British Columbia Hansard — 29 May 2018, a.m., Issue 144 (41st Parliament, 3rd Session)

20180529am-Hansard-n144

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday, May 29, 2018 Morning Sitting Issue No. 144 THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC Third Session, 41st Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Darryl Plecas EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance............................................................................................................................Hon.

Carole James Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training..................................................................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Minister of Agriculture.........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General.................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development............................................................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Minister of State for Child Care......................................................................................................................................Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services.................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Minister of Education............................................................................................................................................................ Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources...............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Mungall Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.............................................................................................Hon.

George Heyman Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development..............................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Minister of Health.....................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon.

Scott Fraser Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology............................................................................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon. George Chow Minister of Labour...................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions............................................................................................................................ Hon. Judy Darcy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.................................................................................................................. Hon. Selina Robinson Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General........................................................................................................... Hon.

Mike Farnworth Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction..............................................................................................Hon. Shane Simpson Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.....................................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure................................................................................................................ Hon.

Claire Trevena LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition................................................................................................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Leader of the Third Party ....................................................................................................................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Assistant Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................... Linda Reid Deputy Chair, Commi ttee of the Whole................................................................................................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ....................................................................................................................................................Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Commi ttees.................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Clerk Assistant — Commi ttees and Interparliamentary Relations ..........................................................................................Susan Sourial Sessional Law Clerk...............................................................................................................................................Loredana Catalli-Sonier, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal)........................................................................ Penticton Bains, Hon. Harry (NDP)...............................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal)................................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Beare, Hon. Lisa (NDP).............................................Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry (NDP) ..................................................................... Surrey-Guildford Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal).......................................................

Peace River South Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal)......................................... Prince George–Valemount Brar, Jagrup (NDP)..................................................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal)....................................................... Surrey South Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–West End Chen, Hon. Katrina (NDP).....................................................Burnaby-Lougheed Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ............................................................... Burnaby-Edmonds Chow, Hon.

George (NDP)............................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal)................................ Columbia River–Revelstoke Coleman, Rich (BC Liberal)...............................................................Langley East Conroy, Hon. Katrine (NDP)......................................................... Kootenay West Darcy, Hon.

Judy (NDP) ............................................................New Westminster Davies, Dan (BC Liberal)..........................................................Peace River North de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal)............................................ Abbotsford West Dean, Mitzi (NDP)...............................................................Esquimalt-Metchosin D’Eith, Bob (NDP) ...............................................................Maple Ridge–Mission Dix, Hon. Adrian (NDP)......................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Hon.

Doug (NDP).....................................................................Stikine Eby, Hon. David, QC (NDP).............................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP)....................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike (NDP) ...................................................... Port Coquitlam Fleming, Hon. Rob (NDP) .....................................................Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal)........................................................... Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Hon.

Scott (NDP) ................................................ Mid Island–Pacific Rim Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) ........................................... Cowichan Valley Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal)................................................. Abbotsford-Mission Glumac, Rick (NDP)........................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Heyman, Hon. George (NDP).............................................. Vancouver-Fairview Horgan, Hon. John (NDP) ...............................................

Langford–Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal).......................................................Surrey-Cloverdale Isaacs, Joan (BC Liberal).........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain James, Hon. Carole (NDP)...................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Johal, Jas (BC Liberal)...............................................

Richmond-Queensborough Kahlon, Ravi (NDP)..............................................................................Delta North Kang, Anne (NDP)..................................................................Burnaby–Deer Lake Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ..................................................................Nanaimo Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Shuswap Larson, Linda (BC Liberal).............................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Michael (BC Liberal)......................................................

Vancouver-Langara Leonard, Ronna-Rae (NDP) ....................................................Courtenay-Comox Letnick, Norm (B C Liberal)............................................Kelowna–Lake Country Ma, Bowinn (NDP)................................................... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Mark, Hon. Melanie (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal)...................................................................... Chilliwack Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal)....................................

Kam loops–North Thompson Morris, Mike (BC Liberal)..........................................Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Hon. Michelle (NDP).................................................... Nelson-Creston Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal)...........................................................Cariboo North Olsen, Adam (B C Green Party)........................... Saanich North and the Islands Paton, Ian (BC Liberal)......................................................................... Delta South Plecas, Hon.

Darryl (Ind.) ..........................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Mary (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Langley Popham, Hon. Lana (NDP)..............................................................Saanich South Ralston, Hon. Bruce (NDP) .......................................................... Surrey-Whalley Redies, Tracy (BC Liberal)..................................................... Surrey–White Rock Reid, Linda (BC Liberal)................................................

Richmond South Centre Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ............................................................................ North Coast Robinson, Hon. Selina (NDP) ....................................... Coquitlam-Maillardville Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal)..................................................................................Skeena Routledge, Janet (NDP) .................................................................. Burnaby North Routley, Doug (NDP) ................................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, John (BC Liberal)..............................................................

Nechako Lakes Shypitka, Tom (B C Liberal).............................................................Kootenay East Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ........................................Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Hon. Shane (NDP)................................................ Vancouver-Hastings Sims, Hon.

Jinny (NDP) .............................................................Surrey-Panorama Singh, Rachna (NDP) ........................................................Surrey–Green Timbers Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal)................................................................Kelowna West Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal)..............................................Parksville-Qualicum Stone, Todd (BC Liberal)........................................

Kam loops–South Thompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal).......................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Sullivan, Sam (B C Liberal)...............................................Vancouver–False Creek Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal)......................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal)................................................................ Fraser-Nicola Thomson, Steve (BC Liberal).....................................................Kelowna-Mission Thornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal).............................

North Vancouver–Seymour Throness, Laurie (BC Liberal)..................................................... Chilliwack-Kent Trevena, Hon. Claire (NDP) .............................................................. North Island Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal)................................................Richmond North Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (BC Green Party) ......................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal).............................. Vancouver-Quilchena Yap, John (BC Liberal)..........................................................

Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ..........................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Hon. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West.................................................................... Michael de Jong, QC Boundary-Similkameen.....................................................................

Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ...............................................................................Anne Kang Burnaby-Edmonds ..............................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Burnaby North................................................................................

Janet Routledge Cariboo-Chilcotin............................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................................. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack.............................................................................................. John Martin Chilliwack-Kent..............................................................................Laurie Throness Columbia River–Revelstoke........................................................

Doug Clovechok Coquitlam–Burke Mountain................................................................. Joan Isaacs Coquitlam-Maillardville..................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson Courtenay-Comox ................................................................. Ronna-Rae Leonard Cowichan Valley............................................................................

Sonia Furstenau Delta North ...........................................................................................Ravi Kahlon Delta South.................................................................................................Ian Paton Esquimalt-Metchosin.............................................................................Mitzi Dean Fraser-Nicola........................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Kam loops–North Thompson............................................................Peter Milobar Kam loops–South Thompson ................................................................Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country....................................................................Norm L etnick Kelowna-Mission.............................................................................

Steve Thomson Kelowna West.........................................................................................Ben Stewart Kootenay East.....................................................................................Tom Shypitka Kootenay West...................................................................... Hon. Katrine Conroy Langford–Juan de Fuca............................................................. Hon. John Horgan Langley....................................................................................................

Mary Polak Langley East.......................................................................................Rich Coleman Maple Ridge–Mission ............................................................................ Bob D’Eith Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ..........................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim .............................................................. Hon. Scott Fraser Nanaimo...............................................................................

Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan.............................................................. Doug Routley Nechako Lakes...................................................................................... John Rustad Nelson-Creston.................................................................. Hon. Michelle Mungall New Westminster......................................................................... Hon. Judy Darcy North Coast..........................................................................................

Jennifer Rice North Island............................................................................ Hon. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale................................................................. Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour......................................................Jane Thornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head..........................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .....................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North..................................................................................

Dan Davies Peace River South............................................................................... Mike Bernier Penticton................................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam .................................................................... Hon. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam .....................................................................Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast.....................................................

Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie..................................................................Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount.................................................................Shirley Bond Richmond North Centre ........................................................................Teresa Wat Richmond-Queensborough.......................................................................Jas Johal Richmond South Centre........................................................................

Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston.................................................................................. John Yap Saanich North and the Islands............................................................Adam Olsen Saanich South............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Shuswap .................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo Skeena.........................................................................................................

Ellis Ross Stikine ..................................................................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale...............................................................................

Marvin Hunt Surrey-Fleetwood...................................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers ......................................................................Rachna Singh Surrey-Guildford....................................................................................Garry Begg Surrey-Newton.............................................................................Hon. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama........................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Surrey South...............................................................................Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Whalley........................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock............................................................................. Tracy Redies Vancouver-Fairview ............................................................ Hon. George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek.......................................................................

Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview .............................................................Hon. George Chow Vancouver-Hastings.............................................................. Hon. Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington ..................................................................... Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway ................................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara.............................................................................. Michael Lee Vancouver–Mount Pleasant................................................... Hon.

Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey...........................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Vancouver-Quilchena......................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Vancouver–West End....................................................Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee...................................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill................................................................ Hon. Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake .................................................................. Hon.

Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano................................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..............................................................Jordan Sturdy Party Standings: BC Liberal 42; NDP 41; BC Green Party 3; Independent 1

CONTENTS Tuesday, May 29, 2018 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 5077 Tributes..................................................................................................................................................................................... 5079 Graham Woodward R.

Leonard Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 5079 Statements (Standing Order 25B)......................................................................................................................................... 5082 Canadian cadet program D. Davies Data and technology systems for local governments B. Ma Golfing D. Clovechok Seafest events in Prince Rupert J. Rice Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. study on house prices S. Sullivan The Beachcombers series N.

Simons Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 5084 Dispute with Alberta on Trans Mountain pipeline and purchase by federal government A. Wilkinson Hon. J. Horgan M. Bernier Passenger ferry service proposal for Saanich Inlet A. Olsen Hon. C. Trevena Dispute with Alberta on Trans Mountain pipeline and purchase by federal government S. Bond Hon. J. Horgan T. Stone G. Kyllo Government response to anti-pipeline activities M. de Jong Hon. J.

Horgan Dispute with Alberta on Trans Mountain pipeline and purchase by federal government M. de Jong Hon. J. Horgan Government response to anti-pipeline activities M. Polak Hon. J. Horgan Reports from C ommi ttees...................................................................................................................................................... 5090 Public Accounts Commi ttee, summ ary of activities, 2017-18 S. Bond M.

Dean Tabling Documents................................................................................................................................................................. 5090 Statement of 2016-17 borrowings Petitions.................................................................................................................................................................................... 5090 T. Shypitka

Orders of the Day Commi ttee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 5091 Estimates: Ministry of Attorney General(continued) J. Yap Hon. D. Eby Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Commi ttee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 5093 Estimates: Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training (continued) S. Gibson Hon. M. Mark

TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018 The House met at 10:04 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. [10:05 a.m.] Introductions by Members Hon. J. Darcy: I have a numberof introductions to make today. Firstof all, I’d like to introducemy new constituency assistant, KeeferPelech, who was born and raised in Rich- mond. He worked for the West Richmond Comm unity Centre and was one of the youth who recently stood up in the comm unity in orderto say yes to the modular housing project in that comm unity. He’s been working as my con- stituency assistantsincelastmonth.

