2011 Legislative Session: Fourth Session, 39th Parliament

HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

official report of

Debates of the Legislative Assembly

(hansard)

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Afternoon Sitting

Volume 25, Number 3

CONTENTS

Page

Routine Business

Tributes

Cesar Chavez award recipient

K. Corrigan

Introductions by Members

Tributes

Iain Black

J. McIntyre

J. Horgan

John Buis

R. Chouhan

Tabling Documents

Office of the Auditor General, report No. 7, 2011, Follow-up Report: Updates on the Implementation of Recommendations from Recent Reports

Introductions by Members

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill 2 — Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act

Bill 6 — Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act, 2011

Bill 5 — Personal Property Security Amendment Act, 2011

Hon. S. Thomson

Bill 4 — Offence Amendment Act, 2011

Hon. S. Bond

Bill 3 — Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2011

Hon. M. MacDiarmid

Statements (Standing Order 25B)

Jack Layton

D. Black

Community Living Month

J. Thornthwaite

Dave Barrett

M. Karagianis

Milan Ilich

J. Yap

Supreme Court ruling on supervised injection facility

J. Kwan

Arts Centre and Theatre in Maple Ridge

M. Dalton

Oral Questions

Construction industry jobs and timeline for elimination of harmonized sales tax

A. Dix

Hon. C. Clark

B. Ralston

S. Simpson

Forest industry jobs and log export policy

N. Macdonald

Hon. S. Thomson

B. Routley

Court system funding

L. Krog

Hon. S. Bond

Ministerial Statements

Classroom composition and class organization fund

Hon. G. Abbott

R. Austin

Petitions

Hon. I. Chong

Orders of the Day

Throne Speech Debate (continued)

J. Thornthwaite

N. Simons

J. Les

D. Donaldson

R. Howard

N. Macdonald

Hon. P. Bell

D. Routley

B. Bennett

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011

The House met at 1:34 p.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Tributes

CESAR CHAVEZ AWARD RECIPIENT

K. Corrigan: The Cesar Chavez Black Eagle Award was established to recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations for making exceptional contributions to the fight for justice in Canada's agricultural industry. I am pleased to announce that our colleague the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds is the recipient of the 2011 Black Eagle Award for his selfless service to the farmworkers struggles and that he and other award winners will be honoured at the 12th annual awards dinner and ceremony hosted by UFCW Canada and the Agriculture Workers Alliance on November 2 in Toronto.

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I hope you will join me in congratulating him.

Introductions by Members

Hon. M. Polak: It's become a bit of a custom in the House for people to introduce their grandchildren. It seems as though I'm a number of years off from my daughter deciding to give me any, so I've adopted the grandchildren that arrived to my staff. They are my family.

I would like to make a very special introduction today, introduce you to a new British Columbian who is only 18 days old, 51 centimetres tall. Her name is Maya Russ Costa. She was born on September 16 at 10:42 a.m. here in Victoria, weighing in at 8 pounds 11 ounces to her lovely mother, Claudia Costa; big brother, Noah Costa; and her father, Frank Costa. Would the House please congratulate them.

M. Elmore: I'd like to introduce Lavina Shaw, who is visiting us here today from Coquitlam. She's a great friend. She's also one of the founding members of the social justice and peace film festival in Coquitlam and has really dedicated her work to peace and social justice. I ask everybody to please make her very welcome.

B. Simpson: I want to introduce a young man that's in the gallery today, Sean Quinn. He's originally from Alberta. We will forgive him for that, because he moved here to Victoria to study at the University of Victoria, where he got a BA in history, and he's now settled down here. He's very keen to experience question period firsthand, especially the promised new tone, so please make Sean feel welcome.

Tributes

Iain Black

J. McIntyre: This is a bittersweet introduction for what I must term now my former MLA colleague Iain Black, who is still with us in the House today but in a different chair. Many of you likely know that Iain resigned his seat yesterday to take up his new duties as the president and CEO of the Vancouver Board of Trade. So I'm asking the House to join me in thanking Iain for his over six years of public service to British Columbia.

We were both first elected in the class of 2005, and we learned the ropes together sitting side by side in the back corner of the House there on the opposition side. I think we both then went into cabinet, in June 2008. I think there were a number of members on the NDP side who were glad to see us go. In cabinet….

Interjections.

J. McIntyre: No, that was supposed to be friendly. We loved it over there.

In cabinet, in all seriousness, Iain served as Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services; Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development; and up until this spring as Minister of Labour. He did a great job in representing all his constituents in the riding of Port Moody–Coquitlam.

I know he wishes every member here good health and much happiness as we move on and he charts a new course.

Thanks, Iain. Wishing you every success in the next

chapter of your professional life.

Mr. Speaker: The Opposition House Leader has a response.

J. Horgan: I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to say so long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen , adieu to the best keyboard player in the Liberal caucus up until now. I have to say, on behalf of all of us on this side of the House, we're going to miss Iain's wit, his sometimes charm and his occasional panache.

I, more than any other, had the good fortune of representing Iain's mom and dad. I know they were very, very proud. His father is very, very proud of his work in this Legislature.

On behalf of the New Democratic caucus, good luck, Iain, and we'll see you in the future.

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john buis

R. Chouhan: Today I would like to speak about a great public servant who just completed his 35 years with the RCMP yesterday. He was also with the guard party for His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia.

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I'm talking about our friendly cop, Staff Sgt. Maj. John Buis. He has been working with the Burnaby detachment for the last many years. He is known as a friendly cop in our community, especially in Burnaby-Edmonds where we have so many people from different countries where they don't have much respect for police. He goes out of his way to make sure they understand the role of police, and for that I would like all of you to join me to congratulate John and thank him for all the great service he has done for our country.

Tabling Documents

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, I have the honour to present the Auditor General's report No. 7, 2011, Follow-up Report: Updates on the Implementation of Recommendations from Recent Reports .

Introductions by Members

R. Hawes: There was one more introduction. A man who I think on both sides of the House is known for all the work he did to introduce, or to push, non-partisan civility in the House. Rick Thorpe is in the gallery today. If both sides could give Rick a hearty welcome back.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: I think the Opposition House Leader wants to respond.

J. Horgan: Regrettably, hon. Speaker, I'm not going to take this opportunity.

Instead, I prefer to introduce Bruce and Lois Dickey from my constituency of Langford, who are stalwarts in our community — married 35 years, members of the Langford Legion. They've decided to come and spend some time here with us today. Would the House make them very welcome.

Before you make them very welcome, they are here on the same day that the non-partisan member from somewhere in the Okanagan has come to visit as well.

B. Stewart: It gives me great pleasure to announce as grandparents — Ruth and myself, and Reinhardt and Ulla Dobbener from Bamberg, Germany — that a fourth generation of Stewarts was born at Kelowna General Hospital this past June 20 — sister to Ruby and proud parents Llane and Jan Dobbener, Ginger Mary Rose Dobbener.

D. Routley: I'd like the House to help me welcome to the capital Ellen White from Nanaimo, who today received the Order of B.C. Ellen is 88 years old. She absolutely emanated grace and beauty as she walked with her stroller up to receive her award from the Premier and the Lieutenant-Governor today.

Congratulations to Ellen White.

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

Bill 2 — Flathead Watershed Area

Conservation Act

Hon. S. Thomson presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act.

Hon. S. Thomson: I move the Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act be introduced and read for a first time now.

Motion approved.

Hon. S. Thomson: Today I introduce the Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act, which proposes to preserve environmental values in the Flathead watershed.

On February 15, 2010, the province and the state of Montana together signed an agreement on environmental protection, climate action and energy. The agreement committed to ensuring that the healthy ecosystem that exists today in the Flathead River basin will continue to be maintained in a manner consistent with current recreation, forestry, guide-outfitting and trapping uses. Today we're following through on that commitment by introducing legislation that will protect this unique area as per our agreement.

I move that the Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

Bill 2, Flathead Watershed Area Conservation Act, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

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Bill 6 — Forests, Lands and Natural

Resource Operations Statutes

Amendment Act, 2011

Hon. S. Thomson presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Forests,

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Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act, 2011.

Hon. S. Thomson: I move that the Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act be introduced and read for a first time now.

Motion approved.

Hon. S. Thomson: Today I introduce amendments to the Forest Act, the Foresters Act and the Resort Timber Administration Act to streamline forestry processes.

The natural resource sector will benefit from proposed amendments to the Forest Act to increase coordination and extend the terms of tenures used by energy and mines sectors to cut timber. Woodlot licence holders will benefit from proposed amendments to the Forest Act that would allow the removal of private land from woodlot areas. The bioenergy sector will benefit from minor amendments proposed to the Forest Act to enable direct-award provisions for accessing wood residue and debris.

Proposed amendments to the Forest Act and the Foresters Act will help ensure more accurate submission of data to calculate stumpage fees and enable timber cruisers to be officially certified.

Proposed amendments to the Resort Timber Administration Act would make the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations the ministry that resort owners would have to deal with regarding timber issues. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations was created for a streamlined, integrated approach to land-based management. Today we're introducing amendments that support our goals for more efficient client service delivery, permits and authorizations.

Hon. Speaker, I move that the Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

Bill 6, Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act, 2011, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 5 — Personal Property Security

Amendment Act, 2011

Hon. S. Thomson presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Personal Property Security Amendment Act, 2011.

Hon. S. Thomson: I move that the bill be introduced and read for a first time now.

Motion approved.

Hon. S. Thomson: I'm pleased to introduce the Personal Property Security Amendment Act, 2011. This bill will expand the definition of "licence" in the Personal Property Security Act so that all transferable licences may be used as collateral to secure loans in British Columbia. This amendment is necessary to enable B.C. businesses to benefit from a recent Supreme Court of Canada case which determined that provincial personal property security legislation applies to licences. The narrow definition of "licence" in the act prevents the court's decision from applying in British Columbia.

I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 5, Personal Property Security Amendment Act, 2011, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 4 — Offence Amendment Act, 2011

Hon. S. Bond presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Offence Amendment Act, 2011.

Hon. S. Bond: I now move that the bill be introduced and read a first time.

Motion approved.

Hon. S. Bond: I'm pleased to introduce Bill 4, the Offence Amendment Act. Amendments to the Offence Act will allow for more effective enforcement of provincial offences.

The amendments will give the court the option of imposing probation with a range of conditions and thus assist the court in tailoring the sentence to the offence and the offender. The proposed amendments will also strengthen enforcement under the act by making it an offence to breach these conditions. These amendments will improve the ability of the court and the Crown to respond to provincial offences, including street disorder offences. A few minor housekeeping amendments are also included in these amendments.

Mr. Speaker, I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 4, Offence Amendment Act, 2011, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

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Bill 3 — Freedom of Information and

Protection of Privacy

Amendment Act, 2011

Hon. M. MacDiarmid presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2011.

