Second Session, 43rd Parliament

Official Report

of Debates

( Hansard )

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Afternoon Sitting

Issue No. 132

The Honourable Raj Chouhan , Speaker

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

Contents

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Statements

Financial Reporting Award for District of Sooke Staff

Dana Lajeunesse

Introductions by Members

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill 10 — Labour Statutes Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside

Bill 11 — Residential Tenancy Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Christine Boyle

Members’ Statements

Community Work of Options for Sexual Health

Janet Routledge

Quesnel Community Support Roundtable

Sheldon Clare

Support for Small Business

Paul Choi

A Night to Shine Event for Inclusion of Youth with Special Needs

Linda Hepner

Metro Theatre in Vancouver

Sunita Dhir

Private Property Rights

Dallas Brodie

Oral Questions

Federal Government Recognition Agreement with xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Nation

Trevor Halford

Hon. David Eby

Scott McInnis

Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Technology

Jeremy Valeriote

Hon. Rick Glumac

Mental Health Services and Use of Artificial Intelligence for Mental Health Support

Jeremy Valeriote

Hon. Josie Osborne

Access to Obstetrics and Trauma Care at Vancouver General Hospital

Brennan Day

Hon. Josie Osborne

Access to Obstetrics Care in Hospitals

Lawrence Mok

Hon. Josie Osborne

Gavin Dew

Anna Kindy

Hon. David Eby

Tabling Documents

B.C. Utilities Commission, annual report, 2024-25

Orders of the Day

Second Reading of Bills

Bill 6 — Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2026 (continued)

Harman Bhangu

Steve Morissette

Hon Chan

George Anderson

Macklin McCall

Darlene Rotchford

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson

Susie Chant

Bill 9 — Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Diana Gibson

Jody Toor

Darlene Rotchford

Jordan Kealy

Stephanie Higginson

Rosalyn Bird

Rohini Arora

David Williams

Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room

Committee of the Whole

Bill 3 — Budget Measures Implementation Act (N o . 2), 2026

Hon. Ravi Kahlon

Peter Milobar

Jeremy Valeriote

Proceedings in the Birch Room

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation (continued)

John Rustad

Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert

Scott McInnis

Rob Botterell

Á’a:líya Warbus

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

The House met at 1:33 p.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Sunita Dhir.

[1:35 p.m.]

Introductions by Members

Korky Neufeld : This morning we had the 20th anniversary of the MLA prayer breakfast, and we had

40-plus MLAs in attendance from across political lines. The speaker’s, Dr. Gordon

Smith’s, message was resilient hope.

Let’s thank Leading Influence and Jason and Anna, our Leg. chaplains, for hosting

such an exceptional event.

Claire Rattée : I have two different introductions that I want to make today.

One of them is that we have, somewhere here, Bobby and Karla from Union Gospel Mission.

They were at the prayer breakfast this morning, but I also had the opportunity over

the lunch hour to go and visit them at one of their recovery houses, as they’re kind

of breaking into the space here in Victoria and providing some really great service

for people that really need it.

I want to thank them for the work that they do and welcome them here to the Legislature.

The other introduction that I want to make is, really, somebody that needs no introduction

here. It’s somebody that’s known well across party lines because he does the hard

work of advocating for our communities, and he does it well. It’s someone that I look

up to and that I respect a lot, and that’s our mayor, Sean Bujtas.

Hon. Josie Osborne : I am honoured today to introduce the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Yukon.

Dementia is something that touches every part of our health system. It touches the

core of our communities. Addressing this requires research; education; clinical leadership;

compassionate, community-based support; and listening to people with lived experience.

It’s challenging but important work, and we’re partners in doing this work together.

I want to say thank you to the members of the board and staff, who are here with us

in the gallery today, for your leadership, for your advocacy, for the work that you

do not only for people living with dementia but those who walk alongside them.

I would ask all members of the House to please join me in welcoming them and making

them feel very appreciated for the work that they do.

Peter Milobar : I have three people to introduce today.

One is Michelle Reith from Kamloops. She is a newly retired nurse who — I found out

today when I bumped into them on the grounds — actually worked with my father back

in the day in the hospital. But of more interest is, apparently, that her grandmother

signatures in favour of the legalization of lotteries to fund health care.

Joining Michelle is her mother from Revelstoke, Elaine Ralph, and her brother from

Creston, Michael Ralph.

Will the House please make them all welcome.

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : I want to recognize an individual today who, as a young man, left India. He was destined

to be in Bollywood. He had the opportunity of being in Bollywood, but he chose to

leave that opportunity and instead immigrated to Canada.

He became an organizer in the farmworker movement, an organizer in the labour movement.

Today we call him the Speaker of the House.

Hon. Speaker, I want to wish you a happy birthday.

Some Hon. Members :

“Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday, dear Speaker,

Happy birthday to you.”

[Applause.]

Statements

Financial Reporting Award

for District of Sooke Staff

Dana Lajeunesse : A few years ago, while I was an elected member of the district of Sooke council,

after having presented their latest audit results to council, KPMG staff suggested

that the district’s finance department deserved an award for their work. So today

I wish to recognize and congratulate the district of Sooke staff on receiving the

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting.

[1:40 p.m.]

This is a national honour that reflects rigorous standards, transparency and unwavering

commitment to public service.

I want to thank you for your professionalism, your care, your dedication to serving

Sooke with excellence. This award is a testament to your extraordinary work and is

truly well deserved.

Introductions by Members

Bruce Banman : Happy birthday, Mr. Speaker.

I would like to introduce two guests joining us in the gallery today, Mr. Neil Dobson,

director for British Columbia with Clean Prosperity, and Mr. Adam Sweet, vice-president

for western Canada.

For those who don’t know, Clean Prosperity is a Canadian organization focused on advancing

practical solutions that reduce emissions while supporting economic growth. Their

work contributes to important conversations around climate policy and innovation right

here in British Columbia and across Canada.

Would the House please welcome them.

Harwinder Sandhu : Since the Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth has beat me to it, but I had my hand

up, I, too, would like to acknowledge an extraordinary individual who’s very inspiring,

a trail-blazer and a champion of human rights and workers rights.

He is a favourite among children to adults to seniors and also across the world, in

the South Asian diaspora and beyond.

I, too, would like to take a moment to wish you, Mr. Speaker, a very happy birthday.

Thank you for all you do.

The Speaker : Thank you.

Minister of Environment.

Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson : Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and happy birthday.

I’d like to welcome representatives that are here from the Northwest B.C. Resource

Benefits Alliance. In the House today are Mayor Sean Bujtas, the mayor of Terrace;

Mayor Gladys Atrill, the mayor of Smithers; and Mayor Herb Pond, the mayor of Prince

Rupert. As well, joining them is Ron Poole, the project manager for the RBA.

We’re looking forward to meeting with you and the Premier later this afternoon.

Would the House please join me in welcoming them here.

Larry Neufeld : Today in the gallery we are joined by a large contingent of members from the Canadian

Hydrogen Association.

The Canadian Hydrogen Association is a national non-profit association, comprising

industry, academia, research agencies and end-users, focused on advancing the use

of clean hydrogen and hydrogen technologies to help create a prosperous net-zero world.

For those of us in this place of honour that have not yet done so, please do take

an opportunity to visit the hydrogen-powered vehicles that are out on the front step

at this time.

Please help me make them feel welcome.

Tony Luck : Today I was pleased to welcome the grades 6 and 7 French immersion students from

Ecole Collettville Elementary School from Merritt. This is a school that my wife recently

graduated, and she had a great time teaching there.

They were accompanied by their teacher Jory Berthelet, their principal Brandon Sambrook

and parent helper Tobey Loeppky. They toured the Legislature and said meeting Mr.

Baldrey was one of the highlights of the tour today.

Anyway, unfortunately, they are headed back to Merritt, and they’re not going to be

able to sit with us today.

Would you please join me in offering them a safe trip home.

Sharon Hartwell : Today I was invited to hear the presentation on the Resource Benefits Alliance in

the northwest and what it means for communities. It was a pleasure to welcome people

from home.

Joining us today is Mayor Gladys Atrill from the town of Smithers and also a person

who, at least for me, needs no introduction and has worked in municipal government

in the northwest for most of his career. Please welcome Ron Poole and the guests to

the chamber.

Janet Routledge : I’m very pleased today to welcome 30 grades 5, 6 and 7 students and their teacher

Crystal Smith from Aubrey Elementary in Burnaby North.

Please join me in making them feel very welcome and to have a really good time here

today.

Korky Neufeld : Two quick introductions.

Our caucus welcomed 11 presidents and leaders of private institutions from across

B.C. to the precinct. I’d ask them, please, to stand on the far end upstairs. Thank

you so much.

We had a sobering discussion with our caucus this morning. There’s a handful of representatives

in the chamber.

Members, let’s make them feel welcome.

[1:45 p.m.]

We all know how important our constituency assistants are. I’d like Isaac Byrd to

stand up, please. Let’s be honest. They run the office. They’re in charge. I show

up where I’m supposed to, and they make all the things happen.

I want to thank you, Isaac, for all you do for the residents of Abbotsford West.

His wife, Ella, is here for the first time. Would she stand as well.

Let’s make them feel welcome.

Hon. Ravi Parmar : We’ve got some incredible guests in the precinct today and tomorrow, meeting with

members, I believe, from both sides of the House. The United Steelworkers Wood Council

is here in Victoria advocating for forestry workers in every corner of our province.

We have Wood Council chair Jeff Bromley; Mike Duhra; Josh Moraes; Brett Barden; Keith

Carson; Aman Chumber, who’s the new president of Local 2009 — great to see him in

that role; Kelly Gulka; Jason Cox; Nolan Paquette; Andrew Deley; Rod Park; Grant Farquhar;

Gord Haine; Eli Anderson; Phil Ducharme; Ryan Wilson; Dylan Gulak.

These guys do outstanding work in their communities, standing up for forestry workers

in every corner of our province.

Will the House please join me in making them feel very welcome.

Rohini Arora : I am thrilled to announce and introduce, of course, many folks that the minister

just spoke to, but there are three staunch advocates of workers and the forestry sector,

and they are members of my union Local 2009. I want to give a shout-out to Aman Chumber,

who is the newly minted president, and thank Al Bieksa for his time as president.

His retirement party is coming up this Friday, so get your ticket.

I’d also like to shout out my friends Kelly Gulka and my union pops, Mike Duhra.

Thank you so much for joining us today, and I wish I could be there with you.

Please join me in welcoming them.

Rosalyn Bird : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Happy birthday.

We don’t have folks down from Prince George very often. It was my pleasure today to

meet up with and have lunch with Chief Dolleen Logan, from Lheidli T’enneh, and Todd

Corrigall, the senior vice-president of Central Strategies.

Would the House please welcome them here today.

Jeremy Valeriote : Happy birthday, Mr. Speaker.

I am pleased to welcome Jatinder Sidhu and Paige Calvert from my constituency office

who are visiting today. They continue to do impressive work out of our Squamish office

and across the riding, and they’re not discouraged by tough problems and the occasional

grumpy constituent.

I also want to repeat the welcome to the Canadian Hydrogen Association delegation.

