British Columbia Hansard — Wednesday, May 28, 2014

20140528pm-Hansard-v14n3

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Wednesday, May 28, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 14, Number 3

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Second Session, 40th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Linda Reid EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council .............................................................................................................. Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing ......................Hon.

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................................ Hon. Amrik Virk Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ........................................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Education ..................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Peter Fassbender Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review .....................................................................Hon. Bill Bennett Minister of Environment ..........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Finance .................................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations......................................................................................Hon. Steve Th omson Minister of Health ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacifi c Strategy and Multiculturalism ..................Hon.

Teresa Wat Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business ....................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation......................................................................................................Hon. Don McRae Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon.

Todd Stone LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ...................................................................................................................................................John Horgan Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................Douglas Horne Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ....................................................................................................................................... Marc Dalton Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ................................................................................................................................................... Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees .................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk ...................................................................................................................................................Roderick MacArthur, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Anton, Hon. Suzanne (BC Liberal) .............................. Vancouver-Fraserview Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal).....................................................................Penticton Austin, Robin (NDP) ................................................................................ Skeena Bains, Harry (NDP) ....................................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ............................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Bennett, Hon.

Bill (BC Liberal) ...................................................Kootenay East Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal) ................................................... Peace River South Bing, Dr. Doug (BC Liberal) ................................ Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Bond, Hon. Shirley (BC Liberal) ........................... Prince George–Valemount Cadieux, Hon. Stephanie (BC Liberal) ................................Surrey-Cloverdale Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) .................................Vancouver–West End Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ...........................................................

Burnaby-Edmonds Clark, Hon. Christy (BC Liberal) ........................................ Westside-Kelowna Coleman, Hon. Rich (BC Liberal) ...........................Fort Langley–Aldergrove Conroy, Katrine (NDP) .............................................................. Kootenay West Corrigan, Kathy (NDP) ..................................................... Burnaby–Deer Lake Dalton, Marc (BC Liberal) ............................................. Maple Ridge–Mission Darcy, Judy (NDP) ..................................................................New Westminster de Jong, Hon.

Michael, QC (BC Liberal) .............................. Abbotsford West Dix, Adrian (NDP)............................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Doug (NDP) ......................................................................... Stikine Eby, David (NDP) ..........................................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP) ................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Mike (NDP) ............................................................ Port Coquitlam Fassbender, Hon.

Peter (BC Liberal) ................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Fleming, Rob (NDP) .......................................................... Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal) .......................................................Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Scott (NDP) ............................................................Alberni–Pacifi c Rim Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) .............................................

Abbotsford-Mission Hamilton, Scott (BC Liberal) ...........................................................Delta North Hammell, Sue (NDP) .................................................... Surrey–Green Timbers Heyman, George (NDP) .................................................... Vancouver-Fairview Hogg, Gordon (BC Liberal) ............................................... Surrey–White Rock Holman, Gary (NDP) .......................................Saanich North and the Islands Horgan, John (NDP) .......................................................................

Juan de Fuca Horne, Douglas (BC Liberal) ..............................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ....................................................Surrey-Panorama Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) .............................................................

Nanaimo Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP) ........................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr. Terry (BC Liberal) ....................Kamloops–North Th ompson Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) .........................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal) ......................................................Burnaby North Letnick, Hon.

Norm (BC Liberal) ..............................Kelowna–Lake Country Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ....................................Columbia River–Revelstoke McRae, Hon. Don (BC Liberal) .................................................. Comox Valley Martin, John (BC Liberal) ..................................................................Chilliwack Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ..................................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Hon.

Coralee (BC Liberal) .............................................Cariboo North Pimm, Pat (BC Liberal) .........................................................Peace River North Plecas, Darryl (BC Liberal) ....................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Hon. Mary (BC Liberal) .............................................................. Langley Popham, Lana (NDP) ...................................................................Saanich South Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ................................................................ Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon.

Linda (BC Liberal) ..................................................Richmond East Reimer, Linda (BC Liberal) ........................................ Port Moody–Coquitlam Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ........................................................................North Coast Robinson, Selina (NDP) .............................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Routley, Bill (NDP) .................................................................. Cowichan Valley Routley, Doug (NDP) ............................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, Hon.

John (BC Liberal) ................................................ Nechako Lakes Shin, Jane Jae Kyung (NDP) ...............................................Burnaby-Lougheed Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ................................... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Shane (NDP) ..................................................... Vancouver-Hastings Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal) ........................................ Parksville-Qualicum Stilwell, Dr. Moira (BC Liberal) ........................................ Vancouver-Langara Stone, Hon. Todd (BC Liberal) .........................

Kamloops–South Th ompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal) ..................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Sullivan, Sam (BC Liberal) ...........................................Vancouver–False Creek Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal) ..................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal) ............................................................Fraser-Nicola Th omson, Hon. Steve (BC Liberal) .......................................Kelowna-Mission Th ornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ..........................

North Vancouver–Seymour Th roness, Laurie (BC Liberal).................................................Chilliwack-Hope Trevena, Claire (NDP) .................................................................... North Island Virk, Hon. Amrik (BC Liberal) ............................................. Surrey-Tynehead Wat, Hon. Teresa (BC Liberal) .............................................. Richmond Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (Ind.) .......................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Hon. Andrew (BC Liberal) ........................ Vancouver-Quilchena Y amamoto, Hon.

Naomi (BC Liberal) ................ North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, John (BC Liberal) ......................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ......................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ............................................................................Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacifi c Rim ..........................................................................

Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen ................................................................ Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ................................................................... Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ..........................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .............................................................Jane Jae Kyung Shin Burnaby North .............................................................................. Richard T.

Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ........................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ......................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Hope ....................................................................... Laurie Th roness Columbia River–Revelstoke .................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley...........................................................................Hon.

Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .....................................................Douglas Horne Coquitlam-Maillardville........................................................... Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................

Bill Routley Delta North ..................................................................................Scott Hamilton Delta South...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola....................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon. Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon.

Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ........................................................................... Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan .........................................................

Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ........................................................................ Hon. John Rustad Nelson-Creston ........................................................................Michelle Mungall New Westminster ............................................................................... Judy Darcy North Coast......................................................................................Jennifer Rice North Island .................................................................................. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ........................................Hon.

Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ..................................................Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ................................................................................

Pat Pimm Peace River South ............................................................................Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast ................................................. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie .............................................................

Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount ................................................... Hon. Shirley Bond Richmond Centre ......................................................................Hon. Teresa Wat Richmond East ..........................................................................Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ..............................................................................John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands .................................................... Gary Holman Saanich South ................................................................................

Lana Popham Shuswap ................................................................................................Greg Kyllo Skeena .............................................................................................. Robin Austin Stikine ....................................................................................... Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Fleetwood ........................................................... Hon.

Peter Fassbender Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ................................................................................. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................................... Marvin Hunt Surrey-Tynehead ......................................................................Hon. Amrik Virk Surrey-Whalley..............................................................................

Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock ....................................................................... Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Fairview ..................................................................George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek ................................................................... Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview ......................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Vancouver-Hastings ....................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington .................................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..........................................................................Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara .................................................................Dr. Moira Stilwell Vancouver–Mount Pleasant .........................................

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................................................David Eby Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................ Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Vancouver–West End ...............................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee ...............................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill .......................................................................Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake.........................................................................Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano ............................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..........................................................Jordan Sturdy Westside-Kelowna ................................................................

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 49; New Democratic 34; Independent 2

CONTENTS Wednesday, May 28, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4313 Hugh Curtis Hon. M. de Jong G.

Holman Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 4313 Ministerial Statements ............................................................................................................................................................ 4316 100th anniversary of Komagata Maru incident Hon. A. Virk H. Bains Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 4317 B.C.

Jade Day R. Lee Support services for immigrants J. Shin Sparkling Hill Resort E. Foster Bayview Community School centennial D. Eby Election in Ukraine Moira Stilwell 100th anniversary of Komagata Maru incident R. Chouhan Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4319 Government role in teachers labour dispute J. Horgan Hon. C. Clark R. Fleming Hon. P . Fassbender Support services for students with special needs S. Robinson Hon. P . Fassbender Funding for education K.

Corrigan Hon. P . Fassbender Cabinet appointments and changes to agricultural land reserve N. Simons Hon. N. Letnick L. Popham Reports from Committees ...................................................................................................................................................... 4324 Special Committee to Appoint an Auditor General J. Yap Motions Without Notice ......................................................................................................................................................... 4324 Appointment of Auditor General J. Yap K. Corrigan

Reports from Committees ...................................................................................................................................................... 4325 Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, second report for the second session of the 40th parliament B. Ralston S. Sullivan Select Standing Committee on Children and Y outh, fi rst report for the fi rst session of the 40th parliament J. Th ornthwaite C.

James Tabling Documents ................................................................................................................................................................. 4326 WorkSafe B.C., 2013 annual report and 2014-2016 service plan Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4326 D. Eby D. Routley D. Donaldson G. Heyman N.

Simons Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 4327 Bill 24 — Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act, 2014 (continued) On the amendment (continued) J. Rice K. Corrigan M. Farnworth B. Ralston N. Simons On the main motion B. Ralston On the amendment B. Ralston N.

Macdonald Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 4356 Estimates: Ministry of Health (continued) J. Darcy Hon. T. Lake G. Heyman D. Eby A. Dix S. Fraser S. Hammell S. Simpson Proceedings in the Birch Room Committee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 4379 Estimates: Ministry of Finance (continued) M.

Farnworth Hon. M. de Jong Estimates: Management of Public Funds and Debt Estimates: Other Appropriations Estimates: Legislation Estimates: Offi cers of the Legislature Estimates: Offi ce of the Premier Hon. C. Clark J. Horgan

WEDNESDAY , MAY 28, 2014 Th e House met at 1:34 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. [1335] Tributes HUGH CURTIS Hon. M. de Jong: Hugh Curtis was fi rst elected to pub- lic offi ce in, I think, 1964 and served locally as a council- lor and then as a mayor in Saanich. He served as an MLA in this chamber from 1972 to 1986. He served in min- isterial capacities, as Minister of Municipal Aff airs, but is probably best known for the time he spent as British Columbia's second-longest-serving Finance Minister from 1979 to 1986, almost exclusively in the government of then Premier Bill Bennett.

Th ose were diffi cult times, and his was a diffi cult burden to bear, wherever you were on the political spectrum. What perhaps isn't as well known about the service that Hugh Curtis rendered to the province of British Columbia is the lasting impact that his time as Finance Minister has had institutionally. He was the minister that guided the passage of the Financial Administration Act — not something that people think about every day but something that has served the people and the govern- ment well since then. It received unanimous support in this assembly, thanks largely to the work of Mr. Curtis.

