Second Session, 43rd Parliament

Official Report

of Debates

( Hansard )

Monday, February 23, 2026

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 121

The Honourable Raj Chouhan , Speaker

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

Contents

Orders of the Day

Private Members’ Statements

Community Response to Shootings in Tumbler Ridge

Steve Morissette

100 th Anniversary of Royal Canadian Legion

Rosalyn Bird

Black History Month

George Anderson

End-of-Life Care in Fraser Valley

Korky Neufeld

100 th Anniversary of Royal Canadian Legion

Darlene Rotchford

Support for Small Business

Gavin Dew

Second Reading of Bills

Bill M226 — Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No. 2), 2025 (continued)

Korky Neufeld

Sunita Dhir

Steve Kooner

Jeremy Valeriote

Amna Shah

Dana Lajeunesse

Bill M231 — Veterans and First Responders Month Act

Rosalyn Bird

Darlene Rotchford

Sheldon Clare

Jeremy Valeriote

Macklin McCall

Susie Chant

Ward Stamer

Stephanie Higginson

Monday, February 23, 2026

The House met at 10:02 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Korky Neufeld.

Orders of the Day

Private Members’ Statements

Community Response to Shootings

in Tumbler Ridge

Steve Morissette : I rise today to speak to the profound sorrow felt across British Columbia following

the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, a close-knit community whose grief is shared far beyond

its boundaries.

[10:05 a.m.]

[Mable Elmore in the chair.]

It has been heartwarming that all parties were drawn together in our sorrow and grief

for the victims, their families and the broader community. It reminded us we are first

and foremost humans drawn together by love. Political differences are just something

that we navigate to find the best way forward.

A lot has been said about this tragedy, more eloquently than I can manage. But being

a lifelong rural resident, I can relate to Tumbler Ridge and share my rural perspective.

Tragedy carries a particular weight in small communities. I know through lived experience.

I live in Fruitvale, and I once had the privilege of serving as its mayor. Fruitvale

is a community of similar size and spirit to Tumbler Ridge, a place where people know

one another not as strangers but as neighbours, colleagues, classmates and friends.

In towns like ours, the connections between people are deeply woven. When sorrow touches

one family, it ripples through the entire community. In rural communities, loss is

never distant. It is felt in our schools, our workplaces, at the grocery store, on

the streets we walk every day. It is felt in the silence that follows shock and in

the quiet recognition that everyone carries a piece of the pain.

Grief is not confined to headlines or statistics. It becomes personal, immediate and

shared. Yet there is also something extraordinary about rural communities in times

of hardship. When tragedy strikes, people do not turn away. They turn toward one another.

They show up. They gather. They cook meals. They sit together. They listen. They comfort.

They lean on the bonds that define community life.

Support is not organized from afar. It rises naturally from neighbours helping neighbours,

from friends holding friends, from an entire town standing shoulder to shoulder.

We cannot forget the first responders, the paramedics, the police, the medical staff.

They are all community members rushing toward the tragedy, treating people and families

they know. The trauma is immeasurable.

I also want to acknowledge the immense responsibility placed upon local leaders in

moments like these. Our friend the MLA for Peace River South has shown the courage

to lead with empathy and strength. Thank you.

My hat is off to Mayor Darryl and the council of Tumbler Ridge. Leadership in times

of celebration is one thing. Leadership in times of collective grief is something

far more difficult. Communities look to their elected officials not only for decisions

but for steadiness, compassion and reassurance. They look for voices that can unite,

guide and help people navigate the unimaginable.

Those who have served in local government understand the weight of that duty. Leaders

are members of the community first. They share the same shock, the same heartbreak,

the same sense of loss. Yet they must also help others find strength and direction.

That is no small task, and it deserves recognition and respect.

Tragedies such as this remind us of the fragility of life and the depth of our human

connections. They remind us that behind every community name are real people, real

families and real pain. They also remind us of the resilience that exists in places

where people care deeply for one another.

To the people of Tumbler Ridge, we extend not only our condolences but our solidarity.

Your grief is seen, your sorrow is shared, and your strength born of community will

carry you forward in the days and months ahead.

In rural British Columbia, communities have always drawn their strength from one another.

In times of darkness, they find light in compassion, kindness and unity. I have no

doubt that the people of Tumbler Ridge will support one another through this difficult

time, just as small communities always do.

May we as a legislature hold them in our thoughts, honour those affected and remember

the enduring power of community.

100 th Anniversary of

Royal Canadian Legion

Rosalyn Bird : In 2026, the Royal Canadian Legion will mark a historic milestone, 100 years of service

to veterans, their families and communities across the country.

[10:10 a.m.]

For a full century, the legion has stood as one of the most enduring and recognizable

institutions in Canadian public life. It was founded in the aftermath of the First

World War, at a time when thousands of returning soldiers were struggling with wounds,

trauma, unemployment and a society that was not yet prepared to meet their needs.

Out of that moment came a powerful idea that those who served should never be left

to navigate their sacrifice alone. Since 1926, the legion has played a central role

in advocating for veterans’ benefits, supporting those injured in service, assisting

families in crisis and building a culture of remembrance that has shaped generations

of Canadians. From poppy campaigns, Remembrance Day services, peer support, housing

assistance and community programs, the legion is both a practical support system and

a moral voice for those who have served.

But anniversaries are not just about celebration; they are also about moments of reflection

and renewal. In recent years, many veterans have expressed frustration and disappointment

with the legion. Some feel disconnected from its structures. Some feel it no longer

reflects the diversity of today’s military. Others feel their experiences — particularly

those of younger veterans, women, Indigenous service members and those with operational

stress injuries — have not always been fully understood or adequately represented.

Those concerns should not be dismissed. They should be heard.

The reality is that the nature of military service has changed. The needs of veterans

have changed. Like any institution that reaches its centennial, the legion now faces

a choice: to remain rooted only in tradition or to evolve in ways that preserve its

purpose while adapting to a new generation.

I would suggest that the future of the legion depends not on walking away from it

but walking back into it. This is a moment for veterans themselves to reclaim ownership

of the organization that was built for them; to bring their voices, their experiences

and their expectations into its leadership; to revitalize branches, modernize programming

and ensure that the legion once again feels relevant, responsive and representative

of those who serve today.

At the same time, in late January, we heard international commentary that reminds

us why institutions like the legion still matter so deeply. We have seen, in various

forums, language used that diminishes or disrespects the service and sacrifice of

Canadian military personnel. That kind of rhetoric may be easy to offer from positions

of comfort and power, but it stands in stark contrast to the realities faced by those

who wear the uniform.

Veterans around the world make extraordinary sacrifices, and many Canadian veterans

have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their service, their injuries, their lives should

never be spoken of lightly, dismissed or reduced to political talking points.

Canada has always stood with its allies in defence of peace, security and democratic

values. From the beaches of Normandy to peacekeeping missions, disaster response and

modern international operations, Canadian service members have consistently answered

the call, not for recognition, but out of duty. We remain proud of that legacy. We

remain proud of our veterans. We remain committed to honouring their service with

respect, gratitude and meaningful support.

The legion does not belong to history. It belongs to veterans. To strive for another

hundred years, it must continue to be shaped by those it exists to support, not just

as a symbol of remembrance but as a living, evolving institution. That means making

space for difficult conversations. It means addressing governance issues. It means

embracing new forms of peer support, mental health advocacy, family services and community

engagement. It means ensuring that younger veterans see the legion not as something

inherited but as something worth building.

At its best, the legion has never been about buildings or ceremonies or traditions.

It has been about solidarity, about veterans standing up for one another when governments

failed, systems fell short or communities did not understand. That purpose remains

just as urgent today as it did in 1926.

As we approach this centennial, I hope it will not only be marked by commemorations

of the past but by a renewed commitment to the future, a future where the legion is

once again a place where veterans feel heard, respected, supported and empowered.

The true legacy of the Royal Canadian Legion is not measured in years. It is measured

in whether those who serve know the citizens of Canada, the true north and free, will

always stand with them.

[10:15 a.m.]

Black History Month

George Anderson : There is a word from my ancestry that guides me about how I think about Black History

Month, and that’s sankofa. It means “go back and get.” The symbol is a bird moving forward while looking back,

carrying an egg on its back. The lesson is this: if we want to move forward, we must

carry the strength, wisdom and courage of those who came before us.

During Black History Month, we remember the Black pioneers who came to British Columbia

seeking dignity and opportunity; families who cleared land, built homes, started businesses

and helped build the province when there was no guarantee it would welcome them. We

remember leaders like Mifflin Gibbs, Rosemary Brown and Emery Barnes, whose courage

laid the foundation of British Columbia.

But I want to say something clearly. Black History Month cannot be a museum. When

we speak about Black achievement only in the past, something subtle happens. We begin

to talk as if the barriers are gone, as if the contributions have already been made

and as if the most important chapters are behind us. They are not. Black history is

not behind us. It is happening now.

In Surrey, there is Janice Davis, a Black entrepreneur who founded Royals Beauty Supply,

which is more than a business but is creating jobs and community for people.

Anthonia Ogundele, the founder of Ethọ́s Lab, a non-profit focused on science, technology, engineering and math that is helping

build solutions for the future of British Columbia.