Check out their hydrogen vehicles on the front lawn.

A special nod to my friend of 30 years, Ron Klopfer, who is the CEO of Hyfluence,

a Burnaby-based company that makes hydrogen fueling systems.

Please make them feel welcome.

George Anderson : Happy birthday, Mr. Speaker.

First, I’d like to welcome a constituent from Nanaimo-Lantzville, Jim Dickinson. He’s

a rancher. He’s a builder and just a great British Columbian. He’s also volunteered

for the past 23 years with the Vancouver Island Military Museum. It’s also his first

time ever in the Legislature.

I hope the entire House would make him feel welcome.

Rob Botterell : And many more, Mr. Speaker.

It’s my pleasure to welcome Julie Luna, Theresa Coles and Deborah Bowman, my constituency

team, to the Legislature. They’re visiting the Legislature for an all-day training

session with an amazing client care team we have and are attending QP to watch us

in action.

Please, may the House join me in making them welcome.

Jordan Kealy : I would like to welcome to the Legislature Brad Sperling and Leonard Hiebert. They

are from the Peace River regional district. Brad Sperling is the chair of the regional

district, and they are here for some minister meetings.

I wish you luck.

Larry Neufeld : My colleague from Peace River North has embarrassed me for not making the exact same

introduction.

Thank you very much.

Please help me welcome them for a second time.

[1:50 p.m.]

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

Bill 10 — Labour Statutes

Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor:

a bill intituled Labour Statutes Amendment Act, 2026.

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside : I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now.

I am pleased to introduce Bill 10, the Labour Statutes Amendment Act, 2026. This bill

amends the Employment Standards Act and the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act

to improve efficiency in the complaint and dispute resolution process under both acts.

The Employment Standards Act and the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act set the floor for the minimum standards for compensation and conditions of employment

and help protect workers from exploitation.

Workers who believe they’ve not received the rights and protections they are entitled

to under these acts may file a complaint with the employment standards branch. The

complaint process at the branch offers valuable support to vulnerable workers. These

workers often lack the power to advocate for themselves when employers or foreign

worker recruiters do not meet their obligations under the acts.

The proposed amendments will help with ongoing efforts to improve the effectiveness

and timeliness of complaint resolution at the branch. It is important that workers

who file complaints receive the wages and other remedies owed to them as soon as possible.

Efficient and timely complaint resolution is also important for employers, who rely

on the branch to administer fair proceedings. These amendments will support both workers

and employers with improved service while maintaining the rights and protections under

these acts.

The Speaker : Members, the question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside : I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the

next sitting of the House after today.

Motion approved.

Bill 11 — Residential Tenancy

Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Christine Boyle presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor:

a bill intituled Residential Tenancy Amendment Act, 2026.

Hon. Christine Boyle : I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now.

I’m pleased to introduce the Residential Tenancy Amendment Act. This bill achieves

a key legislative outcome. Bill 11 proposes amendments to the Residential Tenancy

Act to improve health and safety in supportive housing.

Through increased investment in supportive housing, more British Columbians have come

indoors from encampments or have avoided homelessness altogether. We’ve also been

able to support people with more complex needs. At the same time, supportive housing

providers have experienced challenges related to rare but serious safety incidents,

including problematic guests and tenants who may pose a risk to the well-being of

others.

Based on insights from engagement that began in summer 2025, changes are being proposed

that strike the right balance between effectively promoting safety in supportive housing

and maintaining protections under the RTA for people who call supportive housing home.

Everyone deserves a safe place to live and work. To achieve this, the right tools

are needed.

This bill will create provisions tailored to the operational realities of supportive

housing, including addressing urgent challenges related to weapons and de-escalation

of serious health and safety risks. Beyond supportive housing, amendments will also

strengthen existing eviction provisions to better protect guests and workers across

all forms of rental housing.

Finally, the amendments will clarify the jurisdiction of the RTA related to transitional

housing. This bill is a significant step toward improving safety and stability for

people who live and work in supportive housing.

The Speaker : Members, the question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. Christine Boyle : I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the

next sitting of the House after today.

Motion approved.

[1:55 p.m.]

Members’ Statements

Community Work of

Options for Sexual Health

Janet Routledge : Options for Sexual Health is a non-profit charity established in 1963. It champions

and celebrates the sexual health of all people in B.C. by supporting, providing and

promoting inclusive and accessible health care and education.

Options’ school-based education team delivers comprehensive sexual education. To quote

UNESCO:

“CSE empowers young people to make informed decisions about relationships and sexuality

and navigate a world where gender-based violence, gender inequality, early and unintended

pregnancies, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections still pose serious risks

to their health and well-being. It also helps to keep children safe from abuse by

teaching them about their bodies and how to change practices that lead to pregnancy

before they’re ready.

“Equally, a lack of high-quality, age-appropriate sexuality and relationship education

may leave children and young people vulnerable to harmful sexual behaviours and sexual

exploitation, including online violence, bullying and misinformation.”

Options operates clinics in rural and remote areas, and the Sex Sense information

and referral line provides confidential services to anyone in B.C. for free through

a toll-free phone number or by email.

Options does preventative health promotion through their community engagement team

— both in person at events, sharing information and safer sex supplies; and digitally,

In a world increasingly influenced by fake news and uncertainty, it is reassuring

to know that there is a place like Options for Sexual Health, where everyone in B.C.,

regardless of age, ancestry, ability, gender identity or sexual orientation, can get

non-judgmental, evidence-based support for their sexual health.

Quesnel Community Support

Roundtable

Sheldon Clare : Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and many happy returns.

I rise today to acknowledge and thank the dedicated members of the Quesnel community

support roundtable. Last year my office brought this round table together to unite

the many organizations and individuals in Quesnel that work tirelessly to support

those who are often unheard, unhoused and unfed. By strengthening communication and

collaboration, this group has enhanced coordination of care and support for some of

the most vulnerable members of our community.

One powerful example of this cooperation is the community meal initiative, hosted

each Monday at Northstar Church. Since its launch at the end of January, the initiative

has served an average 180 meals every week. Just as importantly, it has created a

welcoming space of connection and belonging for those living in isolation.

The Quesnel community support roundtable includes the city of Quesnel, the Cariboo

regional district, the Quesnel Shelter and Support Society, Canadian Mental Health

Association of Northern B.C., the Nourish food bank, GreenHope Society, the Quesnel

Women’s Resource Centre, Amata Transition House Society, the Elizabeth Fry Society,

Foundry Quesnel, Northstar Church, St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Two Rivers

Church and many passionate individuals who give their time and energy to help others.

The challenges facing our communities are significant. One in eight British Columbians

lives below the poverty line. Food bank use has surged 79 percent since 2019. In Quesnel,

the homeless count has risen to 131 in 2025. In Williams Lake, it has increased 96

percent since 2020. Compared to the previous decade, intimate-partner violence has

risen sharply — up 32 percent among adults aged 25 to 64 and 42 percent among seniors.

Intimate-partner sexual assault is 163 percent higher. Paramedics have responded to

256 overdose and poisoning calls in a single day.

It’s important that this House recognizes those who are filling these gaps, offering

compassion and helping people when and where most needed.

Thank you to the members of the Quesnel community support roundtable for your leadership

and dedication. I look forward to continuing our work on these essential efforts.

Support for Small Business

Paul Choi : A strong economy is built from the ground up. In B.C., that foundation is our small

businesses. Across our province, more than 98 percent of businesses are small businesses.

There are cafés on our main streets, the family-run stores in our neighbourhoods,

manufacturers creating local jobs and entrepreneurs turning ideas into opportunities.

[2:00 p.m.]

This is not just a statistic to me. It is personal. My family ran a small convenience

store after we immigrated to Canada. Like many small business families, we worked

long hours behind the counter. We learned quickly that success depends on resilience,

hard work and collaboration.

That experience shaped my understanding of the economy long before I studied law or

tax policies and long before I had the privilege of serving in this chamber. Those

early lessons shaped my understanding of how important small businesses are to our

economy and to our communities.

Today, as Chair of the Finance Committee and as Parliamentary Secretary for Trade,

I have the privilege of engaging with business leaders, entrepreneurs and industry

groups across B.C. And I hear a consistent message: when we work in partnership with

small businesses, our entire economy grows stronger.

Supporting small businesses means helping them navigate new markets through our trade

and invest reps around the world, strengthening trade opportunities through export

navigator and trade accelerator programs, reducing barriers to growth through the

Look West strategy and ensuring our policies create the conditions and innovation

for job creation.

Our role in this chamber is to continue championing the businesses, workers and innovators

who power our economy, so let’s keep our communities thriving.

A Night to Shine Event for Inclusion

of Youth with Special Needs

Linda Hepner : Recently I had the absolute privilege of attending an event called a Night to Shine

at Horizon Church in my riding. What an extraordinary evening it was, a true celebration

of joy, inclusion and community spirit honouring individuals with special needs.

A Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience centred on God’s love,

designed specifically for people with special needs age 14 and older. It all began

a decade ago as a simple idea from the Tim Tebow Foundation to mark their fifth anniversary

and as a way to shine a light on those often overlooked in our society.

Tim Tebow and his team prayed for just 25 churches to simultaneously host the event

that first year, but 44 stepped up, creating the first magical prom experience that

has since become and blossomed into something truly remarkable.

A Night to Shine has blossomed now into a worldwide movement involving over 600 host

churches in 56 countries. Seeing the walk down the red carpet, the smiles, the dancing,

the balloon drop and the crowning of kings and queens, on young people often overlooked

or not as easily engaged but getting to experience an amazing prom night, was a real

highlight of my year. It showcased the best in our province, with compassionate volunteers,

supportive families and a shared commitment to equity.

I want to give a special thanks to Horizon Church, who brought joy to so many young

people dressed in their prom-night finery. It was uplifting to be there.

Metro Theatre in Vancouver

Sunita Dhir : I rise today to recognize the incredible Metro Theatre in my constituency, a historic

and cherished non-profit organization that has enriched the community through the

magic of live theatre since 1963.

Thanks to the hard work of the 15-person volunteer board of directors, the Metro Theatre

has become a vibrant community hub in the Marpole neighbourhood, dedicated to producing

high-quality performances. I had the honour of meeting Matt Ramer, Mary Cleaver, Steve

Dotto, Alison Schamberger and Jo Sears of the board, who shared the great work they

do.

I have also had the pleasure of attending three live shows at the Metro so far: Lend Me a Tenor , Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and Nunsense .

[2:05 p.m.]

Behind every production is a remarkable group of local artists, musicians, creatives

and volunteers whose dedication has helped Metro Theatre thrive for decades. This

past fall one of my constituency advisers, Kayla Charchuk, was in the cast of Metro’s

production of Rent .

Metro Theatre also encourages community-building with its upstairs lounge, complete

with a licensed bar and piano. The Metro holds occasional post-show receptions and

singalong events where patrons can connect with each other and the cast and crew after

shows. During the opening night reception of Nunsense , I met their talented all-women cast, as well as the director, Shel Piercy.

I look forward to continuing to support the Metro Theatre. I’d love to see some of

my fellow MLAs join me at a show there sometime soon.

