. continue to work with the Ktunaxa, the Secwépemc and

Syilx/Okanagan Nation, who are leading studies and modelling on ecosystem

functions and Indigenous cultural objectives and performance measures, as

well as making progress on investigating the feasibility of reintroducing

salmon in the Upper Columbia.

We also work closely with the Columbia River treaty local governments

committee, who are doing a lot of work to identify socioeconomic performance

measures that can be incorporated into the modelling of alternative treaty

operations.

It’s an incredible amount of work, and the team that we have is just

amazing. They meet regularly with the residents of the basin and most

recently had a virtual town hall. It was held in February and was attended

by over 200 people. I do want to acknowledge Sylvain as the Canadian lead

and our B.C. lead, Kathy Eichenberger, and all of the staff for the really

excellent work they are doing on our behalf.

I just want to remind folks that there are no politicians at the

bargaining table, only experts in their own field. I just think that’s

really important — to remind people that we need experts there who are going

to be there for the duration and not politicians, who sometimes think in

four-year terms. So on both sides of the border, it’s been really important

to not have politicians at the table. But we’re there to provide support and

advice. I just want to acknowledge our staff who are doing such an

incredible job.

On Monday, when Lieutenant-Governor Janet Austin outlined our

government’s commitments to supporting people, businesses and communities

while working to put the pandemic behind us and build a strong recovery for

everyone…. I recognize the incredible amount of work that has been done but

also that British Columbians have risen to the unprecedented challenges of

COVID-19. They work so hard to keep each other safe, to keep the economy

open and to maintain those vital community links. Keeping people healthy and

safe until we cross that finish line is our collective responsibility.

Government has been there to support individuals, businesses and communities

throughout this pandemic.

As part of B.C.’s $10 billion economic recovery plan, my ministry is

delivering $100 million to the communities that are the backbone of this

province. Funding is flowing throughout B.C., helping communities rebuild

through job creation and infrastructure and economic development. This week,

for example, we announced $11 million for over 220 jobs in the natural

resource youth employment program and the recreation sites and trails

program. But we know we have to do more to help hard-hit sectors recover, to

create good jobs while protecting the environment and to ensure this

province comes back even stronger.

[1:55 p.m.]

The throne speech also recognized that too often economic growth in

this province has come at the expense of the environment. Shifting this

paradigm is a priority of this government. We can no longer rely on just

resource extraction to generate wealth without thinking of the long-term

consequences.

We are committed to taking on environmental challenges that were just

neglected for too long, including in the forestry sector. This year we will

continue the work of reforming the Forest Act and the Forest and Range

Practices Act to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Updating forest policy and legislation will address the increasing

pressures from climate change, cumulative effects and changing societal

values. It will help secure a sustainable future for forest companies,

Indigenous peoples, forest workers, their families and forest-dependent

communities.

The throne speech also affirmed our intention to take action on old

growth. This issue has long divided British Columbians, but one thing both

sides have agreed on is that the old way of protecting old-growth forests

just wasn’t working for anyone.

In a break from the divisive practices of the past, we will ensure

government-to-government discussions with Indigenous nations are a priority

and engage the full involvement of industry, workers, communities and

environmental groups to find a way forward on old growth. We’ll continue to

implement the recommendations of the independent panel on old growth,

including new protections for old-growth stands not already protected. We

are committed to doing things differently to protect vital old-growth stands

while supporting workers and communities.

You know, I started my career in the forest sector. I worked in the

pulp mill in Castlegar. I want my children to be able to find

family-supporting work in forestry, if they choose. Just a fun fact: last

month my oldest granddaughter worked the shutdown at the pulp mill that I

worked in. That makes four generations of our family that have worked in

that pulp mill: my dad, her great-grandpa; me; her mom worked in the pulp

mill for a while; and now her. So I think that’s pretty cool.

If they want to, if all of them choose to work in the forestry sector,

I want to make sure we have a forestry sector. But I also want them to be

able to see old-growth trees growing in a forest, not just to be able to

look at pictures in a history book. I think that’s critically important. We

have to make sure that we keep that front and centre all the

time.

Monday’s speech outlined the new measures that will be proposed to

increase access to fibre for First Nations, small businesses and

communities. For the industry to create family-supporting jobs in rural

communities, we need to get more from less. Our government wants to make

sure fibre is getting to manufacturers who can add more value and create

more jobs as a result.

Protecting and creating jobs for workers and communities is a

priority. A balanced and diverse forest sector must support B.C. jobs but

also our commitments to the environment. We will update land management

practices to improve stewardship of forests and emphasize environmental

protection. We’ll support the forest sector to move from volume to value as

a key element of a revitalized B.C. forest industry. The shift to

value-added will help people by creating sustainable forestry jobs right

across B.C.

We know that a strong dimensional lumber sector is crucial to our

industry, but we have seen our industry become more consolidated and less

diverse. A 21st-century forest sector will be a mix of large industry and

independent manufacturers selling a range of products at home and around the

globe. That diversity will help shield the province from market

downturns.

To protect B.C.’s environment, we will build on actions we’ve already

taken. This includes our plan for the conservation and stewardship of B.C.’s

wildlife and Together for Wildlife strategy. We’ll continue to work with

neighbouring jurisdictions to develop and invest in new strategies to better

protect our shared wildlife and habitat corridors.

Now, the throne speech underscored our commitment to build on our

efforts to combat climate change. This includes the 300 million trees we

planted last year, with another 300 million trees planned for this year.

Last year they did it without a single case of COVID. And you know what the

conditions are like; they’re in camps. That is so impressive.

Congratulations to the silviculture industry and the workers, the people who

are really committed to ensuring that we can plant — that we planted 300

million trees and will again plant more. Tree planting contributes natural

solutions to climate change. It reduces risks of flooding and landslides in

areas deforested by wildfires.

The speech also reiterates our commitment to CleanBC to achieve a more

sustainable economic future. We will champion innovation in the forest

sector that aligns with CleanBC objectives and improves sector efficiency.

Mass timber is an excellent example of a forest product that is creating

jobs while reducing carbon emissions. Just last week the province announced

plans to speed the adoption of mass timber buildings with funding for

research and demonstration projects right across the province.

[2:00 p.m.]

We’re in the third wave of COVID-19, and we have some hard weeks

ahead. But as vaccines are delivered, we are starting to see a glimmer of

light. I can’t wait to get mine. I’m booked for the end of the month. I am

looking forward to it.

We must emerge from this a stronger province — a province that takes

care of its people and a province that takes care of its environment. The

government will continue to walk the path of reconciliation with the

Indigenous People of B.C. so that everyone can share in the prosperity of

this land. We will build an economy that not only works for every one of us

but also as responsible stewards of our natural resources.

A. Olsen: I’m thankful for the opportunity to stand in the chamber here and

speak to the Speech from the Throne.

There is a theme that I’m hearing from this government and from

responses to the Speech from the Throne that I think has a problematic sense

of exceptionalism at its core. I will challenge the notion that this B.C.

NDP government is exceptional, starting with this throne speech that is at

best mediocre.

The attempt to perpetuate the idea of B.C. NDP exceptionalism is

established immediately in the narrative, that because we were the first

jurisdiction to legislate the declaration on the rights of Indigenous

People, we are now the shining beacon of decolonization and reconciliation.

This is the story that I fear many members of the B.C. NDP are telling

themselves, even as they use the levers of this Crown government, empowered

by the pomp and protocol of this chamber, to divide Indigenous people and

turn us against ourselves so those same members can satisfy their need for

complete and total control.

It would be incorrect for me to suggest that nothing has changed. As

I’ve said many times, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Act is an important step forward. But just because we have taken a step

forward, it’s incorrect to assume that all is well. This is a journey with

no end.

I’m thankful that this government opened this throne speech by

acknowledging the Indigenous people who have survived this exceptional

colonial experiment that we call British Columbia. As I hear SENĆOŦEN, the

language of my ancestors, reawakened at

ȽÁU,WELṈEW school, the place of

refuge for our W̱SÁNEĆ children, I’m

grateful for the investments of this government to support Indigenous

language revitalization, although I remain deeply disappointed with how

little action has been taken by this government to help Indigenous people

rescue those ancestors who still lie in museum basements and the countless

sacred ceremonial items that sleep in the drawers and cupboards or have

become spectacles of display for undiscerning eyes.

As the government opens this edition of the throne speech with a land

acknowledgment and grounds it in the actions they have taken toward

reconciliation, they paint an incomplete picture. The Crown mistreatment and

overt manipulation of Indigenous people in this province continues daily.

The Crown is now represented by this B.C. NDP government. This institution

was not established to benefit all British Columbians equally.

Let’s not kid ourselves. This institution was established to liquidate

the natural assets of the territories that we acknowledge in this place, on

behalf of that Crown. As a result, the decisions that have been made in this

chamber reflect that purpose. The bias, discrimination and racism are deeply

rooted in the foundation of this government. That’s why I will not accept

empty platitudes.