Roy Dilbert, the founder of Snow Rhinos Foundation, which aims to make winter sports

more accessible, building confidence and leadership in young people.

Djaka Blais-Amare, the co-founder and board member for Black Communities and executive

director of Hogan’s Alley, helping ensure that the stories of the Black community

are not forgotten.

Amos and Edith Kembere, who founded Umoja in Surrey, a newcomer settlement and charitable

organization.

Franklin Bouguep, a global executive and board director leading technology and transformation

in business.

Nerissa Allen of the B.C. Black Business Association, helping build businesses, mentorship

and opportunity to strengthen our provincial economy.

This is not history we are remembering, but it is history being written every single

day across this province. Somewhere in British Columbia, a young person is watching

this Legislature, quietly asking whether or not there is a place for them here. I

know that question.

I carry the story of my ancestors, who endured things I will never have to endure

because people pushed forward when the world pushed back. Sankofa reminds me that

I stand here because they refused to accept the limits placed on them. But sankofa

also reminds us of something important, that their dream was not simply that we would

remember them. Their dream was that we would go forward. That responsibility belongs

to each and every one of us in this Legislature.

Black History Month is not just about reflection. It’s about recognition, opportunity

and making sure that the next generation does not only learn history but sees themselves

in it.

Sankofa teaches us to carry the past forward and build forward. I ask the question

of all of us. Will the next generation carry forward from us? Will they carry stories

of barriers or stories of opportunity? Will they inherit limits or possibilities?

The pioneers of British Columbia carried hope into uncertainty. Our responsibility

is to make sure the next generation carries confidence into opportunity, because the

story of Black British Columbians is not just about where we have been. It’s about

where we are going across this province, quietly and boldly. The next

chapter of Black

history is already being written.

Sankofa teaches us to honour the past, but the true test of our generation is not

how well we will remember history. The true test is whether the next generation, in

every community across British Columbia and across Canada, grows up knowing this:

their future will never be limited by who they are, where they come from or how they

are seen.

When every young person believes their potential is unlimited, that is not just Black

history. That is the promise of Canada, and that is the future that all of us in this

Legislature are called to build.

[10:20 a.m.]

End-of-Life Care in Fraser Valley

Korky Neufeld : In-home hospice and end-of-life care in British Columbia has been sidelined. Budget

2026 revealed that care beds promised to British Columbians have been shelved indefinitely,

which is very, very shortsighted.

End-of-life care is not just a health care issue. It is a measure of who we are as

a society. In British Columbia, our health care system rightly states that end-of-life

care should focus on comfort, dignity and quality of life through palliative care

services provided at home, in hospice or in hospital, with strong advance care planning.

Those principles are sound, but today the reality on the ground tells a very different

story. Across the province and acutely in the Fraser Valley region, people are spending

their final days in emergency departments, in hallways and in overcrowded acute care

wards. They’re dying without privacy, without peace and without dignity. Families

are traumatized, health care workers are stretched beyond capacity, and hospitals

are operating far beyond what they were ever designated or designed to do.

Abbotsford Regional Hospital operates at an average of 140 percent capacity. Hospice-level

patients, people who should be at home surrounded by loved ones, are instead occupying

acute care beds and even hallways. This blocks access for emergencies, surgeries and

urgent care, compounding systemwide delays. This crisis is not theoretical. It is

happening now.

It gets worse. Some 400,000 seniors are emerging in B.C. in the next ten years. Most

will relocate to the Fraser Valley. They call this the white tsunami. Without immediate

action, our hospitals will become increasingly overwhelmed, and families will continue

to suffer at the most vulnerable moment of their lives. Yet there is a solution, one

that is proven, compassionate and cost-effective.

In October of 2025, there was a meeting with the Minister of Health and Abbotsford

Hospice and Grief Support Society to present an in-home hospice care pilot project.

This model could provide robust, coordinated end-of-life care in the home — real care,

not two or three rushed 20-minute visits per day. This pilot could reduce costs 49

percent compared to hospital-based care, a critical consideration given the current

deficit budget.

To be clear about the numbers, a patient in emergency costs approximately $5,000 a

day. A patient in a hospital room costs approximately $3,500 per day. A patient receiving

end-of-life care at home costs approximately $1,700 per day. That’s a 49 percent savings.

The savings are staggering, and the human benefits are even greater.

This is not an untested idea. This model has been operating successfully for 20 years

in Coastal Health and in Prince George home hospice. The evidence already exists,

and there’s no need for an assessment. What is needed now is action.

Yet since that meeting with the minister, there has been no response, no follow-up

meeting, no written reply, despite repeated requests from Abbotsford Hospice and correspondence

sent from my office, endorsed by the B.C. Health critic. A subsequent meeting with

Fraser Health leadership provided no timelines, no clarity, no commitment. Requests

for collaboration with Abbotsford Hospice were declined in favour of an internal process.

Promised follow-up meetings were scheduled then cancelled at the last minute.

Meanwhile, families are being failed because the current model is not working. At

present, in-home end-of-life care consists of two to four brief visits per day, sometimes

as short as 20 minutes. That level of support is simply inadequate for families managing

distress and complex medical needs around the clock.

When caregivers no longer cope, they do what most loving families do. They take their

loved ones to the emergency department, and the cycle continues on and on. This is

just not a failure of compassion. It’s a failure of planning, coordination and fiscal

responsibility.

Long-term-care homes, hospices and in-home care are the right places for end-of-life

support, not emergency departments. End-of-life care should be centred on the person,

guided by their values, beliefs and wishes, supported by multidisciplinary teams that

address physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.

We know what quality end-of-life care looks like. We know how to deliver it. We know

it saves money. What we’re asking for is straightforward: a follow-up meeting with

the Minister of Health, the Abbotsford Hospice CEO and the Health critic to move forward

this pilot project now, today, not months from now.

[10:25 a.m.]

This concern is not unique to Abbotsford. It is shared across the Fraser Valley region

and beyond. Advancing this pilot would not only relieve immediate hospital pressures.

It would provide a scalable, cost-saving model for the entire province.

Families deserve better. Our health care system must do better ethically, clinically

and financially. We have the solution. We have the evidence. We have the responsibility.

Seniors will not wait and cannot wait.

100 th Anniversary of

Royal Canadian Legion

Darlene Rotchford : Me and the member for Prince George–Valemount were thinking quite alike this morning.

I rise in the House to recognize an extraordinary milestone, the 100th anniversary

of our Canadian Legion. For a century, the legion has stood as a pillar of remembrance

and advocacy in the community, in our province and across our nation.

Established in 1926 by veterans returning from World War I and World War II, the legion

was born from a simple but powerful promise: those who serve Canada would never stand

alone. One hundred years later, that promise still holds.

In communities across British Columbia and especially my constituency of Esquimalt-Colwood,

the legion is woven in the fabric of daily life. In Esquimalt, a proud naval town,

the presence of the legion carries particular meaning. Our community is home to generations

of sailors, soldiers, aviators, veterans and their families. Service is not an absent

concept for us. It is personal, it is visible, and it is a part of who we are.

The men and women who gather under the legion’s crest are not only veterans of the

First and Second World Wars, Korea and Afghanistan and more recent missions. They

are neighbours, mentors, volunteers and friends. They are the steady hands organizing

Remembrance Day ceremonies each November. They are the ones ensuring that the stories

of sacrifices are told to our next generations, not as a distant history but as a

living memory.

Each year at cenotaphs across British Columbia, we see the legion at work. Poppy boxes

appear in storefronts, and volunteers give their time in all types of weather. The

poppy campaign remains one of the most recognizable acts of remembrance in our country.

Funds raised go to directly supporting veterans and their families, whether through

emergency assistance, housing support, mental health programs or advocacy work.

The legion’s work extends far beyond remembrance ceremonies. Across B.C., legion branches

serve as community hubs. They host youth programs, provide bursaries and scholarships

and support cadet corps. They organize meal programs and community dinners. They create

space where seniors can connect and combat isolation. In times of crisis, from natural

disasters to economic hardship, legion members are often among the first to step forward

and ask: “How can we help?”

In Esquimalt-Colwood, the spirit of service is alive and well. Our local branches

help support military families navigate deployments. They partner with community organizations

to ensure veterans have access to resources. They open the doors for community events,

celebrations and commemorations alike. For many, the legion is a hall, not just a

building; it is also a second home.

As Parliamentary Secretary for Armed Forces Development and Veterans Affairs, I have

the privilege of working closely with veterans and military communities across the

province. I hear firsthand how critical peer support and community connections are

to our well-being. The legion provides exactly that, a place where lived experience

is understood without explanation, a place where camaraderie continues long after

the uniform is hung up.

This centennial is also an opportunity to reflect how the legion has evolved. Today’s

Canadian Armed Forces look much different than they did in 1926. They are more diverse,

more representative of the Canadians we serve. The legion has embraced that evolution,

welcoming new generations of veterans — including women, Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ veterans

— ensuring their sacrifices are also recognized and respected.

The legion has also adapted to meeting modern challenges, addressing homelessness

among our veterans, supporting those struggling with operational stress injuries and

advocating for fair treatment and recognition at all levels of our governments.

