Second Session, 41st Parliament

(2017) OFFICIAL REPORT

OF DEBATES

(HANSARD)

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 62

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

Legion of Honour award for North Vancouver veterans

B. Ma

Introductions by Members

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill M210 —

Interpretation Amendment Act, 2017

L. Larson

Statements (Standing Order 25B)

Richmond Hospital

L. Reid

Ocean anchorages

D. Routley

Whistler Community Services Re-Use-It Centre

J. Sturdy

Burnaby Rotary Club winter coats program

A. Kang

Samantha Fazio and action on sexual abuse of women

J. Thornthwaite

Indian Arm and play by Hiro Kanagawa

R. Glumac

Oral Questions

Transportation planning and Massey Tunnel replacement

J. Johal

Hon. C. Trevena

I. Paton

Site C power project costs and alternative energy

A. Weaver

Hon. M. Mungall

Softwood lumber negotiations and trade with U.S.

T. Wat

Hon. D. Donaldson

Hon. G. Chow

Review of ferry system

M. Stilwell

Hon. C. Trevena

J. Yap

APPENDIX

Address by the Hon. Jay Inslee, Governor, State of Washington

Hon. J. Horgan

R. Coleman

A. Weaver

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2017

The House met at 10:05 a.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers.

Introductions by Members

S. Chandra Herbert: It gives me great pleasure to welcome ChrŸs Tei to the House. ChrŸs

has been here on numerous occasions to advocate for human rights, for

transgender and gender diverse people. She is the executive director of the

Rainbow Health Cooperative. She worked hard to help bring forward

recommendations that led to the creation of Trans Care B.C. and is just an

all-around wonderful person who brings a great support to so many in this

province.

I know she’s a constituent of the Premier, so I get to bring greetings

on behalf of the Premier. I welcome ChrŸs to the House. Would everybody join

me in welcoming her.

A. Weaver: It gives me great pleasure to introduce a friend and colleague, Prof.

Aaron Devor from the University of Victoria. Professor Devor holds the

world’s only research chair in transgender studies and has been studying and

teaching about transgender topics for more than 35 years. He’s a national

award–winning teacher and an internationally regarded scholar. Dr. Devor is

the founder and academic director of the world’s largest transgender

archives, also at the University of Victoria. Would the House please join me

in welcoming Dr. Devor.

M. Stilwell: I’m proud to introduce Sharon Doty in the House today. Sharon is the

president of PFLAG Canada’s Victoria chapter. As a national non-profit

organization, PFLAG provides support, education and resources on issues of

sexual orientation and gender identity. In advocating for a more accepting

Canadian society, PFLAG assists in the recognition and the growth of gay,

lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, intersex, queer

and questioning persons, as well as their families and their friends, with

diverse cultures and societies.

Sharon came to this group as a parent in 2006, seeking to support her

two children who were both part of the rainbow community. Sharon has

actively participated in supportive learning through education seminars

around the region and works toward ensuring that her children and her

grandchildren will benefit from having a more accepting society. I ask that

the House please help make Sharon feel very welcome.

Hon. H. Bains: It is my pleasure to introduce to the House — I just noticed in the

gallery — my good friend, a lifelong workers advocate, area director of

Unifor, Gavin McGarrigle. Please give him a warm welcome.

Hon. J. Sims: I’d like to introduce Ronda Richardson in the House today. Ronda is

part of the exceptional corporate services division team within the Ministry

of Citizens’ Services, and she is also a resident in the Premier’s

constituency. May I ask that all here in the House make her most

welcome.

Hon. L. Beare: It is my pleasure to welcome some very special guests sitting in the

gallery today. Joining us for question period are athletes from Team B.C.

who represented our province at two major multisporting games. These

athletes made B.C. proud at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games in

Toronto and in the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg.

[10:10 a.m.]

With us is Lara Mussell Savage, Team B.C.’s chef de mission from

ISPARC, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreational Council. We

also have Rick Brant, an athlete at the games and ISPARC’s executive

director. Sitting with them is Michelle Collens, an assistant chef de

mission for Team B.C. at the 2017 Canada Summer Games. I ask that all

members recognize the accomplishments of these incredible individuals and

please make them feel welcome.

Statements

LEGION OF HONOUR AWARD FOR

NORTH VANCOUVER

VETERANS

B. Ma: I am pleased to be able to share with the House today that just

prior to Remembrance Day this year, two longtime North Vancouver

residents in their 90s, Mr. Virgil Billesberger of the Calgary

Highlanders and another humble and private resident who prefers to not

be named, were awarded the National Order of the Legion of

Honour.

This medal has been France’s highest award for military merit

since the days of Napoleon Bonaparte, and they have been awarded to Mr.

Billesberger and his veteran colleague in recognition of their

participation in the 1944 campaign to liberate France. Both men continue

to live in North Vancouver with their spouses. I ask the House to join

me in recognizing them for their military service.

Introductions by Members

A. Olsen: I won’t make a habit of introducing people who’ve already been

introduced, but I do feel like I need to acknowledge some former colleagues

of mine, Rick Brant and Lara Mussell Savage, working in the Aboriginal

sports community. I was honoured to work with the former organization,

Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Association of B.C.

As well, I believe I’m speaking to an alumni of the 2009 Canada Summer

Games where I was a Team B.C. communications person, so I’d like to say

hello to Michelle. Would the House please make them feel welcome again. HÍSW̱ḴE .

D. Routley: I hate to reintroduce a person in the gallery, but Rick Brant…. I must

say to the House, just for everyone’s knowledge, that the 2008 Indigenous

Games in Cowichan were essentially held together by Rick and delivered by

Rick, and it was one of the best episodes of those games ever put on. So

thanks on behalf of all of the people of Cowichan to Rick Brant.

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

BILL M210 —

INTERPRETATION

AMENDMENT ACT,

L. Larson presented a bill intituled

Interpretation Amendment Act,

L. Larson: I move that a bill,

Interpretation Amendment Act, 2017, of which

notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and

now read a first time.

Twice a year the changing of our clocks forward or back one hour

creates a flurry of articles and discussion. Studies continue to be

published about the negative impacts on our health that have documented

an increase in both heart attacks and car accidents in the days

immediately following the time shift. Studies have also identified

losses to the economy from a lack of productivity directly related to

this time shift.

The practice of moving our clocks forward and back began in 1918,

as a way to use less coal during the First World War. It was phased out

after the Second World War and then uniformly reinstated across North

America in the 1960s.

The city of Grand Forks introduced a resolution at the 2017 Union

of B.C. Municipalities annual convention to eliminate daylight savings

time, which was endorsed by the membership. A subsequent on-line survey

showed that 85 percent of responders were supportive of the elimination

of daylight savings time.

The elimination of daylight savings time requires changes to the

Interpretation Act, as set out in this bill. This bill will also make

consequential amendments to the Community Charter, Election Act, Local

Government Act, Vancouver Charter and Wildfire Act or any other act,

regulation, rule, order, bylaw, agreement or other instrument or

document referring to Pacific Daylight Time.

It will be 100 years, in the spring of 2018, since the time shift

was introduced. I believe it’s the time to end it.

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

Motion approved.

L. Larson: 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.

Bill M210,

Interpretation Amendment Act, 2017, introduced, read a

first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading

at the next sitting of the House after today.

[10:15 a.m.]

