British Columbia Hansard — 20150226am Hansard v20n6

20150226am-Hansard-v20n6

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Th ursday, February 26, 2015 Morning Sitting Volume 20, Number 6

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

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

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

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

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

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

Suzanne Anton Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation..............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Stilwell Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................................ Hon. Amrik Virk Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Norm Macdonald Comox Valley.....................................................................................Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .....................................................Douglas Horne Coquitlam-Maillardville........................................................... Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................ Bill Routley Delta North .........................................................................Wm.

Scott Hamilton Delta South...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola.................................................................................... Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr.

Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon. Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon. Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon.

Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ........................................................................... Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan ......................................................... Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ........................................................................ Hon.

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

Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ..................................................Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .......................................................Hon. Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ................................................................................ Pat Pimm Peace River South ............................................................................Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................

Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast ................................................. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie ............................................................. Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount ................................................... Hon. Shirley Bond Richmond Centre ......................................................................Hon.

Teresa Wat Richmond East ..........................................................................Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ..............................................................................John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands .................................................... Gary Holman Saanich South ................................................................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 48; New Democratic 34; Independent 3

CONTENTS Th ursday, February 26, 2015 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 6139 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 6139 Bill 13 — Finance Statutes Amendment Act, 2015 Hon. M. de Jong Bill M206 — Members’ Confl ict of Interest Amendment Act, 2015 G. Holman Bill M207 — Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2015 S.

Simpson Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 6140 Nurse practitioners J. Rice Canada Winter Games in Prince George R. Lee Demolition of residential school in Alert Bay C. Trevena Vaccination Moira Stilwell Y outh mental health and essay contest D. Donaldson Canada Winter Games in Prince George M.

Morris Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 6142 Government response to review of Health Ministry investigation J. Horgan Hon. C. Clark Ruling by Financial Institutions Commission on mortgage insurance sales M. Farnworth Hon. M. de Jong Ferry fares and ridership levels C. Trevena Hon. T. Stone G. Holman Medical Services Plan premiums and role of Health Committee A. Weaver Hon. M. de Jong Park and campsite fees and funding for parks system S. Chandra Herbert Hon. M.

Polak Government action on child placement issues D. Donaldson Hon. S. Cadieux Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 6147 S. Robinson

Orders of the Day Budget Debate (continued) ..................................................................................................................................................... 6147 M. Hunt G. Holman Hon. R. Coleman Hon. M. de Jong Motions Without Notice ......................................................................................................................................................... 6156 Committee of Supply to sit in two sections Hon. M. de Jong Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 6156 J. Kwan

THURSDAY , FEBRUARY 26, 2015 Th e House met at 10:03 a.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. Introductions by Members A. Weaver: In the gallery today is Cameron Butt. Cameron is a Victoria resident, a constituent of Oak Bay–Gordon Head and a wonderful volunteer for the B.C. Green Party. He’s here joining us today to witness fi rsthand his fi rst experience in question period. Would the chamber please welcome him warmly. D. Bing: I have a constituent visiting today from my riding of Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows. Her name is Danielle Raymond, and I’m very pleased to have her come.

She has been here several times. Would the House please make Danielle welcome. [1005] Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 13 — FINANCE STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2015 Hon. M. de Jong presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Finance Statutes Amendment Act, 2015. Hon. M. de Jong: I move the bill be introduced and read a fi rst time now. Motion approved. Hon.

M. de Jong: Th is Bill 13 amends the adminis- trative and enforcement provisions of the Carbon Tax Act, Motor Fuel Tax Act, Provincial Sales Tax Act and Tobacco Tax Act to provide greater consistency across the acts and to help ensure the fair and eff ective admin- istration of the consumption tax system. Th e Provincial Sales Tax Act is also amended to make a number of technical changes for clarity and certainty and to expand the circumstances in which out-of-coun- try businesses may register to collect and remit PST.

Additional amendments to the Tobacco Tax Act allow for British Columbia’s participation in the federal tobac- co-stamping regime, implemented in 2011. Th is bill will also improve the effi ciency of the govern- ment’s debt collection activities by amending the Financial Administration Act to allow for the broader sharing of debtor information across government programs and by expanding the ability of the Insurance Corporation of B.C. to refuse to issue a vehicle or driver’s licence. Amendments to the Income Tax Act ensure the act is harmonized with the Income Tax Act of Canada.

Amendments to the Mineral Tax Act will authorize the disclosure of information obtained under the act to the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation for the purpose of administering resource-revenue-sharing agreements with First Nations and to other government programs for the purpose of administering other prov- incial taxation statutes.

Lastly, the bill amends the Real Estate Services Act by refi ning provisions that apply to the handling of money received by licensees, to the compensation of persons who have experienced compensable loss and to the com- position and functioning of the Real Estate Council and Real Estate Foundation. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting aft er today. Bill 13, Finance Statutes Amendment Act, 2015, intro- duced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on or- ders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today.

BILL M206 — MEMBERS’ CONFLICT OF INTEREST AMENDMENT ACT, 2015 G. Holman presented a bill intituled Members’ Confl ict of Interest Amendment Act, 2015. G. Holman: I move introduction of the Members’ Confl ict of Interest Amendment Act for fi rst reading. Motion approved. G. Holman: I’m pleased to introduce the Members’ Confl ict of Interest Amendment Act. British Columbians want to know that their MLAs and public offi cials are being honest and transparent. Th is bill will increase the accountability of MLAs to their constituents and also decrease the potential for confl icts of interest.

Th is new bill expands the scope of the current confl ict-of-interest law and provides more stringent guidelines to better en- sure that public offi cials in this province maintain a high ethical standard. Higher penalties for confl icts of interest are necessary to guarantee British Columbians that public offi cials that serve them are doing just that — serving the public. Th is bill will require members to disclose all of their assets and place them in a blind trust for as long as they hold that public offi ce.

Th e bill will also better ensure that when public offi ce holders leave offi ce, their ministerial staff and their advisers do not improperly benefi t from their 6139

British Columbia Debates6140 Thursday, February 26, 2015 former positions or exercise any undue infl uence. I move that this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting aft er today. Bill M206, Members’ Confl ict of Interest Amendment Act, 2015, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. BILL M207 — WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION ACT, 2015 S. Simpson presented a bill intituled Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2015. S.

Simpson: I move a bill intituled the Whistleblowers Protection Act for fi rst reading. Motion approved. [1010] S. Simpson: I’m pleased to introduce, for a second time, the Whistleblowers Protection Act. Th is bill has two purposes. Th e fi rst is to facilitate the investigation and in- quiry into matters which are potentially damaging to the public. Th ese could include but not be limited to matters relating to the mismanagement of public funds or assets, gross environmental damage and unlawful acts by civil servants. Th e second is to protect those individuals from persecution who make such disclosures.

As it stands, there is insuffi cient legislation in British Columbia today that deals with reporting and pro- tecting disclosures. Th is bill would create a process for reporting disclosures annually and also empowers the Ombudsperson to oversee the proper administration of this legislation. All reports will be made public and in- crease the transparency aff orded to diff erent ministries and public spheres. Th e people of British Columbia have a right to know that the government and public offi cials are not acting in an unacceptable manner.

In order to do this, we need to protect those with information and ensure that they are defended when they choose to disclose that information. Whistle-blowers oft en have to decide between taking the higher moral ground and the potential eff ects from disclosing. A person trying to decide between doing what is right and keeping their job will oft en turn a blind eye to the action. We need to pass this bill to ensure that people are protected from retribution when they do disclose. I move that this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting aft er today.

Bill M207, Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2015, intro- duced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on or- ders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) NURSE PRACTITIONERS J. Rice: Since their fi rst introduction into the Canadian health care system in the 1960s and, more recently, into the B.C. health care system as a regulated profession, nurse practitioners have played a vitally important role in pro- viding cost-eff ective health care to British Columbians.

Th eir contributions are most deeply felt in our more rural and underserved communities, where their hard work and dedication to patients has helped ease some of the sting of the chronic doctor shortage we, as a province, are facing. Nurse practitioners are tightly regulated and must undertake additional training beyond their registered nursing degree. Th ese men and women perform up to 80 percent of the activities of a family physician, includ- ing, but not limited to, diagnosis, treatment, ordering lab tests, prescribing medication and admitting patients to hospital if necessary.

Without their presence in the health care system, many more patients would be forced to re- sort to accessing health care through our hospital emer- gency rooms or simply have to go without. Nurse practitioners take a holistic approach, looking at the whole person, including a person’s medical history, their mental health and how their illness may impact their family members. Nurse practitioners are educators, teaching about whole-body health, healthy eating and how to manage disease. Where I live, in Prince Rupert, we have one nurse prac- titioner, who is currently away on maternity leave.

We wish Toby all the best as she embarks on the journey of raising her second child. Unfortunately and commonly in rural B.C., recruiters were unable to temporarily fi ll her position while she is away. It’s common to have these positions unfi lled, even though we give lip service to their importance and need for more positions. It’s a challenge we face here in British Columbia. With the current direction to increase access to pri- mary care and decrease health cost pressures, nurse practitioners are an invaluable component to the health and well-being of British Columbians. We thank them for their service.

CANADA WINTER GAMES IN PRINCE GEORGE R. Lee: Th e 2015 Canada Winter Games have been a great success, and 2,400 of our brightest athletes across Canada gather in Prince George, including 350 from B.C., compete in 19 sports. I’m proud to say that B.C. is now ranked third among the 13 provinces and territories, with 63 medals — 19 in gold, 23 in silver and 21 in bronze. Th is year Burnaby has 12 athletes joining the games, including my daughter Leanne, who is on the table tennis

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 26, 2015 6141 team. Th e B.C. table tennis female team won the bronze medal, and the male team won a silver medal yesterday. Leanne will play mixed doubles with another student, Michael Luo, from Burnaby for the bronze this Saturday. Congratulations to the six B.C. table tennis team mem- bers — Ivy, Natasha, Leanne, Michael, Frank and Mike — who all won their group round robins yesterday. Th ey are all among the top 12 entering into the singles matches today.