One hundred years is a remarkable achievement, for few organizations can claim a century

of continuous service to their country and their community. The Royal Canadian Legion

can, and it has done so not through gestures alone but through steady daily acts of

dedication carried out by the volunteers in every corner of this province.

As we mark the anniversary, we honour the founders who saw the need in 1926. We honour

the generations who carried that torch forward, and we recommit ourselves to ensuring

the legion remains strong past the next 100 years.

Anniversaries are not only looking back, but they are about looking forward. The centennial

year is also a time to invite British Columbians to be part of that proud legacy.

The legion is not only for veterans. It’s for anyone who believes in remembrance,

in service and in supporting those who have worn our country’s uniform.

This year British Columbians can sign up and become members, actually, at no cost,

an opportunity to stand alongside this century of service and help shape the next

one. I encourage everyone in this House and everyone watching to consider joining

your local branch, attending a community event, volunteering your time and supporting

the vital network that legions continue to do, because they can’t do it without us.

[10:30 a.m.]

To the members of the Royal Canadian Legion of Esquimalt-Colwood, across Vancouver

Island and throughout British Columbia, thank you. Thank you for 100 years of unwavering

service and for keeping remembrance alive and ensuring no veterans stand alone.

Lest we forget.

Support for Small Business

Gavin Dew : I want to speak directly today to the people who make this province work, the people

who sign the front of the paycheques, the people who keep the lights on.

To every small business owner, every entrepreneur, every builder, every operator,

every farmer, every manufacturer, every tech founder, every professional who gets

a call at 10 p.m. because something went wrong and still shows up the next morning:

we see you.

British Columbia runs on your determination and drive. You embody the spirit of enterprise

that built this province. But we see the exhaustion in your eyes, the frustration,

the frayed end of the rope. And we hear the anger in your voices because this government

keeps coming back with the same tired line: “Give us another chance.” But the Premier

is not listening to you.

Let’s talk about what this government has done. They let Small Business B.C. die and

tried to bury it in the middle of an election. A decades-old institution that served

the people who hire, pay the bills and take the risks — gone. They rolled out the

securing small business rebate after they unleashed a public safety crisis in our

downtowns. Then they botched it, with less than 20 percent of the money actually reaching

small businesses.

They sidelined the Small Business Roundtable and, after nearly two years of radio

silence, the minister of jobs and economic growth shut it down on December 30, 2025,

with a Dear John letter to volunteer members. He said it was replaced by a trade and

economic security task force, but that task force had already been disbanded months

earlier. He said red tape work would be handled by the ease of doing business initiative,

a glorified online suggestion box.

So what’s left? Nothing. No round table, no task force, no serious structured voice

for the people who create most private sector jobs in a province where almost every

business is a small business. And now this government has tabled a budget that will

add about $500 million a year in PST on professional services. That cost doesn’t just

vanish. It gets passed on to housing projects, construction sites, manufacturers,

farmers and every balance sheet already under strain.

When the Premier was asked last week on stage by the CEO of the board of trade about

companies packing up and leaving British Columbia, he brushed it off as an anecdote

— an anecdote. The business community is not an anecdote or an afterthought. It is

the engine of this province. It is how we fund health care, schools and public safety.

It is not just business owners who pay the price. It is their employees. It’s the

apprentice whose hours get cut because the next project is on hold. It’s the young

family trying to buy a first home while government-imposed costs stack up at every

stage. It is seniors trying to stay in their homes while property tax deferral costs

rise and long-term-care projects are cancelled. It is donations to charities drying

up just as they face record demand like lineups at food banks. This budget is a wake-up

call.

Here is what I want to say to the business community of British Columbia: stop. Stop

pretending this is normal. Stop accepting lectures from people who have never made

payroll and never risked their own capital. You are not the villains. You are the

builders, the makers. You take the risk first and pay yourself last. You hire. You

invest. You stay late. You sponsor kids’ sports teams. You donate to hospital foundations.

You keep our communities alive.

You deserve a government that treats you as partners, not ATMs. You deserve stability,

predictability and a fair shot. You deserve a public safety plan that restores order

and a health system that gets people the care they need, including mandatory care

where it’s needed.

[10:35 a.m.]

It is time to stop pretending things will get better under this government, because

they won’t. It is time to start working in earnest toward the next government, a government

that will pull our province back from the brink and rebuild stability, predictability

and opportunity for the decade ahead.

To the business community: hold your heads high, hold on to hope, and help us hold

this failing government to account. British Columbia needs you now more than ever,

and we are working to build a new government that gives you reason to keep believing

in the promise of this province.

Second Reading of Bills

Bill M226 — Motor Vehicle

Amendment Act ( No. 2), 2025

(continued)

Deputy Speaker : Hon. Members, according to the order paper, the House will continue second reading

of Bill M226, Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No. 2), 2025.

We have, with two minutes remaining, I believe, the member for Abbotsford West.

Korky Neufeld : A couple of things that I want to bring out with this bill that I have problems with.

One is “driving as close as possible to another vehicle.” That was stated in

section

90.5(j)(iii). What does “close as possible” mean?

Two, the unintended consequence of a left turn clause.

Section (j)(iv) is so poorly

drafted that an ordinary, common driving situation could result in a 30-day prohibition.

Here’s an example. If you’re in an intersection waiting to turn left and the oncoming

vehicle runs the yellow late, forcing you to complete your turn on the red, this bill

turns you into a reckless driver. That’s not reasonable, and that’s not fair.

Loss of traction. So now we’re saying that every slide, intentional or not, is grounds

for immediate licence suspension? This happens every day all across our province during

the winter months.

Four, left lane hogging is annoying, but is it reckless? Should someone lose their

licence for 30 days just because they lingered in the left lane a little too long?

But the most concerning clause is “no appeal.” One of the most alarming lines in the

bill states this: “No appeal lies in respect of a prohibition issued under subsection

(2).” No appeal, no review, no second opinion, no oversight.

We have already seen how dangerous this approach can be. In 2010, the automatic roadside

prohibition law for alcohol faced major constitutional challenges. The courts ruled

that without sufficient safeguards, such systems risked unfairness and wrongful prohibitions.

Eventually, government had to amend the ARP system to allow a second test, ensure

higher accuracy thresholds and create meaningful review processes.

Bill M226 provides none of these safeguards. Worse, the bill does not even require

any charge under the Motor Vehicle Act or the Criminal Code.

A private member’s bill has limits. This one exceeds them. Private members’ bills

operate under strict timelines and limited drafting capacity. A bill with this level

of complexity, touching on policing powers, Charter rights, administrative law and

road safety requires a collaborative, multi-stakeholder process. This bill exceeds

that capacity of the private member process. It requires ministry expertise, legal

counsel, ICBC input, police input and constitutional review.

Let me close with this. I support the intent of the bill, but the drafting is fundamentally

flawed. This bill must be rewritten before it can be supported. If the member is prepared

to work with our amendments in committee stage, with the ministry, with counsel, with

policing groups and safety stakeholders, I could support a bill that targets true

reckless driving while protecting the rights of ordinary drivers. But as written,

in my opinion, Bill M226 is not ready to become law.

Sunita Dhir : I rise today with a full heart to speak in support of the Motor Vehicle Amendment

Act (No. 2), 2025, a bill that British Columbians will come to know as Xavier’s law.

I want to begin by acknowledging the incredible courage of the Rasul-Jankovics family.

They have taken the unimaginable grief of losing their child and turned it into a

call for change, a call that has brought all of us into this chamber today with a

shared purpose: to make our roads safer, to protect families and to prevent another

tragedy.

[10:40 a.m.]

As a mother of two sons and as someone who speaks with parents, grandparents and young

people in my community every single day, I cannot imagine the depth of their loss.

But I have seen firsthand the strength of families who decide that heartbreak will

not be the final story; advocacy will be. Xavier’s family did exactly that. It’s because

of them that we are here today debating a bill that will save lives.

In my riding, I often meet families who worry every time their kids walk to school,

cross a busy intersection or bike to a part-time job. I remember one morning meeting

a mom outside a local elementary school. She told me that she stands at the corner

most days because drivers speed through that stretch as if it was a racetrack. She

said: “I just need to know that people who drive dangerously are taken off the road

before they hurt someone’s child.”

Her words have stayed with me. This bill speaks directly to parents like her, parents

who just want to know their community is safe.

I have spoken with young people, too, teenagers who have lost a friend to reckless

driving or who themselves have felt unsafe walking along roads where speeding cars

fly by. Their voices deserve to be heard in this chamber.

Xavier’s law strengthens prevention and accountability in a way that British Columbia

has long needed. The bill introduces an immediate 30-day driving prohibition for reckless

driving. That means police will now have the ability to take a dangerous driver off

the road right away — not after paperwork, not after a lengthy process but in the

moment when it matters. That is the essence of prevention, acting before another life

is lost.

The bill also includes a crucial requirement. Police must report every reckless driving

incident to the superintendent of motor vehicles. Right now that reporting is not

mandatory. That means patterns of dangerous behaviour can go unnoticed. It means someone

can repeatedly put lives at risk and the system may not flag them until it’s too late.