I’d like to ask the House to please give him a very warm welcome. And for first time, I think, we have a whole group of staff from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. We have TamaraCasanova,Kate Clifford, Jasmine Johl, Barb Bracewell, Nancy Tates, Sandy Ho, Jodie McKinney, Leila Mazhari, Kelsey Ewart and Kendall Hamm ond. These are bright,passionate, dedicated, smartpeoplein the smallbut mighty Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, and I’d like to ask the House to please make them all very welcome. D. Davies: In the House today joins my LA, Jane Spitz.

Everybody here in this House can appreciate the amountof work and support that all of us receive from our LAs. Of course, I, unfortunately, was not here during the administrative assistantsweek. I wantto publicly puton the record thatI stillowe you lunch, Jane. Thanks very much for all your work. Hon. J. Sims: It’s a pleasure today for me to rise and introduce May He, CEO of Longevity International Enter- prises Ltd., a growing Canadian company. Longevity is act- ively involved with the cultural entertainment industry development boom that is going on in China, Canada and India.

By linking education with real production, they are leveraging the resourcesof Bollywood and Vancouver, as the Hollywood of the North, with Chinaas the soon-to-be num- ber one film market in the world. Accompanying Ms. He is my friend Betty Hayer, who is an entrepreneurand abusinesswoman herselfand quite act- ively engaged in both the culturaland business aspects.May I ask that all in this House make them feel most welcome. My second setof introductions is someone who is very dearto me who is in the House today, JasjeetBoparai. I met her when she was 16 years old.

She walked into my office and wanted to gether work experience hours as a volun- teer. From that time on, she continued to volunteer in my officewhileI was an MP and then transitioned into when I became an MLA. She has sincegraduated from UBC and is now waiting for law school. She is here with two amazing business peoplein ourcom- munity: hermother, ParmjitBoparai, who has builta busi- ness and is very dynamic, and herfather, SukhwinderBopa- rai. Of course, they have two guestsfrom Norway, Darshan Kaurand JagtarSingh, visiting us as well. Please make them feel welcome. M.

Polak: As we getdown to the finaldays of the session, our minds…. Interjections. M. Polak: Oh, you want to keep going? Well hey, yeah. Interjections. M. Polak: Oh, it’s not the official government position? Okay. There you go. We do, though, reflecton those who have helped us to do the jobs thatwe dohere.

My job as Opposition House Lead- eris certainly madeeasierby the group of folks thatI have who help us to show up in question period with afullslate of questions and ready to throw them at the government. [10:10 a.m.] I want to welcome to this chamber and ask the House to welcome to this chamber Derek Cummings, Cameron Ehland Shane Mills. I don’tknow if they’ve madeitin yet, because, of course, this is theirtime to shine. Butthey cer- tainly have been welcome, welcome assistance for me in making sure I don’thave to do allof this myself. So would the House please make them welcome. L.

Larson: In keeping with thanking peopleas we come to the end of the session, I wouldlike to thank Kevin Dixon, who happens to keep the Whip’s office in order, which is extremely important for us. So thank you very much, Kevin. Hon. L. Popham: I’m hoping I can catch Strawberry Vale Elementary before they head out the door. Thank you for joining us today. They have a wholeswarm of studentswith them, and I hope thatthey can join us for#beebcday outon the front lawn. I’ll see you later. Thank you for coming. Hon. H. Bains: In the gallery today are 12 members of CUPE Local50.

They are here to celebrate their100 years of representing working people. Local50 started with 55 mem- bers in 1918, and they have grown to 1,100 members today. They representworkers in the city of Victoria, United Way of GreaterVictoria,BC SPCA, RoyalOak BurialPark, Gorge ValeGolfClub, Victoriapolicedepartment,city of Langford and Downtown Victoria Business Association. Please help m e welcom e the president, John Burrows; 5077

VPs Kyle McMorran, Dan MacBeth; treasurer Carolyn Bradey; recording secretary Matthew McKay; and execut- ive m embers Ryan Rutledge, Christina Ewing, Marc Gig- nac, Shawn Valgardson, Mairi Britton, Devon Cownden and Paul Knight. I say congratulations on your100 years of a strong and very good representation of the working people, m aking theirlives better. So thank you, and congratulations to all of you. S. Gibson: As MLAs here, we can never underestimate the assistantswe have.

I wantto stress today Elishia Butler and share with this House how important she has been to four MLAs here: the members for West Vancouver–Capil- ano, myself from Abbotsford-Mission, Coquitlam–Burke Mountain and Surrey–White Rock. We’re grateful for her enterprise and hard work. It’s justa coincidence, really, that the four most charismatic members of this House are also attended by her. I know she’s very thankful for that. Hon. M. Farnworth:That is a tough one to follow. Assisting the government, as well as the opposition, but I’m talking on the governmentside today, are ouramazing interns.

We have fourinterns with us thatI’d like the House to acknowledge — the great work that they have done this entire session. They are Brett Koenig, Brady Yano, Tabitha Black-Lock and Max Gardiner. Would the House please make them welcome and thank them for the greatjob that they’ve done this session. S. Cadieux: I am happy to introduce, of course, one of our legislative interns as well. Cate White was born in Calgary buthas been in Victoria for the lastsix years. She attended the University of Victoriaand completed adegree in political science, with honours. She was aVikes varsity rower.

During herinternship, she was in the Ministry of Indigenous Rela- tions and Reconciliation before herplacementwith opposi- tion caucus research. Her favourite part of the internship was learning about the variety of publictopicsand working on estimates ques- tions. I can’timagine that.She also enjoyed learning along- side the members for Prince George–Valemountand Rich- mond South Centre. Cate has said to us thatshe’lltruly miss the busy, fun and exhilarating environment of the opposition research office.

Butshe’s excited to begin hernextadventure, and we are so happy to congratulate her and encourage her on her next step as astudentin the faculty of law atthe University of Vic- toria this September. [10:15 a.m.] Wouldthe House please make herwelcome and say thank you. Hon. R. Fleming: Justto follow on the memberforSurrey South, there are a coupleof UVic politicalscience students that I would like to introduce. Today we have Jonathan Grenierand Jasmine MacGregor, both in that faculty and also, perhaps more importantly, fantastic campaign volun- teers who are tireless members of the UVicNew Democratic Party Club.

I wouldask the House to make them mostwel- come here this morning. I also wantto echo the Ministerof Labourin comm enting on and comm emorating the century of labour that CUPE Local50 representsin greaterVictoria, a fascinating period of time in terms of theirachievementas a union movement in this region, and I’d join in welcoming them to the House this morning. C. Oakes: I’m delighted to be able to announce a little secretin the House, a great-heldsecretthroughoutthe last session.

In recognizing ourfantastic interns in this House, I have the pleasure of introducing today Zoe Duhaime, who is working right now in the comm unications department. Previously the youth poet laureate of Victoria with her poetry in the Hall of Honour right here in the Legislature, it seemed a natural fit to be a writer for us. On occasion, Zoe writes for us in French. Zoe graduated in 2017 from the University of Victoria with a doublemajor in religious studiesand women’s studies.She studied religious diversity in Canada, civiland sacred calendars, transnationalfemin- ism, ethicsand religion and the law.

Afterthe firstinternship, she willbe moving back to Montrealto write herfirstnovel, which I very much look forward to reading, and to pursue a graduate diploma in journalism from C oncordia University. Hon. Speaker, many members in the House have wondered who is behind the B.C. Poli Portraits Twitter account. Until now, the identity of this talented artist has escaped even the most ardent scrutiny of the press gallery. This talented artist has taken it upon herself to compilea series of images of her impressions of the daily life at the Legislature.

In many waysand alwaysfrom the heart,she has putallthe MLAs in the bestlight,which is no smallaccom- plishment. I have the pleasure of informing the House that Zoe Duhaime is the illustratorand mastermind behind allof the artwork, the Twitter account B.C. Poli Portraits. Thank you, Zoe, talented artist, great novelist. We can’t waitto see whatyourfuture holds. Thank you very much on behalf of all of us. S.

Thomson: On behalf of all of my colleagues in the Okanagan and in the Thompson-Okanagan, I’d like to wel- come to the House — and have you give him a warm wel- come — GlennMandziuk, who is the CEO of the Thomp- son-Okanagan Tourism Association. He does a greatjob in promoting tourism, a major economic driver throughout all of the Thompson-Okanagan, leading that organization. Would the House please make him welcome today. B.

D’Eith:I justwanted to welcome to the House today, from Toronto, Erin Benjamin, who is from Music Canada Live; PaulHaagenson and Marc Gertner, from Live Nation 5078 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Canada; and Nick Blasko, from Amelia Artists,who is also the managerfor the wonderful Tegan and Sara.Wouldthe House make them all feel very welcome. M. Stilwell: On behalf of the members for West Van- couver–Sea to Sky, Kam loops–South Thompson and Surrey South, I’d like to welcome to the House today our super- energetic, always enthusiastic LA, Neil Parkinson-Dow. He has certainly madeour job easierwith the support that he has provided for us in this session. Wouldthe House please make him feel very welcome. [10:20 a.m.] Tributes GRAHAM WOODWARD R.

Leonard: I wantto acknowledge the passing of one of my constituents.Graham Woodward was 94 and a half. He slipped away from us on Saturday. I first methim as a neighbour. He managed to lure one of my greatestmentors from Montrealto live in the Comox Valley. She passed away in 2014. She was ten years younger than him, so it was quite an unexpected turn of events. I wantto acknowledge his daughter, who persevered with him through his years alone and was an incredibleadvocate for him and was constantly with him every day on the phone if she wasn’t visiting him.

It’s a real tribute to the strength of family and the strength of peoplewho care for theirelderly parents. I just wanted to acknowledge that. Introductions by Members T. Redies: I’d like to recognize two people today. First, I’d also like to echo the comm ents of my colleague from Abbotsford-Mission with respect to Elishia Butler. Elishia has beenso helpfulto me as anew MLA. Certainly, I couldn’t have done this lastyearwithouther, so I wantto particularly recognize Elishia again. The second person I’d like to recognize is Matthew Creswick.

Matthew is originally from Saltspring Island, and he graduated from the University of Victoriawith abachelor of artshonours in political science and publicadministra- tion. Throughout his legislative internship, he’s been able to work with MLAs like myself and the wonderful MLA from Richmond Centre in ourconstituencies.He’s also been able to draft policiesfor civil servants in the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training and work along- sidethe opposition research officeto supportestimates and House debates.

For Matthew, the legislative internship has offered a rare opportunity to work atthe heartof ourgovernmentand with the various provincialpolitics, and it’s exposed him to cur- renteventsand politicalchallenges thatfaceBritish Colum- bians. Matthew has done a great job for us whilehe’s been here, and he is going onward to complete amasters of public administration atthe University of Victoria with the hopes of onceagain…. Believe itornot,he wantsto come back and work in government. Matthew, thank you for your time in my constituency.

Thank you for yourwork here, and good luck in yourcom- ing journey at the University of Victoria. Hon. L. Beare: It’s my pleasure to be welcoming a num- ber of gueststo the gallery today to watch QP as we cel- ebrate Tourism Week here in the province of British Columbia. Joining us from across B.C. are leaders in the tourism industry. We have from the Thompson-Okanagan Tourism Associ- ation GlennMandziuk, EllenWalker-Matthews and Frank Antoine. From the tourism operators and adventure tourism sector, we have Scott Benton, Kathy MacRae, Christopher Nicholson and BradHarrison.

