British Columbia Hansard — Monday, February 14, 2011

H0214pm-02

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session, 39th Parliament official rePort of Debates of the Legis Lative a ssemb Ly (hansarD) the honourable bill bari Soff, SPeaker iSSn 0709-1281 Monday, February 14, 2011 Afternoon Sitting Volume 20, Number 2

Pro Vince of britiS h colu Mbia (entered c onfederation July 20, 1871) lieutenant -Go Vernor h is h onour the h onourable Steven l. Point, obc Third Session, 39th Parliament SPeaker of the leGiS latiVe a SSeMbl Y h onourable bill barisoff eXecutiVe council Premier and President of the executive c ouncil ......................................................................................................h on.

Gordon c ampbell Minister of a griculture ............................................................................................................................................................h on. ben Stewart a ttorney General and Minister of a boriginal r elations and r econciliation ........................................................ h on. barry Penner, Qc Minister of c hildren and f amily Development ....................................................................................................................h on.

Mary Polak Minister of citizens' Services ............................................................................................................................................... h on. Mary Mcn eil Minister of c ommunity, Sport and cultural Development .................................................................................... h on. Stephanie c adieux Minister of environment ...................................................................................................................................................... h on.

Murray c oell Minister of State for c limate a ction ......................................................................................................................................h on.

John Y ap Minister of finance and Minister r esponsible for Small business and Deputy Premier and Minister of h ealth Services .................................................................................................................................... h on. c olin h ansen Minister of f orests, Mines and l ands ........................................................................................................................................... h on.

Pat bell Minister of State for Mining ............................................................................................................................................h on. r andy h awes Minister of l abour ...................................................................................................................................................................... h on. iain black Minister of n atural r esource o perations and Minister of energy ..............................................................................h on.

Steve Thomson Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister r esponsible for h ousing ............................................h on. r ich c oleman Minister of State for building c ode r enewal .......................................................................................................h on. n aomi Y amamoto Minister of Science and u niversities and Minister of r egional e conomic and Skills Development .............................. h on. ida c hong Minister of Social Development ........................................................................................................................................ h on. k evin k rueger Minister of t ourism, t rade and investment and Minister r esponsible for the intergovernmental r elations Secretariat and Minister of education ................................................................................... h on.

Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Minister of t ransportation and infrastructure ...................................................................................................................h on.

Shirley bond leGiS latiVe a SSeMbl Y l eader of the official o pposition .....................................................................................................................................................Dawn black Deputy Speaker .................................................................................................................................................................................... l inda r eid a ssistant Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................c laire t revena Deputy c hair, c ommittee of the Whole .......................................................................................................................................... h arry bloy c lerk of the l egislative a ssembly...................................................................................................................e.

George MacMinn, obc, Q c c lerk a ssistant ..................................................................................................................................................................................r obert Vaive c lerk a ssistant and l aw c lerk................................................................................................................................................. ian D. izard, Qc c lerk a ssistant and c lerk of c ommittees ............................................................................................................... craig h.

James (on leave) c lerk a ssistant and a cting c lerk of c ommittees ................................................................................................................. k ate r yan-l loyd Sergeant-at-a rms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary l enz

alP habetical liS t of MeMberS a bbott, George (l) ................................................................................. Shuswap a ustin, r obin (nDP) ................................................................................ Skeena bains, h arry (nDP) ....................................................................Surrey-n ewton barisoff, h on. bill (l) ............................................................................Penticton barnett, Donna (l) ................................................................ c ariboo-c hilcotin bell, h on.

Pat (l) ..................................................... Prince George–Mackenzie bennett, bill (ind.) ........................................................................k ootenay e ast black, Dawn (nDP) ................................................................n ew Westminster black, h on. iain (l) ..................................................... Port Moody–c oquitlam bloy, h arry (l) ......................................................................burnaby-l ougheed bond, h on.

Shirley (l) ...........................................Prince George–Valemount brar, Jagrup (nDP) ................................................................ Surrey-fleetwood c adieux, h on. Stephanie (l) ................................................Surrey-Panorama c ampbell, h on. Gordon (l) .........................................Vancouver–Point Grey c antelon, r on (l) ..............................................................

Parksville-Qualicum c handra h erbert, Spencer (nDP) ................................Vancouver–West end c hong, h on. ida (l) ..................................................... o ak bay–Gordon h ead c houhan, r aj (nDP) ........................................................... burnaby-e dmonds c oell, h on.