Xavier’s law closes that gap. It ensures that every serious instance of reckless driving

is documented, sent to the superintendent and reviewed. If a longer prohibition is

needed, up to 36 months under the existing Motor Vehicle Act, the superintendent can

take that action. This is how we keep our communities safe: with timely intervention,

strong oversight and real accountability.

This bill does not leave room for

interpretation or uncertainty. It defines reckless

driving using clear, evidence-based criteria, which includes extreme speeding — more

than 40 kilometres per hour over the limit in lower speed zones, more than 50 kilometres

per hour over in higher speed zones or driving 150 kilometres per hour or more anywhere

in the province.

[10:45 a.m.]

It also includes dangerous behaviours like deliberate lack of traction, circling or

spinning a vehicle, street racing or even things as shocking as driving with a person

in the trunk. These are not harmless mistakes. These are wilful, conscious decisions

that put lives in danger. This bill gives police a clear, consistent standard for

when they must issue a 30-day prohibition.

Some people have asked why this bill creates a 30-day prohibition instead of something

longer. That’s an important question. British Columbia already has one of the strongest

administrative systems in the country. The superintendent can impose driving prohibitions

of up to 36 months for high-risk drivers. That authority exists today. What did not

exist until now is the mandatory reporting and the immediate consequence at the front

end. Xavier’s law fills that gap.

Others have asked why the bill does not include lifetime driving bans. The purpose

of this bill is prevention, not punishment after tragedy. And a lifetime provincial

ban could face constitutional challenges that could weaken or overturn the legislation,

something none of us want, especially families who have fought so hard for change.

This bill is designed to be strong, enforceable and durable, and it works hand in

hand with Bill C-14, the federal legislation that gives judges more authority to impose

driving bans when reckless driving causes death or serious harm.

The most important question is this: will Xavier’s law make a difference? The answer

is yes. It will make a difference because it ensures no serious, reckless driving

incident goes unnoticed. It makes sure police can act immediately. It ensures the

superintendent has the information needed to keep repeat offenders off the road. And

it honours a family’s courage by turning their advocacy into concrete, life-saving

action.

In my own constituency office, I hear from people who want to know that government

is doing everything possible to protect them and their loved ones. This bill helps

us do exactly that.

Just last year in my riding, I met two sisters, teenagers, who told me that they no

longer walk along a certain stretch of road because of how often they see cars racing

there.

Dana Lajeunesse : I seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Deputy Speaker : Proceed.

Introductions by Members

Dana Lajeunesse : I rise today to introduce two important groups who are joining us from my constituency.

First, it is my profound honour to welcome back to the Legislature the family of Xavier

Rasul-Jankovics: Zahra, Josh, Kira and Qais.

[10:50 a.m.]

As we continue second reading on my private member’s bill, Xavier’s law, this morning,

I’m heartened to know they will be here with us.

In addition to Xavier’s immediate family, it is my pleasure to welcome 37 incredible

students and their teachers from Shawnigan Lake School’s law 12 and AP comparative

government classes, including Xavier’s sister Kira.

I’m encouraged not only by their interest in my bill that has become known as Xavier’s

law but by their desire to be here today to help us remember and honour Xavier’s memory.

Welcome to your provincial Legislature, and thank you all for being here.

Debate Continued

Steve Kooner : I rise today to speak to Bill M226, the Motor Vehicle Act (No. 2), 2025, also known

as Xavier’s law.

This bill is named in the memory of a 12-year-old, Xavier Rasul-Jankovics, who was

rollerblading with his brother on a rural road in Shawnigan when he was struck by

a 17-year-old driver. The vehicle attempted to swerve, lost control and hit Xavier

with such force that he was thrown 185 feet. The car ultimately crashed into a pole

110 feet away.

It’s an unimaginable tragedy. No parent should ever have to endure the loss of a child

because of dangerous behaviour behind the wheel.

As legislators, when we hear stories like this, we are reminded that road safety is

not an abstract policy discussion. It is about lives, families, communities forever

changed. The intent behind this bill is clear: to strengthen accountability for reckless

driving and to deter dangerous conduct on our roads.

Bill M226 proposes to create an expanded statutory definition of reckless driving,

listing a series of specific acts — wheelies, drifting, doughnuts, spinning out, improper

passing on single-track roads, obstructing the left lane, extreme speeding thresholds,

driving with a passenger in the trunk, driving without being seated in the driver’s

seat and other prescribed conduct.

It would also introduce an immediate 30-day licence suspension, requiring surrender

of a licence with no mechanism of appeal, and creates an additional fine and custodial

consequences for offences committed on highways or industrial roads.

At second reading, the question before us is the principle of the bill. In considering

the principle, we must ask: does this proposal meaningfully strengthen the law, or

does it risk duplicating provisions that already exist under the Motor Vehicle Act?

Many of the behaviours listed in this bill are already captured under existing law.

Section 144 of the Motor Vehicle Act prohibits driving without due care and attention,

without reasonable consideration for other road users or at a speed excessive relative

to the road, traffic, visibility or weather conditions.

Section 148 already addresses excessive speeding, defined as more than 40 kilometres

per hour over the posted limit, and carries significant penalties. Dangerous stunts,

excessive speed, careless manoeuvres — these are not lawful today. They are already

offences. So we must carefully examine whether creating a new defined category of

reckless driving enhances clarity and enforcement or whether it risks overlap and

potential inconsistency in application.

There are also important questions about procedural fairness. The bill contemplates

an automatic 30-day suspension with no avenue of appeal. Administrative suspensions

can be powerful and effective tools, but they must be grounded in clear evidentiary

standards and balanced safeguards. When a wide range of conduct can trigger immediate

suspension, we must ensure that framework is proportionate and defensible.

[10:55 a.m.]

Another issue that warrants scrutiny is the absence of exemptions for permitted and

supervised activities. British Columbia has a globally recognized film industry. Productions

often involve controlled driving scenes conducted under strict safety protocols and

municipal approvals. As drafted, the bill does not appear to distinguish between unlawful

street racing and authorized safety-managed filming on public roads. Public safety

must always come first. At the same time, legislation must be precise enough to avoid

unintended consequences that affect lawful economic activity.

Honouring Xavier’s memory requires seriousness and care. It requires that we ensure

that any legislative response is clear, enforceable, evidence-based and consistent

with the broader structure of our motor vehicle laws. If there are gaps, they should

be closed. If penalties need strengthening, that should be addressed. If enforcement

tools require refinement, we should examine them closely.

Every member of the House wants safer roads. The responsibility before us is to ensure

that in pursuing that goal, we craft legislation that is workable, proportionate and

effective, legislation that truly advances public safety in a meaningful way.

Deputy Speaker : Recognizing the Leader of the Third Party, and you’ve got about six minutes.

Jeremy Valeriote : Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I’ll just quickly thank the member for his advocacy for his community that led us

to this bill and offer my sincere condolences to the family.

Full disclosure, I met with the family virtually. That obviously does impact, sometimes,

our views of these things. But as a father of 12-year-old daughters who are four years

away from driving, I think there’s still a lot of value in that viewpoint.

I think what I want to focus on is whether some of these events are preventable. We

know that the nomenclature has changed from calling these accidents to calling them

what they are. They’re crashes. They’re not accidents when they’re entirely predictable

and preventable.

I’ll briefly talk about my community, the riding I represent. The Sea to Sky Highway

is a winding, dangerous, sometimes snowy road. For such a dangerous road, you would

not believe…. I drive it way too often. Actually, when I have the opportunity to take

the bus, my blood pressure goes way down, because the amount of reckless driving that

I see on that highway is almost incomprehensible.

The community and I have advocated for speed cameras, speed over distance, more speed

limit enforcement. There has been more enforcement lately, and the results are quite

telling. But around 90 percent of trips on this highway are private vehicles, commuters,

locals, tourists.

When there’s an accident, the closure can last for hours, significantly disrupting

people’s lives. The team has to come from the Lower Mainland, which takes a lot of

time. There’s currently an open petition with thousands of signatures asking for safety

improvements on the Sea to Sky.

I’m trying to remember the name of the integrated unit. It’s not IHIT. I will retract

that.

Because of the lack of buses on that highway, I’ve been in a Poparide, which is a

ride-sharing service, carrying four passengers, with a driver going 150 kilometres

an hour in an 80 zone. Least to say, I was not impressed, but this is a common thing.

Understandably, some of these accidents are not just recklessness. Sometimes drivers

lack experience, sometimes skill. But the majority of the drivers on this highway

are locals and commuters.

I will say that there is work to be done on this bill. I think the intent is there,

and that’s why I’ll support it at second reading. But a 30-day driving suspension

that doesn’t follow due process or is perceived to be unfair or unconstitutional can

be crippling to livelihoods. That’s where the Charter of Rights, I think, comes in.

Nothing in this bill can be discretionary. But it is clear that we need more solutions

for reckless driving, whether they come from the federal Attorney General or provincial

Attorney General. I’m not picky about where these changes come from.

[11:00 a.m.]

I am of the firm belief that driving is a privilege and not a right. I’ve personally

observed many occasions when somebody should be given a 30-day time-out to think about

the way they’ve been driving. I think we need to sort out the process.

If there’s duplication, I think we can solve that in committee. If there’s infringement

on rights, then we can handle that. It may be that we get to the end of the committee

and we find that we can’t solve these problems, in which case maybe the bill won’t

go forward, but I think the spirit and the intent is on the money, given the state

of our roads and the state of public safety.