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

RICHMOND HOSPITAL

L. Reid: From the Province newspaper of July 30, 1960, page 15:

“Health Minister Eric Martin said Friday that approval-in-principle has

been given to the Richmond Hospital Society for a new hospital. The

announcement came following a ten-year campaign on the part of Richmond

municipal authorities and the society. The original request was for a

100-bed hospital, but the population growth in the last ten years means

the municipality will probably seek at least 200 beds.”

The society had made repeated representations on the need for a

hospital on the grounds that Richmond’s 38,000 residents back in the day

could not be satisfactorily served by Vancouver institutions. A proposed

site for the hospital had already been set aside by Richmond council in

a 65-acre

section bought by the municipality from the B.C. Turf and

Country Club between No. 3 Road and Gilbert. “‘It’s wonderful news,’

said the secretary. ‘We have felt all along that Richmond should have

its own hospital with its own doctors treating its own people.’ Reeve

Henry Anderson said work would start immediately when the hospital was

given the right-of-way.”

Today Richmond Hospital contains approximately 200 in-patient

beds. The hospital’s original structure, the north tower, was built in

1964. It housed 100 in-patient beds as well as surgical suites, medical

imaging and pharmacy. Richmond’s population was 38,000 when Richmond

Hospital first opened. Today, the city’s population sits at 210,000.

Expansion of our hospital has not kept up, as Richmond has among the

lowest number of beds per capita in the country. Richmond Hospital

offers a full range of medical and surgical services to patients across

the continuum, from prenatal to palliative. Our services have evolved to

include many specialized programs. However, our facilities have

not.

As the mom of a 13-year-old son, we have utilized the services of

Richmond Hospital more times than I can count. I am grateful for the

care and professionalism the staff bring to their job. Special thanks to

Dr. Matthew Kwok, emergency room doctor.

To conclude, in the Vancouver Sun on February 28, 1966,

Health Minister Eric Martin announced the completion of Richmond General

Hospital with these words, and this is the comment for the Health

Minister across the way: “This is the 43rd new hospital I have opened

since I first became Health Minister.” No pressure, Minister, but step

lively.

OCEAN ANCHORAGES

D. Routley: I rise to speak of ocean anchorages. Ocean anchorages are

essentially the parking lot of our ports. Our port authorities have

enormous power, protected from any political jurisdiction, federal,

provincial or local. That protection was put in place to protect them

from interference, but in fact, what has developed has been a gap in

jurisdiction. We need to have some sort of public interest input into

the operations of these port authorities.

What is happening in the constituency I represented up and down

the coast of B.C. is that inefficiencies in the shipping systems of

North America are being downloaded onto the people of the coast as ships

park not for hours, not for days, not for weeks but sometimes for many

months on end, waiting for a space in the port. This is something that

needs all jurisdictions to participate in solving — local jurisdictions

in approving operations on port facilities that are within their grasp

and provincial and federal authorities using and coordinating their

pressure to get these shipping companies to either pay up or stop

downloading those costs onto our residents.

This is something that, if we put a charge on these ships….

Currently, they park for free. We’re the only jurisdiction. The

Washington state governor will be here today, and he will confirm that

they are charged in Washington so that this doesn’t happen. What we need

to do is put a charge for parking so that there will be pressure on the

port to move things quickly so that the port will put pressure on the

railways to provide the cars so that the system can flow the way it was

meant to do.

It’s important that all companies that operate in B.C. be

responsible for their effect on the environment and our society. When we

see these ships running all night long with generators, spewing

emissions, this is damaging. I hope all of us can commit to stopping

it.

WHISTLER COMMUNITY SERVICES

RE-USE-IT

CENTRE

J. Sturdy: I would like to take the time to acknowledge the great work done

by Whistler Community Services and their social venture enterprise that

funds community programming through recycling.

[10:20 a.m.]

In 1989, Whistler Community Services first established a Christmas

hamper and food bank program to fill a social gap in a growing

community. After identifying another community need in the late ’90s,

the resort municipality of Whistler asked the society to develop a

thrift store to recycle useful products otherwise bound for the dump. By

operating the store and keeping goods out of the landfill, the society

would hopefully generate a profit which would be used to fund social

service programming. In 2000, the Whistler Re-Use-It Centre in Function

Junction was born, and the success was remarkable.

Whether you’re new to town and need another winter layer, need

some kitchen equipment or are looking for used sporting goods, the

Re-Use-It Centre is the place with the best deals in town. It has been

so successful that Whistler Community Services expanded the Re-Use-it

Centre to include the Re-Build-It Centre, as well as bottle and

electronic recycling centres.

Altogether, these businesses generate the majority of funding

required to run their social service programming, which includes a

counselling assistance program, a parent-and-infant drop-in, a survival

guide program for young adults arriving in Whistler and a greenhouse

growing program, as well as an outreach worker.

In the 2016 fiscal year, the Re-Use-It Centre received the

equivalent of 46,437 garbage-sized bags of donations. Collectively, the

program kept 8.4 million kilos of otherwise useful products out of the

landfill in 2016 alone, through 82,885 paying customers generating $1.5

million in revenue.

Whistler Community Services is a model of valuable social

programming, funded through enterprising non-profits, and I ask this

House to recognize them for the great work they’re doing for the

community of Whistler.

BURNABY ROTARY CLUB

WINTER COATS

PROGRAM

A. Kang: I rise today to remind everyone that winter is coming, and I would

like to recognize the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown for its efforts

in preparing our children and youth for the winter.

Each year the Rotary Club provides less fortunate children and

youth with coats for winter. Last year the Rotary Club of Burnaby

Metrotown delivered 1,700 new coats to local Burnaby schools for

children in need, as well as over 2,000 used coats to various non-profit

organizations for individuals in their programs.

As the winter gets colder, our community is really mobilizing our

resources to help our people get through the winter. Suppliers such as

Army and Navy give the Rotary Club a discounted rate for the new Coats

for Kids. Burnaby-based company Zeemac, which specializes in fleet

services, has also donated a truck for the delivery of coats for

kids.

Regardless of what role we play, we can all do something to help.

This is another example of our community coming together and taking care

of each other. If you would like to take

part in this worthwhile cause,

you may make a donation by cash or cheque for the purchase of new coats

for kids or drop off new or gently used coats at any Burnaby MLA

community offices, as well as many other Burnaby locations. Just make

sure that each coat is waterproof, has a hood and has a good working

zipper. The Rotary Club will make sure that the secondhand coats are dry

cleaned before handing them out.

This year’s organizer, Ernie Kashima, will recall the smiles on

our children’s faces as they pick out their favourite coats. These

smiles and knowing that the children will stay warm this winter makes

all the hard work worth it. They also remind us to put service above

self — also the motto of the Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown. The coats

may warm our arms and legs, but the Rotary Club’s kindness and your

kindness also warms our hearts.

SAMANTHA FAZIO AND

ACTION ON SEXUAL ABUSE OF

WOMEN

J. Thornthwaite: I’d like to introduce you to a very special woman in my life, who

at the age of 19 years old I would consider exceptionally wise beyond

her age. Her name is Samantha Fazio. Despite experiencing sexual

violence in her young life, she does not see herself as a victim.

Samantha sees herself as a survivor.

In addition to her many friends, a very important figure in

Samantha’s support network has been her father. Having male support is

one of the most important things in overcoming the trauma of abuse, and

far too many women don’t have the support or feel like they have

it.

