2005 Legislative Session: First Session, 38th Parliament

HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational purposes

only.

The printed version remains the official version.

Official Report of

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

(Hansard)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005

Afternoon Sitting

Volume 1, Number 9

CONTENTS

Routine Proceedings

Page

Introductions by Members

Tributes

Robert James Shewfelt

Hon. R.

Thorpe

Statements (Standing Order

25 B )

Crystal meth

Cantelon

Carey Price

C. Wyse

Mount Polley mine

Rustad

Mann Cup win by Victoria

Shamrocks

Horgan

Multiculturalism and immigration

D. Hayer

Assaults on seniors in Surrey

park

H. Bains

Oral Questions

Government support for low-income

seniors

Fleming

Hon. C.

Taylor

J. Kwan

Review of death of Sherry Charlie

C. James

Hon. S.

Hagen

A. Dix

Kith-and-kin agreement guidelines

Robertson

Hon. S.

Hagen

Karagianis

Farnworth

Future of Port Alice pulp mill

Trevena

Hon. C.

Hansen

Reports from Committees

Special Committee of Selection,

first report

Hon. M.

de Jong

Motions without Notice

Powers and role of Finance and

Government Services Committee

Appointment of Legislative

Initiatives Committee

Committee of Supply to sit in two

sections

Hon. M.

de Jong

Second Reading of Bills

Freedom of Information and

Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2005

(Bill 4)

Hon. M.

de Jong

Farnworth

Budget Debate (continued)

Hon. O. Ilich

J. Yap

N. Simons

C. Trevena

B. Lekstrom

G. Coons

L. Mayencourt

[ Page 141 ]

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005

The House met at 2:05 p.m.

Introductions by Members

Hon. S. Bond: It is a delight today to be able to introduce

someone who is certainly no stranger to many of us. We've chatted a lot about

being new to the Legislature or returning to the Legislature and some of the

challenges that this job brings, but I think often we don't actually talk about

the benefits. One of the benefits is getting to meet extraordinary British

Columbians who truly want to serve the public in this province, whichever side

of the House they sit on.

Today I want to welcome someone, a very good friend, a former

colleague of all of ours. She's been described as someone who is innovative. She

has endless energy. She brought an incredibly wonderful personality to this

Legislature. She was first elected in a 1998 by-election to represent the riding

of Parksville-Qualicum, and she was re-elected in 2001 in the Nanaimo-Parksville

riding. She served as our Minister of Transportation from June 2001 until

January of 2004. We are so glad to see you back today; we miss you a great deal.

Please join me in welcoming Judith Reid.

Hon. O. Ilich: As many of you know, British Columbia is

becoming known as the sports capital of Canada. We are hosting the Grey Cup this

year as well as the World Junior Hockey Championship and the Nordic World Cup.

We are hosting many, many more sporting events leading up to the Olympic Games

in 2010. Adding to our sports reputation is the Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse

team, which won the national championship Mann Cup this Friday in Victoria in a

thrilling overtime game. Would the House join me in congratulating the Victoria

Shamrocks for this outstanding accomplishment.

N. Simons: I just would like to bring the attention of the

House to three guests plus a partner up in the members' gallery. In particular,

I'd like to welcome Sharon Wood and Bill Forst, president of the Sunshine Coast

Teachers Association, along with Steve Jones, the vice-president of the B.C.

School Counsellors Association, who are all here to ensure that we continue a

respectful dialogue and that our students get their education — and my partner

Scott, of course.

D. MacKay: This afternoon, somewhere in the gallery, I'm

pleased to introduce somebody from Smithers, in the beautiful Bulkley Valley in

the northwest part of our province. Visiting today is Charlene Watts from

Smithers. She's down here representing the Association of Educators of Gifted,

Talented and Creative Children. I ask the House to please make her welcome.

V. Roddick: In the gallery this afternoon is a dedicated

constituent, Dr. Beth Sparks. Dr. Sparks teaches children who need direct

intervention to learn how to read and write at Cougar Canyon Elementary in North

Delta. She is the provincial president of the Learning Assistance Teachers

Association and the president of the Delta Learning Assistance Teachers

Association. Her motto is: "Is it that I can't learn, or is it that you can't

teach me?" Will the House please make her most welcome.

K. Conroy: Today I would like to welcome to the House

William Schwark, a third-year law student from the University of Victoria, along

with his mother Mary Schwark, who was born and raised in Trail and raised her

family in Robson and is a teacher. As well, they have Mary's niece Marian

Plotnikov with them. She's the operator of a travel agency in Grand Forks.

Please join in welcoming them to the House.

[1410]

L. Mayencourt: It seems we have developed a little bit of a

theme for today's introduction of guests. We've left one person out, and I want

to make sure we mention her. Jinny Sims, the president of the B.C. Teachers

Federation, is here today. Would the House please make her welcome.

Tributes

ROBERT JAMES SHEWFELT

Hon. R. Thorpe: I rise with sad news today and would ask

the House…. Robert "Bob" James Shewfelt, former mayor of Summerland, passed

away, and we had a memorial service for him on Saturday. He was affectionately

known as "Mayor Bob," and he served two terms in Summerland. Bob will be sadly

missed by his family and all of those whose lives he touched, not only in

Summerland but in the Okanagan and in British Columbia. Mr. Speaker, I would ask

that your offices send the family the condolences on behalf of all the members

of this House.

Mr. Speaker: It will be done.

Statements

(Standing Order 25

b) CRYSTAL METH

R. Cantelon: I'm speaking today on the issue of crystal

meth, something that will be of interest to our members and also to the people

in our gallery today. Last Thursday I attended a public meeting on crystal meth

in the school gymnasium at McGirr School in Nanaimo. The room was full of

anxious parents, homeowners, business people, community workers, volunteers,

politicians and crystal meth survivors. And "survivors" is the right term, from

what I heard from a Mr. Gordon Robson and from the rehabilitated users

themselves.

Now, this session was put on by a man called Gord Robson of the

Crystal Meth Task Force. I want to caution and warn the members of both sides of

this House that it was a compelling and frightening evening in

[ Page 142 ]

many respects. I advise you: don't invite this man to your riding unless you

want the truth about crystal meth. Don't ask him in unless you are ready to hear

the damage that this vicious drug can inflict on your community, especially to

our young people. Certainly don't ask him unless you are prepared to get

involved and do something about this scourge.

There are not enough adjectives severe enough to describe the

effects of this pernicious drug. It is the most destructive and compelling drug

to attack our streets and schools ever. Apparently it only takes a few uses, and

you're hooked. Once you are hooked on it, apparently nothing else matters but

the next hit. As one recovered user expressed it, you lose your sense entirely

of who you are as a person. It is a vicious drug that can inflict permanent

brain damage, and it is cheap and easy to manufacture from things you can buy at

your drug store off the shelf.

As I sat in front of the several hundred transfixed faces,

everyone wanting to hear who had an answer, I wondered, sitting there: are they

looking at me as a politician to solve the problem, or indeed, was I the one who

was looking at the people who needed to solve the problem? The answer is that it

will take both sides of that; it will take all of us. An all-hands-on-deck,

flat-out community effort is required to solve this problem, and there can be no

turf protecting in this war or political sides in tackling the problem. Every

community needs to call on this task force, and you can reach them at

crystalmethtaskforce.com. Nanaimo has joined Maple Ridge, Mission, North

Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey and Parksville in this community-based approach. I

call on the members of this House to support this and all other efforts to

eradicate this terrible drug.

CAREY PRICE

C. Wyse: It is with great pride I rise in the House today

to claim bragging rights for the people of the Cariboo for having the highest

NHL draft pick amongst the 79 constituencies of B.C. Carey Price of Anahim Lake

in Cariboo South was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the

NHL draft, fifth overall. He was drafted as a goalie.

Carey's parents were highly supportive of his hockey career. His

father Jerry, a former NHL eighth-round draft pick, 126th overall, would drive

Carey three and a half hours one way to Williams Lake for minor hockey practices

and weekend games. His mother Linda, presently chief of the Ulkatcho First

Nation band, assisted with the driving. Carey's peewee coaches, Niel Marshall

and Bill McGinnis, are particularly proud of this achievement. Lenny Adolph of

the Cariboo Coyotes would coach Carey after minor hockey season was completed,

and this native teen played in tournaments in B.C. and Alberta.

[1415]

At a recent event I attended at Anahim Lake, I was struck by

Carey's presence amongst his home community. He patiently provided everyone that

wished an autograph with one. He proudly claimed Anahim Lake as his home while

recognizing Williams Lake support for his development in hockey.

To assist you with further insights to this 18-year-old and his

family, I give you two quotes. Jerry on Carey, or father on son: "He is always

willing to learn, he is a great listener, and he has a solid mental game." Carey

on Jerry, or son on father: "He taught me to be tough mentally and coached me

the whole way through. He helped me with the technical side like angles and

positioning, and he taught me never to be arrogant."

Last night in his NHL debut Carey shut out the Atlanta Thrashers

as he played the first half of the game. With that, I request the House to join

me in recognizing Carey Price and his family and all those individuals who

contribute to Carey's success.

MOUNT POLLEY MINE

J. Rustad: It is my great pleasure today to highlight the

booming success of the growing mining industry over the past four years, success

that is so critical to the people of our province that even a member of the NDP

stood up and talked about it. But I found it amusing that the hon. member for

Cariboo North talking about the Mount Polley mine in northern B.C. lectured us

about how the mining industry works.

Now I could stand here and detail the NDP's destruction of the

B.C. mining industry and how our government has worked tirelessly to revive this

critical industry, but I think the words of Imperial Metals chairman spoken at

the grand reopening of Mount Polley this past Friday, which I had the honour of

attending, really tell the true story: "For my

part I would say that much of the

credit goes to a provincial government that has streamlined the permitting

process and encouraged British Columbians to invest in mineral exploration by

offering additional tax credits under the federal flow-through share financing

program. The payback to the province has been remarkable."

The payback from the Mount Polley project has been incredible,

with more than $6.5 million per month being put back into our economy. This is

particularly significant considering that in 2003 the market capitalization of

Imperial Metals was just $7.5 million. Today it's more than $120 million,

employing more than 250 people.

The hon. member for Cariboo North would have you believe the

success was due to commodity price increases, but once again, in the words of

Imperial Metals chairman: "If the super flow-through shares financing had not

been available, Imperial Metals would not have raised the money to explore in

B.C., and this mine would not be reopening today."

This is the key that the NDP never seemed to understand, including

the hon. member for Cariboo North. When done right, government policies can

encourage growth, help create jobs and bring investment to our province. The NDP

would like us to think that industries like mining are simply twigs in the

stream,

[ Page 143 ]

buffeted by changes in commodity prices. But this government knows better.

Mr. Speaker: Time, member.

J. Rustad: Thank you very much.

MANN CUP WIN BY VICTORIA SHAMROCKS

J. Horgan: I just want to echo the comments of the member

for Richmond Centre and advise this House that yet another Canadian championship

has returned to British Columbia and particularly to the city of Victoria. After

a 12-month absence, the Mann Cup has returned home. Members will know that

Canada has two official national sports: one that we're aware of in the winter,

and more importantly another one, the fastest game on two feet, in the summer.