As I see the current actors in this legislative theatre reading from

scripts of the first governors of the colony, and later the province, I

recognize the great distance that we have yet to travel. When the lawyers of

our province continue to make archaic and disturbing arguments, still framed

in the doctrine of discovery and terra nullius , like they are with

Nuchatlaht, or when they continue to drag Douglas treaty–protected hunters

before the courts in an attempt to win past losses, let’s not get too lost

in these celebrations.

[2:05 p.m.]

What brings me the greatest sadness in my spirit is when I see the

actions of the people in this chamber exploit their authority to agitate

Indigenous people to turn against each other. The divide-and-conquer tactics

should be remnants of the past and should not be perpetuated by a government

claiming to have turned a page on reconciliation or who have staked a claim

to a progressive position on the high moral ground.

When the people in this chamber, who have all the power and access to

all the financial resources, will only negotiate with a colonial governance

construct created in the Indian Act, ignoring the legitimate, ancient

Indigenous governance bodies that have evolved over centuries so they can

continue the colonial project painted on the panels of the rotunda just

outside the doors of this chamber, I am reminded to judge actions, not

words.

The acts we must reconcile are those of the people who sat in the

seats here in the past that unilaterally moved Indigenous families from one

community to another to deliberately sow seeds of discontent, cut land

allocations into fractions, removed children from their parents, forcing

them to go to residential and day school, and turned a blind eye to the

thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women and children.

All of this is to say only the few steps the government has taken so

far to reconcile with Indigenous people should be applauded. However, that

applause should not be misconstrued as a free pass or that we have

accomplished much. Indeed, they have set even higher expectations of the

Crown than we had before.

Unfortunately, from my experience working with this administration,

I’m at conflict. Either I’m witnessing an unwillingness to learn and change

from one land and governance dispute to the next, or we have an

administration who feels empowered to say one thing and do

another.

This notion of B.C. NDP exceptionalism is further entrenched in the

stories being told about our response to the first wave of the COVID-19

pandemic, whereby a series of fortunate circumstances elevated British

Columbia to rock star status. Despite the third wave exposing us as rather

ordinary, we still hear, in most answers to questions about our COVID-19

response, a desire to cast back to when people thought British Columbia was

exceptional.

I understand the challenge this government is facing with respect to

the COVID-19 global pandemic. It has disrupted all aspects of our lives,

including the regular work that we do in this chamber. I find the government

communications plan over the past year confusing. Frankly, this government

embraced that first-wave-exceptionalism storyline for much longer than it

should have. I understand that there was no playbook. But for the past year,

we’ve been building a playbook, and it feels like this government is

unwilling to use the plays that have proven to work in other

jurisdictions.

We saw in the throne speech a weak attempt at a sports analogy. I

don’t agree that we should compare what we are facing with COVID-19 to a

marathon. I get it. Marathons are difficult, and they’re exhausting. But

that’s about as far as you can go with that analogy.

For example, marathoners train. They compete within very clear

parameters. The course and the distance have been determined. The finish

line is clearly marked. With all of those parameters established, a

marathoner manages their energy supply. They plan when and how much to

expend and conserve. They know the final push is the final push, and they

also have the certainty that the finish line is not going to move with

little or no notice or that a previously unforeseen hill won’t pop up in the

middle of the final stretch. Success for a marathoner doesn’t rely on

unreliable external forces like vaccine suppliers and federal or foreign

governments.

[2:10 p.m.]

It’s premature to suggest to British Columbians that we are near the

end. We are where we are and not one step ahead of that. In fact, I’d hoped

the government communications had learned the lesson of suggesting we are

further ahead than we are, when the Premier talked about seeing the end just

in sight. One week later, our public health officials began implementing new

restrictions, because we were clearly in a third wave.

Yes, we all need hope.

When we see unmasked New Zealanders enjoying America’s Cup on the

beach, we envy them. We wish we had the opportunities that they had. The

concept of B.C. NDP exceptionalism is now embedded in how they market

British Columbia to the world — “Come visit super, natural British Columbia”

— even as they allow for the continued degradation of ecosystems and the

incredible natural spaces that make B.C. special.

The waters of the Salish Sea once bubbled with salmon waiting for

their run up the Fraser. Where biodiversity once thrived, we now see species

going extinct due to a pockmarked landscape from runaway resource

extraction. While the B.C. NDP were claiming to change the approach, they

ramped up the status quo. There is no mention in this throne speech of

biodiversity, of endangered species or of any commitment to take action to

reverse the decline. When asked about our mandate to protect the last

remaining intact, monumental, high-productivity old-growth ecosystems, the

Minister of Forests relies on talking points from another generation, uses

spin to frustrate and confuse and actually shows a general disdain for even

having to discuss the topic.

To illustrate the dire situation in another way: would any member of

this chamber, on either side, support a trophy hunt of an endangered

species? Remember when we used to harpoon and capture the southern resident

killer whales? Thankfully, that ended decades ago. But would any member of

this Legislature dare participate in an orca hunt? Probably not.

However, this is essentially what we are doing when the government is

allowing the destruction of the last remaining intact, high-productivity

old-growth forests. These fragile and endangered ecosystems are the orcas of

the forests. Not only do we sanction the devastation of the most ancient

living beings on our planet; we profit from it. And there is a department in

this government that is actively working to auction and sell the proceeds of

that activity.

To provide a little more insight into the perspective that I bring to

this, when my W̱SÁNEĆ relatives refer to

the orca, KELL̵OLEMEĆEN , or the

ancient cedar, XPȺ , they do so

from a perspective of kinship. They are our relatives. So no matter how you

spin it, whether you’re harvesting an endangered orca or an intact,

high-productivity old-growth ecosystem, no matter how you’ve separated the

two in your mind, to me they are the same.

British Columbians do not want passing references to a panel report

that this government seemingly has little interest in actually implementing.

They want to see real action to protect these endangered ecosystems, and

they want to see it now. Reforms in our forestry legislation, promised for

the last couple of years — FRPA and the forest acts — are necessary and

overdue, and I’m glad that the government mentioned those reforms. However,

it remains to be seen how far the government is willing to go to restore

some balance in our forestry policy and ensure that communities are

benefiting, but also that we’re protecting those ancient and sacred

places.

We hear this B.C. NDP exceptionalism at the core of the rhetoric

driving the response to climate change. We often hear the B.C. NDP pat

themselves on the back when they refer to CleanBC as North America’s leading

climate action plan. They just as often fail to recognize the significant

investment of time and energy that the B.C. Green caucus expended in making

sure that that plan had substance. Throughout the entire process, our staff

and MLAs had to push the NDP. We had to push them for sectoral targets. We

had to push them for legislated accountability.

[2:15 p.m.]

When the Minister of Environment needed time and space to find all the

sources of emissions he needed to account for to ensure we meet our

legislated greenhouse gas reductions, we gave the minister that time and

space. Even then, four months ago, the 18- to 24-month timeline expired, and

the minister continues to languish on this matter. We’ve got a plan, but

unfortunately it seems there is not the political will to meet

it.

At the same time, this government is handing out billion-dollar,

taxpayer-funded subsidies to multinational fracking and LNG corporations to

extract and export climate-destroying fossil fuels. Just when we thought we

could not offer much more to the industry, the Premier stands and lets

British Columbians know that the cheque is blank for Site C. So far, that is

another cool $16 billion investment in a project to produce the electricity

promised to those fossil fuel companies. It is clear the Premier and his

cabinet will not stop, no matter the cost to the B.C. Hydro ratepayer, to

the British Columbia taxpayer, to Indigenous cultures, to the environment

and to agricultural land.

Finally, to top it all off, if you’re wondering just how committed the

B.C. NDP is in their efforts to render CleanBC meaningless, one of their

former cabinet ministers from the 1990s is a key B.C. NDP spokesperson on a

local radio panel. He’s not only a registered lobbyist for an LNG company

but also lobbies on behalf of the wood pellet industry, hoping to turn

entire forests into wood pellets.

While the B.C. NDP has offered some tidbits of good news, what they

have offered is simply not good enough. This throne speech lacks a vision,

leaving us at risk of more of the same chaotic, responsive governance,

rather than a coherent, proactive plan that they could put in place now that

they have a majority.

The NDP wanted a majority — indeed, sending British Columbians to the

polls early, in the middle of a pandemic, to get one. You would expect that

they would be able to roll out, very shortly after, an ambitious agenda that

they felt that they needed to have all the power in order to accomplish and

deliver on behalf of British Columbians. But we’re not seeing that in this

speech. Instead, we’ve seen some of them excitedly embrace the tired,

generational finger-pointing with their old foes — the B.C.

Liberals.

There is one single paragraph on mental health and addictions in this

throne speech. It does not convey the desperate sense of urgency British

Columbians would expect from a government who has lost more than 7,000

citizens to a toxic drug supply and a mental health crisis. This is the

other public health crisis in this province, and it is now five years

old.