I sincerely congratulate these 12 young athletes from Burnaby as well, who have made B.C. proud, especially Andy Lin, a 17-year-old athlete who has won a gold med- al in cross-country skiing; and Itzia San Roman, who has won the bronze medal at the gymnastic artistic female team event. Th ey all have come a long way from the past, gone through tough and long training, and they excel in their wonderful talents.

Th ey have demonstrated passion, perseverance and diligence. [1015] As there are only a few days left to the closing of the games, I wish all athletes enjoy the remaining matches, not only competing against each other but also meeting other new friends. Let’s all send our sincere gratitude to our Team B.C. athletes for their hard work and wish them success in the games. DEMOLITION OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL IN ALERT BAY C. Trevena: Th ere was an emotional gathering in Alert Bay last week that started the demotion of St. Michael’s Residential School.

Th e four-storey red-brick building loomed ominously on the island for years, its history oozing from the cold shadow it left . It was the fi rst thing you saw pulling into the island and the last thing as you left . It was impossible to escape an awareness of the building and impossible to forget its legacy. It was built in 1928 to house 200 First Nations chil- dren from northern Vancouver Island, Bella Bella, Bella Coola, the Nisga’a territories and Haida Gwaii. Some of those who had been students there were at the ceremony last Wednesday.

Th e fact that it’s taken more than 40 years from the end of its life as a school to its demolition is perhaps a testa- ment to how diffi cult it was for the community to reach the point where they could lose the physical evidence of the harm done to them by residential schools. For a time it was the band offi ce. Th ere was a treat- ment centre there. North Island College was temporar- ily housed there, and fi nally, carvers used the site used for their work.

Th ere was always an undercurrent of if it was good for the survivors to have the school there or if it was better if it went — an undercurrent only resolved last year when it became very clear that, structurally, the building was a danger. So last week people gathered in the community for a ceremony, a rising up together in which there was drumming and there were speeches.

As ’Namgis Chief Councillor Debra Hanuse said: “It was emotional, it was powerful, but it was a transformative day. ” As the back- hoes started the work of demolishing the building, knock- ing the porch down, the singing and drumming were intermingled with cries from the crowd: “Tear it down. ” Th ere are no plans to build on the land. Some of it may be used as an expanded parking lot for the neighbouring U’mista Cultural Centre, which recognizes and celebrates ’Namgis history and traditions. Some of the bricks may go into a memorial for the survivors of the school.

Another event is planned for aft er the demolition, in the spring, when the brutal reminder of the harm done to generations of First Nations is gone forever from Alert Bay. V ACCINATION Moira Stilwell: Today I’ d like to talk about something that has become controversial when in fact it should not be, and of course, that is vaccination. Vaccines are among the most signifi cant medical advances of the last century. Th anks to them, we have been successful in eradicating or virtually wiping out many highly contagious and oft en deadly diseases, such as smallpox and polio.

But in recent years some have decided not to immunize, incorrectly believing vaccines to be unsafe or unnecessary, and as a result, we are seeing rare diseases like measles and whooping cough make a comeback. Measles is particularly problematic. It’s a highly contagious viral illness, spread through airborne contact. While most of the children who contract the disease will recover, it can be very serious for others, resulting in brain injury, blindness and even death.

We saw localized outbreaks of measles in the Fraser Valley in 2014, but so far this year our province has been measles-free, despite various outbreaks in the United States, other parts of Canada and worldwide. According to the Centre for Disease Control, the majority of those who have gotten sick were, of course, unvaccinated. Th ere are hundreds of rigorous scientifi c studies that have dem- onstrated the safety and effi cacy of vaccines, and while there are rare complications or side eff ects, these pale in comparison to the illnesses they prevent.

Immunization is particularly important for those who, because of illness, cannot be vaccinated. Th ese people rely on the rest of us to protect them by vaccinating our children and ourselves. If we choose to endanger our children by not vaccinating, we also endanger other people’s children. In B.C. we off er a comprehensive immunization pro- gram for a wide range of diseases, and I encourage every- one to speak to their family physician or local health unit and learn more about this issue. Please vaccinate, and do your part to keep yourself, your children and every- one else safe. [1020]

British Columbia Debates6142 Thursday, February 26, 2015 YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND ESSAY CONTEST D. Donaldson: I’ve seen cabinet ministers looking stressed in this chamber, and I know there can be some anxiety amongst many members getting up to speak in this House. Luckily for most of us, that stress and anxiety is not debilitating, but for many it is, and the trend is es- pecially of concern in young people. Today’s teenagers re- port being signifi cantly more anxious than their mothers and fathers were at the same age. Th ose are just a couple aspects of mental wellness challenges young people face.

We also know that a staggering 3.2 million teens in Canada are at risk for developing depression. But young people can learn from each other about mental wellness, and there can be methods and supports to improve men- tal health. Th at is why we have a new theme for the annu- al contest we run from our Stikine MLA offi ces, teaming up with Dan Hamhuis of the Vancouver Canucks each year. It’s called “Score one for mental wellness. ” Y oung people in Stikine between the ages of 13 and 18 can enter by submitting a 500-word essay on one or more of the following topics: how do you take care of your mental health?

How do you see others taking care of their mental health? How do you help others strug- gling with mental health? Th e winner, chosen by a panel of community-based judges, will get a couple of tickets to a Canucks game, return airfare, accommodation and some great Canucks swag, thanks to our sponsors: Dan Hamhuis, Hawkair, the Royal Bank, the town of Smithers, the Gitksan Government Commission and the RCMP . Contests in previous years have gone under the titles Don’t Let Gangs Score, Don’t Let Apathy Score, Don’t Let Cyber Bullies Score and Don’t Let Intolerance Score.

Th ere have been some very inspiring entries. Th is year’s entries can be e-mailed, delivered or mailed to the Stikine constituency offi ces. We will post the winning essay on my MLA website. Contestants have until March 13 to enter, so put your thoughts together and score one for mental wellness. CANADA WINTER GAMES IN PRINCE GEORGE M. Morris: For the past two weeks my home commun- ity of Prince George has hosted our nation for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

Th is has been an electrifying event for our city and northern B.C., providing athletes and spectators alike with world-class venues in which to perform, socialize and make lifelong memories. It’s amazing to walk around Prince George and see the thousands of volunteers in their distinctive green jackets; the hundreds of athletes, coaches and support- ers displaying their individual, provincial or territorial uniforms; and the thousands of visitors. Prince George has been graced with unseasonably warm, sunny weather that has helped illuminate the attributes of the region for those who have never visited us before.

I had the honour of presenting medals at one of the biathlon events to Emily Dickson, a young athlete origin- ally from Burns Lake but now residing in Prince George. Emily is one of over two dozen athletes on Team B.C. who are from Prince George. As of a few moments ago, as my colleague stated, Team B.C. ranked third in the medals standings, with a total of 63 medals. I’m excited to see British Columbian athletes doing so well on home soil. Th e games have not only celebrated sports. Th ey’ve also celebrated arts and culture.

We stand proud in Prince George to have Jennifer Pighin, a councillor with the Lheidli T’ enneh host First Nations and a local artist. Jennifer designed the medals and the offi cial Team B.C. scarf, both items being highly coveted by their owners. So many people have worked tirelessly to make sure that the fi rst-ever winter edition of the Canada Games in B.C. will be an unforgettable experience, and I thank all of them for their eff orts. I encourage everyone watching and in this House to catch the footage of the games on TSN or Canada Games TV today.

Oral Questions GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO REVIEW OF HEALTH MINISTRY INVESTIGATION J. Horgan: For two years we’ve been asking questions of the Premier and the Minister of Health — that con- tinued yesterday, and it will continue today — with re- spect to the shabby and callous treatment of seven health care researchers here in British Columbia. Th e Premier appointed Marcia McNeil to review the whole aff air. She said she was going to get to the bottom of it. Th at was the solemn commitment she made to the people of British Columbia. Unfortunately, Ms.

McNeil wrote the following, and I’ll quote her. “No one has taken responsibility for making the eff ective recommendation to dismiss the employees. Instead, those most likely to have made the eff ective rec- ommendation all pointed to someone else. ” [1025] Now, last fall Graham Whitmarsh, who was then the outgoing Deputy Minister of Health, wrote to Lynda Tarras, now also the former head of the public service. Mr. Whitmarsh wrote the following: “Y ou and I, both individually and together, briefed John Dyble on many occasions during the course of the investigation….

He was involved in some of the key decisions and the times of some of the key events. ” Unfortunately, Mr. Dyble hasn’t spoken on the mat- ter, but he did, through the Deputy Attorney General, say the following: “I have also been advised that while Mr. Dyble received a general briefi ng regarding the in-

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 26, 2015 6143 vestigation, it was well in advance of the decision to fi re the Ministry of Health employees, and he had no role in the fi nal decision. ” Clearly, someone here is not telling the truth. It’s either the highest-paid member of the public service or, then, the second-highest-paid member of the public service, both appointed by her. So to the Premier: how do you accept that? Hon. C.

