British Columbia Hansard — 9 April 2019, a.m., Issue 235 (41st Parliament, 4th Session)

20190409am-Hansard-n235

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Morning Sitting Issue No. 235 THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Janet Austin, OBC Fourth Session, 41st Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Darryl Plecas EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance............................................................................................................................Hon.

Carole James Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training..................................................................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Minister of Agriculture.........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General.................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ............................................................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Minister of State for Child Care...................................................................................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services.................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Minister of Education ............................................................................................................................................................ Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources ...............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Mungall Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy............................................................................................. Hon.

George Heyman Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development ..............................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Minister of Health .....................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon.

Scott Fraser Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology............................................................................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon. George Chow Minister of Labour ...................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions............................................................................................................................ Hon. Judy Darcy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.................................................................................................................. Hon. Selina Robinson Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ........................................................................................................... Hon.

Mike Farnworth Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction..............................................................................................Hon. Shane Simpson Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.....................................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure................................................................................................................ Hon.

Claire Trevena LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition................................................................................................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Leader of the Third Party ....................................................................................................................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Assistant Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................... Joan Isaacs Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ................................................................................................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ....................................................................................................................................................Craig James Acting Clerk of the Legislative Assembly...............................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Clerk Assistant — Committees and Interparliamentary Relations ..........................................................................................Susan Sourial Sessional Law Clerk...............................................................................................................................................Loredana Catalli-Sonier, QC Parliamentary Counsel ...................................................................................................................................................................... S.

Suzie Seo Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz Acting Sergeant-at-Arms......................................................................................................................................... Randall Ennis, MMM, CD

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Penticton Bains, Hon. Harry (NDP)...............................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ................................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Beare, Hon. Lisa (NDP).............................................Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry (NDP) ..................................................................... Surrey-Guildford Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal) .......................................................

Peace River South Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal)......................................... Prince George–Valemount Brar, Jagrup (NDP)..................................................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal)....................................................... Surrey South Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–West End Chen, Hon. Katrina (NDP).....................................................Burnaby-Lougheed Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ............................................................... Burnaby-Edmonds Chow, Hon.

George (NDP)............................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal) ................................ Columbia River–Revelstoke Coleman, Rich (BC Liberal) ...............................................................Langley East Conroy, Hon. Katrine (NDP)......................................................... Kootenay West Darcy, Hon.

Judy (NDP) ............................................................New Westminster Davies, Dan (BC Liberal) ..........................................................Peace River North de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal) ............................................ Abbotsford West Dean, Mitzi (NDP)...............................................................Esquimalt-Metchosin D’Eith, Bob (NDP) ...............................................................Maple Ridge–Mission Dix, Hon. Adrian (NDP)......................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Hon.

Doug (NDP).....................................................................Stikine Eby, Hon. David, QC (NDP)............................................. Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP)....................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike (NDP) ...................................................... Port Coquitlam Fleming, Hon. Rob (NDP) .....................................................Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal)........................................................... Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Hon.

Scott (NDP) ................................................ Mid Island–Pacific Rim Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) ........................................... Cowichan Valley Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) ................................................. Abbotsford-Mission Glumac, Rick (NDP)........................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Heyman, Hon. George (NDP) .............................................. Vancouver-Fairview Horgan, Hon. John (NDP) ...............................................

Langford–Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) .......................................................Surrey-Cloverdale Isaacs, Joan (BC Liberal) .........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain James, Hon. Carole (NDP)...................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Johal, Jas (BC Liberal)...............................................

Richmond-Queensborough Kahlon, Ravi (NDP)..............................................................................Delta North Kang, Anne (NDP)..................................................................Burnaby–Deer Lake Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Shuswap Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) .............................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Michael (BC Liberal) ......................................................

Vancouver-Langara Leonard, Ronna-Rae (NDP) ....................................................Courtenay-Comox Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal)............................................Kelowna–Lake Country Ma, Bowinn (NDP) ................................................... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Malcolmson, Sheila (NDP) .......................................................................Nanaimo Mark, Hon. Melanie (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal)......................................................................

Chilliwack Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal).................................... Kamloops–North Thompson Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ..........................................Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Hon. Michelle (NDP).................................................... Nelson-Creston Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal) ...........................................................Cariboo North Olsen, Adam (BC Green Party)........................... Saanich North and the Islands Paton, Ian (BC Liberal)......................................................................... Delta South Plecas, Hon.

Darryl (Ind.) ..........................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Mary (BC Liberal) ............................................................................ Langley Popham, Hon. Lana (NDP)..............................................................Saanich South Ralston, Hon. Bruce (NDP) .......................................................... Surrey-Whalley Redies, Tracy (BC Liberal) ..................................................... Surrey–White Rock Reid, Linda (BC Liberal) ................................................

Richmond South Centre Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ............................................................................ North Coast Robinson, Hon. Selina (NDP) ....................................... Coquitlam-Maillardville Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal)..................................................................................Skeena Routledge, Janet (NDP) .................................................................. Burnaby North Routley, Doug (NDP) ................................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, John (BC Liberal) ..............................................................

Nechako Lakes Shypitka, Tom (BC Liberal) .............................................................Kootenay East Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ........................................Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Hon. Shane (NDP)................................................ Vancouver-Hastings Sims, Hon.

Jinny (NDP) .............................................................Surrey-Panorama Singh, Rachna (NDP) ........................................................Surrey–Green Timbers Stewart, Ben (BC Liberal) ................................................................Kelowna West Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal)..............................................Parksville-Qualicum Stone, Todd (BC Liberal)........................................

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

North Vancouver–Seymour Throness, Laurie (BC Liberal) ..................................................... Chilliwack-Kent Trevena, Hon. Claire (NDP) .............................................................. North Island Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal) ................................................Richmond North Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (BC Green Party) ......................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal) .............................. Vancouver-Quilchena Y ap, John (BC Liberal)..........................................................

Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ..........................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Hon. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West .................................................................... Michael de Jong, QC Boundary-Similkameen.....................................................................

Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ...............................................................................Anne Kang Burnaby-Edmonds ..............................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Burnaby North................................................................................

Janet Routledge Cariboo-Chilcotin ............................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................................. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack.............................................................................................. John Martin Chilliwack-Kent..............................................................................Laurie Throness Columbia River–Revelstoke........................................................

Doug Clovechok Coquitlam–Burke Mountain................................................................. Joan Isaacs Coquitlam-Maillardville..................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson Courtenay-Comox ................................................................. Ronna-Rae Leonard Cowichan Valley ............................................................................

Sonia Furstenau Delta North ...........................................................................................Ravi Kahlon Delta South.................................................................................................Ian Paton Esquimalt-Metchosin.............................................................................Mitzi Dean Fraser-Nicola........................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Kamloops–North Thompson............................................................Peter Milobar Kamloops–South Thompson ................................................................Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country....................................................................Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission.............................................................................

Steve Thomson Kelowna West.........................................................................................Ben Stewart Kootenay East .....................................................................................Tom Shypitka Kootenay West ...................................................................... Hon. Katrine Conroy Langford–Juan de Fuca............................................................. Hon. John Horgan Langley....................................................................................................

Mary Polak Langley East .......................................................................................Rich Coleman Maple Ridge–Mission ............................................................................ Bob D’Eith Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ..........................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim .............................................................. Hon. Scott Fraser Nanaimo ....................................................................................

Sheila Malcolmson Nanaimo–North Cowichan.............................................................. Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ...................................................................................... John Rustad Nelson-Creston.................................................................. Hon. Michelle Mungall New Westminster ......................................................................... Hon. Judy Darcy North Coast..........................................................................................

Jennifer Rice North Island ............................................................................ Hon. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ................................................................. Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour ......................................................Jane Thornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ..........................................................Dr.

Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .....................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North.................................................................................. Dan Davies Peace River South ............................................................................... Mike Bernier Penticton................................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam .................................................................... Hon.

Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam .....................................................................Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast ..................................................... Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie ..................................................................Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount.................................................................

Shirley Bond Richmond North Centre ........................................................................Teresa Wat Richmond-Queensborough .......................................................................Jas Johal Richmond South Centre........................................................................ Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston..................................................................................

John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands............................................................Adam Olsen Saanich South............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Shuswap .................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo Skeena ......................................................................................................... Ellis Ross Stikine ..................................................................................Hon.

Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale............................................................................... Marvin Hunt Surrey-Fleetwood ...................................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers ......................................................................Rachna Singh Surrey-Guildford ....................................................................................Garry Begg Surrey-Newton.............................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama........................................................................... Hon. Jinny Sims Surrey South............................................................................... Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Whalley........................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock ............................................................................. Tracy Redies Vancouver-Fairview ............................................................ Hon.

George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek....................................................................... Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview .............................................................Hon. George Chow Vancouver-Hastings .............................................................. Hon. Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington ..................................................................... Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway ................................................................... Hon.

Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara .............................................................................. Michael Lee Vancouver–Mount Pleasant ................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey...........................................................Hon.

David Eby, QC Vancouver-Quilchena ......................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Vancouver–West End....................................................Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee...................................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill ................................................................ Hon. Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake .................................................................. Hon. Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano .................................................................

Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..............................................................Jordan Sturdy Party Standings: BC Liberal 42; NDP 41; BC Green Party 3; Independent 1

CONTENTS Tuesday, April 9, 2019 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 8259 Statements ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8259 Vimy Ridge Day S.

Sullivan Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 8259 Introduction and First Reading of Bills................................................................................................................................ 8260 Bill 27 — Ticket Sales Act Hon. M.

Farnworth Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 8260 Graduation rates and Indigenous initiatives in Sea to Sky school district J. Sturdy Vimy Ridge Day and Canadian memorial in France J. Routledge Seycove Secondary School and gay-straight alliances in schools J. Thornthwaite Cockrell House and veterans in transition M. Dean Surrey–White Rock Political Engagement Society and new immigrants to B.C. T.

Redies Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention in Powell River S. Malcolmson Personal Statements ................................................................................................................................................................ 8263 Withdrawal of comments made in the House Hon. G. Heyman Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 8263 Funding for community social services organizations and worker wages A.

Wilkinson Hon. S. Simpson M. Polak Opioid crisis and services in Cowichan Valley S. Furstenau Hon. J. Darcy Gender wage gap and equal pay legislation S. Cadieux Hon. H. Bains Funding for community social services organizations and worker wages S. Bond Hon. S. Simpson Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8267 A.