These are preventable. They’re the predictable result of a system that is coming up

short in terms of training good drivers and enforcing good driving behaviour.

I will support it at second reading, and I will hope that there’s a lot of input.

We’ve had some good discussions in our private members’ committee. I recognize that

there is some hesitation about the amount of time that things take, but I think it’s

a really valuable process. We’ll hear from experts and those with opinions on how

to strike the right balance. I’m optimistic that it can be done, and I support second

reading.

Deputy Speaker : The member for Surrey City Centre. You’ve got two minutes.

Amna Shah : Thank you, hon. Speaker. I will be fairly quick here.

I just want to acknowledge Xavier’s family here today, joining us in the gallery.

I can’t imagine the pain of having to even sit through some of this as you’re still

living through the loss.

I think what’s important at this point is the principle and the spirit and the intention

of the bill. I know that there have been some questions that have been raised about

due process, fairness. I know that every member in this House takes that very seriously

and respects that, but I say to that, let’s take it to committee. Let’s have those

discussions. Let’s hear from experts, and let’s really get to the nitty-gritty.

I know that there have also been concerns brought up about wording

definitions. Again,

I say let’s bring that to committee. There are concerns about police discretion. Even

though those voices matter, we also have to balance concerns about processes with

our collective responsibility to the public.

When there’s a family, when there’s an individual, when there’s a community affected

by loss via reckless driving, you can’t take that back. That’s irreversible. As legislators,

it’s our responsibility to protect the public from irreversible damage and harm, so

I urge all members in this House to support this bill.

Deputy Speaker : The Member for Juan de Fuca–Malahat closes debate.

Dana Lajeunesse : I’d like to begin today by thanking all members who participated in second reading

debate on this bill.

I can assure each of you that your input on this important new piece of legislation

is much appreciated.

Next I would be remiss if not to thank all those who helped provide input with the

crafting of this bill, including the Law Clerk and her staff in the legislative drafting

services; advice from staff and colleagues in the offices of the Ministry of Public

Safety and Solicitor General, the Attorney General’s office and several others, including

my two incredible constituency advisers, Aakriti and Sarah, my former legislative

assistant, HK, and my research and communications officer, Astra.

Last but certainly not least, I wish to offer my heartfelt thanks and sincerest condolences

to Xavier’s family — Zahra, Josh, Kira and Qais — for sharing Xavier’s heartbreaking

story with me and for their desire to prevent such senseless tragedies from happening

to other families in the future.

[11:05 a.m.]

Once again, I want to thank Xavier’s, Kira’s and Qais’s classmates for joining us

here today and for their desire to help ensure Xavier’s legacy will not be forgotten.

I also want to thank all of the families who have written to me or to their own MLAs

with support for this bill and for sharing their stories of heartbreak and loss.

Unfortunately, Xavier’s story is not unique, and the intent of this bill is to prevent

other families from having to endure such profound loss. The intent of this new bill

is to identify reckless behaviour on our public roadways and provide law enforcement

with the tools they need to lawfully and immediately remove reckless drivers from

our streets.

This immediate penalty will serve as a deterrent to reckless driving behaviours before

innocent victims needlessly suffer injury or death, through the instantaneous temporary

removal of driving privileges.

Furthermore, law enforcement officers will be required under this law to report all

incidents of reckless driving behaviours to the superintendent of motor vehicles,

who can then make evidence-based decisions whether to enforce further prohibitions

when they are deemed necessary.

This bill does not take away any constitutional rights. Driving is a privilege, and

with that privilege comes responsibility. Additionally, this bill does not punish

people for accidents, making mistakes or other extenuating circumstances, such as

changing weather conditions, that are beyond their control.

To be perfectly clear, this bill is just part of the work to ensure tragedies like

that which Xavier’s family and others have experienced are made a thing of the past.

In closing, I look forward to discussing more and hearing members’ ideas as this bill

progresses to committee stage. I hope that I, along with Xavier’s family and loved

ones, can count on everyone for your support, as well as further meaningful and respectful

contributions.

Deputy Speaker : Members, the question is second reading of Bill M226, intituled Motor Vehicle Amendment

Act (No. 2), 2025.

Division has been called.

Pursuant to Standing Order 25, division is deferred until 6 p.m. today.

Hon. Members, according to the order paper, we will look to the Member for Prince

George–Valemount to move second reading of Bill M231, Veterans and First Responders

Month Act.

Darlene Rotchford : I seek leave to make introductions.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

Darlene Rotchford : This will be a lengthy one, as we can see our lovely friends in the gallery. In true

emergency preparedness, they showed up when I made the call quite last minute on Friday

and today. I just want to say thank you, as well, as I recognize them here.

From Langford Local 2848, we have Nicholas Cuckovich and Joseph Trimmer.

From CFB Esquimalt Local 5003 UNDE 21009, Seann Wells.

From my very own Esquimalt fire, Andrew Zado and his lovely wife, Tracy.

From Oak Bay Local IAFF 1856, we have Kalean Shute and Trent Frenkel as well as Scott

Reddecopp.

From our IAFF Local 4467, from Sooke, Sprague Sydney Wiseman.

From Saanich Local 967, Megan McMath.

From Victoria Local IAFF 730, Mick Sheinberg and Brad Fair.

And last but certainly not least, from our IAFF Local Colwood 5420, Jeff Roy.

From Victoria police, Insp. Jan Malinosky and Sgt. Jeremy Preston.

Can everyone in the House make them feel welcome and thank them for joining us,

Second Reading of Bills

Bill M231 — Veterans and

First Responders Month Act

Rosalyn Bird : I move that Bill M231, intituled Veterans and First Responders Month Act, be now

read a second time.

[11:10 a.m.]

I am honoured to stand in this house today and to speak to Bill M231, Veterans and

First Responders Month Act, acknowledging the first responders joining us in the gallery

today.

This legislation is straightforward. It designates the month of November as veterans

and first responders month throughout British Columbia. It does not create new bureaucracy.

It does not establish a costly program. It does not impose regulatory requirements.

It does something simple but important. It recognizes formal service.

November already carries deep meaning for Canadians. Each year on November 8, Indigenous

Veterans Day, and on November 11, Remembrance Day, we gather at cenotaphs, in community

halls, schools and legion branches across the province to acknowledge and show respect

for past and present members of the Canadian Forces. We bow our heads in silence.

We lay wreaths. We listen to “Last Post.” We teach our children what duty and sacrifice

mean.

But remembrance should not be confined to a single morning. Throughout British Columbia

— from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island, from the Cariboo to the Peace — in

all communities across the province, veterans continue to serve long after their time

in uniform ends. They serve as small business owners, tradespeople, community volunteers,

mentors, coaches and leaders. Several of the pages and the security personnel that

work here at the precinct are former military. Their sense of duty does not disappear

when they hang up their uniforms. It becomes part of the fabric of our province.

We recognize the men and women who serve on the front lines also at home: police officers,

who respond to violent incidents, not knowing what awaits them; firefighters, who

enter burning structures while others evacuate; paramedics, who deliver care in moments

of chaos and grief; search and rescue volunteers, who navigate rugged terrain and

harsh weather to bring people home safely; and emergency dispatchers, who calmly guide

British Columbians through their worst days.

In rural and northern British Columbia, these roles often come with additional burdens.

Response times are longer. Backup can be farther away. Volunteer capacity is stretched.

Yet these individuals step forward anyway.

In Prince George and the surrounding communities, for example, volunteer search and

rescue teams cover vast geographical areas — mountains, forests, rivers — often in

severe weather conditions. In smaller communities, firefighters and first responders

frequently serve on a volunteer basis while balancing full-time employment and family

responsibilities. Their commitment is not abstract. It is deeply personal. This bill

recognizes that reality.

The month of November is particularly appropriate for this designation. It is already

a time of remembrance and reflection. It is a time when British Columbians turn their

attention to service, sacrifice and the cost of freedoms. By designating November

as veterans and first responders month, we create a broader opportunity for communities,

schools, local governments and service organizations to coordinate events, promote

education and deepen public understanding.

This is not about symbolism for its own sake. Recognition matters. Recognition tells

people that their sacrifices are seen. Recognition tells families that their support

is valued. Recognition tells young people that service is honourable. Recognition

from this Legislature carries weight.

We often speak in this chamber about public safety. We speak about mental health supports,

and we speak about the pressures placed on emergency services and the demands faced

by those in uniform. Across this province, first responders are dealing with unprecedented

levels of complex calls, including mental health crises, addictions and repeat violent

incidents.

Veterans face their own unique challenges, the invisible wounds that often follow

them after a long and complex deployment, service-related injuries and difficult transitions

back to civilian life.

[11:15 a.m.]

While this bill does not attempt to legislate solutions — that is not its purpose

— it does, however, acknowledge that service carries costs. It recognizes that the

responsibilities we place on these individuals are significant. When the demands on

them increase, so too does our responsibility to ensure they are not forgotten.

This is a modest bill, but modest does not mean meaningless. Public institutions shape

culture. They signal priorities. They reflect what a society chooses to honour. By

adopting this legislation, this House would send a unified message that the service

of veterans and first responders is foundational to the stability and resilience of

British Columbia.