Murray (l) ....................................Saanich n orth and the islands c oleman, h on. r ich (l) ........................................... f ort l angley–a ldergrove c onroy, katrine (nDP) .............................................................. k ootenay West c oons, Gary (nDP) .........................................................................n orth c oast c orrigan, k athy (nDP) ..................................................... burnaby–Deer l ake Dalton, Marc (l) ..............................................................

Maple r idge–Mission de Jong, Michael, Qc (l) ........................................................ a bbotsford West Dix, a drian (nDP) ............................................................Vancouver-kingsway Donaldson, Doug (nDP) ......................................................................... Stikine e lmore, Mable (nDP) ................................................... Vancouver-kensington f alcon, k evin (l) ....................................................................Surrey-c loverdale f arnworth, Mike (nDP) ............................................................

Port c oquitlam fleming, r ob (nDP) .......................................................... Victoria–Swan l ake f oster, eric (l) .......................................................................Vernon-Monashee f raser, Scott (nDP) ............................................................a lberni–Pacific r im Gentner, Guy (nDP) .........................................................................Delta n orth h ammell, Sue (nDP) .................................................... Surrey–Green t imbers h ansen, h on. c olin (l) ..................................................

Vancouver-Quilchena h awes, h on. r andy (l) ..................................................... a bbotsford-Mission h ayer, Dave S. (l) .................................................................... Surrey-t ynehead h eed, k ash (l) ................................................................ Vancouver-fraserview h ogg, Gordon (l) ............................................................... Surrey–White r ock h organ, John (nDP) .......................................................................

Juan de f uca h orne, Douglas (l) ..............................................c oquitlam–b urke Mountain h oward, r ob (l) .....................................................................r ichmond c entre h untington, Vicki (ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, c arole (nDP) .........................................................Victoria–b eacon h ill k aragianis, Maurine (nDP) ........................................e squimalt–r oyal r oads k rog, l eonard (nDP) ........................................................................... n anaimo k rueger, h on. k evin (l) ..................................... k amloops–South Thompson kwan, Jenny Wai ching (nDP) ...........................

Vancouver–Mount Pleasant l ake, Dr. t erry (l) ..............................................k amloops–n orth Thompson l ali, h arry (nDP) ..........................................................................f raser-n icola l ee, r ichard t . (l) .......................................................................burnaby n orth l ekstrom, blair (ind.) ............................................................

Peace r iver South l es, John (l) .........................................................................................c hilliwack l etnick, n orm (l) ........................................................k elowna–l ake c ountry MacDiarmid, h on. Dr. Margaret (l) ............................... Vancouver-fairview Macdonald, n orm (nDP) ....................................c olumbia r iver–r evelstoke Mcintyre, Joan (l) ..................................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Mcn eil, h on.

Mary (l) .................................................Vancouver–f alse creek Mcr ae, Don (l) ............................................................................. c omox Valley Mungall, Michelle (nDP) ..........................................................n elson-creston Penner, hon. barry, Qc (l) ....................................................c hilliwack-h ope Pimm, Pat (l) ..........................................................................Peace r iver n orth Polak, h on.

Mary (l) ...............................................................................l angley Popham, l ana (nDP) ...................................................................Saanich South r alston, bruce (nDP) ................................................................

Surrey-Whalley r eid, l inda (l) .............................................................................r ichmond e ast r outley, bill (nDP) .................................................................. c owichan Valley r outley, Doug (nDP) ............................................n anaimo–n orth c owichan r ustad, John (l) ........................................................................... n echako l akes Sather, Michael (nDP) ......................................... Maple r idge–Pitt Meadows Simons, n icholas (nDP) ...................................

Powell r iver–Sunshine c oast Simpson, bob (ind.) .....................................................................c ariboo n orth Simpson, Shane (nDP) .....................................................Vancouver-hastings Slater, John (l) ..............................................................boundary-Similkameen Stewart, h on. ben (l) ........................................................... Westside-kelowna Stilwell, Dr. Moira (l) ......................................................... Vancouver-l angara Sultan, r alph (l) .....................................................

West Vancouver–capilano Thomson, hon. Steve (l) ........................................................k elowna-Mission Thorne, Diane (nDP) .................................................c oquitlam-Maillardville Thornthwaite, Jane (l) .......................................... n orth Vancouver–Seymour t revena, c laire (nDP) .................................................................... n orth island van Dongen, John (l) .............................................................a bbotsford South Y amamoto, hon. n aomi (l) ................................. n orth Vancouver–l onsdale Y ap, hon.