Olsen Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 8267 Bill 20 — Medicare Protection Amendment Act, 2019(continued) Hon. C. Trevena Hon. M. Mungall Hon. A. Dix

Committee of the Whole House............................................................................................................................................ 8271 Bill 5 — Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2019 Hon. C. James S. Bond T. Redies Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 8274 Estimates: Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Hon. G. Heyman P . Milobar J. Tegart C. Oakes

TUESDAY , APRIL 9, 2019 The House met at 10:04 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. [10:05 a.m.] Introductions by Members Hon. A. Dix: Today we’re joined in the Legislature by members of the B.C. Chiropractic Association. I’ d like to introduce Clark Konczak, Debbie Wright, Jen Forbes, Richard McIlmoyle, Philippa Carrie, Jaipaul Parmar, Mike Berna, Moe Baloo, Angie Knott and Mike Hadbavny. I wish all members of the House to give our guests a welcome to the Legislature. J. Y ap:I’m very pleased to welcome to the House three good friends and constituents.

With us today to observe pro- ceedings and to have a tour of the Legislature are Michael Chiu, Brenda Ngo and Earl Villarosa. Would the House please give them a warm welcome. I. Paton:I actually have three introductions that I’ d like to make this morning. First of all, in the House is a constituent of mine, a well- known notary public from Tsawwassen. His name is Daniel Boisvert. Daniel was also just recently elected, last November — his first term — as a Delta school trustee in Delta, and he’s very involved in community activities, including the Tsawwassen curling club.

I’ d like to also introduce two members that are here rep- resenting the Vancouver Giants. I think the Giants are going to throw a bit of a whooping tonight on Victoria, this even- ing at seven o’ clock. First, I’ d like to introduce — no stranger to people in this House — Mr. Dale Saip. Dale has been around for many, many years. He’s the senior vice-president of the Vancouver Giants hockey club. He’s a longtime Delta school trustee. Dale is involved in so many different functions and societies, including the Delta Police Foundation, KidSport, Vancouver Food Bank and the Delta prayer breakfast.

Dale is involved in so many things in our community. With Dale is the community relations director for the Vancouver Giants, Mr. Rich Gorman. Rich is a longtime friend and a big supporter of this side of the House. Thanks, Rich. Please make all three of these gentlemen welcome this morning. Hon. K. Conroy: It gives me a great deal of pleasure to welcome a delegation from the city of Castlegar. With us here today is His Worship Mayor Bruno Tassone and Couns. Dan Rye and Florio Vassilakakis. With them is the CAO, Chris Barlow. Would the House please make them all welcome. Hon. M.

Mark: In the gallery today we’re joined by a number of technology leaders. We have guests from the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of B.C. As you may or may not know, April is Technology Skills Appre- ciation Month. It’s a chance to acknowledge the work of the 10,000 members, who are ensuring that we have a greater quality of life, environment and economy. I’ d like to welcome a number of guests in our chambers: CEO Theresa McCurry; the manager of strategic partner- ships, M.J. Whitemarsh; vice-president Sarah Campden; and secretary-treasurer David Sparanese.

Will the House please join me in welcoming all of these guests. M. Morris:Today I’m honoured to have two of my con- stituents down here in the great city of Victoria. Jerry and Martha Vanegmond are down here from Prince George, probably because of the transition period we have with the snow that’s melting right now. We’ve got cherry blossoms, and we’ve got this great weather. Thanks for coming down to see what we have down here. Would the House please make them welcome. [10:10 a.m.] Statements VIMY RIDGE DAY S. Sullivan:Today is Vimy Ridge Day.

My grandfather, Sam Sullivan, was one of 55,000 British Columbians who went to fight in the First World War and was in Vimy Ridge. It had a catastrophic effect on so many British Columbians. About 10 percent of the province was fighting in that war, and 6,000 British Columbians died. So we might take a moment to reflect today about the effect that that had on British Columbia and on Canada. Introductions by Members Hon. D. Eby:We’re joined, as the member across the way noted, by a number of notaries from the notary association today.

We have the president, Daniel Boisvert; Morrie Bail- lie, VP; and Jacqui Mendes, the CEO. They are here at a particularly good time. April 7 to 13 is Make a Will Week in British Columbia. I remind all the members in the House of the importance of having a will to let people know what you’ d like done in the…. Y ou know, it’s possible that we may depart this world at some point and good to keep in mind a little mortality from time to time and to make a will. Let people know what your plans are in advance of that. 8259

Notaries are there to help you, and they’re here today to join us. Please join me in making them feel very welcome. T. Redies: I know Dale Saip and Rich Gorman have already been introduced, but I also wanted to acknowledge them. Dale and I go back a long way. We went to high school together at South Delta Senior a long, long time ago. Rich Gorman I just want to acknowledge for a couple of things. First off, as a new politician or aspiring politician, Rich was very, very helpful to me in my campaign. I also want to acknowledge his work with the Semiahmoo House Society, which he is a director of.

He has done many, many good things with that society. Welcome, gentlemen, to the House. Hon. L. Beare:British Columbia is home to a thriving cre- ative sector, with amazing musicians and crew. Today in the gallery is Nick Blasko. Nick is the person behind the popular Rifflandia Music Festival here in Victoria and has managed Tegan and Sara. He runs his own company, Atomique Pro- ductions, and is also involved with Amelia Artists, a corner- stone of the performing arts industry. Will the House please make Nick feel very welcome. D.

Davies:It gives me great pleasure to introduce a good friend of mine, Richie Sharpe, who’s all the way down here from Fort St. John, Originally from England, though — he took a little stayover in Fort St. John. It’s his first visit to the Legislature. Would the House please make him feel welcome. S. Furstenau:I’m delighted to introduce Mira Blakely. She’s in the gallery today. She’ll be shadowing me. Mira’s a grade 9 Reynolds student in the flex program. I’m sure that the Premier would like to know that a Reynolds student is in the building.

In the fall, Mira emailed all of the leaders in order to get input for her

article on lowering the voting age, which was published in theSaanich News. She’s a competitive soc- cer player — she’s a goalkeeper — and an entrepreneur. She makes her own art cards, and she is currently selling them to save up money to go to Ecuador in order to be on a project with ME to WE. Could the House please make Mira feel most welcome. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 27 — TICKET SALES ACT Hon. M. Farnworth presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Ticket Sales Act. Hon. M. Farnworth:I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now.

I’m pleased to introduce Bill 27, the Ticket Sales Act. This bill proposes to establish a regulatory framework for the sale and resale of tickets to live recreational, sporting and cultur- al events in British Columbia. Last year government heard from thousands of British Columbians frustrated with the ticket-buying process. This bill introduces new rules that level the playing field for people purchasing tickets to live events in B.C.

The legislation proposes a number of measures that will require greater transparency and accountability by ticket sellers, including clearly disclosing ticket prices and any terms and conditions that may apply to the ticket. New rules will also require secondary sellers and on-line plat- form operators to provide refund guarantees in certain situations.

These measures will allow consumers to make informed choices about what they are buying and who they are buying from. [10:15 a.m.] The bill will impose a ban on mass-ticket-buying software, otherwise known as bots, that is used to jump the line and quickly buy up tickets when they go on sale. In

summary, this bill aims to provide more protections and fairer processes for people buying tickets to live events in British Columbia. Mr. Speaker:The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. M. Farnworth:I move that the bill be placed on orders of the day for the next sitting of the House after today. Bill 27, Ticket Sales Act, 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. Statements (Standing Order 25B) GRADUATION RATES AND INDIGENOUS INITIATIVES IN SEA TO SKY SCHOOL DISTRICT J.

Sturdy: I’m pleased to rise today to share with the House the tremendous success story of high school gradu- ation rates in the Sea to Sky school district. Regionwide graduation rates have increased from 75 percent in ’14-15 to over 97 percent in ’17-18. But what is most significant is that the Indigenous graduation rates have climbed from 35 per- cent in 2009 to over 86 percent in ’17-18.

While the implementation of the new education cur- riculum must be credited with significantly contributing to these improvements, I believe that the real game changer in the Sea to Sky is the way the new curriculum has been applied. The dramatic improvements to Indigenous gradu- ation rates specifically is the result of a districtwide push to restructure the whole approach to learning. Incorporating an Indigenous lens has meant that district officials, principals, teachers and community members have 8260 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 9, 2019

all collaborated to develop a comprehensive learning strategy. The Aboriginal youth council made up of 80 stu- dents from different high schools across the Sea to Sky has also contributed to the new approach. Real-life problem-solving and the importance of subject relevance is core to the new approach. Having attended sev- eral project showcase events in our schools, it’s clear that stu- dents right from the primary level are aware of and engaged in some of the most significant societal challenges we face today, such as affordable housing, transit and climate solu- tions.

Culturally oriented activities such as the annual 24-hour drum event, powwow dance lessons and the recon- ciliation blankets program are also engaging all students and specifically connecting those with Indigenous heritage. I’ d also like to recognize the students across the Sea to Sky for their obviously hard work. I also acknowledge the continuous commitment to success that the educators and members of the community demonstrate as they get Sea to Sky youth ready for the next

chapter of their lives. VIMY RIDGE DAY AND CANADIAN MEMORIAL IN FRANCE J. Routledge:Today is Vimy Ridge Day, and I rise to honour my grandfather and the other more than 10,000 Canadians who lost their lives or whose lives were forever changed at Vimy Ridge. Unlike the almost 4,000 Canadian soldiers, Granddad got to come home from the battle to raise a family and to play with his grandchildren. But as a result of his injuries, he was unable to work, and his family lived in poverty. And as a res- ult of his injuries, he died before his time.

Vimy Ridge looms large in my family history, so I went to see it for myself. Driving from Arras, you know you’re get- ting close when you start to see the familiar “Government of Canada” signs. That’s because the former battleground is now a Canadian national historic site run by Veterans Affairs Canada. Then you start seeing roped-off areas with big “Keep out” signs. That’s because more than 100 years later, unexploded mines still lurk in the woods. Many of the tunnels and trenches have been preserved. The enemy lines were so close to each other, a lot closer than the opposition benches are to me right now.