Clark: If I can just preface before I speak to the substance of the member’s question by saying a thank-you to many members of the House who sent me a note today or stopped to say congratulations. It’s been four years since I was selected Premier by my colleagues. Th ank you to members for that. We’re very proud of the record for the last four years. Specifi cally, with respect to the question, which the member also asked yesterday, I’ll answer it again and tell him the same thing. We asked Ms. McNeil to do this re- view. She completed the review.

She pointed out some serious problems with the way the system worked. She off ered some recommendations. We are acting on all of those recommendations to ensure, to the extent that we possibly can, that those mistakes cannot be made again. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. J. Horgan: I appreciate that talking points are the comfort zone for the Premier, but this is a fairly straight- forward issue. We have two of the highest-paid public servants in British Columbia pointing at each other for responsibil- ity. Ms.

Kayfi sh and the people of British Columbia ex- pect accountability in this regard. No one is higher on the chain in this place than the Premier of British Columbia. She appointed the investigator, did not give the investi- gator the ability to subpoena witnesses, did not give the investigator the ability to compel testimony. Th erefore, we have an incomplete investigation. Th e Premier’s deputy, the head of the public service, apparently was not involved in a fi ring that involved, at that time, allegations of an RCMP investigation.

How is it a possibility, in anybody’s universe, that the person re- sponsible for the public service had no role in the fi ring of seven individuals, with allegations of wrongdoing, po- lice investigations, breaches of privacy? Where was he when all this happened? Mr. Whitmarsh says he was right there. Mr. Dyble, through the Attorney General, says: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. ” Th at’s not acceptable. Will the Premier do the right thing and compel these witnesses to tell the truth? Hon. C. Clark: As I said, in answer to all the questions, the same questions yesterday….

My answers haven’t changed, and that is that Ms. McNeil has completed a report. She’s off ered those recommendations, and we are taking those recommendations very, very seriously. Th ey pointed to some problems in the way that the civil ser- vice worked. We need to fi x them so that these kinds of issues don’t arise again. One of the things that I pointed out yesterday and I’ll point out again is that the recommendations called on the government to make changes. We are going to act on those recommendations, and we are making those changes now.

RULING BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS COMMISSION ON MORTGAGE INSURANCE SALES M. Farnworth: Th ousands of B.C. homeowners pur- chase mortgage insurance to help protect their single largest asset. Th ey expect government to regulate the in- surance industry appropriately. [1030] On the 28th of February, 2014, the superintendent of the Financial Institutions Commission issued con- fi dential undertakings with respect to the activities of Manulife Financial Corp., Manulife Insurance Co. and Benesure Canada.

Th e companies were engaged in the sale of insurance products known as the mortgage protection plan and contravened four sections of the Financial Institutions Act, including but not limited to conducting an un- authorized insurance business and paying commissions to unlicensed insurance agents. Th e companies were directed to pay $150,000 in penal- ties and, in the case of Benesure, to immediately cease the conduct of unauthorized insurance business in British Columbia, including the solicitation, sale and collection of premiums and the adjudication of claims. Th is under- taking was handled confi dentially.

No press release was issued. No public notice was given. My question to the Minister of Finance: were the RCMP notifi ed about this case? Hon. M. de Jong: Th anks to the member who has raised, I think, a serious matter. I’m not in a position to- day to provide a direct answer, and I’ll take the question on notice. Madame Speaker: Port Coquitlam on a supplemental. M. Farnworth: A new question. Two plaintiff s have commenced a civil action on this matter in B.C. Supreme Court and are seeking to have the case certifi ed as a class action.

While that process will play itself out in another venue, we’re more concerned about the government’s ac- tions in the case. To the Minister of Finance: were B.C. mortgage in- surance policy holders who purchased insurance from

British Columbia Debates6144 Thursday, February 26, 2015 these companies notifi ed about the directive issued by the Financial Institutions Commission? Hon. M. de Jong: I’ll take the question on notice again. Madame Speaker: Port Coquitlam on a further sup- plemental. M. Farnworth: A new question. Those same com- panies sold the same mortgage insurance products in B.C. and also in Ontario and Quebec. To the Minister of Finance: were the Financial Institution Commission’s counterparts in those provinces notified about the FICOM directive? Hon.

M. de Jong: I’ll endeavour to obtain the informa- tion and provide the member in the House with a response. FERRY FARES AND RIDERSHIP LEVELS C. Trevena: To the Minister of Transportation, new fi gures show the number of ferry users has dropped to the lowest point in a quarter of a century. In the real world, people know this is due to increased fares, but the government has done nothing to fi x the situation except to come up with some excuses. In 2008 they blamed the cost of gas, the economy, few- er tourists and severe weather. In 2009 they blamed un- employment, fuel prices and signifi cant weather.

In 2010 they blamed the economy. In 2011 it was fuel prices and tourism again. In 2012 they did give up the excuses and reported “the lowest passenger traffi c in 21 years, ” but they were back at it in 2013 when they blamed an extra- ordinary period of stormy weather. Last year they listed storms, the economy, fuel prices, new laws on passports, an aging population, improvements in communications and the timing of Easter. When is the government going to stop making excuses and acknowledge that rising fares are to blame? Hon. T. Stone: I always appreciate the questions from the member.

I will reiterate yet again that this government is com- mitted to doing everything that we possibly can to drive down fares at B.C. Ferries to make ferries more aff ordable than they are today . W e have acknowledged that fares cannot continue to escalate as they have. We’ve acknow- ledged that several times. We’re going to continue to do everything we can to ensure that the ferry system is also sustainable for generations to come. Th at is why this government has invested a record $180 million in B.C. Ferries over the last fi scal year.

Th at is why this government is pursuing a wide range of initiatives with B.C. Ferries, like conversion to LNG, which on fi ve vessels will save $12 million per year for 27 years. [1035] It’s why this government is considering a fi xed link to Gabriola Island. It’s why this government is considering a cable ferry to Denman Island, which will save $2 mil- lion a year. It’s that creativity, that ingenuity and the collaboration between B.C. Ferries, the Ferry Commissioner and this government that is going to achieve the goal of aff ordabil- ity and sustainability of B.C. Ferries long term. C.

Trevena: Respected studies unanimously endorsed by local governments in B.C. have shown that if the in- crease in fares, as was promised by the B.C. Liberals, match the rate of infl ation — so accept that fares will go up but just by the rate of infl ation — the number of pas- sengers would have grown by 19 percent. It’s not just fam- ilies we’re talking about. It’s not just communities were talking about. We’re talking about a hit to the provincial economy of more than $2.3 billion. When the government did reduce fares very briefl y in 2011, ridership went up. It’s a simple correlation.

Cut the fares and more people will travel, which will, in the end, boost the bottom line to B.C. Ferries. Does the minister have any real plan for bringing down fares, for stopping April’s 4 percent fare increase and realistically bringing down the fares for the business- es and communities and individuals that use our ferries? Hon. T. Stone: We’ve been very clear about our strat- egy at B.C. Ferries. I just articulated the highlights of that a moment ago. Let’s look back and consider the strategy of the last NDP government in the 1990s, and this is important. Th e NDP put $5 million into B.C.

Ferries, compared to our record-level $180 million per year today — $5 mil- lion to $180 million. While only putting $5 million into B.C. Ferries, fares in that ten-year decade that the NDP were in power ac- tually rose by 70 percent, and there was nothing to show for it from a capital perspective except for two fast ferries which were never used by the public in British Columbia. G. Holman: We’ll pursue that question with the minis- ter in estimates — about the NDP contribution to ferries. Ferry use is at historical lows on all routes.

Particularly concerning is that commercial traffi c to the Sunshine Coast has declined by over 8 percent in one year — one year. Th is government’s stubborn policies are threaten- ing our local businesses and residents by choking off our coastal communities. Ferry service in British Columbia is at the worst level it has ever been in its history. How is the minister going to fi x this mess? Hon. T. Stone: Actually, if the member opposite was to look at the most recent traffi c numbers at B.C. Ferries, he would see that over the last year, to date, in B.C.

Ferries’ fi scal year, traffi c volumes have actually stabilized and are

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 26, 2015 6145 projected to start increasing. We’ll see what those num- bers look like in the coming months. Again, I challenge the members opposite to tell us what idea they have beyond this magical notion of bringing ferries back into government or piling a whole bunch more debt on the taxpayers of British Columbia. What ideas do they support? Do they support converting vessels to LNG propulsion, which would save $12 million per year for 27 years? Do they support the ancillary services that are recognized at B.C.

Ferries as amongst the best of all ferry systems in the world? Do they support exploring the possibility of fi xed links? Do they support alternative technologies? Do they support looking at passenger vessels and complements to regular vehicle vessels? We have a broad strategy, and we’re going to be suc- cessful at driving down fares and ensuring that the ferry service is sustainable long term. [1040] Madame Speaker: Saanich North and the Islands on a supplemental. G. Holman: We support a number of those issues. Th e main thing that we would support is reducing ferry fares.

Communities on the Sunshine Coast are concerned with cuts to sailings and high ferry fares, which have led to a steep decline in ridership, not stabilization. Th ese communities are dependent on reliable and aff ordable ferry service for their economic well-being, and the latest fi gures show that this is in jeopardy. Th is is a government that says it cares about growing a diverse economy but again and again fails to live up to this word when it comes to ferry-dependent economies. Again, to the minister. Will he tell the people of Sunshine Coast why his government’s management of B.C.

Ferries is hurting their communities and hurting their economy? Hon. T. Stone: Perhaps the member opposite and his colleagues should be really upfront with the people of British Columbia and say what’s really on their minds. Th e members opposite were opposed to the changes that were made to a number of routes that had gross underutilization. Th e member should stand up and say that he would have supported maintaining an off -peak….