When I was growing up as a lad here in Victoria, there was only

one national sport and that was lacrosse. I spent my teen years at the Memorial

Arena waiting — waiting in vain for the day that the Shamrocks would lift the

Mann Cup high into the rafters of that venerable old institution. But year after

year that coveted prize was elusive. We would lose in the western finals to the

Shamrocks or the Adanacs and, periodically, to the dreadful Vancouver Burrards,

as I was saying to my friend from Hastings. Nonetheless, it was elusive.

[1420]

It wasn't until 1978 when I happened to be in the city of Toronto

doing a tour of Canada looking for a university to go to, to broaden my horizons

and get a view of the world away from Vancouver Island that the Shamrocks were

in Peterborough for the Mann Cup. I couldn't miss the opportunity, so I went to

Peterborough for game seven. They lost, regrettably, again, but I was there. The

next day I went to Trent University, where I spent the next four years getting

an undergraduate degree and meeting my wife.

It's with great enthusiasm that I remind this House and urge them

to congratulate the Victoria Shamrocks for defeating the Peterborough Lakers at

the heart of sport in the Western Communities, the Bear Mountain Arena. Will you

please join me in recognizing and congratulating coach Walt Christianson and his

staff; Shamrock management; all the hard-working volunteers who make lacrosse

the game it is; and particularly the most valuable player, goalie Anthony Cosmo;

and the entire Shamrock team. Make them welcome.

MULTICULTURALISM AND IMMIGRATION

D. Hayer: I want to touch today on a topic that is very

near and dear to my heart: multiculturalism and immigration. I am an immigrant,

and like many of my colleagues in this House I appreciate the opportunities

provided to us and provided to the rest of the people in this wonderful country

of ours that we now call our home. The opportunities are boundless in a country

that urges us to not only retain our culture but to celebrate it, encourages us

to become citizens, and allows us to do anything and everything we want, even to

seek and attain the highest office in the land.

We champion cultural diversity. We celebrate our differences. In

Surrey alone we have one of the most diverse regions anywhere on this continent.

More than 90 different languages are spoken. We celebrate that diversity, we

encourage immigration, and we benefit from it immensely.

Without diversity we could not create nor pursue the offshore

trade that is so vital to our economy. We would not welcome foreign-trained

professionals who provide much-needed additions to our skilled workforce.

Without total acceptance of multicultural diversity we could not attract foreign

investment so vital to our economic strength.

I stand here as an example of the opportunity this country offers.

I am a proud British Columbian and a proud Canadian. I am equally proud that

this government is developing a new relationship with our first nations people.

We can now stand and say we are proud to be among the most culturally diverse

people on the globe.

ASSAULTS ON SENIORS IN SURREY PARK

H. Bains: In recent weeks seniors have been assaulted in

Surrey parks. Two seniors, Mr. Shingra Singh Thandi and Mr. Mewa Singh Bains,

were beaten and robbed at Surrey's Bear Creek Park. I'm sad to report here that

both of them have died due to the injuries they suffered. First, I send my

sincere condolences to the families of Mr. Thandi and Mr. Bains. The families

are still wondering why their father, husband, brother, grandfather was taken

away from them in such a violent way. Secondly, I applaud the RCMP and other

members of the public, who moved in very quickly and helped arrest two youths in

a very short period of time.

Seniors, who are our fathers and grandfathers, built this province

and this country. They made sacrifices in their lifetimes so that we can have a

better life. They went to wars and risked their lives so that we can enjoy

freedom. But due to these ugly incidents, our seniors are afraid to walk our

streets alone and do not feel safe to enjoy a stroll in our parks.

[1425]

It is our responsibility and it's incumbent upon us to ensure

their safety and well-being. We must ensure that they are treated with respect

and dignity in our society, as they deserve. Therefore, I urge all members of

this House to redouble our efforts to work with federal and municipal

governments and in cooperation with police, with a goal to rule out violence in

our neighbourhoods so that our seniors can enjoy their remaining lives with a

sense of security and safety and enjoy a card game with their friends in our

parks. A candlelight vigil is being held this coming Saturday,

[ Page 144 ]

September 24 at 7 p.m. at Bear Creek Park. I urge all of you who are in the

area to join the family there.

Oral Questions

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS

R. Fleming: Will the Minister of Finance admit that her

government's cuts to seniors programs over the last four years forced them to

choose between rent and food?

Hon. C. Taylor: I'm pleased to speak to the budget which we

presented last week, because we have a very strong focus on low-income seniors

in our community. We have committed $242 million to help in assistance programs.

We're bringing back the seniors supplement. We are increasing the SAFER grant,

which, I will remind everyone, hadn't been improved since 1990. Even though we

all know what has happened to rents in the past 15 years, that particular

program hadn't been expanded, so we've expanded that and also now broadened it

to allow low-income seniors who live in manufactured homes to also access it.

We've also put 150 million new dollars into the Health Ministry, specifically to

help ease the transition of our older seniors as they have health needs in the

community.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

R. Fleming: That didn't answer my question. The government

made the choice in 2002 to eliminate the income supplement that made the seniors

choose between rent or food. The B.C. Liberals have consistently denied the pain

they've caused over the last four years.

Can the Minister of Finance tell us what evidence she now has that

her government forced seniors to choose between paying the rent and buying

groceries?

Hon. C. Taylor: In fact, seniors did not see their income

go down. During that period the federal government supplement was increasing and

ours was diminishing, so the level of income that seniors had stayed exactly the

same. However, we do realize that pressures are great on seniors. That's why in

this particular budget update, with the economy doing well, we decided that it

was important to focus on those who are vulnerable in our community — namely,

the low-income seniors.

We are taking very aggressive steps — $242 million in three years

— to make sure that we bring back the income supplement. We're not hiding from

that. We're bringing back the income supplement. We're also increasing the SAFER

assistance program, which was never increased during all of the '90s as rents

went up. We believe that that, plus expanding the program, will help many

low-income seniors in this province.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a further supplemental.

R. Fleming: That was an explanation of how the province

moved in and added their own cuts to what the federal government was making —

initiatives in mid-2002. But last week the Minister of Finance told the media

that some seniors in this province couldn't both pay the rent and afford to buy

food. We've heard from seniors that some of them can't afford to buy

cholesterol-lowering drugs and have to make that choice between life-saving

drugs and rent. She said that some pensioners might be cutting back on chicken

to make rent payments, in the media. That's why she restored the seniors income

supplement in her budget last week.

Again to the minister: will she now admit to this House what she

said last week — that over the last four years this government forced low-income

seniors to squeeze their food budget and pay the rent?

[1430]

Hon. C. Taylor: I believe there is no question in saying

that seniors throughout history — but certainly in the last few decades, as

we've seen cost of living go up so much — are often the ones that are the most

vulnerable in our community. They work hard all their lives; they look after

their children. In British Columbia they believe in this province, but when they

get to their aging years, they often find that they haven't enough dollars to

really look after themselves in the way we would all wish. I know stories — I'm

sure everyone knows stories; I have heard them for the last 20 years — of

seniors who, at the end of the month, have to make some choices that are very

difficult.

That's why in this first budget of the mandate, first of five,

we've moved aggressively to focus on seniors first — because I think that while

there are many things in the community that we want to do, we're starting with

seniors.

Mr. Speaker: Thank you, minister.

Hon. C. Taylor: There are many ways we have helped them, in

fact. The Fair Pharmacare and also the MSP assistance premium improvements that

were included in this budget will mean great benefits and reductions for many of

our seniors in this area as well.

J. Kwan: By the minister's own admission, the cost of

living has gone up and seniors had to suffer because they received cuts from

this government. The supplement was cut by this government four years ago.

Increased costs were imposed by this government, and seniors had to suffer

because they couldn't pay for those increased costs. They have to choose between

rent and food.

You know what? The federal government might have stepped up to the

plate because of the cuts from this government. I might remind this House and

this

[ Page 145 ]

minister that it was this very Premier, when he was in opposition, who

actually said that we don't need more money from the federal government. How

times have changed. Now this minister says: "Thank God the federal government

was there to step up to the plate."

Let me say this, Mr. Speaker. The minister admitted last week that

seniors had to choose between rent and food. Now she's back in her message box.

Mr. Speaker: Question, member.

J. Kwan: What does this building do? B.C.'s richest

corporations get a huge tax break that they weren't asking for, and seniors get

to eat chicken.

To the minister: why did the government take away the seniors

supplement in the first place, when it knew — and should have known — that it

would make life so hard for so many low-income seniors when they have to be

choosing between rent and food?

Hon. C. Taylor: As we have said so many times, the

importance of turning the economy around was so that we would have the dollars…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

Hon. C. Taylor: …to put towards programs that were

important for our community, and that especially includes seniors. When this

budget update came out and there was a chance to have enough dollars to focus on

certain priorities, we said very strongly that it's our low-income seniors we're

going to start with.

I also would remind the hon. member that the opposition, when they

were in government, had many opportunities to do the same and increase the SAFER

grant — which is shelter assistance for elderly renters — but they did not take

that opportunity.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

J. Kwan: Is the minister meaning to say that seniors in the

last four years actually didn't matter? "Too bad for them that they had to

choose between rent and food." Is that what the minister is saying? Because

that's exactly what the government has done. They actually hoisted those cuts on

the backs of seniors. The Minister of Finance wants British Columbians to

believe that this budget is about caring for poor seniors. "It is about social

justice," the Minister of Finance says. But what it's really about is a surprise

tax cut for B.C.'s richest corporations and small relief for seniors.

Make no mistake about it, hon. Speaker. Budget is about

priorities. This government chose to ignore the needs of the seniors four years

ago, and what they give back in this budget doesn't even barely begin to make up

for what they lost in the last four years.

Will the minister just admit that all her budget does for seniors

is give back a very little of what this B.C. Liberal government took away in the

first place? A simple answer, yes or no, will do.

[1435]

Hon. C. Taylor: It would be a shame just to use one or two

words when I can use so many more words to answer. That is to say once again….

It has been very important to have the economy turn around and make sure…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Order, please.

Hon. C. Taylor: …that we, in fact, had enough dollars to

spend on our priorities. We're starting this mandate with the first budget that

focuses on our seniors. In fact, there are 242 million new dollars put into the

seniors supplement, to the SAFER program which we are expanding not only into

terms of its definition but also in the assistance that it provides. We're also

putting more money towards hospital beds to make sure that our seniors are well

taken care of.

I will remind people, as well, that we have introduced in this

budget the B.C. tax reduction, and that is for the lowest and next category of

income earners. That also applies to seniors.

REVIEW OF DEATH OF SHERRY CHARLIE

C. James: We've heard, over and over again, the Finance

Minister talk about the fact that a budget is about making choices. We saw in

this budget that a little bit was given back to seniors, but it gave nothing to

children in need.

This summer we learned the details of a tragic case that I know is

of deep concern to everyone in this House. Sherry Charlie was only 19 months old

when she died in 2002. She died at the hands of a caregiver who later pleaded

guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to ten years in jail. It's a tragic

case and one that I know we all find difficult, but we must learn from this

young girl's death so that other tragedies can be prevented. Sherry died in

September 2002. The ministry received a report on her case in March of 2004.

I would like to ask the Minister of Children and Families: why did

this government hold on to that report until after the election?

Hon. S. Hagen: I'm happy to answer the question, but every

time this is raised, the parents of Sherry Charlie have to go through the sorrow

again. I will say again, as I have said publicly, that we are all sorry for the

loss of Sherry Charlie. But for the member's information, I just want to outline

the steps for you so that you're clear.