Of course, it’s the memorial itself that takes one’s breath away. There are a lot of World War I monuments in that part of northern France, but none compare to the Canadian one for its size, its location and its sad, haunting beauty. [10:20 a.m.] The Canadian memorial stands on the ridge itself, at the point where some of the fiercest fighting took place, a ridge from which you can see for miles and miles in every direc- tion. No wonder the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge repres- ented a turning point in the war.

Inscribed on the memorial are the names of more than 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were missing and presumed dead in France. The Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge does not glorify war. Rather, it comes to symbolize Canada’s commitment to peace and the international rule of law. SEYCOVE SECONDARY SCHOOL AND GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCES IN SCHOOLS J. Thornthwaite:I’ d like to talk about an event happening in my riding tomorrow at a Seycove Secondary School. Sey- cove has been a leader for all schools in their advocacy for LGBTQ students, and tomorrow they will be celebrating the International Day of Pink.

This is a day when millions of people wear pink to celebrate diversity and raise awareness in order to stop bullying, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia. In fact, this past Saturday I joined several others wearing pink at the International Day of Pink celebration at Out in Schools. As part of this year, the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity and the International Day of Pink are launching a new resource called Our History Ini- tiative, bringing museum exhibitions into schools and com- munities.

During my time as Parliamentary Secretary for Child Mental Health and Anti-Bullying, our government intro- duced legislation that included gender identity and expres- sion in the human rights code and to explicitly protect trans individuals. We also mandated that all public and private schools implement SOGI policies. We know that gay-straight alliances help contribute to a safer school climate.

This research from the Stigma and Resi- lience Among Vulnerable Y outh Centre at UBC School of Nursing determined that not only do gay-straight alliances make schools safer for LGBTQ students but also among straight students. These programs are beneficial to all stu- dents. Discrimination comes in many forms, and students should feel safe in their environment so that they can have the best possible experience inside and outside of the classroom. The reputation of Seycove’s inclusive environment is so prevalent that international students come to Seycove spe- cifically for that.

Another student from Germany started an alliance club when they returned home after attending Seycove. Seycove is a great example of how much the students can benefit from having access to these types of programs. The pioneering spirit of the students and teachers at Seycove is truly inspiring and a great example of how inclusivity in the classroom, on the field and in everyday life can benefit us. I’ d like to congratulate Seycove for their leadership in making all students feel safe and welcome and ensuring all students feel that they belong, and in taking a stand against bullying and discrimination.

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8261

COCKRELL HOUSE AND VETERANS IN TRANSITION M. Dean: As you drive down Sooke Road in Colwood, you pass a pleasant-looking house that blends into the neighbourhood, yet it is a life-saving home to many veterans who have served Canada on the front lines. Cockrell House is an 11-bed multiplex that has been providing disadvant- aged veterans with housing, counselling, life skills, health and social services and transportation since 2010. Returning soldiers can struggle to adapt to civilian life, coming back from war zones, witnessing ethnic cleansing and devastation.

All too often this can result in military personnel who face post-traumatic stress disorder, family breakdown and poverty. As one vet said, “I spent eight years in the woods. I lived in a tent in summer and winter” — until he safely transitioned to Cockrell House. It’s funded through a range of veteran organizations, par- ticularly the Royal Canadian Legion, also with support from the city of Colwood, and is 100 percent supported by a team of volunteers offering professional support.

When veterans are successful and can move out on their own, they are fully outfitted with everything they need to live independently — furniture, linen, utensils, etc. — and most of this is donated. I want to thank all of the staff, the volunteers and the sup- porters of Cockrell House, who have made such a wonderful transition home a reality in our community. As a new gener- ation of veterans return home, we thank you for your hous- ing support, counselling and trauma relief for them in our community. [10:25 a.m.] SURREY–WHITE ROCK POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT SOCIETY AND NEW IMMIGRANTS TO B.C. T.

Redies:Imagine immigrating to a country where the culture, language, social norms and political system were completely differently from your own. That is what thou- sands of immigrants do every year, coming to Canada and our great province of B.C. For many, it is a daunting experi- ence that often results in isolation and an inability to exper- ience the best of their new home — but not for my constitu- ent, Cici Liang. Cici, together with a number of other Chinese immigrants to South Surrey and White Rock, have founded the Sur- rey–White Rock Political Engagement Society.

Other found- ing members include Edward Su, Christine Ma, Matthew Zhao, Wen Zhou, Michael Mei, Banderaz Cheng, May Huang and longtime resident Marc Burchell. The mandate of this society is to broaden the under- standing of new immigrants to our community with respect to the political and social systems of British Col- umbia and Canada. Since its inception, South Sur- rey–White Rock MP Gordon Hogg, White Rock mayor Darryl Walker and I have all spoken at the society’s monthly Cornerstone Community Forums.

As word has gotten out, these forums have seen increasingly larger crowds, with over 150 people attending the first three ses- sions. The society is non-partisan and seeks a variety of perspectives, with the Minister of Citizens’ Services, the member for Surrey-Panorama, speaking on May 10. Furthermore, while created with the Chinese com- munity in mind, the sessions are open to all members of the community and have increasingly attracted Canadian- born citizens who are also interested in becoming more politically engaged. As such, the society is serving a very important role.

A well-known actor and television presenter in her native China, Cici describes her motivation for helping to establish the society saying: “We need to think as Canadians and learn how government works…. The only way we can do it is learn and spread the information. We’re going to live here now. This is our second home. This is where our offspring are going to live, and we do it for them. ” At a time, unfortunately, when there’s increasing vitriol and concern about immigrants to our country, I’m glad that Canada and British Columbia are attracting people like Cici and her friends.

They’re not speculating in real estate. They’re people who love this country, who want to contrib- ute to our society and who are making great effort to under- stand our customs, values and even politics. Thank you to Cici and all the members of this engagement society for your admiral efforts to increase understanding. ASSOCIATION OF V ANCOUVER ISLAND AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES CONVENTION IN POWELL RIVER S. Malcolmson:Some say the best thing about Powell River is its view of Nanaimo. But I say no, there is much to commend Powell River.

I’m thinking of that town as my col- leagues from local government go to this weekend’s Asso- ciation of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities con- vention. It’s our branch of the Union of B.C. Municipalities, and it has a big impact on provincial government policy. Powell River regional district former chair Colin Palmer led all the regional district chairs and me as Islands Trust Council chair all up and down the coast, ringing the alarm on the catastrophic impact of ferry fare increases under the old government.

This directly affected the new government’s policies of ferry fare rollbacks and freezes, restoring the seni- ors-free travel and, just last week, legislation to reassert pub- lic interest into the ferry system. Now, the last time that AVICC met in Powell River…. Y ou know how these local government conventions go. All of the great hometown talent comes out. But actually, the people just want to talk to each other. Sometimes it’s hard to pay attention. The first thing was kind of a brave — call it brave — bur- lesque show. But things really picked up.

When the choir 8262 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 9, 2019

started to sing, you could have heard a pin drop. The quality of the orchestra was fantastic. We also heard really inspiring words from Powell River’s mayor about the Sliammon First Nation and the accord it has with the city of Powell River. It’s one of the beacons of recon- ciliation and friendship working together. Now, let it not be said I’m making this speech because I lost a hockey bet with the Powell River–Sunshine Coast MLA. That’s not why I’m giving this speech, because clearly, the Nanaimo Clippers are the superior team, despite how the playoffs turned out.

It is with genuine respect that I salute Powell River and wish my local government colleagues the very best at this weekend’s convention. Personal Statements WITHDRAW AL OF COMMENTS MADE IN THE HOUSE Hon. G. Heyman: I wish to retract the comment that I made to the member for Kamloops–North Thompson in question period yesterday. I unreservedly apologize to any- one who found the comment disrespectful or offensive. [10:30 a.m.] That was not my intent, but I completely accept that it was a comment I should not have made, and I’m sorry. Mr. Speaker:Thank you.

Oral Questions FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS AND WORKER W AGES A. Wilkinson:Each year in April, Equal Pay Day is noted in Canada. It’s hardly celebrated. It’s a measure of how far into the year women have to wait before their pay will catch up with that of men. This government, sadly, is making that problem even worse with its approach to compensation in the social services sector. This is how the B.C.

CEO Network made note of it to the Premier: “To compensate one group and not the other is a huge injustice. ” This is about pay for women doing work for people who are our most vulnerable citizens, and this government has decided to endorse wage discrimination. Fifty percent of B.C. ’s social service providers are non-union. That means 17,000 workers, almost all women, are being paid less than their union counterparts on Equal Pay Day. The question goes to the Finance Minister. When will this discrimination against underpaid women stop? Hon. S.

Simpson:As I said previously last week and I said earlier this week, we’re working closely with people in the sector. We’re working with people in the sector to deliver services to those people who essentially need them, whether it be persons with developmental disabilities, whether it be kids aging out, whether it be women escaping violence or a whole array of other services. Many of those services are delivered directly by those con- tracted service agencies. We’re supporting them. We’re work- ing in cooperation with them.

We’re moving forward, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that we have effective, efficient and sustainable service. Mr. Speaker:The Leader of the Official Opposition on a supplemental. A. Wilkinson:Well, this goes on day after day, where the minister responsible for social services stands up and gives a vague, theoretical, vacuous answer, leaving 17,000 under- paid women saying: “What’s wrong with me? Why do I get this treatment from the NDP?

Where did that come from?” The community living society says: “Our employees and the families of those we support want action to achieve a fair and equal result. This is a straightforward issue that can be quickly resolved. ” This is not complicated. This government prides itself…. It espouses the glory of social justice, and this is what they do: consign…. Interjections. A. Wilkinson:Across the way, they stare into their laps. They play with their gadgets on the table. They’re not sure what to say, because this is a flagrant example of discrim- ination.

When is this government going to rise to the occasion… Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. A. Wilkinson:…and even acknowledge there’s a problem on Equal Pay Day? Hon. S. Simpson:What this side and this government is doing is addressing the issues that are in front of hundreds of thousands of people that were ignored by the previous gov- ernment. What this side of the House and this government is doing is supporting friendship centres when they provide services to Indigenous people.