Joining us from Destination B.C., we have Clare Mason, MayaLange and Marion Young. And from the Tourism Industry Association of B.C., we have Christine Willow. Wouldthe House please join me in making them allfeel welcome, and come join us this afternoon atlunch break in the Hall of Honour as we celebrate Tourism Week in B.C. D. Clovechok: It’s always an honourto work in this place, butsometimes it’s akin to drinking outof afire hose. So I do wantto recognizethe amazing work that’s done, down in the basement where we live, with the LAs that we have.

That’s David up in the gallery, and also Steven and Galia, who did a tour of duty down there with us. I justwantto recognizethatthey’re incredibly hard-work- ing people. They’re professional. They’re energetic. They’re young. They’re fun. They make us oldguys feelyoung again. I justreally wantthis House to recognize the amazing work that they do. Also, I recognize my two CAs back at home, Rachel Loganberg and Stacey Brensrud. I could not do this job without them. If the House wouldn’t mind, please make these people feel very welcome. S.

Bond: I think it is important to recognize the excep- tional young adultsthat come and serve here in the Legis- lature. I’m very pleased to introduceone of them who I was fortunate enough to have come and work with me in Prince George–Valemount. Celina Bell has done a fantastic job in opposition research. [10:25 a.m.] She also had the opportunity to work in the Ministry of Jobs, Tradeand Technology. I know the ministerand I would agree thatitwouldbe a fantastic placeto be an intern. She didan exceptionaljob there.

Celinais goingon to law school in Kam loops at Thompson Rivers University, but probably the most exciting thing for Celina is that once the intern- ship is over, Celinais goingto marry herbestfriend Clayton. Together, they’ll be relocating, as I said, to Kam loops. It’s been a pleasure to getto know her. We wish hernoth- Tuesday, May 29, 2018 British Columbia Debates 5079

ingbutthe bestand thank herforthe exceptionaljob she did in opposition research. E. Ross: As the session winds down here, I guess that everybody understands the importanceof ourassistants.My assistant is moving on, might be moving on. I hope she doesn’t.I hope she sticks around and comesback forthe next session. Galia Zavgorodni has keptme in check, hunted me down when there are votes and took the blame for when I was late. I really appreciate everything she’s done for me. Like everybody else, we can’t do this job without our assistants, without our staff.

On behalf of my colleaguesfrom Fraser- Nicola,Chilliwack-Kentand Kootenay East,who are equally disorganized…. I think thatGalia woulddispute the factof who are the most charismatic MLAs in this building. Thank you very much, Galia, and I hope you return next session. M. Lee: I wouldlike to take this opportunity to introduce my wife of 26 years, who is here today in the House with us, Christina. Christina came from Hong Kong when she was one yearold, with a family of eight.She lived in a base- mentformany years, in abunk bed, untilshe was in heruni- versity years.

A true immigrantfamily making theirway in this country. I metheratUBC, on the studentclub executive together, when she was working on a CIDA Indonesia project part time. She wenton to finish herbachelorof comm ercedegree at UBC, as well as to go into public relations and marketing. I took heraway from allof thatwhen I moved herto Ott- awa,and we hadourfirstchildin Ottawathen. We hadchil- dren five years earlierthan we expected, so I took heraway from her professional life to be a stay-at-home mom. She raised our three children to the fine adults they are today.

Our love of comm unity has come together in so many ways. Her volunteer work with the Red Cross, Heart and Stroke Foundation and other organizations in the com- munity has been an exampleto many others. Many of those in my constituency in Vancouver-Langara have gotten to know heron the doorstep and in the comm unity, and many wouldthink thatshe’s actually the bettercandidate and the better MLA. But I would say that she has driven a lot of integrity and compassion. She has been my rock. Christina, I could not do this without you. I love you dearly. Hon. D.

Donaldson: It’s a greatpleasure I have today to introduce a grades4, 5, and 6 elementary class from Wit- setElementary School. Witsetis a Wet’suwet’en comm unity, halfway between Smithers and Hazelton on the Bulkley River, a beautiful location. They’re in the gallery today to witness question period. They wentreally crazyon theirfun- draising effortsto gethere, over 1,000 kilometres north — some of them have never even flown on a plane before — and came down on the plane. I wouldask the chamber to give them a warm welcome to question period today. J. Yap: I have two specialpeopleto recognizetoday.

Along with many colleagues, I have in the gallery my legislative assistant,who is here to observe. This is a person who keeps me organized and on track and is justincredibly efficient.I really appreciate the support that she gives me. Wouldthe House please give a warm welcome to Parveen Sandur, who is here with us. Mr. Speaker, I also wantto recognizeone of ourcolleagues who is having aspecialday today.

It’s notalways thatwe’re in session, when we’re sitting as achamber, and we getto celeb- rate that one special day — the birthday. [10:30 a.m.] I wonderif allmembers from allsidesof the House can join me in wishingahappy birthday to my dearcolleaguethe member for Richmond North Centre. Happy birthday. Mr. Speaker: Member, there’s actually another birthday today. There’s the birthday for the member from C hilliwack. J. Tegart: It’s quite a surprise to look up in the gallery today and see a facethat’s familiar. It’s a great pleasure to introduce Frank Antoine, who’s here with TOTA today, I think.

He also serves with Indigenous Tourism. Frank is a memberof the Bonaparte Indian band and has worked out at Quaaout Lodge for a long time and been very involved in Historic HatCreek Ranch. He’s a young, up-and-coming leaderin ourareaand an incrediblerolemodelon volunteer- ism and leadership. Welcome to Frank, and please join me in making sure he feels very welcome here. J. Thornthwaite: I, too, have some guests to introduce today.

Firstand foremost,my legislative assistant,StevenLee, who really helps us outthere, as was already mentioned, in the basement.He hadto leave to do something very special in his life in the middleof this session, and thatwas to get married. So we congratulate him. We were all very well taken care of down there in the basementby Galia — and I’lltry to say Galia’s lastname — Zavgorodni. I know I probably didn’t do that right, but at least we’ve got it on the record. Of course, the partner in crime down there, DavidDecolongon, as well, also helps me. Sorry, David. I got that one wrong. They can laugh.

And, of course, my good friend NeilParkinson-Dow goes every- where to help out,particularly in the way of dealing with the video and technicalstuff thatdoesn’talways work when we try to make it. He makes everything fine. Then, just to make sure that my constituency assistants back home aren’tjealous, Nick Hosseinzadeh and Stephanie Marshall-White help m e in North Vancouver. I also noticethatI have afriend up there — Kathy MacRae from the bear-viewing industry. Welcome to Victoria and the chamber as well.

Can we please make all of these wonderful peoplewel- come. 5080 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, May 29, 2018

T. Wat:I, too, wouldlike to echo the comm entsfrom the basement MLAs that we are so lucky to have been served by the mostcharismatic and also handsome and passionate young assistants — Steven, Galia and David. They are the most handsome and charismatic assistants that our base- mentMLAs have. I mustsay thatI wouldn’thave done this job withouttheircare and love for us, especially my Steven. He shares the same surname as my daughter, so I see him as my daughter. Actually, before my colleague from Richmond-Steveston wished me a happy birthday today, Steven wished me a happy birthday when I walked into my office.

I couldn’teven remember my birthday. Thank you, Steven. S. Chandra Herbert:I see two friends of mine up in the gallery today. Philip Wadelland Ken Gracieare here. They’re both incrediblevolunteers here in the WestEnd — there in the WestEnd, although I neverfeelI leave it.Both work with groups like the WestEnd Seniors Network, Rotary House, a number of cultural and arts organizations. I wantto make them very, very welcome to this House and thank them fortheirvolunteerism and forallthey give to our comm unity in the West End. Thank you for everything. M. Bernier: It’s an exciting day, I guess, for allof us.

I’m thinking maybe we justneed ashow of hands forthe lastfew peoplewho haven’t been introduced here and maybe wel- come them. I dohave acoupleof introductions I wantto doas well. It’s notoften I getto introducemy wife. Notto be a one-upper to my colleague, but my wife actually…. It’s a realpleasure for herto come down and join me this week, because we’re celebrating our27th anniversary together. So it’s niceto do that.Again, I thank herand love herforeverything, because as we allknow, everybody in this House has family behind us that allow us to do this. [10:35 a.m.] I also wantto introducemy LA as well.

We hadabitof an arm wrestleback here on who was going to have the priv- ilege of introducing ConnorGibson. ConnorGibson comes from the Courtenay-Comox riding. I know he does a lotof work and a lotof volunteering up there. He has spentmany years now in the precinct,helping when we were in govern- ment and now in opposition, in lots of different roles. I’d like to nottake away from allthe otherintroductions by saying I think that he’s probably one of the strongest, hardest-workingLAs, because he putsup withquite amotley crew of MLAs. So I wantto thank Connor, as well, forallthe work that he’s doing for us. D.

Barnett: On behalf of my colleagues from Cariboo North and Kelowna West, who are some of the hardest- workingMLAs in the provinceof BritishColumbia— we are on the main floor, so thatsays the calibre — I wouldlike to thank and recognizeourlegislative assistant,Karen Bill, who has been in this precinct for many years in many different positions. I’d like to thank herforallthe work and dedication she does forus — along with DougSecord and Dylan Kelso, who do a lotof work and research and writing for allof us on the main floor. So thank you to all of them. And to my constituency assistants.

I have a new young lady named Toni Taylor, who started with me recently, as my otherassistant, Jenny Huffman, has bought…. She and herhusband have a huge ranch, so herpreferenceis chasing cattle, notpeople. I thank herfor allshe did — and also to Beverly Marks in my officein 100 Mile. Thank you to allof you on behalfof myselfand my colleagueson the main floor. G. Kyllo: I’m pleased today to be joined in the House by a good friend, Coun. Louis Thomas. Louis is a councillor with the Neskonlith Indian Band, based outof Chase.

Louis came down to Victoriato join me here today and have meet- ings with a numberof differentcolleagues.The Ministerof Advanced Education was very kind in giving of hertime this morning, and we have ameetinglaterthis afternoon withthe Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Louis is an amazing advocate, does a ton of work in the Shuswap areaand is involved with avery diverse and alarge numberof differentcomm unitiesin and around the Salmon Arm comm unity. Wouldthe House please make my friend Louis very welcome today. M.

Morris:It’s my pleasure to introducea young intern, Sarah Lazin,thatwe have here in the House. Sarah was first placed in the policy division of the IntergovernmentalRela- tions Secretariat.She then came to work for the opposition caucus as part of the comm unications team. She completed a bachelorof artsin politicalscienceand journalism at the University of Victoria. Prior to begin- ning the internship, she worked as the co-editor and chief of the Martlet newspaper.

She’ll be heading to law school in the fall and hopes to focus on human rights to one day work as an advocate on issues such as repatriation or reproductive rights. Would the House please make her welcome. J. Isaacs:I’d also like to welcome two of ouroutstanding LAs to the House today. ElishiaButlerand Jane Spitzare very talented and keep us organized and on track every day, so I’d like to thank them fortheirassistancethroughoutthe last two sessions. I’d also like to recognize Justin Brattingaand Dion Weisnerforalltheirhelp in research and development. T.

