1986 Legislative Session: 3rd Session, 33rd 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, MARCH 10, 1986

Afternoon Sitting

[ Page

7265 ]

CONTENTS

Prorogation –– 7265

The House met at 3:06 p.m.

Prayers.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor entered the chamber and took his place in the chair.

HON. MR. ROGERS: Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative

Assembly, as I speak to you on this closing day of the third session of

the thirty-third parliament of British Columbia, I wish to express my

appreciation for the attention and careful consideration given the

numerous and important measures, particularly those related to economic

renewal, outlined in my message to you on opening this parliament on

March 4, 1985.

The accomplishments of the past year included the passage of more

than 70 measures proposed by my government, many of major significance

and benefit to the people of our province. You have also enacted six

measures proposed by individual members of this assembly.

Amid growing signs that our province is emerging from the worst

effects of the international recession, you approved, as part of my

government's long-range program for economic renewal, a range of

stimulative measures to strengthen and expand our economy. These

measures included a three-year, major program of tax reductions for

businesses small and large to make our province a more attractive place

to do business and employ people. These tax changes included

elimination of the corporation capital tax, property taxes on machinery

and equipment, reduced commercial and industrial school tax rates, and

tax credits for small business. You brought about these tax reductions

while maintaining control of government expenditures and retaining the

second-lowest personal income tax rates in Canada.

You established a critical industries commission to assist our

mining and forest industries, provided electricity discounts to attract

new industry and assist existing industry to expand their operations

and increase employment and enacted a bold, new economic partnership

with municipalities.

You aided our vital small business sector through a new public

sector purchasing policy designed to stimulate employment in our

province. You also approved the Small Business Venture Capital Act and

the Equity Investment Plan Act among additional measures to encourage

greater economic activity, diversify the economy and create new

employment opportunities for our people.

These and the other measures you approved are playing and will

continue to play an important

part in helping British Columbia business

and industry expand and grow and are further broadening the economy

beyond the vital resource sector, while increasing the strength of

these industries as well.

You established a Ministry of International Trade and Investment to seek new

markets for our products and new job-creating investments, and enacted a new

Securities Act to strengthen our province's financial sector. In addition

you enacted measures to bring several provincial laws into conformity with the

Charter of Rights and Freedoms and established a commercial arbitration centre

to take advantage of growing opportunities in international trade.

For the second straight year the economy of our province has

demonstrated growth and increased strength. Employment has increased

substantially and unemployment has declined steadily.

A number of other positive indicators — including housing starts,

retail sales and the incorporation of new businesses — all support this

trend towards increased consumer and business confidence and renewal

across British Columbia.

Our people have seen the successful completion of the initial phase

of our modern and efficient rapid transit system. Between Vancouver and

New Westminster, the system is serving thousands of commuters, and

rapid transit will soon be extended into Surrey and other areas.

[3:15]

We have also witnessed the near completion of two major projects:

the first phase of the challenging Coquihalla Highway project, and the

new Annacis Island bridge across the Fraser River, both of which stand

as magnificent engineering achievements.

Our steady economic progress and the continuing diversification of

our economy have been matched by the growth of a new consensus in our

province and a much-improved industrial relations climate. I am advised

that British Columbia's industrial relations record was the best in 20

years. Credit for the improvement is due to both our workers and

management.

The critical industries commissioner, with the cooperation of

workers, management and my government, has been instrumental in

assisting six forestry and mining firms to keep operating, thus

safeguarding more than 1,500 jobs across our province.

You approved the Provincial-Municipal Partnership Act, which

directly involves local government in the provision of taxation and

other incentives to stimulate job creation.

During the past year you enacted legislation designed to enhance

stability in revenue-sharing with municipalities, and amendments to

simplify and make more efficient the planning and development

provisions of the Municipal Act are now being implemented.

In the past year 14 industries benefited from discount sales of

surplus electricity, and it is my government's intention to use this

surplus in the coming year both as a domestic incentive for industrial

expansion and as a valuable export commodity.

You approved measures that established a market-oriented regime for

both domestic and export sales of gas and established a royalty system

that is responsive to the marketplace. Another important step was to

set up attractive incentives to encourage oil exploration and

development. I am advised that the result of these energy initiatives

has been a resurgence of oil and gas drilling activity in the northeast

of our province and a major increase in revenue to my government as a

result of record bonus bids by the industry.

As my government's long-range strategy brings new investment and new

economic activity through the development of both small and large

projects, there is agreement that we must continue to work together if

we are to continue our steady progress.

While my government's main priority remains the creation of new

employment opportunities for British Columbians, there is also

agreement that we must invest the benefits of an expanding economy to

further improve government services to people, particularly in the

fields of education and health.

[ Page 7266 ]

This agreement on our priorities has been matched by the support

that British Columbians are giving to Expo 86. Members of this assembly

are to be congratulated for their

part in the preparations being made

to welcome the nations of the world to our fair. This challenging and

exciting undertaking will provide millions of visitors with a greater

understanding and appreciation of our people and the immense potential

which exists in every region of our great province. Expo 86 represents

a pivotal point in British Columbia's fortunes. It will be a catalyst

in my government's long-range plan to attract new investment and new

business, and will pave the way for a stronger and more prosperous

future for our province.

Hon. members, you will soon be returning to this chamber to again

represent the interests of the people of our province. You will be

asked to consider and debate a range of measures to enhance economic

renewal over the remaining years of my government's mandate and beyond.

My government's priorities are twofold: to strengthen and diversify our

province's economic condition and create employment opportunities for

our people, and to improve education and health services for all

British Columbians. Both goals are important; neither can be

subservient to the other. All British Columbians can be encouraged by

the progress that we have made together. The challenge that lies ahead

is to ensure that it continues. I know that all of you as elected

representatives will work to meet that challenge.

Hon. members, I thank you for your efforts on behalf of all British

Columbians. It is now my duty to relieve you of your legislative

duties. I trust the blessing of Divine Providence will attend you when

you shortly resume those duties in this House.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

HON. MRS. McCARTHY: Mr. Speaker and members of the

Legislative Assembly, it is His Honour the Lieutenant Governor's will

and pleasure that the Legislative Assembly be prorogued until 2 p.m.,

Tuesday, March 11, 1986, and this provincial Legislative Assembly is

hereby prorogued accordingly.

The House prorogued at 3:20 p.m.

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