What this side of the House is doing is bringing in a child care program, universal child care across this province, a program that is the first new social program that we’ve seen in this province in decades. [10:35 a.m.] What this side of the House has done…. Interjections. Tuesday, April 9, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8263

Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. S. Simpson: What this side of the House has done…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members, please listen to the response. Hon. S. Simpson: What this side of the House has done is brought in an innovative program around housing for homelessness, the modular program — 2,000 modular units with wraparound services to meet people’s needs where they are and where they need them. When you talk about the needs of vulnerable citizens, I would suggest to the Leader of the Opposition that when he wants to use the word “vacuous, ” he should look in the mirror. Mr.

Speaker:The Leader of the Official Opposition on a second supplemental. A. Wilkinson:Let’s envisage the proud minister walking down the streets of Vancouver-Hastings, where many of these people live, and meeting Patricia, one of the thousands of workers that this government is discriminating against. Here’s what Patricia has to say: “This is outrageous. We do the same work. We deserve the same wages. ” This minister is now going to write himself a little note of what he would say to Patricia, because he’s got to figure out what to do other than hang his head in shame.

Will the minister answer exactly what he’s got to say to Patricia when she looks him in the eye and says: “ Aren’t I as good as those other people?” Hon. S. Simpson: We have continued to provide sup- ports and worked with this sector. Whether it was the close collaboration…. Many of those organizations worked on TogetherBC, the development of the poverty reduction strategy. Their input was integral to that. Whether it was reimagining community inclusion with the developmental disabilities sector…. Their role in that is and continues to be integral to that.

What I would say to the people who deliver services in the community, in a whole array of areas, is that you have a partner in this government. Y ou have a partner who’s work- ing with you to meet the needs of the people, many of them those people on Hastings Street. I’ d be happy to take a stroll with the Leader of the Oppos- ition down there, and then he can take me to the West Van- couver Y acht Club for tea afterwards. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. M.

Polak:Well, workers like Patricia, unfortunately, over the last number of days, have been enduring the insulting and disrespectful responses from the other side. Y et they continue to speak out. Why do they do that? They do that because they know that what’s happening here is wrong. It’s wrong on so many levels. Not only is this government denying equal pay to workers like Patricia, but to add insult to injury, they can find enough money in the kitty to give a 46 percent raise to someone in the Premier’s office.

What they want to know is: why is the cupboard bare for them and their fellow non-union colleagues when there’s plenty of money around to give out a raise, and a high one, to their friends and insiders? Hon. S. Simpson: We’re proud of the work that we’ve done increasing the minimum wage. That side may recall how long it’s been. [10:40 a.m.] The minimum wage is going to $15.20 an hour. That will lift tens of thousands of working poor out of poverty.

This side is proud of, for the first time, creating a stand- alone Mental Health and Addictions Ministry that begins to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable and exposed people in this province who need help. That’s what you call responding to need. It’s about creating opportunities for people who want to build a future by eliminating tuition on adult basic education and English language learning. It’s about working with and sitting down with those service providers who deliver critical services every day and working with them to build a future that has people at the forefront. We’re doing that work.

It will continue over the coming months and years. Mr. Speaker:The House Leader for the Official Opposi- tion on a supplemental. M. Polak:Well, 17,000 workers, most of them women but all of them deserving of equal treatment for doing equal work. Side by side they work, in many agencies. Maybe two of them are helping an elderly gentleman into the bath. They’re looking at each other, recognizing they’re doing exactly the same job, but one of them is held in less regard by this government than the other one. By any measure, that is discrimination.

The hypocrisy from that side while this minister stands day after day refusing to answer the question can only mean one thing, and that’s that he can’t answer it. There is no good answer. I want to know when the minister, when this government is going to end this shameful and discriminatory policy. Hon. S. Simpson: When this member talks about dis- crimination and talks about the treatment of low-paid work- ers, maybe the member would like to recall when that side, as government, rolled back the wages by 12 to 15 percent of 8264 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 9, 2019

over 75,000 workers. Maybe that side, maybe that member would like to recall… Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. S. Simpson: …when they ripped up contracts for workers, because they wouldn’t respect those contracts. And I know the member understands that the vast majority of those workers were women. OPIOID CRISIS AND SERVICES IN COWICHAN V ALLEY S. Furstenau:When we speak of the opioid epidemic, often people think of big cities like Metro Vancouver, greater Victoria. But smaller communities are feeling the impacts as well and often lack the necessary infrastructure to address the growing crisis.

And it is a crisis in Duncan. Two weeks ago the Cowichan theatre was filled with people who came to watch a documentary film and hear a panel discussion on how the opioid crisis is affecting our town. The next day the elected officials of Cowichan, the mayor, CVRD chair, MLA, MP , Chief of the Cowichan Tribes and the inspector of the RCMP met to discuss how the political leadership can support the ongoing com- munity-coordinated response.

What is urgently needed in Cowichan is stable, ongoing funding for sharps cleanup, low-barrier supervised shelter, local and easily accessible addictions treatment and trans- itional and long-term housing. To the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, our small community is struggling. What is your ministry doing to ensure that vulnerable people in Cowichan have access to the infrastructure they need to keep the community safe? Hon. J.

Darcy:I certainly recall very well when the mem- ber and I toured her constituency last year and met with people who are living with the addiction crisis and also people who are on the front lines of that crisis. [10:45 a.m.] We also met with Cowichan Tribes to learn about their experience with mental health and addictions and the sup- port they need. As the member knows very well, as people across British Columbia who are living this crisis every single day know well, we have inherited a system for mental health and addictions that has enormous gaps and that is a very fragmented system.

We have been escalating our response to the overdose crisis every month, every week, every single day. On Vancouver Island in particular, the member will know that last year we opened the Our Place therapeutic recovery community, a 40-bed innovative recovery community that will serve people on Vancouver Island. Also, in the Cowichan Valley in particular, I know that Island Health has established a new intensive case manage- ment team to provide outreach and support for people who are struggling with addiction.

They’re saving lives through significantly expanded access to naloxone as well as the over- dose prevention site in Duncan. They’re funding a nurse practitioner to receive addic- tions training, specialized addictions training in order to provide better support in the future to people living with addiction. They’re planning for another nurse practitioner to proactively link people at high risk with medication- assisted treatment. We are working overtime. I’m happy to meet with the member to talk about her community in more detail. We have a lot of work to do. Every single life that’s lost is prevent- able.

It takes all of us working together as a province, all hands on deck, to solve this unprecedented public health emergency that’s affecting every community across British Columbia. Mr. Speaker:House Leader, Third Party, on a supplemen- tal. S. Furstenau:I appreciate what the minister highlights. I also want to point out that the Cowichan community itself has responded. The community action team has, among other things, established a six-bed sobering centre, worked tirelessly on educating the public on the reasons for addiction, trauma and stigma.

In 2016, Island Health did indeed open an over- dose prevention site, where more than 22,000 individual cli- ents have visited since it opened. Early every morning, rain or shine, a group of business owners and volunteers show up to clean storefronts and sidewalks, removing drug paraphernalia, garbage and human waste from the street. Cowichan is great at rallying together to help those in need, but we are growing impatient for long-term solutions. What is desperately needed is an accessible, local addictions treatment centre.

To the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, will the minister commit to looking at funding an addictions treat- ment centre in Duncan? Hon. J. Darcy:I’m certainly happy to sit down with the member and discuss the specific needs in her community. We have, as the member has mentioned, significantly expan- ded access to overdose prevention sites, and I would note that the overdose prevention site, as the member said, has had thousands of visits. Hundreds of overdoses have been reversed, and not one single life has been lost. That’s very, very important.

We also are training more doctors and nurse practitioners in order to be able to prescribe medication-assisted treat- ment for people who are living with opioid disorder. Accord- ing to all of the addictions specialists in the province, the first line of treatment for opioid addiction is Suboxone, and we have significantly increased the number of prescribers and Tuesday, April 9, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8265

the number of patients who are on medication-assisted treat- ment. But every single day we are looking for new solutions. We need new tools in our toolbox. We recognize that. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control estimates that as a result of our efforts, 4,700 lives have been saved in the last year and a half. But the number of deaths still remains unac- ceptably, horrifically high, and we will not rest until we turn the tide on this terrible crisis. GENDER W AGE GAP AND EQUAL PAY LEGISLATION S. Cadieux: On average, women earn 70 cents on the dollar when compared to male colleagues.

The Equal Pay Reporting Act would require employers to publicly disclose the gap between their male and female employees. [10:50 a.m.] It’s great that the Premier is alive to the issue, but women are living this issue every day. It’s Equal Pay Day today. Will the Minister of Labour call the bill for debate? Hon. H. Bains:It is always an honour to stand here and talk about workers and workers’ rights, their health and safety. Interjections. Hon. H. Bains:Members on the other side are laughing at that statement. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. H.

Bains:It doesn’t surprise me, because every time they stood up in this House…. When they were ripping up collective agreements of those workers, that’s when they stood up in this House, in the last 16 years. When they were gutting the employment standards, that’s the only time they stood up to talk about workers. We are doing things differently. We care. We care about workers’ health and safety. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. H. Bains: The members on the opposite side are heckling because they don’t want to hear the reality of what went on in the last 16 years. They ignored workers for 16 years.

They show nothing but contempt towards the working people in the province. We value workers. We value their work. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. H. Bains:That’s why we are making changes. Stay tuned. More is coming. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Members, that action was com- pletely out of order. I remind you that

section 47 of the standing orders would allow me to disallow questions. So just be forewarned on this: we will not be tolerating that action in response to a question. The member for Surrey South on a supplemental. S. Cadieux: Despite the strong public support for equal pay legislation, the Premier told the media last week that he hadn’t read the bill, but he was ready to call it a political stunt. Now, there’s a lot of public support for this type of legis- lation, specifically today.

On Twitter today, Governor Inslee gets it, Unifor gets it, Pearl Jam gets it, U.S. presidential can- didates get it, and the United Steelworkers get the need for legislation that would prevent this kind of unequal practice. The Premier and the minister aren’t prepared to call the bill, so what exactly do they plan to do to address the gender wage gap in British Columbia? Hon. H. Bains:It is amazing that the group that sat on this side of the House for 16 years never did anything to talk about pay equity. Nothing.