Th e last round trip on Sunday nights on route 18, Texada Island, has a vessel that carries 49 vehicles and 143 pas- sengers, but on that particular run each day it only car- ried two vehicles and four passengers. We’ve made some tough decisions, but we’re making those tough decisions in complement with the wide ar- ray of strategies which I’ve highlighted again today sev- eral times for the members opposite, all to ensure that the ferry system is there for our children and our grandchil- dren and that it’s as aff ordable as we can possibly make it. MEDICAL SERVICES PLAN PREMIUMS AND ROLE OF HEALTH COMMITTEE A.

Weaver: In early January the good health commit- tee at the Monterey seniors centre invited me to a con- versation on health care. Collectively, these seniors were profoundly concerned about the impact that our regres- sive approach of charging fl at-rate MSP premiums was having on their ability to make ends meet. And this is in the rather affl uent riding of Oak Bay–Gordon Head. Since raising this issue last month, I’ve heard from thousands of British Columbians who agree with me that it’s time to replace MSP premiums with a fair and equit- able option.

Fortunately, just yesterday the Government House Leader activated the Select Standing Committee on Health, a committee that could be empowered to examine this issue. My question to the Minister of Finance is this. Will he empower the Select Standing Committee on Health to examine innovative, progressive ways of revising how MSP premiums are charged in British Columbia? Hon. M. de Jong: Th anks to the member for the ques- tion.

Th ere will, through the estimates process, be an opportunity to discuss the question of the amount we collect and some of the relief that exists for almost a mil- lion British Columbians from paying full premiums. Th e member’s question is more specifi c, and that is whether or not this is a legitimate or appropriate topic for discus- sion by the committee. I took the liberty of quickly checking the terms of ref- erence. I think the power exists now.

I think the commit- tee, charged as it is to “examine the projected impact on the provincial health care system of demographic trends to the year 2036 on a sustainable health care system for British Columbians…. ” Similarly, the motion that was before the House just a few days ago asked the committee to “outline potential alternative strategies to mitigate the impact of the sig- nifi cant cost drivers” identifi ed in the original report and “consider health capital funding options. ” I think that’s probably suffi ciently broad for members of the committee and those that they might invite in to have the kind of conversation that the member is allud- ing to, and it will be interesting to see what results from that conversation.

Madame Speaker: Oak Bay–Gordon Head on a sup- plemental. [1045] A. Weaver: I must admit I was not expecting that an- swer. I am pleasantly surprised, and I’m thrilled that the committee will, I hope, seek and explore means and ways of funding the MSP premium more progressively. Th e reason why I’m asking this is that the time is right.

British Columbia Debates6146 Thursday, February 26, 2015 Th e Maximus contract was renewed in 2013. I recognize there was a fi ve-year renewable in it. Now is the time to work with Maximus to fi nd new ways of not only saving government money — because this is about effi ciency as much as it is about delivering services to people who can aff ord it, with means and ways that allow them to have these services aff ordably — but it’s about making it fair. It’s about bringing the revenue generation into the income tax system. So my question… Madame Speaker: Excellent. [Laughter.] A. Weaver: …to the minister is this.

Will the min- ister consider, as every other province in the coun- try does, bringing in our funding to MSP premiums through the income tax system, whether it be as a line item or as part of general revenues, to avoid the un- necessary bureaucracy associated with chasing aft er people who have recently lost their jobs and are being charged premiums based on last year’s income tax rate, chasing people who didn’t know they actually had to pay premiums because they are living abroad, and so on? Will the minister consider this approach of using our income tax system for actually raising these pre- miums? Hon.

M. de Jong: Two things come to mind. I don’t want to prejudge or presuppose what the committee might present in terms of thoughts or recommendations on this. I confess to a certain bias, and that runs counter to the suggestion that the member has off ered about eliminating a very specifi c charge, tax levy, in favour of general taxation provisions. If the committee is going to have the conversation…. I ran across this in anticipation of some of the conversa- tions, and I wonder if I can share it with the House.

It’s from a former Member of Parliament from B.C., an NDP Member of Parliament, who said this: “I want to say that I think there is value in having every family and every individual make some individual contribution. I think it has psychological value. I think it keeps the public aware of the cost and gives the people a sense of personal responsibility. “I would say to members of this House that even if we could finance the plan without a per-capita tax, I personally would strongly advise against it.

I would like it to be a nominal tax, but I think there is psychological value in people paying something for their cards. ” Th at wasn’t just any Member of Parliament. Before he was a Member of Parliament he was the Premier of Saskatchewan. Th at was Tommy Douglas in 1961, ad- dressing a special session that created…. Interjections. Hon. M. de Jong: I hope the committee will be mind- ful of all of these ideas as it considers these matters. PARK AND CAMPSITE FEES AND FUNDING FOR PARKS SYSTEM S. Chandra Herbert: Well, that’s probably about the only time we’ll hear that side of the House quote Tommy Douglas.

B.C. families rely on our parks for aff ordable family va- cations, yet this government continues to jack up camp- ing fees again and again. Y ou pay more for camping, you pay more for reservations, and this year they’re increas- ing those fees as well. But it’s not all.

Newly released documents that we’ve got show that this government is now planning “regularized fee hikes” and to “expand the fee range for camping and targeted parks experiences. ” Can the minister explain to this House why she thinks giving the richest 2 percent $230 million is a better pri- ority than ensuring British Columbians can use their parks aff ordably? Hon. M. Polak: It’s a timely question because, as we have announced, the reservations system will be open- ing up for our camping experience in British Columbia’s parks at 9 a.m. on March 15 this year.

I know experienced B.C. campers will be sitting in front of their laptops and computers at 8:55, ready to make those reservations. We expect again that we will see a record year for camping reservations in British Columbia’s parks. [1050] Th e raise this time is quite nominal. In the majority of provincial campsites we’ll see a $2-per-night increase.

Th e regularizing of those fee increases is something that we have heard from the public — so that they have a sense of what to expect from fee increases, that they re- main nominal and not large and, also, that those park facility operators who collect the fees can plan better in terms of improvements they might make to the camp- ing experience. But it is always our intention to make sure that these experiences are family-friendly and af- fordable. Madame Speaker: Recognizing Vancouver–West End on a supplemental. S.

Chandra Herbert: Well, I can only think that the only families that this minister might have heard from who want regularized fee hikes for camping are those that got the $230 million tax cut. The last time this government jacked up park fees, what they did with the money was they pocketed it. Th en, according to these documents, they “forced B.C. Parks to shorten operating seasons, eliminate park ranger pos- itions, reduce preventive maintenance and implement other program cuts. ” Y et this time they want to go even further. Th ey want to ding you if you go to a natural hot spring.

Th ey want to ding you if you go canoeing on par- ticular lakes.

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 26, 2015 6147 Can the minister explain, again, how she could possibly believe British Columbians would welcome increasing fees each and every year for B.C. parks, given this government’s continued cuts to maintenance of those very same parks? Hon. M. Polak: I’m actually glad that the member has raised this issue. I’ve heard some of his comments in the media. Let me assure the House that moneys that are col- lected in camping fees do not get pocketed by govern- ment.

Th ere’s a reason why they don’t show up as a budget item or as a line item, and it’s because we don’t collect them. Park facility operators collect them. In the case where they collect more fees than what they need to oper- ate, then those fees are returned to government. In the case where they collect fees that are defi cient — in other words, it costs them more to run than what they collect — then we provide them with a defi ciency payment. All of this is contained in the system with respect to parks.

When it comes to charging for additional experi- ences or when it comes to investing in our parks, people have told us consistently that if the moneys are going into improving the park experience — and that is what hap- pens — then they are pleased to be paying those nominal increases. As I’ve said, this time, around for the majority, it’s about $2 per night. GOVERNMENT ACTION ON CHILD PLACEMENT ISSUES D. Donaldson: Y esterday the Minister of Children and Family Development excused the ongoing harmful delay in placing children with family members because some cases are complicated.

In another recent case, when faced with an order by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Groves to place a child with her grandmother, it took her ministry 18 months to comply. Th is isn’t sensitive information in the Groves case. Th is is not specifi c information. Th is is a scathing rebuke of the minister’s area of responsibility. Delay using complexity as an excuse, on the one hand, in the case yesterday. Delay following a straight forward justice’s order, on the other hand, in the case today. Delays that fl y in the face of a law that says deci- sions must be made and implemented by this ministry in a timely manner.

Can the minister please tell us what the problem is in her ministry? Is it resources? Is it accountability? Where does the buck stop? Will the minister take responsibil- ity? Th e children and families need answers and action. Hon. S. Cadieux: As the member opposite appears to feel he’s quite an expert on the Child, Family and Community Service Act, he would also know, then, that under the Child, Family and Community Service Act, the director of child welfare is designated to make these types of decisions.

Th is is by design, in law, to ensure that those trained in the area of social work are the ultimate authority, and it protects the very important decisions from both political and media infl uence. [1055] I would expect that the member opposite, especially given his critic portfolio for this very important, very critical ministry and area of service in government, would not be suggesting that politicians should interfere in those decisions. [End of question period.] S. Robinson: I rise in the House to present a petition. Madame Speaker: Please proceed. Petitions S.

Robinson: Th is petition is to voice our concern over the provincial government’s new plan to charge graduated adults in order to upgrade their academics for post-sec- ondary education. Th ese 53 signatures signify that they think that better-educated citizens will not only improve their lives but also benefi t the province and the country. For new immigrants, this is the most eff ective way to be productive members of society and to learn more about Canadian culture. J. Darcy: Leave to make an introduction? Leave granted. Introductions by Members J.