His infl uence in creating a modern treasury secretariat continues to be felt, and the benefi ts of that continue to accrue to British Columbians. It was with great sadness that we all learned of Hugh Curtis's passing yesterday. I know there are members of the chamber who worked closely with him, who got to know him in his various capacities, who were there when he was made a Freeman of the Municipality of Saanich in 2002.

I know, Madame Speaker, that all members of the as- sembly, whether they worked closely or not with him, are cognizant of the contribution he made to public life in British Columbia and to British Columbia in general and would want you, on our behalf, to send condolences to his family and send our thanks from a grateful province for the contribution that Hugh Curtis made. G. Holman: I'd like to extend the condolences of this side of the House, as well, as MLA for the constituency in which Mr. Curtis served, although it was known then as Saanich and the Gulf Islands.

I'd like to join my col- leagues in acknowledging his passing. By all accounts, Mr. Curtis served his constituents in municipal and provincial politics with distinction and honour, and I understand that he was particularly proud of never being defeated in local and provincial elections for 25 consecutive years. I do understand that there was an occasion in this House where he was actually ejected from the House in an altercation with an NDP member. I'm sure he would regard that as a badge of honour, Madame Speaker.

To his colleagues and his family, I want to extend my condolences and congratulations on a life well lived and in the public service. Introductions by Members Hon. A. Virk: We have a very robust gallery today, and as part of that, it's important to acknowledge a whole host of societies that have gathered to celebrate the Komagata Maru Memorial Day today. [1340] I will start off with acknowledgment of a number of societies that are here. First and foremost, the Professor Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation is here. Th ese guests are on the fl oor as well as in the gallery.

Th e Khalsa Diwan Society of Vancouver, the Khalsa Diwan Society of Victoria, the Khalsa Diwan Society of Nanaimo, the Alkali Singh Sikh Society in Vancouver, the Descendents of Komagata Maru Society, the World Sikh Organization of Canada, the Komagata Maru Heritage Foundation, Gurdwara Baba Banda Singh Bahadar Sikh Society, Gurdwara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar, Guru Nanak Niwas Richmond, Pakistan-Canada Association, Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, Khalsa Diwan Sikh Society of Vancouver, Khalsa Diwan Society Abbotsford, Punjabi Market Association of Vancouver. We have the Progressive Intercultural Society.

We have the Indian Ex- Servicemen Society. Would the House please make all these people wel- come. H. Bains: I'd also like to join with the minister on be- half of the opposition, and I also would like to say thank you for coming. Welcome to this House of yours. To all those organizations that the minister mentioned I say thank you for continuing on with the fi ght that they are doing. But also there are many individuals, and I say wel- come to them. Please join with me, and let's give them a very, very warm welcome. R. Lee: Today is B.C. Jade Day. We have a very large celebration at the reception hall.

Some of the guests are actually staying for question period. Th ey are aboriginal drummer Soloman Reece over there, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Makepeace, Charles Hu, Nanhui Zhong, Cici Y eimn, May Chiu, Jianchun Chen, Vincent Liu, Linda Chang, Kim 4313

British Columbia Debates4314 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 Carroll, Y axin Guo, Lila Kwong and Jingsheng Ren. Would the House please make them very welcome. Hon. C. Clark: I have had an unusually pleasant day today. Th ey're all pleasant, but this one has been a great day so far because I am being job-shadowed today by two students. Kiran Gill sent me an e-mail asking if she could job-shadow me. She says that she hopes one day she will become Premier or, even better, become Prime Minister. I had to tell her it's not better. She's joined today by her parents Jagtar Raj Gill and her brother Taran Gill.

I'm also being job-shadowed by Cole Gaerber. Cole is 13. Kiran is 16, celebrating her birthday today, no less. What a way to spend your birthday. Cole is a student. He's 13 and fascinated by environmental issues. We'll be meet- ing with the Minister of Environment a little bit later to- day. He's here with his father Allen Gaerber. Th ey got to see us at our best today, joining together with the opposition to commemorate the terrible events 100 years ago with respect to the Komagata Maru, and now they're about to see us in question period — at our best in question period as well, I'm sure. J.

Horgan: I want to join with the Premier because I was shadowed inadvertently by her job-shadowers today as we were paying tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru. I know the minister will be making a statement shortly, and my colleague from Surrey-Newton will be following suit. I also wanted to say that the leader of the opposition is a good step to the Premier's position, so you can keep an eye on that. I digress, because my intent for rising was to…. Th is is, of course, a familiar occurrence for many here.

Because I'm a local MLA, when my spouse Ellie comes to visit, I like to say hello to her via the television. So my delight- ful wife of 30 years, Ellie, is in the precinct today. Joining her is a very good friend of ours who was a maid of hon- our at our wedding a long, long time ago, an educator from Toronto, coming to see how we deal with education issues here in British Columbia. Trish Oliver is with us today. Would the House please make both of them very, very welcome. [1345] Hon. R. Coleman: I have three little packages of intro- ductions.

Th e fi rst one today is to introduce a person who is a constituent of mine, one of the brightest young women I have ever met. Jennifer Mamone from my area of B.C., Fort Langley–Aldergrove, is here today. In addition to that, I have the pleasure of welcoming to Victoria visitors from the B.C. Liberal Party offi ce. We know that without the dedication of our people that work for us, we really don't get where we want to get to. Two of them are here today — Brent Rein and Kirsten Hamilton.

Also, there's a group of people that get a unique oppor- tunity every year in British Columbia to come here to be legislative interns through the summertime. I'd like to introduce our summer interns: Jonathan Barry, Simrath Grewal, Alessandra Harkness, Brooke Heller, Chris McGrath, Adam McPhee, Riley Whitelock, Jonathan Wilkinson and Sebastien Zein. Would the House please make them all feel welcome. D.

Eby: I'd like to welcome, on behalf of the opposition, a group of students and faculty from Douglas College and Camosun College who are concerned about the end of English-as-a-second-language programming at those schools this is year. Would the House make Ruab Waraich, Ann-Kathrin Th iele, Tracy Ho, Farzin Jamatlou, Wei Cai Yu, Vione Y ang, Kaho Shibuya and Andrea Eggenberger feel welcome. Hon. M. Polak: It gives me great pleasure to introduce conservation offi cers who have done exceptional work for British Columbians.

Patricia Burley is in the House today to be recognized as the Outstanding Offi cer of the Y ear and is the fi rst woman to receive this award. She is joined by her husband, Mike Tonge. Ken Owens is also here in the House today to be awarded Outstanding Offi cer of the Y ear for 2013. Ken is joined by his partner, Pam Johnstone. I'd ask the House to please make them welcome. M. Karagianis: I have a couple of introductions to make, if you'll bear with me. I have a couple of little groups here, and I'll try and go through them quite quick- ly.

I, too, would like to welcome some of the Camosun College's ESL learning program students from my con- stituency. It's Eugeny Popelnitskiy, Mohammad Reza Nagash Zargayan, Pei Mei Chia, and Roxana Ruiz- Gomez from that group. I also have, from my constituency, Olga Liberchuk, who is a constituency assistant to MP Randall Garrison. Lynn Klein is here with the paramedics for the British Columbia Ambulance Service. Robin Tosczak is here, and she is a teacher at View Royal Elementary, so she's joining us here today. I think members will be familiar with two of my other favourite visitors here.

Kody Bell and Mark Bridges are in the precinct, so everybody be warned. Hang on to your electronic devices. Th ey're here today with their job coach, Jeanine Reemst. I'd also like to introduce a couple of other constituents that are here. No stranger to this place, of course, is one of my most famous constituents. Moe Sihota is here on the fl oor with us, a past MLA and a groundbreaking in- dividual who was the fi rst Indo-Canadian elected here as MLA and who served as cabinet minister. He's here with his better half, and I can say that easily because I know her.

His beautiful and amazing wife, Jessie Parhar, is here, and that truly is the better half of this couple. Could we please make them all very welcome.

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, May 28, 2014 4315 Hon. P . Fassbender: We have so many guests today, but I did want to recognize three individuals that are here from the great city of Surrey: Mr. Prem Vinning, who's the former president of the World Sikh Organization here in Canada, Satnam Johal, Jagmohan Singh; and Balkar Udham. I'd ask all of the members of the House to wel- come them to the precincts. J. Darcy: It gives me great pleasure to welcome one of my constituents, who's here today as part of the Douglas Students Union delegation, the internal relations co- ordinator Lorna Howat.

I've had the great pleasure of working with her on a number of issues, including ac- cess to post-secondary educ ation, equality issues. I'd like to take the opportunity to welcome her to the House here today. S. Sullivan: I'm very honoured to introduce to the House a gentleman named Paul Cermak. He was the very fi rst volunteer for an organization called Tetra. Th is is a group of engineers and technically skilled people who build devices for disabled people. [1350] He was volunteer No. 1, and since his time, they've created over 5,000 assisted devices for people with dis- abilities.

He's here with his wife, Rosemary Bundell, and good friend Imy. Please welcome them. C. James: I also have a group of constituents who are here as part of the group that's concerned with program- ming for ESL: Natalia Potokina, Rufo Boria, Mi Joo Lee, Linda Guintos and Judith Hunt. Would the House please make those individuals very welcome. Th e second set of introductions are two individuals who are very important to me in my life. Bobbie and Al Mitchell are here. I'll always be grateful to Bobbie for sharing her brother, Norman Davy, with our family for over 20 years.

Although Norman isn't with us anymore, he certainly will always live on and his impact to our family will always live on. We will always remember his smile and his laughter and I'm so grateful. Please wel- come Bobbie and Al Mitchell. Hon. T. Lake: I'm pleased today to have two sets of introductions. With us in the gallery today is the president of the B.C. Chiropractic Association, Dr. Jay Robinson, and the executive director of the association, Rick Nickelchok.

Th e association represents B.C.'s chiro- practors by providing leadership, information and ser- vices for their members to meet and enhance the health care of British Columbians. Also in the precinct today I'm very happy to have coun- cillors Don Matthew and Shelly Loring of the Simpcw First Nation. Th ey are here to meet with the Ministers of Energy and Aboriginal Relations regarding economic opportunities in the beautiful North Th ompson Valley. Would the House please make these visitors very wel- come. S. Robinson: I have several people to introduce to- day who are here in the gallery with us.