Samantha has risen above adversity and now speaks out about her

abuse in the hopes it helps others. She is an accomplished artist, and

her artwork showcases both her struggles and her empowerment. She has

even started two small businesses. Check out unleashart.net, which she

uses as a platform to support WAVAW, Women Against Violence Against

Women.

[10:25 a.m.]

But Samantha’s main message is for men. She says every woman knows

a survivor, but it’s much harder to find a man who knows an abuser.

While it’s not easy for men to challenge other men, we need to encourage

adult men to do their part and speak out if not for the victims of

abuse, then about the boys who are peripherally exposed to the abuse of

women by other men in their lives. What are we teaching them when we

don’t speak up?

Last weekend I was at a dinner party with a group of 50-plus women

and their partners. We discussed the #metoo movement, and shockingly,

every single one of the women shared a troubling personal story about

abuse, harassment or worse.

Did they speak out about it when it happened? No. Did they report

it? No. Did I? No. The shared sentiment amongst the women was that no

one would believe us if we did. But people did believe Samantha, and she

spoke out, and she is brave. For some reason, in 2017, stigmas are being

lifted, and people are talking about sexual violence. Will this make a

difference? I hope so. And I hope the survivors are

supported.

But I also know this: violence against women is a societal issue,

and the end to violence against women starts and ends with all of us,

including all men in this House. The Me Too movement is not just

Samantha’s issue. It’s not just a women’s issue. It’s a man issue. I’d

like everyone to support Samantha with her bravery.

INDIAN ARM

AND PLAY BY HIRO

KANAGAWA

R. Glumac: Long ago a ship sailed its way into the calm, clear waters of a

scenic inlet for the very first time. On the shores of this inlet were

the Tsleil-Waututh people, who had lived in this place for thousands of

years. The white settlers, when they decided to name this place, didn’t

take on the name given by the people that lived there for so long.

Instead, they called it Indian Arm.

Indian Arm is also the name of a play written by Hiro

Kanagawa. He’s a constituent in Port Moody. I recently had the

opportunity to meet Hiro and congratulate him on his incredible

accomplishment. His play recently won the Governor General’s Literary

Award. It’s loosely based on a Norwegian play called Little

Eyolf . Eyolf is a Norwegian word for wolf, and the

Tsleil-Waututh people, who lived on the shores of Indian Arm, are known

as the Children of the Wolf.

This play tells the story of a couple with an adopted First

Nations son, who lived in a cabin on the shores just north of Deep Cove.

It touches upon serious topics such as residential school abuses, old

leases on unceded First Nations territory and reconnecting to First

Nations roots amidst incredible personal tragedy.

This play contributes in a very meaningful way to a dialogue about

our shared history. Its success is an affirmation of the importance of

the themes it tackles, in particular the relationship between First

Nations and the dominant white culture. My congratulations again to Hiro

Kanagawa on this well-deserved national recognition. His incredible

talents are helping to ensure that Canada, B.C. and, indeed, Port Moody

are uniquely poised to lead the way in showing the world how First

Nations and settlers’ communities can reconcile and move forward

together toward a brighter future for us all.

Oral Questions

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND

MASSEY TUNNEL

REPLACEMENT

J. Johal: There’s rising frustration among commuters in the Lower Mainland.

Thousands of people are stuck in gridlock on our major corridors, but

instead of action we have seen nothing but delay and consultation

paralysis from the Minister of Transportation. Widening of the No. 1

towards Chilliwack was pulled from the budget, and the work done on the

George Massey Tunnel replacement is now just a 600,000-tonne pile of

sand that taunts commuters as they idle in traffic.

On behalf of my constituents and British Columbians across the

Lower Mainland, will the minister stop studying everything to death and

get on with these much-needed projects?

[10:30 a.m.]

Hon. C. Trevena: I’ve got to say that the members opposite are the reason that we

find ourselves here today. If the previous government hadn’t gone

against the wishes of the mayors in the region and tried to force the

project through, showing themselves to be completely out of touch…. Even

the former Transportation Minister has said that there was “too much

political calculation” when they were working with the mayors and that

they need to stop telling the local communities and regions what’s best

for them.

We are listening to the local communities. We are listening to the

mayors. We are doing a study. We will move on a congestion problem when

we get the right answer.

Mr. Speaker: Richmond-Queensborough on a supplemental.

J. Johal: The only jobs program the NDP has introduced so far has been

hiring more consultants so that they can kick the can down the road so

they don’t have to make any major policy decisions. I want to remind the

minister of the exhaustive environmental assessments that were done: 145

technical and scientific reports, 14,000 pages of information pertaining

to this project; three rounds of public engagement, with 3,000 members

of the public; and 110 meetings each with the communities of Richmond

and Delta.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, if we may hear the question.

J. Johal: The minister doesn’t seem to grasp the frustration of those stuck

in traffic as well. I have a letter from Ron Hopkins, who writes about

Highway 1 lane-widening to “express my frustration that this project

seems to be on hold again with the new provincial government.” I raised

in this House the email I received from Chris about “how infuriating

this is, day after day, to have time with my family stolen from

me.”

To the minister responsible for this consultation paralysis, what

does she have to say to Ron and Chris, who are mired in traffic while

she kicks the can down the road on these critical projects?

Hon. C. Trevena: We are committed to fixing the bottlenecks in this province. We’re

fixing to do it properly, with full consultation.

I’ve got to say, hearing time and time again that we have

congestion…. We’ve had congestion growing for 16 years. We didn’t see

much action then. It took the very last couple of years for anything to

happen. We want to make sure that we are consulting properly with all

communities in the affected areas to ensure that we get the right

solution for the future of this province.

Mr. Speaker: Richmond-Queensborough on a second supplemental.

J. Johal: That answer isn’t good enough for the thousands of people stuck in

traffic, and it’s not good enough for employers either.

In my community, London Drugs found the minister’s decision to

cancel the George Massey replacement project “extremely damaging.” As a

direct result of this minister’s consultation paralysis, London Drugs

may have to move their western Canada head office and distribution hub

not only out of Richmond but out of the Lower Mainland in general.

London Drugs is already losing its employees who are no longer willing

to commute through the tunnel, and a relocation would mean the loss of

700 jobs.

Does the minister appreciate the human and the economic costs of

her consultation paralysis, and when is she going to get on with

building that bridge?

Hon. C. Trevena: The member is quoting from various people. I’d like to quote what

his own mayor said about the lack of his consultation. Mayor Brodie

said, when we announced that we were going to be having this: “We have

been trying to constructively comment on this proposal from the first

day it was announced.”

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, if we may hear the response.

Hon. C. Trevena: “We have been disregarded and ignored in the questions that we

have asked. I think that it’s absolutely critical to the future of our

city that there’s a re-examination of the project. It’s so important in

so many different ways.”

We are re-examining the project. We will move when we have done a

thorough re-examination.

[10:35 a.m.]

I. Paton: Again, the minister just doesn’t seem to understand the urgency of

this situation. Perhaps she will be interested in a review that was

actually discussed at Delta council last night.

I have here the results of a review of bridge traffic volumes

under this minister. Recent traffic counts for the George Massey Tunnel

indicate that there are now over 94,000 trips through the tunnel on

weekdays. Morning and evening rush hours at the George Massey Tunnel and

the Alex Fraser Bridge now typically last between seven to nine hours

combined per day, making it more difficult for commuters to avoid being

stuck in daily congestion. Traffic on the Port Mann and Golden Ears

bridges has also increased by close to one-third. And fittingly,

today…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

I. Paton: …our Washington state visitors are now finding it much, much

easier to cross the U.S. border into Canada than it is to get over the

Fraser River into Vancouver.