Darcy: As you are aware and members on both sides of the House are aware, today there are many wonderful teachers in the precinct who will be receiving an award from you on behalf of this Legislature — a certifi cate of teaching excellence from the Speaker. I’m very pleased to welcome to the precinct a teacher who lives in New Westminster, Jeanie McKay, who works at North Delta Secondary School. She’s been teaching for over 18 years at the high-school level, a deserving recipi- ent of this award. Congratulations to her and to all of the other teachers who join us here in the Legislature. Orders of the Day Hon.

M. de Jong: Continued debate on the budget. Budget Debate (continued) M. Hunt: As I continue, I would just start by making an introduction. I didn’t need leave for it, since I knew I was going to have the fl oor anyways.

British Columbia Debates6148 Thursday, February 26, 2015 With us today are 26 grade 6 students from Ecole Woodward Hill, who are with us from my constituency. I would ask that the House make them welcome. [R. Chouhan in the chair.] As I was talking about the benefi ts that were happening within this budget, there was one item that I missed, and I just want to mention it as I’m getting to the end of my speech. And that is a big bula vinaka to all of the Fijian community in Surrey.

It’s wonderful news that the Rugby Canada will be having the sevens here in Vancouver in March of 2016, ’17 and ’18, if I have my dates and my numbers correct. For three years the sevens will be here. For those of you who aren’t Fijian and aren’t into rugby, you will know that this is a tour that goes around the world and, in fact, the Fijians won the last tournament. I believe it was in Las Vegas that they won. So the Fijians are really, really into rugby. So we send out a big bula to them and are looking for- ward to a tremendous time with them.

We know that the Leader of the Opposition is only slightly prejudiced when it come to things rugby and has been, in the past, a tre- mendous athlete in it and is a great supporter of it. We look forward to a tremendous time at B.C. Place. But as I continue working on the budget speech — and we continue to work on it — I would just draw to every- one’s attention one of the challenges when it come to budgets, particularly when it come to government. Th at is, the word “economy” is oft en used, and oft en we forget where the word came from. Economy is actually a Greek word. I won’t do the Greek.

I will keep it in English. But the “eco” part of it actually comes from “house” or “home. ” Th e “nomy” part actually means “to manage or distribute. ” So, really, when we’re talking about an economy, when we’re talking about the budget of this provincial government, what we should really be doing is we should be looking at the principles of how you run your own house, how you manage the aff airs and the fi nances of your own house. Th at’s why I am in support of the budget that’s before us. We are doing two things.

One, we are continuing to work on growing the economy and putting the pieces in place for the economy to continue to grow. [1100] But also, we’re doing the second, which is a very critical

part in home economics, and that is controlling our ex- penses, controlling how we spend our money. Just as in a home, everyone knows that if you spend more money than you take in, you’re going to be in trouble at the end of the month. If you do that for a couple of months in a row, you’re going to be in much larger trouble. However, when it comes to government, whether it’s provincial government or federal government, somehow we have this idea that government just makes money out of nowhere, and it suddenly appears and we have it unlimitedly. Of course, that obviously is not true.

Th at’s why defi cits exist and debt rises. But the interesting part that I love about how this gov- ernment is dealing with it is…. Let’s just take the issue of health, as I ended off with talking about the Ministry of Health yesterday as we adjourned this debate. Th e largest department that spends money in this provincial government is the Ministry of Health, and we hear from members opposite how terrible it is that we don’t spend enough money, that we have the lowest per-capita spend- ing on health, and how terrible this is when we look at other jurisdictions throughout Canada.

Y et we have the Conference Board of Canada ranking B.C. as the number one place, ranking fi rst in Canada, for our health services — third in the world, behind Switzerland and Sweden. Th is is a health system where we have learned effi ciency, where we are dealing with initiatives, where we’re dealing with creativity. We’re not just throwing money at a problem to make it disappear. For the sake of the students that are here in the gallery, they’ll notice that now the light has changed on your desk, Mr. Speaker. It has now gone from white to green. If you look, you’ll see a green light that’s there.

I’m going to be in trouble if it turns red. Th at green light means I have two minutes to conclude what I have to say, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I will try to target it perfectly and make it just before the light turns red. Innovation is a part that we need when it comes to fi - nances and the issues of fi nances. Th at’s why I’m so proud that in the city of Surrey we have innovation boulevard. What we’re doing is we’re looking at health care.

We’re looking at the challenges within health care, and we are actually working with Simon Fraser University, with Kwantlen Polytechnic University and with the private sector to fi nd creative solutions and to create even more creative solutions for the health care budgets and the challenges within health care as well as extended care. I am proud of the fact that this province has the best cancer survival rates in Canada. I’m proud of the fact that we have the longest life expectancy in Canada, that we have the lowest crime rates in a decade, that we have the lowest alcohol-related….

Deputy Speaker: Th ank you, Member. G. Holman: I’m pleased to speak to the 2015 budget, particularly on behalf of the voters of Saanich North and the Islands, who have given me the honour of repre- senting them in this Legislature. I also want to acknow- ledge and thank the Saanich First Nations — the Tsawout, Tsartlip, Pauquachin and Tseycum — for allowing us to live and prosper on their lands. As other colleagues have done in this House, I want to thank my family — Eren, Amber, Owen and Alicia — for their support and also express my appreciation to the staff in my constituency offi ce — Ryan, Debra and Chris

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 26, 2015 6149 — for the hard and oft en thankless work they do on be- half of constituents. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the MLAs and staff in the Legislature — including Elizabeth, my legislative assistant — for the work they do on be- half of British Columbians and for the kindness they’ve shown me as a fi rst-time MLA. I particularly want to thank my colleagues on this side of the House for their support and to say how proud I am to be part of an opposition party with a distinguished history in this province.

Th is is the party that, in only a few terms as government, has left a remarkable legacy in British Columbia — a legacy that, in my view, is being put at risk by this government. [1105] Th is is the party that created Hansard and question period, that established the majority of parks in the prov- ince and the agricultural land reserve, that created hu- man rights legislation, that established the environmental assessment offi ce as well as the B.C. Energy Commission, which was the precursor to the B.C. Utilities Commission.

Today, in opposition, this party continues to fi ght for democratic and governance reforms, equality, economic opportunity for all and environmental sustainability, in the full sense of that word. Th is is a party that’s far from irrelevant, as the Premier has so disrespectfully stated. In fact, it’s the Premier and this government that have been tearing down the legacies the NDP have created — weakening the agricultural land reserve, facilitating in- dustrialization of our park system, making a mockery of the environmental assessment process and gutting the au- thority and jurisdiction of the B.C.

Utilities Commission. Th e Liberals, driven by ideology, have been systematically stripping the capacity of government to play its essential role, particularly government’s role in protecting our en- vironment and supporting those in need. One of the main reasons I do not support this budget is that it does very little to address these concerns yet fi nds the wherewithal to provide a $230 million tax break to the highest 2 percent of income earners in British Columbia. Less public sector involvement in the economy is not always better.

Th ere are no better examples of this than the Mount Polley disaster and the decision to proceed with the Site C project. I want to just speak briefl y on the Site C project. As members of this House know, it was reviewed by a joint review panel, which concluded that the rationale for the project had not been determined, had not been credibly made. Th e joint review panel, in fact, suggested that the Site C project be referred to the B.C. Utilities Commission. Information provided by B.C. Hydro itself indicated that in the fi rst four years of operation Site C would lose $800 million.

Th at was one of the reasons why the joint review panel suggested referring the project to the B.C. Utilities Commission, which of course, has been precluded from reviewing the project by this government. The Finance Minister has described this balanced budget as a result of discipline and fi scal prudence. As an economist, I would attribute the surplus to the one-time fi re sale of government assets at an unprecedented scale, the transfer of hundreds of millions in dividends from B.C.

Hydro and ICBC that are supported by accounting tricks and rate hikes, and a series of other fee increases for every- thing from tuition fees and MSP premiums to ferry fares. Combine these fee increases with a willingness to ignore and cut services to the most vulnerable in our society, and you have this government’s recipe for balancing the budget. Over the tenure of the Liberal government there’s been a huge shift from taxation based on ability to pay to regressive user fees and charges that are taxes by any other name. Y ou know, it’s amazing.

I have heard mem- bers opposite talk about balancing this budget without increasing taxes. Th is is a bizarre statement given the huge increase in user fees and charges and levies — you name it — over the tenure of this government. I and, I believe, the members on this side of the House agree that the tax structure, tax rates, should be competi- tive. But over the life of this government sharp increases in regressive fees and charges have imposed billions — billions — in additional costs on families and businesses.

Th is is not only unfair to and hurting ordinary working families with modest to middle incomes; it’s actually hurting the economy. [1110] A quick look at the numbers shows the impacts of these regressive charges which, for hydro, insurance and MSP premiums alone, have cost the average family in British Columbia about $600 per year over the life of the Liberal government. If you live in a ferry-dependent community, add in- creases of hundreds of dollars per year in fares. If you’re a student, add thousands more per year in tuition fees. Th e increase in these fees since 2001 has been nothing short of outrageous.

What I fi nd shocking — it’s quite incred- ible — again is that the members opposite claim that the budget is being balanced without tax increases. Th ese regressive fees and charges hit lower- and mid- dle-income families much harder than high-income earners. Th ese low- and middle-income families spend a much higher proportion of their incomes in the local and provincial economies than do higher-income earn- ers. Economists describe this as a higher propensity to consume.