Private Property Rights

Dallas Brodie : Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and happy birthday.

Next to the right of liberty, the right of property is the most important individual

right of all. United with the right of personal liberty, private property has contributed

more to the growth of civilization than any other institution established by the human

race.

To my mind, these statements are a given, impossible to contradict or even challenge,

statements that are so obviously true that it would seem impossible that they need

reinforcing or that this Legislature would need reminding. But alas, it is time that

these fundamental concepts be once again proclaimed. Personal liberties and private

property rights are being everywhere infringed by government.

Why is this dangerous to our way of life? Why should we care about private property?

These questions may seem silly, but my observation in this Legislature is that, more

and more, private property rights are not being as forcefully defended as they must

be and that, although much lip service is paid, very little is actually being done

to draw a bright line around this cornerstone of our entire system.

The great economist Milton Friedman said: “Nobody spends someone else’s money as carefully

as he spends his own. So if you want efficiency and effectiveness, if you want knowledge

to be properly utilized, you have to do it through the means of private property.”

But on the other side of the spectrum, Karl Marx said this: “The theory of communism

may be summed up in one sentence: abolish all private property.”

We find ourselves drifting or being pulled towards land collectivization and communism.

We must fight this trend with all we’ve got.

I am speaking to thousands of British Columbians who are deeply concerned about their

ability to retain full control over the property they bought with their hard-earned

money. We, as legislators, need to dedicate ourselves to fighting for these British

Columbians who are losing faith in the government’s ability to protect their private

property.

This should not be about partisan politics. Property rights are so fundamental they

should transcend the political persuasion of reasonable people. I invite all members

of the House to unify in a renewed and forceful defence of private property.

Oral Questions

Federal Government Recognition

Agreement with xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Nation

Trevor Halford : Another day we learn more, and another day the NDP’s credibility is less. Let’s be

clear. This government has a problem with the truth — a big one.

On Monday, the Premier said: “To be absolutely clear, I received no briefings about

the content of this agreement, no heads-up from the federal government.” He doubled

down again and again.

Then we find out that the Premier was not only invited to the signing ceremony with

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm; he attended. He sat in the front row.

Then we find out yesterday…. The federal minister says: “The federal government did

brief the provincial government, and it was a number of weeks ago.”

I have a very simple yet difficult question to this Premier, and I hope…. Well, I

know that the public is owed an answer.

[2:10 p.m.]

Is this government so incompetent on one of its most important files, or is this Premier

or this minister knowingly deceiving the public?

Hon. David Eby : I had a call from Chief Sparrow of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm yesterday. I want to thank the Chief for the call. He wanted to apologize to me for

inviting me to their community celebration of the agreement they’d signed…

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh.

Hon. David Eby : …with the federal government. He said that he had done his best to explain that I

was attending the function, in his tradition, as a witness, to see what they had done

with the federal government.

I was frank on the first public occasion I was asked about it, a media event. I was

not briefed on this. I was not aware of the content of the agreements. If the member

had continued the quote, he would have read: “It’s possible that somebody in the public

service received a heads-up or knew about it.”

We followed up with the federal minister to say: “What are you talking about?” There

was a staff-to-staff call, public service to public service. The Deputy Minister of

Indigenous Relations received no notification. The Minister of Indigenous Relations

received no notification. My deputy received no notification, and I received no notification.

There are established channels for communication between us and the federal government.

For whatever reason, they didn’t use them.

Now, to be generous, I imagine that they assumed that sitting down with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm to talk about title was not controversial and that it was not something that was

worth bringing up to those levels, but definitely, we are in a heightened environment

around these issues in the province.

I know our own government has taken hard lessons about needing to be more proactive

in reaching out to key stakeholders. We’re taking those lessons. The federal government

is taking those lessons too. We can all do better on this, but this is work, actually,

that we have to do.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Trevor Halford : Let me be clear. It’s not the Chief of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm that should be apologizing. It’s the Premier of this province. Give me a break.

Is there anybody in this room, or anybody outside of it, that this Premier has not

blamed already for his incompetence on such an important file? Give me a break.

From the Premier directly, and I quote: “I was glad to see the federal government

working with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm People, but I didn’t know the contents of the agreement until they were released

publicly by the federal government.”

The Premier…. Now he’s saying that he was at the event because there’s a photo of

him there. But the Premier was at the event. You would think, if he’s at a signing

ceremony, he would leave that signing ceremony and say: “I should probably figure

out what I just witnessed. If I don’t have a briefing, I should probably ask for one,

or I should call my Minister of Indigenous Relations.” Neither of those happens.

So the Premier wants us to believe, based on his answers…. Honestly, not a lot of

people are giving a lot of faith right now. But the Premier wants us to believe that

all those channels of communication that he just cited all magically broke down and

created this perfect storm, where he randomly accepted an invitation, walked in with

the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sat there in the front row of a signing ceremony, zoned out the entire time, and

was caught off guard when this announcement came.

I’m not buying it. Nobody else is. Why won’t this Premier be straightforward with

the public, stand up, take some responsibility and stop lying in this House today?

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member, shhh.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members, I’m pretty sure the Leader of the Official Opposition knew that that kind

of wording is not allowed in this House. I would ask him to stand up and withdraw

and apologize.

Trevor Halford : Sorry. Can I use the words “misleading the House,” Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker : Just withdraw.

Trevor Halford : I withdraw the line, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker : Then in your next question, you can do whatever you want later on.

Mr. Premier.

Hon. David Eby : Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

I mean, the theory is bizarre. I don’t know why….

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh, Members. Members.

Members.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member.

[2:15 p.m.]

Hon. David Eby : First of all, the member is absolutely right. I told the Chief: “Thank you for inviting

me. It was an honour to attend the event. You have nothing to apologize for.” And

I congratulated him on the work that he’s done with the federal government. This is

work that we have to be doing together.

I can advise the member that if I had known of the content of the agreements, we would

have been faster out of the gate to push back on the absolutely ridiculous claims

that the member and his colleagues were making about this agreement — that it was

a land grab, that people’s private property was being handed over. All false.

The xʷməθkʷəy̓əm had to put forward a public statement on Facebook: “xʷməθkʷəy̓əm’s approach to private property has not changed. As stated by Chief Sparrow in December

2025, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm is not coming for anyone’s private property. Our approach to traditional unceded

territory is one of partnership and relationship with our neighbours, not trying to

take away our neighbours’ private property.”

They have had death threats at the band office about this. This is the kind of work

that, just 22 months ago, the Conservatives said we had to do. This is their then

leader — April 22, 2024. The member can look it up. “I think it might come as a surprise

to some people to know that I support Indigenous title. We need to discover title.”

Talking about the Haida agreement: “This is an important step. I think that we need

to be thinking about it right across the province as we engage with First Nations

that want to see this title, that want to see the return of land and that want to

see them to be able to have pride and to be able to build their futures.”

That was the nature of the agreement entered into between the federal government and

the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm People. The member should be clear. Has he changed the position of the Conservative

Party? Does he believe that First Nations title exists? If not, what did he think

the court awarded across the entire middle portion of the province of British Columbia

to the Tŝilhqot’in People?

The Speaker : Member, second supplemental.

Trevor Halford : Desperate times for the Premier, it looks like.

Let’s quote the Minister of Indigenous Relations, who said, with force, I might add:

“I have reached out to the federal minister to certainly share my displeasure at learning

about this through the news.”

I feel bad for the minister because he could have actually learned it through the

Premier, because the Premier was actually at the event. Then the federal minister

says: “No. We actually briefed the province. The province has been briefed, and we

did it weeks ago.”

There seems to be a disconnect with executive members or staff, whatever, and the

Premier wants us to accept that at face value. We’re not. I don’t think the public

is. But it’s been 48 hours since the Premier magically just learned of this agreement,

and I’m assuming the Premier has read the agreement.

So I’ll ask the Premier this very directly. Does the Premier support everything that’s

in this agreement?

Hon. David Eby : We’ve been working for a long time to get the federal government more at the table

with First Nations to have these important conversations.

Members will know that about ten years ago, a court found title in the Cariboo-Chilcotin

area, awarded a large swath of the province to the Tŝilhqot’in, in terms of recognizing

their First Nations title. Now the work that comes from that, that recognition of

the court of First Nations title in the province, is significant. We have First Nations

across the province that claim title in overlapping areas across the entirety of British

Columbia. We have to sit down and work out title.

That was the position of the Conservatives 22 months ago. In the words of their leader

at the time: “I think it might come as a surprise to some people to know that I support

title. We have to do this work. I know it’s uncomfortable, but we have to do this

work right across the province, and we have to do it with the federal government.”

Of course I support the federal government sitting down with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm to figure out the content of Indigenous title. I support Chief Sparrow in being clear

to this House, to the public, that he’s not coming for people’s private property,

no matter what the opposition says.

This is about sorting out a very serious legal matter that involves the province,

the federal government, the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm People and First Nations across the province. So we’re going to do that work, and

I absolutely support the federal government being involved in that work. It is crucial.

[2:20 p.m.]

Scott McInnis : The Premier must have been a really good dodgeball player, because he’s exceptional

at dodging the questions.

This is a dire situation. We have seen that this Premier has not been forthright and

honest with British Columbians and this House when it comes to his knowledge of a

major rights and title agreement between the Musqueam Indian Band and the federal

government.

It’s a new day, where we have new information, and we see the Premier backtracking

to cover what appears to be his full understanding of this agreement for some time.

There’s either a dangerous lack of communication within this government, or there’s

more they’re not telling the public.

My question to the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Did he know

about this agreement in any way, shape or form from February 20, when the Premier

was there at the signing ceremony?

Hon. David Eby : I’m not sure that we can be clearer. There was no briefing of the Deputy Minister

for the Ministry of Indigenous Relations. There was no briefing for the minister.

There was no briefing…

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh, Members. Shhh.

Hon. David Eby : …for my deputy minister. There was no briefing for me.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members. Members.

Hon. David Eby : I’m listening to the member across the way saying: “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

was honoured to be there to witness the event.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members. Members, shhh.

Members, come to order, please.

Members, the Premier has the floor.

Hon. David Eby : This is work that the Conservatives believe the government had to do 22 months ago.

I’m not sure that they still believe that it’s work that needs to be done, but our

government is doing that work, and we will continue to do that work.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Scott McInnis : It’s a tough day in question period. We see that the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation has stated their concerns. Again, another important voice is blindsided by

this government’s negligence.

The agreement says, and I quote: “Nothing in the agreements or the Musqueam narrative

shall be construed as prejudicing, limiting or restricting either party’s position

with respect to rights and title, including the nature, scope or content of geographic

extent of Musqueam’s rights and title or the geographic extent of Musqueam territory

or the secondary use area.”

We need leadership on this file, for a change. Will the Premier stand up in this House

today and tell us a specific date when this government, the Musqueam Indian Band and

the federal government will have a meeting, and when will the public know exactly

what’s going on here?

Hon. David Eby : I can sympathize with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh First Nation, who also didn’t receive a heads-up about this agreement. They should

have been involved and received a heads-up from the federal government. The xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and the səlilwətaɬ work closely together. In Metro Vancouver, they have overlapping claim areas, and

that’s important.