Shypitka: I’m lucky today to have three friends in the gallery with me. Firstof allis Philip Jones. He’s the president and owner of Royal LePage East Kootenay Realty. It’s the largestrealestate firm in the southeastern cornerof British Columbia, serving the East Kootenay with officesin Cran- brook, Kimberley, Fernie and Sparwood. Philip is also my ex-boss, back in my real estate days. The second is the mayorof Cranbrook, Lee Pratt.He’s an ex-vice-president, branch manager and investment advisor Tuesday, May 29, 2018 British Columbia Debates 5081

withCIBC Wood Gundy. He’s the presentownerand partner with his son in the O.K. Tire franchise in Cranbrook. Third and last but certainly not least, Galia Zavgorodni, my awesome LA that’s up there. She’s hadthe daunting task of keeping me organized and on time. That’s a challenge. It absolutely is. So thanks to her. Would the House please welcome them. [10:40 a.m.] D. Ashton: I don’tsee the young lady thatkeeps us in line downstairs, ShalaRobins. I hadthe pleasure of working with her husband. He was the former CEO of the city of Prin- ceton. They’ve moved down to the coast.She does an exem- plary job.

I also would like to recognize somebody in the gallery today, a young lady that’s the keeperof the gate in the oppo- sition caucus room, Hayley McIntosh, who just came off a very successful Swiftsure race. Congratulations, Hayley. B. Stewart: I wouldn’t want to be outdone by my col- leagues here in terms of recognizing the people that have helped keep us workingand madecertain we getthroughthe session. I justwantto recognize one of the sessionallegisla- tive assistants,Hayley McIntosh.

She has been unbelievable in terms of working on behalfof allof this sideof the House and making certain we are keptin line and doing ourwork, amongstthe factthatshe’s an aspiringswingdancer. We look forward to seeing her in her element in the future. I’d also like to recognize two returning CAs in my office who are watching and tuned in today, Erica Macnab and Cheryl Doll. S. Gibson: I’m advised thatstudentsfrom Sandy HillEle- mentary in my riding are here — grades5, 6 and 7. They’re here with theirteacher— looking afterthem well, I know: NatalieGrieve.

Wouldthis House please welcome students from Sandy Hill Elementary from Abbotsford, B.C. A. Weaver: I wanted to participate in whattruly has to be a record here in the B.C. Legislature — 45 minutes of intro- ductions. It’s importantthatanybody in this Legislature who has notbeenrecognized, please feelthatyou are warm ly wel- comed by all of us in the House, and we’re sorry that you weren’t recognized. Hon. M. Farnworth:Juston thatnote, I can confirm, after consultation with the Clerk a few momentsago, thatthis, in fact,has been the longestsetof introductions in the history of this place. Mr.

Speaker: We have West Vancouver–Sea to Sky to make sure we make it into the Guinness Book of World Records too. No? Okay. Statements (Standing Order 25B) CANADIAN CADET PROGRAM D. Davies:Everybody’s hands are sore, I see. ThroughoutMay and June, the cadetcorps and squadrons around this province willbe holding ceremonialreviews — and, indeed, throughoutCanada. This incredibleprogram is often called Canada’s best-kept secret.The Canadian cadet program is for youth aged 12 to 19 and is well known for building character, confidenceand, of course, greatcitizens.

The cadetprogram predates Canada’s confederation and is celebrating its 157th year in Canada. I am proud to have worked with this program forthe past 23 years as amajorin the cadetinstructors cadre, and I could notgive creditenough to this program thatI belong to, first as a cadetas wellas an officer, to buildmy own personallife and point me in my career direction.

Why do youth join cadets?Well, it’s to have fun, to be with theirfriends and to make new ones, to partake in inter- esting and unique challenges and to participate in diverse training atno cost— no cost.They getto learn valuablelife skills, work and personal;improve theirself-confidenceand sense of responsibility; pursuean interestin Canada’s Armed Forces; and be a part of a program that is both welcoming and nurturing, where young peoplefeelincluded and have a sense of belonging.

The cadetprogram includes cadetsfrom the air, army and navy elements and focuses on training around team- work, leadership and citizenship. Sea cadetslearn seaman- ship skills and how to sail. Army cadetsfocus on adventure training activities, such as outdoor activities and domestic and internationalexpeditions.

Aircadetslearn the principles of aviation, whilesome learn to become gliderpilots,pilots of engine-propelled aircraft or both. [10:45 a.m.] The cadet program is funded by the Department of NationalDefencein partnership with ourcivilian sponsors, the Navy League, the Army CadetLeagueand the AirCadet League. Leaguemembers supportthe cadetsby working in partnership with local comm unities.

I encourage all members of this House and, in general, the public,to attend these ceremonies overthe nextcouple months, as it’s a greatopportunity to come outand see how these young cadetsare making a difference in themselves and how they positively impactallthe comm unities thatwe represent. DATA AND TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS B. Ma:Imagine foramomentthatyou’re aplanner, you’re an engineer, you’re a logistician, or you’re a mayor for a municipality. Atany given moment,you know exactly how much poweris being used in any partof yourcity.

You know how much water is needed and where it’s flowing to and 5082 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, May 29, 2018

from, how much waste is being produced and where itneeds to go, how much traffic there is at any intersection within your borders. Yourbuses are running on time. Butare there enough of them going to the right stops and running along the right streets?Maybe you need to redistribute yourresourcesand yourvehiclesin realtime. Maybe whatyou need is a com- plete digitalmodelof yourentire city so thatyou can anti- cipate whatwillhappen if you upzone this block, if you run a bike lane down thatstreet,if you builda homeless shelter next to that grocery market. How does the trafficchange?

How does yourpopulation react?Who moves in? Who moves out?How does the local economy respond? How do your resource allocations keep up? How many doctors will you need? How many doctors will you get? Allthis is possibleand more with smartcity technologies. An exciting, still-developing field, smart city technologies use the Internetof things,artificialintelligenceand dataana- lyticsin acutting-edge way thatsupportsstrong and healthy social, economic and cultural development. But there are pitfalls. For instance, how do you defend againstunauthor- ized access into your system?

How do you protect the pri- vacy of yourcitizens? These are notminorconcerns, butthey can be overcome with a concerted effort. I’m very pleased to be ableto share thatearliertoday the government of B.C. launched the B.C. smart comm unities pilotprogram to help localgovernmentsuse data and tech- nology to improve servicesand help peoplebe more connec- ted. It’s an exciting new program, and I can’twaitto see what comes of it. GOLFING D. Clovechok: Itgives me a greatdealof pleasure to rise here today and speak abouta sportthatis nearand dearnot only to me butto millions of British Columbians and Cana- dians.

It’s a sportthatI started to play atfive years oldand played with my dadand brotherevery nightafterschooland continue to play today. I’m thrilled to say thatmy son beats me these days, and my oldestgranddaughterhas been learn- ing to play this for the past four years. Of course, I’m talking aboutthe sportof golf, and we all know that yesterday was National Golf Day. In Columbia River–Revelstoke, we have 18 amazing golf courses, and some have won nationalawards. We are agolfmecca,visited yearly by thousands from alloverCanada and the world.

It’s an industry thatrepresentsboth economic and socialpillars in ourcomm unity. If you’re a golferand have neverplayed ourcourses, letme encourage you to do so. They willbe the highlight of your golf career. Golf has many faces,and I will reference a few of them. Economically, it’s a $2.8 billion industry in B.C., creating 44,000 jobs, $1.27 billion in householdincome, and gener- ates $465 million in taxes.

From a social investment per- spective, the 300-plus courses in B.C. are locally owned and operated and provide charitable and taxation benefits to British Columbian comm unities.Golfcourses providevalu- ablegreen spaceand wildlife refuge. Turf and trees capture carbon, create oxygen, coolthe airand filterstorm and water runoff. Golf courses are leaders in environmental steward- ship. The industry has an integrated pestmanagementeffort and strives to be an industry leaderin greenerbest-manage- ment practices. And it’s good foryou.

Approximately 10,000 steps happen on each 18 holes,and itencompass alldemographics.People who play golfbenefitphysically, socially and mentally from golf. Golfis a game forallages and abilities and is the No. 1 sport activity in Canada. Golfis an amazing game, and I wantto thank the Allied GolfAssociation of B.C. for allthey do. If you don’tplay it, there’s still time to start. I’d like to challenge the members opposite to a golf game with us some time. [10:50 a.m.] SEAFEST EVENTS IN PRINCE RUPERT J.

Rice: During every second weekend in June since 1978, the peopleof Prince Ruperthave com e togetherfor three days of music, dancing, paradesand activities for the entire family. I’m speaking of Seafest,and to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this greatevent,the PrinceRupert SpecialEventsSociety is revisiting theirinauguraltheme: “The way it was.” WhileI didnotlive in PrinceRupertforthe firstSeafest, I’m toldby longtime residentsthatthe way itwas in Prince Rupert is the way it still is. What I m ean by that is that the comm unity spiritthatprompted the firstSeafestis still alive and well.

People from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds show off theirtalents,music and food, and because of the diversity in my home comm unity, there is truly something for everyone. Sports enthusiasts can participate in three- on-three basketball, four-on-fourhockey, drop-in socceror rugby. Car enthusiasts are invited to Saturday’s show-and- shine orto cheerthe kids racingin the soapbox derby. Artists are invited to show off theirskills during the Fastand Furi- ous Art Attack, where they have 20 minutes, three colours and one easel to create theirlatest masterpiece.

The Quick and Daring tests our carpentry, boat-building and naviga- tionalskills. Thankfully, Marine Search and Rescue are there for those crafts that don’t float. The seniors tea recognizes 75/50 club members for the contribution of those seniors who are 75 years of age and have lived in Prince Rupert for more than 50 years. Music fans can attend numerous performances.Children willhave fun activities to participate in, like face painting, bouncy castles and games. Anotherfan favourite each yearis the Seafestparade.

Last year55 comm unity groups and individuals filled Second and Third avenueswith bagpipes, marching bands, bhangradan- cers, First Nations drumm ers, music, candy and laughter. Tuesday, May 29, 2018 British Columbia Debates 5083

Yes, the way itwas in PrinceRupertis the way thingsstill are — adiverse and resilientcomm unity thatcomestogether when thingsare tough and when it’s time to celebrate, recog- nizing ourpastand future revolves around the sea.Congrat- ulations and many thanks to Prince Rupert Special Events for hosting the 40th annual Seafest. CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORP. STUDY ON HOUSE PRICES S. Sullivan: I wantto pay tribute to the Canadian Mort- gage and Housing Corp. for its service to our country. A great challenge facing urban Canada is rising house prices, threatening our economy and young people.

There are many theories, such as foreign buyers, butno definitive explanation. The corporation was directed to find the causes using academic quality research. Thirty PhD and master’s economists spent a year and $1.5 million crunching num- bers using massive data sets from Statistics Canada, the largest such study ever. Earlierthis year they published their 220-page report entitled Examining Escalating House Prices in Large Cana- dian Metropolitan Centres. By justpluggingin three variables — income, population and mortgage rates— they couldpre- dict75 percentof Metro Vancouver’s pricerise.