What this means is that, over time, the shift to a more regressive tax regime hits consumers with the highest propensity to spend and, therefore, weakens con- sumer demand. An increasingly unfair tax regime also raises barriers to lower-income families — in particular, their children — which means lower economic productivity and high- er social costs in the longer run. Th ese higher economic and social costs are costs we will all bear eventually as taxpayers and as citizens.

British Columbia Debates6150 Thursday, February 26, 2015 Th is huge increase in user fees of various kinds also impacts business viability and competitiveness. Th is is particularly true for small businesses — it has been stat- ed earlier in the House — which comprise 98 percent of all businesses in B.C. and account for hundreds of thou- sands of jobs in our province. Regressive user fees and charges represent fi xed costs for these small businesses — costs which have to be paid, regardless of their profi t- ability. Th is makes them more vulnerable to downturns and more likely to fail.

Th e bottom line is that if this budget is balanced, it’s be- ing funded by higher, regressive taxes on ordinary work- ing families, students, ferry-dependent communities and small businesses. And as my colleague from Columbia River–Revelstoke has pointed out, this budget is certainly not balanced from an environmental or social perspective. Another key strategy that government has been em- ploying to balance the budget is to extract billions of dollars over the next number of years from Crown cor- porations. In the 2015 fi scal year alone, over $600 mil- lion in so-called dividends have been pulled from B.C.

Hydro, while jacking up power rates by 74 percent since 2001 and running up B.C. Hydro short-term debt in the form of deferral accounts. Th e Auditor General has stated that the use of deferral accounts at B.C. Hydro has created the illusion of profi t- ability, which has then been used to justify dividend pay- ments. Th e ICBC dividend of over $200 million for fi scal year 2015 is similarly predicated on a 44 percent increase in insurance rates since 2001 — much higher than the rate of infl ation. If you add the dividends in fi scal year 2015 for B.C.

Hydro and ICBC, they alone account for the entire operating surplus in Budget 2015. Many British Columbians would be surprised to know that even B.C. Ferries, which is not a profi t-making entity, pays a dividend of over $6 million to the province, while fares on some minor routes have more than doubled. Th is dividend, extracted by government, is based on a rate of return of 8 percent and alone represents about two-thirds of the entire cost savings that government achieved through its service cuts on minor routes.

In other words, if government simply gave up this question- able dividend, most of the required cost savings from the minor routes could have been achieved. Even though the Premier and this government have fallen rather silent regarding their previous promises about the pot of gold at the end of the LNG rainbow, I want to just make a couple of comments about this issue.

Th e cause of government’s silence on LNG is likely con- nected to reports that the spot price of natural gas in Asia has fallen by 60 percent and that contract prices may al- ready be at or below the break-even levels required for a viable LNG industry in British Columbia. [1115] It’s been very interesting to see the Premier and govern- ment pivot from their laser focus on LNG, as the realities of world markets inevitably expose their reckless and de- ceptive promises. All of a sudden, the rhetoric has shift ed to B.C. ’s diverse economy.

Industries which have, up to now, been ignored now represent our economic salvation. Th is side of the House has consistently pointed out gov- ernment’s preoccupation with non-LNG industries and the need to pay attention to other sectors. For our troubles, we’ve been pilloried by government as saying no to LNG. Consider the forest industry. Once the single most sec- tor of our provincial economy, it’s lost 25,000 jobs during the Liberal terms of offi ce.

Over 200 manufacturing fa- cilities and half of its value-added operations have been shut down, all while raw log exports have skyrocketed by 500 percent and millions of acres of logged Crown timberlands remain unplanted. Th is government has now rediscovered economic di- versity, at least rhetorically, but has stood by and watched as what were once our most important industries, par- ticularly the manufacturing and value-added component, literally implode.

Of course, there were market diffi cul- ties in the United States related to the unethical and reck- less practices of a banking and fi nance sector that almost crippled the world economy — another poster boy for the dangers of deregulation that this government is so fond of. Th e government’s response, or lack of it, to the forest industry is a good example of how it pretends to manage the provincial economy.

While government is quick to take credit for industry upswings driven by internation- al market factors — for example, increased mining ex- ploration spending due to a quadrupling of gold prices over the last decade — the downswings are not only someone else’s fault; there is nothing that can or should be done about it.

Forest strategies that the opposition have suggested — for example, to ensure adequate log supplies to B.C. mills and value-added manufacturers or replanting programs to address the inevitable falldown in interior forests due to beetle kill or worker retraining programs — have all been ignored by this government. Th e point is this. Th is government does not really man- age the economy. Th is is left to the vagaries of world mar- kets and large corporate players. Th is government allows over 200 mills to shut down.

Th ey sign tens of billions in sweetheart deals with pri- vate power producers, resulting in losses of hundreds of millions of dollars per year, selling surplus power at a huge loss in western U.S. markets. Th ey build a north- west power line at a cost overrun of hundreds of billions of dollars to benefi t private power producers and mining corporations. Th ey jump on the LNG bandwagon until they realize the wheels are falling off , at which point they start talking about the forest industry again — the same industry that is now a shadow of its former self as a result of this government’s negligence.

This government doesn’t manage the economy. It stands by and watches the economy happening, like a

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 26, 2015 6151 bystander watching a parade. If things go badly, the gov- ernment blames irrevocable market forces. If the parade appears to move in a positive direction, then, like the joke about all politicians, government jumps to the front of the procession. Th e focus in this budget is aimed almost entirely at bal- ancing fi nancial accounts, but there are other defi cits, en- vironmental and social, that are virtually ignored in this budget. Th is is why I can’t support the budget.

It’s not because there’s nothing good at all in the budget, but be- cause I know it’s possible to do so much better in balan- cing economic, social and environmental goals. I believe that those of us who have been fortunate have a personal responsibility to give back to their communities and leave the world a better place than we found it. Th is responsibil- ity to leave a positive legacy also extends to government. [1120] Th is budget doesn’t meet this test. Th is isn’t just be- cause the budget is founded on a so-called “dividend” for B.C. Hydro that’s awash in debt.

It isn’t just because of the very large liabilities that could result from the court deci- sion on K-to-12 education that are being ignored. It isn’t just because of cuts to essential services that are only be- coming apparent aft er the election, further increases in a variety of regressive user fees and a record on job growth that is one of the worst in Canada. Th is is all bad enough, but I’m going to vote against this budget because it does virtually nothing to address cli- mate change, and in fact, it will greatly exacerbate climate change.

It promotes unsustainable resource development in the context of an environmental assessment process without integrity and the absence of independent regu- latory oversight over B.C. Hydro. It not only does nothing to make our tax system fair; it actually makes it more inequitable by giving a huge tax break for very-high-income earners that don’t need it and never asked for it. While this budget cuts taxes for the top 2 percent of income earners, it still does not ser- iously address the highest child poverty rate in Canada that has persisted for over a decade.

Th is is not a budget to be proud of, and I cannot in good conscience support it. Hon. R. Coleman: Just as I start, I thought I’ d re- spond to the rail from the member for Columbia River– Revelstoke who got up yesterday and said maybe I should get up and speak in the House. I thought maybe I’ d re- mind him that each of us gets an opportunity to speak to throne and budget, and I’ve already spoken to the throne speech in this House.

Maybe he missed it, so I’m just going to put a couple of things I would like him to remember that I said at the beginning of my speech, be- cause they’re pretty important to me personally, and I’ d like him to know this. In my last speech I actually started out recognizing that on May 28 I will have completed 19 years in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Th ere were people that I wanted to recognize, and since the member wasn’t here at the time or didn’t know I had spoken to the throne, I’ d like to actually remind him that I’m very appreciative of the support of my wife, Michele, who I’ve been married to for over 40 years. She was a teenage bride and still looks like a teenager today. She’s full of vibrancy and has been there all the way through my career as a person to support me. I also recognized two other people in my opening re- marks the last time, a couple that I have known for a long time: Bruce and Sheryl Strongitharm.

Bruce ac- tually happens to work in government as chief of staff to the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, but Sheryl is one of my constituency assist- ants and has actually worked for me for over 26 years in the private sector. Th e distinction that they have…. Th ey were the fi rst two people who came to me to convince me that maybe I should chase a nomination for a riding called Fort Langley–Aldergrove in August of 1995. Somehow they got me at a weak moment, and the rest is history.

I always like to recognize the people that have been there for me over the years when I get an opportunity to speak in the House. Th ere are the folks I mentioned, but my constituency assistant today, Jennifer Mamone, who is doing a great job for me at the local level, very much is the person that has tried — or attempted, or worked at trying — to bring me into the modern age of things like Twitter and Facebook and understanding how all of that stuff works. Y ou have to remember that when I entered politics in 1996, I carried a pager, and I had a cell phone. I mean, things have changed.

We actually did things by fax. I don’t think e-mail was anything that I knew about in those days. As you walk through that, you have to also remember the people that have come through your offi ce. It would be impossible for me to recognize the assistant legisla- tive assistants, the legislative assistants, the people that have worked for us in this House, the people that have worked for us in the constituency, the volunteers at fi ve diff erent campaigns and folks that have been around me a long time. But I would like to recognize one person.

Th at is my chief of staff , Tobie Myers, who has actually been my chief of staff basically since I became a minister in 2001 and worked for us in caucus. I was in her pod when she worked for us when she was a legislative assistant and an assistant legislative assistant when she was going to uni- versity back in the 1990s. [1125] Th e team that’s come through there — we actually like to always call them the Coleman team, the folks that have come through as administrative staff and staff that have been executive assistants, MAs, chiefs of staff that have come through the offi ce over the years.