Hon. M. MacDiarmid: I move that Bill 3 be introduced and read a first time now.

Motion approved.

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Hon. M. MacDiarmid: I'm pleased to introduce amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The amendments to the act are the result of recommendations by the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner and from 118 submissions from stakeholders, including UBCM and the broader public sector. Over the past year B.C. Stats also conducted provincewide focus groups and surveys to help government gain a better understanding of the public's expectations of government services.

The act we have today came into force 19 years ago in 1992. These amendments modernize the act, aligning it with modern technology while ensuring that we do so in a way that maintains and enhances privacy. These amendments reflect the reality of how British Columbians interact with each other and with government today.

We worked closely with the Information and Privacy Commissioner on these amendments. We have balanced new capabilities with the addition of strong new oversight powers for the commissioner. The amendments continue government's history of enhancing the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to ensure that it remains the strongest legislation of its kind in Canada.

I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 3, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2011, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

JACK LAYTON

D. Black: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the late Leader of the Official Opposition of Canada, the Hon. Jack Layton. I was fortunate to have known Jack for many years and to sit in the House of Commons under his leadership. He was my friend and my colleague.

When he asked me to become the critic for National Defence, I was shocked, and I blurted out: "Are you crazy?" Jack's faith in my ability to take on such a major responsibility when we were at war, when Canada was at war in Afghanistan, is something that I will always treasure. He was able to see things in others that they didn't see in themselves.

Jack Layton was the most energetic and relentlessly optimistic person I have ever worked with. He had a genuine belief in the innate goodness of people. He gave voice to those among us without power, without wealth and without influence.

He engaged intimately with young people and had faith that they could, and in the fact that they would, work to build a more equal society in Canada. He wanted to leave our children and our grandchildren a healthy planet, a world with clean rivers and fresh air, and he worked hard on legislation to reduce the effects of climate change.

He believed in our country. He believed in all its unrealized potential. A quote from Prime Minister Harper sums up the respect he earned from all sides in parliament: "The affection and respect we had for him were rooted in his ability to mobilize others and unite them around a single cause. It was that part of his personality that made him a true leader. And the courage, dignity and optimism we witnessed during his battle with cancer only served to increase our fondness and respect."

The words Jack Layton wrote only a few days before he died have resonated deeply with Canadians: "Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world."

I know all members of this Legislature join me in extending our condolences to his wife and soulmate, Olivia Chow; to his mother, Doris; to his children, Michael and Sarah; and to his adored grandchild, Beatrice.

COMMUNITY LIVING MONTH

J. Thornthwaite: Every October, Community Living Month celebrates the achievements of people with developmental disabilities, including independent living, employment accomplishments and community participation. Community Living Month highlights an individual's right to be included where they live, go to school, work and play. People with developmental disabilities are important members of our community who contribute in valuable ways. We all benefit from inclusion.

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There are challenges to be solved surrounding community living for people with developmental disabilities

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in British Columbia, and discussions must continue about how to best support them. This government is open to that discussion with people with developmental disabilities, family members and advocates. I'm very happy to report that last week there were members with the B.C. Community Living Action Group, myself, and the new minister, who met personally, and I am very grateful for that.

It is also important to recognize and acknowledge the staff of the 3,000 service providers who work with Community Living B.C. As of June of this year across B.C. 13,600 individuals were receiving residential, community inclusion and other supports from Community Living B.C. Close to 200 adults diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or autism spectrum disorder are also now receiving supports through the new personalized supports initiative, the first of its kind in North America, which began February 1, 2010.

Each individual that is supported has their own story and their own gifts and their own abilities and skills to bring to our communities. Our goal is to acknowledge their abilities and support their inclusion and independence. This year CLBC is celebrating Community Living Month with various community events as well as a new website to give people with developmental disabilities basic safety information about what should be shared online and what to do if they feel unsafe.

I encourage all members to join CLBC and other community organizations to celebrate Community Living Month at events around the province and to visit icanbesafeonline.com.

DAVE BARRETT

M. Karagianis: If I list off some of the great institutions that make British Columbia unique — like ICBC, PharmaCare, workers compensation and the agricultural land reserve — there is one person's name that pops into our mind. He created the first guaranteed income program for seniors in the nation, banned the use of the strap in schools, and created a provincewide ambulance service, Hansard, question period and full-time MLAs.

Remarkably, he served as Premier of this province for only three years, from 1972 to 1975. But he left a huge legacy for all future generations, the equal of Premiers who served for decades in the province. Of course I'm talking about Dave Barrett.

First elected more than 50 years ago at the age of 29, the province's first New Democrat Premier at the age of 41, he served as a Member of Parliament in Ottawa, headed up the Barrett Commission and many more things than I could possibly squeeze into a two-minute statement. But he is most strongly remembered for those three short years that he served as Premier.

Courageous, fearless, funny, dynamic and inspirational — dedicated to the concept that government has a moral obligation to care for the most vulnerable and provide equality for everyone. Dave is currently our oldest living past Premier. This past weekend Dave turned 81. I would ask this House to join me in wishing Dave a happy birthday and many more.

MILAN ILICH

J. Yap: There's a motivational saying that goes something like this. The world has two kinds of people: those who make things happen and those who wonder what happened. Since we last assembled in this House, our province has lost a man who truly made things happen.

Milan Ilich was born in Anyox, B.C., but moved to Richmond when he was one year old. His family taught him about love and compassion, while business taught him the value of a dollar and forgiveness. Milan's accomplishments are hard to state in just two minutes.

For eight years he was the owner of the Vancouver 86ers professional soccer team. He was a founding co-owner of the WHL Vancouver Giants. He was involved in Richmond's planning for the hugely successful 2010 Winter Olympics.

Besides sports, Milan took a lead role in establishing a community services facility in Richmond called the Caring Place. This building is home to 22 volunteer-based social service agencies. He not only made a substantial personal donation to this project but also encouraged many businesses to add their support.

His philanthropy extended to causes large and small. He was a major benefactor to Richmond Hospital and was known for his quiet generosity to ordinary people in need when he encountered them.

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Milan was known as one of Richmond's most successful developers. He was instrumental in developing a neighbourhood known as Terra Nova. He supported the inclusion of child care and affordable housing amenities. He loved his home of Richmond and, ultimately, wanted to do what was good for the community and his province.

Milan received the Order of B.C. in 2010. Milan Ilich died at the age of 76 on June 29, after a 14-month battle with leukemia. His memorial service was attended by over 1,000 people, a standing-room-only event, so fitting for a man who left a legacy of good deeds, of making things happen.

SUPREME COURT RULING

ON SUPERVISED INJECTION FACILITY

J. Kwan: On September 30, 2011, the highest court of this land made a landmark decision that once again validated the belief that everyone in our country deserves to be treated equally. The Supreme Court of

[ Page 7934 ]

Canada ruled that drug addicts have the constitutional right to access health services provided by Insite. It accepted in law that Insite, the first supervised injection facility in North America, after eight years of operation has saved lives and improved health without increasing the incidence of drug use or crime in the surrounding area.

This victory means that conservative political ideology cannot trump science. It means that when it comes to public policy decisions, the federal government — even the federal government — must respect the constitution. It means that hope and humanity make sense. It means that everyone deserves the chance to succeed in life. It shows that once again the Downtown Eastside is an agent for change and a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow.

This long, hard road to victory was paved by the lives that were lost to drug overdose. The simple fact is that dead people don't detox. The victory brings back memories of a demonstration known as the killing field, where activists planted a thousand crosses in our local park, with each cross symbolizing the loss of someone's son or daughter to a drug overdose. This was a dramatic demonstration of the failure of the war on drugs.

With this Supreme Court of Canada decision, it means that it would be unconstitutional to refuse the health services that Insite offers to other communities where there is a need. There is no need for such a killing field in any community. I'm sure that all levels of government will now work diligently to ensure that the health services offered by Insite are provided to other communities where there is a need. I ask that this House join me in thanking the people who fought so long and hard for this victory, and for believing in doing what is right.

ARTS CENTRE AND THEATRE

IN MAPLE RIDGE

M. Dalton: The Maple Ridge Arts Centre and Theatre, or the ACT, is the home for culture and live entertainment in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. It's a non-profit public resource serving the artistic and cultural needs of the diverse audiences in our community. ACT offers a wide range of activities throughout the year, including live music, theatre and comedy, to classes, workshops and events.

ACT also houses the Maple Ridge Art Gallery. It overlooks the Memorial Peace Park, in a scenic natural setting. Its expansive lobby, surrounded by glass, creates a cosmopolitan introduction to our performances. ACT also boasts a 500-seat main stage theatre with comfortable seats and great surround sound, as well as the Genstar Studio Theatre.

But ACT is more than bricks, mortar and glass. It's the people that make our centre come alive. It's the audience that comes for many types of shows and performances highlighting local, national and international talent.

ACT is dependent on and appreciative of the dozens of volunteers who give their time to create the best experience for audiences. There are also dedicated staff, led by executive director Lindy Sisson, who bring the professionalism to the centre.

The Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Arts Council operates and manages ACT through a grant from the two communities. The arts council is celebrating its 40th year of service. Fred Armstrong is the president, and the current executive includes Bonnie Telep, Mike Murray, Diane Daignault and Roger Welch, as well as other directors at large. The council provides leadership and is a conduit for great theatre and the excellent arts and crafts program that we enjoy at ACT.

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Oral Questions

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY JOBS

AND TIMELINE FOR ELIMINATION

OF HARMONIZED SALES TAX

A. Dix: It's great to be back. My question is for the Premier today. After a year when B.C. lost 21,000 jobs, the continued delay in getting rid of the HST is costing jobs in construction and making life less affordable for families. When is the Premier going to get on with it and speed up the elimination of the HST?

Hon. C. Clark: It is indeed nice to be back in this chamber.

In answer to the member's question, the independent panel, as I'm sure he is aware, said that it would take 18 to 24 months to be able to transition out of the HST. That was information that was available long before we went to the referendum. It was part of the public discussion on it.

My government has said we will do it in at least 18 months. We are doing it as fast as we think we possibly can. If we can do it faster than that, we absolutely will, but this is not some quick work of magic to unroll the tax. It is a complicated process. It requires negotiations with the federal government. It requires retaining back new employees who've been transferred over.

We are absolutely working on it as fast as we possibly can. It is really important for British Columbia that we be able to turn the page and get on with building our economy.

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

A. Dix: This is a Liberal page that's taken four years to turn. The damage that the Liberal Party has done to the

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economy with the HST, going in and coming out, is considerable. Eleven months to get in, but 19 months to get out? That's the best the government can do?

Peter Simpson of the Home Builders Association of Greater Vancouver says every day we're losing jobs in construction in the Lower Mainland as a result of this. In Kamloops, Apex Construction says they sold over 50 homes between 2005 and the day the HST came in, and three since then. The damage continues to grow.