Lisa Cable is here. She's an involved community member of the Tri- Cities. She owns and operates her own business, Sweet Beginnings, an event planning business. She's the mother of two delightful children, Ryder, 5, and Lily, 3. She's here with a couple of my other friends. Ramona Chu is here. Ramona and I met while serving on the par- ent advisory committee for Dr. Charles Best high school in my constituency.

Ramona is one of those parents who volunteers for everything that's going on in the school, and with a 22-year-old and a 16-year-old, it means that she's been a volunteer parent in our schools for 17 years and counting. She's joined by Bonny Gibson, another constituent, who also has a daughter going to Dr. Charles Best School. I'd also like to take this time to introduce three par- ents whose children attend school in Maple Ridge and Mission. Stacy McLennan, Laura Pomgrants and Scott Susin are here to watch our proceedings. If the members of the House can please make them feel welcome. Hon. T.

Wat: I would like to introduce to the House my two very best friends. Th e fi rst one is a very well- known Chinese community leader, a philanthropist and a very successful business person and also president of the Canadian National Chinese Congress, David Choi. Th e second one is my constituency assistant, Regina Tsui, from Richmond Centre. Would the House please join me in welcoming them. J. Shin: As part of our Douglas and Camosun Colleges delegation in the gallery today, I have the pleasure of introducing my Burnaby-Lougheed constituent, Greg Teuling.

I also would like to take this opportunity to hon- our a man who once told me last year: "Jane, our Punjabi community was empowered by electing representatives to serve in public offi ce. Let's make sure our Korean com- munity achieve the same." So this man that I look up to is seated right behind me today, the fi rst Indo-Canadian MLA, Moe Sihota. I just want to give him my personal thanks and welcome. Lastly, I'm thrilled that my Punjabi papa is here today, and he's also sitting right behind me. Would the House please make Mike Mukhtar Sandhu feel very welcome. Hon. J.

Rustad: All throughout my ministry I've got great staff that do a lot of real quality work on behalf of the people of British Columbia, but there are some that are here in the audience today that I want to intro- duce from my deputy ministry's offi ce: Shawna French, Sarah Sparks, Alana McDonald, Kim Ponchet, Sheila

British Columbia Debates4316 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 Kowalewsky and Janice Franklin. Would the House please make them welcome. [1355] R. Fleming: I want to make two sets of introduc- tions. Th e fi rst is to welcome Benula Larsen, who is the president of the Greater Victoria Teachers Association, to the House today.

Th en there's also a delegation from greater Victoria, Camosun College students involved in the ESL program at that institution who have joined with us today, including Xiao Yin Zhang, Min Y an Zhao, Louisa Mamisao, Svitlana Potapova, Rachael Grant, Diana Kohl, Tony Vernon, Ibrahim Almalki, Jumana Chikalkasir, Eui Tae Kim and Leigh Sunderland. Th ey're all here with us today. Will the House please make them feel welcome. R. Lee: I would like to add a few guests here to cele- brate B.C.

Jade Day: Lyle Sopel — he's a master of jade stone carving; Tony Ritter, from the industry, and Barry Price; as well as Anne-Marie Martel. Would the House please make them welcome. D. Donaldson: I would like to follow on the words of the member for Burnaby North. We are all wearing a jade medallion today in honour of B.C. Jade Day. Th e industry representatives are here, and the artists and First Nations. I'd like to make them welcome and say that of the world production of jade, three-quarters of it comes from B.C.

A large part of that comes from the constituency of Stikine, Jade City being one of the locations on the Kaska traditional territories. It's not just mining, hon. Speaker. Th ere's a reality TV show being fi lmed in Jade City. Omnifi lm is fi lming it, on the jade sector and the jade industry. So it's not just mining. It's creative arts that are part of this too. Would all members acknowledge B.C. Jade Day and welcome the visitors to the gallery. M.

Bernier: It's my pleasure to welcome in the House today a bunch of young students who travelled 1,400 kilometres to come down on a bus from Little Prairie Elementary School, which is by Chetwynd in my riding. Will the House please make them welcome. Ministerial Statements 100th ANNIVERSARY OF KOMAGATA MARU INCIDENT Hon. A. Virk: Sat sri akal, namaste, salaam alaikum, good aft ernoon, bonjour. I think it's more than fi tting this day that I use a variety of greetings in this, the people's House, today, as we celebrated the Komagata Maru Remembrance Day.

Today I rise in the House to remember the passengers on a ship named the Komagata Maru. On May 23, 1914, that ship entered Vancouver's Burrard Inlet carrying 376 passengers from India. Why had they come here? I'll tell you why. Th ey were simply looking for a new life, a better life in Canada. Th is is something most immigrants, including my own family, understand very well. But that did not happen, Madame Speaker. Instead they were turned away and not allowed to enter Canada. What made this event even more tragic was that upon their forced repatriation to India 19 pas- sengers were killed.

Regrettably, like the historical wrongs against the Chinese community, the Komagata Maru was one of several incidents in the 20th century involving exclusion laws in Canada and the United States. Th e Komagata Maru incident is not just a story of what happened in 1914. It is one

chapter in a long strug- gle to create a Canada that resists racism and a Canada that resists hatred. Th at story continued to inspire those who believe in a Canada that accepts, celebrates and wel- comes diversity. In 2008 the British Columbia Legislature made a for- mal apology to the South Asian community. I know that all members of this House believe that a rich, multicul- tural society helps nurture acceptance, nurtures under- standing and nurtures mutual respect.

Cultural diversity, increased participation and engagement by all cultures are vitally important to creating a strong, vibrant and economic future for British Columbia. Earlier today the Premier and the opposition leader joined together in a non-partisan way. Together with the support of all members of this House they pro- claimed May 28, 2014, in British Columbia to be known as Komagata Maru Remembrance Day. [1400] Madame Speaker, I am deeply honoured to stand here today as a proud Canadian of South Asian descent for the inaugural Komagata Maru Remembrance Day. H.

Bains: It is my privilege and honour to stand here and follow the minister and talk about our history. When we refl ect back into our history, examine our activities, three things come to mind — who were these people, what happened to them, and what did they do — and how far we have come and where we need to go. Komagata Maru actually acted as a Rosa Parks for the South Asians in Canada. It galvanized and sparked the community to stand up for their rights. It instilled in them that we need to make Canada a better Canada, a more just Canada, an equal Canada.

Th ey didn't give up on Canada, despite all the diffi culties, the challenges not only in this House and other parliamentary Houses in Canada but what the government actions were outside of these chambers — the discriminatory racist laws be- ing passed here, close to 140 of them. Th en the government agents didn't stop here. Th ey

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, May 28, 2014 4317 were working within the community to destabilize the community, divide the community, try to buy them off . Th ey went to great lengths. Th ey even tried to con- vince them: "We will send you to Honduras, if you leave Canada. We'll buy land for you." I say thanks to those people who didn't give up on Canada and said: "No, this is our country. We will make Canada a better place to live." Government agents even went as far as going to the 2nd Avenue temple that was run under the leadership of Khalsa Diwan Society at the time, and shots were fi red.

Many were injured. Bhai Bag Singh, who was serving the Guru Granth Sahib and sitting on that seat, didn't make it. He was killed. But that didn't sway the community — none of that. None of the bribes and none of the attempts to purchase or buy them worked. Th ey continued on. I want to say thank you to them. As a result of their perseverance, their commitment — and their commit- ment to even die for an equal Canada — is the reason that I am here, as many members of South Asian descent made this House. Many organizations and individuals had a huge role to play in that.

I must mention a few: International Woodworkers of America, especially the president, Harold Pritchett, who went with the delegations to Ottawa and here and tried to get us the right to vote; CCF leadership of the day, who didn't make the popular decision but made the right decision to make sure that they wanted to stand for the right causes. I want to say thank you to them. In 1972, when Dave Barrett fi rst won the government, although we had the right to vote, laws were equal now, but there were some languages in some cities….

Th e covenant still stated that certain races could not pur- chase properties in diff erent parts of the city. He said that was one of the fi rst things that they did as a government, under order-in-council — have that thing eliminated. As a result of all of those eff orts, people like Dr. Gurdev Singh Gill, the fi rst Indo-Canadian to practise medicine in B.C. And as a result of that, Naranjin Singh Grewall, the fi rst Indo-Canadian to get elected to any offi ce as the mayor of Mission. [1405] It continues on.

In 1986 my good friend, who is here with us, Moe Sihota, the fi rst South Asian to get elect- ed in any Legislative Assembly of Canada. I want to say thank you to him for opening up the doors for us to these Houses. I want to continue, to say the community themselves, the mills of the world, the Herb Domans of the world, the Terminal Forests of the world. Th ey went to the pinnacle on the industry side, and they showed the public what they can do, that they are second to none in any aspect of life. Today we have presidents of UBC. Th e third part that I want to say is this: where do we go from here?

Th e work isn't over. It's just the beginning. As we say, "Th at was in the past," but my good friend Ali Kazimi, in his very recent

article quoted a very famous American writer, James Baldwin, reminds us. He said: "If history were past, history wouldn't matter. History is present. Y ou and I are history. We carry our history. We act our history." As a reminder to all of us here and elsewhere, we, as the legislators, must remind ourselves that we are the his- tory. Actions that we take here we want to make sure will pass the test 50 years, 60 years and forever in this country. So thank you very much for the opportunity, and I want to say thank you, all of you, for continuing to carry the torch.

People like Charan Gill continue on to carry the torch, to make our country a better place, better than what we inherited from our parents. Statements (Standing Order 25B) B.C. JADE DAY R. Lee: Today is B.C. Jade Day. Th e province of British Columbia is blessed with many rich mineral deposits. It's well known that we have gold and silver mines and that these mines generate many economic benefi ts for our province. But it's less commonly known that another mineral, jade, is increasingly valued by carvers of fi ne jewelry and sculptors here at home and also across Asia.

As demand increases, B.C. jade has the potential to be- come an emerging job creation industry. While Canada as a whole produces jade, nearly all of the jade deposits are here in our great province. In fact, B.C. jade was pro- claimed the offi cial mineral emblem of our province in 1968. Th is is because jade has a long history in British Columbia. Jade artifacts, such as decorative materials and plates dating back to 3000 BC, have been found in the southern part of this province, like Lillooet and New Westminster. Th e fi rst offi cial record of jade in B.C. is from Sir John Richardson in 1851.