John (l) .............................................................r ichmond-Steveston liS t of MeMberS bY riD in G a bbotsford-Mission .............................................................h on. r andy h awes a bbotsford South .....................................................................John van Dongen a bbotsford West ................................................................Michael de Jong, Qc a lberni–Pacific r im ..........................................................................

Scott f raser boundary-Similkameen .....................................................................John Slater burnaby–Deer l ake ................................................................... k athy c orrigan burnaby-e dmonds ......................................................................... r aj c houhan burnaby-l ougheed ............................................................................ h arry bloy burnaby n orth .............................................................................. r ichard t . l ee c ariboo-c hilcotin ........................................................................Donna barnett c ariboo n orth ................................................................................ bob Simpson c hilliwack ...............................................................................................

John l es c hilliwack-h ope .......................................................... h on. barry Penner, Qc c olumbia r iver–r evelstoke .................................................. n orm Macdonald c omox Valley.................................................................................... Don Mcr ae c oquitlam–b urke Mountain .....................................................Douglas h orne c oquitlam-Maillardville...............................................................

Diane Thorne c owichan Valley ................................................................................ bill r outley Delta n orth ......................................................................................Guy Gentner Delta South ...............................................................................Vicki h untington e squimalt–r oyal r oads .....................................................Maurine k aragianis f ort l angley–a ldergrove ...................................................h on. r ich c oleman f raser-n icola........................................................................................ h arry l ali Juan de f uca .....................................................................................John h organ k amloops–n orth Thompson ......................................................Dr. t erry l ake k amloops–South Thompson ............................................ h on. k evin k rueger k elowna–l ake c ountry ...............................................................n orm l etnick k elowna-Mission .............................................................. h on.

Steve Thomson k ootenay e ast ....................................................................................bill bennett k ootenay West ............................................................................ k atrine c onroy l angley.......................................................................................h on. Mary Polak Maple r idge–Mission .....................................................................

Marc Dalton Maple r idge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................Michael Sather n anaimo ......................................................................................... l eonard k rog n anaimo–n orth c owichan ......................................................... Doug r outley n echako l akes ..................................................................................

John r ustad n elson-creston ........................................................................Michelle Mungall n ew Westminster ..............................................................................Dawn black n orth c oast....................................................................................... Gary c oons n orth island .................................................................................. c laire t revena n orth Vancouver–l onsdale ........................................h on. n aomi Y amamoto n orth Vancouver–Seymour .................................................

Jane Thornthwaite o ak bay–Gordon h ead ............................................................ h on. ida c hong Parksville-Qualicum ..................................................................... r on c antelon Peace r iver n orth ................................................................................Pat Pimm Peace r iver South .........................................................................blair l ekstrom Penticton................................................................................... h on. bill barisoff Port c oquitlam ..........................................................................Mike f arnworth Port Moody–c oquitlam .............................................................h on. iain black Powell r iver–Sunshine c oast ................................................. n icholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie .............................................................h on.

Pat bell Prince George–Valemount ...................................................h on. Shirley bond r ichmond c entre ............................................................................ r ob h oward r ichmond e ast ................................................................................... l inda r eid r ichmond-Steveston .................................................................... h on. John Y ap Saanich n orth and the islands ........................................... h on.

Murray c oell Saanich South ................................................................................ l ana Popham Shuswap .........................................................................................George a bbott Skeena .............................................................................................. r obin a ustin Stikine ........................................................................................Doug Donaldson Surrey-c loverdale ...........................................................................k evin f alcon Surrey-fleetwood ...............................................................................Jagrup brar Surrey–Green t imbers ..................................................................Sue h ammell Surrey-n ewton ................................................................................. h arry b ains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................ h on.

Stephanie c adieux Surrey-t ynehead ........................................................................... Dave S. h ayer Surrey-Whalley.............................................................................. bruce r alston Surrey–White r ock ....................................................................... Gordon h ogg Vancouver-fairview .......................................h on. Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Vancouver–f alse creek ........................................................ h on.

Mary Mcn eil Vancouver-fraserview ........................................................................k ash h eed Vancouver-hastings ....................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-kensington .................................................................Mable e lmore Vancouver-kingsway..........................................................................a drian Dix Vancouver-l angara .................................................................Dr.