When is the Premier going to act? Why does it take 19 months to get rid of the HST when it only took 11 months to bring it in and force working families to pay more and more?

Hon. C. Clark: Well, the member opposite and his friends worked very, very hard to try and defeat the tax, and now he says he wished he hadn't done that.

In fact, he says: "Gosh, you know, all this uncertainty that's been caused by people and all this process…." Well, am I the only one in here who looks across and sees this as crocodile tears from the member across from us? I mean, for heaven's sake. We are dealing with the tax, and we are dealing with it as quickly as we possibly can. If we can tighten up the timeline on it, we certainly will. It is a very complex process to go through, and I think most British Columbians who spend a little bit of time doing their homework will certainly understand that.

But in the meantime what we are doing is…. We have launched a jobs plan for the entire province of British Columbia so that people in every corner of this province can put food on the table for their kids. That is the most important thing. Instead of the member talking about all the things that happened yesterday, why doesn't he join us? Why doesn't he join us and work to bring jobs to British Columbia? Why doesn't he stand up and support the jobs plan, support making British Columbia a safe harbour for investment so we can put British Columbians to work?

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

A. Dix: Hon. Speaker, I'm inclined to say that we'd be inclined to support a jobs plan when the Premier produces a jobs plan. The mountain of disrespect she and her colleagues have placed on the voters since they decided to get rid of the HST…. Notwithstanding the mountain of disrespect, the fact of the matter is that jobs are being lost now. They're being lost because the Liberal Party misled people in the last election and has messed around on this issue now and will have messed around on it for four years.

Construction jobs are being lost right now. That's $800 million — that industry in Surrey — in one community in one year. Projects being lost in Kelowna and Kamloops — all over the province. Let's face it. The Premier needs to act. This is a jobs question, and they are failing the people of B.C.

When is she going to act? If it only takes 11 months to bring it in, why does it take 19 months to bring it out? What possible explanation can she have for the delay, when the delay is costing jobs, when jobs are important, when the delay is costing families money and making it less affordable to own a home at a time when young families are having a hard time buying a home? When is she going to act? Can't she do it quicker than 19 months?

Hon. C. Clark: So while the government has been busy working on a jobs plan for British Columbia, the opposition clearly hasn't been very focused on trying to come up with new questions for question period. I will say in the jobs plan this. If he takes the time to do a little homework on this, he'll see that there are lots of goals and targets set — for example, some new LNG operations for British Columbia.

Now, of course, on his left there are those who don't support it. On his right there are those who do support it. In the middle there are those who are skeptical about some of the things we plan to do in the jobs plan with specific targets for outcomes, making sure that we can create jobs across the province.

But let me say this. The member gets up and asks all these questions, which I think…. You know, just on Thursday he said: "I'm going to be positive. I'm going to be propositional. I'm going to say how we should pay for things." I could go through some of his comments from the throne speech debate, which just unfolded in the last day or two — negativity, disrespectful, admission of failure. I could go through just 19 of the tweets that have come from his caucus, which have been full of negativity. I'd ask the member this. If he believes in being positive, when is it going to start?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

B. Ralston: Mr. Speaker, residential home construction and renovation are industries that are very important to the economic activity in this province, and they already exist. They're waiting to get to work, but the industry is worried. I'm going to quote one contractor, who said: "I'm a builder who deals with more than 150 trades and suppliers on a regular basis. They rely on me for their employment. Without houses being built, many workers will lose their jobs."

When can this House expect the Premier to direct the Minister of Finance to step on the gas and speed up getting rid of the HST?

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Hon. C. Clark: I feel privileged to get so many questions in the House today. You know, the Minister of Finance, by the way, today is in Europe talking to investors about why British Columbia is such a great place to invest. While we get gloom and doom from an angry opposition, our Finance Minister is overseas convincing people who have money to invest that they should bring it to British Columbia.

You know what happens when they do that? When they bring it to British Columbia, they create jobs in communities across British Columbia. When we can capture investment for our province, that means jobs for families to be able to put food on the table for their kids. It also means revenue for government to be able to support the crucial social services that we all depend on.

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I know the member would like to talk doom and gloom, and I guess that's what you can do in opposition. But when you're in government, you have to have a plan. When you're in government, you have to….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Sit down for a second.

Members.

Continue, Premier.

Hon. C. Clark: When you're in government, you have to have a plan, and our plan includes three new LNG plants that are targeted to get going in the north. Our plan includes new mines and the expansion of existing mines which are going to put British Columbians to work all over the province. Our plan includes a focus on the agrifood sector and a number of other sectors which I can talk about in just a moment, if I get the chance.

I will say this. We are focused on an optimistic future for British Columbia. We are going around the world and telling investors, "Come here, because there is something to be optimistic about," and I know that one day the member will find a way to smile too.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Take your seat for a second.

Members.

Continue, Member.

B. Ralston: Homebuilders and renovators across the province…. This is an industry that exists, which employs tens of thousands of people. They are genuinely worried. It's not simply enough to just blow them off and talk about investment opportunities from another jurisdiction. Let's talk about an industry where people are employed now and where there's huge potential for more jobs, if the government would begin to act.

Let me quote from a letter that was directed to the Premier from a member of the builders association. "Our industry has been the victim of the HST for far too long. We urge our provincial government to make a swift transition back to a tax structure that will allow our industry to get back on its feet, to encourage buyers to look at new homes as more than just a huge tax bite." Will the Premier accept and act on this direct advice?

Hon. C. Clark: As I've said a number of times, we are working as fast as we possibly can to transition to the new tax. But I will say this. In terms of construction jobs, 13,100 more construction jobs are active today than were there before the HST came into effect.

While the member's attempt to sell British Columbia will probably consist of, "Don't come here; it's not working; things are terrible; jobs are being lost," I am not taking that approach. My approach and my government's approach is to go around the world and tell people about British Columbia's incredible advantages, to tell investors why they should be creating jobs in this great province.

In a world of economic turmoil the only way that we will be able to protect and defend jobs for British Columbia's families is if we go out there and we believe in British Columbia, if we go out there and tell people what's going right. You know what? There are a lot of things going right in British Columbia.

S. Simpson: The B.C. Liberals are continuing to frustrate the construction industry and continuing to cost people jobs. That's the reality here, and the performance of the Premier today has done nothing to alleviate that concern for people in that industry.

[1420]

I quote a Kelowna builder. "The B.C. Liberals made a grave mistake, and it's their responsibility to do everything humanly possible to fix the problem in the swiftest way possible. If the government cannot come up with some clear initiative to prevent a complete collapse of a very fragile industry, we need to consider any and all options to protect our interests." That's what the industry is saying. That's their concern.

This Premier said nothing to help those people in the throne speech, and she said nothing today to give them any comfort. What is this Premier prepared to do? What initiatives will this Premier do to protect the jobs that are here today, not the ones that she's imagining somewhere in the future?

Hon. C. Clark: I think the difference between the government and the opposition is that we can imagine how things could be better. That's where making things better begins. Quite frankly, you shouldn't offer yourself up for public office if you can't imagine that you can

[ Page 7937 ]

make things better. You shouldn't stand for election if you don't have hope that you can create some kind of opportunity and make your community better.

I was at the Order of B.C. awards today, and I saw a whole lot of people there from communities all across the province — people like Crystal Dunahee — who imagined that they could make things better, and they went out and did it. If you don't imagine, you can't do it. So that's where we're starting, but we have a plan to back it up.

I have to say this. It is a little rich coming from the NDP — talking about job losses. In the last five years of the last administration, when the Leader of the Opposition sat in the Premier's office, 50,000 people fled the province because they couldn't find jobs. That isn't the kind of British Columbia we want to go back to.

We need to imagine how we can do better. There are 13,000 more jobs in the construction sector today than there were a year ago. We can continue to grow jobs in this province, we can continue to put people to work, and we can continue to make it easier for families to put food on the table if we imagine for once how things can be better. That's where it starts.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

S. Simpson: The problem is that all this government offers the people of B.C. is imagination. The people of B.C. would like a little substance from their government.

Another Kelowna builder had this to say: "The HST fiasco was simply half-baked from the beginning and continues to negatively impact our industry. How is it possible that something that was implemented in three months now takes 18 months to disappear?"

What will this Premier and this government do to support this industry that produces thousands of jobs? Stop making promises you can't keep. Support an industry that's here today.

Hon. C. Clark: As I said, there are 13,000 more people employed in the construction sector today than only a year ago, which the member conveniently ignores when he asks me these questions.

Let me say this about the jobs plan, and I can send him a copy if he hasn't seen it. It's premised on the success that the government had in supporting the forest industry in the last years. So 27 mills have opened in British Columbia because of the work that the Minister of Jobs and others did in opening up markets in Asia. It was a really significant change, and it was a very significant achievement on the part of the government.

That's why we're able to say that we will increase our number of international education students by 50 percent over four years. It's why we're able to say that we want to have three LNG plants in operation by 2020. It's why we're able to say that we want to add to the capacity of mining communities all across the province. It's why we're able to say we are going to put a focus on clean energy solutions that the world desperately needs.

When you look at the plan — and I'll send it to the member, because he probably needs to do a little homework on this — he'll see that there are some very specific targets in it. It's a plan that pulls together ministries all across government and harnesses all of our energy with a single focus on one thing, and that's defending and creating jobs in every single corner of British Columbia.

[1425]

FOREST INDUSTRY JOBS

AND LOG EXPORT POLICY

N. Macdonald: Well, it speaks to how out of touch the Premier is when she cites forestry as the example of B.C. Liberal success. Thirty thousand jobs lost. B.C. Stats, forestry and logging: 35,500 jobs when this government took over; there are now 16,100. If you go to wood products, paper manufacturing, a total of 30,000 jobs lost.

In the spring we asked the minister about the 40 percent of wood harvesting on our west coast that is being exported as raw logs. In the spring the minister assured this House that he would revisit the B.C. Liberal policies that have so failed coastal communities. He agreed that exporting raw logs in such incredible volumes was poor public policy and that he would look for solutions. There's been a committee that has met over the summer.

My question to the Minister of Forests, the minister responsible: when are we going to see some action? When are we going to see jobs created with B.C. logs?

Hon. S. Thomson: I'd remind the member opposite of a few facts that might be important for him to know. Exports in British Columbia, overall exports from the forest industry, are up 20 percent; employment, up 7 percent; capital expenditures in the industry, up 34 percent. That is the result of a focused effort on building diversified markets for the industry, working in partnership with the industry, continuing to create those new opportunities for the industry.