To the minister responsible for parking lots on our major routes,

when will she stop kicking the can down the road, when will this sham

review be completed, and will she commit to a specific date when

construction of a tunnel replacement will begin?

Hon. C. Trevena: Well, I’m very pleased that the member opposite referred to the

increased traffic on the Port Mann and the Golden Ears bridges. That has

come as a direct result of this government making life more affordable

for people.

People living south of Fraser and north of Fraser have saved

$1,500 minimum a year by being able to not have to pay tolls.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Minister.

Hon. C. Trevena: And businesses are saving at least $4,000 a year, which they can

put back into investing in their business and in the future of this

province.

We are making the choices that are important for people in British

Columbia, to make life more affordable for people of British Columbia

and to make our services work.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Delta South on a supplemental.

I. Paton: This is no laughing matter. This is not like when the NDP’s junior

partner got stuck for a few minutes in the security line at the airport

last weekend.

The new report goes on to warn that the morning and afternoon rush

hours will start to blend together if action isn’t taken soon. To quote

from the report once again: “Removal of the bridge tolls has not

improved the congestion at the George Massey Tunnel or the Alex Fraser

Bridge. Without significant improvements to the tunnel crossing,

economic growth and regional livability will be constrained by

congestion and increased travel times.”

The question to the minister is this. To the minister who

cancelled the fix to B.C.’s biggest bottleneck, is 24-hour congestion

and constrained growth and livability going to be her legacy?

Hon. C. Trevena: As I said, we acknowledge that there is a problem on the Highway

99 corridor. We are going to be doing something about it.

I’ve got say that we have actually brought some unanimity to the

elected officials in the Lower Mainland, most of whom opposed the

ten-lane bridge. But now we have unanimity. Everybody appreciates the

fact that we are doing the review.

I would like to quote the member’s own mayor, Mayor Jackson, who

wrote to me earlier this month and said: “I was very pleased to hear

that a professional consultant has been hired to lead the independent

technical review of the George Massey Tunnel crossing, and the review is

expected to be completed in spring 2018. As you know, the city of Delta

is fully supportive of the province’s approach to this

matter.”

Mr. Speaker, we are going to continue with what we’re

doing.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

[10:40 a.m.]

SITE C POWER PROJECT COSTS

AND ALTERNATIVE

ENERGY

A. Weaver: I see the members on the opposite side here are somewhat troubled

about question period and are a little feisty today.

I’d like to take us back, hon. Speaker. I’d like to take us back

to the previous decade, when Site C was advanced to stage 3 of the

approval process. Its price tag then was somewhere between $5 billion

and $6.6 billion.

Let’s now fast-forward to 2011. The price tag now was $7.9

billion. Two years later now in 2013, the price tag was $8.3 billion.

Then the price tag grew to $8.9 billion, accompanying a year-long delay

in the construction schedule.

Now the B.C. Utilities Commission says this: “Given the nature of

this type of project and what has occurred to date, total cost for the

project may be in excess of $10 billion, and there are significant risks

that could lead to further budget overruns.” The cost, they found, could

end up being $12 billion — and this only two years into a nine-year

project.

My question….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

A. Weaver: My question, if I’m allowed to actually ask it over the heckling

from opposite, is this. It’s to the Minister of Energy, Mines and

Petroleum Resources. Will the minister stop the Site C

project…?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

The question, please.

A. Weaver: I’ll try again.

Will the minister stop Site C before it gets any worse and protect

British Columbians from a project that already shows signs of having

costs that will spiral completely out of control?

Hon. M. Mungall: Thank you to the member for the question. I find the question very

interesting because I think it highlights exactly why this project

should have gone to the B.C. Utilities Commission right from the very

get-go. The fact that the official opposition, when they were in

government, chose not to do that…. I’ve said it before, and let me say

it again: it was the wrong choice.

This government has righted that wrong. We have finally gone to

the B.C. Utilities Commission, and we were able to get answers to the

questions that British Columbians had, questions that I’m sure the

Leader of the Third Party had as well. This government is taking all of

that information into consideration as we deliberate on this very

important issue for British Columbians, and we’ll be working and making

a decision in the best interests of British Columbians.

A. Weaver: Thank you to the minister for the response.

In contrast to the grim picture of ballooning Site C construction

costs, let’s now take a look at the renewable energy sector. Wind, solar

and geothermal power have become cheaper and scaled up faster than

anyone predicted. The cost of wind power has decreased by 90 percent

since the 1980s. In the last eight years alone….

Interjections.

A. Weaver: I know that members opposite don’t like to hear data, but if you

could let me actually get it through, we’d be actually all benefiting

from this.

In the last eight years alone, costs for wind power have declined

by 66 percent, and the costs are predicted to continue to fall.

Bloomberg, for example, predicts that onshore wind costs will fall by 47

percent by 2040 and offshore costs will fall by 71 percent.

Now, I get that they’re feisty opposite because they don’t like

the real data. They’re just living in an ideological world of mysterious

data.

Solar energy tells a similar story.

Mr. Speaker: Member, the question, please.

A. Weaver: Thanks. If I could actually ask the question….

Solar energy tells a similar story. Costs have decreased by 68

percent since 2009, and they’re projected to decrease by a further 27

percent in the next five years. We have a window of opportunity now to

harness renewables and build power that puts us on the cutting edge of

innovation and provides local jobs and benefits.

Mr. Speaker: Member, the question please.

A. Weaver: My question, if I can get it above this background of raucous

Liberal members, to the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum

Resources is this: are you prepared to forgo this generational

opportunity to harness renewables by continuing in the B.C. Liberal

footsteps with building a doomed megaproject?

[10:45 a.m.]

Hon. M. Mungall: It’s clear that members opposite sure are feisty today. I’m glad

that the member did get his question in.

He will note that part of my mandate letter is to build that road

map into the future in terms of B.C.’s energy policy, looking

specifically at our opportunities — our tremendous opportunities — at

renewables.

But for today, we have to address this issue of Site C. No

decision has been made, but we are in the decision-making process, and

we take it very seriously. This is a very important decision for British

Columbians well into the future, and that’s why we have ensured that

we’re doing our due diligence by starting with the B.C. Utilities

Commission.

We’re looking at the information that they brought forward as well

as the incredible amount of information that has come out over the years

about Site C, and we will be making a decision that works for British

Columbians today and into future generations.

SOFTWOOD LUMBER NEGOTIATIONS

AND TRADE WITH

U.S.

T. Wat: My questions today are for the Minister of State for Trade. Our

relationship with our friends and neighbours in the United States is a

long one, but the single most important trade issue facing our province

is rising U.S. protectionism, particularly the 60,000 British Columbians

who depend on forestry.

To the Minister of State for Trade, can he tell this House what he

has done to combat these protectionist measures, and specifically, what

was the outcome of his meeting with Forestry Innovation Investment on

September 21?

Hon. D. Donaldson: Thank you very much for the question. The softwood lumber

agreement is a high priority for this government. In fact, the Premier,

within 30 days of becoming Premier, travelled to Ottawa and then to

Washington to meet with the Commerce Secretary, something that never

happened under the previous government. I’m very happy about

that.