The member talked about every other group that gets it, but the only group that never got it was that group when they were sitting on this side. When they ripped up collective agreements, 75,000 work- ers, most of them women, were thrown on the street. They were rehired at half the wage they were making. We need no lessons from that group of people over there when we talk about workers, workers’ rights, their health and safety and pay equity. We know that we’re on the side of the workers. Workers know they are relieved that you’re not sitting and that they have to talk to you, on that side of the House. Mr.

Speaker:Member for Kamloops–South Thompson, you are out of order. The member for Prince George–Valemount. [10:55 a.m.] FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS AND WORKER W AGES S. Bond: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government is blatantly denying 17,000 workers equal pay for equal work. Now, the Minister of Social Development can stand up and he can dodge and he can deflect, but there isn’t a single Brit- 8266 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 9, 2019

ish Columbian who wouldn’t see this wage increase policy as anything but straight-up discrimination. Karyn Santiago with Communitas listened to this minis- ter’s answers yesterday in the House, and she listened to him dismiss her concerns. This was her reaction to his disrespect- ful response: “Fairness is a simple fix. Equal pay for equal work means paying the lowest-paid public sector employees doing the same work, the same wage. ” The minister needs to end his bluster, admit this policy is wrong and stand up and end the discrimination today. Hon. S.

Simpson:I’ll say to the member again that we are working with the sector. We have been working with the sec- tor for 20 months. We’ve been working to develop services that are substantive and meaningful for vulnerable British Columbians across this province. That work is going well. It’s moving forward, it’s collaborative, and it’s involving those organizations in a way that they were never involved for the 16 years of the previous government.

Critical to that work is continuing to work with them to ensure that they can deliver their services in effective and efficient ways, that they can be sustainable and that they can be nimble to do the work that they need to do. We’re com- mitted to that. We’re working with them, and we will contin- ue to work with them as we have for 20 months. We’ll contin- ue to work with them for the next 2½ years to get that right. Mr. Speaker:The member for Prince George–Valemount on a supplemental. S.

Bond: It’s a pretty strange way of working with an organization collaboratively when this government decides that only half of them are worthy of a wage increase that the other half aren’t for exactly the same work — strange part- nership, strange way of calling it collaboration. The minister is wrong. This ultimately rests with the Pre- mier. It is time that someone on that side of the House stood up and took responsibility for a decision they made, a dis- criminatory wage increase policy.

Let’s hear what else Karyn had to say, responding directly to this minister’s dismissive response. “ Asking to continue the last 12 years of equitable wage lifts is not political oppor- tunism. It is simply about equal pay for equal work and treat- ing all social service workers with fairness. ” These organizations and workers are tired of this minis- ter’s non-answers and all of the excuses. It’s time to end the discrimination today and ensure that all workers in this sector get an equitable wage increase for the same work that they do. Hon. S. Simpson:This side has worked with those organ- izations.

We continue to work with them. We respect the work that they do, and we’re able to work with them in ways that they never saw for 16 years. For 16 years, it was by dic- tate and ultimatum, everything that they faced. [11:00 a.m.] This is about the services to the people who require those services. It’s about those organizations and ensuring they can deliver those services. It’s about ensuring those organizations are sustained and are able to do that.

We’re working with them, we’re building a partnership, and we will continue to build and evolve, over the next 2½ years, a partnership that will be good for the millions of Brit- ish Columbians who need their support. We’re proud of that. We’re happy at that. We’re happy to finally have a govern- ment here that puts people first. [End of question period.] Point of Order M. Polak:I rise simply to ask this. It does appear that the Speaker wishes to establish a new practice in the House, with respect, in particular to interjections and how they occur.

We are operating at somewhat of a disadvantage at this stage, given there are not new, clear guidelines expressed. I would simply ask if the Speaker could provide, in writ- ing, to the opposition — to the House, generally speaking — some fresh guidelines so that we were clear as to the expectations of the Speaker with regard to interjections in the House. Mr. Speaker:Well, a good start would be to read the standing orders, but I will provide a statement this after- noon on that. Petitions A. Olsen:I’ll try to do this as politely as possible.

I have a petition with 356 signatures from residents of Mayne Island asking for it to be returned to a no-hunting or -shooting area. Orders of the Day Hon. M. Farnworth:I call continued debate of second reading on Bill 20, Medicare Protection Act. In

Section A, Douglas Fir Room, I call estimates debate for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. [R. Chouhan in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 20 — MEDICARE PROTECTION AMENDMENT ACT, 2019 (continued) Hon. C. Trevena:It is with great pride and with great pleasure that I stand here to take my place in the debate on the Medicare Protection Amendment Act, 2019. This is fulfilling a promise made by our government to Tuesday, April 9, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8267

end an extraordinarily regressive tax and, in doing so, to make one of the largest tax cuts for people in British Colum- bia’s history. It is a move that we’ve been working on since we formed government, and it is something that we are now — we did it in two stages — fulfilling through this piece of legislation. [11:05 a.m.] Like a number of people in this Legislature, I came to Canada as an immigrant. I was very grateful to have been brought up in that baby boom generation under the National Health Service, where we had public health care in the U.K. and, as such, never had to pay for anything.

There was a pos- sibility of going to a private doctor, but for health care, you didn’t have to pay to go to your doctor — or to go the dentist or get your eyes tested. All were covered under the National Health system during those bounty days. When I moved to Canada, I moved to Ontario and became a resident and had the Ontario health insurance plan, where, again, you got health care coverage — no extra bill. So when I came to B.C., I was somewhat surprised and bemused and asked many people about this: the fact that we were getting a bill every so often for our medical services premiums.

It was, “Well, what is it this? It’s public health care. It’s public health care across Canada. Why are we pay- ing extra?” and to be told: “This is the way things work in B.C., this is the way things have always worked in B.C., and this is the way things continue to work in B.C. — that you pay premiums to get your health care. ” I think most people are aware that a flat tax, as medical services premiums are, is unfair. They are regressive. They mean that whether you are earning $60,000 or $260,000, you are paying the same amount.

It’s definitely not good for fam- ilies, nor is it good for local communities and for local busi- nesses, because every time you’re paying this money, you’re not able to reinvest it into the community in which you live. Y ou have no discretionary spending. Y ou are paying it on this flat tax, where you, as a middle-income earner, are pay- ing the same as a high income earner. It is regressive. The elimination of Medical Services Plan premiums will mean that individuals who have been paying it will be getting as much as $900 a year in savings, and families will be saving about $1800 a year.

I’m so proud that the Minister of Health has ended that regression — has made sure that people will be able to afford those little extra bonuses. It’s a bit like our investment in child care. It’s investing into families who need that extra break, because it gives money back in their pockets. It ends the regression; it ends the unfairness. In doing this, as I mentioned, it is the largest tax cut for people in B.C. ’s history. It is equivalent to $2.7 bil- lion; it’s a significant tax cut. We have already cut premiums in half, and by fully eliminating it, it will help make life more affordable.

We’ve heard that there are concerns that it’s going to hurt businesses. But we have not gone into this blindly. This has gone in with a lot of thought. It has been gone into over two years. So 85 percent of businesses are going to be exempt from the replacement, the employer health tax. There will be a replacement. People come and say: “Well, what’s going to happen?” There is an employer health tax that will come in, but 85 percent of businesses are going to be exempt from that employer health tax.

At the same time, over the last two budget cycles that we have had as our government, we’ve been very proud to cut the small business tax rate and to eliminate PST on electri- city. As I mentioned, we are investing in child care, which has a direct impact on families — those families who likely are the ones struggling with MSP premiums — and in direct investment in housing. This piece of legislation truly is significant; it truly is the right thing to do. It ends years of inequity.

It ends years of just allowing for that regressive tax system to be entrenched in place, to be the assumption: “This is what people pay and this is how we pay for our health care here in B.C. ” [11:10 a.m.] It makes sure that when you need to acquire health care, you’re not worried about: “I’m also going to have to pay for my MSP premiums. ” It truly puts the public into public health care. We’re still going to be paying for it through different means. But individuals and families…. Individuals who will save about $900 a year, families who will save $1,800 a year will benefit from this.

And because of that, our economy will benefit. There will be more disposable income. There will be more certainty. I think that when you’re getting rid of a regressive tax, you are giving people more certainty. Y ou’re showing them that they have that ability — that extra money in their account, the extra money at the end of the month — that they’re not having to worry about. As I say, this is something that we promised in the election campaign. As a group, I know, we have discussed for many years to get to this point. We promised it in the election campaign. It’s the right thing to do.

It puts B.C. in line with the rest of Canada and many other jurisdictions where they provide public health care. The Minister of Health has very proudly introduced this. I’m pleased to support it and pleased to support the Minister of Finance in enabling this. I’m pleased to support the Pre- mier who went out on the hustings to say: “This is what we’re going to do. ” This is, as I say — and I can’t say it enough — a very important piece of legislation. It will have a huge impact for people in my constituency, in the North Island, who struggle regularly with trying to ensure that they can pay their MSP .

It’ll benefit families across this province, and it will help the economy and businesses throughout the province as well. With that, I will take my place in this debate and will be very, very proud to vote in favour of this bill when the vote comes. Hon. M. Mungall:I rise to speak in favour of Bill 20, the 8268 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Medicare Protection Amendment Act, which has been put forward by the Minister of Health. I’m absolutely thrilled to be speaking in favour of this bill. I think this is a very historic day for British Columbi- ans. In fact, what this bill does is it provides British Col- umbians with the biggest tax cut they’ve seen in a genera- tion. We’re saving B.C. families as much as $1,800 per year — individuals, $900 a year — by eliminating the medical services premium. If nothing else happens for me today, I have to say that this, being able to speak to this bill, makes today a won- derful day.

I know how much this is going to benefit the people I represent, how it’s going to benefit all of British Columbia, and I know that we are making a better British Columbia by instituting this type of legislation and offer- ing people what I said earlier, which is the biggest tax cut they’ve seen in a generation. For 16 years, what we saw under the previous government was actually a doubling of the MSP premiums.