We actually, fondly, try to get together at least once a year with all the

British Columbia Debates6152 Thursday, February 26, 2015 folks that ever worked with us so we can always catch up where they are with their children, their family, their re- lationships and what’s going on in their lives. Th ese folks are important to us, and they’re important, I know, to members opposite, who have staff in their of- fi ces and stuff . Th ey are front-line people that have dif- fi cult jobs at times. Th ey deal with tough fi les that are really where compassion and time and concern at a lo- cal level are what people need, sometimes just an ear to be able to work through their problems.

Th at’s what our constituency folks do. As we go forward today , I want to talk about the bal- anced budget. But before I start, I want to give credit where credit is due — not to do with the budget but to do with the recognition and the work that we do with other lev- els of government, whether it be municipal or provincial. In this case it’s a recognition of the federal government.

Last week the Prime Minister of Canada announced changes to the capital cost allowance with regards to manufacturing facilities in Canada — a signifi cant step forward to recognize the work we had done with them relative to actually making the manufacturing side on the capital cost lines for LNG competitive. I think the leader- ship that the federal government took with work with us was exceptional, and I wanted to thank them publicly for that today — the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the diff erent ministers we’ve dealt with as we went through that — because it was a big step forward for all of us.

Now, I will get into pieces of the budget in a bit, but I want to try and contextualize this, as to how government works and how sometimes you end up with situations and how you have, let’s call them, arrows in your quiver relative to answers for people when you’re trying to do your job. Everybody knows that for every one of us their heart skips a beat when they have to get up and speak in the House, because it’s always something. Th ere’s always a mixed audience.

Sometimes we have better hecklers in the audience than others, so it depends on what the mood of the chamber is, sometimes, when you’re speaking in here. I want to sort of take you down a road of something diff erent. So you’re a cabinet minister, and you’re at an international conference. Y ou’re on a panel discussion, and you give your opening remarks and then sit on a panel to take — actually, as an individual and not so much a panel with a moderator…. Y ou get up and you speak about the opportunities in your province. In this case let’s take LNG as an example.

Y ou get up in front of 500 to 1,000 people, and you talk about the opportunity. Y ou talk about your jurisdiction. Y ou talk to this group of people, leaving them a message about British Columbia, where it is, how the ambient temperature is better for LNG than, let’s say, in a place where it’s 140 de- grees, in some place like Perth today, so you know you have the competitive energy — all the little competitive energy things you have and all the things you do. Th en comes what is instructive, what happens next aft er you give this 15- or 20-minute presentation.

It’s now to sit down on a chair with the moderator, and it’s ques- tions from the audience. Th e fi rst thing aft er you do this the fi rst time….

Th e fi rst thing you recognize — in going back to what I mentioned about how my constituency assistants bring me into the Twitter and the Facebook world and have for some time, my communications folks — is that while you were speaking, investors, bankers, government offi cials, people that would actually build industry, people who want to make partnerships in industry, pipeline builders, all of these people in a room, are actually passing com- ment on every single word you say while you’re saying it. It’s going through, basically, this network of people globally that talk about it. But then come the questions.

Th e questions government gets in this circumstance…. “Okay, we know you have a resource. We know it’s one of the best resources in the world because we’re in the busi- ness and we know that. But we want to know a couple of things. ” Th e fi rst thing that usually comes from the fl oor is: “What’s the stability of the fi scal status in your jurisdiction in British Columbia?” Y ou usually have to start that con- versation by always reminding them that British Columbia is a province in a country that has a triple-A credit rating called Canada.

But then they want to know about B.C. [1130] Th e fi rst thing you talk to them about is budgets, be- cause if you’re making an investment anywhere in the world today, if you were thinking of making a multi-bil- lion-dollar investment, you wouldn’t be going to a coun- try that had junk bond status, and you certainly wouldn’t be investing in a place where they haven’t recognized they need to get their fi scal house in order. One of the best assets a minister has at an international conference, when they’re talking to people and starting to answer that question, is this: “We balanced our budget.

We meet our fi scal targets. We do this now…. Th is is the third year in a row we’ve had a balanced budget. Th e gov- ernment has also paid down the largest amount of taxpay- ers’ debt in the history of the province of British Columbia when we had the dollars to do so. Even through the eco- nomic downturn, we still managed our province well and maintained that credit rating that is so important. ” As you go through that, they start to ask other ques- tions. Th e budget is important to these guys.

Th ey want to know that if they invest in a jurisdiction, they’re not spending money so ridiculously bad and not balancing their budget. And that if they make an investment and in fi ve or ten years from now someone decides to orphan or nationalize their investment because they want to go grab more and take away that investment and take away their competitive ability…. Th at’s actually why they like Canada for investment — people around the world. Th at’s why they like British Columbia: for its stability.

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 26, 2015 6153 Th e fi nances piece is interesting, as they ask the ques- tion, because as they make an investment, they know where their costs and risks can go when they sit in front of the next people I will talk about. Y ou have a group of people in this room who are try- ing to make recommendations at some point in time about where to put billions of dollars worldwide.

Th ey’re deciding whether they should recommend that they go to Russia, whether they go to China, whether money out of China should fl ow into a project in Australia or whether investments should come from Japan and other markets around the world into other jurisdictions like Canada. Th ey want to know what the stability of that economy is today. It’s one of the biggest…. I’m told, in my most recent conferences and conversations with CEOs and fi - nancial institutions around the world, it’s become one of the most signifi cant things they look for. Th ey’ve watched the European example.

Th ey’ve watched Greece having the inability to actually get its fi scal house in order, and they’re saying “Enough is enough. Th ere’s only so much money we want to risk. ” Th ey look at places where somebody can say: “Here you go. ” Th is jurisdiction balances its budget. Th is jurisdiction manages its taxes to keep them competitive in a global sense — and I’ll get to that in a second — and they have a triple-A credit rating.

Th at then tells them that the cost, and risk, of their money to invest in a project in British Columbia is more competitive than if they were going to put it in Mozambique, central Africa or other areas of the world where there are other forms of political strife. Th ey take that as a factor on investments they make when they make these investments. Make no mistake: in- vestment is what actually drives an economy and creates jobs, because that investment creates long-term stability and opportunities for our citizens.

As you come through those two — the budget, the triple-A credit rating and the fi nances piece, which is combined in those two — they then look at what else the jurisdiction is about. Th e fi rst thing they do, when you try and enter into a new industry like LNG, is that they say to us: “Okay, what is the framework for doing business? What is the time frame for completing that framework? And can you meet those deadlines?” My most recent discussion with a group of CEOs and folks involved in industry said: “Th ere’s one thing we know about British Columbia, Minister.

Everything you said you would do, and the time you said you would do it by, you’ve met every single time — every single time. Th at gives us comfort, as we come to the biggest and most dif- fi cult fi nancial decisions in this package, that we will be able to rely on the word of government to complete the other pieces as we move forward. ” Th at is critical.

Th en because of the experiences worldwide in projects the size of LNG and smaller, all over the world there’s been one piece of this puzzle that’s been very diffi cult for companies — that is, what jurisdiction can we go to that actually has a plan for skilled labour: to attract it, to re- train it, to be able to fi ll it when it’s needed so that the jobs can be done and built on time and on budget? [1135] Th is is really critical, more critical than most of you probably realize.

Because of the experience in projects around the world today, it has become one of the four or fi ve most important pieces of a fi nal investment de- cision on major projects. Th e experience has been that jurisdictions haven’t got this right. Th ey haven’t done the planning, they haven’t done the work, and they haven’t worked with industry to try and understand all the jobs and trades that are going to be needed. If you were to sit down with the major proponents in British Columbia today and ask them a question about labour….

Actually, at one of the conferences I was at, one of the senior people from one of those proponents got up and said: “I want to say something, Minister. We do this all over the world. Nowhere have we seen a better relationship between a provincial and a federal government trying to work through the issues with regard to skilled labour and the people that are needed, and no- where have we seen the rigour and the work that’s been done by your minister, the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour” — our member for Prince George–Valemount.

Never had they seen that amount of rigour and focus and work done to be ready. Th at ministry has accom- plished more in this role than any other jurisdiction, if you can imagine. Th is is a comment from this individ- ual from the fl oor saying: “ …than any jurisdiction we’re aware of in the world. ” Th at’s important for the invest- ment decisions that come to British Columbia. As we go through that, we walk through debt-to- GDP , then they ask about your environmental standards. Th ey’re not saying: “We don’t like your environmental standards. ” Th ey’ll say: “We’re prepared to meet them.

We’re prepared to beat them. But what we want to know is: what’s the time frame? If we make an application and we meet your standards, what are the decision-making process and timeline to get there?” Th at is what helps us get to where we can build the business going forward. Taxation, credit rating, labour — all of these things and expectations and analyses and answers, as you’re do- ing those Q and A ’s, are transmitted instantly worldwide. Y ou have to start to understand that so that you know where you’ve got to be and where you’ve got to get to.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s the Rio Tinto Alcan smelter or in Prince Rupert or whether it’s a new forest operation in British Columbia or a mine or LNG. All of those ques- tions come into your investment discussion when you try to make a decision as a company. [Madame Speaker in the chair.]

British Columbia Debates6154 Thursday, February 26, 2015 Y ou lay out a plan to the proponents. Y ou work with them. Y ou meet the legislative, regulatory and other time- lines that you need, and you enter into discussions on de- tailed project development agreements so that they will be able to go to a board and eventually make that decision that could change the future of your jurisdiction.