Since then, we’ve been in negotiations with the federal government

about the outcomes of the softwood lumber agreement. We maintain, and

are very strong in our commitment with them, that the duties that have

been imposed are unwarranted, unfair and unjust, and we’ve been active

with the B.C. lumber council in initiating an appeal process for the

unfair duties that were allotted by the U.S. government.

Mr. Speaker: Richmond North Centre on a supplemental.

T. Wat: I’m not sure why we have a Minister of State for Trade if he

cannot answer a basic question. Let me try it once more. British

Columbians are counting on us to do whatever….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall hear the question.

T. Wat: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

British Columbians are counting on us to do whatever we can to

protect jobs. On our side of the House, we always support fair and open

trade with the United States, because it benefits both

nations.

Again to the Minister of State for Trade. I see from his calendar

that he has weekly briefings. What is his plan to protect our interests

as a world leader in international trade?

Interjections.

[10:50 a.m.]

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. G. Chow: You know, the member opposite was representing a government and

overseeing the loss of 30,000 jobs in the forestry sector. When they

were in government, they oversaw 100 mills close. That is their legacy.

I’m just elected since May, and our Premier has gone to Washington to

fight for the forestry workers.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. G. Chow: I think the Premier would be the best person to represent us, and

he did.

The previous government’s Premier didn’t actually do anything

about this file until the election came. I am very appreciative of the

Forests Minister trying to help out. He just came back from a trade

mission to Asia. That really says all about how much we value trade in

the lumber sector.

Of course, you know the unfair treatment we are facing with the

U.S. courts. We have confidence the courts will be siding with us,

because it’s an unfair imposition on the trade agreement.

I think that the opposite member speaks for herself. The most

important thing for me is that in her government, they oversaw the loss

of 30,000 good jobs in forestry.

REVIEW OF FERRY SYSTEM

M. Stilwell: In the Minister of Transportation’s mandate letter, the Premier

directed her to conduct a comprehensive operations review of B.C.

Ferries. Now, the minister has said one thing regarding the

much-anticipated operational review, but the Premier has said something

quite different. When asked about the scope of the operational review,

the minister said it’s not going to be a governance review; it’s an

operations review. However, the Premier was asked if governance was part

of the review, and he said everything’s on the table.

Everything.

It appears that there needs to be some clarity between the two. So

to the minister, who’s right — her or her boss?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: I’m waiting for quiet.

Minister of Transportation.

Hon. C. Trevena: There’s obviously a lot of anticipation about this. I’ve got to

say I find it very funny and very ironic that members from the

opposition have the temerity to ask anything about B.C. Ferries after

what they did for 16 years — 16 years in which they tore up what

everybody had seen for generations as the marine highway, 16 years where

we saw the fares go up by about 140 percent, 16 years where the

communities were isolated and families had to leave their homes. That

side of the House has no ground to be asking anything about B.C.

Ferries.

[10:55 a.m.]

Mr. Speaker: Parksville-Qualicum on a supplemental.

M. Stilwell: That’s quite the detour that the minister is taking to get to the

actual answer to the question.

In 2015, the Premier said that he would bring B.C. Ferries back

into the Ministry of Transportation. Now we know that the Premier wants

the review to include governance, but the minister has taken that off

the table. Then to top it all off, even though she’s had the mandate

letter in her hands for four months, she hasn’t even finalized the scope

or the terms of reference for the review.

How long will it take the minister and the Premier to come to some

kind of agreement for the terms of reference, and will she commit to

taking those terms of reference and making them public?

Hon. C. Trevena: On one hand, the opposition is outraged that I have the audacity

to do a review about something; on the other, they’re urging me to get

on with doing a review. I wish they’d make their minds up.

This is an opposition that for 16 years killed our coastal

communities by mishandling the ferry file year after year after year.

They have suddenly found the light, and certain members of the

leadership campaign…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Hon. C. Trevena: …have said: “Oh, we better reduce fares. Oh, maybe we should have

a free fare for seniors all week.”

They had the chance to fix B.C. Ferries for 16 years. They did

nothing. We’re going to work on it.

J. Yap: It’s fair to say that the minister has found herself in trouble

from her inability to answer questions about her own ministry’s reviews.

First, it was the Massey Tunnel replacement project, a project which she

says is going to continue in some form without a single nickel budgeted

for it. Now we hear that the minister and the Premier are not on the

same page when it comes to her review of B.C. Ferries. Perhaps they’re

too busy coming up with another secret gimmick to fool British

Columbians with instead of focusing on governing.

It seems this minister has trouble with….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members, if we may hear the question.

J. Yap: Thank you, Speaker.

It seems the minister has trouble drafting terms of reference.

Will these be drawn on the back of a napkin just like the Massey

review?

Hon. C. Trevena: I wish that the opposition had spent as much time on B.C. Ferries

when they were government as they are doing now that they’re in

opposition. It would have meant that coastal communities would be

thriving now. We would be seeing that people would be able to travel and

be able to afford to live in their communities.

The question is whether the Premier and I are on the same page. Of

course we are.

[End of question period.]

Orders of the Day

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, according to a motion agreed to yesterday, the proceedings

of this House will now be suspended in order to welcome the Hon. Jay Inslee,

governor of the state of Washington, to address the assembly.

The House stands in recess. Please remain in your seats.

[See appendix.]

The House recessed from 10:59 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Hon. M. Farnworth: I move the House do now adjourn and inform members that there is a

reception for the governor in the rotunda.

Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 1:30 this afternoon.

The House adjourned at 11:41 a.m.

APPENDIX

Mr. Speaker: Hon. Members, please join me in welcoming the First Lady of the State of

Washington, Mrs. Trudi Inslee, to the chamber. [Applause.]

Hon. Members, please welcome Gov. Jay Inslee to the Assembly.

[Applause.]

Address by the

Hon. Jay Inslee,

Governor, State of Washington

Hon. J. Inslee: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, the general assembly, Mr. Premier of

British Columbia, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Third Party and

all hon. members.

[11:05 a.m.]

It is a tremendous personal and professional pleasure to be given this

high honour of this invitation. It is always a high honour to be in this

province and also on the traditional territories of the Esquimalt and the

Songhees First Nations.

I would like to acknowledge my wife’s presence. Trudi is here today.

We are celebrating. August 28, 1972, was the day we started our honeymoon in

Victoria, British Columbia, so I can tell you that we attribute a

significant part of our marital success to British Columbia. I just want you

to know that.

I want to thank you for allowing my son Connor to start the Race to

Alaska last summer from Victoria harbour. He has yet to win Swiftsure, but

he’s not going to give up trying, so I want to thank you for allowing our

family to enjoy your beautiful province.

Now Victoria is where I’ve been granted this tremendous privilege to

walk through the golden gates. When other Washington governors have been

given this chance, I knew they felt the same excitement that I do, of this

honour, to see another historic legislative body in action. They recognized

— what I think we all recognize, if we take a moment to think about it —

what an opportunity it is to observe the traditions of democracy that have

shined so brightly through generations in these halls and in my legislative

chamber as well.

I do believe if everyone had a chance to witness the work you do and

the work my legislature does, they would have a greater respect for the

process of democracy, and that would be a good thing.

It’s important to say that, I think, right now, because with

everything happening in our White House in Washington, D.C., I know that

many nations have questioned our nation’s leadership on some very important

issues and have questioned whether my nation will remain a shining city on

the hill, as we’ve always thought of our nation as providing leadership for

the world.

I think people have questioned whether we will continue our long

tradition of being a beacon of hope for those in homelands around the world.