The

summary is a high-level overview of the pertinent facts of the

matter. The director's review is a complete story from start to finish. Rarely

are these reviews released, and certainly never are they released without

severing information to protect the families in these

[ Page 146 ]

matters. This review had to go back and forth to the person who was doing it,

which took a lot of time. The director, who has the authority to release it,

would not have held it back because of the election. It was a normal course of

events that took place, and we got together with the three parties at the

earliest possible time in Vancouver to release the

summary.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition has a

supplemental.

C. James: I can assure the minister and others in this

House that everyone sitting on this side of the caucus understands the pressures

on Sherry Charlie's family. That's why we're raising the issue — because the

best thing we can do for Sherry Charlie and for her family is to ensure that

something like this does not occur again.

The purpose of these reports is to inform best practice. It's to

avoid similar situations happening again. The government should have acted

quickly to release the information and then worked with all parties to make

change. It's not about blame; it's not about pointing fingers. It's about

ensuring that this does not happen again. It was only after significant pressure

from the opposition and the public that the government released the report in

full.

I ask again to the minister: who made the decision to hold the

report for over a year, and who made the decision to release the inadequate

summary?

[1440]

Hon. S. Hagen: That responsibility lies with the director.

A. Dix: My question, as well, is for the Minister of

Children and Family Development. Will the minister confirm that the original

terms of reference for the director's review into the Sherry Charlie tragedy

were changed in October 2002, deleting a reference as to whether the ministry's

response to child protection concerns was adequate?

Hon. S. Hagen: I was not the minister at that time and am

not aware of it, but I'm happy to follow it up for the member.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

A. Dix: I ask the minister whether he will be prepared to

return to the House today, table the original terms of reference for the review

and explain why a full investigation into the ministry and his government's role

was blocked as early as October 2002.

Hon. S. Hagen: I will take that question on notice.

KITH-AND-KIN AGREEMENT GUIDELINES

G. Robertson: The fact of the matter is that the ministry

did make some serious and tragic mistakes that must be answered for. Those

answers should have come months ago. Sherry Charlie had been placed in a home

under one of the ministry's kith-and-kin agreements. The guidelines for this new

form of child protection were faxed out in draft form to aboriginal agencies

without any training whatsoever.

To the minister: why did the ministry send out draft guidelines on

such an important new policy as kith and kin in a negligent manner and without

any training?

Hon. S. Hagen: I can tell you that the delegated agency or

the delegated authority, which is the Nuu-chah-nulth, and the ministry have

worked very, very closely together since this tragedy to make sure that we've

tightened things up so that they can't happen again.

It's always great to stand up when you're in opposition and

pontificate, but let me remind the House that the NDP never released directors'

reviews unless by FOI request. The NDP never held a press conference to go over

any child deaths and subsequent reviews, and the NDP never put out a release

with regard to any child's death — or reviews.

I can say categorically in this House that this ministry is more

open and transparent than any other ministry of its kind in Canada and probably

the United States and Europe as well. We release all the information that we can

without violating the privacy of the family and without violating the Privacy

Act, to make sure that we are in fact accountable and the public does know

what's going on.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

G. Robertson: Let me remind the minister that under the

previous NDP governments, we had an independent child commissioner that your

government did away with. To get back to the subject at hand, these kith-and-kin

guidelines were deeply flawed. They included a checklist of criminal offences to

be done before a child could be placed in a home.

However, 29 criminal offences — including abduction, assault,

sexual assault, attempted murder and other very serious crimes that children are

often the victims of — were left off the list. Why did the ministry leave these

29 offences off the list of crimes that social workers were supposed to do

criminal-record checks for?

Hon. S. Hagen: I have said on the record that a mistake was

made by one of our social workers, and we recognize that, but we also want to

make sure we learn from this so that these sorts of things can't happen again.

If you look at our website, you'll see the 12 recommendations that were made,

and all of those either have been completed or will be completed early this

fall.

[1445]

At the same time, our desire is to work with the aboriginal

community and work with delegated aboriginal agencies to make sure that

aboriginal children can stay in aboriginal homes or in the home of a rela-

[ Page 147 ]

tive. We agree with the aboriginal community on that, and that's what we want

to continue to work towards.

M. Karagianis: Several times in this questioning I've heard

the minister put responsibility for this issue on someone else's shoulders. I

say that the minister needs to own up to these mistakes and take responsibility.

When the ministry discovered the guidelines were flawed, that

information should have been made public so that changes could have been made

effective immediately. Why did the government not disclose the information it

had about the flawed guidelines as soon as it was discovered there was a

problem?

Hon. S. Hagen: There is a process we go through in

government. It's controlled by the director. That process was carried out

according to the act.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

M. Karagianis: The guidelines were a significant part of

the problem. The ministry's ability to manage its most important duty, the

protection of children, was hampered by severe budget cuts. In 2002, the same

year Sherry Charlie died, the government had tried to cut $360 million out of

the budget for children and families at the same time that the ministry was

going through massive restructuring. This was a dangerous combination that all

the experts warned the B.C. Liberal government about several times.

However, the minister refuses to see the connection. In fact, he

said on August 5 that Sherry Charlie's tragic case had nothing to do with budget

or saving money. Is the minister still convinced that budget cuts and chaotic

restructuring played no

part in this tragic case?

Hon. S. Hagen: This occurred because of a tragic error made

by one of our employees — okay? Having said that, I have a high level of

confidence in our social workers. I believe they do their job professionally. I

believe they do their job well.

The challenges that are faced every day by our front-line social

workers in this ministry are the most difficult challenges we deal with in

government. None of us would want to see this happen again. None of us do want

to see it happen again. I can say it was a mistake that was made that was not

related to budget cuts.

M. Farnworth: We agree with the minister's statement that

the aboriginal community should take responsibility or should have

responsibility. We also feel that in order to do that, they need to have the

resources. Here in this House, it's not a social worker who has to take

responsibility; it's the minister and the government.

It's government policy and decisions by the ministry that must be

addressed here as well as the negligent way the government provided guidelines

on kith-and-kin placements. There are also some troubling questions on how those

agreements were designed.

It's not just what was left out of them that's troubling, but it's

also what's in them that's the problem. For example, they state that a formal

assessment of the care providers will not be conducted. In addition, they

instruct social workers: "You are not monitoring the care providers' home or the

care of the child." That's a fundamental flaw.

Eliminating safeguards such as formal assessments and ongoing

monitoring saves money, but the minister has denied that saving money had

anything to do with this ministry's errors. Why were kith-and-kin agreements

designed without these important safeguards for children's safety?

Hon. S. Hagen: I can assure the member opposite that we

require anyone in the proposed care provider's home who is 18 years or older to

have a criminal-record check. The same checks and balances are there as in a

foster home.

[1450]

I might also add that it was the mother who asked that the child

be placed in this home. That's a requirement under the kith-and-kin arrangement.

The mother asks the social worker or the ministry to place the child in a home

of a relative.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

M. Farnworth: Yes, the mother has a say. But it's also not

the mother's fault. It is the government who must ensure that the standards and

regulations are there. In this case they weren't. Those two key areas were left

out.

The questions we've had here today point to the critical lessons

that need to be learned from this tragic incident. These lessons could have been

shared and learned months ago, but instead the government chose not to release

the report until after an election.

After everything we've heard today, how can the minister justify

his government's decision to hold onto this report for 15 months and put

political timing ahead of child protection?

Hon. S. Hagen: As my colleague said last week, there's a

great deal of similarity between the lack of research or incorrect research of

this NDP opposition and the last NDP opposition. I take a bit of offence that

there is an accusation that this report was stalled because of the election.

I've already made clear that the director of child welfare cannot do that under

the law. It was not stalled.

The other important thing to note here is that as soon as the

incident occurred and as soon as the facts were found out by the ministry,

changes were then commenced. Over the three-year period changes have been taking

place to make sure that practices are improved and to make sure that as soon as

we know that

[ Page 148 ]

there is something wrong, those changes are made so that the child's life is

safe.

FUTURE OF PORT ALICE PULP MILL

C. Trevena: A year ago the specialty cellulose mill in Port

Alice closed. For a year people have been hanging on, hoping that a deal would

be brokered which would get them back to work and save their village. Now their

EI has run out, and they're still waiting — now because negotiations are finally

happening. But we all know that negotiations take time. Nobody can expect an

overnight agreement.

I'd like to ask the Minister of Economic Development why his

government waited almost a full year, until five minutes to midnight, to step in

and start the negotiation process.

Hon. C. Hansen: In fact, government has been very active

over the past year to try to find a private sector operator who would be willing

to reactivate the mill. The government is not an owner of this property. It is a

bankrupt mill, and it is in the hands of the trustee. The trustee has also been

very active in trying to identify companies that might come to the table to

reactivate this mill.

The fact of the matter is that a lot of the economics for starting

up the mill weren't there, even as recently as a few months ago. As world prices

have changed, it's actually once again made this mill viable in the eyes of some

people. That's not a determination that government has to make. That is a

determination that the private sector proponent needs to make. I'm pleased to

report that there has been some considerable progress made over the weekend and

on Friday towards getting an agreement in place.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

C. Trevena: Yes, there have been buyers around talking

about the mill since about December. I know that the trustee has been very

vigilant, and they've been looking at all the potential buyers and making sure

that whoever does come up, whether it's this buyer or another buyer, will

actually be able to keep the mill going.

This is a profitable mill. It's a specialty cellulose mill. What

it produces is produced in very few places, and what it manufactures goes into

so many different products and creates so much money for the B.C. economy that

it would be worthy to make sure that it does get up and running.

However, we are still talking about negotiations, and we've had

close negotiations for the last month or so, where people have thought we are

close to a deal. As the minister says, now we think that we're close to a deal

again. I very much hope for the people of Port Alice that we are close to a

deal. However, if we're not, I would like to know what the minister would do to

help the people of Port Alice move on.

[1455]

You said a couple weeks ago in a letter to the North Island

Gazette that the province is committed to helping the community build a

better future. I would like to know from the minister just what you envisage you

would do to make sure that the village of Port Alice does have a future.

Hon. C. Hansen: We have made it quite clear that we are

prepared to assist the residents of Port Alice. Our first hope, of course, is

that the mill can be reactivated again, and there is a lot of work that's

focused on trying to make that a reality. We've also made it quite clear over

this period of time that if this were not to come together, if the mill were not

to be reactivated, we are still going to be there for the community. The

Minister of Community Services has looked at ways that her ministry can assist

the community. Some of that has already been provided in a transitional sense.

If the mill were not to be reactivated, there are other programs

that would roll out. But that's our second choice. Our first choice is to make

sure we do everything possible to ensure that this mill is reactivated again so

there can be a major employer, so that the major employer in that community can

be there once again providing good jobs.

I think what's also important is that that's not done at all

costs. We cannot forsake the responsibility that any mill operator in this

province has towards ensuring that the environmental problems do not get

triggered in the future — with any mill operator not having to take

responsibility for those problems, should they manifest in the future.

That's the issue. We want the jobs. We want the mill reopened, but

we also have to make sure that those environmental issues are protected.

[End of question period.]

Reports from Committees

Hon. M. de Jong: Mr. Speaker, I have a report to present. I

have the honour to present the first report of the Special Committee of

Selection for the first session of the 38th parliament.

I have that report. For the benefit of members, just let me alert

them to the details of the report. The Special Committee of Selection —

appointed on September 12, 2005, to prepare and report lists of members to

compose the select standing committees of this House — reports the following

lists of members to compose the select standing committees for the present

session.

Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs: Ms. Polak,

Convener; Mr. Horning; Mr. MacKay; Ms. McIntyre; Ms. Roddick; Ms. Whittred; Mr.

Fraser; Mr. Austin; Mr. Coons; Mr. Lali.

Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations: Mr. Black,

Convener; Mr. Cantelon; Mr. Jarvis; Mr. Lekstrom; Mr. MacKay; Mr. Rustad; Mr.

Evans; Mr. Chudnovsky; Mr. Puchmayr; Mr. Gentner.

Select Standing Committee on Education: Mr. Nuraney, Convener; Mr.

Jarvis; Mr. Lee; Mr. Mayencourt; Ms. Polak; Mr. Rustad; Mr. Robertson; Mr.

Horgan; Mr. Routley; Ms. Thorne.

[ Page 149 ]

Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services: Mr.

Lekstrom, Convener; Mr. Bloy; Mr. Hayer; Mr. Hogg; Mr. Lee; Mr. Yap; Ms.

Karagianis; Mr. Simons; Mr. Krog; Ms. Kwan.

Select Standing Committee on Health: Mr. Sultan, Convener; Mr.

Hayer; Mr. Jarvis; Mr. Nuraney; Ms. Roddick; Ms. Whittred; Mr. Cubberley; Mr.

Sather; Ms. Conroy; Mr. Wyse.

Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical

Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills: Mr. Horning, Convener; Mr. Bloy; Mr.

Hawes; Mr. Hogg; Mr. Krueger; Mr. Mayencourt; Mr. Chouhan; Mr. Cubberley; Mr.

Farnworth; Mr. Fleming.

Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Mr. Fleming,

Convener; Mr. Black; Mr. Cantelon; Mr. Hawes; Ms. McIntyre; Ms. Polak; Mr.

Rustad; Mr. Sultan; Mr. Yap; Mr. Bains, Mr. Dix; Mr. Ralston; Mr. Macdonald; and

Ms. Thorne.

I move that the report be taken as read and received.

Motion approved.

[1500]

Hon. M. de Jong: I ask leave of the House to suspend the

rules to permit the moving of the motion to adopt the report.

Leave granted.

Hon. M. de Jong: I move the report be adopted.

Motion approved.

Motions without Notice

POWERS AND ROLE OF FINANCE

AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE

Hon. M. de Jong: By leave, I move:

[That the Select Standing

Committee on Finance and Government Services be empowered:

1. To examine, inquire into and make

recommendations with respect to the pre-budget consultation report prepared by

the Minister of Finance in accordance with

section 2 of the Budget

Transparency and Accountability Act and, in particular, to:

(

a) Conduct public consultations across

British Columbia on proposals and recommendations regarding the provincial

budget and fiscal policy for the coming fiscal year by any means the

committee considers appropriate, including but not limited to public

meetings, telephone and electronic means;

(

b) Prepare a report no later than November

15, 2005 on the results of those consultations; and

(

a) To consider and make recommendations on the annual reports,

rolling three-year service plans and budgets of the following statutory

officers: Auditor General;

Chief Electoral Officer;

Conflict of Interest Commissioner;

Information and Privacy Commissioner;

Ombudsman;

Police Complaint Commissioner; and,

(

b) To examine, inquire into and make

recommendations with respect to other matters brought to the

Committee's attention by any of the Officers listed in 2(

a) above.

(

c) That the Select Standing Committee on

Finance and Government Services be the committee referred to in

sections 19, 20, 21 and 23 of the Auditor General Act and that the

performance report in

section 22 of the Auditor General Act be

referred to the committee.

In addition to the powers previously conferred

upon the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government

Services, the committee shall be empowered:

(

a) to appoint of their number one or more

subcommittees and refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to

the committee;

(

b) to sit during a period in which the House

is adjourned and during any sitting of the House;

(

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be

convenient; and

(

d) to retain personnel as required to assist

the committee,

and shall report to the House as soon as

possible, or following any adjournment or at the next following

session, as the case may be, to deposit the original of its reports with the

Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon

resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports

to the Legislative Assembly.]

Motion approved.

APPOINTMENT OF

LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES COMMITTEE

Hon. M. de Jong: All of my speeches won't be that

interesting, I can assure members.

By leave, I move:

[That a Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives be

appointed for the 38th Parliament, pursuant to

Section 9 of the Recall and

Initiative Act , R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 398, and the committee be comprised of

members of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical

Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills established this session.]

Leave granted.

Motion approved.

COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY

TO SIT IN TWO SECTIONS

Hon. M. de Jong: By leave, I move the following:

[Be it resolved that this House hereby authorizes the Committee of

Supply for this Session to sit in two sections designated

Section A and

Section B;

Section A to sit in such Committee Room as may be appointed from

time to time, and

Section B to sit in the Chamber of the Assembly, subject to

the following rules: 1. The Standing Orders applicable

to the Committee of the Whole House shall be applicable in both

Sections of the Committee of Supply save and except that in

Section A, a

Minister may defer to a Deputy Minister to permit such Deputy to reply to a

question put to the Minister.

[ Page 150 ]

2. Subject to paragraph 3, within one sitting day

of the passage of this Motion, the House Leader of the Official

Opposition may advise the Government House Leader, in writing, of three

ministerial Estimates which the Official Opposition requires to be considered

in

Section B of the Committee of Supply, and upon receipt of such notice in

writing, the Government House Leader shall confirm in writing that the said

three ministerial Estimates shall be considered in

Section B of the Committee

of Supply.

3. All Estimates shall stand referred to

Section

A, save and except those Estimates which shall be referred to

Section B under the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Order and such other

Estimates as shall be referred to

Section B on motion by the Government House

Leader, which motion shall be governed by the provisions of Standing Order

60A. Practice Recommendation #6 relating to Consultation shall be applicable

to this rule.

Section A shall consist of 18 Members,

being 11 Members of the B.C. Liberal Party and 7 Members of the New

Democratic Party. In addition, the Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole,

or his or her nominee, shall preside over the debates in

Section A.

Substitution of Members will be permitted to

Section A with the consent of

that Member's Whip, where applicable, otherwise with the consent of the Member

involved. For the first session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament, the Members

of

Section A shall be as follows: the Minister whose Estimates are under

consideration and Messrs. Cantelon , Hayer , Horning ,

Jarvis , Krueger , Lee , Lekstrom , MacKay and

Yap and Ms. Polak and Ms. Roddick , Messrs. Bains ,

Chouhan , Cubberley , Evans , Farnworth , Fraser

and Ms. Conroy .

5. At fifteen minutes prior to the ordinary time

fixed for adjournment of the House, the Chair of

Section A will

report to the House. In the event such report includes the last vote in a

particular ministerial Estimate, after such report has been made to the House,

the Government shall have a maximum of eight minutes, and the Official

Opposition a maximum of five minutes, and all other Members (cumulatively) a

maximum of three minutes to summarize the Committee debate on a particular

ministerial Estimate completed, such summaries to be in the following order:

(1) Other Members;

(2) Opposition; and

(3) Government.

Section B shall be composed of all Members of the House.

7. Divisions in

Section A will be signalled by the

ringing of the division bells four times.

8. Divisions in

Section B will be signalled by the

ringing of the division bells three times at which time

proceedings in

Section A will be suspended until completion of the division in

Section B.

Section A is hereby authorized to consider

Bills referred to Committee after second reading thereof and the

Standing Orders applicable to Bills in Committee of the Whole shall be

applicable to such Bills during consideration thereof in

Section A, and for

all purposes

Section A shall be deemed to be a Committee of the Whole. Such

referrals to

Section A shall be made upon motion without notice by the

Minister responsible for the Bill, and such motion shall be decided without

amendment or debate. Practice Recommendation #6 relating to Consultation shall

be applicable to all such referrals.

10. Bills or Estimates previously referred to a

designated Committee may at any stage be subsequently referred

to another designated Committee on motion of the Government House Leader or

Minister responsible for the Bill as hereinbefore provided by Rule Nos. 3 and

9.]

Leave granted.

Motion approved.

[1505]

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. de Jong: I call debate on Bill 4.

Second Reading of Bills

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND

PROTECTION OF PRIVACY

AMENDMENT ACT, 2005

Hon. M. de Jong: Bill 4, which is the subject of second

reading debate before the House, makes two specific amendments to the Freedom of

Information and Protection of Privacy Act. In short, what it does is bring the

appointment process for this legislative officer into line with the appointment

processes that are followed with respect to, I believe, all of the other

legislative officers.

I should just take a moment to alert members specifically to what

is occurring. The incumbent, Mr. Loukidelis, is coming to the end of his term.

In fact, his term has ended and, I believe, did so around the middle of August.

Upon review of the act, we determined that the incumbent was

precluded from being considered for reappointment by a very specific provision

of the act. I should say that, based on my review of what took place at the time

when the act was created, this wasn't an accidental thing, and members should

know this. From my recollection, the government of the day made a conscious

decision, which enjoyed support from both sides of the House, that for a variety

of reasons this should be a single-term appointment.

That is not case with respect to similar officers elsewhere in the

country where incumbents are afforded an opportunity to apply for reappointment

to a second term. That was not an option that was available either to Mr.

Loukidelis or to the members of this House who, I hope, following passage of

this legislative initiative, will be in a position to form a committee of

selection to consider who should be the next commissioner under the terms of the

act.

The first part of the amendment makes it clear that the committee

— and there will be a committee of selection staffed by members of the assembly

— will have the option. It does not guarantee anything. It means that the

members of the selection committee will have the option of considering an

application from Mr. Loukidelis.

[ Page 151 ]

My sense is there has been some discussion. I have certainly had

the benefit of discussions with members on the other side of the House, and

there is a sense that the committee should have that option. At the end of the

day, we will all be awaiting their recommendation. That's the first part of what

Bill 4 does.

The second part of this two- or three-section piece of legislation

is to confirm that, pending the work of the selection committee, Mr. Loukidelis

can continue in a capacity as an acting commissioner. The advice we received

also did not contemplate an incumbent being appointed to continue in an acting

capacity. The concern there, for the benefit of members, is that absent the

proper statutory authority, decisions that the acting commissioner might make in

the interim might lack the necessary protection of law.

The second part of this bill ensures that that authority exists.

It ensures that we, as a Legislative Assembly, have the authority to grant the

incumbent the ability to continue as an acting privacy commissioner.

[1510]

We think, then, that all of those authorities are there. We can

appoint the committee and get on with the task of interviewing and making a

recommendation to the House around who the next Information and Privacy

Commissioner should be. Those would be my initial comments on second reading.

M. Farnworth: It's my pleasure to make some comments from

the opposition's point of view on this bill, and I'd like to thank the House

leader for raising and introducing this at this particular time. We support

what's in the bill. We think it's a commonsense approach to dealing with the

question that did plague the initial committee when seeking to draw up the terms

of reference in the original act.

I was a member of that committee. It was felt at that time that a

single-term appointment would be appropriate and that the individual would then

probably be more inclined to perhaps not be concerned about a second-term

appointment in the discharge of their duties. As time goes by, one of the

benefits is that you get to see how

an act is working. You get to see what's

happening in other provinces, and British Columbia is alone from the other

provinces in not allowing, at this time, the incumbent to re-apply for a

position.

I think this brings us into line with other provinces, and it's

something that we will be supporting. It does not mean that the current

incumbent will get the position, but what it means is that they are able to

apply. We expect that there will be considerable interest in this position, as

it is a unique opportunity to be an independent officer of this Legislature.