Northern British Columbia particularly understands this service. Our communities are

resource-based, resilient, self-reliant and are often hundreds of kilometres apart.

We depend on one another. When emergencies happen, whether it’s wildfires, highway

incidents, floods or search and rescue operations, it is often neighbours who respond

first.

In recent years, we have seen communities across British Columbia tested by wildfires,

extreme weather events and public safety challenges. In each instance, veterans and

first responders have been present, steadily disciplined and committed. Their service

does not seek recognition, but that does not absolve us of the responsibility to provide

it. At a time when public trust in institutions is strained, reaffirming our respect

for those who safeguard our communities is both timely and appropriate.

We also are mindful of the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge, which have shaken that

community and have required first responders to confront profoundly difficult and

distressing circumstances in the course of their duties. Such events remind us that

behind every uniform is a human being, someone who absorbs trauma so that others may

be protected.

Designating November as veterans and first responders month will not solve every challenge

they face, but it will affirm that this Legislature recognizes their contributions,

honours their sacrifices and values their continued presence in our communities. Sometimes

the most powerful statements this House can make are the simple ones.

I ask all members of this chamber to support this bill and to stand together in recognizing

the service and first responders here in British Columbia.

Darlene Rotchford : I’d like to begin by acknowledging that we’re gathered here today on the traditional

and unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking People, known as Songhees and xʷsepsəm First Nations.

As the Parliamentary Secretary for Armed Forces Development and Veterans Affairs and

the previous Parliamentary Secretary for Labour, it is an honour to rise in strong

support of the Veterans and First Responders Month Act.

I’d also like to thank the member for Prince George–Valemount for bringing this important

legislation forward.

This legislation provides us with an opportunity to formally recognize the courage,

professionalism and sacrifice of those who protect our community and our country,

often without recognition and always without hesitation.

In Esquimalt-Colwood, we are privileged to be served by exceptional first responders

from across many disciplines.

First, I’ll start with our 911 dispatchers, proud CUPE 8911 members. They are the

steady voices in a moment of panic. They guide callers through life-threatening emergencies,

provide reassurance in chaos and coordinate the response that follows. Their work

is invisible to most of us but is the foundation of public safety.

The members of the British Columbia emergency health services respond to more than

600 patient events each year. They arrive in our driveways and on our highways at

our most vulnerable moments, delivering expert medical care and compassion in equal

measures.

Our police officers. With the Victoria police department, Esquimalt police department

and the West Shore RCMP within my riding, they confront increasingly complex challenges

from serious crime to mental health crises and addiction-related emergencies. They

serve not only as law enforcement officers but as a front-line response in situations

that demand judgment, restraint and compassion, and you’ll quite frankly hear them

say: “Well, that’s just part of the job.”

[11:20 a.m.]

Our firefighters — including locals Victoria Fire Fighters IAFF 730, Esquimalt Fire

IAFF 4264, View Royal Fire IAFF 5419, Colwood Fire IAFF 5420 and CFB Esquimalt Fire

IAFF F-003 — run towards danger when others are told to evacuate. They do the very

thing we are trained at a very young age not to do. They respond to structure fires,

vehicle accidents, medical calls and natural disasters. They support prevention, public

education and charity efforts across our region.

I will thank them all for, most recently, this past weekend. They were out collecting

funds for Tumbler Ridge, doing what they do best just on a weekend, because that’s

what they do. They are ensuring not just the people in our community are supported

but the people across the province.

Increasing severe wildfire seasons have also highlighted the extraordinary work of

wildfire crews across British Columbia, who protect communities under some of the

most dangerous conditions imaginable.

These professionals carry cumulative trauma. This is why our government has expanded

presumptive PTSD coverage and strengthened presumptive mental health supports for

first responders, including dispatchers.

Recognition must be accompanied by meaningful support. When they need it, there must

not be barriers in their way. That’s why today’s act recognizes first responders and

veterans.

I would like to speak a little more on our veterans and current members of the Canadian

Armed Forces, many of whom serve in my community and across south Vancouver Island.

Service in uniform is not abstract. It is deeply personal and is often beyond demanding

what most Canadians will ever see. This also applies to our first responders.

We have veterans in our community who’ve served in Afghanistan, who deployed into

active combat zones, worked aside allies on our NATO missions and returned home carrying

the weight of their experience. They sometimes return physically injured. Others carry

invisible wounds that often require ongoing care and support.

We also recognize thousands of CAF members who have been deployed under Operation

LENTUS and respond to floods, wildfires and other disasters across the country, offering

support right here at home in British Columbia alongside our first responders. British

Columbians have witnessed this firsthand. When catastrophic flooding displaced families

and wildfires threatened entire communities, members from all of our emergency services

and our CAF were there, evacuating residents, enforcing dikes, clearing debris and

providing stability in moments of uncertainty.

At the same time, here on the west coast, hundreds and hundreds of Royal Canadian

Navy personnel were put to sea off the coast of B.C. during COVID-19, something that

we still don’t actually talk about, with little notice and no clear timeline to return.

Some people here often make cracks that my husband was put to sea and that I have

pictures of him in the background. I can laugh about it now, but I can tell you that

at the time, it was not funny.

In the early days of the pandemic…. We are still learning what COVID-19 has done to

our first responders and to our Canadian Armed Forces, because those sailors and their

families, our people on the ground, maintained readiness for maritime forces to ensure

that we were all safe in our communities. They operated in isolation at sea so that,

should Canadians need them, they would be ready.

That decision required sacrifice not only from those in uniforms but from their families

and those at home. We need to remember that it’s not just about our first responders,

our CAF members and our veterans. It’s about their families too, because they carry

a big burden.

Search and rescue operations continue every day on our coastline and across the remote

interior in our province. Whether that’s our Canadian Armed Forces crew, our Canadian

Naval crews or our Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, personnel respond to vessels

in distress, downed aircrafts and individuals lost in some of the most rugged terrain

in our country. These missions often take place in harsh weather, in darkness and

under immense pressure. They save lives quietly and consistently without even asking

for a thank-you.

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces deployed by sea, land and air may support peacekeeping

and stability in operations abroad as well. They respond to humanitarian crisis at

home. They accept risk as part of their profession. They miss holidays, milestones

and time with their children. Some return home changed, and unfortunately, some don’t

return at all.

Our veterans and first responders carry the service long after they remove their uniforms.

The transition to civilian life can present challenges in physical recovery, mental

health support needed, employment and reintegration into your family life.

Our responsibility does not end when their service does. Recognition through this

act is important, but it also must be matched by continued commitment to ensuring

veterans and first responders receive the care, respect and opportunity that they

have earned.

[11:25 a.m.]

Today we honour those through this legislation. They don’t ask for recognition, but

they sure deserve it, because they believe in duty, community and the commitment to

this country.

It is a privilege to stand in this House to support the Veterans and First Responders

Month Act. This legislation affirms that service matters, that sacrifice is seen and

that the contribution to British Columbia and Canada will never be forgotten. I encourage

all members of this House to support this.

Sheldon Clare : I rise to speak in favour of Bill M231, the Veterans and First Responders Month Act,

put forth by my colleague the member for Prince George–Valemount, herself a distinguished

veteran of our Royal Canadian Navy.

Among our communities, there are a humble few who have volunteered to sign an unlimited

liability clause or to otherwise put themselves in danger for the security and safety

of us all. Our military veterans, our police, firefighters, ambulance paramedics,

search and rescue personnel, emergency dispatchers and others — many of whom are present

here today, both in the gallery and in this House — have done just that.

Whether regular or reserve, paid professional or dedicated volunteer, all of them

have more than earned our respect, admiration and commemoration, which would be demonstrated

well through naming November Veterans and First Responders Month.

This commemoration fits well with those acknowledgements of Remembrance Day and Veterans

Week. It is my hope that all provinces would follow our lead in recognizing those

who run to danger and their risks and sacrifices in so doing.

For these reasons, I support Bill M231, and I encourage and thank the rest of the

House for doing the same.

Jeremy Valeriote : It’s my honour to support this bill. We ask a lot of our first responders — paramedics,

firefighters, police officers, search and rescue. As we’ve talked about, we ask them

to show up in moments of crisis and on our hardest days, including seeing their bravery

and dedication in Tumbler Ridge.

These are members of our community, and in mountain communities like in my riding,

wilderness first responders, ski patrollers, search and rescue brave elements and

rough terrain to rescue us. I’m hopeful that this bill recognizes them.

This will be very brief, but it’s not out of lack of respect and dedication for this

bill. The courage and sacrifice of the Armed Forces who have defended our country

deserve reflection and gratitude for more than one day a year, as we enter a period

of more prospective defence spending.

Constituents of mine, one of whom is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces or Canadian

Air Force, are excited about the possibility of their 18-year-old daughter going into

military service, because of the new opportunities that exist, but also very conscious

of the potential for the ultimate sacrifice to be made.

So I think a designated month gives us an opportunity for education, for recognition,

for advocacy. Schools and communities can reflect and honour those who have served

and are serving and making this incredible personal sacrifice for both their country

and their communities.

I am pleased to support the second reading of this bill.