We're seeing the results. As was mentioned, we've seen 27 mills opened or reopened in British Columbia. Mills like the mill in Vavenby — a $24 million investment bringing in 126 new jobs. Like the mill in Midway — 40 new jobs. We are seeing the results of the continued work with the sector in building and diversifying markets for the sector.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

[ Page 7938 ]

N. Macdonald: Let's see what ministry staff says. I have heard that claim before. Ministry staff reports that since October 2010 there were only eight mill openings, with two permanent closures and 13 temporary closures. At least seven of those closures identified a lack of fibre. So that's a fact. That's the minister's own staff reporting.

Every day that this goes on, there are more jobs lost. All that we have from this government is committees. Basically, what the minister is saying is that we have to wait, that there is a committee studying the issue, which is the B.C. jobs plan in a nutshell — committees studying an issue, in some cases two studying the same issue.

The question is…. It has been literally years that this has gone on. Every day is more lost jobs. When will the minister commit to keeping B.C. logs for B.C. jobs?

Hon. S. Thomson: Again, the 27 new mills opened or reopened. That's bringing additional jobs to communities all across British Columbia, additional investment in the industry all across British Columbia.

The member opposite is correct. We are reviewing the log export policy, and we will continue to do that. We've had a process underway over the summer that has worked with all stakeholders in the industry. It includes community representatives. It includes union representatives. It includes First Nations. It includes the industry. We are looking to make sure that we will have that balanced policy, making sure we have a policy that recognizes that the current export policy provides jobs in British Columbia, ensures that uneconomic stands continue to be harvested.

It's a complex policy area. We're continuing to do the work to make sure that we get it right, and we'll continue to make sure that we consult with all of those stakeholders in looking at what policy adjustments we may need to make.

[1430]

B. Routley: The mayor of Lake Cowichan, Ross Forrest, has made it clear to us all that he is sick and tired — sick and tired, hon. Speaker — of watching as truckload after truckload of logs drive right through the centre of town to be exported as raw logs. We are hearing from communities all over B.C. that they want B.C. logs to create B.C. jobs. Why is this government failing to act?

Hon. S. Thomson: As I said, we are working with a multi-stakeholder group, which includes all the interests, in reviewing the current export policy to ensure that we have a balanced policy, to ensure that we have timber available for the domestic mills that need it.

The member opposite is providing some quotes and some comments. Perhaps he'd like to hear a couple of other comments. How about the comment from the Heiltsuk Economic Development Corporation, the First Nation?

"We have scheduled 1.1 million cubic metres in total government licences and agreements to be harvested in the next ten years. Present marketing conditions only allow us to operate some of the time because of the high operating costs, even higher in the north coast area. Coastal communities and isolated areas need the certainty in access to global markets presently provided by the ability to export logs. Remove this from their option, and I feel forestry will be virtually shut down and no longer a part of the local economy."

Those are comments that show that the export policy is required. It's needed. It's creating jobs here in British Columbia and will continue to do that. We will continue to work with that multi-stakeholder group to ensure that we get the policy adjustments correct.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

B. Routley: Hon. Speaker, this government says they care about jobs. They've got an opportunity to put some action into those words. The Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-operative and the Pacheedaht band have partnered and want to access local timber to create jobs right here on Vancouver Island.

For too long this government has failed to act to help our forest communities. Will this government commit today to support Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-operative and the Pacheedaht to create jobs right here in British Columbia?

Hon. S. Thomson: With respect to the specific First Nation and the community that was referenced, I have had the opportunity to meet with that community. We have talked about the requirements for their community forest.

As the member opposite will know, locating and landing additional fibre requirements for community forests is always a challenge in a constrained land base and a constrained timber supply area. We are continuing to work with that initiative, and our regional staff are working with them to see if we can find the opportunities to address their fibre needs for that specific initiative.

COURT SYSTEM FUNDING

L. Krog: Six charges dropped, hon. Speaker. Michael Edward Ellis walks free last week because of trial delays. Mr. Ellis was no first-timer to the courts. He was on trial for drug charges involving crystal meth, stealing a vehicle, assaulting a police officer by ramming a cruiser. The Supreme Court was forced to let him go because of delays in the Provincial Court system due to Liberal cuts.

My question is very simply to the Premier. Is she going to commit today in this House to resource the B.C. courts so that criminals, alleged and otherwise, don't walk free?

[ Page 7939 ]

Hon. S. Bond: Anytime there is a stay of proceedings in British Columbia, we are concerned. That is why we continue to add additional resources, and we are going to continue to do that as aggressively as possible. Over the last two years we have added 14 new judges that will be in courtrooms right across British Columbia. In fact, there'll be new judges in South Fraser, Surrey, the coast region, Kamloops and Cranbrook.

Mr. Speaker, we intend to continue to work. Even as recently as yesterday in the throne speech, new initiatives are looking to assist in providing additional resources to courtrooms across the province.

[1435]

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

L. Krog: Everyone in British Columbia knows we are down 16 judges from where we were in 2005. The government is appointing judges to fill vacancies that are occurring constantly because of retirements, so the response from the Attorney General is not particularly satisfying to those of us in British Columbia who actually care about crime in the streets.

To hear words like I'm going to read now from a Supreme Court judge in this province is pretty unprecedented. Supreme Court Judge Mark McEwan said: "This region once had five full-time judges and is now down to three, plus two senior or part-time judges. There have been radical cuts to support services. This is not a situation of rapid population growth overwhelming existing resources but of conscious government policy to reduce the courts' ability to function."

I don't suppose the Attorney General is going to want to argue today with a Supreme Court judge, and I don't suppose the Premier is going to want to argue with a Supreme Court judge. But the Premier has it within her power today, instead of scribbling notes on napkins about riot TV, to actually do something about criminal behaviour in this province and resource the courts appropriately.

I want to hear her today in this House stand up and commit that this government will appoint the Provincial Court judges necessary so that we actually deal with criminal behaviour in this province.

Hon. S. Bond: I have just answered the question previously. We have appointed 14 judges, five as recently as this last summer. Yesterday in the throne speech we said we're going to utilize part-time judges, and we're going to bring back retired judges. In fact, we're training more deputy sheriffs, we're adding new court clerks, and we're adding resources. We're going to continue to do that to ensure that our courts are as effective as possible in the province of British Columbia.

[End of question period.]

Ministerial Statements

CLASSROOM COMPOSITION

AND CLASS ORGANIZATION FUND

Hon. G. Abbott: I rise to make a ministerial statement.

In spring of 2011 the B.C. Supreme Court delivered its ruling on the Public Education Flexibility and Choice Act, otherwise known as Bill 28. The court gave government 12 months to reach a negotiated resolution with the B.C. Teachers Federation.

I appointed Paul Straszak on May 5 to consult with BCTF on government's behalf. He has had five consultation meetings so far, with the latest taking place on September 9. At that meeting Mr. Straszak tabled a proposal that included the provision of a class organization fund.

This fund would supplement existing resources, allow school-level planning for vulnerable learners and address complex class organization issues. It would target those classrooms that need it most and would be allocated based on input from classroom teachers, B.C. Teachers Federation representatives and school administrators. It could be used, for example, to provide additional teaching staff, teaching assistants or professional development. I was disappointed when the BCTF suspended their participation in talks following that proposal.

Government strongly believes that teachers need to be involved in finding a solution with respect to the court's decision on Bill 28. We continue to honour the consultation process. Yesterday Mr. Straszak submitted to the BCTF a revised proposal that includes $165 million in funding over a three-year period and $75 million each subsequent year as part of the class organization fund. Our main concern is ensuring that school districts have the flexibility to efficiently direct resources to help teachers deal with crucial issues of classroom composition.

I want to stress how important it is that consultations continue. We've put forth a constructive proposal that I hope will result in thoughtful discussion and, ultimately, a negotiated resolution. However, this can only happen if both parties continue to work together.

[1440]

We have a responsibility to this province's students and parents to resolve this issue in a timely fashion so we can move forward with our shared goal to lift up B.C.'s great education system and make it exceptional.

Thank you for this opportunity to address the House, Mr. Speaker.

R. Austin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to respond briefly to the ministerial statement.

First of all, I'd like to say it's wonderful to see the government acknowledging the devastation that was caused

[ Page 7940 ]

by Bills 27 and 28. The removal of class size and composition from the learning conditions has had a profound effect on children for the last eight or nine years. I think this at least is a step forward in the right direction in acknowledging that and putting some of the resources needed back into the system.

I would like to point out, however — and I wait to find out more details — that I'm not sure whether any of these resources will go into this fiscal year. I think it's important that they do, because my understanding of the judicial decision is that there was one year from last April to actually mitigate some of the devastation done by those unconstitutional acts. So I would hope some of that money is going in this year to fix it, because children only have one opportunity every year.

Lots of children have already lost out in the last eight intervening years, so it's important that we fix this now. I hope that the judge, who I believe is going to be clarifying her judgment in April, will see this as a positive movement but will give greater clarification.

My other concern is this. If the resources that are going back do not correspond to the needs, then what I foresee is that teachers, school districts and families will indeed be competing for very scarce dollars when what we need is that every child in British Columbia is allowed to become who they need to be. Any child, I think, who is identified as having a need, needs to have the proper resources in place. I am hoping this fund is great enough to do that and we don't have districts competing with each other.

Hon. I. Chong: Presenting a petition.

Mr. Speaker: Proceed.

Petitions

Hon. I. Chong: I rise to present a petition that I received from a 16-year-old high school student at Prince of Wales Secondary School in Vancouver, Miss Sophie Harrison, who I understand represents an entity referred to as Kids for Climate Action. The petition, which contains more than a thousand signatures from youth primarily located in the Lower Mainland, is calling for action on climate change.

Orders of the Day

Hon. R. Coleman: This afternoon we'll be continuing the debate on the Speech from the Throne.

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

J. Thornthwaite: I am happy to respond to yesterday's throne speech, which I feel strikes a solid balance between the need for governments to navigate through these tough economic times and to ensure that we don't leave a legacy of debt for our children. Also, it works to protect and create jobs and do what a healthy society needs, which is to put families first.

The focus gives British Columbians hope for the future and demonstrates that we recognize that the world around us is changing and that we cannot be an island on our own in today's global economy.

[L. Reid in the chair.]

Together, we will work to ensure that British Columbia comes out ahead, in good shape and moving forward, and that the decisions this government has made and continues to make will ensure that we are on the best possible footing.

I feel confident that this plan is the best one for our economy moving forward and is the best for my family, my neighbour's family and our community. Quite simply, Madam Speaker, Canada starts here. Families instil character and are the first educators of our children.

The best way to help families is a job. Our government has a new leader, and one of the first things our new Premier did when she got elected was to increase the minimum wage. We recognize that the most important thing that helps families succeed is a job and that the best job is a well-paying job.

[1445]

We also recognize that not everyone has a well-paying job. So to help those people, B.C. will soon have the highest minimum wage in Canada. The first increase, to $8.75 an hour, took place on February 1, 2011. The second increase, to $9.50, will take place on November 1. The third increase, to $10.25, will take place on May 1, 2012.