The member says that he wants leadership on this file, while the previous leader of

the Conservative Party was quite clear where he stood on this file. He said: “I think

it might come as a surprise to some to know that I support title. We need to discover

title.”

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh.

Hon. David Eby : Then he advocated for exactly what our government is doing and, in fact, what the

federal government is doing with the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm People: “I think that we need to be thinking about, right across the province, as

we engage with First Nations that want to see this title, that want to see the return

of land and that want to see them be able to have pride and be able to build their

futures….”

That is the work that the federal government is doing. That is the work that our government

is doing with nations in this province. It is challenging work.

We’re sitting down with the Quw’utsun right now, following a court decision around

title that has serious implications for private property owners, and we managed to

get to a joint declaration that those private property owners are protected — that

their properties are not up for grabs in this court case or discussion.

We’ll do that work, but it is not easy work. It is challenging work. We’ll do it with

our partners, the federal government and First Nations.

The Speaker : Members, before we take the next question, I am advised that somebody is wearing

unauthorized lapel pins. Please, if you do, remove it. Thank you so much.

[2:25 p.m.]

Regulation of Artificial

Intelligence Technology

Jeremy Valeriote : I’m going to move us along from the repetitive anti-reconciliation gotcha politics.

Yesterday I spoke about the dizzying and increasing rate of change in our world. Artificial

intelligence is now integral to this change and urgently requires our attention. That’s

why governments around the world are setting out clear frameworks, guardrails and

priorities.

This caucus is concerned there’s too much focus from this government on the electricity

requirements and economics of the AI boom and not enough on the profound ethical,

philosophical and public safety considerations.

The public deserves to be involved in shaping AI’s future. We need to know how the

AI industry will be governed, where it will be deployed and how the public will be

protected.

We’ve heard quite a bit from the federal AI minister and the Premier recently, but

frankly, we haven’t heard much from the Minister of State for AI and New Technologies

in this House.

To that minister, will this government release its work program so British Columbians

can understand its plan for artificial intelligence?

Hon. Rick Glumac : I thank the member for the question. We are doing a lot of work on many fronts with

AI. We’ve had conversations with the federal minister about guardrails. He has said

that he wants to bring in legislation that’s light, tight and right.

But in light of what’s been happening recently, what we’ve discovered around OpenAI

and their involvement in the tragedy that happened in Tumbler Ridge, it’s a very important

topic right now. The Premier will be meeting with the head of OpenAI to talk about

this.

We are advocating for regulation to the federal government to have a standard that

can apply to all companies, so it’s very clear, for example, when reporting is necessary

when a situation like this might come up so that we could avoid it in the future.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Mental Health Services and

Use of Artificial Intelligence

for Mental Health Support

Jeremy Valeriote : This House knows that big tech companies have not earned our trust, especially when

it comes to our most vulnerable thoughts, feelings and personal information. When

access to in-person mental health support is limited — for example, through budget

cuts to mental health services like the community counselling fund — people turn to

whatever is available, such as AI tools.

We deserve clarity on this government’s AI strategy, particularly when shrinking public

services push vulnerable people towards private tech companies. We know the tech sector

prioritizes clicks and enables disinformation.

Is the Minister of State for AI comfortable with people receiving mental health support

from AI?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question, raising a really important topic, which

is how we support the mental health of youth.

I just want to correct, for the record, that there have not been cuts to community

counselling grants. In fact, the community counselling program is one where we are

able to invest in community-based services that are delivered by organizations that

understand the people they serve best — underserved populations; more vulnerable,

marginalized members of our society; people who can fall through the cracks and end

up in crisis. That’s why we’re going to continue that work, because we know just how

important that face-to-face interaction is.

At the same time, there are technologies, like virtual services, where counselling

and other mental health supports can be provided. Of course, as members in this House

are well aware, in order to reduce the inequity that rural people feel and face on

a daily basis, we have to continue this investment.

That’s why Budget 2026 sustains and protects the investments that we’ve made in youth

mental health, in community-wide mental health services, and continues to build on

that.

Access to Obstetrics and Trauma

Care at Vancouver General Hospital

Brennan Day : In the Interior, even when they call for virtual health support for a closed ER,

the phone just keeps ringing.

B.C.’s largest hospital, Vancouver General, is now the latest in a growing list of

maternity service failures across B.C. For four days, this government hid the fact

that VGH was not accepting pregnant trauma patients.

[2:30 p.m.]

Expectant mothers suffering injuries were turned away from the province’s flagship

hospital because the system couldn’t staff the service for four days. My wife has

been one of those people. It is terrifying to think.

How did B.C.’s largest hospital turn away expectant mothers in trauma for four entire

days while this government hid it from British Columbians?

Hon. Josie Osborne : I can assure the member that absolutely nothing was hidden from British Columbians,

because patient safety is first and foremost in everybody’s minds, which is why plans

are put in place to make sure that the services people need and depend on are in place.

Now, I’m surprised that the member doesn’t understand that VGH is not an obstetric

site. It is not a place where people go routinely to have babies.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh.

Hon. Josie Osborne : In fact, in 2025, there were 41,557 newborns in British Columbia. There were none

in Vancouver General.

I want to be very clear though. People should always call 911 in the event of a health

emergency, whether they are pregnant or not, and the people there will determine what

the best site is to go to. Sites like Lions Gate, like St. Paul’s, like B.C. Women’s,

like Richmond General continue not only to deliver babies on a routine basis but also

to deliver the services that people need.

At this time, we know that we’re facing an issue with respect to obstetric on-call

services. We are working through Vancouver Coastal Health to close that gap, but every

pregnant patient who calls 911, who needs the ER, will have the services delivered

for them.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Brennan Day : We’ve heard this before from this minister, scripted responses every time. Thank

the workers. Talk about patient safety.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh, Members.

Brennan Day : But the facts remain — four entire days. For four days, the largest hospital in B.C.,

the third-largest hospital in Canada, would not accept pregnant trauma patients. If

you were in a car accident, you would be on diversion.

The minister said: “This is not a place where babies are routinely delivered.”

That wasn’t the question, Minister. So don’t try to conflate the two issues.

When an expectant mother is in trauma, she expects the largest hospital in the province

and our only quaternary facility to be there. If the minister can’t answer how this

happened, she should resign, because if she remains in this role, she’s not falling

on her sword. She’s falling on his.

Hon. Josie Osborne : Well, I guess a scripted response also comes from a scripted question, because the

member is standing reading from a sheet of paper too.

It’s absolutely vital that the services are in place for people, and they are in the

Lower Mainland and everywhere in British Columbia. In the event of a trauma in which

somebody who is pregnant needs that service, it is there. I want to read into the

record the fact that from January 2024 to December 2025 — that is a 24-month period

— a total of 15 patients presented fell into the trauma category.

Every single case matters. That’s why a plan is in place so that people can get the

help they need — whether it’s at St. Paul’s, B.C. Women’s, Richmond General or Royal

Columbian Hospital. These services are incredibly important. We’re going to continue

to deliver them in the Lower Mainland and do everything to restore this service at

VGH.

Access to Obstetrics

Care in Hospitals

Lawrence Mok : Ridge Meadows Hospital is yet another case of mothers being left in limbo by this

government.

Between February 26 and March 2, this hospital experienced a maternity ward closure

for 96 hours. Yes. This isn’t the first time. This is the fourth time in less than

three months.

How many more maternity ward closures does this Premier allow in my riding before

he fires the Health Minister?

[2:35 p.m.]

Hon. Josie Osborne : It’s a very challenging thing for anybody who is expecting a child to know that the

hospital that they hope they’ll be able to deliver their baby at may be on diversion.

That’s why Fraser Health Authority and all health authorities in British Columbia

that have experienced this issue take every action they possibly can to prevent this

from happening.

We are facing a strain. We are facing a challenge in our workforce. We know that we

need more ob-gyns. We know that we need more family doctors who are able to deliver

babies. That’s why we are doing the work to train more doctors in this province; to

attract more doctors to this province who deliver this service because stable, predictable

service is in everybody’s best interest. During this time, we will always do everything

we can to keep it stable.

I urge all pregnant people, expecting people, to work with their care providers, because

again, patient safety comes first. Protecting mom and baby comes first. That’s why

we will, through the health authorities, continue to let people know if this type

of service interruption happens so that we can continue to deliver the safest possible

health care for all British Columbians.

Gavin Dew : NDP now stands for no doctors present.

Yesterday we heard of yet another four-day maternity ward diversion at Ridge Meadows,

set to start tomorrow. In the last two weeks, that maternity ward has only been open

for two days.

When will this Premier fire his Health Minister and find someone capable of delivering

health care for British Columbians?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Each and every day, I get up dedicated and committed to working hard to strengthen

health care service for British Columbians. That is our universal public health care

system here in this province.

I am proud of the work that we are doing in creating more doctors, building the first

new medical school in 60 years, something that members of the opposition, when they

were previously in government, said no to.

We have the highest number of physicians per capita here in Canada, but we know there

is more work to do, which is why we will continue to fast-track credentialing, speeding

it up for American-trained doctors, nurses and other health care workers to come here.

That’s why we’ll continue the work, recruiting. That’s why we are going to continue

to welcome Americans in our inclusive, open communities that are happy to have people

come here.

This work will continue each and every day.

Anna Kindy : I am going to stand here and try not to script anything, because I think this is

really important.

I have been a physician for over 40 years, so I understand the system. I’m actually

truly shocked that there is no accountability to what’s happening when the biggest

hospital in British Columbia, the leading level 1 trauma centre in British Columbia,

doesn’t have obstetrical coverage.

The other side tries to spin it, saying: “Well, you know, VGH doesn’t do maternity

care.” We’re talking about level 1 trauma. We’re talking about women who are pregnant

that get into car accidents and need timely care. It’s about life and death for woman

and child.

The spin continues, but I’ve got my tentacles on the ground. I’m a physician. I know

what’s happening. What’s happening is a communication breakdown. There have been staffing

issues for over a year, and this hasn’t been addressed. The front lines have solutions,

and they’re not being listened to. That’s the issue. That’s mismanagement.

Let’s not script anymore, because we’re talking about life and death. We’re talking

about the only level 1 trauma hospital in Canada without obstetrical care.

[2:40 p.m.]

The Speaker : Question, Member.

Anna Kindy : My question. Because it’s never been more dangerous to be a woman looking for access

and care in this province, will this Premier do his job and stand up for pregnant

women in B.C.?

Hon. David Eby : It’s hard to think of a health event that is more important to a family than the

birth of a new child. The Health Minister and her team, the health authorities, the

front-line hospital staff — everybody is working hard to ensure that people have access

to the highest quality maternity care across the province.

We have a shortage of health care professionals that we need. That’s why we opened

a new medical school, which has its first class coming in, in September.

Now, I hear the members saying: “Oh, that’s your fault.” Well, 17 new or expanded

hospitals had to be built by this government to respond to….

But I cannot allow people not to know who just asked that question and who her network

of doctors is.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh, Members.

Hon. David Eby : At the We Unify conference, the member for North Island, the Health critic for the

Conservatives, sat with a doctor who believes that the COVID vaccine causes AIDS.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members, shhh. Members.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member will come to order.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member, come to order now, please.