Macklin McCall : It is an honour to rise in support of Bill M231, the Veterans and First Responders

Month Act.

November is already a month that carries weight in this province and across our country.

On November 11, we stand in silence to remember those who served in Canada in uniform

— veterans who defended our freedoms abroad; who endured separation from their families,

hardship, uncertainty and sacrifice so that we could live in peace and security. They

did not serve for recognition. They served because duty called; because their country

asked; and because freedom, as we know, is not self-sustaining. It is preserved through

sacrifice.

[11:30 a.m.]

Designating November as veterans and first responders month builds on that solemn

tradition. It recognizes that service does not end overseas. It continues here at

home every single day in communities across British Columbia.

As the critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General and as someone who has worked

within emergency services, I have seen firsthand what that service looks like. Across

British Columbia, in the Lower Mainland, on Vancouver Island, in the Kootenays, in

northern communities and throughout the Okanagan, first responders operate in very

different terrain but with the same level of professionalism, discipline and courage.

In the Lower Mainland, emergency services respond to highrise structure fires, complex

industrial accidents, gang violence, major collisions, overdoses and large-scale public

events that require coordinated planning and rapid response. Dispatchers manage overwhelming

call volumes while coordinating police, fire and ambulance resources across multiple

jurisdictions in real time.

On Vancouver Island, responders deal with rugged coastline rescues, highway fatalities,

marine incidents, wildfires and domestic violence calls that can escalate without

warning. Police, firefighters and paramedics work side by side in communities where

geography and weather add complexity to every response.

In the Kootenays and northern British Columbia, distance and isolation change the

nature of public safety. Volunteer fire departments protect small towns. Paramedics

and police may travel long distances between calls. Search and rescue teams operate

in mountainous terrain, in deep snow, in extreme weather, tracking missing persons

and bringing them home safely. Backup may be far away, but the expectation of professionalism

never changes.

In the Okanagan, rapid growth intersects with rural geography. Firefighters battle

interface wildfires that threaten neighbourhoods. Police respond to violent incidences,

drug trafficking investigations and marine enforcement on our lakes. Paramedics manage

increasing calls linked to mental health and addiction. Dispatchers coordinate emergency

traffic across expanding communities. Different regions, different terrain, same commitment.

Across all services, there are common realities: long shifts that rarely end when

scheduled, calls that move from routine to life-altering in seconds, exposure to trauma

that must be absorbed quietly and professionally. They attend fatal collisions. They

respond to overdoses. They enter burning structures. They secure violent scenes. They

evacuate neighbourhoods during wildfires. They stand in freezing rain at roadblocks

during floods and storms so other emergency personnel can operate safely. They miss

birthdays. They miss anniversaries. They leave Christmas dinner because the pager

sounds or the radio calls them back.

Behind every uniform — turnout gear, a paramedic uniform, a police vest or a dispatcher

headset — is a family that understands that service often comes first.

I have stood in the middle of a residential street in the dark blocking traffic with

my patrol vehicle while a home was fully engulfed in flames. There is nothing more

impressive than watching a fire department operate at the full extent of its training

and ability — the discipline, the coordination, the trust. Firefighters move into

a structure that everyone else is moving away from, focused entirely on protecting

life and property.

I have been alone on calls in rural British Columbia when a situation that began as

a medical concern escalated without warning into violence. I cannot tell you how many

times paramedics who arrived to provide care stepped forward and stood beside me when

things became unpredictable. They were there to provide medical treatment, but when

the situation changed, they did not hesitate. This is not something that appears in

headlines. It is simply what first responders do. They protect one another, and they

protect the public.

I have worked alongside search and rescue volunteers in remote terrain, where no other

service could operate effectively. Watching them track a missing person through snow-covered

mountains, navigate steep and dangerous conditions, provide medical care in isolation

and carry someone out safely is extraordinary. Most of these individuals are volunteers.

They leave their homes, their workplaces, their families without hesitation.

Emergency dispatchers, too, deserve recognition. They are the calm voice guiding someone

through CPR. They are the steady reassurance to a caller hiding in fear. They coordinate

multiple agencies in moments of chaos, making rapid decisions that affect lives. They

hear trauma through a headset and remain composed shift after shift.

[11:35 a.m.]

Policing is part of this broader public safety system. Police officers — RCMP members

serving as provincial contract and municipal officers alike — enforce the law, maintain

public order and respond to situations involving crime, violence, addiction and mental

health crises. They work closely with fire and ambulance services daily. They often

secure scenes so other emergency responders can perform their duties safely.

An officer may go from assisting at a motor vehicle collision to managing a violent

domestic incident in the span of an hour. They may knock on a door to deliver devastating

news to a family. They may sit in a hospital room guarding a violent suspect so medical

staff can work safely. They may stand at a wildfire evacuation perimeter for hours

to protect the neighbourhood. Across all services, what defines them is not only the

incidents they attend; it is the consistency with which they show up.

Shift after shift, call after call, year after year, they train constantly. They adapt

to new threats. They operate under scrutiny. They carry experiences most people will

never fully understand, and they carry them quietly.

What connects veterans and first responders is not simply the uniform; it is the acceptance

of risk in service to others. Veterans accepted risk in defence of our country. First

responders accepted risk in defence of our communities. Both understand duty. Both

understand sacrifice. But understand that service is not about recognition. It is

about responsibility.

This legislation matters because recognition still matters. It creates space for reflection.

It allows communities to honour service. It gives schools the opportunity to teach

young people about duty, sacrifice and the human commitment behind public safety.

It reminds British Columbians that the systems we rely on every day function because

men and women are willing to step forward when others step back.

Service is not loud. It is not performative. It is often unseen, but it is foundational.

I am proud to support Bill M231. I extend my sincere gratitude to every veteran and

every first responder across British Columbia — firefighters, paramedics, police officers,

search and rescue volunteers, emergency dispatchers and all emergency service workers

— who continue to serve with courage, discipline and professionalism.

This Legislature has an obligation to recognize that service, and this bill does exactly

that.

Susie Chant : Thank you for the opportunity to speak on this very, very important topic.

First, I’d like to acknowledge that I’m speaking on the lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən People, particularly the Songhees and the Esquimalt, also known as the xʷsepsəm.

When I am at home in North Vancouver–Seymour, I work and live on the unceded territories

of the səlilwətaɬ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations.

I am always grateful to be learning from Indigenous partners, especially related to

the stewardship of land, water and air around us.

I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to be around Canadian veterans

for most of my life. When I joined the military in 1979, my first coxswain and his

winger were both veterans of the Korean War. We would host World War I and World War

II veterans at various events, always impressed by their medals and hoping to hear

stories. We would see them at the Battle of the Atlantic and Remembrance Day in their

blues and greys, some of them. Others would be in a variety of coats, but most would

wear a beret.

I’ve also seen the most lovely ribbon skirt worn by one of our Indigenous legion members.

As time progressed, things evolved to a tented area with room for wheelchairs and

blankets available to keep folks warm, and the number of veterans from the various

wars slowly diminished, with announcements of the passing of the last World War I

and the last World War II veterans in our groups.

I also want to acknowledge the veteran component of the group that staffs the chambers,

the galleries and the hallways in our legislative buildings. Many of them are veterans,

and they’re always watching and being careful of everyone in this building — members,

visitors, staff.

[11:40 a.m.]

I have been at cenotaphs across Canada; laid a wreath at the Menin Gate; wandered

in Commonwealth cemeteries in Belgium, Hong Kong, India and Canada; gazed at the monument

at Vimy and moved through the tunnels and trenches that remain open there. I’ve spoken

with the students who manned the information kiosks at Juno Beach, walked on those

sands. These are all places dedicated to remembering those who died in service of

their country.

Our ceremonies — Battle of the Atlantic Sunday, Battle of Britain, Remembrance Day,

Indigenous remembrance day — all commemorate the dead. True, at those times, we do

acknowledge the veterans, but they are part of the overall event.

Each of our veterans has their own story. Why did they join, what arm of the service

did they join, where did they serve, and what occupation or trade did they follow?

If you’re lucky, they’ll tell you some of that story, but never all of it. People

who join the Canadian Armed Forces are amongst the few who know they may be asked

to die in service.

Often you will see a chest full of medals, medals which represent a combination of

service, operations and commemorative events. It is very easy to engage a veteran

by asking about the significance of their medals, as medals are often the only thing

that is still on their uniform. Designation of occupation, trade, rank or unit cannot

be distinguished on a veteran’s uniform, as those identifiers are only seen on current

members.

In the reserve forces, we also see a large crossover between members of the first-responders

groups — police, firefighters, ambulance crews and reserve service. Members will be

dealing with their community in a variety of roles and then working for the province

and country as reservists who are deployed to fires, floods and other events needing

rapid, trained response. They can also be posted overseas to support international

operations that support disaster mitigation or assist in maintaining the rule of law

in other countries. Remember the peacekeepers.

Our veterans are important and unique members of our community, and as such, we continue

to recognize and value their contributions, both in the past and in our current lives.

I spoke of the crossover between first responders and our veterans. In that vein,

I want to go on to honour the work of the first responders in our province.