They found the other major cause in the elasticity of housing supply curves. Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton all have healthy supply curves. A house price rise causes a significant increase in housing. Toronto’s supply increases are only half of ahealthy city. Metro Vancouverhas avery inelasticsupply curve, creating only one-quarterof the housing expected of a healthy city. Geography and governmentpolicy are responsible. Since we cannotcontrolgeography, governmentpolicy is to blame. The C.D. Howe Institute reportreleased lastweek found gov- ernmentpolicieshave caused Metro Vancouverhouse prices to double.

The reportis fullof insights.Iturges government to recognize the positive as wellas the negative of specula- tion. Most British Columbians live in spec housing, hous- ing created by speculators. The reportcautions aboutoverly broad policy actions. Please join me in thanking CMHC for shedding lighton this important topic. [10:55 a.m.] THE BEACHCOMBERS SERIES N. Simons: If you grew up in Canada in the 1970s or’80s and you were watching TV on aSunday night,you probably watched The Wonderful World of Disney, and then you prob- ably watched The Beachcombers.

Forthatmatter, if you grew up in any one of 60 other countries in the worldwhere it was broadcast,you may wellhave been watching The Beach- combers there too. In the 18-yearspan between1972 and 1990, over360 epis- odes of this series were filmed in the beautifulseasidetown of Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. Everything about this show was unabashedly west coast and unabashedly Cana- dian. Ittoldourstories.Butonly 60 episodeshave been aired since 1990, and this needs to change. The Beachcombers had a castof contrasting characters. It toldoriginalstories aboutfishing, logging and the ecology.

Itexplored land claims and otherFirstNations issues.There were even references to our ferry service. It showed the beauty of ourprecious coastline. One episode even centred around a proposed pipeline from Alberta through B.C. Being ableto watch The Beachcombers again is in the national interest. It is the longest-running drama in the history of the CBC. Peoplecome from across the country and around the worldto visitMolly’s Reach, which is stillserving meals to this day. It’s aprime touriststop in itsoriginallocation on the still picturesque waterfront.

Just up the streetfrom Molly’s Reach is one of the boatsin the series,the Persephone, which has been restored and stands as a cultural landmark. It’s my duty to bring attention to the factthatonly 60 of these 360 episodes have been aired, and none are yetto be found on CBC’s own on-line playeratCBC.ca. Along with Jackson Davies, our favourite Mountie, I’m calling on the CBC, ournationalbroadcaster, to make this classictelevision series available again for the enjoyment of not just Cana- dians but fans around the world.

Oral Questions DISPUTE WITH ALBERTA ON TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE AND PURCHASE BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A. Wilkinson: Today we learned thatthe federalgovern- mentis aboutto use ourfederaltax dollars to buy the Trans Mountain existing pipeline as wellas the expansion project to ensure thatthe projectproceeds and is built.This is atotal failure for the Premier— being paid for by taxpayers while severely damaging our relationships with Alberta, Saskat- chewan and the government of Canada. The question squarely lieson the Premier’s desk. Willhe finally admit his strategy has failed? Hon. J.

Horgan: I thank the member for his question. I didreceive aphone callthis morning from the Prime Minis- ter, and he advised me thatthe federalgovernmenthadmade a decision to invest in a pipeline between Edmonton and Vancouver. Thatwas a decision thatwas madeby the Min- isterof Financefederally and the Prime Ministerof Canada, and they’ll be accountable for that. Mr. Speaker: The Leaderof the OfficialOpposition on a supplemental. A. Wilkinson: This issue is probably the singlelargestin the history of this governmentsinceitwas sworn in lastJuly. 5084 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Today is an important day. The federal government takeover of the KinderMorgan pipeline, not only the existing pipeline but the expansion project,means thatthis Premierhas accomplished nothing atallon this file. This is a complete failure by this Premier, who is being toyed with by his Environment Minister. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members, we shallhearthe ques- tion. A. Wilkinson: Whathas been accomplished is the com- plete destruction of investorconfidencein British Columbia. This has become a reckless, erratic government that scares off investors.

Perhaps the Premier can tell us: is he prepared to admit this defeat and acknowledge the failure? Hon. J. Horgan: The only thing missing from thatques- tion was asking me to come clean. It’s about coming clean that we started this endeavour in July of last year. [11:00 a.m.] We want to make sure that our coast remains clean. We wantto make sure thatthe governmentof British Columbia always stands up for the peopleof British Columbia — not offshore investors, not governments in other jurisdictions but the people of B.C. We’ll continue to do that. Mr.

Speaker: The Leaderof the OfficialOpposition on a second supplemental. A. Wilkinson: Well, itseems the Premierhas already for- gotten the fact that we, the taxpayers of British Columbia, are now going to pay for his blunder. The Premierseems to think he’s going to getbetter coastal protection out of this new deal. Well, he has already snubbed his nose at Ottawa abouttheir$1.5 billion coastalprotection plan. Meanwhile, we have tankers going by Victoria every day, on theirway to Washington state. The Premierhas accomplished nothing on this file.

When willhe admithis mistake, eatsome humblepie and go cap in hand to Ottawa and ask for better coastal protection? Hon. J. Horgan: Som ething that the m ember on the other side has forgotten, and perhaps his colleagues as well, was the submission by the government of British Columbia in 2016, as part of the National Energy Board hearing, where the government of British Columbia said: “One particular challenge of the recovery of diluted bitu- m en from water arises when the product becom es sub- m erged or sinks. The evidence shows thatthis m ay occur when it hits fresh water.

The province submits that the effectiveness of the techniques has not been proven, par- ticularly in British Columbia’s rivers.” If anyone has forgot anything, it’s peopleon that side of the House, who disregard it now, the impacts on British Columbia. M. Bernier: From day one, the Premier has known that he couldnotblock the Trans Mountain project.He’s chosen to play politics rather than actually working for the best interests of British Columbia. His actions are now costing British Columbians and Canadians billions of dollars. Let’s be clearon one issue here.

This was a projectthatwas going to be funded by private interests,by private groups. Instead, now it’s going to be funded by the taxpayers of Canada and British Columbia. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, if we may hear the question. M. Bernier: I’llmake it easy. Why did the Premier con- tinue on with his reckless actions that are going to cost all Canadians money? Hon. J. Horgan: There’s nothing atallreckless aboutliv- ing by the ruleof law. There’s nothing at all reckless about asking acourt,athird party, to clarify jurisdictionaldisputes withinourCanadian confederation. That’s whatwe’ve done.

I think thatthe member, if he wantsto ask questions about reckless expendituresof publictaxpayers’ money, shouldrun forparliamentand go to the House of Comm ons and ask the federal Finance Minister. Mr. Speaker: The memberforPeaceRiverSouthon asup- plemental. M. Bernier: British Columbians rightacross this province have come outloudand clearwith theirsupportforthis pro- ject, yetthis NDP has just tried to downplay that fact. The majority of peoplehave come outin favourof this project. This government has ignored that. They’ve ignored those voices. They’ve ignored the people of British Columbia.

Instead, he’s catering mostly justto his mostimportantcon- stituents,whichI think are sittingdown atthe end, the mem- bers of the coalition party, the Green Party. The Premierneeds to actually acknowledge thathis polit- ically motivated actions have only displaced private invest- ment. Will he do that today? Hon. J. Horgan: Again, in July, the government changed. The people on that side of the House did not wantto stand up for the interestsof British Columbia and the coast. We do.

Atthattime, there was an election, and almost60 percentof those who castballots,castballotsfor parties who had a differentperspective than those on that sideof the House. Thatseems to be forgotten by the m em- ber who raised the question. We have, from the beginning, worked with KinderMor- gan. As they’ve presented themselves, seeking permits,we’ve Tuesday, May 29, 2018 British Columbia Debates 5085

granted those permits.We have notharassed the company in any way. The decision to investtaxdollars in the projectwas notmadeby this parliament.Itwas notmadeby this govern- ment. It was made by the federal Liberal Party in Ottawa. [11:05 a.m.] PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE PROPOSAL FOR SAANICH INLET A. Olsen: Recently the hon. Premier was in the local media speculating on an idea to connectthe Saanich Penin- sulaand Cowichan Valley by abridge. This ideahas come up every decadeorso, usually afteran incidentturns increasing congestion on the Malahatinto gridlock.

A shiny bridge with architecturalsplendourmakes forgrand politics,butit’s not the bestsolution. Itwillbe a giantblack holein ourbudget, increase greenhouse gas emissions and cars on the roadand require expensive upgradesto Beacon, Mt.Newton, Keating, Sayward, Haliburton and Uptown. To the Ministerof Transportation, there are ongoing dis- cussions abouta passengerferry serviceacross the Saanich Inlet.If the provincialgovernmentwas partof the dialogue, itwouldprovidecertainty to potentialserviceproviders and comm uters that a passenger ferry service is supported and willbe around now and in the future.

Willyou work with me and the various stakeholders already atthe tableto investig- ate ferry services across the Saanich Inlet? Hon. C. Trevena: I appreciate the question from the member of the Third Party. He’s right. Every time there’s a crisis, we’re starting to look at different solutions. We are looking, again, at the report that came in 2007 and the potentialof abridge. We are looking atotheravenuesto deal withwhatis clearly aproblemforpeopleon the southIsland, people who are travelling across the Malahat.

It is an area where we have issues of safety, where we’re dealing with that.Also, itdoes narrow up through a provin- cialpark. So we’re looking atalldifferentavenuesto try and make sure thataccess to the capitalregionaldistrictcan be keptopen. I wouldbe happy to sitdown with the memberto talk about ideas that he and others have. Mr. Speaker: Saanich North and the Islands on a supple- mental. A. Olsen: We’ve long needed bettertransiton the Saanich Peninsulaand in the Cowichan Valley.

Yesterday, in response to a question from my colleaguefrom the Cowichan Valley, the Ministerof Transportation referred to the government’s transportation vision. We’ve had reports, studies and visions drafted, shelved and collecting dust on how to improve the transportation system on south Vancouver Island. There is a strong eco- nomic case forapassengerand complementary vehicleferry service between Cowichan Bay, Pat Bay and Swartz Bay. There’s a socialand economic and environmentalcase for a rapid bus system on the PatBay Highway, serviced by better neighbourhood transit services.

To the Minister of Transportation, we don’t need a big, shiny, new bridge. Whatwe need is a flexible, cost-effective, reliableservice today and for the long term so peoplecan investand we can improve the quality of life on south Van- couver Island. When will you join the stakeholders at the table to seriously discuss a passenger ferry service on the Saanich Inlet? Hon. C. Trevena:I think thatwe’ve satdown and talked withthe memberaboutvisions fortransitand transportation on the south Island, the Saanich Peninsula, rightacross out to Sooke. We were also talking aboutgoing up to the Cowi- chan Valley.