Moira Stilwell Vancouver–Mount Pleasant ..........................................Jenny Wai ching kwan Vancouver–Point Grey .................................................h on.

Gordon c ampbell Vancouver-Quilchena ..........................................................h on. c olin h ansen Vancouver–West end ...............................................Spencer c handra h erbert Vernon-Monashee ...............................................................................eric f oster Victoria–b eacon h ill .......................................................................c arole James Victoria–Swan l ake.........................................................................r ob fleming West Vancouver–capilano ............................................................. r alph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ........................................................

Joan Mcintyre Westside-kelowna ...................................................................h on. ben Stewart Party Standings: l iberal 47; n ew Democratic 34; independent 4

CONTENTS Monday, february 14, 2010 a fternoon Sitting Page Speech from the Throne ......................................................................................................................................................... 6271 introduction and first r eading of bills ................................................................................................................................ 6274 bill 1 — a n a ct to ensure the Supremacy of Parliament h on. b.

Penner a ppointment of Deputy Speaker ........................................................................................................................................... 6274 a ppointment of a ssistant Deputy Speaker .......................................................................................................................... 6274 a ppointment of Deputy c hair, c ommittee of the Whole ................................................................................................. 6274 Printing of Votes and Proceedings .......................................................................................................................................6274 a ppointment of Select Standing c ommittees ..................................................................................................................... 6275 Motions Without notice ......................................................................................................................................................... 6275 l egislative sitting hours h on. r . c oleman

6271 MonD a Y , februar Y 14, 2011 The h ouse met at 2:04 p.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] This being the first day of the third session of the 39th l egislative a ssembly of the province of british c olumbia for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a proclamation of the h on. Steven Point, l ieutenant-Governor of the province, hon. members took their seats. Mr. Speaker: h on. Members, Pastor t im o siowy from Gateway c hristian Ministries of Prince George will lead us in prayer. T.

Osiowy: l et us pray. o ur heavenly f ather, today we acknowledge you as creator and l ord who above all is to be worshipped. it is with thanksgiving that we ap - proach your throne of grace. We are grateful for our great nation of c anada and for the beautiful, well-sourced province of british c olumbia. We are praying that you will continue to have dominion from sea to sea in this nation and also in this province. [1405] We thank you for the leaders gathered here today, who have given their lives to serve this province and its people. bless them and their families.

Thank you for the values founded on eternal princi - ples that continue to guide this government. Thank you for hearts and minds that are committed to follow what is just, merciful, kind and good for all within this leader- ship. bless the communities represented from across this province with the effective righteousness which is peace.

We ask that you would bless our Premier and all who give leadership, and this parliament. l ike Solomon of old, we ask that above all, you would grant this gov - ernment wisdom to guide the affairs of this province into prosperity, which you have promised to those who wholeheartedly follow you. in all of our ways, we acknowledge our need of you. So may your kingdom come and may your will be done here in this day and in this place, even as it is in heaven. Give to us good that we might give what is good.

Show us clearly that we might clearly show. l ead us that we may truly lead. in the name of our l ord Jesus c hrist, we ask these mercies. a men. Mr. Speaker: h on. Members, if you remain in your seats, the l ieutenant-Governor is in the precinct. h is h onour the l ieutenant-Governor entered the chamber, took his seat on the throne and was pleased to deliver the following gracious speech. Speech from the Throne Hon. S. Point (Lieutenant-Governor): Good after - noon.

Good afternoon to everyone. a s we open this session of the 39th parliament, we pause to honour the memory and contributions of british c olumbians who have passed since this assembly last convened. Members mourn the loss of former mem- bers of this assembly Sindi h awkins, c arl l iden, eileen Dailly, Dean Smith, k aren Sanford and Dr. h oward McDiarmid, and former l ieutenant-Governors c ol. r obert G. r ogers and Dr. David c. l am. We recognize the sacrifices made by c pl.

Darren fitzpatrick, first re - sponders Jo-a nn f uller and ivan Polivka, and air tanker pilot t im Whiting. [1410] We recognize the contributions of business and com - munity leaders c hester Johnson, Jack e bbels, a udrey Paterson, Justice John c. bouck, l orne Greenway, Jim bohlen, Dorothy Stow and Virginia Greene as well as civic leaders George h awksworth, a lan h erbert emmott, k athleen Grouhel, r uth l ayne, Gerry t rerise, Garry Watkins, l ela irvine, l arry Mcn abb and Jack Volrich. We acknowledge the passing of John babcock, n odar k umaritashvili and l eonard James Gibbs.