During the gold rush years in the 1850s and 1860s, Chinese prospectors discovered jade in the Fraser River. In 1887 Dr. George Dawson record- ed that jade tools were used by the Salish people. Jade has been found in many areas in the province, including Dease Lake, Cassiar, Omineca and on the gravel bars of the Y alakom, Bridge, Coquihalla and lower Fraser rivers. B.C. jade is very similar to Chinese jade, which also has a rich jade history that can be traced back for 4,000 years. It's not surprising that B.C. jade is getting popu- lar in Asia and that the demand is increasing.

In 1990 a 13-tonne jade Buddha was carved for the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Th ailand. So in celebration of this great mineral and Asian Heritage Month, we celebrate the diversity of our com- munity that we also share among our cultures.

British Columbia Debates4318 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 SUPPORT SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS J. Shin: Immigrants arriving in British Columbia, like my family and I did, face many linguistic, economic and social barriers in their settlement process, and such bar- riers compound their challenges when they're looking for city housing or employment. [1410] So 50.5 percent of recent immigrants experience hid- den homelessness — couch-surfing or living in over- crowded living spaces or in temporary conditions at churches and warehouses — and are prone to infections and chronic and mental illnesses.

Children of recent immigrants are also at the highest risk in B.C., with 49.6 percent — that's one in every two children — living in poverty. Th ese kids grow up just a little weaker, a tad bit slower, leading to delayed cognitive development, increased illiteracy, higher dropout rates and lower achievement. Th at's why I would like to take this opportunity today to acknowledge and thank the generous communities that we have in B.C. We have a multitude of organiza- tions, like the Burnaby Neighbourhood House, helping new immigrants with their welcome and inclusion pro- grams.

We have groups like the Burnaby Rotary Club and Burnaby Firefi ghters collecting winter coats and provid- ing healthy snacks for our school children. We also have incredible teachers oft en — too oft en — paying out of their pockets to supply and equip our students. We also have many Sikh temples in our com- munities and countless individuals fundraising and vol- unteering relentlessly to lend a helping hand.

In particular, I would like to express gratitude for the delegation of 30 students, staff and faculty from Douglas College and Camosun College here with us today, joining us, not just providing the incredibly important English training but also doing their

part in engaging and em- powering the new Canadians in our community to feel at home and to succeed in B.C. SPARKLING HILL RESORT E. Foster: It gives me great pleasure today to rise to speak of a tremendous Vernon-Monashee success story. Four years ago Sparkling Hill Resort, located in the heart of the Okanagan in Vernon, opened its doors to the world. Since opening in May of 2010, Sparkling Hill has received many, many awards.

Th ey've been recog- nized as an international wellness destination leader and recognized as being in the top-performing 10 percent of businesses worldwide, receiving the 2013 TripAdvisor Certifi cate of Excellence. In the Fodor's category for trendsetting, they have been recognized as one of the top hotels in the world. Sparkling Hill Resort was also a Spafinder Wellness Readers Choice Award, winning in many categories. In 2011 they were recognized in Berlin as the best new spa in the mountain category in the world. Mr.

Gernot Langes-Swarovski, the imagination be- hind bringing the European-style spa experience to the Okanagan, is a man with a history in sparkle. His family name, Swarovski, has been a leader in crystals and beauty. Th ey have innovated for over a century. Together, the visionary minds of Swarovski crystal's head of innovation, Mr. Andreas Altmayer, and Sparkling Hills CEO Hans-Peter Mayr integrated more than 3.5 million crystal elements into the design of Sparkling Hill. Th e brilliance and beauty of crystals is on display and part of every experience you will have while enjoy- ing your stay.

Don't take my word for it. Th e weather in the Okanagan is already beautiful. Take a drive up to Vernon any time, any weekend. Stop into Sparkling Hill and enjoy one of the world's fi nest resorts. Please join me in congratulating CEO Mr. Hans-Peter Mayr and his outstanding staff on four years of success. I thank them for choosing Vernon for their home. BAYVIEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL CENTENNIAL D. Eby: For more than 100 years, Kitsilano has been a growing and vibrant community. Of course, growing and vibrant communities need schools for young fam- ilies.

Th at's why, despite the construction of General Gordon school in 1912, a second home for young learn- ers on Vancouver's west side had to be built, and urgently. A hundred years ago, in August of 1914, Kitsilano fam- ilies welcomed their brand-new Bayview Elementary School located at West 7th and Collingwood. With only four classrooms at its humble beginning, Bayview is now home to over 300 students from kindergarten to grade 7.

Today all 300 students and their families are celebrat- ing the school's long and remarkable history, with many alumni, teachers and volunteers during the school's centennial celebration, featuring singers, displays of the school's history, performances by student groups and an open house. In 1916 Bayview established Vancouver's fi rst parent- teacher association, a group that remains vibrant to- day, advocating for seismic upgrading at the school and much-needed resources for maintenance for a 100-year- old building.

In the 1970s Bayview celebrated another fi rst when it received its offi cial designation as a community school. While the offi cial designation and funding ended several years ago, the Bayview Community School still proudly keeps the name and the community spirit behind the original program. [1415] Th e staff and students at Bayview have also been lead- ers in establishing international connections. While digging through the archives in preparation for today's

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, May 28, 2014 4319 celebrations, Bayview's principal, Noreen Morris, found a box sent from Bayview's sister school in Japan in 1940. Filled with delicate paper cuttings, a national fl ag and painted landscapes from a grade 2 class, it will be a fea- tured part of today's decade rooms tour. Innovation never stops at Bayview, and today the cele- brations won't stop either. Th is 100-year birthday party for the school is the product of and will be enjoyed by countless volunteers, alumni, neighbours, current and former staff , friends and students.

I'm sure the whole community will be proud to partake in the school's theme song: "Bayview school, our community school, where everybody likes to come. Bayview school is our school. Come on and have some fun." ELECTION IN UKRAINE Moira Stilwell: I wish to speak today on the situation in Ukraine. It is an issue that has deeply aff ected and res- onated with me, as I know it has with many of you sit- ting here today. As the situation deteriorated over the past months, I have been heartened by the display of unity and solidarity across the nation.

I commend the government of Canada on its strong and ongoing response to the situation, and to the Premier for her statements on December 13 and March 5. As the Prime Minister, the Premier and many leaders around the world have said, the sovereignty of Ukraine must be respected. I believe an important stand was made on Sunday in the pursuit of peace and stability. Th ough not without its challenges in the face of the violence and intimidation, Ukrainians went to the polls to exercise their democrat- ic rights to determine their own future.

Th e long lines were a testament to their bravery and courage, for stand- ing up for the freedom to vote without fear is something we sometimes take for granted in a country like Canada. Here in British Columbia we are home to people from all over the world. We are proud to welcome everyone regardless of race, ethnicity or culture. We value their contributions and that of their descendants to the multi- cultural and economic fabric of our beautiful and great province. In western Canada the impact of Ukrainian commun- ities is especially felt.

British Columbia alone is home to a large Ukrainian community, over 200,000 strong. It is our hope that this election is the beginning of a peaceful resolution for the people of Ukraine. Freedom and democracy are values that we share with many nations. It is in Canada's national interest and in the interest of us all. 100th ANNIVERSARY OF KOMAGATA MARU INCIDENT R. Chouhan: One hundred years ago on May 23, 1914, a ship called the Komagata Maru entered Canadian wat- ers with 376 passengers. Th ey hoped for a new and bet- ter life in Canada, which they believed was their right as British subjects.

Little they knew that upon arrival they would receive the cruelest and inhumane reception at the hands of the Canadian authorities. Th e Khalsa Diwan Society, along with other progres- sive people, did everything they could to keep them here, but it was of no avail. Aft er two months the Komagata Maru, along with most of its passengers, was forced to return to India, with deadly consequences. Although the South Asians were in Canada since 1895, they did not get the right to vote until 1947. Much progress has been made since those dark days of our his- tory.

South Asians have successfully established them- selves in business, education, medicine, law, lumber and agricultural industries, no t to forget politics. Th e fi rst South Asian, Mr. Naranjan Singh Grewall, was elected the mayor of Mission in 1954. Moe Sihota was elected the fi rst South Asian MLA in 1986. In 2005, when I was fi rst elected, the fi rst thought that came to my mind when I walked into this chamber was that this was the place where those racist policies were adopted to deny 376 human beings their rightful entry into Canada. Our journey for fairness is not over yet.

Bigotry and prejudice still exist. We must learn from our past to have a better future. Th at's why it is so important that our school curriculum includes lessons about the Komagata Maru, the Chinese head tax and the correct history of the aboriginal people. [1420] Th anks to all the community leaders who are here with us today and to all Members of the Legislative Assembly for your support and eff orts to make B.C. an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone. Oral Questions GOVERNMENT ROLE IN TEACHERS LABOUR DISPUTE J.

Horgan: Last week the Premier went on radio and made the claim that B.C. teachers don't care about class size and class composition; they just care about the money. I don't know where the Premier gets her informa- tion. I, on Monday, went to the schools that my children graduated from, and I talked to the teachers that helped shape their minds and shape their characters into the fi ne, upstanding citizens they are today. Not one of those teachers mentioned money.

Every single one of them talked about how they want to give more to their kids than they're able to, but they're constrained by the absence of any coherent class-size and class composition language in their collective agreements. Th at's been the case for 12 years. Children who started

British Columbia Debates4320 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 in grade 1 when the now Premier was then the Minister of Education have had a disrupted education, and now they look at the last month of their time in the K-to-12 system and there are more disruptions. My question to the Premier is: how is infl aming the tensions that already exist helping us get to a collect- ive agreement that will ensure that our kids get the best education they possibly can in the public school system? Hon. C. Clark: Th is is a very, very challenging time for parents, for students in particular but also for teachers in the classroom.

Th ere's been a lot of confusion about what's happening out there, and as we go out and we attempt to get an agreement between the government and the teachers union, we need to decide we want to do that by bargaining, by sitting down at the table and talking about the bargainable issues like class size, class composition, pay raises for teachers and all of the other issues that are there. Th at should happen without disrupting classrooms for children. It can happen. It's what all of us would like to see happen. Let's get to the bargaining table. Let's sit down.

Let's bargain hard, and let's prove that aft er 30 years of dysfunction in bargaining between government and the BCTF we can sit down, bargain an agreement like adults and leave the kids out of it. Madame Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplemental. J. Horgan: If only it was bargaining by adults, maybe we'd be in a better position, but the record of the govern- ment in power since 2001 is far from that. Th e record of the government in power is stripping collective agree- ments, stripping agreements that were duly signed by the employer and the employee.