We have a record investment in B.C. Transit. Ourgovernmentis ensuring thatpeoplecan afford to travel and can afford to traveleasily. Obviously, there are problems with delays when there are accidents, and so on. I agree with the m ember. We do need to have a vision, and I’m happy, as I said before in answer to his previous question, to sit down and talk about different ideas to ensure thatwe can getpeoplem oving safely and effectively across the south Island. DISPUTE WITH ALBERTA ON TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE AND PURCHASE BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT S. Bond: This government is a national embarrassment.

They have known from the moment they took office that they couldnotstop this project.We’ve certainly seen them surprise British Columbians with new taxes, but they’ve managed to take this to a wholenew level. Now Canadians from coastto coastto coastwillbe paying billions of dollars for this Premier’s actions, to replaceprivate sector invest- ment with public, taxpayer dollars. The Premier knew he couldn’t stop the project, but that didn’t stop his reckless actions. Now, today, Canadian tax- payers are payingthe bills insteadof the private sector.

When willthis Premierstand up and explain to Canadians how he’s responsible for this mess? [11:10 a.m.] Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the memberforherquestion. Itis apparent,I think, to anyone who has been paying attention overthe pastnumberof months thatthe actions of this gov- ernmenthave been fairly straightforward. We enjoined two lawsuitsthatwere already underway. We talked aboutcon- sulting with British Columbians aboutensuring thatwe had a regulatory regime in placethat wouldprotect the public interest, the people of British Columbia’s interest. Interjections. Mr.

Speaker: Members, we shall hear the response. 5086 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Hon. J. Horgan: Thank you, hon. Speaker. When ouradjoining neighbourin Alberta said thatthey didn’tfeelthatwe hadthe jurisdiction, we asked them to join with us, to go to ahighercourt,as civilized peoplewoulddo, as friends woulddo, to find a solution to an impasse and a divide. They declined to do that, so we went on our own. Now, if the memberon the othersideand hercolleagues seem to think thatusing those tools availableto us to protect B.C.’s interestis somehow disrespectfulof federaltaxpayers, I don’tthink she understands how decisions are madein this country.

The federalgovernmentmadea decision thatthey willbe accountablefor, and it’s appropriate thatif those on thatside of the House do notwantto do or understand the business of this place, they shouldrun forfederalparliamentand ask the federal Finance Minister why he made his choice. Mr. Speaker: The memberforPrinceGeorge–Valemount on a supplemental. S.

Bond: What’s blatantly obvious is that this Premier’s disrespectforBritish Columbians includesthe factthatdes- pite the fact he knew he couldn’t stop this project, he con- tinued with his reckless actions, which today have resulted in private sector investment walking away from British Columbia and forcing taxpayers to pay for this project. Let’s listen to what the Premier said this morning: “It doesn’tmatterwho owns the pipeline.” Well, actually, itdoes matterwho owns the pipeline. This Premiercan stand in this placeand deny and deflectallhe wants,buthe has managed to take a fully financed, private….

Interjection. S. Bond:Pardon me? Interjection. S. Bond: I did hear you, and you shouldwithdraw that remark. He has managed to take a fully financed, private sector project and turn it into a public, taxpayer-owned enterprise. Can the Premierstand in this House today, look atBritish Columbians and explain why he putCanadian taxpayers on the hook for a private sector project? Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. J.

Horgan: I appreciate thatthe memberon the oth- ersidewantsto somehow put,onto this sideof the House, responsibility for the dereliction of duty of the formergov- ernment by allowing the federal government to take com- plete charge of the NationalEnergy Board decision-making process, by giving away ourability to protectthe interestof British Columbians. When we were sworn in, in July, as I have said repeatedly, we undertook to engage in courtactions already underway.

We continued to issue permits when they were requested by the proponent.When itcame down to talking to British Columbians, which I would expect all of the members of this House wouldsupport, about how we best protect the thingsthatmattermostto BritishColumbians — ournatural splendour, our marine economy and all that goes with that…. When we asked to consult with people, our neigh- bours wentwild.

Ratherthan be provocative, we said: “How can we work…?” For yourpoliticalpurposes, you can do that,butwe said quite clearly to ourneighbours and to ourmembers of the Canadian family: “How do we work together to resolve a differenceof opinion?” I’m surprised with the ragtag bunch overthere. They often have differencesof opinion. How do they resolve them? By going to dispute resolution. That’s what the courts are for. That’s what we proposed to do. [11:15 a.m.] T.

Stone: This is beyond bungling on the government’s part.This is an absolute sheerdereliction of the responsibil- ity of this government,which is now going to costtaxpayers billions of dollars. British Columbians deserve much better leadership than what we’ve seen from this NDP government, which continues to play politics with the futures of British Columbians, m ostly to appease the junior coalition party down there, the Green Party.

Insteadof working collabor- atively with otherprovinces, instead of working collabor- atively with the federalgovernment,the Premiercontinues to puthis own politicalfuture above thatof B.C.’s relation- ship with the rest of Canada. The Premierknew allalong thathe couldn’tstop this pro- ject.So why does he continue with his politically motivated and reckless actions? Hon. J. Horgan: I’ll just refer the member to a meeting last week in Yellowknife, where I sat down with Premiers from otherjurisdictions. We gotalong very well. We talked about issues that were important to Canadians.

With the exception of one member, the memberfrom Alberta, every- one around the table— from Saskatchewan, from Manitoba, from Nunavut,from the NorthwestTerritoriesand from the Yukon — said: “We need to act together as a unified force in the westto protectthe interestsof allCanadians.” Thatis what cooperation and leadership look like. Mr. Speaker: The memberfor Kam loops–South Thomp- son on a supplemental. T. Stone: Well, congratulations to the Premier.

He has managed to take a fully funded, multi-billion-dollar private sectorprojectand turn itinto ataxpayerproject.This Premi- erand this governmenthave managed to drive the nation- Tuesday, May 29, 2018 British Columbia Debates 5087

alization of a multi-billion-dollar private sector asset.Their actions continue to send chills through the international investment comm unity. Standing up for British Columbia should mean having a constructive relationship with the governmentof Canada and with other provinces, but this Premier started a fight with Alberta, created a constitutional crisis, and now this British Columbia government is a national embarrassment.

The Premierhas known, again, from day one thathe could notstop this project.Why does he continuewith his reckless actions, which willnow costBritish Columbiataxpayers and all taxpayers billions of dollars? Hon. J. Horgan: I appreciate there’s not much going on, on the opposition benches. They’re trying to grab a tiger as it runs by, but surely, they understand…. Some of them were in cabinet,surprisingas thatmay seem, and they would know thatwhen the federalgovernmentmakes adecision to expend money, it’s the responsibility of the federal govern- ment, not this parliament. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members.

Members, when you’re ready, we will continue question period. G. Kyllo: This Premierstarted an NDP tradewar. He cre- ated a constitutional crisis and sent a chilling message to investors and has now costBritish Columbians and allCana- dians billions of dollars for a projectthe private sector was going to build. The Premier has known all along that he couldnotstop this project.Why didhe continue his reckless actions? Hon. J. Horgan: Again, the opposition is trying to have it both ways.

On the one hand, they say: “Surely, you knew you couldn’tstop it.” Then they’re saying: “Why are you trying to stop it?” Firstof all, they say: “It’s fully funded. It’s fully fun- ded by the private sector.” Now it’s not— notby any decision of this parliament, not by any decision of this government. The federalgovernmentmadethe decision to take taxdol- lars and investthem in a private company. That’s theirbusi- ness. If you have a concern with that, again, I encourage members to resign theirseats,run forparliamentand take it up with Mr. Morneau. [11:20 a.m.] Mr. Speaker: The memberforShuswap on a supplement- al.

G. Kyllo:Well, this is aself-servinggovernmentthatacted blindly and recklessly. The Premier’s reckless behaviourand ill-conceived actions have received the rebuke of the federal government and will cost taxpayers billions of dollars. The Premieris squarely to blame. Why didhe continue his reck- less actions when he knew that he couldn’t stop the project? Hon. J. Horgan: I’m appreciative of the memberreading the same question overagain to me so thatI can give him a similar answer. Thatis: the federalgovernmenttoday made a decision to take tax money and investitin a private com- pany.

Thatwas nota decision madeby us. Itwas notmotiv- ated by us. In fact,I counselled againstit.I advised the Prime Ministerweeks ago that it was the wrong course of action. They disregarded that advice and carried on. What I think we need to do…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. We shallhearthe response, Mem- bers. Interjection. Hon. J. Horgan: This from the man who drove ICBC off a cliff. I appreciate that the well of questions is fairly empty. They’ve only gotthe one to read and pass from memberto member to read over and over again.

I am proud of the work we have done to defend the interests of British Columbia. I sleep very well at night knowing that I’m doing my level best to m ake sure the peopleof British Columbia have a government that cares forthem, working every day to m ake life betterforBritish Columbians, not the corporate backers that funded the other side. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO ANTI-PIPELINE ACTIVITIES M. de Jong: Whilethe Premierwas findingaway to turn a lawfully approved projectthatwas entirely self-financed and now turn thatinto apublicly funded projectthatwillrequire taxpayers to fund billions and billions of dollars….

While the Premier was embarking upon this brilliant strategy for thatto happen, something else took place. An NDP Member of Parliament was convicted of criminal misconduct. The leaderof the federalGreen Party was convicted of criminal misconduct. The pipeline is going to be built.It’s now going to be built by a Canadian Crown corporation. I ask for the Premier today to stand in this House, dohis duty and condemn those who would purport to engage in criminal misconduct to prevent a lawfully approved project from p roceeding. Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the member for his question.

I will say to him that there are court proceedings underway abouthow lawfulthe decision to proceed with the pipeline was. He willknow that.I’m sure he’s scooting pastthatfor the interests of his

preamble. When it comes to lawful civil disobedience, I think all members of this placerespect and understand that in this greatcountry, we have the rightto exercise ourdisapproval 5088 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, May 29, 2018

of governmental process. But we also have a responsibility, all of us, to upholdthe ruleof law. That is why we are in courtratherthan stomping ourfeet,putting up obstaclesto trade. Instead, we are saying: “Let’s go to court and deter- mine what’s the best outcome for British Columbia.” That’s been our objective from the beginning. The member’s question was quite clearly directed atthose who wouldprotestin aviolentway. I categorically rejectthat, and I know he shares thatview, as allmembers do. Civildis- obedience is a fundamental right in our country. All of us will want to uphold that. Breaking the law is not.

Mr. Speaker: The memberforAbbotsford Weston a sup- plemental. DISPUTE WITH ALBERTA ON TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE AND PURCHASE BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT M. de Jong: The Premier’s brilliant strategy, which has landed us, atthis point,where a privately funded projectis now going to be relying upon billions of public dollars… [11:25 a.m.] Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall hear the question. M. de Jong: …cannot help but put at risk funding that mightotherwise have been earmarked for otherprojectsto help build British Columbia.

Willthe Premierstand and be honestwith British Colum- bians and acknowledge thatas a resultof the failed, flawed, irresponsible strategy that he has pursued, funding that wouldotherwise be availableto fund much-needed projects in British Columbiawillnow be diverted by the federalgov- ernmentto fund this pipeline projectthatotherwise would have been paid by — guess what— private capital, free and clear from any taxpayer involvement? Hon. J. Horgan: Again, I know that the rhetoric is at a high level here. We’re at the end of the session.