Therefore, we will be supporting the bill, and we look forward to a speedy

passage.

Mr. Speake r : Seeing no other speakers, the

Government House Leader closes debate.

Hon. M. de Jong: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Only to add — I

think what I'm sure would be the comments of every member in the House — for the

incumbent, Mr. Loukidelis, words of thanks for the work that he has done thus

far in his term. I don't think I'm sharing any secrets. He has indicated a

desire to continue in that work and will, I know, therefore, be submitting to

the selection process. I know that all members are grateful for the work that he

has done in his capacity as commissioner.

With that, I move second reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. de Jong: I move that the bill be referred to a

Committee of the Whole for consideration at the next sitting of the House after

today.

Bill 4, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy

Amendment Act, 2005, read a second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole

House for consideration at the next sitting of the House after today.

Budget Debate

(continued)

Hon. O. Ilich: I appreciate this opportunity to make my

inaugural address to this House and to comment on the September budget update

which was tabled last Wednesday.

Before I begin, though, I'd like to express my sincere

appreciation to the people of Richmond and my constituency of Richmond Centre

for giving me the opportunity to represent them in this Legislature. I'd like to

congratulate Minister Linda Reid and MLA John Yap for their election victories

in Richmond. I know that the three of us will work hard to ensure the people of

Richmond will be well represented in Victoria. I'd also like to thank my family

and all the people who worked on my campaign and contributed throughout the

campaign.

[S. Hawkins in the chair.]

I grew up in Richmond, raised my family in Richmond and built a

successful business there. I'm very proud of the accomplishments of my

community. Richmond is a thriving multicultural and multifaceted city full of

talented and compassionate people. I'm proud to call it home. I'm very committed

to ensuring that the people of Richmond share in the benefits of this and future

budgets.

I want to thank the Minister of Finance and her staff for their

excellent work. Preparing the budget update required a tremendous effort by many

dedicated people over a short period of time. I want to let the minister and her

staff know that their efforts are appreciated.

The update forecasts a provincial surplus that is significantly

larger than anticipated. This allows us to do more for the people in our

communities who need help and, also, to continue to invest in the economy. We

decided in this first budget of the new mandate to focus on helping seniors,

strengthening our economic

[ Page 152 ]

competitiveness and supporting first nations. This focus will benefit my

community of Richmond.

[1515]

More than 20,000 people over the age of 65 live in Richmond, and

that's 12 percent of our population, so I'm pleased that this budget will

provide additional support to those seniors most in need in my community.

The September budget update provides an additional $242 million

over three years for a range of programs and services to benefit seniors. We are

renewing the seniors supplement to provide a monthly benefit to those seniors at

the lowest income levels, and this will benefit some 40,000 seniors across the

province.

We are also doubling the annual funding for shelter aid for

elderly renters. This will improve subsidies for low-income seniors who rent.

Also, we will expand coverage to those who own manufactured homes and pay pad

rental. In addition, we are investing in updating existing seniors health

facilities and modernizing the full range of services that will help seniors

live as independently as possible. This will help achieve two of our great

goals. These are to have B.C. lead the way in North America in healthy living

and physical fitness, and to build the best system of support in Canada for

seniors and those in need.

As Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Arts, I will work to ensure

that residents in my community of Richmond and across the whole province receive

the greatest benefit from increased investments in extra funding for seniors.

The stated goal for my ministry is to bring British Columbians together, to

build participation, celebrate excellence and increase the social and economic

benefits of tourism, sport and the arts.

The vital ingredients to healthy living include physical activity,

recreation and arts and culture. Ensuring that B.C. seniors have affordable

access to facilities and programs they need to maintain and improve their

fitness and health is a key goal for our government. We want to ensure that

seniors have what they need to continue living full and rewarding lives.

We must be doing something right in Richmond. I'd like to note

that according to Statistics Canada, people in Richmond have the greatest life

expectancy in Canada, living an average of 83.4 years, which is almost four

years longer than the normal average of 79.5 years. My community has launched a

program called Getting Richmond Moving, a program that encourages people of all

ages and abilities to get active and increase physical fitness.

Richmond seniors have been actively bicycling, walking, dancing,

gardening — doing all manner of things — and they've been staying active and

getting involved in the community, so I'm pleased to see that our seniors will

benefit from this budget update. Seniors built our province. They deserve to

benefit from a strong economy.

One reason I ran for office was this government's record of

managing our finances to make sure that we have the economic basis to take care

of those in need. We must also continue to ensure that we have sound fiscal

policies in place to support businesses and help them prosper. Government does

not create jobs by itself; businesses create jobs. This government has worked to

encourage growth with a series of measures to keep British Columbia competitive,

from income tax cuts across the board, to cutting red tape by one-third, to

targeted investments in key economic sectors. We are building on that record.

The September budget update contains new measures to enhance

B.C.'s competitiveness and support job creation. B.C.'s corporate income tax

rate is cut by 1½ percent from 13½ percent to 12 percent, and this will save

B.C. businesses $350 million over the next three years and make our province

more attractive for investment.

Additional tax reductions and investments will have a direct

impact on prosperity in my community, and I'm proud that this government

recognizes the needs of business. In Richmond there are over 12,000 licensed

businesses, and the people of Richmond are highly entrepreneurial. Richmond

hosts a range of industries and associated business activities, including

high-tech, aviation, transportation, tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and

retail. I know they look to this government for sound fiscal management as well

as appreciation of the challenges they face.

The budget update builds on the success of previous budgets. As

the Minister of Finance reported last Wednesday, British Columbia is outpacing

Canada in several key indicators, including retail sales, manufacturing, exports

and housing. B.C. has created over 230,000 new jobs since 2001. Overall, our

economic growth is again the best in the country, and this renewed economic

activity and optimism is clearly evident in Richmond, which boasts more than

116,000 jobs.

[1520]

Many of these jobs are at the Vancouver International Airport,

which will benefit greatly from increased tourism. As the Minister of Tourism,

Sports and the Arts, one of my mandates is to double tourism revenues.

I'm very happy to see that we have paid attention to first

nations, because in order to achieve this vision of increasing tourism revenues,

it is vital that first nations communities be our partners in consultation on

the use of land and resources. Developing a new and stronger relationship with

first nations is a priority for our government.

The need to move forward on this commitment was reaffirmed in the

September budget update. We have set aside $100 million for a First Nations New

Relationship fund. My ministry will take the lead in the tourism sector, working

with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, first nations

groups and Tourism British Columbia.

Achieving greater certainty for resort developers and investors

will help B.C. increase its economic competitiveness. First nations people need

to be partners in this development, and our government wants to make sure that

economic prosperity will benefit all of our citizens. I'm glad to see that the

September budget update continues the prudent approach to fiscal management that

has been a hallmark of this government.

[ Page 153 ]

It protects B.C. from revenue risks that might threaten our fiscal stability,

and it ensures that all areas of government have the resources they need to

achieve British Columbia's key priorities. A sound financial base enables

government to address other areas of our society and culture. It enables key

investments in community.

The 180,000 people in my community and the more than 50,000

families understand that a quality of life relies on good health and fitness and

a rich culture and heritage. Last year through the B.C. Arts Council, which

falls under my ministry, the government supported artistic and cultural programs

in 225 communities throughout the province. These included everything from art

galleries to symphony performances to literary festivals and book publishing.

Richmond is a community diverse in cultures and with a wealth of

recreation facilities, heritage sites, parks, trails, libraries, galleries and

performance spaces. I'm pleased that this budget update confirms an additional

$9 million over three years for the British Columbia Arts Council.

Earlier today I had the honour to represent the province at the

groundbreaking for the new Olympic speed skating oval in my community. The

province is providing $30 million toward this new and exciting facility. This

8,000-seat, 33,000-square-metre facility will be a centrepiece of the 2010

Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The oval will also provide a lasting legacy for

B.C. athletes and Richmond residents. The facility's permanent features include

a wellness centre and fitness centre as well as community activity areas

available for arts and cultural events. This is just one example of how our

government is taking advantage of the opportunities that the upcoming Olympics

represent to build substantial legacies for our communities.

Later this week I will also be presenting a cheque to assist the

John Lecky UBC Boathouse build a permanent facility to train competitive rowers

in Richmond. Through investments like this, we will build participation,

celebrate excellence and increase the social and economic benefits for all to

share.

Our government recognizes that the legacies we create will not

only be in the area of sport. I'd also like to note the commitment made by

government in the recent throne speech to establish a new Asia-Pacific museum of

trade and culture to showcase our Pacific history and tell our story to the

world. My ministry will take the lead in bringing this new museum to reality in

the upcoming years.

Richmond is a community made up of nearly 60 percent immigrants,

many from the Asia-Pacific. I'm proud to represent these hard-working

individuals and families, and I share in their belief that this is a province

where their culture can be recognized and celebrated. Thanks to the additional

funding provided by the budget update, we can now invest more in building our

cultural economy in communities throughout B.C.

[1525]

As well as tourism, sport, art and culture, I'm also pleased to

have the volunteer sector as part of my portfolio. In communities across the

province volunteers demonstrate every day how vital they are to our society and

to our quality of life. Richmond has a long tradition of volunteerism and a

substantial and energetic workforce and volunteer force. British Columbia's

volunteers today number nearly one and a half million, and collectively they

contribute 114 million hours of volunteer service each year. The voluntary

sector contributes $2.5 billion in benefits to the GDP of this province, and

this is a substantial economic benefit.

Perhaps the greatest benefit from volunteering is that it makes

people feel good. As well as helping and contributing to their communities,

people who volunteer their time and expertise benefit in terms of their own

health and well-being. My ministry will lead government's commitment to

recognize, support and build a volunteer force.

Our province's amateur sport is built on the work of volunteers.

There are more than 140,000 sport volunteers in B.C. They are at the heart of

the 5,000 clubs and not-for-profit societies involved in sport and physical

activity in our province. This coming Saturday I will be attending an event

celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Richmond Youth Soccer Association. This

group started with just six teams in Richmond and now boasts more than 160. It's

run entirely by volunteers. Groups like Richmond Youth Soccer make a significant

contribution to the well-being of our communities. We need to have our youth

participating in sport and physical activities.

The province has an ambitious goal to dramatically improve the

health and wellness of its citizens by encouraging them to act now and make

positive lifestyle choices. This includes increased physical activity.

Volunteers will play a big

part in helping to achieve our goal to get British

Columbians more active and fit.

Tourism is another of the pillars of the British Columbia economy.

To increase competitiveness, our tourism industry needs improved transportation

infrastructure. One of the most significant transportation investments we are

making is the new RAV line, which will provide high-speed connections between

downtown Vancouver, YVR and the city of Richmond. It will be completed in 2009.

It will deliver significant benefits for those working in Vancouver and living

in Richmond, and increase the flow of travellers in and out of the airport,

increase hotel business and substantially reduce air pollution by getting people

out of their cars.

This investment will pay off in future years for Richmond, for

Vancouver and for the entire province. More than 15 million passengers pass

annually through YVR in Richmond. It's the most vital gateway for our province,

and it's a vital component of my community. Improved transportation and

increased tourism traffic is not only good news for our province's 18,000

tourism enterprises; it's good news for all of the associated businesses that

support them.

Our government has also placed increasing emphasis on

strengthening our position as the Pacific gateway. In the tourism sector we are

poised to see sub-

[ Page 154 ]

stantial increases in visitors from China as we pursue approved destination

status with that huge market.