This provincial government continues to drag its heels on ensuring

that psychiatric services are available as part of our universal health care

system. There is still a desperate need for the minister to clearly

articulate a plan to address the institutional bias, discrimination and

judgment of those suffering from a mental health crisis when they present

themselves at one of our health care facilities. This is not good enough. I

expect to hear a thoughtful approach to changing the culture in those

facilities very soon.

I am excited to hear that the government intends to continue working

to enhance the tech and innovation sector and their focus on building a more

robust shipbuilding sector on the British Columbia coast. As the B.C. Green

caucus has been saying for the past four years, these economic sectors

provide British Columbia a clear pathway out of our reliance on the

extractive industries.

However, this throne speech did little to demonstrate that this

government has much of an economic vision, other than the reactive approach

we have witnessed over the past months. We need to hear how they will use

important mechanisms that were in place under CASA, like the innovation

commissioner and an Emerging Economy Task Force, which offered a road map

and a plan for creating a brighter future through a modern approach to

economic development.

[2:20 p.m.]

I’m thrilled that the government will invest in hiring more people to

work in long-term seniors care. It is the passing statement about fixing the

cracks exposed by COVID-19 that caught my attention. What does this mean? Is

the government willing to change the for-profit model? Are they willing to

require operators to make their financial audits public so we can see how

they’re spending public money to determine the value that we’re receiving?

Will they create better oversight, stricter enforcement?

The seniors advocate has been asking for this for more than a year. We

believe that we need to move away from the model of seniors care that relies

on for-profit companies to deliver services. Yet it appears the B.C. NDP is

unwilling to consider this direction.

In the reference to improving health care, many people waiting for a

surgery will be happy to hear that reforms are on the way to shorten wait

times. What caught my attention was what is missing. Where is the emphasis

on primary care networks and team-based care? The Health Minister has been

transitioning his language over time and now seems completely invested in

urgent and primary care centres.

Primary care networks and urgent and primary care centres are not the

same. We do not need bigger walk-in clinics. Thousands of my constituents,

who are without primary care — a family doctor — have been waiting for the

province to provide them an option to develop a relationship with a health

practitioner or a team of health practitioners. We continue to be

underserved by the urgent care model, and it must be noted that the shift in

focus has been controversial, causing a great deal of concern among family

doctors in my riding and beyond.

Few words were offered in this throne speech on housing and the

homelessness crisis in our province. The housing market is causing

tremendous concern in my community. The Gulf Island communities are

struggling to remain sustainable. Many of their essential workers, like

police officers and health care workers, cannot afford to live there. There

is a great deal of turmoil in communities to provide adequate housing and

supports. There is fear and sadness.

We are not just challenged by a shortage of supply. We cannot build

our way out of this crisis. While building units for the missing middle is

one necessary step — and I fully support it — what is needed are aggressive

measures to cool this housing market. It’s out of control. Real estate is

sold before it even hits the market.

This government needs to acknowledge that our reliance on the revenue

generated by real estate transactions is dangerous, and that until the

Minister of Finance addresses this, the government’s unhealthy reliance on

this revenue, no matter what we do, will not be good enough. Our government

is too interested in the profits generated by an inflated real estate

market.

With respect to the almost nonexistent comments on public education,

it is far from good enough to think that referencing a one-time, $290

million investment to support school districts to comply with COVID-19

public health measures is good enough. I’m thankful that the government will

continue making investments, as it says in the throne speech, but let’s be

clear: because this government is not providing enough funding to the public

education system, they’re forcing school districts like Victoria to propose

cutting educational assistants and band programs. I’ve heard enough B.C. NDP

members celebrating the arts this week in this chamber to see how they feel

cutting music and arts programs is in any way acceptable.

In addition, teachers and support staff have been asking the

government for more and stronger protection against COVID-19. The response

has been slow, they have been introduced with reluctance, and their concerns

have lar­gely been silenced and ignored.

I’m grateful that the B.C. NDP are considering developing an

anti-racism act, as we’ve seen this provincial institution struggling with

addressing systemic bias, discrimination and racism that exists in every

part of government. However, it is not the B.C. NDP’s responsibility to

solve this problem alone. In fact, this work is best done across government

by all parties in this Legislature.

[2:25 p.m.]

The result of this legislation, the legislation that is on the floor,

needs to be acceptable by all parties in this House. I challenge the

government to facilitate the development of this legislation through an

all-party select standing committee. Please make this a collaborative and

inclusive process.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent the amazing communities

of W̱SÁNEĆ, Saanich North and the

islands. The people I represent are passionate, outspoken people. They’re

engaged and participate in British Columbia politics unlike any other riding

in this province. I will continue to work with this government in addition

to embracing my role as a member of the opposition, demanding this

government be more accountable and more transparent.

So with that, as I take my seat, I will say to my constituents and,

indeed, to all British Columbians this: I do actually believe that we are an

exceptional place. I, like my W̱SÁNEĆ

ancestors before me, believe that I live in and represent the centre of the

universe. It is my sincere hope that we do not take this exceptional place

and the exceptional advantages and the exceptional people who live here for

granted. Let’s acknowledge our exceptionalism, but let’s keep it in

perspective.

P. Alexis: Today I want to acknowledge that I am speaking to you from the

traditional territories of the Lək̓ʷəŋin̓əŋ people, the Songhees and

Esquimalt First Nations.

It is my privilege and honour to rise and speak to the throne speech,

opening the 2nd session of the 42nd parliament of the province of British

Columbia — a session that began with the prayer and reflection from Elder

Butch Dick of the Songhees Nation.

What an honour it was to be here in person to hear Elder Dick as we

returned to our work here serving the people of British Columbia. I haven’t

heard the sound of the drum in person for many months. I must say it brought

me great comfort, in that we can begin the good work that needs to be done.

It is, therefore, with great pleasure that I rise to support this speech and

acknowledge it for what it is: a reflection of what has passed this year and

a promise for what lies ahead.

First, however, I want to thank my hard-working staff, my friends and

my extended family, all of whom have supported me during this unprecedented

time. I also want to thank the constituents who have reached out with

questions, concerns, and, yes, even complaints. It not only keeps my team

and me grounded, it reminds us of the importance of connection to the people

we represent. If we can’t meet in person, the phone calls and emails remind

us there are people out there who are counting on us, and, of course, we

can’t forget the Zoom calls too.

Before going into politics, I wore many hats, one of which was working

as a passionate educator. As I’m sure you know, education is not limited to

classrooms and schools. It’s a lifelong pursuit and one we owe ourselves to

pursue. Nowhere is that more true than in politics. I think it’s safe to say

we all have had to learn a lot this past year. More than anything, I learned

that my journey, like so many of my colleagues, well prepared me for the

challenge of this pandemic.

[S. Chandra Herbert in the chair.]

These skills — the willingness to collaborate, knowing how to seek out

and engage with others, knowing how to really listen — laid the groundwork

for a government equipped not only with legislative acumen to face this

crisis, but empathy. Each of us in this government understand that the

decisions we make as public servants have far-reaching impacts on our

communities and our society. Politics is about the importance of connecting

with others. During this pandemic and this strange, awful year, we have

missed those regular connections more than ever.

It’s an old adage in politics that you should never let a crisis go to

waste. What I mean by that is it’s an opportunity to do things you thought

you couldn’t do before. For example, just this week, while meeting with B.C.

Rural Health Network, they acknowledged that the solutions to pandemic

challenges had expedited some of those long-standing concerns, including

providing the virtual delivery of services.

[2:30 p.m.]

Even as we navigate the end of this pandemic, we have confidence and

optimism for what lies ahead, thanks to the groundbreaking and visionary

decisions we’re making now. However, we cannot move forward without ensuring

the highest standards of public safety we can deliver.

On Monday, the Minister of Health announced that eligible age cohorts

had been bumped up, meaning more British Columbians can register to get

their COVID-19 vaccine. The province will continue to deliver two streams of

vaccines: one age-based program with Pfizer and Moderna and a second program

with AstraZeneca, delivered through pharmacies for people age 55 to

People who get their first vaccine dose will be notified by email,

text, or phone call when they’re eligible to book an appointment for their

second dose. Right now, more than one million British Columbians have

received their first dose of vaccine, with thousands more being added to the

list each day. The largest-ever immunization program in B.C.’s history is

ahead of

schedule and is being aided by 1,400 former tourism and hospitality

workers who were trained to work in mass vaccination clinics.

I received my first vaccination shot last week, and I admit to having

an emotional moment as the needle hit my arm. This has been an overwhelming

year, and as I watched the pharmacist gently push the plunger — I might have

averted my eyes for a moment — I felt a quiet elation, knowing that I and so

many others are finally one step closer to putting this awful, awful year

behind us.

I want to thank the pharmacist not only for assisting me, but also for

the care and empathy he showed everyone there that afternoon. He patiently

answered all of our questions, questions he had no doubt been asked a

thousand times before. He took his time with each person, as if recognizing

that this was more than a simple medical procedure for all of us involved.