This is an opportunity forthose who haven’thada chanceto stand up to flextheirrhetorical muscles.But the factsare the facts. The governmentof Canada— notthe governmentof British Columbia — of which I have no authority or no ability to influence, apparently has decided to take tax money and investitin a pipeline. I counselled againstthatto the Prime Minister and to the Minister of Finance when I was asked.

Forthose on thatsideof the House to som ehow suggest thatwe, overhere, have been staying up late atnightfind- ing ways to convince the Ministerof Finance in Ottawa to spend m oney on a private company is a stretch and m aybe a bridge too far.

With respectto investmentin British Columbia, I’m very proud to say thatwe have invested billions and billions and billions of dollars in new housing initiatives, new childcare initiatives, reducing costs for people, building the Pattullo Bridge, making sure we’ve gottransitrightacross the Lower Mainland and ensuring thatwe can make life betterfor the peopleof this provinceand, in the process, protectwhatis so importantto allof us: ournaturalbeauty, ourpowerfuleco- nomy and the innovation and creativity of British Columbi- ans. I’m p roud of that. You should be too.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO ANTI-PIPELINE ACTIVITIES M. Polak: I’m going to do more than suggest that these guys caused the problem. I’m actually going to lay it out a little bit, because here’s how it happened. First,we hadan agreementbetween the Greens and the NDP, which allowed them to form a government.Then we had the Premier leave town and the Environment Minis- ter…. Interjection. M. Polak: Oh, I’ll start again. Good. I’ll start again. Once they’re propped up by the Greens….

And by the way, the agreementdidhave asignificantamountto dowith fighting the KinderMorgan project.Then the Premierleaves town, and whilehe’s away, the EnvironmentMinisterdecides to throw in…. Interjection. M. Polak: Exactly. He decidesto throw in…. The Envir- onment Minister, without the permission of his Premier, decidesto throw in an additionalrequirementon the advice of his Bowen Island activistfriends. Now the Greens and the Bowen Island activistsfind themselves the proud partown- ers of the Kinder Morgan pipeline. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, if we may hear the question. M.

Polak: Now that they are the proud part owners of this pipeline, I wonderif they willhave the courage to stand up…. And we’re nottalking aboutviolentprotest.The leader of the federalGreens was convicted of criminalmisconduct, not because of violence. Willthis governmentcondemn the actions of those who wouldseek to thwartthis projectthathas been legitimately approved and will now be the taxpayers’ project? Hon. J. Horgan: I apologize to allmembers forbeing col- ourblind and notknowingthe greenlightwas notared light to allow that last question.

But it does provide me with an opportunity to talk aboutthe confidence and supply agree- ment,which is almostayearold. Thatconfidenceand supply Tuesday, May 29, 2018 British Columbia Debates 5089

agreementhas meantthatforthe pastten months, we’ve had agovernmentthathas been focusing on people. We’ve hada governmentthathas invested in childcare. We’ve hadagov- ernmentthathas invested in transition housing for women fleeing domestic abuse. We’ve hadagovernmentsupported by ourGreen partners in making sure we have an innovation commi ssionerand an innovation commi ssion to make sure thatthe new economy thatis justrighthere ready to take off has agovernmentthat’s supportive of that. [11:30 a.m.] The confidence and supply agreement has led to good government.

I’m sorry that those on the other side are unhappy about that, but British Columbians are delighted. [End of question period.] Reports from C ommi ttees PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE S. Bond: I have the honour to present the first report by the SelectStanding Commi ttee on PublicAccounts.The report summ arizes the commi ttee’s activities in 2017 and 2018. I move that the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. S. Bond:I ask thatthe House move amotion to adoptthe report. Mr. Speaker: Is leave granted? Leave granted. Mr. Speaker: Member, please proceed. S.

Bond: I justwantto make some very brief comm ents. The reportconsiders activitiesin 2017 and 2018. In the cur- rentparliament,the commi ttee actually looked at13 reports on a very wide variety of topics. Commi ttee members worked very hard to do theirwork in a very collaborative and constructive way. We do want to thank, on behalf of the commi ttee, the AuditorGeneral, the comptrollergeneral and theirstaff and the many dedicated publicservantswho provided the commi ttee with information which informed our deliberations.

I also want to thank the Clerk of Commi ttees office, in particularKate Ryan-Lloyd and herteam, fortheirfantastic supportand to thank the commi ttee members for the hard work, the dedication and the cooperative spirit, especially the Deputy Chair, the member for Esquimalt-Metchosin. M. Dean: I wouldalso today very much like to thank the Chair, the member for Prince George–Valemount, for her leadership in helping the commi ttee complete a substantial body of work. I wantto echo herthanks to the Clerks and the hard work of alltheirteam.

They helped us with organiz- ation, support,logisticsand also preparing a very well-sum- marized and presented report. Thank you to the Auditor Generaland herteam — they complete a major amount of work each year, and they provide really valuableinsightsto us — and also the comp- troller general. Thank you, as well, to allof the ministry staff. They made the time to presentto us, and they took the time to show how they were responding to the recomm endations of the Audit- or General’s reports. Thank you, as well, to everybody on the commi ttee.

We had a large agenda, and we completed it in a way that was thorough and proficient. Everyone showed their commi t- ment to the work in reviewing the process, preparing for each meeting and engaging in such a constructive way. I look forward to our work together ahead. Motion approved. Tabling Documents Hon. C. James: Pursuantto the FinancialAdministration Act,I’m pleased to presentreportsforthe fiscalyearending March 31, 2017, on all amounts borrowed by government and allamountsloaned to governmentbodies.These reports provide an overview of the province’s borrowing activity in fiscal ’16-17. Petitions T.

Shypitka:I wish to presenttwo petitions today, the first one being signed by nine residentsalong Highway 395, all withinhalfakilometre of arock quarry nearBateman Road, near the thriving comm unity of Elko in Kootenay East.The residents urge the Ministry of Mines to address the noise pollution near zoned residential areas. The second petition I have is signed by 701 residents, mainly from the comm unities of Elkford, Sparwood and Fernie, allwithinthe Elk Valley of Kootenay East.This peti- tion urgesgovernmentto take imm ediate intervention to put a definite end to the proposed Bingay coalmine.

The resid- entscite issuessuch as short-and long-term negative effects to critical ecosystems, wildlife populations, water wells, access to recreational areas, air and noise pollution. Orders of the Day Hon. M. Farnworth:For the next15 minutes or so, for what’s leftof this morning, I callthe estimates of the Attor- ney Generalin this chamber. In the Douglas FirRoom, for probably an even shorteramountof time, I callthe estimates of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. [11:35 a.m.] 5090 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Commi ttee of Supply ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL (continued) The House in Commi ttee of Supply (Section B); L. Reid in the chair. The commi ttee met at 11:36 a.m. On Vote 14: ministry operations, $470,469,000 (continued). J. Yap: In the time that we have, I’d like to canvass the minister on a few items in the B.C. Lottery Corp. ser- vice plan. The minister has focused recently on m oney laundering, with publiccomm entsto the effectthat….He assertsthatthere’s a serious m oney laundering problem at B.C. casinos and that m ore needs to be done by govern- m ent to eliminate it.

The serviceplan shows, in fiscal2016-17, casino revenue of $1.85 billion. For 2017-18, the forecast is $1.941 billion, for the current year, this year, $1.92 billion, followed by, in the out years, $1.947 billion and $1.976 billion. Now, the ministersuggeststhathe is going to crack down on money laundering, which he has publicly claimed is a huge problem, and that the anti-money-laundering meas- ures thathe’s introduced, and willintroduce, willreduce, if not eliminate, money laundering.

If money laundering has been such alarge problem,as the ministersays thatithas — meaning thatdirty money is being used in casinos,played in casinosand some of itlostin B.C. casinos— can the minister explain why casino revenueshave notcorrespondingly gone down with the proposed crackdown on money laundering? Hon. D. Eby: I thank the memberfor giving us a heads- up so we couldhave the rightstaff in the rightplaceatthe righttime. We had a bitof a discussion yesterday, as I was surprised to answerso many referendum questions. We got the rightstaff over.

Butjustforthe record, we didnotknow that the referendum would be the sole topic yesterday. I doappreciate knowing whatwe’re talking aboutbecause then I can be more prepared. We do have the staff here today to assistus on B.C. Lottery Corp., gaming policy and enforcementbranch and Ministry of Attorney General, and I’ll do my best to answer. The member is certainly correct that I am concerned abouta lack of attention thatthe previous governmentpaid to a very serious issue in our casinos. I retained Dr. Peter German to advise me on the extent of the issue, to tell me what reforms, if any, were needed to address it.

He is an internationally recognized anti-money-laundering expert. He’s a formersenior RCMP officer. He’s literally the author of the Canadian textbook on anti-money-laundering law. [11:40 a.m.] His report has produced a number of recomm endations forgovernment.I am working hard with ministry staff to get thatreportoutto the publicas quickly as we can. There are privacy issues and law enforcement issues that we have to address before we can publicly release it.We’re doing thatas quickly as we can because we want to letthe publicknow.

Certainly, the member, as partof the publicand the oppo- sition and a memberin this House, deserves to know, if he doesn’talready, some of the concerns and waysin whichthey could be addressed. The specificquestion that the member raises about the budgetfor governmentand for BCLC in terms of revenues going forward and: “How can itbe, if this is a serious issue and you’re cracking down on it,thatyou are notaddressing it in the revenue line?” We are, actually.

We did a fairly significant round in the m edia on this issue and the fact that government was taking a respons- ible approach with our partners at BCLC to attempt to project the impact of additional controls on large, suspi- cious cash transactions taking placein B.C. casinos. BCLC did work with a third-party firm to try to identify that. They project the impact on government revenues to be around $60 million. I want to note a coupleof things about that.

First of all, implicitin the member’s question is that,absolutely, itis the responsiblethingto do, whenyou’re goingto take action that couldpotentially have an impacton gaming, to incorporate that into the budget. I also wantto note thattaking this action does acoupleof things. One is thatitassures comm unities thatare thinking abouthaving a facility in theircomm unity thatthe govern- mentwillensure the responsibleoperation of gaming. They can have confidence thatissues willbe addressed, which is critically importantbecause withoutthat,you don’tgetthe social licence. You don’t get the comm unity support for that.

The second is thatgaming is partof ourtourism industry. It’s a partof the ways in which British Columbians entertain themselves in the province, lawfully. So forBritish Columbi- ans and touristswho come here to know thatthis is a juris- diction thattakes these issues very seriously and thatwe’re, in fact,leaders in this area is very importantto me. I know it’s importantto BCLC, and I know it’s importantto the gam- ing policy and enforcementbranch. I know it’s importantto every singleperson that works in a gaming facility in the province. The memberis right.There are costsassociated with this.