One of the topics that is very near and dear to the hearts of many of my constituents is the ability of non-profits to serve their community and their reliance on community gaming grants. Our new leader injected an additional $15 million last spring into gaming grant funding, recognizing that those organizations are experts at leveraging government funds in order to capitalize on their volunteers and resources into providing major services for their communities.

This past Friday night I attended a North Shore Girls Soccer Club function in North Vancouver that celebrated the opening of the new Windsor Secondary training bubble. There I was happy to be able to present a cheque for $50,000 to the North Shore Girls Soccer Club as part of the sports for youth and disabled persons category of the community gaming grants.

As a proud soccer mom myself and a former North Shore Girls Soccer Club board member and age group coordinator, I know full well the amount of volunteer hours that go into the club from parents who coach, manage and put together tournaments and functions

[ Page 7941 ]

such as this. To provide this sum to help leverage the volunteer hours and resources they already have is a lifeblood for many groups, and I was very happy to be able to show my support in the way.

In fact, Windsor Secondary School has already benefitted recently from many upgrades and state-of-the-art capital projects. Next week the new artificial turf at Windsor will be officially launched with all of the partners who were involved in making that great facility happen, as part of the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program through Canada's economic action plan.

The list of partners who work together to complete the entire project includes the federal government, the provincial government, the district of North Vancouver, school district 44 and the North Vancouver Community Sport and Recreational Council, Canexus, as well as the North Shore girls soccer association. This is another example of how, if we all work together — all levels of government, industry and the non-profits — we can do a better job collectively than if just one of us had to do it alone.

Many groups in my riding benefit from community gaming grants, including the North Shore Disability Resource Centre, which received almost $200,000 since August 2010 in the sports for youth and disabled persons category. North Vancouver Football Club, Vancouver Skating Club and the Lynn Valley Little League are all sports clubs that have benefitted from community gaming grants. In the arts and culture category, Deep Cove Heritage Society and the North Shore Celtic Ensemble are other ones.

Last week I joined three social studies classes at Argyle Secondary School, upon the request of their teacher, for me to discuss government and what the role is and what an MLA does. In addition to being able to explain what we do over here in Victoria as well as in my offices in North Vancouver, I was able to inform the students that we gave their parent advisory council almost $40,000 over the last year in community gaming grants.

Also this weekend I was happy to join my colleagues from West Vancouver–Capilano and West Vancouver–Sea to Sky to attend a fundraiser put on by the Sunrise Rotary Club in support of North Shore Search and Rescue Society. Last Christmas, I was happy to present the North Shore Search and Rescue Society a cheque for $100,000 to assist them in purchasing new equipment for the rescue efforts.

This morning, Madam Speaker, I was honoured to be present in Government House to join others and to celebrate Tim Jones from North Vancouver–Seymour receiving the Order of B.C. He is from North Shore Search and Rescue. As a matter of fact, just late last night Tim and his dedicated team of volunteers were once again called into action, rescuing two hikers who had been stranded on Grouse Mountain.

As much as we are all grateful for the support of the community gaming grant branch, we know there could be improvements. That is why our Premier appointed Skip Triplett to head the community gaming grant review.

[1450]

I have met with Mr. Triplett and have encouraged all of the people who I know have applied for a community gaming grant to give input for this review. We all look forward to Mr. Triplett's formal report on the gaming grant review, which will be submitted to the provincial government by the end of this month and the results to be made public shortly after.

The day-to-day expenses families must incur also led to a thoughtful review of B.C. Hydro rates as well as B.C. Ferries. A review of all Crown corporations is expected in the near future, which will be welcome news to taxpayers — welcome news to families.

As our Premier has promised, there will be a designated family day in February in order to encourage families to get together and enjoy themselves. I know that I will be making a special effort to get my kids together on that day to do something special.

Oftentimes, like many British Columbians, I feel overwhelmed with the work-life balance and certainly when I spend a significant amount of time over in Victoria, away from my family. For me personally, I believe that designating a family day will help me stop and think and perhaps make an extra-special effort to ensure that we all plan something to do together, even if it is a dinner out or a dinner in.

But recognizing that an extra stat holiday may be a difficult jump for small businesses right away, our government has chosen to delay this promise for an extra year so that businesses will have the time to adjust. Just like we did with the increments of increasing the minimum wage, we will likewise introduce the family day for February 18, 2013, to give everyone the necessary time to adjust.

I was very pleased to attend the Premier's announcement at UBCM last week, for the $30 million that will go to local municipalities for recreation facilities. Eligible recreation projects will include sports facilities, community recreation spaces, fitness facilities, trails, bike paths, walkways, playgrounds and other indoor-outdoor recreational centres.

Certainly, in North Vancouver we have some aging facilities, and the North Vancouver Recreation Commission has been working very hard to prioritize and determine which facilities should be rebuilt first. In fact, I was a member of the North Van Rec Commission several years ago, and I can remember the time and effort it took to try and make a decision as to which facility needed the work most. They all need help, and this announcement is great news.

This investment will help our community serve the citizens of the North Shore. It will not only make us healthier with all the fabulous exercise programs avail-

[ Page 7942 ]

able, pools and gyms, but it will also provide the space for social programs — for the seniors in our communities like Parkgate or Silver Harbour, and the moms and babes social that helps moms get help with their little ones and some extra time to talk to adults and meet new friends that could last a lifetime and the pre-teen programs that help keep kids busy and safe on a Friday or Saturday night.

With regards to the economic times that we are in right now, we just had a referendum, and the people have spoken. The government has listened, and now we're acting on what we have been asked to do. We are going back to the PST system. However, our Finance Minister has said he will use this opportunity to review our tax system to ensure that it supports job creation and innovation, moving forward to Budget 2012.

In the past six weeks we've seen all around the world the negative effects of this global economic downturn in Europe, in Greece and even next door to us — our neighbours in the south, the United States. We see the unrest by the people because they fear for their jobs. They fear for their livelihood. They fear for their families.

We have also seen, globally, that governments who have been reckless with the taxpayers' money are now being punished by the financial systems around them. We cannot be an island in a global economy. We must not let that happen to B.C. We must stay the course and ensure we keep our triple-A credit rating. We must do everything we can to encourage jobs and investment in B.C. Our children will live with the decisions we make today. Their families will live with the decisions that we make today.

That is why our Premier is heading a trade mission to China and India next month, recognizing that these countries have the fastest-growing middle class and that we have the products that they want to buy.

B.C. can provide these countries with what they want, but there are other countries knocking on their doors, which is why we cannot take anything for granted. We must tell these consumers what we have. We must show them what products we can provide and ensure that our products fit their needs.

[1455]

If China wants to build wood houses, then our forestry industry is there for them, and the stability of our economy will encourage them to trust us to be able to deliver the goods when they want them. We must expose the world's best-kept secret. B.C. is open for business, and Canada starts here.

But gaining more business for our companies and creating more jobs with these companies to provide the products and services abroad is not enough. We still have to keep our own fiscal house in order. Our zero mandate for collective agreements is a case in point. But that doesn't mean we can't be creative and cooperative to work with these sectors to perhaps improve working conditions.

If we cannot meet wage demands, then perhaps, for instance, as our Minister of Education just announced, we could do something about class composition. It will make things easier for teachers in the classroom but will also help children learn better in the classroom — all children, those with special needs and those typical: every child in the classroom.

Defending jobs and creating jobs. The B.C. jobs plan that the Premier and the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation announced over the last couple of weeks is a substantial plan of action designed not only to boost the number of jobs for our citizens but to increase investment and the demand for our products worldwide.

One of the things I've heard over and over again during my tenure on the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is the slow permitting process that is not good for companies, not good for workers, not good for families and not good for communities or jobs. The province is investing almost $24 million to reduce the time it takes for businesses wanting to invest in natural resource development to get decisions on approvals and permits. This will be done without compromising environmental values or the requirements to consult with First Nations.

Once the permit and approval backlog is reduced, the target for turnaround on new notices of work for mines will be 60 days.

My fellow North Shore resident, Gavin Dirom, president of the Association for Mineral Exploration in B.C., has said: "You know, firstly, I just want to mention that explorers are very excited by this news and the announcement today. We believe it is doable. We believe the mineral exploration development community has a proven track record. We have a number of mines operating in B.C., and we know that there are many in the pipeline. In fact, there are the most mine proposals in Canada located right here in British Columbia."

Another fellow North Shoreite, Greg D'Avignon, who is the CEO of the B.C. Business Council: "If it takes nine months to get a permit approved, then you've lost that opportunity. The strength of this plan is that it really builds on our assets and creates the opportunity for us to be an investment location of choice."

The second pillar of the jobs plan is strengthening infrastructure to get our goods and services to market. Robin Silvester, president and CEO of Port Metro Vancouver, has stated: "Port Metro Vancouver is the cornerstone of Canada's Pacific Gateway. The Premier's commitment to this vital infrastructure investment enables us to reliably support growing international trade in an efficient and sustainable way. With this critical funding commitment in place, we can now focus on meaningful consultation on the proposed project with municipalities, communities and the public." We're all very familiar with the support that our Premier and our government are giving to the bid for the Seaspan.

[ Page 7943 ]

But the gateway is more than roads, bridges, trains and ports. It is people. The education strategy to encourage more international students will not only bring valuable funds to our education systems and increase choices in classroom size for our own students, but it will also encourage those students to stay here, to find a job here, to pay taxes here, to raise their family here and to become part of our community here.

By putting these measures in action, the B.C. jobs plan seeks to make B.C. one of the top two Canadian provinces in both GDP and job growth by 2015.

Services for B.C. families. I was pleased to see the mention on modernizing education in the throne speech. Certainly, we need to update our curriculum to take it to 21st century and personalized learning. Children are not just little widgets that we are supposed to teach and squish into the right-size boxes. Children are different and learn at different rates. They have different interests and have different ways of digesting all of the learning menus that we serve to them.

[1500]

Not all kids like carrots, and if they do, they don't all like them cooked. My son loved steamed, mashed carrots as a baby, but he wouldn't eat them again until he was a youth, and then only raw, with dip.

To stereotype children into liking or not liking carrots a certain way will not serve well throughout their learning lives. We need to adapt our menu to excite them and motivate them to try new things. Teachers are the experts in bringing excitement to students and learning. Let's watch what they can do. Let's give them the tools to let them do it.

Last week I was pleased to join our Minister of Education on a tour of all the exciting new facilities being built in North Vancouver. We started out at the new Education Service Centre and Artists for Kids Gallery. This building is an excellent example of how the partnerships between the city of North Vancouver, the school board and the Ministry of Education can work together to provide newer and better facilities for our citizens. An old building gets replaced. A new building goes up in its place with market and special housing as well. What a partnership.