We have made economic development and service to our communities

and stakeholders the focus for the new ministry. Our objective is to improve the

B.C. economy by helping to grow these sectors and by exploring synergies between

sectors. Cultural tourism is one example, and sport tourism is another.

This year we will host the Grey Cup, world snowboarding

championships, world curling championships and the World Nordic Cup. At the end

of the year it's the World Junior Hockey Championships and the 2007 World Youth

Soccer Championships, to name a few. We'll also be hosting the Memorial Cup. In

2008 Cowichan will be hosting the North American Indigenous Games. This is great

news for the B.C. tourism industry and business in general.

I know that the people in my riding of Richmond will be very

pleased with the September budget update. In closing, I congratulate the

Minister of Finance for delivering the September budget update. It confirms and

builds on commitments made in February. In addition, it provides new tax relief

and makes new investments targeted to key needs. We can do this because we have

a stronger economy and a balanced budget with a surplus. This enviable situation

provides us with more choices, and I believe we are making the right choices.

We are also increasing our financial commitment to health care,

education and social programs, and we are building new infrastructure to support

our growing province. I have made a commitment to the people of Richmond to work

on their behalf. This budget provides a sound fiscal platform for me to be able

to do that. Importantly, it also recognizes that our goal is not just to pursue

economic growth for that purpose alone but to ensure that we do not leave behind

those in our community who are most vulnerable and in need.

[1530]

I thank my colleagues on both sides of the House for this

opportunity to comment on our government's fiscal plan. I believe it moves us

ahead in meeting the priorities of British Columbians, and I believe it

establishes a basis for more great things to come.

J. Yap: Madam Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to

congratulate you on your appointment as our Deputy Speaker and wish you well in

this important role in this House.

It's an honour and a privilege to rise in this House to speak as

the new member for Richmond-Steveston and to speak in support of the budget

update as outlined by the hon. Minister of Finance.

I want to thank the people of Richmond-Steveston. I'm honoured

that they chose me to be their representative in this House and look forward

with enthusiasm to working with the members of my caucus, with our government

and indeed with all members of the House, including members of the opposition,

to continue to make our province an even better place to live in, to raise a

family in, to invest in and to retire in.

I want to thank my family — my wife Suzanne, daughter Lisa and son

Michael — for their love, understanding and support, which means so much to me

as I embark on my new responsibilities in service to my constituents and this

assembly. I also want to acknowledge the dedicated support of the many

volunteers who helped me achieve my goal of getting elected as a member of this

Legislature. There are so many who came forward to help me, and I believe I have

thanked all of them. There are too many to name at this time, but I would like

to acknowledge two people whose hard work, support and counsel really made a

difference to me, and those are my campaign co-chairpersons Michael Chiu and

Brian Petersen.

I'd also like to acknowledge the efforts and contributions to our

province of my immediate predecessor as MLA for Richmond-Steveston, the hon.

Geoff Plant, who served British Columbia with distinction and integrity as

Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations. He also

served Richmond-Steveston well as our MLA, and I wish him well in his new career

path.

When I started my campaign to be elected to this Legislature, many

people asked me why I wanted to take this step. It's probably a question that

other members of this House get asked as well. I ran because I'm proud of the

achievements of the B.C. Liberal government, and I wanted to be part of the

continued rebuilding of British Columbia as the best place in Canada to live in.

In four years our government has turned our province around. British Columbia

has gone from last place to first place in terms of our economy. Our province

has been restored to its rightful place as the leading provincial economy in

Canada. By virtually every measure, B.C. is number one.

In job creation we are number one. There are 231,000 more jobs in

B.C. than in December 2001. These jobs help British Columbians provide for their

needs and support their families. Ninety-five percent of these jobs are

full-time positions — jobs which allow people to save for their futures and

achieve their dreams.

We've seen the lowest unemployment rates in 24 years. Our GDP

growth is strong. We are projected to see 3½ percent growth this year and to

achieve strong growth in the years to come. We see this growth in Richmond, my

community, where new home construction is progressing at a brisk pace as more

and more families move into our community to share in the quality of life that

we enjoy in a unique environment.

Coming from a financial background, I know that businesses need to

be encouraged to invest. But not everyone in this House is aware of the need for

this encouragement. During the election we heard the NDP say that government has

only a limited impact on making a difference to our economy. But British

Columbians know better and in May of this year re-elected our government under

the leadership of our Premier, something that had not happened in 22 years.

[1535]

As a result of our economic strength, we are now able to reduce

the general corporate income tax from

[ Page 155 ]

13½ percent to 12 percent. This tax cut will help all sectors of the economy

grow. More and better jobs will be created for British Columbians. The strong

economy allowed us to cut personal income taxes in February for those people who

have the lowest incomes in our society, so 730,000 British Columbians will pay

less provincial income tax or none at all.

Virtually all British Columbians who earn less than $16,000 a year

will pay no income tax. Those who earn $26,000 a year or less will pay lower

provincial income taxes than before. Now that we have a genuine surplus using

generally accepted accounting principles, I am proud that the B.C. Liberal

government is investing a significant portion, $242 million of the budget

surplus, towards helping seniors who need help the most — those on fixed

incomes.

I wholeheartedly support our goal of building the best support

system in Canada for persons with disabilities, special needs, children at risk

and seniors. Seniors are our priority. They are our mothers and fathers. They

brought us into this world, built this province, are the pioneers and hold a

special place in our hearts and lives.

I want to take a moment here to talk about what was said by the

opposition. The member for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant said: "The government talks

about a record surplus, but seniors are still waiting for long-term care beds."

Unfortunately, the member is wrong. Across B.C. we have built more than 4,000

new, replacement or upgraded residential care and assisted-living units for

seniors since 2001. Development and construction is continuing on 2,100 new

units right now as we debate this budget.

As part of this commitment to create 5,000 new beds for seniors by

2008, my own riding of Richmond-Steveston looks forward to the construction of

50 new assisted-living units at the Austin Harris site right in the heart of

Steveston, which just last month received approval from the city of Richmond to

proceed. I look forward in the near future to the sod-turning ceremony and the

official opening of this seniors care facility.

Five years ago, when the NDP was in power, seniors waited for as

long as a year for residential care beds. Today we're doing much better. Average

wait times for residential care are way down, between 30 and 90 days. This is

real leadership for B.C.'s seniors.

The budget update will double the level of support under the

SAFER, or Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters, program. This will help seniors in my

riding and across B.C. find housing and live their lives.

Health and education are major priorities of the government. We

will be investing $3.7 billion more per year in health care in 2007 and 2008

than in 2000 and 2001. Certainly, these are not the cuts that some groups have

said the B.C. Liberal government inflicted on health. Every year the B.C.

Liberal government increased funding to health care, and this has resulted in

better health for all British Columbians.

In health care, our government has increased investment in

programs which will better serve British Columbians, whether it is in reducing

wait times for needed surgical procedures or expanding needed hospital services

in the areas of our province most in need. The people of my community have

benefited from this investment. For example, at Richmond Hospital the necessary

resources have been provided to reduce wait times for hip and knee replacement

procedures. This is happening as we speak.

The budget offers $77 million over three years for the recruiting

and training of nurses. So far, this government has added 2,500 new

nurse-training spots in B.C. so that we can hire the nurses we need to provide

the health care our citizens need.

The Liberal government has nearly doubled the number of

doctor-training spaces in B.C., opened new medical schools at UVic and UNBC, and

a third medical training program will be added to UBC Kelowna. This is the first

increase in more than 20 years.

We are committing $465 million over three years for Pharmacare,

which will improve access to medical drugs for all British Columbians.

[1540]

Our great goal to make B.C. the best-educated, most literate

jurisdiction on the continent clearly is fundamental to our continued progress

and our future. Literacy is the foundation of education, which in turn is the

basis for an enlightened and progressing society. I'm pleased to see how this

goal is being developed in my community. For example, in the Richmond Public

Library, where two weeks ago I had the opportunity to hand a cheque of $57,000

over to the library…. These funds are to be applied towards additional resources

which will help keep Richmond's public library one of the best in the province.

This is part of the $12 million Libraries Without Walls initiative.

In education, we're investing more than we ever have in

kindergarten to grade 12, as well as in advanced education. I'm proud of the

strides our province has made in making our K-to-12 school system one of the

best in the country as measured by graduation rates. The government is spending

almost $900 more per student per year in K-to-12 education than in 2000-2001, in

spite of declining student enrolment.

All parents want their children to receive a quality

post-secondary education so that they will be prepared for their future. B.C.'s

strong economy allows us to make investments in post-secondary education for our

future.

Now, I'd like to revisit another quote from the speech from the

hon. member for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant. She stated: "Too many British

Columbians have lost access to higher education because they cannot afford

tuition, and the government has refused to honour its commitment to legislate a

tuition cap." Well, Madam Speaker, she is ignoring reality. We are limiting

tuition increases to the rate of inflation to ensure tuition levels remain

affordable for B.C. students and their families.

Right now tuition levels remain at or below the national average.

As this House is aware, the previous NDP government chose to freeze tuition fees

while

[ Page 156 ]

underfunding institutions. Post-secondary schools could not keep up with the

growing costs of delivering quality education. As a result, the education of

many students suffered. In 2001 it was common to hear about students who could

not get into classes that they needed to complete their studies. Often these

students would have to wait significant periods of time for these courses,

delaying the completion of their degrees by more than a year. This extra time of

study increased their student loans and delayed their entry into their careers.

But times have changed. The provincial government continues to

work on the goal of 25,000 new seats for post-secondary education by 2010. These

are seats which will provide our children with the education they need in a

timely fashion, preparing the future leaders of B.C.

I'm also proud of our government's new approach to the

relationship with first nations, the new relationship which will be marked by an

attitude of reconciliation. It's one which looks to help many of our first

nations brothers and sisters transition from a struggling socioeconomic status

to one which will be filled with hope for the future, where first nations people

can participate in this economic success which we call British Columbia. I

applaud the government for backing up its vision with the resources of the $100

million First Nations New Relationship fund.

As we pursue these great goals, turning them into action to

improve the lives of British Columbians, we will be making great progress as a

people — as a great province leading a great nation, Canada, forward. The people

of my riding, Richmond-Steveston — indeed all people of British Columbia —

expect us to move forward on these goals for the betterment of all.

I'd like to talk about my riding. My riding includes the historic

village of Steveston, which over a century ago was the commercial heart of what

we know of as Richmond today. Steveston has seen much change in the last 100

years as the fortunes of the commercial fishery changed over this period of

time. As we have seen British Columbia's economy evolve, so has Steveston's. As

we have seen the cultural mix of our province shift, so has the same happened in

Steveston. Today my riding is truly a representative example of our

multicultural society, with people from all ethnic and cultural groups living

together in harmony and seeking to make our part of this great province a

wonderful place to work and live and raise a family in.

[1545]

This budget provides immigrants $15 million over three years for

B.C. Skills Connect for Immigrants, to help them find work in their fields of

expertise. Being an immigrant to Canada myself, I know how important immigrants

are to my community and how B.C.'s continued success will hinge on their

success.

In my travels throughout my riding, I have heard the many voices

of people who want our government on both sides of the House to focus on a few

key areas which they consider to be critical. I sense a strong desire on the

part of the people of my riding for us to conduct ourselves in the best

interests of the people rather than as is expedient or convenient politically.