What is crit- ical in that is not only was the previous government costing British Columbians more, out of their own pockets, for basic health care services, but the type of taxation that the MSP premiums were would be called a regressive tax rather than a progressive tax. I’m going to talk about that just really quickly, because I know there’s people at home wondering, as they’re flipping through the channels and they’ve stopped on the B.C.

Legis- lature channel, and they’ve heard regressive versus progress- ive tax and now they’re really keen to watch and understand the difference between these two types of taxes. A flat tax, or a regressive tax, whether you’re earning $30,000 a year or $300,000 a year, you’re paying the exact same amount. That’s what the medical services premium was. Families, no matter what kind of income, or what income, unless they were the lowest income earners, were paying the exact same amount. That’s unfair, hon. Speaker. Economists and experts all over the world have identified regressive or flat taxation as a problem.

What it means is that people who are earning more are not paying according to their ability to pay, and neither are people who are earning less. Rather, everybody is paying the same, but not everybody can afford to do so. [11:15 a.m.] Over time, society has identified a progressive taxation system as more equitable and more fair to all citizens so that those who are at the top end of income earners are paying more to their ability. We’ve moved away from this regressive taxation system for MSP , and we’re moving towards a more progressive system and one that’s going to benefit British Columbians so much more.

It’s not only through the savings that I’ve already mentioned, but every time you put extra dollars into peoples’ pockets, that has positive impacts in our local economy. For the small communities I represent, what you’ll see every year over the holiday season are strong messages for buying local. Shop local, do your Christmas shopping in your local community, because that supports local jobs, that supports local businesses, and that supports a thriving local economy.

So when we, as a government, identify ways that we can put money back into the pockets of my constituents so that they can spend it locally, I know that that’s going to have a positive impact for the communities that I represent. Now, one of the things that I also want to mention in ref- erence to this is that we’ve already actually cut premiums in half. We’ve already done that in the 20 months we’ve been in government. So now we are going to fully eliminate MSP premiums with this bill, and we’ll be doing it January 1, 2020.

Within less than a year, we’ll be able to make sure that every British Columbian has that tax cut back in their pockets. What does that mean? Well, that means $2.7 billion is going back into British Columbians’ pockets. I already talked about how that’s going to benefit the local businesses in my communities. But think about that. It’s not just for Nelson and Creston and Kaslo and Salmo or Balfour or Ymir, but that’s the story right across this province.

When somebody in Vancouver decides to go to the Kaslo jazz fest and they want to do a little bit of shopping in Kaslo, they’re going to have extra dollars in their pocket to do that. When somebody hears about ArtWalk in Nelson and they’re coming from Kelowna, they’re going to have more money in their pocket to spend — not just Kelowna but also as tourists in their own backyards, in their own province. So this is, to me, very important in terms of how we can also support loc- al businesses throughout the province. Now, one of the things that we’ve done….

I said that we’re replacing this regressive tax with a progressive tax, and that’s the payroll tax. A lot of people get upset about this on the other side. What they fail to mention is that this is the lowest payroll tax anywhere in Canada and that 85 percent of busi- nesses are entirely exempt from paying this payroll tax. For small businesses in my community that are already receiving a tax cut from this government, they’re seeing people who are able to shop in their stores more, have more money in their pockets to do so.

Most of the businesses in my communities that I represent will not be paying the payroll tax. They will be exempt. That’s true all across the province. One of the things that the other side has brought up and some people in my community, as well, have asked me is…. “If we move from the MSP premiums that every individual paid” — $1,800 a year for a family, $900 a year for an indi- vidual — “and we move to a payroll tax, well, municipalities will be paying that.

Will they just turn around and increase property taxes?” Well, we have to keep in mind that municipalities have a variety of methods to balance their budgets. Property taxes are not the only source of revenue that they have. I was a city councillor, and we received grants in lieu from a variety of sources. We received gas tax grants as well. There is a variety of ways in which municipalities pay for the services. [11:20 a.m.] Say they did turn around and decide to increase property Tuesday, April 9, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8269

taxes. Let’s compare what that would cost the average house- hold. The average household would see their property tax increase by a few dollars, maybe $20, maybe $30. Now com- pare that to the $1,800 a year that they’re going to be saving. No matter how you shake out that concern that the oppo- sition had brought up numerous times — and in a way that I wouldn’t say is entirely accurate — at the end of the day, British Columbians are walking away from the end of MSP premiums better off, considerably so. This, to me, is a great, great thing that we are doing for British Columbians.

I remember during the election, we made this promise. Of course, the mantra coming from the B.C. Liberal candidates at the time was that we, the NDP , are just the party of tax-and-spend. But here we are, the party delivering the largest tax cut in British Columbia in a gener- ation. I think that goes to show that this party, as a govern- ment, always puts people first, and that’s fundamentally what we’re about. Fundamentally, what we’re doing here is putting more money back into the pockets of British Columbians to help them make life more affordable in this province.

That’s going to be benefiting a total of 900,000…. Oh, sorry. Pardon me. I was reading the wrong number. So 920,000 people are on premium assistance right now. That’s the remaining num- ber of British Columbians, so about three million people are benefiting from this right now. I’m very proud — very proud — of the work that the Min- ister of Health and the Minister of Finance have done on this item, very proud of the work that our government has done.

I know the benefits are going to be seen every single day on the streets of Nelson, on the streets of Creston, on the streets of Kaslo, Salmo and the other 25 unincorporated commun- ities that I represent. This is a very good thing for people in the Kootenays, and I thank the ministers responsible for their hard work on this. I’m very, very proud to stand up and not only speak to this bill but support it. With that, I will sit down and let others speakers then take their place. Deputy Speaker:Seeing no further speakers, the Minister of Health will close the debate. Hon. A.

Dix: I want to thank all the members on both sides of the House for participating in the debate. I just want to close with the basic facts of this, because there was some debate about what the government’s doing and what they’re not doing. I wanted us to be very clear. Firstly, this is the largest middle-class tax cut in the history of British Columbia. What does that mean? If you’re earning $50,000 a year, you’re receiving, as an individual, a cut, with the full elimination of MSP premiums, of up to $900. If you’re a family, up to $1,800 if you’re earning $50,000 a year.

When you look at the provincial share of taxation, that is a very significant tax cut, which reflects, I think, our con- cern with the affordability of life in communities everywhere in B.C. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Prince George, you’re in Terrace, you’re in Vancouver, or you’re in Victoria. That is coming to you, and that is profoundly significant. It’s something that was announced in the election cam- paign. After all, MSP premiums represented about $2.7 bil- lion in revenue to the provincial government. That task was difficult, and the Minister of Finance and the Premier delivered on that task.

That means life will be better, more affordable for people in every part of the province. Secondly, it represents a significant change in tax policy. What the dramatic increases in MSP premiums shifted was a move to flat taxes in society, where it doesn’t matter what your income level is. Y ou would pay the same level of MSP premium. Whether you were at $50,000 or at $500,000, it would be the same level.

This is a shift in taxation policy which reflects, I think, the concern of the Premier, the concern of the Minister of Fin- ance with the affordability of life for middle-class people, but also the fact that when people spend money in their com- munities, it’s good for small business, it’s good for the eco- nomic life of the community, it’s good for job creation, it’s good for everybody. [11:25 a.m.] Thirdly, it’s a significant shift, obviously, in government policy. People will know that in 2001, MSP premiums were increased by 50 — that’s 50 — percent.

For a family of two, that meant an increase annually of $384, whether they earned $50,000 or $500,000. For a family of three, it meant an increase — a one-time, immediate increase every single year of $432, in that increase. If you were doing that in constant dollars today, that would be an increase, if you can imagine, of $600, one time, in MSP premiums introduced by the previous gov- ernment, that year and every year. And it followed with increases well above the rate of inflation in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

That was the policy of the pre- vious government, which was to increase MSP premiums in order to provide relief — largely, if you look at the policy, to hide income tax cuts. Fourthly, there was much talk about the employer health tax. But the reduction in MSP premiums net of the employer health tax still remains a tax cut, overall, of $800 million. Y ou will recall….

This, again, is the reverse of what happened in 2001, where a very significant income tax cut took place which was mitigated by a dramatic increase in MSP pre- miums — a tax cut that was targeted to the highest income earners but paid for, in part, by significant increases in middle-class taxes. Finally, and this is at the core of the bill, there will be no change in eligibility or enrolment requirements. MSP will continue to provide access to public health care that — with respect to, particularly, I would say, the north and rural com- munities, but everywhere in B.C. — is improving right now.

Access to diagnostic services, to surgical services, to primary care and to seniors care — all improving. But because we are eliminating MSP premiums, it means that the MSP system will govern access to that public health care and not be seen 8270 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 9, 2019

as a means of a poll tax of middle-class taxation. I think that’s the fundamental change. This change, this bill, this action by the Minister of Fin- ance and by the Premier makes life more affordable for people. But it is deeply connected to the needs of people across British Columbia. People need public health care today more than ever. This government is committed to delivering on that. We’re also committed to — and this bill has at its heart, as its principle — the idea that people need to be able to afford to live in British Columbia.

Good public health care is part of that, but a fairer taxation system is also part of it. That’s why I am proud that the Minister of Finance has introduced this significant tax relief for working families in her first budget by reducing MSP premiums by 50 percent as of January 1, 2018, and eliminating them fully on January 1, 2020. This piece of legislation helps make that happen. I’m very proud to speak on it on behalf of the government in this House, and I move second reading. Motion approved. Hon. A.

Dix:I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for committee stage at the next sitting of the House after today. Bill 20, Medicare Protection Amendment Act, 2019, read a second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole House for consideration at the next sitting of the House after today. Hon. A. Dix:I call committee stage of Bill 5. Committee of the Whole House BILL 5 — BUDGET MEASURES IMPLEMENTATION ACT, 2019 The House in Committee of the Whole (Section

B) on Bill 5; R. Chouhan in the chair. The committee met at 11:30 a.m. On

section 1. Hon. C. James: I look forward to the questions. Just for those few people who might be watching, many of these pieces have already been introduced as part of the budget. This bill implements a number of the measures that are with- in the budget. Many of them are technical in nature, as the members will know, and don’t introduce new provisions — those have been introduced in the budget — but implement the existing measures. I look forward to the discussion. S. Bond: Thank you to the Minister of Finance. We, in advance, thank the members of her staff that are here as we work through the bill.