We then headed up to the construction site at the new Carson Graham Secondary School and then the grand opening of Ridgeway Elementary, where the heritage value of the facade of the school was maintained, thanks to the diligence and perseverance of the community and another partnership agreement between the city of North Vancouver, the school board and the Ministry of Education.

The total cost of this updating was $21.5 million, with much of the funding for the heritage restoration work coming from the sale of surplus North Vancouver school district land, the project an estimated 135 jobs. And a neighbourhood learning centre is also added, which houses a much-needed child care area managed by North Shore Neighbourhood House.

The province has invested close to $87 million for capital projects in the North Vancouver school district. There's lots going on in North Vancouver in our education system.

Healthy communities. I was very happy to join our Minister of Health as we launched the healthy families initiative this summer and challenged all communities to walk for prizes. I even held a walk and picnic in Cates Park for my community over the summer. Instead of serving the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers at a barbecue, we chose healthy snacks and healthy beverages instead.

My dietitian colleague Kathy Romses, who works for Action Schools B.C., talked about her role as a dietitian in the school system. Jennifer Hewlett, who runs Fresh Air Life, led us all in a healthy walk around the communities of Deep Cove. There is no better way to stay healthy than to get outside in the fresh air and move around.

As a former dietitian, I was equally pleased to hear of the increased services for dietetic services at the touch of a phone or computer screen. Now people can access free nutrition advice through the HealthLink services. Call 811 and ask to speak with a dietitian, free of charge. This is part of the preventative strategy which includes programs with restaurants and convenience stores in order to inform people as to what is in their food so that they can make informed choices to improve their nutrition and their health.

Prior to entering politics I was a registered dietitian, helping people make healthier choices for healthier lives. One of my jobs was working with the Vancouver Health Department at the time and local restaurants, so I'm very much looking forward to seeing how this provincewide program comes to fruition.

In addition, the province is partnering with communities in a grass-roots effort to help families live healthier life styles and prevent chronic diseases. Comprehensive consultations will start to take place with local governments around British Columbia over the next few months with the intent to launch healthy families B.C. communities in early 2012.

As part of the healthy families B.C. communities initiative, provincial health authorities will work with interested communities to develop plans to make their city or town healthier. Planning can take place in such areas as physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco reduction, healthy built environments and priority populations.

The healthy families B.C. communities initiative is a component of the healthy families B.C. strategy that was launched in May 2011. This overall strategy supports British Columbians in managing their own health, reducing chronic diseases and ensuring that pregnancy and support programs target the province's most vulnerable families. The strategy will also focus on healthy

[ Page 7944 ]

eating, including a greater awareness campaign around sodium and sugary drinks.

[1505]

Services weren't the only exciting announcement we made over the summer months, Madam Speaker, in health care. Plans for the new $64 million Lions Gate Hospital mental health and addictions centre are now underway with the help of the province and the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, which will bring together not only a new state-of-the-art facility but a new ambulance station and space for the UBC department of medicine as well. What a great project underway on the North Shore, and thanks to all the hard-working local MLAs that made that happen.

So I believe that the throne speech that the Lieutenant-Governor presented to us yesterday provides us with a substantial plan of action that, over the coming years, will make British Columbia an even better place to live.

It provides the foundations for building our economy and utilizing our natural resources, the so-called dirt industries, while capitalizing on our products and showing the world what we have, ensuring our human capital is ready for the challenges of the 21st century and that our natural resources are there to help pay for the increased demands of our health care system, our education system and our social services.

It's about making sure that all our citizens that are able to work can work and contribute to our society as valuable citizens and valued members — to allow them to raise their families as they see fit and help them along their way in their everyday lives. Canada starts here. Our communities are better for it, and our families will thrive and prosper.

N. Simons: It is my pleasure and privilege to stand here and respond to the Speech from the Throne, which was delivered in this House yesterday.

For those in the gallery, it was a speech that lasted awhile. But in terms of substance, I would say…. You know, it's my responsibility as a member of the opposition to point out where it might have been able to be improved.

I also should say that, because of the geographical nature of my constituency, I do have two constituency assistants. They're separated by a drive and a ferry, so it's not easy for one to fill in for the other. That being said, I also have a very lovely group of volunteers who manage very well to ensure that our office is open five days a week in both Davis Bay and in Powell River. I thank them for their work, and I thank them for strengthening our own communities by being that voice — non-partisan voice, actually — for the people in the constituency.

I also would like to acknowledge the two chiefs who reside in Powell River–Sunshine Coast: Chief Clint Williams, from the Sliammon Nation, and Chief Garry Feschuk, from the Sechelt Nation. Along with their councillors, they are doing their best, in a challenging atmosphere of government negotiations, to do what is best for their people who have lived in Coast Salish territory, in their territory, since time immemorial.

Only now we're coming through some difficult periods in history, with colonization and the impacts of residential schools. I think that they are brave and strong leaders for their people. I do what I can, and others in this constituency do what they can, to ensure that we act as partners and friends and brothers and sisters, to ensure our constituency is cohesive and geared towards improving the lives of everyone.

Mayor Stewart Alsgard, Mayor Barry Janyk, Mayor Darren Inkster, and Regional District Chair Gary Nohr — all are committed public servants who endeavour to do what is best for their communities, along with their council and their other directors.

[1510]

It's something that I think we sometimes take for granted — the challenge of elected office, especially on the local level, I think, when everybody knows where you live, and they can knock on your door and ask you why you voted this way or that way. It takes remarkable commitment, and I thank them for their commitment.

I saw a number of representatives of regional government at the Union of B.C. Municipalities last week, and they certainly have energy and ideas. I think they're as optimistic as I am and as we are on this side of the House about the future of British Columbia. We know that we live in the most beautiful place in the world — one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Canada is here. It starts and ends here, as it does in every province and territory of this beautiful country, of which I have had the pleasure to visit every jurisdiction except Newfoundland. But having sat next to the member for Coquitlam-Maillardville, I think I've had a pretty good taste of that province — Newfoundland and Labrador. She's not in here.

I'd like to also acknowledge the educational institutions in Powell River–Sunshine Coast. We are fortunate to have both Capilano University and Vancouver Island University, with campuses in Sechelt and Powell River respectively, where they offer courses in a number of areas — for some, the only places where those programs are offered, like scuba diver training programs and mountain bicycle training programs.

[ Page 7945 ]

They just are like a core to our community. I hope that in the years to come when we decide that it's important to invest in educational infrastructure, those institutions will just become stronger, with broader access to programs for everyone on the Sunshine Coast.

Everyone's worried about their kids leaving town as soon as they graduate from high school. I think it's a refrain we hear in many small communities across the province. Parents sort of bemoan the moving away of their kids. I think if we have strong educational opportunities and job opportunities in our communities, we'll see that trend perhaps abate somewhat.

Over this past summer many people were wondering whether there would be an election or what the outcome of the HST referendum would be. The uncertainty in the province was palpable, and on a personal level, I think the business of the constituency could not slow down. There were a number of issues that needed to continue to be addressed throughout the summer — things that couldn't really wait until the Legislature reconvened.

The concern of my constituents unique to the constituency of Powell River–Sunshine Coast has to do with the British Columbia Ferry Services. We are the only constituency in the entire province, out of 85, that is entirely ferry-dependent. Every community, every island, is dependent, except for air travel, on the marine highway.

At one time the marine highway served our communities in a way that was affordable, that supported the communities they served, that allowed workers and residents to travel back and forth, obviously at a higher cost than most highways in the province but with a service that was reliable and predictable and safe.

Since 2003, almost to a person in Powell River–Sunshine Coast, there's a story of how the change of structure in B.C. Ferries has had a negative impact on them, on a family member or on a community group they belong to, on a business they frequent, on an educational institution that they may have a son or daughter attending. Ferry fares on the Sunshine Coast on average, since 2003, went up 80 percent — 80 percent.

[1515]

I've heard stories, sad stories, from grandparents whose children and grandchildren don't visit as often, stories about how businesses are threatened to the brink, how the costs of our goods and services are higher, and even our access to medical and professional services is more expensive due to the fact that to access them we must get onto a ship run by a private company entirely interested in only its economic viability, in itself questioned.

So after community members in Powell River–Sunshine Coast held rallies, they wrote letters, and they e-mailed ministers — three different ministers. They signed petitions. They came to the Legislature, and opposition members presented those petitions and put forward private members' bills. We wrote op-eds.

Community members made their own submissions. The Islands Trust, a government organization unique to British Columbia, put forward their concerns. Regional districts up and down Vancouver Island and in coastal communities like on the Sunshine Coast also put forward compelling, rational, realistic requests of government to address the spiralling up of their fares.

Texada Islanders, all 980 of them, are impacted on a daily basis from the cost of the service. Their fares increased 104 percent. When one thinks of the contribution that the coastal communities in this province have made to the building of our province, to the strengthening of its economic stature, to its contribution to the vibrancy of our communities, not to mention the revenue collected by provincial government from those communities, it's fair that residents say they deserve better.

It's fair to suggest that simply because we live in a more remote, more difficult-to-access community, we should have the right of affordable transportation. Nobody is asking for free ferries. Nobody is asking for subsidies to such a degree that it would be simply not a thought will cross their mind before getting on a ferry.

But the stories of people not leaving the Sunshine Coast and not coming to the Sunshine Coast are troubling for businesses and residents alike. School groups are forced to pay more. The teams — hockey teams, ballet troupes, skiers — all those who wish to go and compete or perform or participate with peers…. Special Olympics athletes who wish to go and meet friends in North Vancouver or West Vancouver, to participate in the games…. Every group is impacted by ferry fares making travel exorbitant and prohibitive.

So I was pleased that after the hundreds and hundreds of letters and the e-mails and petitions, the government — with the obvious approval of the opposition back earlier this year, in this 39th parliament — allowed the ferry commissioner to for once contemplate the impact of ferries on the public. The law that the government passed in 2003 specifically said that public interest is not to be considered when contemplating fare increases. It was explicitly excluded from the consideration that the ferry commissioner would undertake.

Now, after those increases I mentioned, after the lobbying efforts I mentioned, the government has said we need to look at the public interest. So I'm thankful for that. I want to be explicit in my appreciation for government recognizing the importance of contemplating the public interest. That is a good step. That's something that I will fight for.

[1520]

I have a box in my office of 2,700 letters — from a community of 12,000 people — saying that ferry fares are killing their community. When the ferry commissioner visited, he first came to Gibsons on the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale. The ferry commissioner and

[ Page 7946 ]

his deputy commissioner listened carefully to the presentations of dozens of community members in a room packed with about 150 people.

The following day the ferry commissioner went to Powell River. They got a larger room for the event, which was lucky, and 250 people showed up to express their concerns about ferries. The following day the ferry commissioner and the deputy took the ferry from Westview in Powell River over to Blubber Bay on Texada Island, where in the middle of a Friday afternoon 125 people showed up at the Legion to express their concerns about the cost of simple travel.