Hon. David Eby : As measles rips through populations, where previously it had been extinguished, because

people are not getting vaccines, because of advocacy and endorsement of people…

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh.

Hon. David Eby : …like the Health critic for the Conservatives…. I can’t let her stand up here and

pretend she cares about women and babies, because it simply isn’t true.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

[End of question period.]

Point of Order

Anna Kindy : Point of order to the statement the Premier made about my not supporting measles

vaccination, which is false. That is actually untrue. Because I cannot say “lie,”

I will say “untrue.”

I want the Premier to retract his statement.

Hon. David Eby : Thank you for the member clarifying which vaccine she does and doesn’t support.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members. Members. Let’s hear.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member, please. The Chair would like to hear the reply, please.

Hon. David Eby : If the member supports the measles vaccine, I’m glad to hear it.

Thank you, hon. Speaker. I withdraw.

Interjections.

Hon. David Eby : Hon. Speaker, I did withdraw. I withdraw.

Interjections.

Hon. David Eby : Well, you can look at the transcript, Shouty.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Shhh. Member, there are young children in the lobby upstairs in the gallery. Please

be careful.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Yes, we heard you, Member. Thank you.

Premier.

Hon. David Eby : Thank you, hon. Speaker. My point on the COVID vaccine stands, though.

Tabling Documents

Hon. Niki Sharma : I have the honour to present the British Columbia Utilities Commission’s annual report

for ’24-25.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members. Thank you.

Orders of the Day

Hon. Mike Farnworth : In this chamber, I call second reading on Bill 6, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act.

In

Section A, the Douglas Fir Room, I call committee on Bill 3, the Business Measures

Implementation Act.

In

Section C, the Birch Room, I call the estimates, Committee of Supply, for the Ministry

of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

[2:45 p.m.]

[Lorne Doerkson in the chair.]

Second Reading of Bills

Bill 6 — Motor Vehicle

Amendment Act, 2026

(continued)

Deputy Speaker : We will call this chamber back to order. I ask you to take your conversations into

the hallway so that we can continue our debate on Bill 6, the Motor Vehicle Amendment

Act of 2026.

Brennan Day : I seek leave to move my motion M204.

Leave not granted.

Deputy Speaker : Member, we’re going to carry on with second reading of Bill 6, Motor Vehicle Amendment

Act of 2026, and we will call on our member for Langley-Abbotsford to carry on from

where he left off.

Harman Bhangu : I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill 6, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act.

Let me begin by saying clearly that I plan to support this bill as long as there are

the right safeguards in place.

At its core, Bill 6 is about modernizing how British Columbians renew and replace

their drivers’ licences and identification cards. It introduces a framework that will

allow many of these services to be completed online rather than requiring people to

go and visit an actual ICBC office. That is a positive step. But as I mentioned yesterday,

it is also a step that is coming a little too late.

I have to renew my driver’s licence this year. Quite frankly, I wish I could, after

this speech, walk into my office, log in and have that renewal approved within a couple

minutes. That is the kind of convenience British Columbians expect in 2026.

Government services should evolve with the times. People bank online. They file their

taxes online. They manage businesses and finances online. It only makes sense that

straightforward services like licence renewal should also be available digitally.

For many British Columbians, this will save time and reduce frustration. Right now

something as simple as renewing a licence can require people to take time off work,

arrange child care and sit in long lineups at ICBC offices. For families with busy

schedules, those hours matter. For workers who are paid by the hour, that lost time

means lost income. Bill 6 recognizes that reality and moves towards a system where

routine renewals can be completed quickly and efficiently online.

Another benefit of this legislation is that it could reduce pressures on the ICBC

service centres. By moving routine transactions online, staff will have more time

to focus on services that genuinely require in-person interaction — things like road

tests, things like complex licensing issues, things that cannot simply be handled

through a digital form. That could help reduce bottlenecks and improve overall service

for the public.

This bill also has the potential to improve fairness across the province. For people

living in rural and remote communities, visiting an ICBC office can involve long travel

times. In some areas, residents may need to drive significant distances simply to

complete a basic renewal. Allowing online renewals makes those services more accessible

and more equitable for the people across British Columbia.

On the principle of modernization and convenience and efficiency, this legislation

makes sense. While I support the direction of this bill, there are also important

concerns that deserve attention.

[2:50 p.m.]

The first concern is transparency. Bill 6 establishes a legislative framework for

online renewals, but many of those key details are left to future regulations. Those

regulations will determine who qualifies for online renewals, what conditions apply

and the safeguards that will be put in place. At this stage, those details are not

fully clear. As legislators and as representatives of the public, we should have clarity

about those rules before the system is fully implemented.

Another concern relates to the digital divide. While many people are comfortable with

online services, not everyone is. Not everyone has the access to the internet and

also the level of digital literacy involved in making and completing those forms.

Seniors, for example, may prefer in-person services. Some low-income households may

not have consistent internet access. In rural areas, for those individuals, it is

essential that in-person services remain accessible and adequately staffed.

Security and identity verification are also important considerations. Drivers’ licences

are a primary form of identification used in banking, travelling, employment and many

other aspects of our daily lives. That means the identity-verification process for

online renewals must be robust and secure.

The bill also introduces a requirement for individuals to notify ICBC if their email

address has changed. While that may sound straightforward, the practical implications

should be considered. People change email accounts frequently. Some people maintain

several email addresses. Others may not regularly monitor them at all. The government

should ensure these requirements are reasonable and clearly communicated.

Finally, the implementation timeline is another factor. The government has indicated

that the online renewal system is expected to launch around 2027. That means the full

benefits of this legislation will still be some time away.

Modernization of government services is something most people can agree on. Bill 6

has the potential to move us in the right direction, but modernization must come with

transparency, strong safeguards and continued access for those who rely on in-person

services.

While I will be supporting this legislation, I will also be watching closely to ensure

it is implemented properly. The goal should always be better services, greater convenience

and a system that works for all British Columbians — and that they can trust.

Steve Morissette : I rise today to speak in strong support of Bill 6, legislation that will amend British

Columbia’s Motor Vehicle Act and take an important step towards modernizing driver

licensing and identification services in our province.

At its core, this bill is about something very practical: making it easier for people

to renew or replace their driver’s licence or provincial ID without unnecessary long

trips, long waits or time away from work and family. This is critical for rural British

Columbia.

If passed, Bill 6 will enable the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia to offer simple

renewals and replacements online through its secure website. That means that renewing

a driver’s licence, replacing a lost or damaged card or renewing a stand-alone BCID,

a stand-alone photo B.C. Services Card, or the combined driver’s licence–B.C. Services

Card will become more convenient for eligible British Columbians.

This is the first step in a long-term modernization plan to make ICBC’s services faster,

easier and more accessible. It is also part of our government’s broader commitment

to modernize and improve access to the services that people in British Columbia rely

on every day. This does not preclude in-person services for some seniors or others

that don’t have access to internet services.

[2:55 p.m.]

Bill 6 amends the Motor Vehicle Act to enable ICBC, once development work and regulations

are complete, to accept online applications for replacing a valid driver’s licence

that has been lost, destroyed or damaged, and simple renewals for the majority of

driver’s licence classes where no changes are required, other than extending the expiry

date.

These changes will apply to eligible drivers with full B.C. driver’s licences. Drivers

with a class 7 learner’s licence will be able to replace a lost or damaged card online,

but renewals for learner licences will continue to require an in-person appointment

because of testing requirements.

Renewals involving changes to a driver’s personal information, such as a name change

or a new medical condition, will still require an in-person visit. Individuals with

outstanding fines, tickets, remedial program requirements or other violations will

also need to attend an office to address those matters before renewal.

All existing safety requirements and eligibility rules will remain in place. This

legislation does not weaken standards. It simply allows straightforward, uncomplicated

renewals to be completed online.

Once an eligible customer submits an online application through ICBC’s secure digital

portal, and once that application is approved, ICBC will issue an interim licence

electronically. The new card will then be mailed directly to the customer at no additional

cost.

These changes will save people time and transportation costs. They will eliminate

the need to stand in line or

schedule an in-person appointment for simple paperwork.

People will not need to take time off work or arrange child care for a routine renewal.

This is the first step in many upcoming moves to make access easier for people. This

will be particularly meaningful for people in rural and remote communities. This is

close to my heart, because in many parts of rural British Columbia, renewing a licence

can mean travelling long distances to reach the nearest ICBC office. That may require

hours on the road and additional expenses, simply to extend an expiry date or replace

a damaged card.

By enabling online renewals for eligible drivers, we are recognizing the geographic

realities of our province. We’re reducing barriers and making services more equitable

across regions.

These changes will also benefit those who continue to require in-person services.

By moving simple transactions online, ICBC offices will have more appointment availability

for road tests and other services that must be delivered face to face. This is a smarter

use of public resources and a more efficient way to deliver service.

If passed during this spring legislative session, amendments will be implemented once

development work and regulations are complete, with the online service expected to

begin operating in 2027. This phased approach ensures that systems are built carefully

and securely and that regulations clearly outline eligibility criteria and program

requirements.

Road safety remains a top priority. Only eligible existing drivers in good standing

will be able to renew online. Current conditions for renewing a licence will still

apply. Anyone with outstanding violations or program requirements will need to resolve

those matters in person before renewal.

ICBC is working closely with the Ministries of Health and Citizens’ Services to ensure

that high standards of fraud prevention, identity verification and residency verification

are in place. ICBC has also consulted with the British Columbia Association of Chiefs

of Police Traffic safety committee to ensure law enforcement perspectives are incorporated

into the design of these systems. Protecting against identity fraud and ensuring public

safety are foundational to this modernization.

[3:00 p.m.]

These changes will also bring British Columbia in line with eight other provinces

and territories that already offer some form of online driver’s licence services,

including Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador,

Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories. British Columbia should not fall

behind when it comes to service modernization. We should ensure that our systems reflect

the realities of how people live today.

I would also like to briefly note that Bill 6 concerns the renewal of existing licences.

It does not change how new drivers obtain their licences.

Separate improvements to the graduated licensing program, coming into effect in this

summer of 2026, will remove the requirement for a second road test to obtain a class

5 licence. That second test will be replaced with a new extended 12-month period of

driving restrictions during which drivers must demonstrate safe driving behaviour

before earning their full unrestricted licence. Research shows that maintaining a

clean driving record over a longer monitoring period is a reliable predictor of future

driving behaviour.

Most provinces and many countries have not required a second road test for decades,

and there is no evidence that having one improves safety outcomes. These improvements

will lower barriers to licensing for drivers in rural, remote and Indigenous communities,

where travelling to complete a second road test can be particularly challenging, while

continuing to prioritize road safety.

Bill 6 is practical, responsible legislation. It saves people time. It reduces unnecessary

travel. It improves access in rural and remote communities. It frees up in-person

appointments for services that truly require them, and it maintains rigorous safety

standards and strong fraud prevention measures.

Government services should reflect modern expectations. British Columbians conduct

many aspects of their lives online, and it is reasonable that simple driver’s licence

renewals and replacements be available online as well. This is thoughtful, staged

modernization that improves access while safeguarding public safety.