They’ve questioned whether we will remain a country of openness and

opportunity, of inclusion and innovation, of equality and environmental

stewardship.

Today let me say this: our nation and my state will never surrender

the principles that gave us what we are today, which is the State of

Washington…. [Applause.]

We have a long tradition of democracy, but we have so much to share.

You might cheer for the Whitecaps while we cheer for the Sounders. You might

sing O Canada while we serenade “the land of the free and the home

of the brave.” But we have so many numerous shared interests and, more

importantly, I think, shared values that cross this imaginary border. I was

just talking about with the Premier that this is an imaginary line that we

need to get over, so to speak, because we have great work to do

together.

I want to pause just a moment to thank you for investing in the

capital regional district’s wastewater treatment project. In doing so,

you’re helping water quality in the Salish Sea. Thank you for what you’ve

done. I saw the construction coming in. We appreciate it. Thank you for what

you’re doing there.

Every time I visit Vancouver, B.C., I think that it’s one the most

beautiful cities in the world. This is an opinion I share with folks when we

talk about it. Frankly, you’ve done some things in your planning process and

some of your transportation process that really have created some beautiful

metropolitan areas in your province. There are things that we need to look

at, how you’ve accomplished that, frankly. I was looking at some of the

things you’ve done in Vancouver, B.C. the other day, thinking that maybe we

can share some of those ideas on my side of the border.

[11:10 a.m.]

On both sides of our border, we can step outside, and we can look

around — whether the weather cooperates or not — and marvel at the natural

beauty that surrounds us. That breathtaking scenery plays a major role in

our tourism and outdoor recreation industries. I can tell you that your

Premier and myself, as governor, share the view that each province and state

is the most beautiful place in our respective nations. I can tell you

that.

It is part of what draws our talent to our province and our state, and

I think this is something that is forgotten all too often. People ask why my

state has been so successful in the high-tech industry and all the

innovative industries that surround that. I’ll answer, which is true, that

it’s one of the best places to recruit talent in the world today because it

is such a beautiful place to live. When we want to recruit someone from

Boston or Los Angeles in high tech, we love the fact that they love living

in Washington state. I know the same is true in British Columbia.

I look at environmental stewardship as an economic asset and an

economic growth strategy, and we intend to follow that in my state. I know

that you share that view here in British Columbia.

We share the commitment to fostering innovation. It’s what we do in my

state. We live and breathe innovation. It’s in our bones. We invent. We

create. We build. We invented the first commercially successful jet

airliner. We do some pretty good software. We even invented the $4 cup of

coffee in the State of Washington.

Interjection.

Hon. J. Inslee: And $5 in Canada. I hear that.

We want to keep this going, and there are things we can work on

together to keep this innovation tradition going on both sides of this

border. That’s why I’m so happy about the creation of the Cascadia

innovation corridor. This special partnership is allowing us to move forward

on a number of shared visions, including in the technology, health care and

transportation sectors. We share a memorandum of understanding between the

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and the B.C. Cancer Agency

to undertake mutual efforts in the fight against cancer.

On transportation. We began a feasibility study for a new

ultra-high-speed rail line from Portland to Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., that

could promote economic integration, enable affordable housing, help clean

our air and reduce traffic. Now, the initial ridership and revenue numbers

from the study should be coming back in a few weeks. I’m excited about the

prospect of a train that can reduce the travel time from Seattle to

Vancouver, B.C., from three hours to less than one. We’re good enough to do

this. It is time for us to start serious efforts in doing this, not just for

the economic reasons but for someday having, essentially, a Subway Series

for NHL franchises. We can have a great project there.

I’m excited about the prospect of a new seaplane service between South

Lake Union in Seattle and Coal Harbour in Vancouver. Premier Horgan and I

agree that this could be a game changer in cross-border collaboration and

improved connectivity. We’ve asked the Prime Minister for his assistance in

getting it across the finish line. We just heard some good news about this

today, and I look forward to that service.

In addition to sharing an innovative spirit, my state and this

province share the understanding that society is stronger when we build it

on a basis on inclusion rather than exclusion. I’m proud that we were one of

the several states to join the lawsuit to protect undocumented immigrants

brought to the United States as children. They are not a danger. They are

dreamers. I’m proud that Washington state…. [Applause.]

It’s interesting that dreams are appreciated on both sides of this

border, actually.

I’m proud that our state actually led the charge against the

President’s illegal and immoral ban on immigrants and refugees from a number

of Muslim-majority countries. This ban was perplexing given that our country

is rooted in the very principles of liberty and opportunity, and it

certainly was not consistent with the values of my state. Let me be clear.

No matter your country of origin, your religious beliefs or your immigration

status, we treat everyone in Washington state with dignity and

respect.

[11:15 a.m.]

My state and this province also share many challenges — affordable

housing and homelessness, the opioid epidemic, income inequality and,

certainly, climate change. Today I’m here in the hope that together we will

usher in a new era, one that moves past polluting fossil fuels and embraces

a clean energy future.

There is no doubt in my mind that clean energy technologies open the

door to economic prosperity, but they are also key to our strategy not just

to mitigate but to defeat climate change. And we must be victorious in the

fight against climate change, because without victory, there is no survival.

There is no plan B. This is one of the greatest challenges of our time. It

is what, I suggest, legislators on both sides of this border…. If we are

remembered for anything 100 years from now, this is what we will be judged

on. It is time for us to rise to that challenge. It poses an existential

threat to your province, and it poses an existential threat to my

state.

I know we all enjoy quoting Winston Churchill for so many attributes —

courage, optimism and his great humility. He once wrote: “What is the use of

living if it be not to strive for noble causes to make this muddled world a

better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?”

As my family grows, with more and more beautiful grandchildren…. I

have declared them by executive order the most beautiful grandchildren in

the State of Washington. You should know that. The older I get, the more I

think about these terms — what it’s going to mean to live in our Pacific

Northwest for my grandkids and yours. I just don’t want my grandkids having

to experience routinely deadly forest fires, flooding where that becomes the

norm rather than the exception, a world without salmon in its rivers or

iconic orcas in the Salish Sea. That is a future that is a real possibility

if we are not successful in our mutual efforts.

My state is fortunate to have distinguished leaders to our north who

recognize the importance of this problem. Our hats are off to British

Columbia for your leadership in this regard. You are helping lead the world

in this regard. From the south, I just want to tell you that you’re doing

some great work here, and I personally appreciate it on behalf of my state

and my grandchildren. I want you to know that we intend to join you in every

single effort to succeed in this mutual endeavour.

Just last week I went to Bonn to reassure global leaders of our

country’s commitment to acting on climate change and ocean acidification.

There, environmental dignitaries from Canada and Mexico joined forces with

the United States Climate Alliance. This alliance consists of 15 states, and

it created the North American climate leadership dialogue. The dialogue will

address topics such as zero-emission vehicles, clean power and carbon

pricing.

It is not the only cross-border collaboration on climate. We have the

west coast electric highway, a robust system of electric vehicle charging

stations spanning from B.C. to B.C. — British Columbia to Baja California.

We also have the Pacific Coast Collaborative, a group of west coast states

and British Columbia dedicated to forming a united direction for Pacific

North America, including on climate change.

I do think it’s important to note, given the language coming out of

the White House, that this coalition that I’ve helped form represents 40

percent of the United States economy. It is not a small effort. If we were a

separate nation — and I’m not suggesting that at the moment — this group

would be the third-largest economy in the world today. We went to Bonn to

let the world know that we’re still in, and we are in big-time in Washington

state.