The B.C. Liberal government has responded in several ways. The

referendum on STV will happen again, this time giving more information to the

voters, such as what ridings would look like under STV. There is an Assistant

Deputy Speaker chosen from the ranks of the opposition. There is the expanded

oral question period. And we should not forget the aquaculture committee, which

will contain mostly opposition members and will be chaired by a member of the

opposition. Our government has reached out and attempted to end the petty

bickering and move forward to work in the best interests of all British

Columbians.

I say this mindful that there will be differences of opinion on

the how-to questions but that, by and large, we can have general agreement on

what it is we want to see happen in our province as we move forward as a people.

I would hope, I dare say, that all members can agree on the essence — the

essence, if not the specifics — of the great goals for our province, as these

goals individually and collectively can truly make a positive impact on our

lives as British Columbians.

I look forward to the road ahead for our province. I know there

will be many challenges, but I am confident we will be able to continue B.C.'s

economic growth, creating more and better jobs for all British Columbians. This

continued economic growth will allow the government to provide the health care

and education that British Columbians expect. This growing economy will allow us

to continue to do a great job in sustainable environmental management. I am

proud to speak in favour of this budget, which will continue to move British

Columbia forward.

N. Simons: I would just like to start by saying that I am

humbled with the opportunity to speak in this Legislature, and I think of the

800-plus members who have gone before me and have tried their best to serve

British Columbians in any way they could. I'm honoured to have the opportunity

to do what I can to assist in furthering the goals of all British Columbians.

I'm very fortunate indeed — and I echo the words of my colleagues in the House —

to have a strong partner beside me, encouraging me and supporting me in the work

that I do. I'm pleased to say that he's here today in the gallery.

I have the pleasure of representing what I think is the most

beautiful constituency out of the 79, and I'm sure everyone else will agree.

Interjection.

N. Simons: The member opposite might have the

second-nicest.

Powell River and Sunshine Coast reflect the diversity that exists

in our province. I'll give a tour to any member who wishes to enjoy the benefits

of living in that area that I've learned in the last 20 years I've lived there.

[ Page 157 ]

I had the distinct pleasure of giving my parents a tour of my

constituency, a small part of it anyway. It does extend from Keats and Gambier

islands all the way up to Queen Charlotte Sound and east to Tweedsmuir Park,

bordering on some of the northern ridings that I'm pleased to say are

represented by my fellow New Democrats. They enjoyed their visit immensely

because of the wonderful events and opportunities and just the physical beauty

of the area.

[1550]

I hope to do what I can to make sure the interests of the people,

the fish and the animals, and the forests and the lakes of my constituency are

protected so that they can be enjoyed by generations to come.

We're here now, and we have work to do. Nice to see the member for

Nelson-Creston, the first constituency I ever memorized. There you go. I didn't

call him by his name.

The four years ahead do excite me; they excite me a lot. I believe

that a new tone — perhaps a new approach to politics and to governance — may

seep its way through the thick marble of this chamber. Perhaps we'll have an

opportunity to work together, whenever possible, to hold each other to account,

as we've been doing for the last week and a half — I feel like a veteran — and

to make sure that our interests are always, really, toward making sure that

British Columbia is a healthy, safe and good place to live.

We all come from diverse backgrounds. We all bring to this House

our specific interests and our personal experiences that, I hope, serve to

inform the debate in this House. I hope that they increase the level of debate

in this House, but that's not to say anything against a good row once in a

while. I'm sure that when disagreements do come up — and they will; I'm just

predicting that; we can check the Hansard s later — we will always strive

to find solutions, but holding the government to account is not the same as

conflict for conflict's sake.

Earlier today in question period an issue close to my heart was

raised. I think I'll raise it later.

Let me talk about the constituency. Let me talk about the

wonderful opportunities that exist in Powell River–Sunshine Coast. We have

wonderful tourism opportunities. We have a geography like no other.

I'd like to acknowledge the Minister of Tourism, Sports and the

Arts. I have followed in her path as she's met with stakeholders around the

province, and I've always heard good things. I do look forward to working with

her. I believe there's a good opportunity to pursue and encourage the promotion

of tourism, the promotion of sport and the promotion of arts in this province.

We are a rich and diverse community, and I do look forward to that.

I was talking about the diversity in Powell River–Sunshine Coast.

I'd like to come back to that just for a moment. Just recently, this past

summer, there was a conflict of two events. Both were happening in Sechelt,

actually. One was the Festival of the Rolling Arts, which was a vintage car show

and shine that happened at the same time as the Festival of the Written Arts,

which wasn't. It was about the promotion and encouragement of reading and

literacy, of enjoyment of art for the sake of enjoyment.

I'm slightly troubled by the fact that so often the arts are

relegated to a secondary or tertiary role in our societies when, in fact, they

really form the cornerstone of our cultures. When you think of any place, when

you think of any country, province or region, the first thing you think of is

probably not economic development but probably the state of the culture of that

community. Whether you meet with artists or musicians or you think of

celebrations, festivals or events, that's the first thing we think about.

[1555]

I'm really honoured to have the opposition portfolio of tourism,

sports and the arts, and I look forward to pursuing the visiting and meeting

with people involved in those fields.

I'd like to talk for a moment about the issues of importance to my

constituents. The residents of Powell River and the Sunshine Coast, I think,

have suffered in not having a member from this party represent them in the last

number of years, and I'm pleased to offer them another voice in this

Legislature. I have a number of goals, and they are all reflective of the

interests of my communities.

The issue of a land and resource management plan for the Sunshine

Coast forest district is crucial, not just for the residents and the tourists

but for the businesses as well. We desperately need to have certainty over the

use of the land. It represents 15 percent of British Columbia that doesn't have

a land and resource management plan. I urge this government, and I'll be working

with this government, to ensure that we can bring certainty to the people of

Powell River–Sunshine Coast.

There are many reasons why we need a land and resource management

plan in Powell River–Sunshine Coast. Just recently a mining company moved in on

the Sechelt Inlet and began exploration. While we may applaud the increase of

mining opportunities in B.C., I believe that in all cases we need to find

balance. We need to find balance between industrial development and the other

interests that exist in communities.

We saw some visual scarring on the Sechelt Inlet. Many people were

concerned. Many people saw it from their homes. What concerned me most was the

fact that there was no opportunity — no real opportunity — for public input, for

public consultation, for the process of involving the community in decisions

that affect the community. I believe that a management plan would benefit all of

us, including those companies interested in exploring as well as the forest

industry, which needs to have some certainty as well.

It brings up the issue of Mount Elphinstone, a beautiful

recreational area very close to the community of Roberts Creek which has

recently had some lots sold, to the consternation of many, many people in the

community. It's my responsibility, I believe, as the representative of those

people, to express my concern, to reflect the concern expressed to me about

activities that have a long-term impact on the community. We're talk-

[ Page 158 ]

ing about protecting the watershed, ensuring that future generations have

opportunities for healthy and safe drinking water.

That's the second reason I think we need to make sure that

communities are consulted, that red tape, which we hear a lot from the

government, cutting red tape…. What that really means is there are probably some

places where bureaucracy was a bit of a quagmire. But in many cases it protected

the interests of local communities. I believe we really need to make sure that

communities have a say in the activities that take place within their

boundaries. These are some of the local issues.

[1600]

I'd like to bring up another issue that's a major concern to

residents of both the lower Sunshine Coast, which interacts mostly with the

lower mainland, and the upper Sunshine Coast, whose relationships are most often

with northern Vancouver Island. That is the issue of ferries. I believe the

Powell River residents are — what's the word? — saddled with three of the oldest

ships in the fleet.

I have the fortune of being able to speak about the ferries

without having much involvement in any previous history with ferries. I do

believe that as a government, as people representing diverse communities, we

really need to see the ferries as our highway system.

I can't get from Powell River to Victoria by car without taking a

ferry. I can't get from Powell River to Sechelt without taking a ferry, and I

can't get from Sechelt to Vancouver without taking a ferry.

So we are very, very heavily reliant on ferry service. My hope is

that we make sure that communities that are being consulted to a certain degree

— a little bit more than they have been in the past — have a say in how their

ferry services are delivered. That's another example of an issue I will be

working on.

There's been a huge influx of population into the area, into the

Sunshine Coast in particular. Our roads are becoming more crowded and more

dangerous. It's a concern because any sort of development that does occur is

reliant on the same roads that we all count on to get up and down the coast —

that's Highway 101.

In Powell River in the spring and through most of the summer and

into the fall, there is the Powell River farmers' market. Many, many residents

are very concerned that locally grown food, locally raised animals are not going

to be able to be sold because of new regulations. It will be my goal to ensure

that food security and access to local and locally grown organic or non-organic

— but mostly organic — food is available to community members who want to take

part.

Let me turn to the issue of Sherry Charlie. I think it's

important that after a question period which brought the issue up a number of

times…. I believe this is an issue that goes far beyond the specifics of this

case.

As you may know, I was commissioned to do the study on the death

of Sherry Charlie. It's not a partisan issue. It's an issue that cuts to the

core of governance and our role in this chamber. It cuts to the question of why

we are here. What is our role in government?

I have to say that I wasn't even a member of a political party

before I started that investigation. I'm not going to talk about the

investigation. I would rather talk about the broader impacts.

[1605]

First of all, it prompted me to get involved, in order to make a

difference, in order to make things better. I've felt somewhat frustrated in the

last couple of years that the real truths of that report will only have a

positive impact if they're understood. What we really need to look for, what we

really need to look into in more depth is not where to point the blame, not

where to find the fault, not to question the actions of individuals but to ask

ourselves: "Is it right to make across-the-board cuts in funding, in personnel,

to achieve an artificial goal of financial savings?"

I understand the philosophy, but I would ask that if the only

thing I can have an effect on here is that programs to the most vulnerable among

us are not slashed without careful and due consideration — so that a minister

can get a bonus or a ministry can save a certain amount of money…. That's an

abrogation of our responsibility as legislators.

I hope the issue is resolved in that way — that it goes

away — but it will only go away when there is some truthfulness and honesty and

openness. I worked in the Ministry of Children and Families, and I know what it

felt like to be tarred with a brush that was inaccurately aimed, with a broad,

blunderbuss approach. That's not where the answers lie.

Once we have identified children at risk, we've already gone

beyond the place where action should have been taken. There are thousands of

children at risk in this province — thousands of children at risk. Our

government's responsibility, primarily, is not to coddle the most wealthy among

us. They can handle themselves. It's to look after the ones without a voice.

Never during the election campaign did I hear any lobby group say

they were going to endorse or not endorse a candidate due to their stand on

child poverty. I became more and more cynical in the process of the election

campaign, because I realized that everybody is out for their own interests.

I challenge those lobby groups to take stock of what they're

asking of their politicians. Realize that it's an approach that's necessary, not

a position on particular issues. If that approach is a progressive approach, an

approach that's not exclusive, that counts on communication and consultation….

They're not values, but those are the things that are required in proper

governance, in my humble opinion.

I'm here not to make enemies with people across the aisle. I'm not

good at being an enemy. I would much rather, for the good of the province, find

out where our common interests lie and pursue those common interests.

I'm completely off my script. You'll have to bear with me.

Let me turn to the issue of sport. You know, it's not without its

controversy. It doesn't carry the same burden as issues facing children living

in poverty, but it is

[ Page 159 ]

fundamentally linked. Sport and the arts are fundamentally linked to the

health of our children.

[1610]

I applaud the government for encouraging families

and children to have a certain amount of carrots, of good food, every day.