As I say that, always in the back of the mind is some- thing that I think everybody in this Legislature thinks of fi rst, and that is: if we’re here doing this job, are we doing it in a way to try and build a better future for the prov- ince? I believe we all have that same motivation. I also believe it’s about our families, our children, our grandchildren, our nieces, our nephews, our cousins, our great-nieces, our great-nephews, whatever the case may be as we go forward — to know that we want to give them something and an opportunity that is better than we inher- ited from our parents.

We can never, ever lose sight of that. When we make this work and we do it, it’s about pro- tecting our environment and building an industry that can actually make a diff erence to the future of British Columbia, no matter which industry it is — tech, fi lm, whatever the case may be. Th at’s why we make the decisions we do. Th e attraction is important to a jurisdiction.

If dollars don’t come to your jurisdiction, if it doesn’t come to your jurisdiction, then what you’ve done is not having outside dollars coming in, making investments, improving your economy and having an eff ect that’s positive on long- term job creation and the careers of people you serve. One of the instructive things I think people haven’t talked about relative to this year’s budget is that you do that in a framework where you have the discipline go- ing in.

Y ou do it in a framework where you get your fun- damentals done, and you do it in a framework where you’re paying attention to everything else that’s going on in your jurisdiction, particularly your credit rating and your budget and your balance. [1140] I fi nd it ironic because sometimes I worry about the lack of understanding of folks. Th e irony is…. I’ve sat in this House, and people say: “Y ou know, there’s not a sin- gle dollar of revenue in this budget that talks about LNG. ” Y ou’re right. Shocking to you, but that’s the way it is.

What you should be saying is: “Isn’t it incredible that without li- quefi ed natural gas as an additional revenue source — on a resource that we have to get to another market, globally — the province of British Columbia has almost $1 billion surplus on a balanced budget?” Everybody in this House at one time or another prob- ably has had a mortgage. Somebody in this House has probably had a car loan. Somebody’s had credit card debt or has owned a business.

Now, I can tell you in a business, once you get your fundamentals done and you have your overhead secured and you’re fi scally responsible to your operation and you’ve reached a level of break-even, now you move into an area of profi t where you can reinvest or you can add another business line that drops directly to your bottom line. Exponentially, your profi ts go up, and your ability to invest and do more things goes up exponentially.

But if you’re a business person that thinks, “I’m going to borrow more than I make every single year, ” within a fi ve-year cycle or less, you’re talking to a receiver or a bankruptcy trustee. Y ou can’t operate that. So you can imagine….

I look forward to the day — I know I will see it; I’m going to tell you why — that the LNG industry comes to British Columbia, as it will, and that the benefi ts fl ow to First Nations communities with as high as 70 and 80 percent unemployment today and will change their employment to actually being positive, where the revenues and opportunities change the dynam- ics of the economics of small and large communities alike. As I go through all of that, I must remind you folks of a couple of things. Over here they actually think LNG has disappeared.

Th ere are 18 proposals in British Columbia today and ten export permits already approved federal- ly. Th ere have already been EA certifi cates given out on a couple of projects, including some pipelines. Th ere’s a bunch of pipeline and benefi t agreements already signed with First Nations, along with revenue-sharing and op- portunities like that.

More important is that I have had a chance to sit down with the major companies — and the minor companies, because there are small and large projects in this par- ticular focus — in the last 60 days, in detailed meetings about project development agreements, timing, oppor- tunities and where they want to go. Th e projects that I spoke to are on the same timeline to get the fi nal invest- ment decision, with the exception of one, as they were before.

However, there are two that have now told me they think they’re going to accelerate their timeline into 2015, when they thought they might be looking at FID in 2016, which is fi ne. At that point in time, I’ll be able to remind the mem- bers from Prince Rupert and Terrace and Kitimat and all of that — as they stood up and said this was dying — that the opportunities and the change in the real estate and the jobs in their community are going to be way more than what they’re already seeing.

Th ey’re going to see huge benefi ts for their communities and jobs for folks that have been waiting a long time for an opportunity, particularly the First Nations across the north. And don’t forget that. Th at is a generational and culture-changing opportunity that they’re telling me they want to welcome. As we go forward and we start to see LNG come along — and thanks to the leadership of our Minister of Finance, we continue to balance our budget and have surpluses — and revenues start to fl ow in from LNG…. Guess where it drops to. It drops to the bottom line.

Just like adding an- other piece to your business, it increases your profi tability. Th at allows to you do a couple of things: invest in infra- structure — schools, hospitals, those sorts of things…. It also allows you to pay down even more debt. As you pay

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 26, 2015 6155 down more debt and you see that margin keep going up on that gap, you can pay off your debt for the next gen- eration of your children and your grandchildren. More importantly, you can actually start putting money away in a legacy fund, like a prosperity fund, for the genera- tion that follows that. [1145] Now, the only reason the members opposite have a problem with that is because that’s pretty visionary. It’s long-term thinking, and the tendency of us in politics is to think four-year cycles. We get elected in 2013.

We go to the polls again in 2017, then 2021 or whatever it is — in my case, starting in ’96. But the fact of the matter is that if you don’t think long term and you don’t build a plan long term, then you’re failing the very people that put you in, in the fi rst place. As we come through all of this today, I want you to be clear about something. Th e companies and investors and governments, worldwide, that are looking to talk to British Columbia at the front end of what I just de- scribed are fundamental to the success of the province.

As I speak about the opportunity in LNG, I can tell you — I sit across the table and get told this by people who want to invest here — that they’ve never seen a jurisdic- tion that got it together better on labour, on their funda- mentals, on their structures and on their fundamentals in the operation of the fi scal plan within their jurisdiction.

Th en they say: “We’ve never dealt with a jurisdiction that keeps its word at the level that you do, to always meet the timelines you say you’ll meet. ” So as you go through that and you think about the future, you say: “Where would I make the fi nal investment decision?” Why would one com- pany today have 250 engineers working on their proposal, working towards a fi nal investment decision on a multi-bil- lion project in British Columbia today if they thought they weren’t coming here someday? Th ey’re coming. Billions of dollars have already been invested in LNG opportunities in B.C.

But as we go through the LNG op- portunities, never forget that the fundamentals and the vision around this thing that gives us the future we’re looking for starts way back at the fi scal fundamentals of balancing your budget, a triple-A credit rating, making sure you’re ready, making sure your labour and training match up and making sure you’re doing the work you need to do to be ready for this. We’re ready for this, and we have our fundamentals in place. As we do this, we’re actually doing a number of other things while we’re balancing the budget and attracting in- vestments.

I see other investments coming as a result of the global conversation in and around British Columbia. Being a player in one market, you see other investments coming here, too, in other resources, in petroleum re- sources and other things that are being brought here be- cause people get to know us. As you go through this, you look at a budget today that is balanced, with a surplus from last year that’s going to help to pay down debt. In addition to that, you’ve also got to remember a couple of things.

We changed, for instance, the defi nition of a person with disabilities, developmental disabilities, by the courts a few years ago. One of the chal- lenges it faced us with is: how do we actually work with that defi nition and make sure we can serve the people who are aging out into Community Living B.C. Madame Speaker: Th ank you, Minister. Hon. R. Coleman: I’m proud of the investment we made in Community Living. I didn’t know I was on anything but a clock to this, but I’m good for that. Let’s just fi nish quickly. Th e province of British Columbia is in the shape to at- tract investment.

Mark my words, we’ll be successful, and don’t forget that the fundamentals for the future of British Columbia were built with this government on the basis of a balanced budget, a triple-A credit rating and keep- ing our act together fi nancially. Hon. M. de Jong: I arise, I believe, pursuant to the or- ders which require us to do some things. I will say that I’m obliged to the Deputy Premier and to all the members who participated in the discussion thus far around the budget.

Suffi ce to say that there has been a variety of views identifi ed and diff ering approaches to the question of public fi nance and public budgeting that we will have an opportunity to explore further in the weeks ahead as we engage in the more detailed estimates process. I move, seconded by the hon.

Deputy Premier of British Columbia, that the Speaker do now leave the chair for the House to go into Committee of Supply. [1150-1155] Motion approved on the following division: YEAS — 46 Horne Sturdy Bing Hogg Y amamoto Michelle Stilwell Stone Fassbender Oakes Wat Th omson Virk Wilkinson Pimm Sultan Hamilton Reimer Ashton Morris Hunt Cadieux Lake Polak de Jong Clark Coleman Anton Bond Bennett Letnick Barnett Th ornthwaite McRae Plecas Lee Kyllo Tegart Th roness Huntington Bernier Larson Foster Dalton Martin Gibson Moira Stilwell

British Columbia Debates6156 Thursday, February 26, 2015 NAYS — 29 Hammell Simpson Robinson Farnworth Horgan James Dix Ralston Corrigan Popham Kwan Austin Chandra Herbert Karagianis Bains Elmore Shin Heyman Darcy Donaldson Krog Trevena D. Routley Simons Weaver Chouhan Rice Holman B. Routley Motions Without Notice COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY TO SIT IN TWO SECTIONS Hon. M. de Jong: By leave, I move the motion where- by the House authorizes the Committee of Supply for the session to sit in two sections, designated Sections A and B.

Th e motion has been distributed, I think, to the offi cial opposition House Leader and the independent members of the House. I won’t presume to read the usual set of conditions. I will alert the House, however, to the fact that if the mo- tion passes, the government’s intention would be not to convene the Committee of Supply in two sections until next week on Monday. [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. 2. All Estimates shall stand referred to

Section A, save and except those Estimates as shall be referred to

Section B on motion without notice by the Government House Leader, which motion shall be decided without amen

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20150226am-Hansard-v20n6
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20150226am Hansard v20n6
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	5c8789ba7fcd7dcc3df99d6144fb8681264de03a

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