We recognize former judge and b.c. c onflict of interest c ommissioner h.a.D. "b ert" o liver and the 62 members of the b.c. public service who have passed since we last met.

We join first n ations communities in honouring the mem - ory of Grand c hief a rchie c harles and William a bner Thorne. e xactly one year ago to this day c anadian history was made when a lexandre bilodeau won c anada's first o lympic gold medal on c anadian soil. it was a moment that captured our nation, raising us up with a renewed pride in our country and igniting the c anadian spirit as never before. in the weeks that followed, the world was introduced to british c olumbia and c anada. c anadians got to know each other as well. e ach time the maple leaf was flown, each time O Canada was sung, we grew closer together.

That renewed pride was a gift from our athletes. They in- spired us and taught us what it meant to dream big and to reach higher as individuals, as a province and as a country. t o each of them, we say thank you. Thirty-four british c olumbians were part of the c anadian o lympic team, and 22 b.c. athletes were a part of c anada's Paralympic team. british c olumbians beamed with pride as those athletes achieved their dream of competing at the highest level at home.

We all sang a little louder when Maëlle r icker was the first b.c. athlete to win gold, and the chorus built for all our british c olumbian o lympic medallists: a shleigh Mcivor, c hris l e bihan, Denny Morrison, Duncan k eith, Scott n iedermayer, brent Seabrook, Shea Weber and r oberto l uongo.

british c olumbia Debates6272 Monday, f ebruary 14, 2011 o ur Paralympic medallists l auren Woolstencroft, Jim a rmstrong, Darryl n eighbour, ina f orrest, Sonja Gaudet, Josh Dueck, l indsay Debou and k arolina Wisniewska amazed us with their tenacity, strength and skill. c anada's o lympic performance inspired a genera - tion. in the coming days the province will honour each of british c olumbia's medal-winners in a special way. We not only thank them, but we owe our thanks to their families, friends, coaches, trainers and sponsors who helped them along the way.

We owe our thanks to thousands of individuals and organizations who came together to organize what is now regarded as the most successful o lympic and Paralympic Winter Games in history. We thank Jack Poole for his focus on what the o lympics could do for all of us. We recognize the commitment of the entire Vanoc board of directors and of John f urlong and his exceptional team of professionals.

They deserve our gratitude, as do the sponsors and all who had a hand in making our o lympic dream come true. n o one will forget the thousands of blue-jacket vol - unteers who were the face and shining personality of the o lympics and of our country. f or the first time in o lympic history, four host first n ations welcomed the world as full partners and were an integral part of our o lympic process. They do deserve our thanks. We owe thanks to the workers who ensured that for the first time in o lympic history, every venue was com- pleted nearly a year ahead of schedule.

We thank the doctors and nurses and health professionals who ex - ceeded all expectations in caring for the athletes and our visitors. [1415] We thank the public safety officials who ensured that we could celebrate excellence and enjoy our cities and our triumphs safely and with joy.

We thank the more than 12,000 torchbearers and over 1,000 communities from coast to coast to coast that gifted all c anadians with the opportunity to be part of both the o lympic and Paralympic flames. a ll british c olumbians and, indeed, all c anadians should be proud of the contributions they made towards not only the o lympics but our outstand- ing global reputation. Perhaps the defining character of our o lympics was a comment by a veteran o lympic broadcaster, who said he'd never felt safer at any o lympic Games and he never saw a single weapon.

That says a lot about the society each of us has helped to build over the past 150 years. it says a lot about british c olumbians. british c olumbia reached new heights with the suc - cess of the o lympic and Paralympic Winter Games. a new decade of international opportunity and economic and social development lies before us all. its success was possible because of a foundation built on economic competitiveness, sound fiscal management and a com - mitment to quality health and education programs and services to support those most in need. it was built by individual british c olumbians in every part of this prov- ince. it was built with vision and commitment to one another and to the future.

We now gather together on the eve of transition to new leadership. both the government and the oppos - ition will select new leaders in the days ahead. With change is always excitement and opportunity to dis - cover new paths ahead and new means of achieving our shared goal of a better future for all. This is a time when british c olumbians are encouraged to discuss new ideas about making our province an even better place.