Obviously, my co-critic and I will be spending a fair bit of time walking through this bill. The minister made the most relevant point, which is: this is the Budget Measures Implementation Act. It’s pretty self- explanatory. The government has passed a budget, which, of course, our side of the House had significant concerns about. But these are the measures that put in place…. This is the mechanical part of bringing that budget to life. We’re going to start with some questions on

section 1. It’s basically about a penalty. I’m wondering if the minister can give us an example of where people may be selling nat- ural gas without being properly certified. Are there specif- ic circumstances that led to the inclusion of this clause in

section 1? Hon. C. James:I mentioned a number of these pieces are technical or housekeeping pieces. This is one of the house- keeping pieces. There’ve not been examples that we would point to. This is basically housekeeping. So if someone doesn’t register, there’s an opportunity, as you can see, to have a penalty in place. But there have not been examples of people coming forward. S. Bond: Okay, thank you for that answer, Minister. So basically, we’re doing it just in case someone isn’t certi- fied and decides they’re going to sell natural gas. I assume that’s the answer, which is a bit surprising.

But let’s talk about the penalty itself. Does this essentially mean that the penalty would equate to the amount of tax normally owed under the section? Hon. C. James:That is correct. Just on the first point the member made, that is right — if someone hasn’t registered. Almost every tax bill has a clause to do with someone who may try and get around the rules. This is that housekeeping nature, to make sure that people who are selling natural gas are registered as dealers. S. Bond: I appreciate that answer.

Is there a chance that people might do this unknowingly, that they don’t know they have to register, that they have to be certified? What type of information is shared? Again, we’re building in, in legisla- tion…. We’re sort of covering all the bases just in case some- one decides they’re going to sell and are not certified. Are people aware of the requirement? [11:35 a.m.] Obviously, there are no examples the minister can point to in terms of this being a problem, but we’re going to legis- late to fix a problem that doesn’t exist, at this point at least.

Is there a chance people might not be aware of the need to be certified or to register? Hon. C. James:I think it’s important just to note…. I was mentioning that this is consistent with other taxes and with other pieces that are in place, but I think it’s also important to recognize that this also is consistent with other fuels. It Tuesday, April 9, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8271

already exists. The penalty already exists with other fuels. So it would be rare for someone who is selling fuels — because they may sell a range of fuels — not to know that they have to be registered, because that is in other acts. Just as an additional piece, info bulletins go out to sellers, and we also have an information team that’s available for people who may be new sellers. Again, because this is con- sistent with other fuels, I think it would be rare for someone not to know that they had to be registered to sell.

Section 1 approved. On

section 2. T. Redies: Minister, what is the purpose of this

section of the bill? Is it because this clause is basically in the bill to prevent municipalities from mitigating the tax shock of the school tax on their residents? Hon. C. James: The member probably knows that the Community Charter allows municipalities to pass bylaws to be able to levy property taxes on an average or a phased approach. That’s something that exists. The city of Vancouver is currently the only municipality that utilizes that averaging.

This amendment ensures that the additional school tax on the value of houses more than $3 million will apply to the actual tax property — the net tax values — not an average or a phased approach, so that we ensure that it’s applied consist- ently across the province. T. Redies: Thank you, Minister, for the answer. Again, just trying to understand how this is working. Doesn’t this also prevent the municipalities from not only mitigating the shock but also managing their tax needs?

Because, after all, with this tax, is the provincial government not just muscling in on the revenues of the municipalities? [11:40 a.m.] Hon. C. James:This won’t affect the municipality. In fact, this is a request that came from the city of Vancouver. I think it’s important to note, again, that they’re the only municipal- ity that uses this averaging. From a provincial perspective, to ensure that the tax is applied fairly, we want to make sure, as I said, that you don’t see different rates and different thresholds for the $3 million — that it applies, as I said earlier, to the net value and not an averaging.

It may be used by the city of Vancouver, but it doesn’t affect the city of Vancouver’s taxation, from their perspective. As I said, they came forward and requested this. T. Redies:Thank you for that answer, Minister. Again, I guess we’re just trying to understand how this is working, because it’s clear that with this additional school tax, the province is again kind of crowding out the ability of muni- cipalities to actually tax residents. After all, property tax is the primary purview of municipalities to achieve their tax revenues.

We have a number of people or a number of areas in the city of Vancouver that are going to be disproportionately affected, are being disproportionately affected, by this school tax. In fact, I think the renowned property tax consultant Paul Sullivan has indicated that in the affected areas, tax increases will be as much as 33 or 35 percent. I guess what we’re trying to understand is why the city of Vancouver and the province would not work together to try and mitigate the impact of this substantial tax on people, many of whom are on fixed incomes.

The only, I guess, mis- take they’ve made is buying a property on the west side 30 or 40 years ago, and now they’re getting hammered with the school tax. Again, what we’re trying to understand is: why is the province not working with the municipality to try and min- imize the impact of this very, very substantial tax? Hon. C. James:I recognize that the opposition is opposed to this tax on high-value homes above $3 million. I under- stand that. We are, in fact, ensuring that the tax is applied equally across the province.

As I said, the city of Vancouver came forward to request that we take a look at this so that the averaging — as the only municipality that uses averaging — isn’t used, so it is applied consistently across the province. We will agree to disagree on the $3 million tax. I recog- nize, as I said, that the members are opposed to it. We cer- tainly feel that people can provide support to the housing crisis here, but that’s not related to this amendment that’s in front of us. T.

Redies: What we’re opposed to on this side of the House is, again, taxing people who are on fixed incomes to the point where their property taxes are rising by 33 per- cent. Again, while I appreciate the principle of consistency, the reality is that in Vancouver, which is where the majority of these people are impacted, and also in my constituency and South Surrey and White Rock as well, they already paid the highest property taxes before these new taxes that this government brought in. They already paid the highest taxes in the country.

Again, I guess, I recognize that the minister doesn’t seem to have a problem with people on fixed incomes having their property taxes rise by 33 percent, but on our side of the House, we think that that’s an unfair tax burden and that the minister and the municipality should be making it easier for people.

But I understand that the minister has no problem taxing people on fixed incomes. [11:45 a.m.] I guess where I’ d like to go next with my questions, with this particular section, is: is the minister prepared to revisit this if she gets evidence from the mayors in her annual meet- ing that this tax is affecting their communities in a negative way? Is she prepared to revisit this, or is she just going to continue to tax people at such a significant rate? 8272 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Hon. C. James:Again, I think it’s important to note that we are talking about houses that are valued at more than $3 million. The additional tax does not apply until you get to a value over $3 million. These are not people with houses val- ued under $3 million. In fact, it’s people with houses that are valued more than $3 million, and the additional tax applies on the amount above $3 million. When the member talks about individuals on fixed income, that could take up most of the debate on this bill if we actually had a thorough discussion around the support for people who are living on fixed incomes.

But I think that digresses away from the direction that we’re taking here at committee stage around the legislation that’s in front of us and the amendments that are in front of us, but again, as I said, we will agree to disagree. On the issue of reviewing taxes, as Finance Minister — the not quite two years that I’ve been in place as Finance Minis- ter — it’s certainly my practice and intent to, as we do each year, review all of the taxes that are in place, review whether changes need to occur. The member mentioned the meeting with the mayors.

That will occur around the speculation and vacancy tax, and we’ll have a thorough discussion, I’m sure. But that occurs each budget-setting time period on all taxes that exist in the province, all credits that exist in the province and all pro- grams and services that exist in the province.

Section 2 approved. On

section 3. S. Bond:

Section 3 is related to the Financial Administra- tion Act, and I’m wondering if the minister can just explain the purpose for the changes in this section. Hon. C. James:This is, again, an administrative consist- ency section, where, in fact, we took a look at other juris- dictions. We took a look at other provinces. We wanted to ensure that there was consistency across acts and across oth- er provinces.

Every other province has moved in this dir- ection to make sure that there aren’t any challenges around the differences in treating these areas — the remissions, the taxes, the royalties, the fees or the sums — in different ways. Other provinces and the federal government have moved in this direction. We will be consistent. Alberta is the only province that hasn’t. Everybody else has gone in this direc- tion to be consistent and, as I said, for administrative pur- poses, to make sure that it was done. So that’s the intent of this section. [11:50 a.m.] S.

Bond: Can the minister provide an example, perhaps, of when these changes would be applied? We understand their rationale is that they provide consistency across juris- dictions. What is an example of an instance where the actual application would take place? Hon. C. James: I think the best example, the clearest example, would be that currently there’s no allowance made for remissions of amounts after they’ve been paid. If an injustice has occurred, there isn’t an ability, with the existing act, to be able to deal with that, to be able to make allowance for a remission.

This amendment will fix that and will provide that. That’s probably the clearest example of consistency and making sure that it’s applied consist- ently across the acts. Sections 3 and 4 approved. On

section 5. T. Redies:Can the minister outline how pension income is now calculated under the new provisions and how it impacts the delivery of this tax credit? Hon. C. James:This, again, is harmonizing with the feder- al act. We want to make sure that the types of income that are eligible for the pension credit with certain types of income are eligible, as with the federal pension — to coordinate them. Previously, retirement income security benefits paid under the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-estab- lishment and Compensation Act were not included.

The fed- eral government changed that and included them. This makes a change to match our act with the federal act, to ensure that those are covered under veterans’ benefits. T. Redies:Thank you, Minister, for the answer. Does that mean that we’re essentially just kind of cleaning up the lan- guage? Does the minister’s answer also imply that veterans will see higher pensions as a result of these changes? Hon. C. James: Just to distinguish between pension income and pension credits, this is referring to the credits. The income is the federal government’s responsibility — the pension income. But the credit….

This will ensure that those two pieces can be included in the credit that people may apply for, which should be a benefit for veterans. It’s ensuring that those two acts, which previously weren’t covered, will now be covered as part of applying for the credit. This isn’t related to the pension. [11:55 a.m.] T. Redies:Maybe just one more clarifying question to the minister. I meant to say the credit. Ultimately, I guess the alignment of the two, the federal and the provincial, should result in veterans possibly seeing additional income? Hon. C.