We now have confusion, as the Premier rightly points out, but the confusion is coming from the Minister of Education and his obscure determination that a lockout was in the best interests of the bargaining process. It did not include any consultation with the actual employer under the labour code — duly elected trustees. We have trustees in this province, every corner of this province — administrators, teachers, parents — still getting ex- planations from the minister seven days aft er he made the determination.

Instead of heightening tension, instead of adding to the confusion, why won't this government recognize that stripping rights, taking away the constitutional rights of teachers — not once but twice — and provoking a strike is not in the best interests of our children, our families or our province? Hon. C. Clark: Th e government's success in negotiat- ing with public sector workers is unparalleled.

We have successfully negotiated tentative or ratifi ed agreements with almost half of the public service. [1425] We have been successful when we've sat down, ne- gotiated, rolled up our sleeves and recognized that our hard-working public servants — whether they are nurs- es, doctors, police offi cers or teachers — deserve a raise. Th ey've earned it. It needs to be an aff ordable raise. It needs to be one that's fair across the public sector. But we know we can get there.

Th e only way to do it, though, is to decide that we — the teachers union and the government — want to bar- gain this agreement the same way we bargained it with over 40 percent of the public sector, and that's sitting down, rolling up our sleeves and working hard to get to an agreement. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a further supplemental. J. Horgan: Th e Premier talks about the dysfunction of the system over 30 years, over one-third of that time under the watch of the B.C. Liberals.

Th e dysfunction started, I would argue — and I think just about everyone agrees with me; certainly the Supreme Court does, not once but twice — when that Premier, then the minister, stripped contracts and took away language…. Interjections. J. Horgan: We've heard the Premier say that she's got trouble with the teachers. Th ey're greedy. Th at was the fi rst thing out of her mouth.

Th en it was: "Let's get them in a room and lock the door until they come up with a deal." Th e latest intervention on behalf of students and parents and teachers across British Columbia is: "If I don't have a deal by sundown Saturday, there's going to be heck to pay." Or the actual quote was: "Or else." So it begs the question to the Premier: if there's not a deal in 48 hours as you have mandated, what's the "or else"? Hon. C.

Clark: In 30 years in almost every agreement that has been settled between the government and the teachers union, governments have legislated almost every single one of them aft er job action has erupted into our classrooms. Th at member conveniently forgets that he was an adviser to a government that legislated teachers back to work. It's because of the dysfunction in the way that we bargain. We need to fi x that. We need to restructure the way that we bargain be- tween teachers and government.

We need to work on get- ting to ten years of labour peace so that students will be protected in the long term and that teachers will be guar- anteed to be treated fairly. I believe that this is what most classroom teachers want. Th is is what government wants. Th is is something that I believe is going to mean we

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, May 28, 2014 4321 are able to move forward, improve our education system and make sure that kids in the future don't end up — as they have almost every time for the last 30 years, includ- ing when that member was advising an NDP govern- ment — in the middle of these disputes, because they shouldn't be there. R. Fleming: Well, Madame Speaker, you're going to have to forgive British Columbians for wondering just exactly what this government does want. In the last 24 hours we've had the Minister of Education saying he wants a settlement by the end of June.

Th en we've heard the Premier say: "Th ere better be something in place in three days or else." Is it any wonder that parents across British Columbia and teachers are utterly confused by government's escalation this week of locking teachers out from their daily duties as teachers? Th ere's a 12-year record of acrimony, and…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Th e members will come to order. Please continue. R.

Fleming: It's only the government side, unfortu- nately, that has the chance to put things on a diff erent footing in British Columbia, but they're continuing the pattern that only they know best, which is a pattern of confrontation instead of negotiation, imposing legisla- tion. Th e courts have shown that that is a disaster.

Th at is no way ahead for British Columbia. [1430] British Columbians need a commitment that this gov- ernment and this Premier will stop creating confusion, will yield on their agenda of retribution and will fi nd a way to negotiate ahead so that B.C. parents can have their kids back in our schools. Will the minister just commit today to stop unfairly blaming teachers for everything, set aside the threats and help facilitate a settlement so that there's actually an al- ternative in British Columbia to the chaos that this gov- ernment has created in our public schools? Hon. P .

Fassbender: I am amazed at the righteous — or unrighteous — indignation from the member oppos- ite, and I'd like to bring some facts to his attention. Th e accusation that the government has provoked some- thing…. I'm going to read from a press release that was put out by your friends at the BCTF on April 17. Here are some facts.

During stage 1 job action their members were in- structed by the BCTF not to "undertake any mandated supervision of students outside of regularly scheduled classes, except as set out under essential services order," not to "be at a worksite one hour before commencement of instructional time and one hour at the end of instruc- tional time," and not to "attend any meetings with man- agement, other than meetings of worksite joint health and safety." I'd like to know why the members opposite, when this press release came out and when the BCTF launched the action, didn't pick up the phone and call their friends and say: "Why are you provoking this?

Why are you putting students in the middle? Let's keep classes functioning while we're still at the table, trying to negotiate." R. Fleming: I think we would all agree here that a lockout order that requires fi ve statements of clarifi ca- tion in Qs and As is the very defi nition of confusion and incompetence. I want to ask the minister about another area in this dispute that he has deliberately muddied the waters on in negotiations. It's the issue of class size and composition. It's a central issue in this dispute. It's critical.

Th e minister told the media on the weekend that "all the studies in the world say that class size and compos- ition don't have any impact on learning outcomes." Well, we went to the Legislative Library to see if some of those studies available in the world were here. Luckily, unlike many schools across British Columbia, the Legislature still has librarians. I now have a stack of research, which I'm only too happy to share with the min- ister, that shows defi nitively that class size and compos- ition do impact learning outcomes.

Will the minister just admit that in order to fi nd a way ahead in this dispute, his government's ignoring of the key issues like class size and composition is one of the reasons why his government has been utterly unable to resolve this dispute and it drags on? Hon. P . Fassbender: Six weeks of silence aft er the BCTF initiated strike action — six weeks of silence. Now we have indication that we are at fault. [1435] But I'll tell you this. Six weeks of no response from the members opposite. We now have children…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Members. Hon. P .

Fassbender: We do regret that children and parents and communities are caught in the middle of this dispute. We have been very clear that it was the strike ac- tion initiated by the BCTF six weeks ago that brought us to where we are today. We have been at the table. Th is government, through the employers association, has made signifi cant moves to get a negotiated settlement: a reduction in term, a $1,200 signing bonus, movement on the salary grid. To suggest that we are not focused on student learning outcomes and not focused on a negotiated settlement is

British Columbia Debates4322 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 truly, truly the height of hypocrisy by the members op- posite. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS S. Robinson: A Coquitlam school district parent who is watching from the public gallery here today, along with many other concerned parents, has a three-year-old daughter named Lily who is hard of hearing. Currently Lily exceeds expectations for children her age. Th at's be- cause a team of people are working with her and sup- porting her.

But Lisa is scared that when her daughter starts school in 2015, she'll fall behind because there simply will not be enough resources in her classroom to go around. Lisa is worried that aft er 12 years of erosion of sup- port services in our schools, Lily will not get the supports that she will need to succeed when she fi nally does start school. Can the Premier please tell Lisa and the families like hers why their children are not receiving the sup- ports they need to thrive in our schools? Hon. P . Fassbender: I met with the individual that the member opposite mentioned and a friend.

We had a very good discussion about the future of education not only for their children but for all the children of the province of British Columbia. Th at is why this government is committed to long-term stability in classrooms that continues our track record of great outcomes for students and improves on them. Education does need to transform, but we also have to do it in a climate of stability.

We have to do it in a climate where we clearly understand that every child deserves a positive learning experience, a positive learning environ- ment that is stable and, yes, that we can aff ord within the structure of our education system. FUNDING FOR EDUCATION K. Corrigan: I think it's rich that the Minister of Education talks about stability when this is a government that intentionally incited a strike in order to curry polit- ical favour. It's in the court documents.

Th is is an excerpt from a letter by a Burnaby parent who writes: "Th ere is nothing more important than giv- ing our kids a quality education, for both their develop- ment and that of our province. Unfortunately, aft er more than a decade of underfunding in British Columbia, there are far too many children that are still in crowd- ed classrooms and are receiving less of the one-on-one attention they need and they deserve." Will the Premier listen to the parents who are plead- ing with this government and start investing in our pub- lic education system? [1440] Hon. P .

Fassbender: Since 2001 an additional $1 billion every year invested in education. A learning improvement fund to deal with composition issues in the classroom of $225 million. All-day kindergarten at $120 million. Graduation rates, increased by 15 percent. Aboriginal students, increased graduation rates of 103 percent. Th e number of special needs students graduat- ing in the province of British Columbia, increased by 166 percent. So the facts speak for themselves. CABINET APPOINTMENTS AND CHANGES TO AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE N.

Simons: We've obtained e-mails between the Minister Responsible for Core Review and the former Minister of Agriculture from before they were appointed to cabinet. Th ese e-mails make it clear they disliked the agricultural land reserve and wanted to undermine the land commission. Clearly, the views that were expressed in these e-mails should probably have disqualifi ed them from being eligible to sit in cabinet, but instead, they were rewarded by the Premier with the two positions most ca- pable of destroying our farmland.

Can the Premier confi rm that when she appointed these two members, she was endorsing their plan to dis- mantle the commission and open up agricultural land for development? Hon. N. Letnick: Th ank you very much to the mem- ber opposite for the question. Our government's ap- proach to the Agricultural Land Commission has been consistent for many, many years. What we want to do is continue with the Agricultural Land Commission Act, to continue to make sure that we preserve farmland for future generations. But we also want to make sure that we encourage farm- ing on that land.

Th at's of primary importance through- out our province, and that's what we're doing right now with the bill that is before the House. We've had great de- bate over the last few weeks on this, and we will continue today and tomorrow, as I understand. I want to talk just a little bit, give an example of what we're talking about here, if I have time. "We are fruit growers here in Creston, and you may have heard of us. We have the world's best juice, as awarded to us in 2012 for our black cherry juice.

Th is last year our apple juice won second place for best new juice at the World Juice Awards this year in Cologne, Germany. We have a small processing facility here in British Columbia…." Madame Speaker: Th ank you, Minister. Hon. N. Letnick: I might have to continue that letter later, when I have more time.