Through this period, government will ensure a smooth and orderly transition while continuing to de - liver the quality of service that is important to all british c olumbians. t omorrow's budget will meet statutory requirements while providing maximum flexibility for future decisions by the new executive council and this l egislature. a s laid out in government's three-year plan, spending priorities will continue to be focused on health and education. t o allow for the completion of successful leadership selections by both the government and opposition, the government will seek approval from this h ouse of an in- terim supply that will allow for the ongoing operation of government business. on f ebruary 26 a new Premier- designate will be chosen.

The Premier-designate will be sworn in shortly thereafter, and another

chapter of british c olumbia's history will begin. a t a time when c anada is seen as a beacon around the globe for its economic stability, its social character and its unwavering strength, british c olumbia is recog- nized as a leader within c anada. a cross the continent and in many parts of the world, british c olumbia is looked upon with envy. The past decade has renewed our confidence about what we can do when we work together.

We've begun building a new relationship with first n ations that recognizes first n ations' inestimable contribution to our province's cultural and economic history and that works to close the health, educational and economic gaps between first n ations and non– first n ations. Since 2001 b.c.'s businesses, large and small, have helped create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, so to - day in b.c. well over two million people have jobs that support their families and add to the quality of life in their communities.

Working with non-profits, federal and local govern - ments, today we continue to house more homeless, offer more direct health and social services and provide more direct support to vulnerable children and families than at any other point in history. More needs to be done. british c olumbia is a globally recognized leader in climate action that protects future generations without sacrificing the needs of today.

british c olumbia DebatesMonday, f ebruary 14, 2011 6273 british c olumbians take great pride in our rich parks system. We now have more protected area than any other province in c anada — an area equal to the size of n ova Scotia, n ew brunswick and P .e.i. combined. e veryone has a favourite b.c. park. They are an important part of british c olumbia's identity and history that is recog - nized around the world. [1420] This year we will celebrate b.c.

Parks system's 100th anniversary. one hundred years ago Strathcona Park be- came the first in a long list of parks that have shaped our culture and reflected our respect and appreciation of our natural environment. o ur celebrations will serve to remind british c olumbians of how fortunate we are and how import - ant it is that we follow stewardship practices that protect those parks for the future. r enewed interpretative pro- grams will highlight the incredible opportunities that lie within b.c. parks in every part of the province.

We will also complete the commitment made with the state of Montana to sustain the environmental values in the flathead r iver basin in a manner consistent with current forestry, recreation, guide-outfitting and trap - ping uses. The memorandum of understanding and cooperation signed by british c olumbia and witnessed by interested f irst n ations and a merican tribes has been described by Prime Minister h arper and President o bama as an historic agreement to sustain the environmental values in this area.

W e look forward to implementing this agreement with our partners and paralleling steps taken recently in the u nited States congress and by the state of Montana. o ur province is now recognized as a clean, renewable energy powerhouse, and we have established an enor - mous competitive advantage with some of the lowest electricity rates in n orth a merica. british c olumbia is recognized as n orth a merica's leader in public-private partnerships, working with the private sector to build affordable and innovative public infrastructure — housing, hospitals, transit, highways and bridges.

We have led the country with the creation of seven new universities and the largest expansion of post- secondary education in the history of british c olumbia. t oday our workers pay the lowest provincial per - sonal income taxes in c anada, and our businesses will soon pay the lowest corporate taxes in the G7. o ur transportation network is connecting n orth a merica to established and emerging economies in a sia, while opening new markets for all our enterprises abroad. o ur citizens have among the longest life expectan - cies in the world, and our scientists are global leaders in areas such as cancer, spinal cord injuries, hiV/aiDS and genome research. f or all the natural resources that our province has been blessed with, it is the people who live here that have defined our quality of life, people who work and invest in our resource industries — mining, forestry, fisheries, agriculture and energy. it's british c olumbians who have created our high- tech industries — in film, digital media and new technologies — and who are our great explorers in life sciences and research in our universities and colleges. it is our health professionals and social service profes - sionals who have pushed back the frontiers of illness and injury as they move to their destination of creating a healthier society. it is our public servants, our excel - lent teachers and educators and thousands of parents and support staff who give our children the opportunity to pursue their dreams. first n ations leaders have ushered in the new rela - tionship and made decisions in the name of progress to provide new social, educational and economic oppor - tunities to their people. it is our workers who persevere through scorching heat and freezing cold to build and maintain a trans - portation infrastructure that is the backbone of our economic and social lives. o ur small business owners work day and night year- round to provide jobs for their employees and a future for their families. it is our children who say: "i nspire me, and i shall dream the next dream." it is our families who are rais - ing those children and who are determined to make sure that they inherit a province filled with even more op - portunities than what this generation has been blessed with. f or the last decade british c olumbians have lifted this province to new heights for the benefit of future generations. but even as we look back, we know that british c olumbia's best days lie ahead. n ew leadership, new vi- sion and new ideas will urge us forward as we enter the second decade of the 21st century. [1425] o ur advantage as being c anada's Pacific gateway continues to grow. o ur young people will energize us all and map a course which captures their imaginations and calls us all forward. b.c. is a modern, inclusive, multicultural society that welcomes newcomers to contribute, that encourages free enterprise and is ready to compete globally. o ur abundant natural resources and strengthening new west partnership provide unsurpassed promise for all who live here and in other parts of c anada.