For those reasons, I am proud to support Bill 6 and encourage all members of this

House to do the same.

Hon Chan : Let me begin by saying this clearly. We support efficiency. We support modernization.

We support using technology to make life easier for British Columbians. In fact, on

this side of the House, we have consistently called for the government’s service to

be faster, to be smarter and to be more accessible. We want less red tape. We want

fewer lineups. We want people to spend less time waiting and more time living with

their lives.

In principle, we support the intention of modernization. But intent alone is not enough,

because what British Columbians have experienced over the past several years is not

efficiency. It is backlog. It is delay. It is reactive policy-making.

Let us take one example that is directly related to the driver licensing system, and

I think the member just before me actually used the same example. On the other hand,

we feel like the government removed the second road test under the graduated licensing

program. The stated reason was to reduce backlog and wait times. Instead of fixing

the system, instead of hiring more examiners, instead of making tests more efficient,

the government eliminated the safeguard.

Rather than strengthening the capacity, they just lowered the bar. That’s not modernization.

That is managing backlog by cutting requirements. So when we see another bill that

claims to streamline and digitize processes, we must ask: are we truly improving the

service, or are we simply adjusting rules to accommodate administrative limitations?

We love efficiency. We have always advocated for technology to make government services

more seamless. But efficiency without security can be dangerous.

[3:05 p.m.]

That brings me to a serious concern that I do not see adequately addressed in the

legislation — identity theft. As government services move online, as more documents

are submitted electronically, as more processes rely on digital verification, we must

ask: what safeguards are in place to ensure that the person submitting the information

is actually who they claim to be? What specific identification, verification methods

or mechanisms will be required? What authentication standards are being used? Will

there be multi-factor authentication? What fraud detection tools are being implemented?

What audit trails will exist? Who is monitoring suspicious activities in real time?

Modernization without robust identity protection will expose British Columbians to

significant risk, and we do not have to look far for examples of vulnerability. Several

major data breaches have affected British Columbian ministries over the years, exposing

deeply personal information and undermining public confidence.

In 2015-16, the Ministry of Education lost an encrypted hard drive containing approximately

30 years of student records. And even when technology improved, recently, in ’24 and

’25, Interior Health confirmed that police discovered a document containing personal

information, including social insurance numbers and addresses, for approximately 20,000

people — SIN numbers, names and addresses.

When social insurance numbers are exposed, the consequences can last for decades.

Credit can be destroyed. Fraud can follow someone for years. Identity theft can take

enormous efforts and costs to repair.

In addition to these breaches, in 2024, the Freedom of Information and Privacy Association

reported that hackers had accessed 22 B.C. government inboxes containing data on 19

employees, including personal information like the personal employee IDs, job details,

etc.

These incidents underscore that even internal government accounts are vulnerable to

unauthorized access and highlights the very real risk that sensitive data can be exposed

through cyber intrusion. If basic government email systems are being targeted successfully,

it raises serious questions about the readiness of this government’s technology infrastructure

to protect the personal information of millions of British Columbians as service moves

online.

In 2024, reports by some media revealed leaked internal documents from the Ministry

of Forests suggesting that the ministry had at times bypassed or sidelined its own

science advisory panel in decisions related to old-growth logging. According to the

reporting, recommendations from independent scientists were not consistently reflected

in final decision-making, raising concerns about transparency in governance and refusal

to establish progress.

When internal safeguards and advisory mechanisms are not fully respected, it undermines

public confidence in government oversight. While this incident was not a traditional

data breach involving personal information, it also demonstrated another kind of vulnerability

— institutional integrity risk. When internal processes can be bypassed, when advisory

systems can be overwritten without full transparency, it raises the legitimate question

about governance control.

These are not isolated incidents. They represent the systematic risks that come with

managing large volumes of personal information. So when governments propose to expand

digital processes to allow more submissions online, to digitize more identity-linked

transactions, we must ask whether the lessons from these breaches have truly been

internalized.

Have we upgraded the encryption standards? Have we strengthened our internal access

control? Have we limited employees’ access on a strict, need-to-know basis? Have we

conducted penetration tests by independent cybersecurity experts? Have we ensured

that any third-party contractors handling data meet the highest security standards?

British Columbians deserve clear answers, because identity theft is not theoretical.

It’s real. It’s growing, and the government databases are prime targets. So when we

move towards greater digitization, we must ensure that the verification systems are

not only convenient but also resilient.

If someone intercepts the mail — as the member opposite mentioned, they can get the

driver’s licence by mail — they may obtain a sticker to update a licence, and that’s

concerning enough.

[3:10 p.m.]

But if someone intercepts digital credentials, gains access to an account or exploits

other weaknesses in identity verification protocols, the consequence can be far more

severe. Once data is compromised, it cannot be uncompromised.

Modernization without security creates exposure. Public trust is fragile. Once lost,

it is difficult to rebuild. British Columbians must have confidence that their driver

licensing information, their personal identifiers and their records are protected

with the highest possible standards. But in this bill alone, it did not mention any

of those.

Efficiency is important. Convenience is important, but security is fundamental. When

we debate this legislation, I ask the minister to address these concerns directly.

What identity theft protections are built into this bill? What authentication measures

will be mandatory? What encryption standards will be applied? How will the government

monitor and respond to potential breaches? Will there be independent oversights to

ensure that modernization strengthens rather than weakens the integrity of our public

system?

Let us talk about something very simple, something physical, something that every

driver in British Columbia has experienced. When a person changes their address, what

happens? They receive a sticker in the mail, a sticker that applies to your driver’s

licence.

A sticker can be damaged. A sticker can peel. A sticker can be duplicated at home.

A sticker can be intercepted if the mail is stolen. This is 2026, and we’re still

relying on adhesive labels to update our primary identification documents.

I recall renting a car outside of Canada. I handed over my driver’s licence. The rental

company looked at it and asked: “What’s up with this sticker?” They said: “It looks

amateurish. Did you just put it on yourself?” I actually felt embarrassed. This is

one of the most important identification documents issued by this province, and we

update your address with a sticker.

That seems minor, but it reflects a broader issue. If we are serious about modernization,

it cannot simply be moving the forms online. It must also be strengthening integrity,

security and public confidence.

When a sticker can be easily damaged or misused, what about digital submissions? What

about scanned documents? What about remote verification? Has this government actually

conducted a comprehensive risk assessment on identity fraud under this new framework

in this legislation? Have they consulted cybersecurity experts? Have they modelled

worst-case scenarios? What happens if somebody intercepts the mail? What happens if

somebody impersonates another individual online? What happens if the database is breached?

All these questions are not answered in this legislation.

Modernization without protection creates vulnerability. I do not see in this bill

clearly strong provisions that address identity theft prevention, digital authentication

standards or enforcement mechanisms — none.

We must also look into and consider the consequences. If someone’s identity is stolen

and used to alter the records, who bears the responsibilities? If a fraudulent submission

led to a licence being issued or modified improperly, what recourse does the victim

have?

These are not hypothetical concerns. Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing

crimes in North America, and government databases are high-value targets. When we

speak about efficiency, let us remember that efficiency cannot come at the expense

of trust. Public trust in government symbols is fundamental. If British Columbians

do not believe that their information is secure, if they fear that their identity

can be compromised or impersonated by others, then no amount of administrative streamlining

will restore confidence.

I want to raise a specific concern about the language in the bill that states one

must “deal with the last driver’s licence or duplicate of it, as directed by the Insurance

Corporation of British Columbia.” I ask the minister: what does “deal with” actually

mean? Does it mean to surrender it? Does it mean to cut it? Does it mean to damage

it, or does it mean to discard it in your garbage can?

[3:15 p.m.]

It’s not a membership card. This is the most important piece of identification that

many British Columbians carry in their wallet. It is used for banking, for travel,

for employment verification, age verification and countless identity-related transactions.

If a person is instructed simply to dispose of it, how do we safeguard against misuse?

What prevents someone from keeping an old licence and using it improperly? What prevents

it from being retrieved from household garbage? What safeguards ensure that it is

securely destroyed? If duplicates exist, how is ICBC tracking and invalidating them?

If duplicates exist, is there a centralized deactivation process? Is there a real-time

database update to prevent fraud?

I want to draw you into some examples in other jurisdictions. In other jurisdictions,

when you have to reapply for update or to get a new or updated driver’s licence or

ID card, the driver must actually appear in front of the clerk at least once, either

when you submit your documents or when you receive the document, which is the ID card.

But in our jurisdiction, according to this bill, you do neither. You submit it online

— nobody knows that it’s actually you — and you receive your card in the mail.

When we talk about modernization, identity protection must be precise. The language,

like I mentioned, dealing with it is very vague, and vague language in identity legislation

creates risk.

I would like to ask the minister to clarify what exactly is required of applicants,

what specific destruction or surrender protocols are mandated and how ICBC ensures

that cancelled or replaced licences cannot be misused. This is not an ordinary card.

It is a fundamental, very important, identifying document. British Columbians deserve

clarity and security, not ambiguity.

We must ensure that this bill is not another example of solving administrative challenges

by weakening safeguards. As we mentioned, we want to streamline it. We want less red

tape. We want more efficiency. At the same time, we need security. We must ensure

that this bill is not an example of weakening safeguards.

We should be asking: are we investing in proper verification systems? When somebody

submits documents online, can we actually verify that person is that person? Are we

building a modern digital identity framework that is secure, encrypted and resilient?

Are we ensuring that the modernization strengthens integrity rather than weakening

it?

We support technology, as I mentioned. We support making service faster. We support

reducing backlog, but we do not support cutting corners, because British Columbians

deserve a system that is both efficient and secure. They deserve modernization that

protects them from fraud. They deserve identification documents that are doable, professional

and credible, not like the stickers example I just mentioned. They deserve a government

that anticipates risks instead of reacting after problems emerge.

As we review this legislation, I urge the minister to address these concerns directly.

What specific identity theft protections are embedded in this bill? What authentication

standards will be used? How will the government ensure that every submission truly

comes from the individual that it claims to represent? Will the minister commit to

reviewing outdated practices, including physical identification updates, to ensure

the B.C. system reflects modern standards of professionalism and security?

We want efficiency. We welcome modernization.

George Anderson : I rise today to speak in support of Bill 6, Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, which will

enable British Columbians to renew or replace their driver’s licence and identification

cards online.

At first glance, this may appear to be a modest administrative change, but when we

look more closely, what we see before us is something far more significant. This legislation

is about how government adapts to the world that people actually live in. It’s about

whether public services evolve with technology and deal with the daily realities of

working people.

[3:20 p.m.]

Ultimately, it is about whether government removes unnecessary barriers that stand

between people and the services they rely on, because if government exists to serve

people, then those services must be designed around the lives of the people we represent,

not the other way around.

Let me begin with something simple. Almost every British Columbian who drives has

had this experience. Your driver’s licence is about to expire, so you check the calendar.

Then you check the ICBC office hours. You try to figure out whether or not you can

get there without missing work, without rearranging child care, without having to

drive across an entire city or region.