I think that, judging on a nod test, people in this House, in this chamber, recognize the importance of a transportation system that serves all parts of our province. Nobody on the Sunshine Coast begrudges the snow clearing required on the northern highways. They have their own shovels.

And no one on the Sunshine Coast has any problem with the necessity of widening highways in dangerous places or investing our public money in better transportation infrastructure. I believe equally true is that there are very few people in Fort St. John or in Revelstoke or in Oliver or in Squamish who begrudge the fact that public money helps us and island and coastal communities get back and forth.

My hope was that, in fact, this issue would have been dealt with in a little bit more depth in the throne speech of yesterday, where the quote is: "We await a report on the operations of B.C. Ferries from the ferry commissioner." I was pleased that they are awaiting the report. I'm awaiting the report as well. "The government's response to the commissioner's report" — this is the part that got me a little bit confused — "will be informed by consultations and engagement with coastal communities."

Well, Madam Speaker, the entire process of the ferry commissioner's hearings is to engage coastal communities. So I'm wondering if this is a signal that the Minister of Transportation is going to follow the ferry commissioner and come and visit our communities to once again hear what has been repeated in every household and every business on the coast — that our fares are too high, our businesses are suffering, tourists aren't coming, and we need public policy that reflects the interests of our communities.

We have fewer ships in the fleet now than we did eight years ago. There are fewer ships serving our coastal and ferry-dependent communities. Yeah, and I understand that the only possible response that anybody from the government side has when I bring up issues around ferries is pointing to a public expenditure 20 years ago that they giggle about and talk about — the fast ferries.

You know, I'm long past that. I believe that we can live in the past, but I much, much prefer to live in the present with the hope of a better future. If we didn't learn from mistakes, that would be the problem. If we did learn from mistakes, as we all have, I think it puts us in a better position now to address public policy issues without bringing in our symbolic failures.

[1525]

I think, ultimately, what British Columbians would like to see is a fleet of safe and reliable vessels. The Queen of Chilliwack is currently plying the Salish Sea from Comox to Powell River.

An Hon. Member: And a good ship she is.

N. Simons: And the good ship Queen of Chilliwack should have abdicated her throne many years ago. It's a bit of an adventure for many, not just to get onto the ferry, for three hours or eight hours — as the case was last year when they travelled in stormy seas. It's a ship that probably is on time about as often as I am to the Legislature. Okay, we're leaving that open to

interpretation. We're not all perfect.

But the ferry services for my constituency need to be addressed. My hope is they are addressed in the ferry commissioner's report. My hope is that the government will contemplate the recommendations that he makes. My other hope is that it will not simply mean a further round of discussions about the cost of ferry fares. We were promised, in 2003, stable fares, better service and more jobs in B.C. Ferries. It took them seven years to figure out that that wasn't working and another couple to decide it was time to look into it.

There is a proposal on the table right now that 400 sailings in the system get cut — 400 sailings. I know that many of those sailings cuts are targeted in my constituency, simply because we have four ferry routes.

I haven't really talked about the Earls Cove–Saltery Bay route, which has a beautiful ship. It has an elevator built for the most beautiful building, but it wasn't built for a ship. It hasn't worked most of the time. I think that B.C. Ferries is hoping that they'll at least get it to work in one direction, but most elevators need to go in both directions — up and down. B.C. Ferries — maybe they're saving money. It can only go to the third floor, once a day.

However, you know, ferries and elevators in my constituency are a surprisingly important issue. The Queen of Chilliwack elevator got stuck the other day, causing a medical emergency, causing many to be very concerned for the well-being of passengers.

It has been suggested by B.C. Ferries that they are going to renovate the dog waiting area for people with disabilities, so that they don't have to wander far from the porta-potty they've installed on the main car deck. My constituency has many people, seniors with mobility issues and others.

I would say that if this ship existed in any other part of the province, it would have been repaired by now. We have a ship that in six months has not had an elevator

[ Page 7947 ]

service. The employees carry the stores up. All the deliveries are dumped on the car deck. I'm not a fearmonger, but the safety equipment on those ships is not built for people all staying on the car deck. The life rafts are located on the upper deck. If the ferry is full, I don't know how they're going to get the life raft from one end of the ship to the other.

I think that people in British Columbia, once they understand that this is our only way in and out of our communities…. It's unsafe in many situations. It's uncomfortable in many situations. I will point out that none of this — none of the problems that I have raised about B.C. Ferries — has to do with the people who work on those ships. I would even like to say that they are appreciated, even by the most frustrated of travellers. They are appreciated for the fact that they are the front line of people's travels.

[1530]

[D. Horne in the chair.]

The other issue that has been getting a lot of attention in the Sunshine Coast is the fact that there have been doctors who have been operating beyond the scope of their licences. While I recognize that there has been a review into that situation, Powell Riverites and lower Sunshine Coast residents have questions that have yet to be answered.

People's lives were impacted in many different ways. Their family members were put under stress they should not have been subjected to had there been a system in place in the province where doctors' credentials were assessed, adequately categorized and classified, and where there would have been oversight.

My sincere hope is that the government — if it's interested in encouraging people to have confidence in public services, including the health care system — address this issue without any attempt at obfuscation or denial.

I'd like to just quote, as I have an opportunity to, the throne speech and the discussion of families. I'd like to just make a direct quote. I'll start at the beginning.

"Families are the first educators" — first in the line of healing and the first in protection. "They are where we turn when times are tough and when we seek inspiration. Families can extend beyond bloodlines to one's support network of friends and mentors." How we define families is "a personal choice." They build "character and make good citizens, and good citizens make a great country and a great province. With families at the heart of decision-making, the government has taken steps to make life a little bit more affordable."

As you know, I have been appointed the critic for Community Living B.C., and I have to say that the sector was pleased that specific attention could be paid to the issues of importance to them.

Their needs are unique. The needs of families of people with developmental disabilities are unique. They are challenging. They are all life-encompassing. They are rewarding. I believe they are families that need specific attention from government because they're currently in crisis and suffering.

Group homes across this province where, in one case, three men who have lived together for over 20 years with staff…. Dedicated staff, qualified staff, caring staff have cared for their needs for over 20 years. Those three men, by anyone's definition, are a family. It's one example of this government forcing families apart.

I ask this government to take a strong look at that and recognize that your very own words to describe families are either a sham in the throne speech or there's been a massive public policy error in Community Living B.C.

In group homes where aging parents have been able to look and say, "This is where my son will grow old long after I'm gone," or where someone will say, "My sister is healthier, happier — you can tell — more engaged in her community and loved by her roommates...." That's a family.

There are group homes across this province where families live in all their combinations and permutations. They are families by anyone's definition, and they should not be torn apart by government policy.

[1535]

In closing, I would like to see some attention paid to the reality of families in this province. I would have preferred to see some strategic action identified to address the needs of families. Without action, the words are simply platitudes, and I think British Columbians are tired of platitudes.

J. Les: It's a pleasure to rise and take my place in response to the Speech from the Throne. It's been a while since I've had a opportunity to speak in the House.

Before I get into my comments, it would be, I think, appropriate to mention the support I get, not only from my constituents but more particularly from my family. As all members of this House know, it's necessary to be away from home a lot as we carry out our responsibilities, and my family continue to put up with that. Sometimes, I have to tell you, when I pull out of the driveway, I do it with a slight sense of regret.

Nevertheless, the work that we have to do here continues to interest me very, very much. So it's an ongoing balancing act, as I'm sure it is for all members of this House, to satisfy your domestic obligations and the needs of this particular responsibility that we all carry.

I also want to mention my constituency assistant. I have one constituency assistant in my constituency office, and she's been with me now for over ten years. She came along soon after I was elected in 2001. Her name is Pam White. She does a tremendous job, actually makes

[ Page 7948 ]

it relatively easy for me to be away for a week at a time. I have no difficulty at all in knowing that all of the issues in terms of my constituents are being professionally and competently dealt with.

It has not been unusual over the years for me to arrive at the office and find a bouquet of flowers on her desk. Once or twice they might have been from her husband, but I do know that from time to time that they have been from very satisfied constituents as well. I guess I could give her no greater credit than to remark on the fact that the constituents in my riding absolutely enjoy the service that they have received from her. I just wanted to mention that because we tend sometimes not to mention those things often enough.

Now to the throne speech. But before I get into some of the substance of that, I think that it's also important for us all to reflect on the circumstances we find ourselves in today internationally.

This is certainly a very difficult world financially and economically. As we look at the United States since the economic recession took effect in 2008, I think it's fair to say they have yet to find any traction to move the economy forward, in spite of a trillion and more dollars being spent on economic stimulus. There's a lot of discussion today whether or not this is going to be a double-dip recession.

If you look at Europe, there are great reasons, I think, to be very, very concerned about where Europe is going and, indeed, whether the euro, the common currency that they have adopted some years ago, is going to actually survive this economic crisis, which at the moment is focused on Greece.

But there are a number of other countries that could very easily find themselves in the same circumstances, with enormous levels of debt and with very, very large operating deficits. Frankly, I have yet to see a plan that would actually be able to get them out of the economic morass that they're in.

Even more recently — and this is very, very recent — there are some reasons, I think, to be concerned about the Chinese economy. I happened to be in Thailand on an economic development mission in 1997. Some of the circumstances I saw in Thailand then, just before the so-called Asian Tigers went into an economic funk, seem to be starting to appear in the Chinese economy now.

[1540]

Now, we know that that is a large and rapidly growing economy that, I'm sure, will continue to grow over time, but we may well be looking at a hiccup in the growth of the Chinese economy. So there are a lot of challenges as you look around the world and many reasons, I think, for us all to do our very best to very carefully navigate through these challenges.

As I was in my office the other day thinking about some of these things, as I often do, I looked around for perhaps a little bit of inspiration. Winston Churchill in the past century, of course, was probably the greatest statesman of that century and left behind a number of observations, which sometimes I love to mull over and think about.

One of the things he was known to say was: "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity,

whereas an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." I think that there's a lot worth thinking about as we have heard the opposition leader discuss several times in the last few weeks that he now wants to become optimistic. Yet when I hear him say that, inevitably the entire speech is full of pessimism.

He really has not yet convinced me and perhaps many other people across the province that there is going to be a new attitude unfolding on behalf of the opposition, because all I hear is they've actually gone Chicken Little one better. Where Chicken Little used to say that the sky is falling, the Leader of the Opposition actually would tend to have us all believe that the sky has fallen — so, you know, taking pessimism one step further.

There are actually a lot of reasons to be optimistic in British Columbia when you look at the strong foundation that we've built over the last decade in this province. Just a few factors, I think, bear mentioning. The low taxation levels that we have in this province for personal taxation, for example. If you earn up to $120,000, you pay fewer income taxes in British Columbia than in any other province.