Of particular note at this moment, I want to acknowledge those police, ambulance,

firefighters, dispatchers and more who responded quickly and without hesitation when

shots were fired in the high school in Tumbler Ridge. Their swift, decisive actions,

some of which put the members at risk of losing their own lives, have been recognized

as instrumental in saving lives of the children in that school. Immediate and skilled

interventions on the part of all of the first responders not only saved lives but

also reduced the extent and complexity of injuries and transported all those in need

of further medical support.

For all these actions and many more, we thank you.

I want to speak briefly about the chief of the North Van district fire service. His

name is Mike Danks. Mike had been a firefighter for many years before assuming the

role of chief.

During the time, he was also the leader of the North Shore Rescue services, a nationally

and internationally known group of volunteers who respond to local emergencies and

beyond, offering their expertise in finding, recovering, stabilizing, supporting and

transporting lost and injured people. They are particularly well known for their longline

rescues, and now for their capacity to go out and do search and rescue at nighttime.

Our North Van district firefighters are also trained in both structural fires and

wildfires because our community is an interface with heavily forested areas and rugged

and mountainous terrain. They often will send a team off to other communities and

to other areas of the province to help out when there are fires and when the call

comes. I am very, very grateful to the work that our North Van district firefighters

do.

Additionally, we are served in North Van district by the North Vancouver RCMP, who

are always there. They are always there — whether they are in ceremonial events, whether

they are there in a crisis, whether they are there to just pass information along

or whether they’re there to slow down a domestic.

[11:45 a.m.]

They are always there. And as one of my colleagues pointed out, they are always calm,

and they are always professional, as all of our first responders are and as we see

in our members of the Canadian Armed Forces and, subsequently, our veterans.

In closing, we in this House, in our communities, in our province and in our country

will continue to recognize and honour our veterans and our first responders. The members

of these unique groups are and have been the final defence between crisis and stability,

and we thank them in perpetuity.

Rob Botterell : I seek leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Deputy Speaker : Please proceed.

Introductions by Members

Rob Botterell : It’s my honour to welcome the enthusiastic grade 6 and 7 learners from division 10,

North Saanich Middle School. They have spent the past few months exploring how our

government works and why it matters.

Today’s visit celebrates all the hard work, curiosity and questions that have shaped

their learning so far and will give them the chance to deepen their understanding

by experiencing seeing government in action, working on legislation and doing the

business of British Columbians.

I’m excited to have them and their educators here, and I hope the House will join

me in welcoming them.

Debate Continued

Ward Stamer : Again, our thoughts and prayers are still with everyone affected in Tumbler Ridge,

and wishes for a very speedy recovery for the injured.

I’d also like to thank the member for Prince George–Valemount for bringing forth Bill

231, Veterans and First Responders Month Act and, again, to thank the member for her

own service in our Canadian navy.

As a former mayor of a small town, I had the privilege of witnessing something extraordinary

in ordinary people — the quiet courage of those who choose to serve. Today I want

to speak about our first responders and our veterans and about why setting aside a

month in recognition of their service truly matters.

In a small town, service is personal. When the pager goes off for our volunteer firefighters,

they’re not responding to strangers. They’re responding to neighbours, family and

friends. When a paramedic arrives on scene, they often know the family member or the

name before they enter the home. When police officers patrol our streets, they recognize

the children riding their bikes and the seniors enjoying the evening walk.

Across Canada, organizations like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and local emergency

services work tirelessly to protect our communities. But here in towns like ours,

the protection often comes from volunteers, people who leave birthday parties, family

dinners and warm beds in the middle of the night to answer a call. They do not hesitate,

and they do not ask who it is. They simply go.

To our veterans, including those who’ve served under the Canadian Armed Forces, we

owe a debt that cannot be measured. They wore our nation’s flag with pride and stood

in defence of freedom, democracy and peace. Many served far from home, and all have

made sacrifices.

In small towns, our veterans are not distant figures in history books. They are the

neighbour at the hardware store. They are the grandparent at the Remembrance Day ceremony.

They are the mentor, the coach, the volunteer who continues to serve long after their

military career has ended.

That is why dedicating a month of recognition is so important. A single day of thanks

is meaningful, but a month allows us to reflect more deeply. It allows our schools

to teach the next generation about service and sacrifice. It allows community groups

to host events, to tell stories and to share those experiences. It allows us to slow

down long enough to truly appreciate what these individuals give not just in moments

of crisis but every single day.

Recognition is not about ceremony alone. It’s about awareness. It’s about reminding

ourselves that the safety and freedoms we often take for granted come at a cost and

that that cost is carried by real people we know personally.

[11:50 a.m.]

Throughout B.C., we understand the power of community. We show up for one another.

We rally around families in difficult times. We celebrate milestones together.

Dedicating a month to our first responders and veterans strengthens our spirit. It

reinforces the value of duty, sacrifice, resilience and service to others. It tells

our young people that character matters, that stepping forward matters, that giving

back matters.

To our first responders: thank you for your bravery, your readiness and your compassion.

To our veterans: thank you for your sacrifice and your enduring example of leadership.

On behalf of everyone in this chamber, we see you, we respect you, and we thank you.

Throughout this month of recognition and every month that follows, we stand with you

and your family.

Stephanie Higginson : I rise to speak on Bill M231, a bill to recognize veterans and first responders month

in British Columbia.

I want to start by acknowledging that we are speaking on the territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking People of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

Across our province — from the north Island to the Interior, from the Lower Mainland

to the Kootenays — there are people who choose lives of service. Some wear the uniforms

of our nations, some wear the uniforms of our communities, but all of them stepped

forward to serve our communities when we need them most.

When we think of veterans in British Columbia, we think of those who served in conflict

overseas, in peacekeeping missions and in defence of the freedoms that we enjoy today.

When we think of first responders, we think of firefighters, paramedics, police officers,

search and rescue volunteers, dispatchers and so many others who respond to danger,

allowing all of us to feel safe in our communities because of their service.

In recent years, British Columbians have seen more clearly than ever what service

means. During the devastating wildfire seasons that have impacted communities across

our province, members of the B.C. wildfire service worked around the clock to protect

homes and lives.

On Vancouver Island this past summer, local volunteer firefighters from across the

Island served alongside B.C. wildfire service to protect people’s most precious and

valuable possessions — their homes.

Paramedics from B.C. emergency health services answer call after call to support British

Columbians who are experiencing the worst days or moments of their lives with grace

and professionalism.

Police officers from departments large and small have faced complex public safety

challenges, while striving to maintain trust and community relationships.

Firefighters, both career and volunteer, have shown up in every corner of this province

when the call goes out. Ladysmith-Oceanside is served entirely by volunteer fire departments,

and I’m often struck by the fact that when these folks show up, they’re the first

responders. When they show up, they’re facing and helping the families that they know,

their neighbours, their children’s best friend. It’s incredible service.

Veterans and first responders share something fundamental, a willingness to place

the well-being of others above their own. But recognition cannot be symbolic alone.

It must be accompanied by actions like….

When this government formed in 2017, there were a limited number of illnesses that

were listed as presumptive for firefighters: heart injuries and disease, and only

ten types of cancer. But now 18 types of cancer, along with heart injuries and diseases,

are recognized as illnesses that firefighters have an increased risk of developing,

yet they still show up.

Thank you for your service.

In 2018, we amended the Workers Compensation Act to add new presumption for PTSD and

other mental health conditions for first responders, including dispatchers. That was

followed in 2019 by changes to expand the cancer, heart disease and mental health

disorder presumptions to wildfire fighters, fire investigators and firefighters working

for First Nations and Indigenous organizations.

Budget 2026 recognizes the critical service that volunteer first responders provide

to communities they serve by doubling the provincial tax credit for volunteer first

responders from $3,000 to $6,000 to match the federal tax credit.

[11:55 a.m.]

These actions demonstrate this government’s commitment to supporting veterans and

first responders in British Columbia — a commitment to better mental health supports,

a commitment to comprehensive health care and benefits and a commitment to ensuring

that when service ends, dignity continues.

This past weekend I was honoured to be invited to the Qualicum Beach Legion 76 Navy

Day. Legion 76 has been hosting Navy Day for over 30 years, and I was humbled to meet

veterans from across the province who had travelled to Qualicum Beach to reconnect

with their navy colleagues. I heard stories of their service and sacrifice, and I

watched with warmth as they gathered and shared stories and reconnected.

This kind of courage and bravery is rare, and it deserves extended recognition. It

is vital that we find all the ways possible to support and recognize this courage

and bravery — recognition of the lasting impact that this courage can have on physical

and mental health, recognition of the impact that shift work under extreme circumstances

has on family life, recognition to search and rescue volunteers who leave the dinner

table when the pager goes off. Service like this deserves recognition.

Gratitude is powerful, but gratitude expressed through public recognition, education

and policy is transformative. British Columbians feel a deep respect for those who

serve, and they expect their government to show support. This government has done

so through past legislation and will continue to show respect through our actions.

For the first responders and veterans who may be watching or who are in the audience

today, your service matters, your sacrifice matters, and British Columbia will not

forget.

Stephanie Higginson moved adjournment of debate.

Motion approved.

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

Deputy Speaker : The House stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. this afternoon.

The House adjourned at 11:57 a.m.