This is a place where others dream of living and where still more can't wait to visit. We in this h ouse are among the fortunate few who call b.c. home and who are called to serve. We have the priv- ilege of public office and the responsibility to forge a new dialogue about public ideas and public solutions for the problems that vex us all and that hold us enthralled.

british c olumbia Debates6274 Monday, f ebruary 14, 2011 t oday we stand on a foundation of principle that has always supported our dreams and provided all of us who live here with an unsurpassed quality of life. o ur values are reflected in our actions. l et us all in this h ouse commit to reflect the best of british c olumbia. l et us give to future generations rather than taking from them. l et us demand more of ourselves than we demand of others and set a bet - ter example to all those who have bestowed upon us the honour of public service. civil dialogue, open discussion and respectful debate should characterize all our deliberations in this h ouse and beyond these walls. l et us all bring honour to this h ouse, and to all who went before, by the quality of our debate and discourse. a nd remember, in this great province, in this great country: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. boldness has genius, power and magic in it." The best lies on the horizon for british c olumbia. n ow, before i rise, let me take this opportunity, where i may not have it again, to thank you, Premier, for your years of service to the c rown and to the people of this province. l eadership has its gains and its recognitions, but it does not come without a price paid by you and your family at times.

Thank you for your dedication, your commitment and your energy. t o the l eader of the o pposition: thank you. Y ou've done exactly what we expect you to do in opposition — and very well, i must say. c ongratulations to you, and i wish you every success in the future. The crown much appreciates your service. Thank you all, and happy Valentine's Day. [1430] h is h onour the l ieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Mr. Speaker: h on. Members, in order to prevent mistakes, i have obtained a copy of h is h onour the l ieutenant-Governor's speech.

Introduction and First Reading of Bills bill 1 —

an act to en Sure the SuP reMacY of ParliaMent h on. b. Penner presented a bill intituled a n a ct to ensure the Supremacy of Parliament. Hon. B. Penner: Mr. Speaker, i move that bill 1, a n a ct to ensure the Supremacy of Parliament, be intro - duced and read a first time now. Motion approved. Hon. B.

Penner: The introduction of this bill prior to consideration of the throne speech expresses the long-established right of parliament, through its elected members, to deliberate independently of the Sovereign. a s such, it is an important part of our parliamentary democratic process. it's a right that was first asserted by the Parliament at Westminster in the year of 1603, dur - ing the reign of Queen e lizabeth i. Mr.

Speaker, i move that this bill be placed on the or - ders the day for second reading at the next sitting of the h ouse after today. bill 1, a n a ct to ensure the Supremacy of Parliament, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the h ouse after today. aPPoint Ment of DePut Y SPeaker Hon. R. Coleman: i move, seconded by the mem - ber for Surrey-Whalley electoral district, that l inda r eid, member for r ichmond e ast electoral district, be appointed as Deputy Speaker for this session of the l egislative a ssembly.

Motion approved. aPPoint Ment of a SSiStant De Put Y SPeaker B. Ralston: i move, seconded by the member for f ort l angley–a ldergrove electoral district, that c laire t revena, member for n orth island electoral district, be appointed a ssistant Deputy Speaker for this session of the l egislative a ssembly. Motion approved. aPPoint Ment of DePut Y chair, co MMittee of the Whole Hon. R.