James:Y es, it’s correct that they could use these pieces for the credit. I hate to say that it would necessarily mean an increase, given taxation. But in theory, as the mem- ber points out, this gives the ability for veterans to utilize these pieces to be able to claim the credit. Tuesday, April 9, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8273

Section 5 approved. Hon. A. Dix: I move that the committee on Bill 5 rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again. Motion approved. The committee rose at 11:56 a.m. The House resumed; Mr. Speaker in the chair. Committee of the Whole (Section B), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again. Committee of Supply (Section A), having reported progress, was granted leave to sit again. Hon. A. Dix moved adjournment of the House. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker:This House stands adjourned until 1:30 this afternoon. The House adjourned at 11:57 a.m.

Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY The House in Committee of Supply (Section A); N. Simons in the chair. The committee met at 11:08 a.m. On Vote 23: ministry operations, $192,734,000. The Chair:Minister, would you like to begin with an opening statement? Hon. G. Heyman:Thank you. I would. First of all, thank you, everyone, for coming here and your interest in the ministry activities.

I want to introduce the staff that are here with me today and that will be here over the course from different parts of the ministry for the rest of estimates. On my left is Mark Zacharias, deputy minister. On my right is Wes Boyd, assistant deputy minister, corporate ser- vices, for the natural resource ministries. Behind me is Jim Standen, the assistant deputy minister for B.C.

Parks and the conservation officer service. [11:10 a.m.] Joining us but not immediately behind me are Jeremy Hewitt, the assistant deputy minister for the climate action secretariat; David Morel, the assistant deputy minister for environmental protection; Jennifer McGuire, the assistant deputy minister for environmental sustainability and stra- tegic policy; and, from the environmental assessment office, Kevin Jardine, associate deputy minister. The key ministry functions can be found in the service plan.

This ministry is responsible for the protection, man- agement and conservation of B.C. ’s water, land, air and living resources.

We’re responsible for leading action on climate change and responding to climate risks and impacts by set- ting clear targets and clear strategies; conserving B.C. ’s biod- iversity, including ecosystems, native species and natural habitats; managing the province’s parks and protected areas; developing legislation, regulations and policies based on sound scientific knowledge and expertise; reducing waste and expanding provincial recycling programs; overseeing provincial environmental assessments, environmental mon- itoring, data management and reporting; regulating dis- charges to the environment; and monitoring and enforcing compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

I’ d like to talk a little bit about the progress we’ve made to the mandate commitments that are contained within my mandate letter from the Premier. We have legislated new car- bon pollution reduction targets for the years 2030 and 2040, and we developed CleanBC, which is a comprehensive emis- sions reduction plan to meet targets while creating economic growth in British Columbia. We’ve worked with the Minister of Finance to imple- ment carbon tax increases of $5 per tonne per year — four of them, the second of which was introduced on the first of this month.

We introduced into the House and passed the Professional Governance Act to modernize and strengthen roles and oversight expectations for qualified professionals in British Columbia to ensure there’s a transparent process that meets the public interest.

We consulted, introduced and passed a new Environ- mental Assessment Act which will revitalize the environ- mental assessment process to enhance public confidence, increase transparency and community participation, advance reconciliation with Indigenous nations and, of course, protect the environment and ecosystems while, at the same time, offering clear pathways to sustainable project approvals in an efficient and timely manner.

We continue to defend B.C. ’s interests with respect to the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline and the threats posed to our environment, our economy and our coast from the sev- enfold increase in tanker traffic. Still to come from my mandate letter is engagement on species-at-risk legislation, including Indigenous stakeholder and citizen engagement and expanding on our North Amer- ican leading extended producer responsibility programs to include more types of waste, specifically plastic. Our mandate aligns with broader government commit- 8274 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, April 9, 2019

ments to make life more affordable for British Columbians; deliver the services that people count on effectively and effi- ciently; build a strong, sustainable, innovative economy that works for everyone; and work towards fully adopting and implementing the United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples and the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as part of our commitment for true, lasting reconciliation with First Nations and British Columbians. Having said that, I look forward to hearing and answering the questions from members of the opposition parties. P .

Milobar:Thank you to the minister for those opening comments and to the staff, in advance, and also for last year’s 45 hours of estimates. Although it was a brief 45 hours, it struck me that we did have the two-week break in between, so it seemed like it went on much longer than it probably really did. Perhaps the minister and the staff have a different view of those 45 hours. As I was getting ready for this week, it struck me that in three days, we’re on a two-week break again. So who knows what may happen? Lightning may strike twice.

In all seriousness, I do want to thank the staff and the minister in advance for making sure that the questions that we canvass are fully explored and that the answers are out there in the public domain. At its core, that’s what this pro- cess, to me, is really about. It’s getting that greater detail out to the public so that people can truly understand what is going on within the operations of the Ministry of Environ- ment and what to expect and what possible areas of improve- ment could still happen. [11:15 a.m.] To that end, my plan…. I’ll just let the minister and the staff know.

I wasn’t sure when we would start. When I real- ized it was today…. It’s always this awkward 35 to 40 minutes between the end of question period and lunch on a Tuesday. We’re going to delve into a more localized B.C. Parks issue and a couple of more localized issues. Then after lunch, I’ll probably start delving more into CleanBC, which is obvi- ously a large portion of the focus over the last year and this coming year. With that, I’ll turn it over to my colleague to kick things off with a local issue. J. Tegart:To the minister, thank you very much for your visit during the break to my riding.

People in my riding always appreciate seeing the people who make decisions and know what it looks like on the ground. Today I want to explore the process of actually locating the Loon Lake new fire department. As you’re aware, the Loon Lake area was devastated by the fires of 2017, and one of the buildings that was lost was the Loon Lake fire hall.

In the process of trying to replace it, the support throughout the province has been absolutely incredible — fundraisers, other fire departments, everybody extremely supportive of a small volunteer fire department — and they are very, very anxious to get the building going. I think I asked some questions last year. If I didn’t, I was remiss. We were in the process of applying to have the new building built on land that is currently owned by the province of B.C. In the Loon Lake area, we used to have a provincial park there, which has been closed for a number of years.

They are in the application process of trying to locate their new fire hall in that spot because of changes in popula- tion and their experience during the fire. I wonder if the minister could share with me: what is an average timeline to have that process completed? [11:20 a.m.] Hon. G. Heyman: First of all, I want to thank the mem- ber for Fraser-Nicola for welcoming me and the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation to your riding. It was a very productive visit on a lot of levels.

I think there was a lot of good news for the community, and it enabled us to really see the community come together on issues of reconciliation. Similarly, though he’s not here, I would also say the same about the member for Shuswap, because the next day, we travelled to his riding. I want to appreciate the significant volunteer spirit and activity of the citizens in the member’s riding with respect to their concern about the fire hall, the community involvement and engagement of the community, as well as the member for Fraser-Nicola, in the consultations that took place around fire hall engagement.

I’m informed that as a result of that consultation and engagement, there are recommendations that have been approved by the deputy minister that have not yet come to me, although they’re imminent. I would say that because it will involve a legislative amendment to the Protected Areas of B.C. Act, it will have to go from me through cabinet. Prac- tically speaking, I don’t think that a legislative amendment could take place before the fall session, but we understand that there is a need in the community and an interest in the community. The area is relatively small, about 1.2 hectares to be removed. J.

Tegart:To the minister: thank you for your comments. On June 4, 2018, I sent a letter to you. In the last para- graph, I respectfully requested that you take any possible steps at your disposal to expedite the boundary adjustment and disposition of the 1.1 hectare portion of lot 7547 for the purpose of the fire hall.

Part of that request was the fact that the volunteer fire department had been able to secure stor- age for their equipment over the first winter, but it indic- ated to me that while we were able to store our fire apparat- us in heated storage at private locations along the lake, this will no longer be possible for the coming winter season. That was this winter that we just went through. Therefore, we are respectfully asking…. They were requesting my help in get- ting this site procured as quickly as possible.

Now, I sent my letter to the ministry on June 4, 2018, and Tuesday, April 9, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8275

the minister responded on November 20, 2018. In ministry world, that may be very expeditious, but in Loon Lake world, that is a lifetime. As we know, fire protection is so incredibly important, particularly when you’ve gone through the exper- ience that those people have gone through. On the letter of November 20 from yourself, you indicated that there was a public review that needed to happen. Once the public review period is over, all comments will be reviewed and the final decision-making process initiated. So I assume we’re at that stage. [11:25 a.m.] I guess my question is….

We have a building season that is quite short in the north. If we don’t see the next step, which needs legislation in order to complete that, done this fall…. There has been an indication to staff or to the people of Loon Lake that it may not be till next spring, and they have now gone since 2017 without a fire hall. I know that the ministry tabled Bill 16 this spring. I was a little bit disappointed that we didn’t see Loon Lake included. I would ask the minister: are there any other opportunities for this group to expedite the protection of their com- munity? Hon. G.

Heyman:Thank you to the member for the ques- tion and for representing her constituents. What I would say is that certainly we’ d be looking at mak- ing an amendment no later than the fall session. We’re also looking at if we have any tools available to us to expedite that decision. My staff would be happy to sit down with the mem- ber and talk about what…. We have to examine whether we actually can use those tools, but we’ d be happy to brief her. J.

Tegart:I just want to share and put on the record that for the public consultation process that was undertaken, 109 responses were received, 107 in favour of park bound- ary adjustment for the construction of the new fire hall. So there is a great deal of support in the area for this location. Also, another comment that was shared is…. If this is not a possibility, then the purchase of private land, rather than using Crown land, will result in a significant impact to the tax base there. I guess what I’m asking for from the minister is…. I think you said that you had not been briefed yet.

I’m hoping that what we’re looking at is a briefing that says this is a great idea and that we will do everything we can to secure that site as early as possible. But if that is not the case, then I think it would only be fair to the people of Loon Lake to indicate to them, as they wait, that they may ha

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20190409am-Hansard-n235
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20190409am Hansard n235
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	6e8178d93a640eeb26ef418178140810faaab784

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