We have competitive corporate tax rates in the province of British Columbia. A number of years ago we finally regained a triple-A credit rating in the province of British Columbia. We lost that in the 1990s under the NDP administration, but after a lot of financial discipline in the early part of this decade, we regained that triple-A credit rating, which is a pretty rare commodity around the world. Today that triple-A designation is saving us an awful lot of money in terms of interest payments, and it is certainly worth protecting that recognition.

We had four years of surplus budgets prior to the economic recession. At the same time, we had a massive investment in infrastructure in roads, airports, railways and port facilities right across the province as we developed the Asia-Pacific gateway, which is really starting to come into play as a significant generator of economic opportunities for British Columbians.

We also invested in education. Today we have 35,000 additional post-secondary education spaces across the province. We have seven new universities providing additional post-secondary education access to thousands of British Columbia students right across the province.

We often hear discussion by others and the Leader of the Opposition as well, saying: "It's all come undone. The opportunities aren't there." Well, clearly, that is not the case. When you're talking about access to post-secondary education, it is not just the tuition. It is not

[ Page 7949 ]

just the interest rate on any student loans. It is also about physical access.

In the 1990s it was certainly the case that tuitions were lower than they are today, but it was also the case that most students had to do five years of study, for example, to get a four-year degree. That extra year of study costs students a lot of money as well. So we need to have a balanced discussion about post-secondary education. It's about the ability to access it, preferably near home if you can do it, and as well, it's a discussion about student loans.

[1545]

We're going to continue to build on these achievements, but I am also very, very proud that in the throne speech that was read yesterday, we are resisting the temptation, wherever it might exist, to embark on irresponsible and profligate spending because although we're going through a difficult time, this is a time where we need to be financially disciplined and not embark on wild spending that only will result in an even larger mortgage on the future for our children.

I've become increasingly aware as I've looked at economies around the world that so often that has been the tendency — that the things we want today we simply write up a mortgage on the future that our children and our grandchildren will have to retire. That is unfair, particularly when you look at the demographics within our economy. We had a very good presentation a number of days ago at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention where David Foot gave us a pretty good lecture, I thought, on what the demographic trends are. The retired population in the future is going to be a rather larger one, vis-à-vis the working population.

I think that that even more urgently underlines the fact that we have to pay today for the things that we want today because the generations coming after us are already going to be fairly well stressed to look after us in our dotage. I think that we need to keep that in mind going forward.

Recently I visited quite a number of communities around the province, and every time I have the opportunity to do that…. First of all, let me say I'm delighted to do that because this is such a wonderful and beautiful province. But every time I travel this province, I am struck by the opportunities and the potential that, frankly, lie in every corner of this province. I visited communities like Kitimat and Terrace, for example, where there certainly has been a palpable change in the attitudes of those communities where admittedly some years ago they were challenged very, very significantly.

Today many more people are at work. There are very, very significant economic development projects, either already underway or on the drawing boards with every prospect of going forward. It got so good in Kitimat that recently the mayor was moved to note the fact that they now have a Tim Hortons, another sign of progress and moving forward in that community.

But you know, when you've already seen a 50 percent increase in the price of housing in Kitimat, a housing market that had become very depressed…. You see a large work camp under construction near the Alcan smelter. You hear discussion in the community about the exciting prospect of the electrification of Highway 37. You hear them talking about the partnership with the Haisla First Nation and the LNG plant that will soon be under construction there. Everybody is talking about the positive and useful things that are happening in that community, and it's certainly music to the ears to see that.

So with all of that potential coming at us in northern B.C., generally, there is more of a need than there ever was to make sure that the application processes proceed as quickly and efficiently as possible. I'm certainly pleased that we have found $24 million over two years to put into the natural resource ministries to assist in moving these processes forward. That is where the jobs are for the future, and I can think of no better way to deploy some extra resources right now to make sure that we capitalize on those opportunities.

There's an old saying where I come from. If you snooze, you lose. I don't think that this is a time to snooze. This is a time for us to be on top of our game and make sure that we realize those opportunities that are before us.

The other thing that we have to be very mindful of as you look around the challenged world economy is the spectre of protectionism. Now, we know that members opposite, you know, rather like trade barriers. They've spoken often, for example, against TILMA and other legislation like that.

[1550]

But quite often governments everywhere resort to protectionism when they're in tough economic circumstances. We certainly, I think, understand today that the Depression of the 1930s was exacerbated greatly by the protectionist response to some of the economic issues of that day.

I think it's fair to say that there are pieces of evidence today that protectionism is still around. Most recently we have heard some discussion coming out of the United States that they would like to impose an additional tax on containers coming out of Canada and Mexico — for no other reason, I'm sure, than to attempt to divert more container traffic through United States ports. In spite of the advantages that we have, in spite of the investments that we've made in port facilities here in British Columbia, the protectionist response there seems to be to try and divert some of that trade through American ports. So that is something that we need to keep an eye on.

We have seen, I think, some encouraging signs on the trade front as well, where President Obama and

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Prime Minister Harper, back in February, issued a joint declaration that it was time to clean up the American-Canadian border and to address it properly so that trade can move back and forth conveniently. We have to refocus on the fact that the border is about security and is not necessarily a trade barrier, which too often it has become, through various mechanisms that are imposed by governments.

We know that as Canada moves forward in this century, I think it's fair to say that the Canadian economy is going to be more and more tilted to the west. We have tremendous resources in British Columbia, in Alberta, in Saskatchewan. The manufacturing economies in central Canada are in some difficulty, I would suggest, and the economic powerhouse of this country is going to be in western Canada. I think it's very fair to say that.

So the fact that we've adopted this notion that Canada starts here is not only a recognition of the geographic fact that the fast-expanding economies of the Asia-Pacific are going to be doing their business through British Columbia and from there into the rest of Canada; it's also a recognition of the fact that the Canadian economy is going to be more and more weighted in western Canada.

When they graduate from those high schools — I believe there are five at the moment in China — they get not only the Chinese diploma for having graduated, but they also get the B.C. Dogwood diploma. Therefore, it is rather common sense that many of these students are going to end up in B.C. universities, and indeed, many of them are. It just gave me an interesting insight into the opportunities that exist for Chinese students to come to British Columbia and for British Columbian universities to cater directly to these students that are going to become so readily available.

Those economic bridges are going to be very, very important to British Columbia. I think that those jurisdictions that do well at building those connections and fostering relationships with international communities are going to do rather better in the future. So the commitment to international education and building up those portfolios in British Columbia is one that I very, very strongly support.

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Just a few other matters — perhaps somewhat non-economic in nature — that I want to address, because they were addressed in the throne speech and I think bear repeating. The first one that caught my attention was the rather significant reduction in criminal activity in the province of British Columbia over the last ten years — a 27 percent reduction in violent and property crime over the last ten years. I think it clearly demonstrates that our crime prevention activities over the last ten years have borne some significant fruit.

We all know that our court facilities and our correctional facilities are under some stress. Crime prevention is actually an important strategy to help relieve some of that stress on our courts and on our correctional facilities. Having been involved in years past in some of those programs such as integrating police forces to the highest level possible; putting in place important tools like PRIME, the police records information management environment, where police forces throughout British Columbia share one common information database…. This, by the way, was a $40 million investment at no cost to municipalities.

I think we have clear evidence that some of these strategies have clearly been working.

While I'm on the subject of policing, I want to comment briefly on the renewal of the RCMP contract for the province of British Columbia. My own bias is that I hope we conclude a new agreement with the federal government to provide RCMP policing for municipalities in British Columbia. I think there's a lot of discussion yet to be done. I think it also bears underlining that this is a discussion with the federal government, not with the RCMP per se. This is a negotiation with the federal Solicitor General.

This is a discussion that's about financial responsibility and accountability. I have observed this contract both previously as Solicitor General and also as a mayor in my community. I know as well as anybody that this contract needs to be improved. We simply cannot, again, sign off on an agreement that does not put proper accountability measures in place, an agreement that does not put proper financial controls in place. Those have to be key characteristics of any new agreement.

I've seen too many times where we were simply informed of new costs to be swallowed. That's not good enough. I don't think that we can leave the chequebook on the table anymore. If we're going to have a true partnership, we need to have true accountability as well, accountability to all parties to the partnership.

One more matter I'd like to comment on is the municipal auditor general proposal that was brought forward

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in the throne speech, an initiative that I very strongly endorse. We have had Auditors General at the federal and provincial levels in Canada for many years. While having been, now, on the government side for something like ten years, I can tell you that it's not always a comfortable day when the Auditor General reports out. That, I think, is just in the nature of government. You're going to always have room for improvement.

I suspect strongly that room for improvement is also available at the municipal level, and if there isn't, I would be the first one to salute that. But it is only when you mandate an auditor general that you're going to be able to make that judgment as to whether the taxpayers are getting value for money. That's what this is about: simply ensuring that taxpayers are getting value for money.

Now, I've heard it said by municipalities or their representatives: "Our books are audited every year." Yes, indeed they are. Accountants go through their books and make sure that all the columns add up and that everything balances out. And that is a necessary and worthwhile exercise. A value-for-money audit actually goes a lot further than that, and it asks a completely different set of questions.

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I think if we can just allow an auditor to do his or her work and allow them to examine those questions that the auditor feels would be worth examining under the heading of "is value for money being obtained," I think that we can achieve some very worthwhile information for municipal councils to consider and for their taxpayers to consider as well.

I've heard it said that it's actually disrespectful of a provincial government to mandate an auditor general at the local level. I don't think this is about respect between one level of government or another. This, actually, is simply about respect for the taxpayer and ensuring that the taxpayers' resources are being well spent and that the taxpayer is getting as much value for money as possible.

I think we all have that obligation. That obligation certainly exists here at the provincial level, and having been involved in local government for many years, I always thought that that was our responsibility at the local level as well. The concept of a municipal auditor general is one that I think is healthy. It's worthwhile in a democratic society, and I'm looking forward to that legislation being tabled.

With that, I will conclude my remarks for today. I'm very supportive, obviously, of the direction of the throne speech. I am very keenly interested in the jobs plan that was tabled by the Premier in the last ten days, and I'm looking forward to British Columbia and the people of British Columbia realizing those opportunities, being able to exploit the future in a very positive and productive way, not only for us who are here today but also to set ourselves up for a great future for our children and grandchildren.

D. Donaldson: Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the throne speech that took place yesterday. I'd first like to acknowledge that we do our business and our meetings on the territories of the Songhees and the Esquimalt First Nations, and I appreciate the fact that they allow us to do that.

I'd like to start on a positive note. I like talking about positive things — it's just my nature — and I believe that one of the positive things around Stikine is the people. I have a few stories of people overcoming incredible obstacles and the challenges they face these days, very positive stories. Some of them exce