He displayed a grace, humility and kindness that I believe to be emblematic

of all the workers on the ground, moving this province closer and closer to

our post-pandemic time.

I believe our government’s throne speech is an extension of that duty

of care. We have come a long way by looking out for each other, and we can

finally see the finish line in sight, but as we know, this last push will be

the most demanding. The threat of new variants means we cannot let down our

guard, not when we’re this close to the end.

The throne speech highlighted concrete actions this government will

take over the next year to ensure that B.C. comes back from the pandemic

stronger and more resilient. It’s our commitment that even in the face of

crisis, there is opportunity for us all.

Those actions include: improving health care, so B.C. is better

prepared for future challenges by addressing cracks in long-term care that

COVID-19 has exposed; reducing surgery wait times; building more hospitals

and urgent primary care centres in every part of British Columbia; making

life more affordable through changes to ICBC that will cut car insurance

rates by 20 percent; expanding access to $10-a-day child care spaces; and

investments to help get thousands of missing middle and supportive housing

rental homes built throughout the province.

As an example, in my riding, crucial work in housing is underway. In

Abbotsford, which is establishing itself as an extraordinary example for

supportive housing, we have four affordable housing projects, with more on

the way. The district of Mission has partnered with B.C. Housing, the

Mission Association for Seniors Housing and the Mission seniors community

association to see the construction of 74 affordable housing units for

vulnerable seniors.

More actions include: supporting businesses with grants to help them

build or expand online stores and by introducing legislation to support the

operations of InBC’s strategic investment fund, which will help promising

B.C. firms scale up and keep jobs here at home; building more inclusive

communities by developing B.C.’s first antiracism law; reforming the

outdated Police Act; and introducing landmark legislation to remove barriers

disabilities.

[2:35 p.m.]

As an aside, in Mission and Abbotsford, I’m proud to say we have

secured investments in antiracism projects for Archway Community Services,

the Reach Gallery, the Mission Arts Council and the Kara-Kata Afrobeat

Society of Canada, all of which will bring unique community-based programs

to celebrate arts, culture and wellness.

Other actions include protecting the environment by reforming forestry

legislation to meet the challenges of the 21st century; continuing to take

action on recommendations to protect old-growth stands and improving waste

management for plastics; and bridging the digital divide by investing in

boosting digital connectivity in rural, remote and Indigenous communities,

building on the progress made to bring better Internet to thousands of

households around the province.

Where we have perhaps felt the biggest strain through COVID is the

loss of connectivity, of community. That’s why, through the pandemic, we

ensured that local governments could continue providing services and keep

the people who provide those services working. As we turn towards recovery,

investing in stronger communities will be a key priority, and our training

programs and community benefits agreements will ensure that these

investments support good job creation where it’s needed most.

Crucially, the upcoming budget will outline how we will make record

investments in infrastructure to keep people and our economy moving, through

roads, bridges and rapid transit as well as schools, hospitals and community

centres that will continue being built across the province. In my riding of

Abbotsford-Mission, an estimated 40 percent of its workers are in the

trades. Infrastructure projects like the ones we have planned keep those

people working and keep our communities and local economies

moving.

Even in the face of these commitments to the people of British

Columbia, the Premier faces criticisms and attacks in an attempt to

undermine not only his judgment but his leadership. To those who offer

nothing but cynicism and anger with no solutions, nothing constructive, I

say only this: there is no progress without hope, and there is no future

without vision.

Later this month we will introduce a new budget that will improve

health care, help businesses grow and hire, and make record investments in

infrastructure. That budget will lay out our post-pandemic vision, and it is

the one that will bring B.C. back as not only an economic leader and

inspiration but a community and family one.

Many small businesses had to make the tough decisions to close or

reduce services to protect their workers and customers. From the outset, our

government made it clear we would help small businesses and their employees

get through it. Early on, we cut property taxes, prohibited commercial

evictions and forgave hydro bills. We introduced tax incentives for

businesses to hire workers and make new investments. In the year ahead, we

will continue to support businesses that have been the hardest hit by the

pandemic while we build towards a more innovative, sustainable and inclusive

economic future.

Our record investments in infrastructure will help support a resilient

and sustainable economic recovery by putting people to work and helping

businesses get products to market. Our investments in affordable housing and

child care are part of our economic development strategy be­cause we

recognize that both help businesses attract and retain talent by lowering

the costs of living.

When COVID-19 first struck, our government also moved quickly to

provide relief for renters, middle-class families, hard-hit small businesses

and the most vulnerable. Indeed, B.C. has delivered more direct help for

people throughout the pandemic than any other province in Canada. We make

these investments because we serve all the people in British Columbia, not

just the wealthy and the powerful.

[2:40 p.m.]

We recognize that a government can move quickly in service to its

people and that a healthy, safe population goes hand in hand with a healthy

bottom line. We, in this government, value people and prosperity.

COVID has forced us to reflect on what we truly value as individuals

and as a society. As elected officials, we are tasked with meeting our

constituents’ present needs, but with one eye on the future. There is no

crystal ball in this chamber to show us what lies ahead, but we’ve earned

some optimism thanks to our decisions and the help that we’ve

delivered.

When I speak to people in my riding, yes, there’s fear and sometimes

frustration and sometimes even anger. But there’s also immense gratitude.

Every Saturday evening I make a point of visiting a different restaurant in

my riding. I speak to the staff, the manager and, if they’re there, the

owners. I’ve heard their stories, ranging from the tragic to the heroic, all

of which will be very hard to forget.

One owner was kind enough to share his experience with the

government’s assistance for his business. He was delighted that his

accountant was fully up to speed and ready to connect him with the business

recovery program on such short notice and thanked me for our

efforts.

I met with another restaurant owner just recently who had reached out,

frustrated and angry, seeking assistance. Help was on its way. Our circuit

breaker support program was up and running in six business days. I sent him

the online link, and he responded immediately with a heartfelt thanks and a

confirmation that he had registered.

Anecdotal as these examples may be, they prove that even in the face

of this crisis, our government can and has moved quickly. Necessity may very

well be the mother of invention, but government work is not always known for

its speed. We’ve put that notion to rest.

My constituents ask tough questions too. They want not only answers

but assurance that there is an end of this in sight. They know it’s still

dark now, but they want to know who has their backs as we face the dawn. I’m

proud to stand here with a government that I believe really listens to those

stories. I’m proud to say: “We’ve got your backs.”

C. Oakes: It is truly an honour to join the Legislature virtually, in this

House, and to represent the views of the hard-working men and women living

in Cariboo North. The riding of Cariboo North is an extraordinary part of

British Columbia with a rich history and diverse communities. The riding is

actually larger than Vancouver Island and, like so many of our rural

ridings, covers large geographical areas.

While we may not have the urban population base, I believe if one was

to evaluate the economic and the social contributions — if we were to look

at the revenue generated by these rural ridings for the province, which

really has such a strong impact on the services that so many British

Columbians count on, whether we consider health care, education, the social

network — the entire population of British Columbia benefits so much from

the contributions of rural ridings like Cariboo North. I feel it is

important to acknowledge that contribution and recognize them here

today.

I’ve previously mentioned in this House…. Mr. Speaker, I know that you

have heard me talk about what an amazing place Moose Heights was to live in,

the community that I grew up in. Many moved into the area in the 1930s, on

homesteading grants. For my family, it was a journey in the 1800s from

Minnesota and Nebraska up to Weta­skiwin, in Alberta.

[2:45 p.m.]

Then during the Dust Bowl years and into the Depression, they moved

into Fort Langley and the Lower Mainland until, finally, they arrived in the

Cariboo in 1933 on a homestead grant. They were provided a tent and a cow

and 160 acres. I think often of my great-grandparents, Allan and Ida Oakes,

who moved to the Cariboo around the same age that I am today. I think of the

enormous task at hand for them of clearing the land and building up the

farm, the house, the horse barn, the blacksmith shop, the granary —

everything that we have benefited from as a family for so many years, so

many generations.

Then, of course, with my family’s strong desire and need, knowing how

important it was to have a school in Moose Heights, my great-grandfather

turned his attention to donating land and lumber to ensure that our

community had a school. I raise my incredible pride in the community of

Moose Heights because it is like so many of the communities in Cariboo

North. I could talk so proudly of the people and the communities across the

region.

Again, the riding is the size of many European countries. It has taken

me many years as the MLA to learn about the uniqueness of the people and the

communities that I am so proud to represent. Each of the communities has

such different, diverse needs and challenges. I come virtually to this

Legislature understanding the enormous responsibility of ensuring my

constituents’ voices are heard and that the Legislature and government

understand what is happening in our communities. The people of my riding, my

communities, have sacrificed so much for the privileges that we all are so

blessed to have today.