Then you book an appointment. You get there, and you say: “Wow, there’s a lineup.”

You wait, and then you wait some more and then wait even longer. Then you say: “Maybe

it’s time for me to just leave and go home.” But then you decide that you’ll keep

on waiting because otherwise you’re going to have to find another time to actually

have an appointment and, interestingly, which is what this piece of legislation is

going to do, accomplish something that could actually be done in minutes.

That experience may seem small in isolation, but there are millions of residents across

this province who have had to experience this kind of issue. We begin to see something

important — that time spent navigating bureaucracy is time taken away from families,

time taken away from work, time taken away from community life.

Government should not create friction where none is necessary. That’s why this legislation

before us today matters. It recognizes that in many cases, the most responsible modernization

of government is also the most practical.

Let me be clear about what these amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act actually enable.

If passed, the bill would allow ICBC to introduce online renewals and replacements

of drivers’ licences and identification cards for eligible residents of British Columbia.

That includes renewing an existing driver’s licence when no changes are required;

replacing a licence that has been lost, destroyed or damaged; renewing or replacing

identification cards; and renewing the combined driver’s licence/B.C. Services card.

In other words, the legislation enables something pretty straightforward. Simple transactions

should be simple to complete. This is not about changing driver qualifications. It

is not about lowering safety standards, and it is not about bypassing oversight. All

the existing eligibility requirements remain in place. Drivers with outstanding violations,

fines, medical conditions or other issues that require review will still need to attend

in person.

For millions of British Columbians who simply need to extend their licence due to

an expiration date, the law will finally reflect a simple reality. That reality is

that not every governmental service requires a physical lineup.

I sat on the Special Committee on Democratic and Electoral Reform, and I often had

to hear from the member for Prince George–North Cariboo about how expansive the size

of his riding is. He’d say it was the size of Switzerland, I believe. When we think

about the size of the province, I think we have to recognize that British Columbia

is quite vast.

Driving from Victoria to Prince George to Castlegar…. Maybe not Castlegar, actually.

I’ll leave the Castlegar example for later. Specifically, from Victoria to Prince

George is roughly the same distance as driving from Toronto to Chicago. That’s quite

a long drive, if you’ve ever made it before. From Vancouver to Fort Nelson, we are

talking about approximately 1,600 kilometres.

[3:25 p.m.]

That geography matters, because for many British Columbians, accessing services is

not just about waiting in line. It’s about the travel to get to those locations. In

many rural communities and northern communities, residents have to drive significant

distances to access governmental services. This is something that the MLA for Kootenay-Monashee

talked about earlier.

I had the great fortune and opportunity to visit Castlegar, Nelson and Fruitvale.

Fruitvale is a wonderful community, by the way. What I found was that with the distances

to actually get to certain services, it took a while. If you need to get to certain

services by transit, that’s going to potentially take you even longer. In communities

such as in Kootenay-Monashee, you will see transit as a social service. So here’s

an opportunity to try to make the lives of many British Columbians easier and much

more accessible.

Then we have to think about things such as winter highways, sometimes requiring time

off work simply to complete an administrative task. That is paperwork. These amendments

before us recognize that reality, because when someone in a small community must travel

hours simply to renew a document that could have been processed digitally, that is

not efficient government. That is policy that has failed to keep up with the pace

of modern life. This legislation begins to correct that.

As someone who spent time with a career in law prior to being in this House, I often

think about legislation in terms of principles. One of the most important principles

carries with it a corresponding obligation. Services must be accessible, predictable

and fair. That principle doesn’t just apply to courts and tribunals. It applies in

everyday interactions between citizens and the state.

When someone renews their licence, they are engaging with the administrative machinery

of government. Our obligation, as members of this House, is to ensure that the machinery

of government works as efficiently as possible to deliver results for everyday British

Columbians.

When government processes are cumbersome, the burden falls not on government. Rather,

it falls on the public. That’s what we’re all here to do — to try to make the lives

of everyday British Columbians better. That is what this legislation recognizes. It

removes friction from a process that should be simple.

Let me tell you. There’s an opportunity here in that we actually get to learn from

other jurisdictions across this country. British Columbia is not the first jurisdiction

to move in this direction. In fact, eight other provinces and territories already

offer online driver’s licence services. They include Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New

Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and the Northwest

Territories.

What that tells us is something very important. This isn’t an experiment. It has happened

in real life. It’s a proven service delivery model across Canada, and British Columbians

enjoy.

I’d like to use a few examples to just highlight the tremendous changes that this

particular bill is going to make for everyday British Columbians. This is a real-life

example.

[3:30 p.m.]

I did say “real-life,” but I want you, specifically, hon. Speaker, to imagine a construction

worker in Nanaimo whose licence is expiring. That construction worker works long hours

on a jobsite. Their shift starts pretty early and, unfortunately — almost similar

to this House, in some ways — ends quite late. The ICBC hours overlap directly with

his or her workday.

To renew their licence today, what is that worker going to need to do? They’re going

to need to take time off work. I don’t think that’s what we want to have happen in

this House. We want British Columbians going out, doing the work that they enjoy,

showing up, delivering the benefits that they need for their families, without having

to lose wages — especially just to get a driver’s licence. I don’t think anyone wants

that to happen.

The worst part about that example that I’ve mentioned to you is that this example

hasn’t ended. It’s the fact that that construction worker, who could be helping build

a hospital or a school, is now having to drive across Nanaimo.

Let me tell you. To drive from one end of Nanaimo to the other takes about half an

hour, maybe a bit longer. Then you’d spend that half an hour driving to the ICBC location

to just wait in line, and who knows how long that could be. Could it be five minutes?

Could it be ten minutes? Could it be 20? Could it be half an hour? There are times

where I’ve waited in the ICBC lineup, and it’s been an hour and a half.

That’s all just to extend a document that already exists in the Insurance Corp. of

British Columbia’s system.

With online renewal, that worker could complete that process in minutes, going back

to participating and doing a job that they actually enjoy, which is building homes,

building schools, helping build British Columbia.

What this legislation says is that we’re not just looking at convenience here. This

legislation says that through Bill 6, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, we respect

the time of British Columbians.

If that example was not good enough for you, I have another example. Let’s consider

a senior in Fraser-Nicola. There is a senior there who is living in a remote part

of the community, and travel is not as easy as it once was. Driving longer distances

is a bit difficult, or using transit. That senior might actually have to depend on

a family member.

Under the current system, that senior may need assistance simply to attend an appointment.

Online renewal changes that dynamic. It restores independence for that senior. It

allows that senior to manage essential documents from their own home, and that matters.

As people age, you want to be able to ensure that they have that independence, to

be able to control their lives, to be able to dictate how they’re going to move around

their community. As someone who has contributed very much to the overall fabric of

British Columbia, having to figure out how to get to an ICBC location, when it’s not

as easy to move around, is unfair.

That’s one of the great things of this piece of legislation, that we care about fairness

and will be delivering fairness.

[3:35 p.m.]

Hon. Speaker, you didn’t seem very convinced or compelled by my last example, so I

have another example for you.

Interjections.

George Anderson : You’re welcome. I will give you more, just because you asked for it. That’s what

the people in this House have asked for.

Another real-life example, which you’ll have to think about, is residents in northern

or remote communities, communities where access to government offices may require

travel across significant distances, again, needing to plan an entire day around that

ability just to renew a document. Online renewal, again, removes that barrier. It

ensures that people living outside of major urban centres….

I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Nanaimo-Lantzville before, but there is a community

outside of the great urban centre of Nanaimo, which is called the district of Lantzville.

For them to go into the community, it’s going to take a bit of time, depending on

where you are, because it is a bit rural.

Again, this bill — Bill 6, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act — demonstrates fairness

in action.

I’m sure you don’t want more examples, so I’m going to move and start talking about….

Interjection.

George Anderson : I would give you more, but I’d like to get on to the safeguards and security, because

I think that’s equally as important for the seniors and young people and the various

examples that I’ve already talked about so that they understand how this bill safeguards

them and provides security.

Whenever government services move online, legitimate questions are raised. You know,

my friend on the other side brought up a variety of questions — questions about verification,

fraud prevention, data security, data breaches, issues that we’re actually seeing

a real rise in. Those questions are important, and they must be addressed clearly.

I think we’re very fortunate to know that the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia

has already begun working with the Ministries of Health and Citizens’ Services to

ensure strong safeguards are built into the system. Those safeguards include identity

verification tools, fraud prevention protocols and secure digital authentication systems.

Those are real, tangible safeguards that British Columbians can rely upon.

Those measures are also being developed in consultation with the British Columbia

Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic safety committee. If there’s a group of people

that I’m going to trust, it’s going to be our police, individuals who go and stand

up in protection of everyday British Columbians. They’re having those conversations

about how we can better develop policy. I think, really, it’s the people who are dealing

with crime, who are ensuring that crimes are prevented, that can actually provide

the answers as to how we deal with security issues.

In other words, this system will not sacrifice security for convenience. It will actually

deliver both.

There is another point I’d like to highlight. That is that this legislation takes

a measured approach. It begins with simple renewals and replacements, ones that are

deliberate, a policy that doesn’t attempt to transform the entire system overnight.

It begins with transactions that are straightforward, then builds the systems outward

as they’re demonstrated to be proven and reliable, something that we have seen in

other provinces.

I’m not going to list them again because I know that you were paying attention to

all of the provinces and territories that have already implemented this modernized

system.

[3:40 p.m.]

That’s how responsible modernization works — step by step, evidence-based and carefully

implemented.

It’s important, through this discussion and debate today, that we also look at what

this legislation is not. There may be some who suggest that enabling online renewal

somehow reduces road safety. I can tell you that claim doesn’t stand up to any scrutiny.

The legislation does not change any standards with respect to an individual obtaining

a licence. It doesn’t allow a person, through the graduated licensing program, to

bypass testing. And it doesn’t allow unsafe drivers to evade review.

If someone has outstanding violations, medical issues or other conditions requiring

assessment, they will still need to attend in person. There will be no online renewal

that’s available for that individual. And all the safety rules remain fully intact.

This legislation is focused on how paperwork is processed, not how safety is regulated.

While the legislation that we’re talking about today focuses on renewals, it’s part

of an overall modernization of drivers’ licences in British Columbia. We know that

transportation systems are evolving, we know that vehicles are changing, and we know

that digital infrastructure is expanding.

Public expectations of government are also increasing. They expect that in a highly

digital world, they should be able to navigate the world of government in a way that

they’re able to navigate on their cell phones — to be able to get the services that

they need in a reasonable time frame, not being upheld by cumbersome paperwork and

rules that were made for a different time period.

Hon. Speaker, you will know that, as you’ve been sitting in the chair, we often debate

laws that deal with complex regulatory frameworks. But at the core of Bill 6, the

Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, law exists for a simple reason, and that’s to serve people.

We are all here for the purposes of serving British Columbians and delivering the

results that they expect of us.

A law that simplifies people’s lives, I would argue, is a good law. A law that reduces

unnecessary bureaucracy is a good law. A law that respects people’s time, which Bill

6, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, does, I would say is a good law. And that’s what

this legislation accomplishes.