But it is absolutely the right thing to do, and ultimately, in the long term, it is revenue-positive for us. It creates an environment in which peoplecan have confidence in, first of all, saying: “Okay, we can supporta gaming facility in our comm unity, because we know it’s going to be done prop- erly.” Also, peoplegoing to gaming facilities can have con- fidencethatthis is a lawful, fun, entertaining thing to do, as many peopledo and as they will continue to do in British Columbia. Tuesday, May 29, 2018 British Columbia Debates 5091

J. Yap: FINTRAC, the federalagency responsiblefor the reporting, tracking and investigation of suspicious financial transactions, providesstatisticson such reporting by sector. Is the minister aware of the relative FINTRAC statistics reporting by sector? Hon. D. Eby: Can the member be more specificabout which statistics he’s looking for? Certainly, I think we can probably provide B.C. suspicious cash or large cash trans- action figures, but I’m not sure that that was the member’s question. If he couldclarify forme exactly whathe’s looking for, we’ll do our best to get it. J. Yap: I have seen the statistics.

I just wondered if the minister is aware that as a percentage of suspicious cash transactions reported, casinos accountfor less than 10 per- centof the totalreports.In fact,for2016-2017, the latestfull yearof information, casinos accounted forless than 7.5 per- cent of all suspicious transactions. In otherwords, the majority — i.e., about 93 percent — of such transactions happen outsideof casinos, in entities such as banks, trustcompanies,security firms, creditunions, money servicebusinesses, precious-metaldealers, life insur- ance, etc.

I’m wondering if the ministeris aware of that,in the relative terms of a sector. [11:45 a.m.] Hon. D. Eby: The controls around anti–money launder- ing in British Columbia and the responsibility of this min- istry relate to, in terms of gaming — the member is right — a smallpiece of whatthe federalanti-money-laundering agency, FINTRAC, does. FINTRAC has allkinds of areas of responsibility where they ask differententities and agencies to reportto them transactions. Itallgoes to the centralpro- cessing.

I picture itas a big warehouse, and I often wonder who’s working there and whathappens once the reportsgo in, but that’s a separate issue. There are a wholebunch of industries thatreportto this federalagency, of which,the memberis right,casinosare but a small part. The member may have heard in media, actu- ally, thatDr. German, in an interim memo thatwas released, raised issues around luxury cars and the purchase of luxury cars with large amountsof cash, the ability of peopleto sell these cars for cash, as a vehicle for money laundering.

If the nature of the member’s question is, “Are there other ways to laundermoney?” the answer is yes, absolutely. No question. In terms of this ministry, ourresponsibility and the commi tmentof B.C. Lottery Corporation, the gamingpolicy enforcement branch and the ministry and all of our part- ners, the service providers and the employees in the casi- nos and onward…. Ourcommi tmentis in relation to gam- ing, because that’s whatwe’re responsiblefor, butthe federal responsibility is much larger. We also, as a sidenote, in terms of jurisdictionalrespons- ibility, have repeatedly….

BCLC has raised concerns about this gaming policy enforcementbranch. I have called on the serviceproviders of gamingfacilitiesand called on the feder- algovernmentto increase enforcement,to provideincreased resourcesto the RCMP to dealwith the internationalaspects of money laundering related to gaming — but not exclus- ively, in otherareas as well. There’s been a sourceof frustra- tion thatillegalgaming activities, illegalgaming houses, are not being shut down.

I have a personalfrustration with the so-called grey mar- ket — in my opinion, illegal, unlawful gaming operations that appear to operate with impunity here in British Columbia, the federalgovernment’s responsibility, and few, if any, anti-money-laundering controls. We keep saying to the federal government: “Come on. Step up to the tablein yourareas of responsibility on enforcement,on prevention, on detection.” We’re going to keep that pressure up.

The member is right that there is this broaderfederal responsibility here, but in terms of this ministry and this governmentand my responsibility here, itis focused on that small area of FINTRAC’s work. J. Yap: I appreciate the ministerconfirming on the record that,in terms of the overallproblemwith money laundering, casinosare butasmallportion of the totality of money laun- dering, unfortunately, that happens. We’ll move on to the interim report from Dr. German, which was released in December 2017, with two recom- mendations.

One of these — thatthe governmenthas accep- ted that cash buy-ins of $10,000 or more wouldrequire a source-of-funds receipt. Can the ministeradvise the House on how this policy is going? Hon. D. Eby: I wonderif the membercouldadvise, spe- cifically, when he asks how the policy is going, what he is interested in, and I’ll do my best to provide answers to him. J. Yap: Can the ministeradvise why $10,000? Why is this threshold set at $10,000? Hon. D. Eby: The interim recomm endation set by Dr.

German was meantto providesome guidancein the interim, whilehe prepared his report and recomm endations about how to dealwith quite a serious problem and a perception, increasing perception, among the public that we weren’t addressing the issue. When I came in to this job, I hada reportwaiting on my desk from a firm called MNP thatraised some very serious issues in my mind. I had a briefing from a regulator that raised some very serious issuesin mind. I retained Dr. Ger- man, and I said: “Listen. You’re going to go dothe report.It’s going to take some time, but please don’t wait.

If you have interim recomm endations, please don’t wait until you’re done the reportto tellme, because if we have an issue, I want hear from you sooner about what we should be doing.” He provided the interim recomm endation for us around a $10,000 threshold for source of funds, the “where does 5092 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, May 29, 2018

yourmoney come from” questions and a form to be created and an increased presence of regulators in the casino. I was very grateful for him in doing that, because it provided us with the ability to begin addressingconcerns rightoff the bat without having to wait for the full report. The membermay be pleased to know — I’m notsure, but I am certainly pleased — thatthere are more than 40 recom- mendations thathave come forward from Dr. German.

Staff are working on them right now. [11:50 a.m.] We’re trying to get them released publicly, with a full reportas soon as possible, and this is justan interim step to address this issue. There is a larger setof reforms that Dr. German has recomm ended that staff are working on. J. Yap: The other recomm endation which government accepted and the ministerreferred to is the presenceof reg- ulators atevery casino — or, atleast,high-volume casinos. Can the ministeradvise on how thatprogram is going, the recomm endation to have regulators on site in casinos on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week basis? Hon. D.

Eby: Specifically to the member’s question, when he asks, “How is it going…?” Are you asking about imple- mentation of the program, orare you asking aboutactivities engaged in by the regulator?If the membercouldbe specific, then I’ll do my best to answer. J. Yap: Sure. How many casinoshave these regulators on a 24-7 basis? Maybe we’ll start with that. Hon. D. Eby: There are five casinos that are higher- volume casinos in the LowerMainland thatare targeted by this program.

The reason for the increased regulator pres- ence in those casinos is that it provides the opportunity for casino service providers to imm ediately have access, when any issue com es up, to a regulator. The regulatorcan ensure thatpropersteps are being followed with any issue thatarises within the casino. Thatwas the intention of Dr. Germ an’s report. Previously, the regulatorwas notavailableon a 24-hour basis in these facilities. It was a Monday-to-Friday, nine- to-five presence of the regulator. I can certainly speak for myself.

Whenever I found myself in a casino, it has not been Monday to Friday, nine to five. It’s been when I’ve been outwith friends on a weekend orsom ething like that oroutwith my brothers in Ontario. It’s notMonday to Fri- day, nine to five. That’s when mostof the business in a casino takes place. It’s on weekends and evenings, so it makes sense that the regulator wouldbe presentin these higher-volume periods. Again, another recomm endation from Dr. German — a recomm endation thatrequired additionalresourcesfor the gaming policy and enforcementbranch to be ableto do that work.

Governmentensured thatthey hadthe resourcesto be able to deliver what we believe to be a necessary service. I shouldalso note that even though, previously…. The regulator being there in those limited hours didn’t m ean that there was no m onitoring happening. I don’t want to leave that impression at all. What this does is it increases…. The regulator was always available to the facilities on an as-needed basis. This is a m ore proactive approach to ensure that the regulator is present at the casino on an as-needed basis. J. Yap: I heard the ministersay thatfive casinos have such regulators on a 24-7 basis.

Is that correct? Hon. D. Eby: The regulator is redeploying regional resourcesto increase presence in the casino. They’re in the process of hiring, as well, to ensure fullcoverage. Currently they are notat24-hourcoverage in the casinos. The four-in- the-morning presence is not there yet,but it will be there, and they’re working to do that as quickly as they can. Whatthey are focusing on rightnow are the peak activity times at these facilities, and ultimately, it will be 24-7. Noting the hour, I move the commi ttee rise, report pro- gress and ask leave to sit again. Motion approved.

The commi ttee rose at 11:54 a.m. The House resumed; Mr. Speaker in the chair. [11:55 a.m.] Commi ttee of Supply (Section B), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again. Commi ttee of Supply (Section A), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again. Hon. D. Eby moved adjournment of the House. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until1:30 this afternoon. The House adjourned at 11:56 a.m. Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Commi ttee of Supply ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF ADVANCED EDUCATION, SKILLS AND TRAINING (continued) The House in Commi ttee of Supply (Section A); B.

Ma in the chair. Tuesday, May 29, 2018 British Columbia Debates 5093

The commi ttee met at 11:37 a.m. On Vote 11: ministry operations, $2,211,614,000 (continued). S. Gibson: It’s good to be here. It’s an importantdiscussion on Advanced Education. I’m going to return a littlebit,regarding the funds in the labour marketstrategy and planning sections. There was a transfer to Jobs, Tradesand Technology, and we’re kind of wondering about that. Can the ministerelaborate on whatthis splitwas intended to accomplish? Why were those funds routed? What pro- grams have been retained in Jobs, and whatprograms have been moved?

It’s really allaboutthatsplit.I’m justasking for some clarification. [11:40 a.m.] Hon. M. Mark: Thank you to the memberfor the ques- tion. It’s nice to be back in the little House. Outof the $8 million, $4 million was transferred forDat- aBC, and then $4 million was transferred for data innov- ations. With respect to what remained for labour market program funding, from the federalgovernment,$112.5 mil- lion, and from the provincialgovernment,$16.9 million was retained. S. Gibson: Whatwas the intention? Whatwas the purpose of doing that? Why was that done? [11:45 a.m.] Hon. M.

Mark: When we formed government back in July, this was a governmentdecision, justlike ourministry was amalgamated with Skills Training and publicpost-sec- ondary. DataBC and data innovation were determined to be more aligned with the Ministry of Jobs, Tradeand Techno- logy’s mandate. B.C. Stats also went with that ministry. I believe thatthatministeris up lateron today forestim- ates. It might be a m ore appropriate minister to ask the question of. S. Gibson: I’m advised thatthe board of directors of the B.C.

Society of Landscape Architects still hasn’t been appointed following the transition of government.I’m won- dering why that hasn’t taken place, with the months that have passed. Hon. M. Mark: We’re going to squeeze in one last response before we break. Thank you for the question. I understand thatthe society is functioning, thatthey’ve gotquorum. We are routinely looking for candidates. We’ll be making appointments shortly, and we’ve been working with the society to doso. If there’s more detailthatyou’d like me to be aware of, we can always follow up with the society.

I believe I’m responsiblefor 287 appointmentsfor allthe publicpost-secondary institutions, not including the other regulatory bodies.It’s an ongoing process thatwe’re working on with BRDO to make appointments. I move that the commi ttee rise and report progress and ask leave to sit again. Motion approved. The commi ttee rose at 11:48 a.m. 5094 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, May 29, 2018

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Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20180529am-Hansard-n144
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20180529am Hansard n144
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	5232516fcdb9f675bec36464fedc64d6e86f4ac6

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