Last month the community of Moose Heights lost one of our pioneers,

Douglas Charles Mighton. I want to take a moment to pay tribute and to

honour Doug’s sacrifice. Doug moved to the Cariboo with his family in 1931

and at the age of 17 enlisted in the Canadian army and went overseas to

serve our country. Wounded twice, with notices of “Missing in action” sent

home to his family, Doug saw active combat in Italy, the Netherlands and

Germany. Doug, like so many of his generation, sacrificed so much to ensure

that we have the protected democratic freedoms that we all are privileged to

have today. Lest we forget.

I’ve spent a lot of time during this pandemic reflecting on the

sacrifices that people have and continue to make. At the risk of leaving any

one group or individual out, let me just say, from the bottom of my heart,

thank you to all who have made such extraordinary sacrifices. In my

reflection of Doug and so many who sacrificed so much during, for example,

World War II, who we have recently lost and have been unable to gather

together to celebrate and share their stories and recognize what they’ve

contributed to our communities, I think it’s important in this Legislature

to think of the values and the principles that they were fighting

for.

It’s the principle of democracy and how during those very dark days

during the war, we as Canadians drew great comfort in the pillars of our

constitution, understanding that we had checks and balances, safeguards and

protections and oversight in place. I know that our strength in times of

crisis is to hold dear our democracy and constitutional conventions and

policies and procedures that the public know and can have comfort

in.

What does my reflection on democracy have to do with this throne

speech and the vision that the government has put before us? Well, I am

concerned with the government’s approach that is being taken — that at a

time when I feel we need to lean into our democracy, they’re using the

pandemic to make significant chips away at our democracy, our processes, our

constitutional conventions and policies. And they’re doing so under the

cover of a pandemic. I think it’s just wrong.

[2:50 p.m.]

Take the manipulation of the legislation on a fixed election date,

which was set out in statute. At a time when these very pieces of democratic

principles were established to encourage greater participation in and equity

for more people to participate in government, the government took a

troubling turn in manipulating this democratic principle. I think it’s

wrong.

This government manipulated the budget process, a process that was

established in response to the work of what we learned with manipulations in

1996 — again, steps being taken by this government to once again chip away

at these democratic principles. A government that manipulated the budget

schedule and reduced the ability for the people of British Columbia — for

the people in my riding — to have their voices heard and have their

questions to the government answered through local MLAs during the estimates

process I think is wrong. Ignoring the Budget Transparency Act that was

passed in 2000 with no quarterly update in late 2020 and arbitrarily

changing the budget date by two months, again, I think is wrong.

Bit by bit, policy by regulation, this government is dismantling

necessary safeguards, oversights, transparency and accountability rules, all

under the cover of the pandemic. Instead of looking at leadership from

previous generations, that when the country is in the greatest time of

crisis…. Instead of providing the public the confidence in and knowledge

that our constitutional conventions will be protected, this government has

taken an opposite approach. I hope — I know — it is not too late for this

government to reverse its course.

I want to advise this House of a new troubling edict from the

Premier’s office that local officials and public servants are not permitted

to speak to local MLAs on their constituent files. This is antidemocratic.

The Premier can’t hoist up on one hand when he needs to tell British

Columbians to go to their local MLA for information on things such as

vaccinations and other areas and then, on the other hand, remove the

capacity of MLAs to talk with their local experts and public servants on

issues affecting their constituents.

Instead, this new process that we need to bring our constituent

concerns directly to the Premier’s office and the minister…. We wait, and we

wait, and we wait to hear back from a minister because, of course, the

issues across the board, across this province, are so great. The attempt to

get answers or resolve for the people in our constituencies is very real,

and the consequences are very troubling, and it’s happening on the ground in

our community. I appeal to all legislators in this House that it is time to

repeal this direction and to get back to how things were before, where our

non-partisan constituent offices, our MLAs, can work on constituents’

behalf, working closely with our local officials and local ministry

staff.

Take my riding currently. We currently have a local state of emergency

with a landslide risk that has prompted the evacuation order of five

properties, and others are on alert. This risk has impact on our trail

system and our school that sits just below the hill and is adjacent to the

river in Quesnel. Spring landslides last year impacted properties in another

area in Quesnel and led to more evacuation orders and alerts.

Last spring freshet we experienced over 200 road issues in the region

being impacted by landslides or floods. Quesnel-Hydraulic Road, for example,

was impacted by a landslide. While the government set up a forest service

road for residents to currently travel on, I can share with this government

that the alternate road of French Road has a significant challenge, with the

road becoming nearly impassable for all but 4-by-4s. People are now trying

to utilize other forest service roads, such as the 500 Road.

The conditions that the residents are being exposed to on these other

forest service roads are certainly not up to any standard laid out in the

Ministry of Transportation public safety transportation and guidelines.

Nowhere do I believe that anyone would expect British Columbians that had

access to good-quality roads to now be forced, with the only option of

having a 4-by-4 vehicle, to pass on these roads.

[2:55 p.m.]

This follows up on the previous year, where landslides took out West

Fraser Road. Now, while the residents wait years for the road to be rebuilt

to travel on…. What they travel on now is a slightly upgraded forest service

road, Garner Webster Road. I’d be most happy if the government would follow

through on commitments to these communities, and many of our communities, to

listen to the concerns on these alternate roads and to update the people on

how they’re actually going to improve these routes that the government has

put in place.

I certainly understand the impacts of the 2017-2018 wildfire season. I

know that it is contributing significantly to the challenges that we have

with infrastructure. I heard from the Premier and government a criticism of

us and a challenge to opposition members to bring forward solutions. I have

in the past, and I will continue to do that — bring forward important

solutions that I know work on the ground in Cariboo North. It is critical

that the government listens to those who know and live in and understand

what is happening on the ground in the community. Centralizing everything in

Victoria will not serve the people of British Columbia well.

I know that there are real challenges as a result of climate in the

Cariboo. In the throne speech, the government talked about the environment

and alluded to investments in infrastructure. I am excited to see what those

announcements will be, and I hope that the budget includes real money for

rural road infrastructure. I know that the government has the geotechnical

reports on the roads in the Cariboo: the hydrological reports, the lidar

reports, the engineering reports and studies. I know that the Premier and

the minister and this government understand the necessary investment to

ensure proper road infrastructure and public safety in the

Cariboo.

What I do not understand with all of these reports and studies is the

repeated example, year after year, of how we are managing our infrastructure

— that we need to look at doing things differently. The government continues

to be reactive instead of doing the right thing and looking at more

preventative measures.

A solution to the problem of this is for the Premier and the

government to provide greater investment in prevention. That can mean

cleaning out culverts, upgrading culverts, proper ditching, gravel, ensuring

that there is adequate training to ensure that when grading happens, it

doesn’t negatively impact the culverts and ditching that has been done —

real basic investments that are needed that do not require one to be a road

engineer to understand. Why, with everything that we know, everything that

we’ve learned, when the government looked at awarding the new ten-year

maintenance contracts last year, did they not understand that the government

needed to take into consideration the climate impacts in the

Cariboo?

I hope this budget resolves this, and I hope it puts significant funds

into what is absolutely necessary. The government’s own think tank that was

set up after the wildfires told the government that an investment approach

was required, similar to the approach that was taken in the Lower Mainland

to address earthquake and tsunami risks.

Ignoring rural concerns and voices will have a real impact on the

ability for Victoria and the government to move forward on economic recovery

and to ensure that we have food security. The list goes on.

You know, I share this story. I don’t want to embarrass anyone, but

there was once an MLA in this House who, in response to some of the comments

that were being made on rural investment, said: “Well, why do people decide

to live so far out of town?”

Well, in many of the instances, if you look at our rural communities —

a ten- to 15-minute commute outside of our major city limits, such as

Quesnel or Williams Lake — you will see some extraordinary farmland. For

example, Moose Heights is ten kilometres out of the city of Quesnel, and

you’ll see on average 100 cow-calf operators that provide greatly to the

food security. As you go on and you look at perhaps an hour travel distance

out of our larger areas, areas on West Fraser Road and Quesnel-Hydraulic

Road, you have some incredible market gardens that produce incredible food

security for our region and for our province.

[3:00 p.m.]

I share the story that you don’t see too many cow-calf operations in

downtown Victoria. It just doesn’t happen. If you’re looking for food

security and if you’re looking for the types of investments that drive our

GDP and our exports, you really need to understand the realities of rural

British Columbia and the important fabric of how we fit into the fundamental

success of the province at large.

I want to take a moment to thank my amazing constituent assistant

Jackie Sarginson and the entire team that has come together to support the

Cariboo North office. They go far beyond…. We have a saying that we lead

with our hearts, and there are many, many days that we all end up just in

tears, broken-hearted, trying our best every single day to support and help

the constituents that we care about.

I really, personally, want to thank you, Jackie, for all the work that

you’re doing.

To provide a snapshot of the calls and the files we’re working on, I

took a snapshot of a day in our office, April 13, just, really, on the road

front. And note to the Premier’s office: if you want to centralize control,

you must understand how directly responsible you now are for all of these

files. Waiting months to get on top of some of these files will have some

pretty significant impacts.