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, May 28, 2014 4323 N. Simons: Th e minister is new. I understand that, but he should know his fi le a little better than that. Th e issue of the cherry juice–maker isn't one that he should be quoting in this House. If they want to sell their land in order to get the capital to do something else…. Th at's not what it's about. Th is bill is about opening up land for development, and the minister knows that. Th e Premier knew of the hostility these two members had towards the Agricultural Land Commission and the agricultural land reserve. Th ey had the motive.

She gave them the opportunity and the means. If her intent wasn't to break up the ALR and the independent com- mission, why did she appoint these two to important cabinet positions? [1445] Hon. N. Letnick: I understand the passion of the member opposite. I understand the passion of everyone in this province to make sure that we have a strong ALC that is independent of politicians, that works to make sure we have an ALR that is there not only today but for future generations. Th at's exactly what we're doing on this side of the House.

We are here to help the ALR continue, not only by making sure we preserve agricultural land but by helping farmers farm that land. For the life of me, I cannot under- stand. What is the problem with telling someone in the North Peace, for example, who has 600 acres of land that if he wants to park a few trucks on his property so that he can service industry around, he can do that if — and here's the big catch — the independent ALC believes it's in the best interests of agriculture to do so?

Th at's exactly what we're doing here, and I wish the members opposite would join us in supporting this bill when it comes forward tomorrow. L. Popham: From the e-mails revealed today, it's more obvious now than ever that the plan to disman- tle our ALR started before the election. Th is was led by MLAs whose agenda was clear before they were given cabinet posts by the Premier. Th e Liberals said their farm-destroying legislation was "aimed at continuing to protect B.C.'s rich farmland." Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. L. Popham: But instead, they broke their promise. Interjections.

Madame Speaker: Member, just wait. Members. We are waiting till the Chair can hear the answer and the question. Please take your seat, Member. Please continue. L. Popham: Th e Liberals said their farm-destroying legislation was "aimed at continuing to protect B.C.'s rich farmland," but they broke their promise. Instead, e- mails reveal that it was always about pure B.C. Liberal political crassness. To the Premier, now that B.C. knows the real story, will she immediately put a stop to this legislative sham? Hon. N. Letnick: Th ank you to the member opposite for the question.

Again, I understand the passion of all members in this House. I understand that, through all the letters I've received, both in favour of the proposed changes as well as those that are opposed. I understand how it's important to have food security in our province. We are working towards that on this side of the House, as I'm sure all members in this House would like us to achieve that. In 2010 the chair of the ALC went around the province, talked to hundreds of people, listened to many submis- sions and produced a report.

At the same time, I believe, another report was produced by the Offi ce of the Auditor General. Th at information was taken into account by the minister of the day. Th e process continued. It is government that proposed a change to the legisla- tion to ensure that we have strong agricultural land but also strong farmers on that land. It is this government that adopted some changes to the legislation, which I pro- posed aft er consulting with the B.C. Agricultural Council and the leadership of the ALC — all of this through the public consultation that I have done through my letters.

We've had great time to debate it. Tomorrow we'll have a vote, and we'll see what happens aft er that. But it continues, with consultation on the regulations soon to follow. L. Popham: Th is is not the Minister of Agriculture responding to this. Th is is the minister of development. [1450] Before the election the B.C. Liberals said they would protect farmland, yet aft er the election the Premier ap- pointed a cabinet clearly bent on breaking apart the agri- cultural land reserve. Th e Premier acted deliberately to kill the ALR, steamrolling over concerns from farmers, chefs and food lovers in this province.

Given the facts that she has no mandate to make these changes, will she end the attack on B.C. farmland today and kill Bill 24? Hon. N. Letnick: Th ank you to the member opposite for the question. We continue to support agriculture on this side of the House. We did it by a 20 percent increase in the budget for agriculture over the last two years, millions of dol- lars for a Buy Local program to encourage people to buy

British Columbia Debates4324 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 products right here from British Columbia. We're rebat- ing the carbon tax on our greenhouses. We're rebating the carbon tax on purple fuels for our farmers. We're changing the ALC to give them all the independ- ence they need to make good decisions on preserving good agricultural land right here in British Columbia. We have money for replant going forward too — almost half a billion dollars over the next fi ve years, a $14 billion goal. We have people going to China and we have people go- ing all around the world from industry, trying to promote our products.

We are there with them, supporting them. At the end of the day, we want the same thing. We want a strong agricultural community right here in British Columbia on good agricultural land to make sure that we have food for generations to come. We are investing money into the program, we are investing our time, and we are introducing legislation that will assist us in get- ting there. [End of question period.] Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, the House will now receive three reports. Reports from Committees J.

Y ap: Madame Speaker, I have the honour to present the report of the Special Committee to Appoint an Auditor General. I move that the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. J. Y ap: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the report. Leave granted. J. Y ap: I move that the report be adopted. Motion approved. J. Y ap: I ask leave of the House to move a further mo- tion to appoint Carol Bellringer as Auditor General of British Columbia. Leave granted. Motions Without Notice APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR GENERAL J.

Y ap: I move that: [Pursuant to the Auditor General Act , (SBC 2003, c.2), Carol Bellringer be appointed as Auditor General of British Columbia, for one 8 year term commencing on September 15, 2014.] In moving this motion, I'd like to provide a brief profi le of the candidate unanimously selected by the committee. Ms. Bellringer, who is in the gallery with us, is the for- mer Auditor General for the province of Manitoba, a pos- ition that she held from 2006 to March 2014. She also was Manitoba's Auditor General from 1992 to 1996, when it was known as the Offi ce of the Provincial Auditor. Ms.

Bellringer is a chartered accountant and holds an MBA from the Warsaw School of Economics, University of Quebec at Montreal. Given her extensive background in conducting fi nancial audits, performance audits and investigations, she is well qualifi ed to lead the B.C. Offi ce of the Auditor General. Ms. Bellringer also brings other relevant experience to this position.

She previously served as the city auditor for the city of Winnipeg and has held management positions with KPMG and with MediaOne International in Poland. [1455] She's also a former director of private funding at the University of Manitoba and has served on numerous boards for business, charitable and arts organizations. She's currently serving on the board of the International Federation of Accountants. Given her impressive experience and credentials, I'm confi dent that Ms. Bellringer will prove to be an excellent Auditor General for the province of British Columbia.

In closing, I'd like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Deputy Chair, the member for Burnaby–Deer Lake, along with all committee members for their hard work and dedication over the past ten months. Th e committee considered some very excellent and qualifi ed applicants during the search process, and in the end, we were able to unanimously recommend the candidate for appointment. On behalf of the committee, I'd like to further express thanks to everyone who participated in the process, in- cluding the many excellent applicants we considered. As well, I'd like to acknowledge Mr.

Russ Jones, who is also in the gallery with us today, who has served in the role of acting Auditor General since March of 2013. Mr. Jones took over the position during a time of transition for the offi ce, and he carried out his duties with profes- sionalism and dedication. On behalf of all members of the Legislative Assembly, we express our sincere appre- ciation and gratitude. K. Corrigan: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to also rise and welcome Carol Bellringer — hopefully, if it's approved — to the position of Auditor General of British Columbia.

I was struck, during the interview process and the complete process, by how well she was regarded by all MLAs on both sides of the House in Manitoba; how well she was regarded by those that she worked for, those that she worked with and those that worked for her as well; and how well regarded she was by other Auditors General across the country. She has private sector and public sec-

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, May 28, 2014 4325 tor experience. She was a leader in the profession. Of course, at the end of the day, it also has to be a unanimous decision, and it was a unanimous decision by the committee. I am very confi dent in joining the Chair of the committee in saying that we have made a very good choice and that we will be well-served. So I am very happy to welcome Carol. I also want to add my appreciation to Russ Jones.

I have been on the Public Accounts Committee for many years and have seen Russ for many years doing a won- derful job, both as Deputy Auditor General and now as acting Auditor General. He has served us very well over this year of transition and, I'm sure, will continue to of- fer a lot to the offi ce. Th ank you very much to everybody who served on the committee, and welcome, Carol. Motion approved. Reports from Committees B. Ralston: I have the honour to present the second report of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts for the second session of the 40th parliament.

Th e report summarizes the committee's activities in this session of parliament. I move that the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. B. Ralston: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the report. Leave granted. B. Ralston: I move that the report be adopted. In so doing, I would like to make some very brief comments. Th e report summarizes the committee's activities in the last session. In that period the committee reviewed ten reports of the Auditor General and approved the Auditor General's annual workplan.

I'd also like to thank all committee members for their contribution to the work of the committee, and I would also want to acknowledge the assistance provided by the offices of the Auditor General and the comptroller general. At this point, I would also like to welcome the newly appointed Auditor General, Carol Bellringer, and look forward, with other members of the committee, to work- ing with her in the future. I would also, again, like to join the comments that have been made about Russ Jones and thank him for his time as acting Auditor General. S.

Sullivan: As the Deputy Chair, I'd like to add to the words of the Chair. First of all, I'd like to thank the Chair for his capable leadership. I'd like to acknowledge Russ Jones and his fi ne work with his team. [1500] We've had some great support from our staff , Kate Ryan-Lloyd and Ron Wall, who have also provided great service to us; of course, the offi ce of the comptroller; and the many members of the committee. I'd like to just acknowledge the fi ne work that the com- mittee is doing to make British Columbia government work better for its citizens. Motion approved. J.

Th ornthwaite: I have the honour to present the fi rst report of the Select Standing Committee on Children and Y outh for the fi rst session of the 40th parliament. I move that the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. J. Th ornthwaite: I ask leave of the House to permit the moving of a motion to adopt the report. Leave granted. J. Th ornthwaite: I would like to make a few comments before I move that the report be adopted. This report summarizes committee activities from November 2012 to December 2013.

Th e reporting period included part of the fourth session of the 39th parliament, under the previous committee membership. Committee activities in all of the fi rst session of the 40th parliament are also covered in this report. During this time the committee reviewed eight re- ports by the Representative for Children and Y outh. We also met with offi cials from the Ministry of Children and Family Development to receive updates regarding their work to implement recommendations of the repre- sentative. Th is report also mentions a special committee project underway to examine youth mental health.