That's a good start. That's a very good start.

But we're nourished by much more than the food we eat. We're

nourished by a community that is creative, has vitality, has artisans. Those are

the foundations of our communities. Those, I believe, need to be encouraged and

considered important at the least and extremely important at the most. That was

eloquent, wasn't it, member for Nelson-Creston?

The Olympic Games will bring change to this province. I have long

ago forgiven the previous NDP government for bringing that up in the first

place. Let's hope….

Interjection.

N. Simons: The change, I believe, must be managed and

directed in a way that will highlight British Columbia not simply as a

developers' playground. I don't believe the residents of this province want to

be left with a theme park. They want to be left with legacies.

I do applaud the government for emphasizing the importance of or

the promotion of arts and culture in that context. I'm a little bit

disappointed, to be honest, that existing cultural organizations weren't

strengthened by the new funding but that, instead, parallel agencies were set

up. The B.C. Arts Council, for example, could have used funding to increase

their infrastructure. They haven't had an increase in quite a long time. Perhaps

that's changing.

I'm back to the part about the food again. I would like to ask:

what is the economic value of an educated, an informed and a creative society?

Not everything is measurable in terms of financial gain and loss. We have to

realize that having creative communities comes from the earliest time in our

education. Promoting art and music in schools will light the little flames of

creativity in the little children who may later become our greatest chefs, our

greatest actors, our greatest orators, our greatest architects. That's what will

strengthen our communities the most.

[S. Hammell in the chair.]

I would like to congratulate the Assistant Deputy Speaker for her

appointment as Assistant Deputy Speaker.

[Applause.]

I would like to thank my hon. friends for pounding their desks

while I found my place.

An Hon. Member: Anytime.

N. Simons: That's nice to hear.

An Hon. Member: That's what friends are for.

N. Simons: Good. Good.

I would like to ask this government if it might, at some point,

consider analyzing the cost and the benefit of encouraging culture and arts in

our communities. I don't agree with measuring our contribution to art simply in

measure of revenue, because there are so many intangibles in that sphere. I do

think that if it does help to indicate to this government the value of a string

program in an elementary school, or a band in high school, or a theatre program,

it will benefit us all. It invigorates our communities.

[1615]

Art challenges the status quo and provides beauty for its own

sake. All these things make us an interesting community, a caring community and

a just community. With that I'll close.

C. Trevena: Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is a pleasure to see

you here.

Like my colleagues, I have to thank the people of the North Island

for sending me to this House: my constituents, my campaign workers and also,

like others, my spouse — my husband who is in the gallery watching my maiden

speech. I am very, very honoured to be here to be representing the North Island.

During the election campaign, someone asked if I had ever thought

that this is what I would be doing. The answer, quite simply, was no. I was a

journalist, at times a political correspondent. I had occasionally wondered why

anybody would ever give their lives over to politics. I came to Canada as a

correspondent for the BBC in the early '90s after seeing the devastation wrought

on a society by a right-wing government in Britain. I had seen brutal cuts in

welfare; the sale of public housing; the shift to private education, as the

public system was cash-starved and unable to meet the needs of children; the

collapse of a national public health service; and the crushing of trade unions.

These things, in my view, were fundamentally wrong.

In Canada I saw hope. I saw a one-tier public health service, a

strong public education system and a society in which people looked after one

another. Canada was a model to the world of a caring, civil society. I held

tight to this image of our country as I worked overseas on Canadian government

contracts and for the United Nations in societies coming out of war or trying to

avoid collapse into further conflict, working in places where hate had become

the norm and distrust was axiomatic. As I saw ethnic cleansing and lived in

societies that had been rent apart, as I worked to explain human rights, legal

rights and concepts of balance and respect, what motivated me was knowing that

it didn't have to be that way. I knew that, because of Canada, because of our

approach to our society, our communities and our neighbourhoods. Our approach

was inclusive, not divisive.

Madam Speaker, like others who've spoken here, I'm a new Canadian,

and maybe that brings with it the passion of a convert. So when I came home to

B.C., I was appalled to see that the ideals and beliefs I hold dear — beliefs I

thought inherent in Canada — were being degraded, exploited and even destroyed

by an

[ Page 160 ]

uncaring government. I was shocked to realize the same basic rights that were

at the core of my work abroad were in jeopardy at home, rights that are supposed

to be inherent in Canada. These rights are embodied in the United Nations

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Canada is a signatory.

I'm referring specifically to

article 25, which states in

section

1: "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and

well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and

medical care…and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness,

disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances

beyond his control." Equally applicable is

section 2 of the same article, which

states: "Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance.

All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social

protection."

It is my view that through cuts, downsizing and restructuring,

this Liberal government of B.C. has brought — and again, in this budget…. They

have reneged on the legal and moral obligations under this

article of the

Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

[1620]

Instead of highlighting problems as a journalist, instead of going

overseas again to try to assist people in other societies to improve their lives

and help their countries, I decided it was necessary to try to make a difference

here at home and to try to make sure, as my hon. friend from Powell

River–Sunshine Coast said, that the most vulnerable in our society have rights

which are protected; to make sure that children are protected, that children do

not go to school hungry; to ensure we all have good quality, accessible,

universal public health care; to stop people being forced into homelessness; to

make sure children, single mothers, the elderly and the disabled receive

adequate support; and to guarantee that everyone has equality of opportunity.

After all, those who are suffering from the uncaring policies and cutbacks of

this government are our neighbours living in our communities.

North Island — it's a region I have a visceral attachment to — is

a place of very strong communities, communities which have been suffering. I

promised the people in North Island that our voices, our problems, our concerns

will be heard here in this House in Victoria.

Ours is a long and proud history. First nations have been living

in the North Island for many hundreds of years. There are the relative newcomers

— those who settled and built homes in communities on Cortes Island, on Quadra

Island, on Malcolm Island, over a hundred years ago — and then, of course, the

more recent arrivals — those who created new towns like Port McNeill or Gold

River, which marked its 40th anniversary last month.

Those communities and the people who make their homes there — the

first nations, the loggers, the fishers, the fish farm and fish plant workers,

the nurses, the teachers, the seniors, children, single parents, the disabled —

have suffered four years of neglect by the B.C. government. North Islanders,

like others living in rural communities throughout this province, have felt the

brunt of the cutbacks to social services, health delivery and education that

were implemented by the B.C. Liberal government and look to be repeated with

this new budget.

Neglect left the village of Port Alice in limbo for a year while

the government failed to step in to help facilitate the reopening of the mill

there. Today, while negotiations are still on, the future of the village and the

services it provides are still question marks. I ask each member to try to

imagine the psychological and emotional effects of seeing your community

disintegrate. Imagine what it is like to have very specific skills but be unable

to work for a year, to see your local school in jeopardy, to see your hospital

downgraded to a clinic, to have no idea of your future. This is unacceptable. It

did not have to be this way.

Nor are the people of Port Alice alone in this suffering.

Elsewhere in the North Island, people have been forced from their homes because

of the lack of jobs, in part because of government policies over the last four

years and in spite of the often-stated commitment by the government to B.C.'s

heartland, repeated by hon. members across the floor in this budget debate.

People leave because they have no choice. North Island is a

wonderful place to live. But jobs go, and so people have to go. The

infrastructure deteriorates, and they have no choice but to move away. Our

classrooms are overcrowded, and our students do not have equality of education.

North Island Secondary school in Port McNeill doesn't have the complete grade 12

curriculum this year. Among the subjects not available: grade 12 history. It

shocks me, speaking in a historical place like this, that students cannot do

grade 12 history at a high school in this province. There are so many kids in

some of the phys ed classes that the only activity that can accommodate them all

is walking around the block — so much for a healthy start to life.

There isn't enough money because of funding restructuring by the

government, so there aren't enough teachers. This inequality puts young people

wanting to go on to further education at a huge disadvantage. While their peers

from larger centres move through their first year of post-secondary, students

from North Island are largely playing catch-up.

[1625]

It is different in rural areas. Kids who live in Wasa, Zeballos,

Alert Bay, Sointula or in another of these small communities don't have a choice

of the schools they can attend. In the last four years in some areas of the

North Island, schools have lost librarians, special education teachers,

counsellors and teaching assistants. Teachers try their best to keep up a high

quality of education, but soon face burnout with classes of 30-plus students and

no adequate support. Our classrooms have special needs youngsters without

adequate assistance.

There are those schools, for example in Tahsis, where teachers are

trying to provide a high quality of education to three or four grades in the

same classroom. Why? Because the current funding mechanisms designed for larger

communities don't work for small

[ Page 161 ]

rural schools. People won't want to come and live in North Island, one of the

most beautiful places in the world with vast potential, if they know their

children will be short-changed because there isn't the foresight in providing

good education to smaller communities.

People won't want to come when they know that their kids will end

up moving to Alberta because there is restricted opportunity for apprenticeships

in their own backyard. In one program alone, the electricians apprenticeship

program at North Island College, there are too many participants in each course

to guarantee they get — in spite of the best efforts by overworked instructors —

truly world-class training.

Nor will people want to come to North Island when they learn first

babies can't be born in a hospital or a clinic a reasonable distance from their

home. That's the case now if you live anywhere north of Campbell River. For

people at the north end of my constituency, that means a drive of 265 kilometres

or more. The hospital in Campbell River itself has been woefully neglected, the

urgent need for investment ignored. People will wonder why they should come when

they learn that recently, finally, one physiotherapist started working north of

Campbell River. That was such a huge breakthrough it was front-page news in the

North Island Gazette . Nor will people move to the smaller communities in

the North Island when health care means travelling 60 kilometres on logging

roads because the clinic in Tahsis, like rural clinics elsewhere, can't set a

break or do diagnostic work.

What about those people who spent their lives working, helping to

build this country, this province and our communities — people whose children

and grandchildren live in those rural communities? If they require long-term

care, it is nowhere near home. Seniors from Port Hardy are ending up in Campbell

River. Those from Quadra Island go to Cumberland. Those from Campbell River are

in Qualicum Beach. These are long and costly trips for families to visit them.

Why? Because of broken promises by the B.C. Liberal government. This is nothing

more than callous and uncaring.

In this budget, seniors get a special mention. Long-term care beds

are once again being promised. Our seniors do need help and we do need those

care beds, but we also need home support so moving into care is the last resort.

But it is not just seniors who need help. Where in the budget is the support for

children, who are our future? Where is the money to repair our social safety net

to make sure that people in poverty can get their basic needs met? Where is the

money for housing, so those people on the street, those people sleeping in their

cars, those people moving from friend to friend to friend, can have affordable,

safe housing?

I was very pleased to see the emphasis placed in the budget on

first nations. It is a refreshing and overdue change of attitude on behalf of

the Premier who, in his last term, was dividing first nations and non-aboriginal

communities by holding a referendum on treaty negotiations. Our party and my

colleagues will hold this government accountable to its stated commitments to

forge a new relationship of reconciliation with first nations that is honourable

and constructive and fully recognizes the constitutional rights of aboriginal

Canadians. I will work with all people to overcome the neglect and social

failures that plague first nations communities.

For the sake of all of us we must move forward to conclude

treaties. If we are truly to have a strong future in this province, and

especially in regions like North Island, then we must work together to overcome

the inequities and injustices of the past. In this regard, the budget provisions

are a first step, but only a first step. Much more will need to be done.

[1630]

It is a priority of mine to ensure that all people in my

constituency have