I will also note that these are just files that have been brought

forward into my office. I certainly recognize that there are many more roads

that have been impacted that perhaps constituents haven’t brought directly

forward to our office.

Here’s the list from April 13: Soda Creek–MacAlister Road, which is

now closed; Soda Creek Ferry Road; Hawks Creek Road, closed to a landslide;

Williams Lake Cut Off Road by Hawks Creek; Fridlington Road; Edmonton’s

road; Blackwater, Knickerbocker. I continue to raise this, because the

government has all the reports you need on this file, and to understand the

catastrophic impacts of further damage on this road is critical. You need to

take preventative courses of action and come up with a long-term

solution.

Milburn Lake Road needs a bigger culvert. Bastion Road, Bear Valley

Road, Highway 97, Cottonwood Bridge, Beaver Lake Road, Horsefly Lake Road,

Likely Road, Mountain House Road, Valley Road in Miocene, Quesnel Lake Road,

Bunting Lake Road, Crystal Street and Agate Avenue, Pinnacles Road, Nazko

River bridge, Monte Creek Road, Lavington Road, Punjeskit Lake Road,

Kersley-Dale Landing, which has been closed for a considerable amount of

time, Jarell Road, which got closed recently again, Long Bar Road, Ernst

Road, Morris Road, Narcosli Pit Road, Enderling Road, Indian Lake

Road.

All these roads — we’ve recently heard from constituents — have

significant issues and require work done on that. Again, just a snapshot of

a short amount of time in our constituent office to understand the work that

we’re doing every day as MLAs and constituent assistants to help have

resolve for our constituents.

One from the Big Lake volunteer fire department…. Let me just say how

incredibly important our unincorporated and corporated, all of our volunteer

fire departments — the incredible work that they do in search and rescue. I

cannot imagine what our community’s public safety would look like if we did

not have these amazing volunteers step up and provide incredible

service.

Just from a quick drive around — four roads that are not passable by

their fire trucks and several not passable by B.C. Ambulance. These are the

roads: Alpha Road, Overton Road, Parker Road, Tyee Lake Road. The isolation

of these roads and their apparatus leaves over 14 homes unprotected for fire

and causes a significant delay for medical services. We need to provide a

plan of access for these parts of the community for the rest of the season.

These are the types of issues that we’re dealing with in spring freshet. We

can’t wait for a significant amount of time for a centralized approach from

Victoria to resolve. We really need to be working right now.

I want to thank all of the local public servants who I know care

deeply about what is happening on the ground. I really appreciate their

efforts, because I know they’re getting the calls and coming back and trying

to get the answers for us. I really, really do appreciate that and want to

acknowledge that.

[3:05 p.m.]

Just a few other things that are happening. Of course, roads, as you

can hear, is a pretty considerable one that we’re dealing with right now.

But some of the other calls — and in reflection of what our constituents are

hoping are in the budget and in response to the throne speech — are around

the commitment around the $10 child care. At last check in my riding, we had

only seven $10-a-day child care spots. Again, my riding is larger than

Vancouver Island. So could you imagine the entire Vancouver Island only

having seven spots and considering that a considerable success?

I can share with the government that there’s a much greater need, with

this new regulation that’s being brought forward by the government, to

understand that their attempt at that centralization, of one-size-fits-all

for child care, is having really negative impacts on child care spaces in

rural British Columbia. I think it’s something that the government needs to

look at. Hopefully, the budget will do just that.

On the mental health and addictions services side, the government

continues to highlight that they’re having this great transformation. I just

think that perhaps the Premier’s office forgot about rural B.C. I’ve sat

with the families who have been so desperate to find, for loved ones,

acceptable and accessible treatment and recovery programs. I know how

families have struggled with the financial burden as they try to look at

accessing programs throughout the province and that we don’t have in our

rural communities — they’re looking to go anywhere — and even how difficult

it is just even to access things such as counselling in our rural

populations.

I just think it’s really disrespectful — and, maybe, a lack of

compassion — when a government continues the rhetoric of all these services

being available, instead of really just being honest and real with people. I

hope that in the budget we will see real treatment and recovery options that

are accessible for people, and not to forget about rural B.C. I think that’s

critically important.

Our chamber of commerce has requested that I bring a response to the

throne speech to remove the 10 percent penalty fee on city taxes. This is

something that the province needs to address in legislation. Of course, we

know how deeply impacted our small businesses have been, hit by this

pandemic. I appreciate the supports that have been put in place, but I think

much more is needed if we’re going to come out of this successfully,

post-pandemic, and ensure that this incredible, rich heart of all of our

communities — our small businesses — is able to thrive and to move forward

successfully.

I’ve heard the Premier and many members of this House talk proudly

about Barkerville. While I am proud that Barkerville and Cottonwood House

are in my riding, I know that this pride in our heritage properties belongs

to all MLAs — including you, Mr. Speaker — and all of the people of British

Columbia. These heritage properties are in significant need of stable,

predictable funding from the government.

We hope that this money will be announced in the budget. I’ll be

certainly looking for that. If more resources are needed, I hope, in true

non-partisan fashion, to reach out to all members of this House to

understand the incredible gem that we have, with Barkerville and our

heritage properties, and to please consider these important investments in

these properties.

In closing, I just want to take a few minutes to talk about our

extraordinary, world-class post-secondary and skills training that is

available in British Columbia. I know that this world-class education and

skills-training system has been built for many generations. We have so many

people to thank. It’s Education Week. I truly want to acknowledge all the

faculty, the staff and the support services — the librarians and the entire

teams in our post-secondary education skills-training family — that have

worked so diligently and hard over this past year during the pandemic — or

over a year.

Know how grateful we are for contributing so much to the hopes and

dreams and aspirations of the students of our province. I want to thank the

students. I know that young people have been so disproportionately affected

by this pandemic. I have had the privilege of talking to so many students

and organizations over the last few months.

I know how difficult it was when I went to university. You know, I

worked 11 years as a bartender and as a server to help put my way through

university. I know the deep struggles of trying to understand how you’re

going to financially continue on with your post-secondary

education.

[3:10 p.m.]

Trying your best to manoeuvre and to ensure that you are doing

everything that you can to stay on top of your classes, with the mental

anxiety, just the affordability challenges with your housing and all those

issues…. There are some vulnerabilities that, certainly, this pandemic has

exposed in our post-secondary education system, specifically around our

funding model and the enormous pressures these vulnerabilities are placing

on students — the increasing auxiliary fees that students are seeing, at a

time when, of course, our students have limited ability, or have been deeply

impacted by their ability to work.

In the words of the AMS and GSS student associations in B.C., one of

the things they wanted to share is: “Understanding the financial impacts

that COVID-19 has imposed on the budgetary positions of higher education

institutions in B.C., it is imperative that the provincial government

contribute towards student services to avoid necessary service-related

budget cuts.”

I raise that again, because another significant vulnerability for

funding of the post-secondary system is the approach that we’re taking in

funding, the approach that we’re taking in regards to the tuition costs for

international students, and the fact that there is no predictability there.

I know the enormous stress that these international students are

facing.

We pride ourself as a multicultural society and being welcoming for

people who want to build and have aspirations for a greater life. To build

your hopes and dreams and aspirations in British Columbia should be

available for all. I hope that the budget actually looks at that.

Finally, I hope for the young people, because I want to end with hope

and optimism. I think that’s really important. I want our young people to

have such a strong sense of optimism for the future, and I want them to

enjoy all of the opportunities that we have had growing up. I want them to

know that home ownership and job opportunities and a rewarding, happy life

is available to you.

I commit to you that I’ll fight for you. I’ll advocate on your behalf

and provide the necessary oversight to government. Because it’s not good

enough for the government to take out ad buys bragging about how they’re

making life more affordable for you, when you know that after nearly four

years of the NDP, housing prices in B.C. are higher than ever. I’ve heard

from you that it would now take 34 years, on average, to save for a down

payment on a typical Vancouver home. That’s not good enough. I know that the

government knows that too.

I truly am hopeful that the policies that they put forward, the

investments that they put forward in this budget, are ones where we can have

hope and aspirations and know that economic recovery is on the horizon and,

for all British Columbians, that we’re going to be okay.

Again, as always, I want to the thank the community of Cariboo North

and all of my constituents for the enormous privilege I have to represent

you and to make sure your voice is heard here in Victoria.

J. Routledge: For the past few days, I’ve been listening to the debate on the throne

speech with great interest and growing alarm, even to the point where I was

motivated to stop and remind myself: what is a throne speech? What role is

it meant to play in parliamentary democracy? A throne speech is a narrative.

It tells our shared story. It anchors that story in the here and now and

provides some clarity about the future.

Alternatively, we can also understand a throne speech as a road map.