Th e commit- tee will be holding three meetings this June to hear from stakeholders, experts, youth and their families. Th e com- mittee is also inviting written submissions through our website, starting today. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the previous Chair, the former member for West Vancouver– Sea to Sky, Joan McIntyre, who served on the committee for several years. I'd also like to pass on my thanks to the current Deputy Chair, the member for Victoria–Beacon Hill. We've had a very positive working relationship.

I look forward to working with her and all my committee members in the future. In closing, I'd like to acknowledge the Representative for Children and Y outh and her staff, as well as the Ministry of Children and Family Development and our Clerk, Kate Ryan-Lloyd. On behalf of the commit-

British Columbia Debates4326 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 tee members, we thank you for the important work that you do. With that, I move adoption of the report. C. James: I also would like to express my apprecia- tion, fi rst to the Chair of our committee, the member for North Vancouver–Seymour. I would concur that we've had a very good working relationship. We've had an opportunity to bring forward some very diffi cult work around the committee and had the chance to be able to work through those reports. I'd just like to emphasize the mention that the Chair of our committee raised around youth mental health.

We will have an opportunity to be able to receive writ- ten submissions around the issue of youth mental health in our province. I believe this is an opportunity for members of the Legislature, all members of the Legislature, to be able to let people in your community know that they have the opportunity to put in written submissions. Y ou have the chance to be able to express that to groups, organizations, parents and youth themselves. I think the process will be richer by making sure that we hear all the voices in the community.

I would encourage all members to make sure that you take the opportunity to pass that message on in your communities. Finally, I just want to express my appreciation to all the committee members. As I said, we have had some very diffi cult work and some very diffi cult reports come for- ward, and I have seen around our committee a very re- spectful conversation and very thoughtful conversation on very diffi cult issues. I'm sure I speak for all members when I say that the hope of our committee is that we see fewer reports and fewer incidents and fewer challenges come forward in the future around our committee.

Motion approved. Tabling Documents Hon. S. Bond: Today I want to table the WorkSafe B.C. 2013 annual report and 2014-2016 service plan. Petitions D. Eby: I rise to table a petition with over 600 names and signatures asking the government to support the Pine Free Clinic and require continued uninterrupted operation of a dedicated youth health clinic for people under the age of 25 in Metro Vancouver. [1505] D.

Routley: I present a petition from hundreds of Nanaimo region constituents who are determined to see a funding model for long-term care for seniors that does not force contracting out or the offering of re-employment to current employees at much lower wages and lower benefits. They are petitioning govern- ment to act now to provide a fair and equitable fund- ing system on Vancouver Island that will allow for the continuity of care that our seniors require and deserve. D.

Donaldson: I rise to present a petition from the residents of Stewart, who were without power for many days in a row this winter, creating great hardships, with the temperature being as cold as it was and burning diesel. Th ey're asking that B.C. Hydro provide their commun- ity with a looping — what's called islanding capability — between themselves and the Long Lake hydro station, which sits close by. It's signed by almost 300 residents. Stewart has only about 500 residents, so we're talking about a pretty big uptake on this petition. G.

Heyman: I rise to table a petition with over 600 sig- natures of people who are committed to saving the Pine Free Clinic. Th ey note that Metro Vancouver requires continued uninterrupted operation of a dedicated youth health clinic for young people under the age of 25, and they call on the members of this House to affi rm our sup- port for the continued operation of a dedicated youth clinic in Metro Vancouver for another 40 years. Madame Speaker: Th e best for last — Powell River– Sunshine Coast. N. Simons: Th ank you very much, Madame Speaker. I appreciate that.

I have a petition here from about 6,936 individuals from throughout British Columbia asking the govern- ment to…. Th ey respectfully request the government take urgent action to halt the commercial introduction of the genetically modifi ed apple in British Columbia. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: Two things.

I didn't want to inter- rupt the vigorous debate taking place during question period, but I wonder — I say this not wishing to point fi ngers at anyone; maybe both sides — if the Chair might wish to send a reminder to all members about Standing Order 47A, particularly, on page 141, the reference to oral questions and the anticipation rule re bills. All members might fi nd that a helpful reminder. Beyond that, in terms of the orders of the day, continu- ing second reading, in this chamber, on Bill 24. In

Section A, Committee of Supply, the Ministry of Health estimates; and in

Section C, estimates beginning with the Ministry of Finance and, thereaft er, the Offi ce of the Premier.

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, May 28, 2014 4327 Second Reading of Bills BILL 24 — AGRICULTURAL LAND COMMISSION AMENDMENT ACT, 2014 (continued) [D. Horne in the chair.] On the amendment (continued). J.

Rice: I'm pleased to rise again today, to continue on from yesterday in the debate on the motion that Bill 24 not be read a second time now but that the subject matter be referred to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services and, further, that the commit- tee be empowered to invite witnesses to appear before it to assist in its deliberations. [1510] I think referring this bill to the Finance Committee is the perfect committee, considering the amount of travel, which I've witnessed in my fi rst year as MLA, that the Select Standing Committee on Finance certainly has — I don't know if endured is the word — participated in.

Y esterday I was talking about the importance of re- ferring this important bill to a committee such as the Standing Committee on Finance because of the import- ance of maintaining democracy in our province. I was speaking about my fi rst year as an MLA and, previously, as a city councillor. One of the reasons I was involved was my witnessing of the disengagement of our public in civic politics and politics in general and just the general negative attitude that people feel that their voices aren't being heard or their vote doesn't matter. I think a bill of this magnitude….

Some things, such as the ALR and the ALC, are ingrained in the hearts and minds of British Columbians as such a valuable piece of legislation. It's prided upon, and it's looked at inter- nationally as a huge accomplishment and achievement. Again, I cannot stress how important I think public con- sultation is on Bill 24. I also just spoke about the defi nition of public consul- tation and reminded the House of what that looks like or what that doesn't look like.

I think I can safely say that the way that we have gone about quickly passing this bill — tomorrow, I believe — is an example of poor public consultation, and it certainly demonstrates a lack of democracy. I have the honour of having Joan Sawicki in my con- stituency. She's been a great resource to me. I've learned so much from Joan. I only met her recently passed part- ner, Gary Runka, once, but I must stress that I was so impressed with the amount of knowledge and passion they had for their work — not only as land use consult- ants presently, but in their previous work developing the ALR and the ALC.

To this day, Joan's unwavering dedication to the ALR made me suggest that she not actually retire from pol- itics, considering the amount of passion and retained knowledge that she has for this work. Joan worked for the Agricultural Land Commission in its formative years in the '70s, when I was born. I think the ALR came into eff ect the year before I was born. I lived in Ontario, so it wasn't until I was an adult that I actually understood what the ALR or the ALC was about. We know that she was a former MLA, Speaker and Minister of Environment, Lands and Parks.

She con- tinues to work out of the Bella Coola Valley in a small community in Tweedsmuir Park, where she continues to do work as a land use consultant. I fi nd that Joan's words in an article…. Actually, it was an opinion piece that she wrote in the Times Colonist in early April. I really love her choice of words, because they really simplify this issue for the general public and for younger generations — I want to say, such as myself; I realize I can't keep saying that as I push towards 40 this year — people of my generation and younger who weren't necessarily around during the ALR and ALC formative years.

It really clearly explains the importance of this and some of the potential threats that we have by not actually doing the due diligence of giving this proper consulta- tion. Th is is an op-ed that Joan submitted in early April. "When we opened the doors of the fi rst Agricultural Land Commission offi ce in 1973, there was a green carpet and dozens of telephones, hundreds of maps and little else." Actually, I had dinner with Joan and Gary Runka early aft er I was elected this year.

Th ey so vividly described the scene to me, with rolls of maps everywhere, sitting on the fl oor, diligently working away to form the ALC. [1515] She continues on: "Over the next 18 months the fi ve-member commission and a small staff oversaw the establishment of the original agricultural land reserve boundaries, based on the best science available, re- lated to climate and capability of the land to produce a range of agricultural crops. "It was an inclusive process. More than 300 public meetings were held throughout the province, and each of the 28 regional districts submitted their own draft ALR plans.

A general man- ager who was a professional agrologist and commissioners who were well respected in their fi elds of expertise ensured that ALR boundaries refl ected both the provincial perspective and regional agricultural diff erences. "From the outset, it was recognized we also needed to protect the integrity of farm communities. Th at is why small pockets of non-agricultural land, whose development could negatively aff ect farming, were included within the ALR.

So began what remains, at least until now, the most successful agricultural land preservation program in North America." If I may add, I think we can go beyond the boundaries of North America. "It has not been a smooth ride. ALR boundary reviews began almost immediately and continue, oft en in cooperation with lo- cal and regional governments. Subdivision, non-farm use and exclusion applications came pouring in, each of which has been decided on its own merits. From time to time, successful provincial

British Columbia Debates4328 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 governments have interfered with the independent Agricultural Land Commission. "In recent years, however, the ALC has reset its course, and in response to government direction and an Auditor General's report, has modernized and demonstrated creative fl exibility within its primary mandate to preserve farmland. "Into this environment, government has now thrown Bill 24, the Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act, which puts this 40-year success story at risk. Th e proposed two-zone concept of- fends the principles of fairness and consistency.

Where is the con- sistency in awarding some of B.C. farmers more ALR protection than others? Moreover, with relaxed criteria in zone 2, why would hundreds of landowners who have had their application refused and had to accept that, not now come back for reconsideration? "How does eliminating a provincial commission in favour of six regional panels meet government's own test of 'eff ective and effi cient'? Th e provincial ALR was established precisely because regional authorities could not be relied upon to eff ectively protect farmland from non-farm development.

Operating six panels will surely be less effi cient and more costly than funding one provin- cial commission. "Y es, farmers have a legitimate complaint. Th e farmer support systems that were put in place as part of the social contract to preserve the land have long since been eliminated. Th is same government that has introduced Bill 24 has also cut the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture to be among the lowest per capita in Canada. "By defi nition, 'zoning' restricts individual action for the greater common good.

Th e last thing most dedicated farmers want to do is sacrifi ce the land that is the source of their livelihood. It is therefore not surprising that, traditionally, only about 5 percent of ALC applications have come from farmers. "Unlike other kinds of zoning, the ALR was always envisioned as a permanent zone, not a zone of convenience. Its vision is long term, to keep the options open for future food production. Eighty- fi ve percent of our best agricultural lands are within the proposed zone 2, where they will be less protected. "Bill 24 is shortsighted and irresponsible.