We should be undaunted in this regard. I want to assure this assembly

that no matter who is in the White House, it won’t affect Washington state’s

relationship with Canada or British Columbia.

[11:20 a.m.]

It cannot stop us from moving forward on climate change. It cannot

stop us from establishing global and subnational coalitions. It cannot stop

individual states from capping carbon. It cannot stop our businesses from

inventing new and creative solutions.

I’ve seen the fruit of this work already. When I was in Bonn…. It’s

interesting. I walked in. There were big tents there where the meeting was.

I walked in, and I passed these shiny BMW electric cars that were parked

outside. I was excited because I realized that the carbon fibre that forms

the lightweight body of these cars is made — where? — in Moses Lake,

Washington. We’re growing jobs by the bushel-full in this effort. My hope is

we’re going to support these types of innovations and forge ahead, and I

know British Columbia is going to continue to be a great leader in this

journey.

Now, to illustrate our bond, I do want to note the Peace Arch. Nearly

a century it has stood on the border. We know it came…. I’m told — I hope

this is accurate — that Sam Hill, an American, originally had this idea to

commemorate not war victories but this great relationship. He got his wish —

a 67-foot-tall monument which reads, as you know: “May these gates never be

closed.”

That is the special relationship between our two communities. It means

we are stronger when we collaborate, that we are stronger when we celebrate

this amazing and rich history that we share, that we are stronger when we

see ourselves as one Pacific Northwest region and share an optimism about

our future. As that strength grows, may we never lose sight of who we are or

the values that we hold dear. We’re Washingtonians and British Columbians.

We’re friends and partners today and always.

Thank you for this great privilege. Good luck. [Applause.]

Mr. Speaker: Thank you very much, Governor.

I now recognize the hon. Premier of the province of British

Columbia.

Hon. J. Horgan: I want to thank the governor for his thoughtful remarks this morning.

I want to formally welcome him to British Columbia, to our Legislature, and

First Lady Trudi Inslee. Welcome to this great and spectacular institution

in the most spectacular province, as we’ve now all agreed, in the

Confederation of Canada.

It’s a great honour to have you here to address our Legislative

Assembly, here on the Songhees and Esquimalt traditional territories, for

the first time since 1984. For those of you who are unaware of this, that

was the year I was married. It was the year I graduated as an undergrad. The

member from West Vancouver was three years old, the member for

Burnaby-Lougheed was one year old, and the member for North

Vancouver–Lonsdale was not yet born.

Despite the long trip between governors, the relationship between

British Columbians and Washingtonians has never been stronger than it is

today. Although this is a historic visit, without any doubt, it portends a

stronger future, and that, of course, is why we are all here.

The rich tradition and history of trade go back long before the

artificial border was realized. Our Indigenous peoples on both sides of the

Salish Sea have been trading for thousands of years. Of course, even today

tribal journeys take place between Indigenous people on the central coast,

up as far as Alaska and down through Puget Sound, continuing bonds that have

lived for millennia. I believe it’s that strength, the Indigenous strength

of our two nations, that will hold us together as we go forward.

We’re joined by land, water and air. Our coastlines are rich with sea

abundance. Our mighty, iconic salmon and orcas playing and hunting up and

down our coast bring people from around the world and also bring joy to

those who have lived here for many, many years.

Another example of the ties and the bonds between us, of course, is

the mighty Columbia River. Not only does it start in Canada, wind through

Washington state and find its way to the Pacific Ocean, but it is also a

symbol of our two nations working together. The Columbia River treaty,

signed in 1964, embodies the cooperation of our two nations, and it lives as

a symbol of how, working together, we can achieve great and extraordinary

things.

[11:25 a.m.]

I want to commend the governor for his outstanding leadership when it

comes to fighting climate change. We had an opportunity to have a brief

discussion before coming into the chamber this morning about the governor’s

recent visit to Bonn. Our member for Vancouver-Fraserview was also there on

behalf of the people of British Columbia, talking about the challenge of our

time, ensuring that action continues to be taken to stem the rise of climate

pollution and that our children and our grandchildren have a world that they

can live in, a world that they can prosper in and a world that will flourish

long after we’re gone.

The governor’s comments about the importance of this were not

overstated. I believe all members of this House, over the past ten years,

with…. The introduction of carbon pricing for the first time in Canada by

those on the other side was a landmark for our province and one that now we

all share, working together, 87 members of this place, to ensure that we

reduce emissions, that we reduce our impact on our air, water and land and

that future generations have the abundance and prosperity we have all

enjoyed.

Other initiatives. The governor mentioned the Cascadia innovation

corridor, building stronger bonds between our two nations and, most

importantly, our province and our state. We need to improve our

transportation links. There are 13 highway crossings, four rail lines and

three ferry routes.

The governor came over on the Coho ferry today. I worked on

the Coho ferry in the 1970s. I used to tie it up on the other side

of the Inner Harbour, and it was a delight to have someone excited about

their trip on the Coho . Just yesterday Washington State Ferries was

beset with some fairly strong seas. Those of us who take B.C. Ferries,

particularly this past weekend, know what that’s all about. Although the

Salish Sea looks spectacular on a beautiful summer day, it can be very

difficult in November and December.

The governor talked about the Sounders and the Whitecaps. That’s

critically important, of course. I would love to see an NHL franchise in

Washington state, but what both of us lamented today was the absence of the

Grizzlies and the SuperSonics. Both of us are hoopaholics, basketball fans.

To not have NBA basketball in the Pacific Northwest, whether it be in

Vancouver or Seattle, is, I believe, a crime that needs to be

addressed.

I’ve talked to the Attorney General about this. He’s going to

collaborate with members on the other side to see what we can do. At 6 foot

7, although he’s not a basketball fan, he does understand the importance of

it to me and the governor. We’ll see what we can do about getting a new bill

in before the end of day today.

On the economic front, we’ve seen the $5 cup of coffee. That was with

the exchange rate, Governor. I think it was $4 to you, $5 to us. There has

also been extraordinary collaboration in the tech sector across the border.

Amazon just announced another 1,000 jobs in Vancouver two weeks ago.

Microsoft continues to expand here in British Columbia, founded, of course,

in Washington state. These high-tech jobs and these high-tech giants are an

opportunity for new start-ups, as well, on both sides of the border. That’s

why we’ve seen such red-hot development in our tech sector.

We need to manage that growth by ensuring that we have linkages beyond

those 13 highways, four rail crossings and three ferry routes. That’s why

I’m so excited to have had the opportunity to convince the Prime Minister,

although no convincing was necessary, last week that we need to ensure that

we can expand the harbour flights from Vancouver to Seattle so that we can

continue to move, as they call it, the nerd bird between Seattle and

Vancouver and so that we can have our high-tech employees going back and

forth across the border, sharing experience, sharing opportunity and, of

course, growing our economies.

These relationships, whether it be on natural resources, skilled

workers, innovations in the economy, are the ties that bind us as nations.

The governor, again, did not overstate the relationship between our two

jurisdictions. We share so much in common, and we have so much opportunity

ahead of us.

It is truly my privilege and an honour to have had Governor Inslee

address us here today. I know that all members of this House have a deep and

abiding understanding of the importance of our relationship, our trading

relationship, with the United States. And during these difficult times…. We

did discuss softwood lumber and NAFTA and a range of other trade issues

before coming to the chamber today.