It reminds us where we’ve come from in our shared journey as a society. It

puts a pin in the map to show us where we are now, and it plots a route for

moving forward. It confirms that we’re not travelling back the way we’ve

come from, nor going in circles, nor unwittingly taking a treacherous road

when a safer one is possible. It warns us about traffic congestion up ahead.

A throne speech is a political GPS.

That’s exactly what this throne speech does. It clearly articulates

our priorities and maps out, in broad terms, how to get there. Let me recap

the highlights.

[3:15 p.m.]

The throne speech stresses that our government will continue to

respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and push forward the economic recovery plan

after the pandemic. It states that the province hopes to finish the

largest-ever immunization program in B.C. history ahead of schedule. More

than one million British Columbians have received their first dose of a

vaccine already.

It states that the government will continue to respond to the pandemic

and improve health care by addressing cracks in long-term care that COVID-19

has exposed, by reducing surgery wait times and by building more hospitals

and urgent primary care centres in every part of British Columbia. It

reaffirms that we will create more jobs in long-term-care facilities and

invest in mental health services.

The throne speech acknowledges that many people have been

disproportionately affected by the pandemic. It charts a path to close that

gap and reduce systemic economic vulnerability. It promises that ICBC will

cut car insurance rates by 20 percent. It promises to expand access to

$10-a-day child care spaces. It reminds us that the minimum wage will

increase to $15.20 an hour in June. It promises to provide thousands of

missing middle rental homes throughout the province.

The province will create more job opportunities and provide assistance

to businesses, including grants for online businesses. The province will

increase investment in infrastructure projects, extending the SkyTrain to

Langley and extending the Broadway rapid transit to UBC. The province will

also invest in boosting digital connectivity in rural, remote and Indigenous

communities. The government will work with businesses to ensure that local

workers will be hired first in major infrastructure projects.

The throne speech acknowledges that racism has gotten worse during the

pandemic. So we are taking action to develop anti-racism law to eliminate

all forms of racial discrimination and to reform the outdated Police Act.

The throne speech reaffirms the government’s commitment to take actions to

support reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and foster true partnership,

based on the declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The government and Indigenous Peoples will tackle the climate crisis

together. It will also continue to implement North America’s most

progressive climate action plan, CleanBC, including fostering clean tech

innovation, electrifying industrial activities and making it easier to buy

electric cars.

Opposition speaker after opposition speaker has called the Speech from

the Throne, and this government, disappointing, disorganized, failures,

incompetent, self-serving. They’ve accused us of using the pandemic as a

cover. They’ve referred to our plans as botched, hopeless, smokescreens. At

best they’ve expressed skepticism. These are not words of constructive

criticism.

I would remind these members that March 2021 was B.C.’s 11th

consecutive month of job growth. B.C. has the highest job recovery rate in

Canada. B.C. is the only major province in Canada that has now surpassed 100

percent of pre-pandemic employment levels. B.C. has the highest per capita

supports for businesses and people across the country. Our circuit breaker

relief grant was launched and opened in less than one week, among the

fastest ever turnarounds for a major spending program in provincial history.

B.C. has done the most genomics sequencing in North America. B.C. was the

first jurisdiction to give public access to our modelling.

This speech from the throne is a road map. It is not a guided tour.

The Lieutenant-Governor is not our tour guide. To criticize the throne

speech for not providing enough detail is like criticizing GPS for not

telling you where the sales are or how old a particular landmark is or when

the streets are going to be cleaned or what’s going to be built on that

vacant lot over there.

[3:20 p.m.]

The opposition knows this. So their behaviour begs the question: what

are they up to? What are they trying to accomplish with their overheated

rhetoric and their hyper-partisanship?

This throne speech, this road map, this narrative is shaped by the

unprecedented times in which we find ourselves. We call COVID-19 the

toughest challenge we have faced in more than a generation. That’s one thing

we in this chamber all seem to agree on. The reality of the pandemic had

barely registered on the consciousness of the people of the world more than

a year ago, when we started using war terminology. We began to see ourselves

as being in a war against COVID-19. We quickly and easily fell into the

practice of referring to health care workers, education workers, truckers,

grocery workers, first responders and postal workers as the front

line.

But let’s stop and remind ourselves where the term “front line” came

from. The “front line” is a military term that refers to the positions

closest to the area of conflict — to those most directly engaged in battle

with the enemy. The front line are those who put their lives at risk to

protect the rest of us. In the early days of the pandemic, an

article in the

Vancouver Sun talked about Canadians having put themselves on

war footing. A few weeks later another story documented “‘Life in the

Trenches’: An…ICU Doctor Describes the War Against COVID-19.”

Here’s a piece that appeared in the Times Colonist in

December: “How many times have we not referred to the COVID-19 pandemic as a

different kind of war? We are like soldiers going to war. Not wearing a mask

and following proper protocols is like sending a soldier to war without

their gun. We need to work together, and as we approach a winter which sees

numbers soaring daily, increasing each day and week, we must treat this

pandemic as a war. We must guard ourselves and those we love and those we

care for from all harm.”

Just this morning I heard industry leaders on the radio say that our

common cause in the next couple of months is to defeat COVID-19 and that we

go to battle by socially distancing, washing our hands, staying home and

wearing masks. They said that the time to debate the details of economic

recovery is after we’ve won the war.

We all agree that we are in a war against COVID-19. So let’s take a

minute and talk about a real world war, the last world war: World War II.

Some of us had parents who lived through that war, or grandparents, and they

told us their stories about what it was like to fight a world war. At the

very least, everyone in this chamber learned about that war in school.

learned about Rosie the Riveter and Victory Gardens. We learned that

newspapers of the day not only published dispatches from the front but that

business pages discussed war production, and domestic pages shared ideas for

making do with shortages and rationing. The shared narrative of the time was

one of unity, mutual support and self-sacrifice.

[R. Leonard in the chair.]

During that war, retired generals or armchair generals certainly did

not take to the airwaves to muse about how they would have won and run that

war differently or publicly question whether Canadian troops should have

landed on Juno Beach or some other different beach that they thought would

have been better. In parliaments around the world, partisanship was put on

hold. Opposition politicians certainly did not start demanding details of

the Marshall plan even before the enemy had surrendered.

They disciplined

themselves to set a positive example and to be part of the war effort. Why?

Because when a country is at war, when surviving a life-and-death struggle

depends on mutual trust, the primary role of leaders is to swallow our pride

and our personal ambitions and demonstrate a united front.

[3:25 p.m.]

Exceptionalism or holding the line? When we hold the line, we’re

inspiring collective confidence, because to do otherwise during a war is to

undermine morale, to create doubt in the minds of the people that they can

actually win the war.

During the Second World War, the Nazis were famous for dropping

leaflets on London neighbourhoods to create division. When that happens, the

enemy wins. Can we not do the enemy’s dirty work for them in this

war?

That is why I’m so alarmed by the sneering and jeering, the overheated

rhetoric, the disinformation and distortions we’ve been subjected to by

opposition speakers. I have found their language and tone to be reckless,

irresponsible and dangerous in the face of what continues to be our common

enemy, COVID-19.

Yesterday I heard an opposition member state that he’d lost confidence

in our government. He said it like it was a rallying cry. Well, his party

has three and a half years to try to alienate the public from their Premier

and his government. Couldn’t they wait at least a couple of months until the

current crisis is behind us?

Speaker after opposition speaker have been taking cheap shots about

the so-called snap election. Some called it self-serving. Some called it

unnecessary, and they averred that government was stable. Well, I was the

government Deputy Whip during the 41st parliament, and I beg to

differ.

I would remind the members that we were a minority government that

lasted longer than pundits had predicted. With the support of the Third

Party, we enjoyed a one-vote majority. Our government was always one

cancelled ferry, one heart attack, one fogged-in airport away from not

having enough votes to carry a confidence motion. What could possibly go

wrong during a pandemic?

To get through the pandemic together, the people of British Columbia

needed a stable government, and their government needed a renewed and

current mandate to make bold decisions. It’s not unprecedented to hold

elections during wartime. Canada did it, the United States did it, and so

did Australia and New Zealand.

To conclude, I support the throne speech. It outlines a clear path

forward. To quibble about the details at this time is to ignore what is

actually preoccupying most British Columbians, and that is how to survive

COVID-19 and protect our families, our friends and our neighbours. Once

we’ve won the war, we can engage in passionate debate about what our

Marshall plan should look like. I, for one, look forward to it.

In the meantime, this government and the people of British Columbia

are in a war against COVID-19. I’d like to ask the opposition who they are

in war with. I urge them to remember that we are living through

unprecedented times. We are making history whether we want to or not. We in

this chamber need to ask ourselves: do we want future generations to

remember us as Churchills or as Mosleys?

Finally, in the words of my colleague from Abbotsford-Mission,

ganbatte .