Th e NDP government made a courageous decision in 1973. Now, more than ever, with population growth, loss of farmlands elsewhere, increased trans- portation costs and the urgent challenge of climate change, we need to stay the course.

Th us far, government has off ered no core review analysis that demonstrates the ALR is broken and no cred- ible explanation of how Bill 24 will fi x that, fi x what is perceived to be broken. [1520] "From government's own statements, it is clear they do not understand the scientifi c basis of the ALR, and they have not done their homework on potential negative impacts of their actions upon farmers and farm communities. Th ey should pull back Bill 24 and rethink.

"If they do not, the only conclusion one can reach is that far from supporting farming in B.C., Bill 24 is a deliberate attempt to reduce the ALR to chaos. In that case, British Columbians who have consistently expressed their understanding and clear support for the ALR need to sit up and take notice." Her bio here says that Joan Sawicki worked for the Agricultural Land Commission during its formative years from 1973 to 1981; is a former MLA, Speaker and Minister of the Environment, Lands and Parks; and is currently a land use consultant living in Stuie in the Bella Coola Valley.

I can really appreciate this opinion piece written by Joan. I think she hits it bang on when she says that Bill 24 is shortsighted and irresponsible and when she speaks about the short term versus the long term. Th is is one of the reasons I ran and one of the reasons I work so hard to engage the younger generation as an MLA: because so many younger voters talk about the fact that whether it's this or other legislation or other policies at any level of government, they are revolving around either election cycles or just short-term gain, and their futures are at risk.

She talks about climate change, and that is defi nitely an issue that's important to me and an issue important to younger generations. Th e threat to agricultural land be- cause of climate change demonstrates to me now more than ever that we need to actually put more protections in place, not less, and not put important farmland at risk. Before I go on, I have two other articles I really want to read into the record. Th e other actually quotes Joan Sawicki once again here. Many people are tapping into her vast knowledge and expertise.

This was written a couple of days ago in the Tyee, "Agriculture Changes Th reaten $130 Million Farmers Market Sector." Actually, this is a letter, if I'm not mis- taken. "Th e provincial government is threatening a rapidly growing sec- tor of the economy with its proposed changes to the agricultural land reserve, warns an open letter from the B.C. Association of Farmers Markets.

"'B.C.'s farmers markets work tirelessly in all corners of the province to strengthen local economies and provide British Columbians with fresh, healthy, local agricultural products,' wrote Jon Bell, the president of BCAFM, on behalf of the organization's board of directors in a letter to…the Minister of Agriculture.

"In 2012 such markets had $113 million in direct sales, an in- crease of 147 percent from $46 million in 2006, it said. 'Our ability to continue to deliver these benefi ts into the future, however, is tied directly to the availability of agricultural land throughout the province,' the May 26 letter said. 'Our member farmers markets in the north and Interior specifi cally have expressed concern that Bill 24 will directly threaten their regionally focused agricultural initiatives and thereby threaten the very viability of farmers mar- kets in their area.' "Th e government's legislation, which is expected to pass this week, splits the province into two zones and requires social and economic considerations to be given greater weight in decisions about what land is protected in the ALR in the north, Interior and Kootenay regions.

It would also create regional panels to make initial decisions on applications to remove land from the ALR. "Th e BCAFM represents 125 farmers markets and 1,000 small- scale farmers who sell at markets, but their views and opposition to the bill have not been considered, said the letter, which asks the government not to pass the bill and to consult with the wider agricultural community. "'Th e proposed changes in Bill 24 not only threaten the viability of farmers markets; they threaten the economic and social bene- fi ts that markets deliver to the communities they support,' it said.

"Regional panels were used between 2002 and 2010 but were 'considered less eff ective than the current centralized administra- tion and vetting of all ALR applications by the ALC, which ensures strong and consistent centralized authority,' it said. [1525] "'In an era of climate change, signifi cant urban expansion, con- cerns about local food supply, food safety and sustainability, the B.C. government and the Agricultural Land Commission must look at ways to encourage farming,' the letter said. 'Permitting non- agricultural industrial activities on ALR land will only fragment and degrade remaining viable land, leading to greater challenges for farmers in accessing agricultural land.'"

British Columbia DebatesWednesday, May 28, 2014 4329 Regardless of your opinion on Bill 24, a stakeholder that is going to be directly impacted by this is actually calling for a proper consultation. Th ey're calling for time to have a conversation about such important legislation. I think that's what this proposed amendment is just ask- ing for — to give it the due diligence it needs. It can't be too cumbersome to include it with the Select Standing Committee on Finance's work. Th ey travel all over the province, even to many remote and rural com- munities.

It's a perfect opportunity to have the public consultation that is much needed for this bill and is re- quested by so many people. One other thing I wanted to talk about was just some of the ideas that you could have in a proper consultation, some of the considerations that we're missing out on by avoiding a consultation process. For example, we're missing out on a dialogue about initiatives like the Local Food Act supported by farmers and experts, whose pur- pose is to increase farming in the ALR for the benefi t of our economy and environment.

B.C. farmers for two decades have faced unfair compe- tition from heavily subsidized imports while both federal and provincial governments have looked the other way. Local food production and consumption signifi cantly re- duces energy required for food transportation and lowers crop loss associated with shipping and storage. In a con- trolled environment it can even require less use of pesti- cides. Curbing imports and growing local consumption — those are the kinds of steps this government could be looking at taking. Another example: we could be reviewing our export market.

Food growers, harvesters and producers in British Columbia have successfully established a market for traditional and innovative food products in North America and Europe. At the same time, we are rapidly increasing exports to growing markets in China, South Korea and India. Our agrifoods industry, including seafoods, already exports $2.4 billion to 140 countries worldwide. Buyers around the world recognize us for our high-quality food products and strict safety standards.

With a strong repu- tation for quality produce and a strategic location on the west coast of Canada, agrifood producers in British Columbia are in a position to continue profi ting in a growing global market. Agrifoods export opportunities exist around the world, and some key markets have the potential for increased purchases from our exporters. In 2011, 87 percent, $1.3 billion of the total value of our agriculture exports, went to these top fi ve markets: United States, Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan. I'm not proposing that I have all the answers to these particular ideas.

I'm just sort of trying to make a con- tribution on potential important conversations that we could be having by having a proper consultation on Bill 24. We could be supporting research and training in green technology. In addition to food, all cities permanently require signifi cant natural resources to meet their raw energy needs.

However, alternative technologies — in- cluding solar cells, rooft op wind turbines, ground-source heat pumps and power plants fueled by domestic rub- bish — could see future cities becoming at least partly energy-suffi cient. [1530] Micropower generation may even extend to piezoelec- tric paving slabs to generate electricity from our footsteps, as well as hydraulic plates on road surfaces that would generate power as vehicles drive over them. I'm not an expert on these technologies, but again, I'm just encour- aging the conversation.

In addition to producing some of their own food and power, future cities would also have to use fresh water far more effi ciently. In part, this is because treating and transporting fresh water is energy-intensive. However, half of the world's population now lives in countries where the water table is falling. Future cities, therefore, need to capture and recycle water whenever possible.

In 1973, the year before I was born, when it was con- sidered to be the most progressive legislation of its kind in North America, it was intended to permanently pro- tect valuable agricultural land, which is among the most fertile soil in the country, from being lost. Despite having been in existence for nearly 40 years, however, the ALR continues to be threatened by urbanization and the land development industry. Th e ALR has widespread popularity among British Columbian voters.

Defenders of the ALR have been dis- tressed in recent years at what they see as a weakening of the policy by the designation of golf courses as agri- cultural land and the removal of ALR-protected lands for residential, commercial and industrial development. Sending this bill to the Select Standing Committee on Finance would help alleviate this concern. It would al- low the government to attempt to gain a social licence for Bill 24. Deputy Speaker: Th e Chair has been allowing certain- ly far-reaching discretion. I just remind people that we're currently debating the amendment to the bill.

Th at's to refer it to a committee. K. Corrigan: I do appreciate the Chair exercising some discretion and allowing our passions to run wild in this House, but I will try to remember that we are talking about a referral motion in this case. Every once in a while bills come before this House that do matter a lot to the members and that do bring passions forward. Th ere are a lot of bills that come to this House that we support. Most bills that come to this House we support, at least to some extent. Th ere are some bills that come to this House that we don't support. Th ere are some

British Columbia Debates4330 Wednesday, May 28, 2014 that are miscellaneous bills that perhaps are changing the wording — slight wording — for legal reasons. But every once in a while a bill comes that would fundamentally change some of the things that we do in this province and things that we hold dear. Th is is one of those bills. I would remind those that are not aware that might be hearing this that what Bill 24 did was, es- sentially, from our perspective, dismantle or at least par- tially dismantle the agricultural land reserve, which has done what it was designed to do since it was brought in, in 1973.

Th at is — and this is a fundamental thing — it was designed to protect farmland in this province. We have a province that has a lot of pressure on the farmland in some areas, particularly areas like the Lower Mainland, where I live. Th ere's great pressure, and if the agricultural land reserve had not been put in place in 1973, the Lower Mainland would have been a very diff er- ent place and we would not have had, I believe, the ability to produce the food that we do now. It was a visionary thing to do.

It was a visionary thing to do 40 years ago, and it is a bill that governments of all parties, when they've been in power, have supported for the last 40-plus years. Everybody has recognized the im- portance of having a reserve of land in our province that is protected for farming. [1535] Certainly, the legislation recognized that there are ap- propriate times that land should be able to be removed, and I think for the most part that has worked as well. But it is a piece of legislation which is very dear to very many people.

When you have something that has mattered that much and has been such an important piece of legisla- tion, such an important piece in our province…. When there is a bill that makes drastic changes and removes 90 percent of the land of this province from the protections that have previously been there in terms of protecting farmland and changes it very significantly and gives equal weight to things like oil and gas, certain types of development and economic concerns…. When they all have equal weight in 90 percent of our province, then when that happens, I would submit, it has to be done very carefully.

Th at is why we are asking that this bill be referred to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services under Standing Order 83. Th e purpose of a re- ferral. When something is referred to a select standing committee, in this case the Finance Committee, accord- ing to Parliamentary Practice, it is for the purpose of ob- taining an opinion or observations. It is for getting more information, to hear from stakeholders, to hear from people around the province that they care, but doing it in a formal way

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20140528pm-Hansard-v14n3
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20140528pm Hansard v14n3
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	4de619947517a3087044884739d862bba35f3669

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