I’d just like to reflect on modernization in government a little longer, if that’s

okay with you, hon. Speaker.

In my time working in the legal profession, I’ve seen firsthand how institutions can

evolve. Court filings are moving in a more digital way. Legal processes have modernized.

Public services across many sectors are adapting to new technologies.

I think that government should also be looking to adapt and become more agile so that

we, again, are delivering the results that British Columbians expect of us. Government

cannot remain static while society evolves.

When I was in law school, we talked about the idea of a living tree, and here’s government

as well. You might recall, during a debate, where Barack Obama talked about how we

don’t use bayonets and horses for different warfare and fights, and so on. We use

modern technology.

[3:45 p.m.]

Similarly, as we advance our society in British Columbia, a way that we’re leading

is by looking at the systems that we have in place. This is a great example of how

we can modernize for British Columbians and deliver the results that they expect.

But let me tell you. In my community, people are going to be happy to know that they

don’t have to wait in a lineup at the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia when this

bill passes, or should this bill pass.

What this bill would do is actually create more trust in government institutions because

this gives time back to people, and it also demonstrates competence. It shows that

the public service can actually be efficient and responsive. We often hear that, no,

there is no solution. There is nothing that can be done, and this is the best that

we can do.

Through Bill 6, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, we are demonstrating that government

can act. Government can be agile. Government can deliver results for everyday British

Columbians by ensuring that they can do something that should be so simple as renewing

their driver’s licence online. I’m proud to be part of a government that is moving

along and streamlining in a way that delivers results for British Columbians.

Some people will say that legislative changes such as this aren’t going to make the

headlines. I think this is one that should make the headlines, because this change

quietly improves the lives of millions of people in our province and even improves

the lives of people who won’t even know that this debate happened in this House.

We’re moving into the 21st century with this change, with Bill 6, the Motor Vehicle

Amendment Act. I would say that the impact should not be underestimated when this

is actually saving the time of millions of people.

Rural residents getting access to services faster, seniors managing essential documents

without unnecessary travel…. I said it earlier. Good law makes improvements in the

lives of everyday people. And this is good law because the small improvements do add

up over time.

In closing, the amendments before us represent thoughtful modernization. They demonstrate

that we can actually advance our society in a way that improves lives for British

Columbians and doesn’t change safety standards in any way. It actually incorporates

safeguards.

Most importantly, we demonstrate that government services can be more accessible to

everyday British Columbians, and that is something every single member of this House

ought to be proud of. Good legislation solves problems. It reduces barriers, and it

respects people’s time. It reflects the world that actually exists. For those reasons,

I am proud to support Bill 6, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act.

Macklin McCall : I rise today to speak to Bill 6, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2026. At its core,

this legislation is about modernizing how British Columbians interact with ICBC when

it comes to basic licensing services.

The bill proposes to establish the framework that would allow people to renew or replace

certain drivers’ licences and identification cards online through ICBC’s website and

digital services platform. On the surface, that sounds simple, and in many ways, it

is.

[3:50 p.m.]

For many people in British Columbia, renewing a licence should be something that can

be done quickly and conveniently without needing to travel to an ICBC office, wait

in line or take time away from work or family obligations. If we can make routine

services more accessible and more efficient, that is a positive step.

For people living in rural and remote communities, this is particularly important.

Many residents in smaller communities have to travel long distances just to complete

what should be a straightforward transaction. In those cases, the ability to renew

a licence or replace a damaged or lost card online can make a meaningful difference.

It saves time, reduces travel and allows people to access services that urban residents

often take for granted.

The intent behind this legislation is understandable. The government is trying to

modernize ICBC services that bring British Columbia more in line with other jurisdictions

that already offer some form of online driver licensing renewal.

Other provinces have moved in this direction, and there is value in ensuring that

our systems keep pace with modern expectations. However, modernization always comes

with responsibility. A driver’s licence is not just another government document. It

is one of the most commonly used forms of identification in this province. It contains

a person’s name, address, date of birth, licence number and photograph. In many situations,

it is used to confirm identity, verify age or access services. In other words, it

carries some of the most sensitive personal information that individuals have.

When government proposes to move parts of that system online, the conversation cannot

be limited to convenience alone. We also need to consider security, privacy and how

personal information will be handled once it enters the digital systems.

As the Public Safety and Solicitor General critic and as someone who has spent many

years working in law enforcement, I approach legislation like this with two priorities

in mind. First, we should absolutely support improvements that make services faster

and more accessible for the public. Second, we must ensure that any modernization

protects the personal information of British Columbians and maintains public confidence

in the system.

Technology can improve service delivery. It can make government more efficient. But

technology also introduces new risks if it is not implemented carefully. If we are

going to move licensing services into a digital environment, we need to be clear about

how that system will operate, how personal data will be stored, who will have access

to it and what safeguards are in place if something goes wrong. These are not minor

questions. They go directly to public safety, privacy and trust. Those are the questions

we must examine carefully as we consider Bill 6.

Before getting into some of the concerns I will raise later, it is important to clearly

explain what this bill actually does. Bill 6 proposes amendments to the Motor Vehicle

Act that would allow certain driver licensing services to be completed online through

ICBC’s digital platform. In practical terms, it means that many British Columbians

would be able to renew or replace their drivers’ licences without having to attend

an ICBC office in person.

Under the framework proposed in this bill, eligible drivers with full licences — classes

1 through 8 — would be able to apply online and renew their licence when the renewal

simply involves extending the expiry date. In other words, if nothing has changed

about the driver’s identity or licensing status, that renewal could be completely

digital. The same applies to replacing licences that are lost, damaged or destroyed.

The bill also allows ICBC to offer online replacement or renewal for B.C. identification

cards, for stand-alone B.C. Services Cards and for the combined driver’s licence and

B.C. Services Cards. These are everyday transactions that thousands of people in this

province complete every year.

There are still limits built into the system. Learner licences, for example, will

still require in-person visits. That makes sense, because those licences are tied

to testing and progression through the graduated licensing program. Renewals that

involve changes to personal info, such as a change of name or address, would also

require a visit in person. That is appropriate. Identity verification still matters,

and certain transactions should continue to be handled face to face.

The legislation also provides authority for ICBC to establish rules about how applications

can be made. Applications could be submitted in person, online or through other prescribed

means. It also allows for regulation-making powers related to how licences may be

mailed and how interim licences can be issued.

There are other housekeeping amendments throughout the bill that update language in

the Motor Vehicle Act and align certain provisions with other legislation. Taken together,

the changes are intended to support ICBC’s broader modernization program. ICBC has

been working toward expanding digital services for some time.

[3:55 p.m.]

This bill is part of that longer effort to move routine services online while keeping

more complex services available in person. If implemented properly, this could reduce

wait times at driver licensing offices, particularly for services that require staff

attention, such as road tests or licensing reviews. By moving basic renewals and replacements

online, the government hopes to free up appointment capacity for those more complex

transactions.

In theory, that is a reasonable objective. Anyone who has spent time waiting for an

appointment at a driver’s licensing office understands the frustration that can come

with delays. If routine services can be completed online safely and securely, that

could improve the experience for many people. But that is where the word “safely”

becomes important, because once these services move online, the system will rely heavily

on digital records, digital photographs and digital verification of identity.

That is where the discussion must be moved beyond convenience. Modernization is good.

Efficiency is good. But when identity documents move into digital systems, the security

and control of that information becomes a much bigger issue. That is the part of this

bill that deserves careful examination. Once we move licensing services into a digital

environment, the discussion changes. We are no longer talking about convenience. We

are talking about identity information, how it is stored and who has access to it.

The driver’s licence is one of the most widely used identifying documents in the province.

People use it to verify their identity when opening bank accounts, accessing services,

boarding flights, picking up prescriptions, renting vehicles and completing countless

everyday transactions. It contains a person’s name, address, date of birth, licence

number and photograph. In many cases, it also links to other services or identity

systems.

When that information exists on a physical card, the risk is relatively contained.

A person controls the card. If it is lost or stolen, the loss is localized to that

single item. When the same information exists inside large digital systems, the risk

changes. Instead of a single card, you now have databases. Instead of a physical document,

you have images and personal information stored electronically, transmitted through

networks and accessed through computer systems.

That is not inherently a problem. Modern government services depend on digital systems,

but the risks that come with those systems need to be taken seriously. As someone

who has spent many years working in law enforcement, I have seen how valuable identity

information can be to criminals. Identity theft is not rare. Organized groups actively

look for ways to obtain personal information that can be used to impersonate individuals,

open accounts or commit financial fraud.

When large collections of personal information are stored in one place, they become

attractive targets. The more complete the data set, the more valuable it becomes.

If a database contains names, addresses, dates of birth and photographs, that is essentially

a complete identity profile. That is why security matters.

When government asks British Columbians to trust a digital system with that information,

it has to be confident that the safeguards are strong enough to protect it. People

will reasonably ask questions. Where is this information stored? Is it stored within

Canada? Is it stored on ICBC systems, or does it rely on outside service providers?

How long are digital images retained after a renewal or replacement transaction is

completed? Are copies created in backups or archives? What happens if a breach occurs?

These are not minor technical questions. They go to the core of public trust. When

identity information is compromised, the consequences are serious and long-lasting.

Unlike a password, a date of birth cannot simply be changed. A photograph cannot be

replaced the way a credit card number can. Once that information is exposed, the damage

can follow a person for years.

That is why digital identity systems require careful design from the beginning. Security

should not be an afterthought. It should not be something addressed later through

policy adjustments. If the province is moving toward online driver licensing services,

then the architecture of that system — how data is stored, protected and accessed

— must be clear and robust from the start.

British Columbians should not have to assume that everything will work out. They should

be able to see that the safeguards are in place. That is where this bill leaves some

important questions unanswered.

[4:00 p.m.]

There is another part of this conversation that deserves careful attention, and that

is the handling of digital images. Driver licensing systems rely heavily on photographs.

That image is a central part of how a driver’s licence functions as identification.

It allows police officers, businesses and other officials to confirm that the person

presenting the licence is actually the person to whom it was issued.

In the traditional system, that photograph is captured during an in-person visit to

a licensing office. It becomes part of the physical card and part of ICBC’s internal

records.

When services move online, the handling of those images changes. Instead of being

captured and controlled entirely within a licensing office, photographs and signatures

begin to exist within digital workflows. They may be transmitted through online systems.

They may be stored, copied, backed up or processed with multiple layers of infrastructure.

Anyone who works with digital systems understands a simple reality. Once an image

enters a digital environment, control over that image changes. It can exist in multiple

places at once. It can be stored in backups. It can pass through systems that handle

authentication or verification. It may remain in records long after the original transaction

is complete. None of that is automatically unsafe, but it does mean the responsibility

to protect those images becomes much greater.

A photograph tied to a driver’s licence is not just a picture; it is part of a person’s

identity record. When combined with a name, address and date of birth, that photograph

becomes part of the complete identity profile, in that if that information were ever

compromised, it would be extremely valuable to someone engaged in identity fraud.

This is why the security around those images matters so much.

British Columbians want to know how those images are handled in a digital system.

Are photographs stored permanently in the same database as other personal information?

Are they stored in multiple