Coleman: i move, seconded by the member for Surrey-Whalley electoral district, that h arry bloy, member for burnaby-l ougheed electoral district, be ap- pointed Deputy c hair of the c ommittee of the Whole for this session of the l egislative a ssembly. Motion approved. Printin G of VOtes and Pr OCeedings Hon. B. Penner: i move that Votes and Proceedings of this h ouse be printed, being first perused by your - self, Mr. Speaker, and that you do appoint the printing

british c olumbia DebatesMonday, f ebruary 14, 2011 6275 thereof, and that no person but such as he shall appoint to presume to print the same. Motion approved. aPPoint Ment of Select Stan Din G co MMittee S Hon. G. Campbell: h on. Speaker, i move that the se - lect standing committees of this h ouse for the present session be appointed for the following purposes: 1. a boriginal a ffairs; 2. e ducation; 3. finance and Government Services; 4. h ealth; 5. Public a ccounts; 6.

Parliamentary r eform, e thical c onduct, Standing orders and Private b ills; 7. crown c orporations; 8. c hildren and Y outh; which said committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this h ouse and to re - port from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers and records; and that a special committee be appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to compose the select standing committees of this h ouse under Standing order 68(1), the commit - tee to be composed of the h on. r . c oleman, convener; r on c antelon; Joan Mc intyre; e ric f oster; John van Dongen; Maurine k aragianis; bruce r alston and Shane Simpson.

Motion approved. Motions Without Notice le GiSlati Ve Sittin G hour S Hon. R. Coleman: by leave i move: [That effective immediately, the Standing orders of the l egis- lative a ssembly of british c olumbia be amended as follows for the duration of the Third Session of the Thirty-ninth Parliament, which commenced on february 14, 2011: 1. That Standing order 2(1) is deleted and the following substituted: s ittings Daily sittings. 2.

(1) The time for the ordinary meeting of the h ouse shall, unless otherwise ordered, be as follows: Monday: t wo distinct sittings: 10 a.m. to 12 noon 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. t uesday: t wo distinct sittings: 10 a.m. to 12 noon 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday: 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday: t wo distinct sittings: 10 a.m. to 12 noon 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 2.

That Standing o rder 3 be deleted and the following substituted: Hours of interruption. 3. if at the hour of 6:30 p.m. on any Monday and t uesday, 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, the business of the day is not concluded and no other hour has been agreed on for the next sitting, the Speaker shall leave the chair: on Monday until 10 a.m. t uesday on t uesday until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday on Wednesday until 10 a.m. on Thursday on Thursday until 10 a.m. on Monday subject to the provisions of Standing o rder 2(2)(b).] [1435] l eave granted.

Motion approved. h on. r . c oleman moved adjournment of the h ouse. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker: This h ouse stands adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. The h ouse adjourned at 2:36 p.m.

hansard Production a cting Director r obert Sutherland Post-Production t eam l eader c hristine f edoruk e ditorial t eam l eaders l aurel bernard, Janet brazier, r obyn Swanson t echnical o perations officers Pamela h olmes, emily Jacques, Dan k err indexers Shannon a sh, Julie Mcc lung, r obin r ohrmoser r esearchers Jaime a polonio, Mike beninger, Morgan l ay e ditors h eather bright, Deirdre Gotto, Jane Grainger, betsy Gray, iris Gray, l inda Guy, barb h orricks, bill h rick, Paula l ee, Donna Mcc loskey, bob Mcintosh, a nne Maclean, c onstance Maskery, Jill Milkert, l ind Miller, l ou Mitchell, k arol Morris, Dorothy Pearson, erik Pedersen, Peggy Pedersen, Janet Pink, a my r eiswig, h eather Warren, a rlene Wells, Glenn Wigmore Published by british c olumbia h ansard Services, and printed under the authority of the Speaker.

Printing a gent c rown Publications, Queen's Printer for british c olumbia 563 Superior St., Victoria, b.c. V8W 9V7 www.crownpub.bc.ca Daily and annual Hansard subscription information is available from crown Publications. www.leg.bc.ca a ccess to on-line versions of the official report of debates (Hansard), webcasts of proceedings and podcasts of Question Period is available on the internet. c hamber debates are broadcast on television.

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	H0214pm-02
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	H0214pm 02
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	40849b8a932ae7714f94dc3a09f6713d6e820b64

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