B. Stewart: It’s a pleasure to rise and be able to speak to everyone in the House

today, as well as at home, about the throne speech from just this past

Monday. I think one of the things with throne speeches, as the member

previous just talked about, is that it is really about a road map, about

where we’re going. I think that, as she points out, there’s so much

uncertainty that we all face today, that we have to be concerned about not

only people’s health but their homes, their livelihood and all of the

impacts on that as we go through this unprecedented third wave.

[3:30 p.m.]

I want to thank, first of all, the constituents in Kelowna West in

terms of allowing me the opportunity to represent them. I know that it was a

challenging snap election in the sense that it was a very different campaign

in terms of not knowing that it was coming up and it was happening during a

time of crisis.

I think that when people are faced with the fact that they’ve been

told to social distance and not mix with other people, etc., they’re

hesitant to hear, maybe, the messages or the challenges that are being

faced. Now, I think, as we saw just a couple of weeks ago…. With the

provincial health officer closing down inside dining, gymnasiums and other

activities like that, I think that probably we can talk about the fragility

of what some of these businesses are going through. Of course, we’re going

to find out in the next few days here if, as rumoured, that will be

extended. It’s going to financially impact many of these people that have

those investments.

This is the second time in five months that the government has

delivered its throne speech. Part of the throne speech, as I said, was to

lay out a map that challenges even themselves as to what they want to try

and achieve. I looked through it. I know that some of the things that

they’ve referred to are bold, but I do think that in some cases, we’re not

being bold enough. I think that it’s supposed to be the beacon of hope for

people struggling. I don’t think it offered the hope that people were

looking for in terms of some bold economic planning.

I think that if you’re in a business that has been shut down…. Some of

them have been down for 14 months now, since March. Well, 13 months. They’ve

been shut down, and they don’t know when the possibility is that they’re

going to reopen.

We know that vaccinations are hopefully going to be complete sometime

by the end of June. I know many of us haven’t been vaccinated yet. We still

have to practice all of the social distancing and protective rules that have

been put out there and maintain that in our business. I’m glad to see that

the provincial health officer, the Minister of Health and the government are

supportive of those things.

But what about the future? When we are vaccinated, what’s the

reopening plan? When are we going to find out what we can do, what we can’t

do? How does one adjust to this? Are we going to be able to operate

normally? Is it just one day that it’s all going to come off? Or is it the

fact that we’re going to be facing years of uncertainty? I think that’s the

bigger concern. This is meant to be the document that lays out the framework

of where we want to get to.

The Premier has said: “Trust me.” I think that probably the time has

passed, and we expect more. The fact is that some of the things that were

promised, even during the last election, haven’t come forward. I’ll give you

a specific example.

The renters grant that was promised over four years ago in the

platform and re-promised back in September of the last election hasn’t come

forward. Renters have faced unprecedented increases. As a matter of fact,

across the board, it’s up over $200 a month. The $400 is a paltry amount. I

know that the government made an announcement today, which I’ll come back

to. I think that when it comes to real affordability, some of the things

that the government takes credit for are not necessarily creating the

affordability that people need.

While British Columbians are facing rising case counts and the spread

of COVID variants and they worry about their health and economic well-being,

this government continues to fail to put forward a real plan. Small

businesses are struggling, not-for-profits are worried about their futures,

and parents are concerned about their kids, especially with COVID showing up

in some of the schools.

British Columbia has nearly 40,000 fewer full-time jobs than before

the pandemic. That’s a whole city of people. As a matter of fact, that’s

many cities, especially in some of the rural parts of British Columbia,

where their populations are a fraction of that size. We have watched as this

government has demonstrated the repeated inability to get supports to those

who need them most.

[3:35 p.m.]

I mean, look at the $500 that was promised during the election. “We’re

going to have that in your pocket by December.” I know my office was

inundated with trying to help people apply online. Frankly, some are still

waiting today, and we’re still struggling to get that out.

I think that, as we’ve seen just recently with the circuit breaker

funding, as well as the previous programs that the Ministry of Jobs had,

frankly, these programs are not as easy to roll out as the government…. It’s

easy to announce but not as easy to actually deliver on that.

In order for the prosperity of British Columbia, I think that people

need to know that their government can deliver on these things and not make

promises, whether it’s ICBC, the renter’s grant, the $500 Christmas bonus or

whether you have a business that might be eligible for the circuit breaker

grant. I think that, frankly, this is the type of stuff that we’re looking

for greater certainty on, in terms of not only the budget coming up on

Tuesday but also the throne speech that’s just been brought out.

The government has the responsibility to lead our pro­vince

through this pandemic and into economic recovery, but instead, they’ve

delayed vital relief. We saw that. We passed a bill back in March of 2020 to

help with emergency financing, increased contact tracing, health care

workers. We know that that was essential. It was very non-partisan, contrary

to what my colleague was just talking about during times of war, etc. I

think the fact is that we have been very collaborative. But there is a point

when some of the impacts on the economy, which is so important and vital,

are not brought out until….

As she said, we wanted certainty. Well, businesses want certainty too.

Government might want certainty in terms of one missed ferry or one heart

attack and all of those types of things, but I think at the end of the day,

businesses are expecting us, as government, to have leadership in being able

to help them with supports.

We know that some of the federal government supports, with wage

supports, were helpful. I know that the government thinks that it was very

helpful in terms of protecting businesses. I have all sorts of businesses

that faced landlord issues in terms of increased rents, eviction notices and

things like that. That’s not the type of stuff that people want to be

talking about. There are limitations to what the government can do, in terms

of unregulated. The commercial rent business is unregulated. But I do think

that….

The bottom line is there is a need to make certain that we’re partners

in this. Frankly, the partnership hasn’t been that strong between government

and business up to this point. I know that there’s some money that’s

starting to come out now, but it’s way too late. Frankly, I don’t know how

many businesses you have in your ridings or communities, but I look around

communities where I see boarded-up storefronts. One in three businesses in

Victoria, when I walk around there while being in the Legislature, frankly,

shut down.

I don’t know if that’s forever, but I do think that we’re going to see

a dramatic change once this is all over. To have that much commercial real

estate sitting empty has got to be unnerving for anybody that has commercial

real estate. But it should be more concerning to the government that counts

on those small business owners to help generate taxes and provide employment

for people.

The cost of neglecting businesses, which sustains what I would call

rich services — things like the CBAs or community benefit agreements, public

sector settlements…. That is being thrust onto the backs of taxpayers,

which, indirectly, are businesses that employ people that work, that pay

taxes. If they’re not healthy, then their taxes aren’t going to be healthy,

and it’s not going to be affordable to anybody.

British Columbians are looking for hope. With COVID cases continuing

to surge, 53 percent of British Columbians are a mere $200 or less away from

not being able to pay their monthly bills. People deserve more from this

government. They should be able to feel confident, especially during the

pandemic, that their government has their best interests at

heart.

I think that it’s got to be a balanced equation here. It can’t be this

imbalance where only one side of the equation is getting the support. People

that own businesses, that have risked all of their savings — a lifetime of

savings, in many cases… Family support is what’s at risk.

[3:40 p.m.]

People that own gymnasiums. I can’t imagine, with all the equipment in

there and the overheads, etc. That’s no small feat. I know restaurants are

feeling the same way. I understand the rules about COVID, but the bottom

line is they need our support.

The Premier says he called the snap election in the middle of the

pandemic so we could put politics behind us. Well, what type of politics

behind us is taking the money that we approved in March and doling it out

just during the election and then promising another $500 for people that

sign up? Frankly, that’s just luring people into false platitudes and stuff

like that.

The real tough

part is how we’re going to make it so that those people

that got their $500 or some of the money from that $1½ billion that was set

aside for businesses, tourism sector, hospitality, etc., are really going to

make it and survive. I think that we need to find a path forward, even with

the majority government. I think that we need to be listening to one

another. I don’t think that there’s a limitation on good ideas.

Over the past four years of the NDP’s leadership, we’ve seen a gradual

transition in growth from the private sector to the public sector. That is a

philosophical difference, and I understand that. The pandemic has only added

to this growth in government, as we’ve seen the private sector jobs hit

especially hard, and small businesses are forced to close their doors due to

the challenges of the past year. Yet this government still doesn’t have a

jobs plan.

What is a jobs plan? I know from the time when I was in government

that we had a jobs plan. I heard earlier today that somebody talked about

the fact that it was a single industry that we were kind of trying to

attract. I worked on the trade file for a fairly long period of time. I can

tell you that we promoted and worked hard on more than just the

resource-based economy, which includes mining. I know the member that I’m

speaking of is near Smithers. That’s kind of the diamond drilling capital of

North America.

I know that other parts, with forestry — which is all over the

province, all sorts of communities, large and small — depend on value-added

forest products. I know we heard the Forests Minister talk today about going

to value. I think that that is important. I’m fortunate to have a mill right

in my own riding here, owned by a family called the Gormans, and they’re one

of the highest value-add mills in the province. They’re not the only ones,

but I know that value-add is important. You have to make certain that you

have a strategy as to how you do these things.

When it comes to technol