[11:30 a.m.]

To have a partner and to have an ally in Washington state who is

committed to ensuring that our mutual interests are met through trading

relationships, through diplomatic relationships, through the cultural,

social and, of course, the very important sport exchanges between our two

jurisdictions will endure our time in this Legislature and will be, in my

hope and will and prayer, in the interests of all British Columbians going

forward.

Thank you very much, hon. Speaker, for the opportunity to speak

again.

Governor Inslee, Trudi, thank you so much for coming to Victoria. I

hope that the tea we had — a pale substitute for high tea at the Empress —

was not so bad in the Premier’s office.

R. Coleman: First of all, thank you, Governor and Trudi, for coming here today to

speak to us and address our assembly. It reminds me of what a great

relationship we’ve had.

I’m one of those Canadians that had a father born in the United States

and a mother born in Canada, so that border is even more blurred for my

family and my ancestors. I would suggest, though, Governor, that perhaps we

could have a bipartisan committee rather than have me debate with you which

one of my grandchildren is better looking than yours.

On behalf of the opposition, we welcome you to British Columbia, and

we look forward to the continued relationship as we meet again on the

traditional territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt First

Nations.

We have a really long and standing relationship with Washington state

and British Columbia. Having been, actually, a Seahawks season ticket holder

for over 15 years at one point in my life, there is one other sport you guys

didn’t mention. There were a couple of disappointing plays last night that

I’m sure you’re aware of, but they are really liked in British Columbia,

Governor, as well as your baseball team.

We share a history and a geography. We’ve been built by the resource

centre and immigration. That’s why our citizens in our countries deserve

access from people from outside our countries to come and help build the

future for the United States and for Canada. Because that’s what built us in

the first place. So the decision to move to not allow that would be a shame

for any country — both, either or ours.

We have a shared history, as I said. We have a shared border. I

represented a riding for many years that had a border at the Aldergrove

border crossing that’s been expanded in cooperation with the U.S. to move

goods and services and people efficiently.

We have a desire to see our tech sectors grow, creating jobs for the

next generation, as well as our resource sector and working together,

particularly on the environment and to push back on climate

change.

These shared experiences allow us to find ways to work together. And

as we do that, we need to do a couple of things. We need to ensure that our

relationship is such that we continue to move goods and services across our

borders in a trade relationship that isn’t one of protectionism, but one

that actually protects the millions of jobs in British Columbia and the

millions of jobs that are represented in over 60 percent of the states in

the United States of America because of the trade between our two

countries.

I’m proud of the partnership our successive B.C. governments have had

in British Columbia with Washington state. I enjoyed a couple of joint

cabinet meetings with our former government in the U.S., in your state.

Also, that opportunity let us learn more and share the perspectives that led

to some of the things that we’ve accomplished as governments over the

years.

We have the first enhanced driver’s licence in North America and

across the country, and that was because of cooperation between the province

and the State of Washington.

Shortly you’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. Congratulations. We do

it at a different time. I’ve never been able to figure that one out.

However, Governor, that means people from your state will enjoy recreation

and opportunities in Canada over the next four or five days, in British

Columbia, as they celebrate Thanksgiving. And we, of course, will go south

to do the same — visit relatives and friends — at Christmas. To have that

border move efficiently just gives us more time to enjoy what we want to

enjoy and see our loved ones.

I’m proud of the climate change piece that we worked on. It’s a piece

of work, as you mentioned, that has to continue. We have a memorandum of

understanding and participation in Western Climate Initiative with you,

which was very much the leadership and the support for electric cars, with

the leadership of Washington state at that table.

We’ve been members of the Pacific Coast Collaborative from Alaska to

California, and we will continue, I know, under this Premier, producing

agreements that continue to lead the way in addressing climate

change.

Last summer our government signed an agreement to create Cascadia

innovation corridor, again with your state government, to promote regional

economic opportunities in the tech sector. That’s really something to be

proud of — that two jurisdictions in two different countries can cooperate

and collaborate at such a high level.

[11:35 a.m.]

We do have moments of disagreements. That happens between friends. But

we’ve been able to put aside those things that could divide us and to focus

on our shared values. I would be remiss, as a former Minister of Forests in

this province, in not thanking you personally and thanking the legislators

that were there back in ’05 and ’06. When we were having difficulty

negotiating a new softwood lumber agreement, they stepped up and helped us

in Washington, D.C., in a cooperative relationship between both sides of the

border and with your industry which, really, was the other catalyst to help

people get to the table to make an agreement.

As you said last year, Governor: “We have a rich history together and

have proven that we are stronger when we collaborate. Through talent,

transportation and innovation, we will strengthen our economies and promote

prosperity for the entire region.” I couldn’t agree more.

So I welcome you, Governor, to the Legislature. Thank you for your

friendship of Washington as we work together to make sure both of us —

albeit without the one division about which kids look better — build a

future of improving the climate and the environment for the next generation

to come — our grandchildren, their children and their children.

A. Weaver: Thank you, Governor Inslee. We’re honoured to have you address the

B.C. Legislature today.

My colleagues in the B.C. Green Party and I greatly appreciate your

thoughtful words and, in particular, we greatly appreciate your continued

climate leadership south of the border.

We know how challenging and, frankly, at times frustrating it can be

to work on this issue amongst those vested in the status quo, unable to

recognize the economic opportunities that are presenting themselves. We

commend your leadership and your perseverance on this file.

Our jurisdictions share a wealth of renewable natural resources that

position us uniquely qualified to rise to the challenges climate change will

bring. And we possess, as you note, the natural beauty that allows us to

attract the best and brightest in the world, by offering them the greatest

place in the world to live.

As governor, you’ve recognized this. By already working to attract and

expand carbon fibre manufacturing at Moses Lake in rural Washington, by

bringing this energy-intensive manufacturing facility for BMW’s i-series

electric vehicles close to the production of cheap renewable energy,

Washington is capitalizing on the emerging 21st century economy. And what’s

more, at the same time, you’re reducing transmission line energy

loss.

Your government is illustrating that acting on climate change drives

innovation, jobs and prosperity for all. With an economy that grew 2½ times

the national rate last year, Washington was named the No. 1 place in America

to do business in 2017. This was achieved while simultaneously demonstrating

international leadership on the biggest challenge facing

humanity.

I hope your demonstrated success reassures British Columbians, as we

make bold choices of our own in the years ahead. Not only is it possible for

governments to drastically reduce carbon emissions, but doing so spawns

innovation, economic growth and job creation.

Finally, when reviewing your book Apollo’s Fire: Igniting

America’s Clean Energy Economy , I was reminded of president John F.

Kennedy’s quote that I often use when talking about climate change. In 1962,

when President Kennedy announced that America would send a man to the moon

by the end of the decade, he said this: “We must be bold.” He further said:

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade…not because it’s easy but

because it’s hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the

best of our energies and skills, because the challenge is one that we are

willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one…we intend to

win.”

The time to be bold is upon us.

With that, I thank you for giving us so much to aspire to.

[11:40 a.m.]

Mr. Speaker: Governor Inslee, on behalf of the members of this House, please accept

our appreciation for addressing the assembly today. We have been truly

honoured to welcome you to British Columbia. [Applause.]

The Official Report of Debates ( Hansard ) and webcasts of

proceedings

are available on the Internet. Chamber debates are broadcast on

television.

Copyright © 2017: British Columbia

Hansard Services, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada