First Session, 43rd Parliament

Official Report

of Debates

( Hansard )

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 56

The Honourable Raj Chouhan , Speaker

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

Contents

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Statements

Firefighting Response in Cariboo-Chilcotin

Lorne Doerkson

Introductions by Members

Statements

Firefighters and Emergency Responders in Quesnel

Sheldon Clare

Introductions by Members

Tributes

Ritta Sigvardsen

Hon. Lana Popham

Introductions by Members

Speaker’s Statement

Guidelines for Members on Rules of Debate and Decorum

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill M213 — Drug Use Prevention Education in Schools Act

Steve Kooner

Members’ Statements

Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductees

Lorne Doerkson

Legislative Assembly Reconciliation Action Plan

Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat

Langley Foundation Community Work

Jody Toor

Mental Health Week

Harwinder Sandhu

B.C. Beef Day and Contributions of Ranchers

Ian Paton

Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society

Steve Morissette

Oral Questions

Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Beds and Facilities

Claire Rattée

Hon. Josie Osborne

Government Reimbursement Payments for Rural Health Care Specialists

Sharon Hartwell

Hon. Josie Osborne

Mental Health Wellness Checks by Police Officers

Rob Botterell

Hon. Garry Begg

Mental Health Crisis Response Services

Rob Botterell

Hon. Josie Osborne

Forensic Psychiatric Services for Persons with Severe Mental Illness

Anna Kindy

Hon. Josie Osborne

Involuntary Care for Mental Health and Addiction Issues

Tony Luck

Hon. Josie Osborne

Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Beds and Facilities

Brennan Day

Hon. Josie Osborne

Licensing of Specialist Physicians

Reann Gasper

Hon. Josie Osborne

Bruce Banman

Access to Health Care Services in East Kootenay Area

Pete Davis

Hon. Josie Osborne

Scott McInnis

Health Care Services and Government Priorities

Peter Milobar

Hon. Josie Osborne

Tabling Documents

Office of the Ombudsperson, public report, No Benefit, Period: How a Flawed Audit and Unjust Legislation Left People Scrambling

to Repay the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers , May 2025

Petitions

Sheldon Clare

Orders of the Day

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (continued)

Elenore Sturko

Hon. Garry Begg

Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (continued)

Kristina Loewen

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson

Proceedings in the Birch Room

Committee of the Whole

Bill 7 — Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act (continued)

Steve Kooner

Hon. Niki Sharma

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

The House met at 10:03 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Jennifer Blatherwick.

[10:05 a.m.]

Introductions by Members

Hon. Lana Popham : Today is one of the very best days we have at the Legislature. It is B.C. Beef Day.

I’d like to introduce the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association into the Legislature today.

Please welcome Werner Stump; Brian Thomas; Brett Squair; Brad Chappell — Brad, thanks

for the sausages a couple weeks ago; Kevin Boon; Paul Devick; Corey Lepine; Julie-Anne

Puhallo; Andrea van Iterson; Patrick Whittaker; Graeme Fowler; Andrea Haywood-Farmer;

and David Pollard.

I’d also like to introduce members of the Breeder and Feeder Association — Lindy Gilson,

Mike Gilson, Ken Fawcett, Denise Dowswell and Bob Miller.

I’m sure that everybody is excited to join us at the back of the Legislature today

for B.C. Beef Day.

Bring your best appetite and your best rural attitude.

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside : We are really honoured today to be joined in the gallery by members of the B.C. Building

Trades.

These are representatives of people who work literally building British Columbia in

every sector, in every corner of the province, from bridges to hospitals to schools

to every piece of infrastructure that we need in order to grow our economy and to

build good jobs for people. They invest in training for their members. They provide

important resources, lead initiatives, and advocate on behalf of those in skilled

trades.

Today we are joined by Brynn Bourke, the executive director of the B.C. Building Trades;

Jordan Reid, the director; Phil Venoit, business manager from IBEW 230; Rob Sheck

from the Insulators; Doug Parton from the Ironworkers; Paul Beacom from the Ironworkers;

Corry Anderson-Fennell from LiUNA; Steve Davis from Sheet Metal Workers; Jason Pedersen

from Sheet Metal Workers; and Jim Noon from UA 324.

Would the House please join me in making them feel very welcome in this place.

Hon. Rick Glumac : As we have challenges with our neighbours to the south, we have to remember that

we still have many allies and friends from the United States, and some of those friends

are with us here today on the floor.

I would like to introduce the Hon. Denny Heck, Lieutenant Governor of the state of

Washington; the Hon. Sharon Shewmake, who is a state senator representing the 42nd

district of Washington state; and Hon. Lisa Wellman, state senator representing the

41st district of Washington state.

They are supported today by the Lieutenant Governor’s chief of staff, Dallas Roberts,

and policy and international relations staff, James Rolph, who are up in the gallery

today.

Would the House please make them all feel welcome.

Kiel Giddens : I want to echo the Minister of Labour in welcoming folks from the B.C. Building Trades

back to the Legislature. I know they are regulars here and important for building

the construction projects that we all need in this province.

I also want to welcome today…. It’s important for all types of workers and all types

of contractors to be welcomed in this House.

I want to thank the folks from CLAC, who will be here, as well, today to meet with

folks in the Legislature: Ryan Bruce, Nathan Matthews, Kristine Cavey, Brad Bent,

Troy Payne, Rob Schmidt, Josh Pastoor, Jeremy Thompson and Mary Lavery.

Also, we have members from the Progressive Contractors Association collaborative working

with their labour partners: Paul de Jong, Darrel Reid, Dan Baxter, Keri Salvisburg,

Rob Muir, Rieghardt van Enter and David Hoff.

Will the House please make all of them very welcome.

[10:10 a.m.]

Hon. Mike Farnworth : It’s a pleasure to recognize someone in the House from the 20th century, who was

elected back in 1991 for the riding of Surrey-Cloverdale and who is sitting over there,

Ken Jones.

I remember working with him during those times that he was in this House. It’s nice

to see him back, looking well.

Would the House please make him welcome.

Statements

Firefighting Response

in Cariboo-Chilcotin

Lorne Doerkson : I just wanted to offer up my most sincere thank-you to the 150 Mile fire department,

which was assisted yesterday by the Williams Lake, Miocene and Wildwood fire departments,

along with B.C. wildfire; and a boatload of thanks to Martin at Pioneer Log Homes,

who, frankly, saved the “Timber Kings” business in the Cariboo-Chilcotin.

It was a very serious fire. It was a prescribed burn that escaped its boundaries,

and we could have seen a horrible loss. As it is, we saw a pretty big loss there yesterday.

It highlights just how dry our landscape is and how we need to be very concerned.

It could have been a very, very serious loss.

I’m very happy to thank Pioneer Log Homes and the “Timber Kings” for what they do

for Cariboo-Chilcotin. They’re an amazing company.

I spoke with Bryan Reid Jr. and Sr. yesterday and this morning. They are extremely

thankful for the help.

Introductions by Members

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : There’s a friend in the House today. For the new MLAs, maybe you don’t know him as

well. For those MLAs that have been around a long time, this gentleman has been a

very consistent viewer of our proceedings. Lynn Klein is back in the House today.

Those of you know that for many years, Lynn has been a retired paramedic and committed

a lot of his time to come to the chamber to watch the proceedings, support all members

in their speeches. Often, you’ll hear him come down and say, “I liked your comments.

I appreciate what you’ve done” — maybe not to me as much, but to others. I haven’t

seen him in a while, and it’s lovely to see him.

I hope the House can please welcome Lynn Klein back to the House.

Brennan Day : I’d like to join the Agriculture Minister and introduce a few fellow Islanders from

the Comox Valley that are in the gallery today from B.C. Cattlemen’s and Vancouver

Island Cattlemen’s.

My good friend Brad Chappell, along with his wife, Alita, and sons, Hayes and Cowan,

with Heart of the Valley Farms just recently set the B.C. bull sale record for Red

Angus breed stock at a whopping $20,500 at the buckskin bull sale in Clinton. If you

know Brad, you know that’s not the only bull he’s famous for.

That’s for you, buddy.

Also on the precinct today is my good friend and neighbour Patrick Whittaker with

the Whittaker Cattle Co. and Wayne and Marie Schaad from Cedar Meadow Ranch. It’s

great to see the Comox Valley agriculture community so well-represented here in the

House.

Please make them all feel welcome.

Trevor Halford : I heard it’s been done already, but a guy of this stature needs two introductions:

former MLA Ken Jones, who is a proud resident of White Rock.

Ken has also done a lot of work on rail relocation — he comes to see me quite often

on that; and has worked on the MLA alumni association. I think he is past membership

chair.

I want to thank Ken for all his work, much appreciated.

Welcome back, Ken.

Hon. Ravi Parmar : Somewhere in the House…. I haven’t located them just yet. Fraser Lake is in the House

— Mayor Sarrah Storey, who is just an incredible advocate for her community.

I had a chance to be able to visit Fraser Lake not too long ago and spend some time

in community. It’s always great to have her here in Victoria, fighting hard for her

community. I know the Minister of State for Local Governments met with her, as did

several other members on this side of the House.

In addition, she has her CAO, Ethan Fredeen, who is relatively new in his role and

is here for his first time in question period.

Will the House please join the team from Fraser Lake and make them feel very welcome.

Amelia Boultbee : I am honoured to be joined by two constituents from my community today, Rob and Maureen

King.

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

[10:15 a.m.]

Hon. George Chow : I would like to welcome a dear former colleague that many of you in the chamber will

remember from his time working here in the Legislature. I’d like to introduce Aaron

Leung, who is sitting in the gallery.

Welcome, Aaron, and thank you for all the work you did in the last election as my

campaign manager and continue your work as president of the EDA.

Would the House please make Aaron feel welcome today.

Statements

Firefighters and Emergency

Responders in Quesnel

Sheldon Clare : I want to acknowledge the hard work of the Quesnel volunteer fire department last

night in trying to protect the Sprout Kitchen and the Nourish food bank, a food bank

that feeds some 500 households every month, 356 of them with children. These were

both heavily damaged in a fire last night.

Many thanks to the emergency responders — fire department, paramedics and police —

who worked so hard to keep the public safe.

Hopefully, we can get these services restored very quickly.

Introductions by Members

Hon. Brenda Bailey : I would like to welcome to the House Jesse Gervais. Jesse is a gentleman who worked

in JEDI when I was the minister there.

One of the funny things that can happen in this House is you don’t know someone, and

you’re asked to do a rural tour, and the two of you are on the road together for a

week. I had that experience with Jesse and learned that he’s a person of deep integrity

who cares so much about rural development. Fraser Lake is so lucky to have him on

their team. We miss him.

Welcome to the House, Jesse.

Heather Maahs : I would like to welcome the high school students from Timothy Christian School —

I’m not sure if they’re here yet — from my riding in Rosedale in Chilliwack North.

Welcome, high school kids, today.

Amna Shah : I am so delighted to welcome a dear friend and a former colleague, Aaron Leung, to

this House.

Aaron has an exceptionally exemplary work ethic and an even bigger heart. I am so

proud of how far he has come. He is now with TransLink as a senior adviser. I would

like to welcome him and also the rest of the TransLink team here.

Would the House join me in making him feel very welcome.

Jeremy Valeriote : I am very happy to introduce this House to my spouse of nearly 14 years, Virginia

Cullen.

You don’t have to stand.

An engineer by training, after a long career in the private sector, Ginny is now in

public service, working for the resort municipality of Whistler.

A wonderful mom and role model to our daughters. We all know how challenging this

is on family back home, and Ginny meets this with grace and love. She is the love

of my life and allows me to stay focused while I’m here.

Would the House please make her feel welcome.

John Rustad : All of us here obviously spend lots of hours away from home, away from family, doing

the job that we have been elected to do. Of course, it is our honour to be able to

do that, but we miss many events.

Today is Kim’s and my 30th wedding anniversary, and tomorrow is her birthday.

I just wanted to say that I miss you, Kim, and I love you.

Harwinder Sandhu : As we celebrate B.C. Beef Day here, this would not be possible without Vernon’s beloved

House of Q. Brian Misko and his wife, Corinne, from House of Q in Vernon are here,

working so hard grilling, smoking and making a boatload of beef for all of us. House

of Q started by using Mom’s stockpot, and they make award-winning barbecue sauces

and spices.

Q is one of the most awarded barbecue sauce and rub companies around the world. They

have won more than 200 awards over the last 18 years.

Would the House please join me to welcome Brian and thank them and their team for

working hard and also wish them a very happy upcoming wedding anniversary that Corinne

and Brian are celebrating on June 6.

Jordan Kealy : I want to add to the Minister of Agriculture and welcome the Cattlemen’s Association,

as well as any farmer that advocates on the behalf of other farmers.

[10:20 a.m.]

The Cattlemen’s Association really has done an amazing job at providing different

resources and helping farmers across the province, including when there are wildfires.

It’s much appreciated. I may not have so many cattle anymore, but it’s great to see

an association doing the hard work.

These are people that normally work a full-time job to be able to do the farm as well.

It’s a way of life, and it’s not something you just leave behind you if you don’t

like it.

I really want to give a big shout-out to them and that I appreciate them.

Without farmers, there’s no food.

Tributes

Ritta Sigvardsen

Hon. Lana Popham : I rise on a sadder note this morning. My family this morning will have lost a family

member. Ritta Sigvardsen, my step-grandma, who is Danish — so maybe better said, my

stedmormor or, from the Danish culture, my bonus grandma — at the age of 95, will

have left us this morning.

On Sunday, I went to say goodbye to her and to tell her how much she was loved by

our family. She made it very clear to me that she wanted me to express something in

the House today. She has left us at ten o’clock this morning, as she’s participating

in medical assistance in dying, otherwise known as MAiD.

I just want to thank her for her contributions and just to say: rest easy, Stedmormor

Ritta.

Introductions by Members

George Anderson : I have the great fortune of being able to introduce two individuals in the House

today, Alex Lin and Kana Dong.

First off, in the world, it’s not very fair when there’s a shaker of talent. Some

people get a little bit too much. Alex, he’s an opera singer, a piano player. The

list goes on and on; all the talent is right there — badminton champion.

We also have Kana, who is a small business owner, as well, and moved from Toronto

to British Columbia.

It just goes to show that British Columbia is a great place to live, where young people

are choosing to raise their families and also stay here. I have to say that when we

have people like Kana and Alex here in British Columbia, British Columbia’s future

is bright.

I hope that the entire House will join me in welcoming them.

Lorne Doerkson : I, too, am pretty happy it’s Beef Day today. There’s going to be incredible grilling

going on out behind the Legislature. I’m grateful that advocates are here for the

industry, but I did want to single out a couple of those individuals.

The first one is Andrea Haywood-Farmer. Not only is she an amazing advocate for the

cattle industry but also for everything water in this province. She’s an amazing woman,

and I’m certainly proud to know her.

I also wanted to single out Cory Lepine, who does the incredible work of being a cow

cop in this province. While that sees all kinds of challenges, Cory has been instrumental

in very serious situations that have happened along our highways and byways with respect

to accidents and all kinds of different other things.

I want to gratefully thank both of those individuals and, of course, the entire delegation

that is here today to advocate on the part of ranchers and farmers in our province.

Rohini Arora : Every year the B.C. College of Family Physicians hands out awards to particular recipients

that are displaying excellence and having an immense impact on their communities.

This year a constituent of mine, Dr. Nimeera Kassam, who belongs to the Ismaili Muslim

community, received this award.

Would everyone in the room make her feel very happy and congratulated for all of her

amazing impact on our community. Give her a big round of applause.

Sunita Dhir : I also want to acknowledge the presence of our dear friend Aaron Leung, who works

with TransLink.

[10:25 a.m.]

He has extensive experience of working in constituency offices and election campaigns,

and he helped me get elected. His knowledge and his values are so impressive, and

I’m very happy to welcome him with his team from TransLink.

Would the House please make them feel welcome once again.

Speaker’s Statement

Guidelines for Members

on Rules of Debate and Decorum

The Speaker : Hon. Members, as always, the Chair is keenly observing debates of the House and wishes

to offer a few reminders to members about decorum and rules of debate.

First, the Chair reminds members of the sub judice convention. This long-established

parliamentary practice requires members to exercise restraint in debate as it pertains

to matters that are before a court of law or that are subject to an active police

investigation.

The purpose of this convention is to ensure that the debates of this House, which

unfold in a very public manner, do not unfairly influence the judicial or investigative

processes. Members are encouraged to consult Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia , fifth edition, from pages 175 to 182, to better understand the sub judice convention

and its application to debate in the House.

Second, the Chair reminds members that the rule of anticipation applies during oral

question period to both questions and responses that touch on bills before the House.

If a bill is on the order paper, the appropriate time to canvass its contents is during

the debate on the bill, including at second reading and in committee.

As noted in Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia , fifth edition, at page 324, a general inquiry regarding background or the subject

matter of the bill may be in order, depending on how the matter is framed in the context

of contents of the bill. As always, the Chair retains final discretion on the procedural

admissibility of a question and a response.

Third, the Chair reminds members of the practice of presenting a petition, which is

outlined in detail in Parliamentary Practice in British Columbia , fifth edition, from pages 362 to 363. When presenting a petition, a member is to

be brief, which the Chair defines as being no more than 15 seconds.

Fourth, the Chair reminds members of Standing Order 17B(4), which provides that clothing

and badges with brand names, slogans, advertising or messages of a critical nature

are not permitted to be worn during proceedings of the House. This includes things

such as pins and laptop stickers. Members are asked to be mindful of this rule and

to follow the Chair’s direction as it may apply to the enforcement of this standing

order.

Lastly, the Chair asks members to be respectful of one another and this institution

in debate. The Chair recognizes that the days are long and that the work is not easy,

but the Chair calls on all members to be temperate in debate by engaging with one

another respectfully and thoughtfully, avoiding inflammatory language and focusing

on the substance of arguments rather than personal criticisms.

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

Bill M213 — Drug Use Prevention

Education in Schools Act

Steve Kooner presented a bill intituled Drug Use Prevention Education in Schools Act.

Steve Kooner : I move that a bill intituled Drug Use Prevention Education in Schools Act, of which

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

time now.

I rise today to introduce the Drug Use Prevention Education in Schools Act, a bill

to address the drug crisis affecting B.C.’s youth.

[10:30 a.m.]

Our province is experiencing a drug crisis that’s devastating all aspects of society.

The crisis is visible on the streets of our cities and towns, which is contributing

to the deterioration of public safety and is harming children at school. Opioid poisonings,

overdose deaths and normalization of drug use have reached alarming levels, killing

children, devastating families and straining communities. We need to address the crisis

with conviction.

In society, we are seeing a normalization of drug use, and the normalization of drug

use sends mixed messages to young people and blurs the line between compassion and

permissiveness. It is our duty to do everything we can to protect and support young

people in B.C. This bill puts the health of youth first, by bringing common sense

back to classrooms.

This bill will require schools in B.C. to deliver clear and consistent anti-drug messaging.

It mandates that school curricula explicitly discourage drugs and focus on the health,

social and legal consequences of drug use. Additionally, schools will display anti-drug

messages in hallways and classrooms and host educational sessions for students and

parents to raise awareness and foster resilience.

This bill is designed to prevent further tragedies by educating youth about the deadly

impact of drugs. We have a duty to protect the next generation.

I urge all members to support this bill and send a strong message to every student

in B.C. Drug use is dangerous, and prevention matters.

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

Division has been called.

Motion approved unanimously on a division. [See Votes and Proceedings .]

[10:35 a.m.]

Steve Kooner : I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the

next sitting of the House after today.

Motion approved.

Members’ Statements

Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductees

Lorne Doerkson : It’s rodeo season in Cariboo-Chilcotin, starting with our Spring Classic indoor rodeo.

It was an absolute honour to introduce the 2025 inductees into the B.C. Cowboy Hall

of Fame at the Spring Classic a few weeks ago. What a lineup it is this year.

[10:40 a.m.]

I want to make a special thank-you to the Westwick Ranch and, of course, Patti Gerhardi,

the chair of the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum of the Cariboo-Chilcotin for their

work in preserving and celebrating the history of British Columbia’s pioneers. I am

honoured to introduce this year’s three inductees to this House.

Merv Churchill and his family have managed the Falkland Stampede for 105 years — yes,

105 years. He won the Merritt rodeo in 1963 and the Falkland Rodeo in 1961 for bull-riding,

and eventually became the rodeo manager in Falkland. Sadly, Merv passed away last

November, but his legacy will live on here.

Daryl Mills has been a fierce competitor in cowboy sports. He has represented B.C.

at the National High School Finals Rodeo and was the FCA and NRA bull-riding champion

in the amateur leagues. He has won the rookie of the year, the Canadian bull-riding

champion and the NFR bull-riding average. To top it all off, he was the bull-riding

world champion at the NFR in 1994.

Gene Allen was a saddle bronc rider. He was a steer wrestler, a rodeo organizer, BCRA

president and rodeo stock contractor. His love for bucking horses led him to begin

his own breeding program, GJ Rodeo Stock Contractors, whose quality horses have performed

in some of the world’s largest rodeos in Texas, Calgary, Ponoka and, of course, the

Williams Lake Stampede.

These inductees have left a legacy of hard work and grit. It is an absolute honour

to celebrate them in this House today.

Mr. Speaker, I hope to see you and all the members of this House at the world-famous

Williams Lake Stampede every July long weekend.

Legislative Assembly

Reconciliation Action Plan

Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat : The Legislative Assembly reconciliation action plan outlines the commitments and

actions that the Legislative Assembly will undertake to contribute towards reconciliation

with Indigenous Peoples. The plan recognizes the need to address historical injustices

by acknowledging the past and working to build new relationships with Indigenous People

based on their respect and understanding.

In developing a reconciliation action plan, the Legislative Assembly is committed

to reconciliation as a core value to guide its multi-year planning. To develop the

reconciliation action plan, the Speaker, supported by the Clerk, engaged directly

with First Nations communities and leaders to listen and to learn from their perspectives.

The plan outlines specific actions that the Legislative Assembly will undertake to

promote and include Indigenous culture, language, traditions and representations within

our institutes and in its proceedings. This plan is not a static document to sit on

a shelf but a living document that will evolve with further input and dialogue. In

the spirit of true collaboration, the Legislative Assembly will continue to engage

and collaborate with Indigenous Peoples as it develops and takes specific actions

to implement each of the plan’s commitments.

Why is reconciliation important to the Legislative Assembly? In recent years, people

have come to better understand B.C.’s dark history in its relationships with its original

inhabitants. Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is part of our collective responsibility

as we seek to better understand and move forward from the history.

The Legislative Assembly reconciliation plan sets out five commitments that will focus

on our actions to advance a meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples over

the next four years: understanding, education, inclusion, representation and commemoration.

Further details of the implementation of the initial and future actions will be developed

based on continued engagement.

Langley Foundation

Community Work

Jody Toor : Today I rise to recognize and celebrate a movement that is quietly but powerfully

reshaping the heart of Langley, a movement grounded in the values of community, care

and deep love for the place we call home.

Langley is more than a collection of streets and parks. It is a living, breathing

community rich in history, full of culture and filled with opportunity. It’s where

families grow, friendships form and dreams take root. It’s where people genuinely

care for one another.

That spirit of care is embodied by the Langley Foundation, led by executive director

Paul Weme, a man who has lived in Langley for over 40 years, raised his family here

and is devoted to seeing our community thrive. At its core, the foundation believes

in one simple principle: to leave Langley better than we found it. How do we do that?

By building community, by loving Langley in a tangible, lasting way.

[10:45 a.m.]

The foundation’s vision supports safeguarding our history, expanding our parks and

trails and enhancing public spaces that bring people together. These initiatives don’t

just add beauty. They create belonging. They foster connection. They turn strangers

into neighbours.

Thanks to generous donors and community partners, the foundation has already completed

several major projects: Memory Grove, a tree-planting legacy that honours those we

hold dear; the Sperling Trail, which will soon connect to Ponder Park; and exciting

upgrades underway at Ponder Park itself — all designed to make Langley more walkable,

green and welcoming.

The real power of these projects lies not in the concrete or trees but in the community

they build. Every new path and park becomes a meeting place. Every tree planted is

a reminder that we are investing in a future beyond ourselves. Every donation, big

or small, is

an act of love for Langley.

This is a call to action, not just for Langley but for communities across our province.

Let’s champion the causes that bring people together. Let’s support the projects that

turn towns into homes. Let’s build community, and let’s love our communities the way

the Langley Foundation loves Langley.

Together we will create a brighter, greener and more connected future.

Mental Health Week

Harwinder Sandhu : From May 5 to 11, Canadians across the country are marking national Mental Health

Week. This year’s theme, unmasking mental health, asks us to be real, to look beyond

the smiles and brave faces and to have real conversations, honest conversations, about

how we’re truly doing.

Today I stand not only as a representative for Vernon-Lumby but as someone who has

walked this journey myself, and I have helped others during their tough times. Like

many, I know how it is to carry silent battles, to wear a smile while struggling underneath,

afraid to show cracks. I know the strength it takes just to get through some days,

and I know how much it matters when someone simply sees you, listens to you and reminds

you that you’re not alone.

That is why we need to continue to hold hands and to make people feel welcome. In

Vernon, the Canadian Mental Health Association is doing incredible work together to

help people fighting these challenges.

That is why we must continue with our commitment to do our part to build onto the

progress we’re making, investing in Foundry in Vernon and the expansion of the mental

health unit at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, as well as supporting organizations and the

primary health care network; training more mental health care workers, as we do under

the HCAP program; supporting local organizations; and creating a culture where vulnerability

is met with kindness, where no one feels that they have to fight their battles alone.

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply say, “I am struggling,” and I know

that someone will be there to answer by saying: “I’m here.”

B.C. Beef Day and

Contributions of Ranchers

Ian Paton : Happy Beef Day here in B.C. at the Legislature.

Today we’re celebrating the hard-working ranchers who provide some of the finest feeder

and cow-calf operations in Canada. From the lush green pastures of the Fraser Valley

and Vancouver Island to the rugged hills of the Cariboo-Chilcotin, the Peace, the

Kootenays and the Nicola region, our B.C. beef is known for its exceptional quality

and flavour.

An important part of our local economy, our farmers and ranchers are some of the most

skilled and dedicated agricultural producers in the province, and they play a crucial

role in supporting rural communities and sustaining our food supply.

They are some of the most resilient people. They have faced many challenges over the

years, from fires to drought, flooding, mudslides, loss of grazing tenures, loss of

water rights, losses to predators and skyrocketing feed prices. Yet they continue

with the family tradition, coping with meagre profits.

Let’s briefly consider some of the things on a rancher’s mind when they get up in

the morning, starting with the cost of production, the cost of feed that they provide

to their cattle. Feed prices can be extremely volatile. Ranchers are at the mercy

of the weather, global supply chains, drought and the orange man in the White House.

It’s the same story with machinery and equipment. Tariff uncertainty is just one more

headache that ranchers now face.

That is why it is so important to support these folks that raise and feed cattle in

this province. By choosing B.C. beef at our farmers markets or our local grocery stores,

we’re not only getting a locally grown and humanely raised product, but we’re helping

to sustain a high-risk family business.

[10:50 a.m.]

Let’s recognize the volunteers who serve in leadership roles in the B.C. Cattlemen’s

Association, the B.C. Association of Cattle Feeders, the B.C. Breeder and Feeder Association

and the B.C. Dairy Association.

We owe you all a debt of gratitude.

Today we’re not just celebrating resilience. We’re celebrating a fabulous lunchtime

beef barbecue, so let’s raise a glass and a fork to the hard-working people who keep

our plates full and our taste buds happy.

Thank you to all the B.C. ranchers and farmers out there. We appreciate everything

you do.

Lower Columbia

Affordable Housing Society

Steve Morissette : Today I rise to express my deepest appreciation and admiration for Jan Morton and

the Lower Columbia Affordable Housing Society. An amazing woman leading an organization

whose work is transforming lives across the Lower Columbia region of Kootenay-Monashee.

Since its establishment in 2013, the housing society has become a cornerstone of housing

stability and social resilience in our region. Today it proudly operates 56 units

of housing — 15 in Trail, for seniors and families; a fourplex in Rossland, serving

seniors and small families; and the remarkable 37-unit Rossland Yards development,

purpose-built workforce housing paired with the new Rossland city hall on the ground

floor, which is designed not only for governance but also for inclusive community

use.

This fall, 31 more homes will open in Fruitvale, offering safe, energy-efficient housing

to seniors, families and adults with diverse abilities. These are homes built not

just with wood and concrete but with purpose, inclusion and dignity.

The housing society’s success is a testament to partnerships with B.C. Housing, Columbia

Basin Trust, CMHC, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and local champions like

Teck and Kootenay Savings Credit Union. But most of all, it’s a testament to the thousands

of hours contributed by the dedicated volunteers on the Lower Columbia Affordable

Housing Society board over the last 12 years.

I would also like to take this time to recognize the Trail Villa Society, now replacing

23 aging units from the ’50s with a beautiful new 41-unit building. This, too, is

how we build a better future together.

To everyone involved: thank you for showing what’s possible when community leads the

way.

Oral Questions

Mental Health and Addiction

Treatment Beds and Facilities

Claire Rattée : Regan battled schizophrenia and addiction for 30 years, cycling in and out of hospitals,

supportive housing and the streets — never stable and never safe. Last May Regan overdosed

and died soon after.

Regan needed access to a facility equipped to provide the long-term, compassionate

care that is necessary for those battling complex and debilitating mental health challenges.

But in B.C. today, that type of care simply does not exist. Regan wasn’t violent or

a criminal. He could not access a bed at Surrey Pretrial. He needed a bed in a place

like Riverview.

When will this government bring in secure, medically supervised long-term-care facilities

for people with severe and persistent mental illness and permanent brain injuries?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question. It is always challenging to hear of situations

like the member has described of this individual.

We all want and need people to get the care that they deserve and require. That’s

why this government has been so committed to building up a system, a continuum of

care, a continuum of voluntary care, and also understanding that some individuals

who are not able to seek the care that they need and who may present a danger to themselves

or to others also deserve care.

That’s why we have committed, as the member and all members of this House know, to

involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act and provided the clarification for

clinicians, psychiatrists and others to understand how to interpret and apply that

act.

That’s why we have opened involuntary care, why we are moving forward with approved

homes and why we will continue to move forward with the supports that people need.

[10:55 a.m.]

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Claire Rattée : Respectfully, to the minister, “committed” has not actually given any results yet.

As I stated, an involuntary care bed is not what Regan needed. Regan was finally receiving

the quality care that he needed at Riverview before it closed. Regan’s grieving mother

told me that her son was at South Hills twice. It didn’t work. He left delusional

and unmedicated and was returned to emergency departments by police.

What’s needed is not another temporary patchwork program. What’s needed is a facility

to provide compassionate care like Riverview — a permanent, secure environment for

people who cannot live safely on their own.

Will the minister commit today to funding and building facilities that actually meet

the needs of people like Regan so that they can maintain a reasonable quality of life

and not end up on the streets?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you again to the member for the question.

It was not this government that took the decision to close the Riverview facility

in a way that left people without the supports that they need.

This government has invested in the Red Fish Healing Centre, a place that provides

the type of complex care and supports for people not just dealing with serious mental

health issues but often with concurrent issues, related issues, to do with substance

use disorders and sometimes acquired brain injury as well.

Red Fish Healing Centre is a place that provides 105 beds. I’ve been able to visit

myself. I encourage the member. I hope that she is also able to visit to see the incredible

care that is provided for people there.

This government has committed to expanding this form of treatment. This government

is committed to expanding complex care housing, the type of supportive recovery housing

and to do everything that we can to build that system of support for people experiencing

issues like these.

I really appreciate the questions from the member.

The Speaker : Members, before I recognize the next member, I want to caution all members not to

use electronic equipment during the question period. Please turn your laptops and

cell phones off.

Government Reimbursement Payments

for Rural Health Care Specialists

Sharon Hartwell : A question to the Minister of Health.

The northern and isolation travel assistance outreach program provides funding for

approved physicians who visit communities and provide medical services to rural communities.

There are 30 specialists that travel to the Bulkley Valley District Hospital regularly.

This side of the House has recently learned that not one of these 30 specialists are

up to date on their reimbursement payments, some waiting as long as six months.

A simple question to the minister. Why have these 30 specialists not been paid on

time?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question and the question around better supports

for people living in rural and remote communities.

We know that they face inequities when it comes to accessing specialists. So programs

like these, programs that the member describes, are an important part of delivering

those services to people living in rural and remote communities.

I’ll take the question on notice, to take back to my staff and get the answers that

the member is seeking. I appreciate it.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Sharon Hartwell : Respectfully, to the minister, her ministry has known about this issue since 2024.

In fact, a letter was sent to the rural practice programs branch of the Ministry of

Health detailing the scope of the problem. It said: “Positions remain hard to recruit.

One of the main barriers cited is the delay or lack of payment from the NITAOP program.”

People are waiting for up to nine hours to see a doctor, and they’re waiting months

for a specialist. Now the specialists are talking about withdrawing their much-needed

services. Dr. Chruscicki provided care to patients at the Bulkley Valley District

Hospital and hasn’t received any of his 2024 expenses reimbursed to date. We cannot

lose any access to specialists in B.C.’s north.

Why does this government continue to put rural and remote health care at risk?

Hon. Josie Osborne : As in my last answer, I’ve taken her question on notice.

Again, she raises a really important point around access to specialists and rural

recruitment. This government understands just how important it is to build and strengthen

our health care workforce, to train more physicians here in British Columbia, which

is why we have expanded the UBC medical school with new seats….

[11:00 a.m.]

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members, both sides.

The member also knew that the first question asked was taken on notice, so she asked

the same question. The Chair allowed it.

Minister, if you are taking it on notice, if you want to explain it, it’s up to you.

It’s your prerogative.

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you very much, hon. Speaker. I do want to explain, because the member points

out so rightly how there’s work to do to continue to strengthen our health care workforce

so that people have access to the health care when they need it and where they need

it.

That’s why we’ve expanded the UBC medical school. That is why we have added a new

medical school at SFU…

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh. Shhh.

Hon. Josie Osborne : …specifically to support family physicians in rural communities. That’s why we have

taken action with incentives for nurses, physicians and others to travel and to work

and live in rural communities.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

Please conclude.

Hon. Josie Osborne : We are going to continue this work. We know just how important it is, and we are

not going to stop.

Mental Health Wellness

Checks by Police Officers

Rob Botterell : When British Columbians seek help for a loved one experiencing a mental health crisis,

they should know this help will not result in tragedy.

Wellness checks are a tool to check on the physical or mental well-being of an individual

who may be in distress. Typically conducted by police, without the support of a mental

health team, wellness checks have resulted in increased harms or even death to the

individual who needed help. Police officers have expressed they are not the appropriate

response for mental health crises.

My question is to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. How will the

government address the failures in wellness checks and this year, in 2025, transition

our mental health crisis response away from police officers and towards peer-assisted

care teams?

Hon. Garry Begg : Thank you to the member opposite for the question.

In this province, there has been a considerable amount of time investing in teams

that combine police and mental health workers. It is a program that is ongoing and

has been successful. It is a program that we’re going to continue into the future.

The whole crux of the issue is the ability to meet the needs of the client, this person

who is calling the police for help or someone who is calling the police on their behalf.

It’s not always a police response, as you correctly noted, but the combination of

a police person and a mental health worker is what we’re striving to achieve, and

we are continuing.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Mental Health Crisis

Response Services

Rob Botterell : Understanding the complex needs of people experiencing crisis requires professional

response and expertise in mental health issues. Investment in programs like CRCL —

crisis response, community led — offer a person-first approach to those experiencing

mental health crises with trained responders to de-escalate and provide safety and

support. This government has delayed rapid expansion of mental health services like

CRCL.

My question to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General: what are the ministry’s

targets in 2025 for increasing the number of communities that have access to life-saving,

non-police mental health response services?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question.

It is so important that we continue to make investments in different ways of approaching

issues that face society, and one of those is how we can best help people who are

experiencing a crisis.

The member is right. It is not always appropriate to send emergency responders or

police officers to a situation. That’s exactly why peer-assisted community teams —

now called CRCL, crisis response, community led — are teams that send people out to

help people facing these kinds of crises.

We are expanding and creating new CRCL teams. I had the opportunity just last week,

together with others, to visit the Victoria-based CRCL team and to witness firsthand,

literally standing in the room, surrounded by support workers who received a call

and were able to act quickly to respond to a person’s crisis.

[11:05 a.m.]

This is a mental health worker, a peer support worker, being dispatched instead of

police and providing immediate crisis counselling and resources.

We have teams that are operating in the North Shore, Victoria, New West, Prince George,

Comox Valley. I’m going to have more to say soon about how these teams are expanding.

They are already responding to over 5,800 calls alone last year, doing incredible

work, and we should all be very grateful to them.

Forensic Psychiatric Services

for Persons with Severe

Mental Illness

Anna Kindy : The B.C. Review Board oversees cases for people found not criminally responsible

or unfit to stand trial. Over half of the referrals are not in custody when they go

before the board. Their latest report, which the government received, shows a 97 percent

increase in serious offences like sexual and aggravated assault and an 83 percent

jump in major crimes like murder.

B.C. and other centres no longer accept forensic patients. B.C. has just one forensic

hospital for 5.6 million; Ontario has 11 for over 15 million. We have seen a dramatic

increase in serious offences in the past two years.

When will this government provide real services that address this crisis rather than

continual band-aid solutions?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question.

The province’s Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, operated by the Provincial Health Services

Authority, provides an incredibly important service to British Columbia by being able

to hold and being able to treat those people who are undergoing often severe mental

illness issues, sometimes combined with concurrent substance use issues and others.

There are already thousands, 2,000 beds across British Columbia that do support this

type of psychiatric service for people outside of the forensic system, outside of

our criminal justice system.

This government understands just how important it is to provide the appropriate supports

for people in the right places. That’s why we’re continuing to expand those supports

outside of our forensic system. For example, that’s why we’re going to continue to

build up a continuum of voluntary care as well as enabling involuntary care where

it is appropriate and where it is required.

This is an important issue in our society today, and I appreciate the way that this

House can speak both compassionately and also appropriately about these serious issues

that we face.

We’re deeply committed to doing this work, and we’re going to continue to do it.

Involuntary Care for

Mental Health and Addiction Issues

Tony Luck : After eight years in government, it’s clear that the NDP is utterly failing on the

public safety and mental health crisis. They made the problem worse with their reckless

policies and again, with pressure from this opposition, flip-flopped on involuntary

care. Lives are being lost, and communities are living in fear.

If it’s not a lack of evidence, tragedy and family pleas, is it simply political risk

aversion that’s stopping the Premier from modernizing involuntary care?

Hon. Josie Osborne : This government is incredibly committed to helping people with different types of

needs, with different types of care that they need, as they face some of the most

serious issues of their lives. We understand, for example, how the toxic drug crisis

has already taken far too many people and that intervention is required to help people

facing these crises.

This government understands that involuntary care is compassionate care for those

people that are experiencing the most severe concurrent disorders — mental health

illnesses, substance use issues, and often with an acquired brain injury. We have

canvassed it many times in this House. We understand that there are some people who

are not able to seek the care they need and that we are balancing issues of community

safety, of public safety within individuals’ rights.

That’s why we recently opened the Surrey Pretrial Centre with ten beds. That’s why

later this month we will be opening approved homes, 20 more beds in Alouette, in Maple

Ridge.

[11:10 a.m.]

That’s why the Premier has committed to continue to expand involuntary care where

it is needed up north, other places in British Columbia. We’re committed to this work.

We’re going to continue to do it.

Mental Health and Addiction

Treatment Beds and Facilities

Brennan Day : The minister stood in question period and stated there are over 3,700 publicly funded

treatment beds across B.C.

But with a modicum of scrutiny, that real number turned out to be 800 that are actual

clinical live-in treatment beds, the kind that provide evidence-based therapy with

medical oversight. The rest are supported recovery housing, with no mandatory medical

treatment required.

To the minister: why is your government padding the numbers, and how can families

trust that their loved ones in crisis will get real help, not just a mattress and

a glossy self-help brochure?

Hon. Josie Osborne : It is so disappointing to hear the member’s characterization of a support system

that is being built to help people who are facing some of the most challenging issues

in their lives.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members. Members, shhh.

The minister has the floor.

Hon. Josie Osborne : To listen to the opposition, one would think there was only one kind of treatment

and that all treatment must be bed-based, when we know that in order to meet the needs

of people where they are at, there are a whole range of services and supports that

they need.

Every single person’s recovery journey is different. That’s why it is so important

to be able to provide the types of services that people need. Yes, some bed-based

treatment is required, and that’s why we’ve continued to build out the system of voluntary

treatment beds.

Supportive housing is also required, being able to support people who are able to

live at home but need that support — enabling people to access quick services through,

for example, the opioid treatment access line, where a person can, on the same day,

speak to somebody about their issues and receive the help that they need around opioid

agonist therapy.

That’s just one example. We’re going to continue this program. We’re going to continue

this suite of programs from intervention and education through to treatment, recovery…

The Speaker : Thank you.

Hon. Josie Osborne : …and the services that people need.

Licensing of Specialist Physicians

Reann Gasper : A Canadian-trained neurologist endorsed by B.C. Cancer, endorsed by Abbotsford Regional

Hospital and endorsed by Fraser Health has been blocked from completing her training

due to bureaucratic contradictions between licensing and residency systems.

Foreign doctors can buy residency seats and then leave the province, but Canadian

citizens backed by local hospitals can’t get access, even when they offer to sign

a return-of-service agreement.

Why is this government allowing red tape to block Canadian-trained specialists from

serving communities that desperately need them?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you to the member for the question — again, highlighting the importance of

doing everything that we can to ensure that foreign-trained physicians are able to

come and practise here in British Columbia.

That’s why we’re working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons….

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members, let the minister answer the question, please.

The minister will continue.

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you, Speaker.

That’s why we’re working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons to streamline

and reduce the red tape associated with the credentialing and licensure of physicians

here in British Columbia. We’re going to continue that work.

As the House knows, we have recently announced the changes that are coming to help

U.S.-trained physicians come here to British Columbia.

[11:15 a.m.]

We know there is more work to do. We’re going to continue to do that with provinces

across Canada around the licensure of internationally trained physicians here in B.C.,

because we know that B.C. is a terrific place to live, a terrific place to work, to

raise a family. That’s why we’re going to continue to do this work to build up the

workforce of family physicians and specialists, because we need them here in British

Columbia.

Bruce Banman : The Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre is facing a neurology collapse.

Two positions remain unfilled, a third is on the brink, and there is no overnight

neurology coverage on the horizon.

Local leadership has the funding, has a willing, Canadian-trained, qualified candidate,

but government policy won’t let them move forward.

Now, this minister is all too happy to wrap herself in the flag, but here we have

a Canadian-trained, willing candidate.

Why is the minister blocking Abbotsford from filling critical neurology positions?

Hon. Josie Osborne : I appreciate the member’s advocacy. He and I have had the chance to canvass this

issue.

As he knows, we are doing everything that we can to streamline, to speed up the licensure,

the credentialing process for people who are trained elsewhere and come to Canada,

Canadians who leave to get trained and come back.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

Hon. Josie Osborne : We know that we are experiencing a global shortage of health care workers, and that

includes…

Interjections.

The Speaker : Shhh, Members.

Hon. Josie Osborne : …specialists like the member describes. That’s why we have to continue to double

down on this work and work with the college, for example.

I’ll appreciate the opportunity. As I said, I’ve had the chance to talk to the member

about this before. I will gladly take up the opportunity to talk to him specifically

again and encourage any member who has issues or has questions about physicians in

their riding to come to me in my office as well.

Access to Health Care

Services in East Kootenay Area

Pete Davis : Just two weeks ago in Cranbrook, two nurses were attacked by the same patient. Our

hospital is overwhelmed, operating at 110 percent capacity, with patients stuck in

hallways with no space to care for them properly.

Recently a child died because they couldn’t get airlifted in time. A child died because

they couldn’t get airlifted. Every week more people are brought in for mental health

appointments and then left on their own — no ride home, no help, nothing.

Is this what this government calls a working and successful health care system?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Anytime a child dies is an incredibly tragic event. My heart goes out to the family

of this young person and to the community.

It’s stories like these that motivate us all to do everything that we can to continue

to strengthen our health care system here in British Columbia, because we have so

much to be proud of.

There are incredible physicians, nurses and health care workers who every single day

are giving everything that they can for the health, wellness and safety of British

Columbians. I hope, and I would say to all of them who are out there listening to

us, that the discussion we’re having here in the House in no way diminishes the work

that they are doing, because they are doing absolutely extraordinary work.

This government has committed to continue to build a health care system so that it

is here for British Columbians when and where they need it. This is what I wake up

every single day thinking about. This is the work that this government is committed

to doing, and this is exactly what we’re going to continue to do.

[11:20 a.m.]

Scott McInnis : With all due respect, we don’t want any more thoughts in rural B.C. We want help.

For decades, border communities in my riding relied on Alberta hospitals for acute

care. It was faster, it was closer, and it was life-saving.

Now that access has been cut off, patients are being forced to wait longer, travel

much farther and suffer worse outcomes.

Can this government give the people of the East Kootenay a legitimate reason why they’re

putting a failing system ahead of patients?

Hon. Josie Osborne : I know that the member comes from a rural community, as do I, and understands just

how important it is to continue to support people in rural communities, because the

issues of inequity that people face are serious.

That’s why this government continues to invest in incentives and programs to bring

more health care workers into rural communities. That’s why this government has invested

so much in our emergency response system, building out ambulance stations, adding

paramedics, adding 24-7 coverage into these communities so that when patient transfers

need to occur and, most importantly, when somebody needs to call an ambulance at the

time, calling 911, needing to have that service there, it is there for people.

As a former mayor of a rural community, as a resident of a rural community almost

all my life, I understand just how deeply this affects rural communities. I will give

that member my solid commitment to continue fighting hard, to working with this government

to continue investing in rural communities to make it easier for people to access

the health care when they need it.

Health Care Services

and Government Priorities

Peter Milobar : I cannot believe that the Health Minister just stood up and praised their investments

to the ambulance service when the previous question before that was about a child

that died waiting for air ambulance service out of that exact same region for medical

care.

It’s no wonder this is the government that needs sledgehammer legislation under the

guise of saying that’s the only way they can build a school quickly, because we’re

eight years into this government, and they cannot build anything to do with treatment

in any timely way. Today….

Interjections.

Peter Milobar : For eight years, we’ve heard “deeply committed,” “much work to do,” “continue the

work,” “we’re working on a continuum of care.” The only programs they repeatedly point

back to are Foundry and Red Fish, and those were both started under the previous B.C.

Liberal government, not this government. Eight years people have been waiting.

Maybe it’s because when we asked the Premier about imparting carbon tax on dirty coal,

he said, on February 24: “If it was easy to do, absolutely, we would do it.” That

attitude seems to have permeated every minister in his government on any topic.

The Speaker : The question, Member.

Peter Milobar : When can we reasonably expect to see defined timelines and deliverables around things

like forensic care up in the North that we’ve been asking about?

Cross-border service access for the Kootenays. Proper treatment beds that are actually

providing treatment, not, as we heard, a mattress and a glossy brochure.

When will the government actually deliver any form of deliverable charts so we can

track their progress, instead of this bouncing ball of “we’re deeply committed, and

we care”? That’s not cutting it anymore.

Hon. Josie Osborne : We’ve had the chance to canvass a lot of health care questions here. One question

that I haven’t been asked is what they would do differently.

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members, shhh. Members.

Members, come to order.

Hon. Josie Osborne : Let’s be clear about what the opposition’s choices would be. They would drain doctors….

Interjections.

The Speaker : Members.

[11:25 a.m.]

Hon. Josie Osborne : They would drain doctors and nurses from our public health care system. They would

make it so that people waited longer and would pay for worse care.

Interjections.

[The Speaker rose.]

The Speaker : Members, a few minutes ago I talked about this. The member must be temperate and

respectful. A question was asked. Now let’s hear the answer. You may not agree with

the answer, but you have to be quiet.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Member, are you listening or not?

[The Speaker resumed their seat.]

Hon. Josie Osborne : In a closed-door meeting last summer, the opposition leader asked if he would allow

for paid health care. He said that the Canada Health Act stops him from doing that

for now. He said that he hopes to change that, and I quote: “That’s what the silly

Canada Health Act is all about, but hopefully, one day we’ll get some changes there

as well.”

That’s what’s shameful.

[End of question period.]

Tabling Documents

The Speaker : Hon. Members, I have the honour to table the Ombudsperson of British Columbia’s report

No Benefit, Period: How a Flawed Audit and Unjust Legislation Left People Scrambling

to Repay the B.C. Emergency Benefit for Workers .

Petitions

Sheldon Clare : I rise today to present a petition on behalf of the Quesnel-Hixon Road Restoration

Association signed by 1,256 petitioners provided by the Cariboo regional district

director for electoral area B to recommission the Quesnel-Hixon Road.

Orders of the Day

Hon. Mike Farnworth : In this chamber, I call continued debate for the estimates of the Ministry of Solicitor

General.

In the Douglas Fir Room, I call continued estimates debate for the Ministry of Social

Development.

In the Birch Room,

Section C, I call continued committee stage on Bill 7.

[11:30 a.m.]

The House in Committee,

Section B.

The committee met at 11:35 a.m.

[Mable Elmore in the chair.]

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of

Public Safety and Solicitor General

(continued)

The Chair : I call the committee to order and ask the minister to move the vote.

On Vote 42: ministry operations, $1,121,960,000 (continued) .

Elenore Sturko : I just have one final question related to the B.C. Coroners Service.

I had received a letter from a father who lives in Haida Gwaii. His beloved son died

by suicide, and he was involved in body removal service.

I’m not sure if the ministry also received this letter. It lays out, basically, the

details of the son’s history with body removal service, some of the numbers of cases

that the young man had been involved in. There are actually some very graphic pictures

of some of the scenes that this young gentleman had attended.

Contained within this letter is actually just a really tragic story of a person who

did a job that’s needed in our province. It’s a very respectable thing that people

do on behalf of other British Columbians, and he didn’t receive the help that he needed.

The contractors who work for companies that are, in turn, contracted by the province

to do these services don’t provide, on their own, necessarily, supports for their

contract employees. Even as a former police officer, the photos of the scenes that

this person went to are horrible.

On behalf of this family and others involved in this type of work, does the government

have any plans, or does the chief coroner have any plans or framework, for really

offering better support or even providing extra services? It can go to assist those

who are involved in this type of body removal service and cleaning up after traumatic

scenes in the province so that we can try to better support people like this young

man and others like him who are doing this work.

Hon. Garry Begg : It’s tragic, and I feel badly for the family of this young victim. The work that

he did in this community is valued work.

[11:40 a.m.]

I would say that it’s unfair to tie his suicide to his occupation in the sense that

there are, as we all know, many factors that lead a person to commit such

an act.

The body removal and body storage service of the B.C. Coroners Service is integral.

It becomes quite difficult in areas like you mentioned. It’s remote. It’s distant.

The chief coroner has committed to examining the entire system so that it responds

better to those in the circumstances that you describe.

There are mental health services in the province that are made available to the family

and to the members, and there is an ongoing effort to upgrade the services that are

available, particularly in remote communities.

Elenore Sturko : I appreciate that. I hope that it would be a proactive effort on behalf of the government

to reach out specifically or at least engage individuals, even if they’re subcontractors,

involved in this work.

I will provide this to the minister in case you don’t have it. I think there’s information

here that would suggest that it was related to the occupation, especially given the

disturbing nature of some of the cleanups that this person was involved in, involving

incidents with SkyTrain and transit and some very serious cleanups.

I’m heartened to hear that looking after the mental wellness of people engaged in

this type of crucial service is important, and I hope that also includes proactive

efforts to reach out to those who may be impacted.

I’m going to move away from the B.C. Coroners Service and go back to talk about some

stuff happening in our neighbourhoods: retail crime and some other street disorder.

This last fall there was a provincewide safe streets survey that was conducted by

Save Our Streets coalition. It found that 55 percent of respondents to this survey

said the level of crime activity in their community had increased, and 88 percent

say that they believe that additional crimes go unreported in the province due most

significantly to a lack of confidence in the justice system.

Some 50 percent of respondents say that they fear for safety, and almost three in

four people say that crime and violence are impacting their quality of life in their

community. Respondents overwhelmingly indicate they’re willing to support new approaches

by the police, justice system and all levels of government to address opioid consumption,

retail crime and public safety.

Another forum was recently held on retail crime, and a representative told the media:

“The issue is the volume of theft — not single items, but multiple items, entire shopping

carts full of items. It’s also the violence, assaults, the number of illicit marketplaces

where items are being resold.” Vancouver police say shoplifting reports have increased

12 percent, year over year, with nearly one third of all incidents happening in cities’

downtown cores.

My question to the minister. Police argue that the problem is actually worse than

numbers indicate, with many incidents of retail crime going unreported. The Save Our

Streets coalition across the province found that 47 percent of respondents have lost

confidence in police. What is the minister doing to help rebuild confidence in policing

across the province to ensure that crime is reported and that police are supported?

[11:45 a.m.]

Jody Toor : Seeking leave to make an introduction.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

Jody Toor : I’m delighted to welcome St. Catherine’s elementary school’s grade 5 students to

the chamber today. These young minds are the future leaders of our community, and

it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to learn about provincial government and civic

engagement.

Let’s make sure to give them a warm welcome as they tour the halls of our Legislative

Assembly.

Thank you for joining us, students. We hope you enjoy your visit today.

Debate Continued

Hon. Garry Begg : It’s important that we understand, and I know you do, that we have engaged the community.

We have become engaged with the community because of the prevalence of these types

of activity, particularly in our larger centres. Vancouver, for example, has a tremendous

problem, as does Prince George and Surrey, to a lesser degree.

What we have done is met proactively with many community groups, not just the one

you mentioned but all of those who have an interest, to discuss how we can better

fight organized crime at this level. I say organized crime by meaning that there is

a group of individuals who make their living by their organization of shoplifting

on a very large commercial level.

We, as you know, have invested a tremendous amount of money in the RCMP across the

province — $233 million. We’ve also engaged with service groups — in other words,

mental health and other service providers — who will attend or are attending to the

needs of the perpetrators of these crimes.

I will say that we have developed what is called a CSTEP program, which is a community

integrated enforcement team that will be at work across the province so that there

is a concerted and concentrated effort on the items that you articulated.

[11:50 a.m.]

When we met with the community groups and they expressed their concern, our response

was to immediately put in place…. In Vancouver, for example, Project Barrage was one

of the very successful programs. We are continuing to meet with our partners so that

we can target specifically those individuals and groups which are causing the biggest

problem.

Elenore Sturko : Thanks to the minister for that question. It’s actually the answer to the question

that I was going to ask next, about specific initiatives related to addressing the

retail theft.

Is there anything specific, though, that the minister is looking at doing to rebuild

confidence in policing? With that number of people, 47 percent of respondents to that

survey, saying that they just don’t have confidence and they’re not bothering to report,

the problem that we’re dealing with could be much more significant than we might recognize.

We may, in fact, not be receiving calls for service, which then also affects the way

that police are resourcing things at the street-front level.

What specifically is the ministry doing in the ’25-26 budget to help rebuild that

public confidence in police reporting of criminal activity?

Hon. Garry Begg : Confidence in policing is something, of course, that is built over time. In the policing

community, it’s often built upon making the visibility of police much higher — in

other words, on the streets. The mere presence of a police car or a policeman walking

on a turf is important because that serves to strengthen the influence that they have

on that community.

In order for police work to be done, it must be seen to be done. The way that policing

often accomplishes that is flooding areas, making sure that everyone sees the presence

of police and police in action, targeting, as it were, specific offenders. By seeing

that work done, the confidence in the police, I suspect, will dramatically rise.

Hon. Chair, I move that the committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again.

Motion approved.

The Chair : This committee stands adjourned.

The committee rose at 11:54 a.m.

The House resumed at 11:54 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Mable Elmore : The Committee of Supply,

Section B, reports progress on the estimates of the Ministry

of Public Safety and Solicitor General and asks leave to sit again.

Leave granted.

Jennifer Blatherwick : Committee of Supply,

Section A, reports progress on the estimates of the Ministry

of Social Development and Poverty Reduction and asks leave to sit again.

Leave granted.

Jessie Sunner :

Section C reports progress on Bill 7 and asks to leave to sit again.

Leave granted.

Hon. Josie Osborne moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The Speaker : This House stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. today.

The House adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

Proceedings in the

Douglas Fir Room

The House in Committee,

Section A.

The committee met at 11:32 a.m.

[Jennifer Blatherwick in the chair.]

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of

Social Development

and Poverty Reduction

(continued)

The Chair : Good morning, Members. I call the Committee of Supply,

Section A, back to order.

We are meeting today to continue the consideration of the budget estimates of the

Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

On Vote 43: ministry operations, $5,747,116,000 (continued) .

Kristina Loewen : We’ll continue asking questions. I was on the category of executive and support services

and overhead.

Is the ministry tracking internal productivity metrics for executive and support services,

and if so, can the minister table performance indicators for that division and whether

it is meeting them?

[11:35 a.m.]

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson : As we were describing yesterday, the executive and support services category or line

item is actually distributed amongst almost everything that touches ministry service

delivery. So the performance metrics are on the actual delivery of service that the

member described yesterday. Wait times. How long does it take to answer a phone? Did

everybody get their cheques on time? How quickly is an application for PWD processed?

The activity that’s happening in the executive and support services line that the

member describes is not like a single team; it’s part of almost every team. It’s basically

the back office that supports everything that ministry delivers, so it’s all policy,

all finance, freedom of information, deputy minister’s office — everything that supports

the front line.

Kristina Loewen : What exactly is the public getting for the extra $2.5 million in overhead spending

since 2022-2023? Please provide a breakdown of new staff positions, salaries and contracts

under this line item.

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson : That’s also something that we’ll undertake to provide in writing. We don’t have the

data from those years and, certainly, are very happy to provide for the member the

different operating conditions and environments between those two years, between that

big gap in time.

Kristina Loewen : Can the minister table all external consulting contracts awarded under executive

and support services since 2021? Please include vendor, value, purpose and justification.

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson : That’s all public information, so we’re happy to point the member to where she can

see it online.

[11:40 a.m.]

Kristina Loewen : How many staff in the division earn over $100,000 annually? Please table a breakdown

of compensation levels for all management-level positions in executive and supportive

services.

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson : That’s also all publicly available, all published online, and we’re happy to provide

a link for the member.

Kristina Loewen : Given the need to target limited funds to those most in need, will the minister commit

to capping executive and support services spending in 2025-26 at 2022-23 levels and

redirecting surplus to front-line benefits instead?

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson : As the member knows, executive compensation is set by the Public Service Agency and

not by my ministry. The member could take this up with the Minister of Finance during

estimates.

Kristina Loewen : Does the minister believe that the ministry is achieving better results for the public

with this larger administrative apparatus? Given the minister’s budget review mandate,

will she commit to a full audit of executive and support services to identify functions

that could be consolidated or eliminated?

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson : Without accepting the premise of the member’s question and also noting that…. We

have a lot of planning and policy work built into the ministry that did not exist

before the NDP took government in 2017.

For example, B.C. was the last place in the country to have a plan to tackle poverty.

We’ve now developed two, and we push and work across government to make sure that

every ministry has investing in people to combat poverty as part of their central

work. So the first part of the question…. I don’t accept the premise.

But absolutely — and the member knows it’s written into my mandate letter, as it is

in every minister’s mandate letter — we are looking at every part of our operations

to find efficiencies, to make sure that spending is focused on making the biggest

impact on the lives of British Columbians. The focus of looking at every program and

the way that we deliver it and who delivers it is all about focusing on outcomes for

people.

We will be working also…. Protecting and strengthening critical services is my commitment

and also the instruction in my mandate letter.

Kristina Loewen : I’m going to ask a couple questions about HEART and HEARTH programs.

Can the minister confirm how many people SDPR supported with income or disability

assistance under the HEART or HEARTH programs in the 2023-24 fiscal year? What percentage

of encampment residents were successfully linked to financial supports?

[11:45 a.m.]

Hon. Sheila Malcolmson : Thank you to the member for giving me the opportunity to talk about our community

integration specialists, because they are gems.

The HEART and HEARTH program is administered by the Minister of Housing, so I’m not

going to be able to give the member the numbers about HEART and HEARTH outcomes that

she was asking for. But I’m sure that the Housing Minister would be happy to provide

that.

But let me take the opportunity to talk about the element that SDPR provides to the

HEART and HEARTH work. For the benefit of the public, or at least my parents who I

think are watching, we as a ministry have returned outreach workers as a way to connect

people who have become alienated from service and are, in this case, without housing.

Community integration specialists go and meet people where they are. We had a team….

At the time that we adopted the homelessness strategy in British Columbia, when the

Premier was at that time the AG and the Housing Minister, there were 73 community

integration specialists. We now have 187, in every corner of the province.

They provide expedited intakes for income and PWD assistance. They receive shelter

and health requests so that they then work with those teams to connect people with

supports. They do case management, homelessness outreach, coordination of housing

inspections, referrals and inquiries from community partners, coordination of services.

They are embedded in Aboriginal friendship centres, in every corner of the province,

and drop-in centres or in OPS. It could be anywhere that people that have been alienated

from services and are without housing might be.

We have more than doubled the number of CIS specialists already. They have successfully

distributed encampment fire suppression equipment, in partnership with the Ministry

of Housing and Municipal Affairs, B.C. Housing and the Ministry of Public Safety,

and have also been really important to attach people to the ReVOII team and also the

coordinated access and assessment tables that connect people with housing.

With that, I move that the committee rise and report progress and ask leave to sit

again.

Motion approved.

The Chair : This committee stands adjourned.

The committee rose at 11:49 a.m.

Proceedings in the

Birch Room

The House in Committee,

Section C.

The committee met at 11:31 a.m.

[Jessie Sunner in the chair.]

Committee of the Whole

Bill 7 — Economic Stabilization

(Tariff Response) Act

(continued)

The Chair : Good morning, Members. I call Committee of the Whole on Bill 7, the Economic Stabilization

(Tariff Response) Act, to order.

We are on clause 14.

On clause 14 (continued) .

Steve Kooner : So on clause 14, next…. My colleague here from Kelowna-Mission was asking questions

about international agreements last time in regard to clause 10, I believe. I have

a similar question for clause 14.

Can the Attorney General provide maybe a detailed legal analysis of how clause 14

interacts with Canada’s obligations under the Canada, United States, Mexico agreement?

If there is agreement in place, what would this do, and how would it affect B.C.?

What would be the legal consequences? Would there be any sort of consequences legally

and also financially for B.C.?

[11:35 a.m.]

Hon. Niki Sharma : This is an enabling power to provide a charge for B.C. infrastructure. It’s to do

with putting a toll, fee or charge on that infrastructure.

Now, where you would get into a trade agreement is through differential treatment.

This falls in line with the discussion we’ve had on almost every part. We are a country

and a jurisdiction that abides by our trade agreement except in this context, where

we are experiencing a bad actor in our trade agreement.

This could be designed, and it would be at the time when the regulation was created.

So you’d have to do that legal analysis depending on the actual place that you’re

deciding to put or to use these powers.

If you are treating one government differently than another, then a trade agreement

could be implicated, depending on the context. But the idea and the tool is there

to make sure that in the context of a bad actor, like America in this trade war, we

have a tool to target that. In that context, the bad actor is already breaching the

trade agreement.

Steve Kooner : Some trade agreements involve multiple parties or multiple countries, such as this

one that I just referenced. It has Mexico in there. We see that there’s traffic from

Mexico. We have migrant workers here; we’ve got people doing business here. I think

that until recently there was no visa requirement to come from Mexico to Canada. That

may have changed.

We’re dealing with the agreement, and say, if there’s a bad actor in regards to clause

14 here…. We’re talking about tolls. We’re saying that we’re going to circumvent this

trade agreement because there’s a bad actor, but there’s still another party there

that’s not a bad actor. How do we reconcile that?

Hon. Niki Sharma : Again, this would be something that could be analyzed if you ever were in a situation

where the cabinet wanted to use any of these powers. At the time of making the regulation,

you could consider how to use not only clause 4 but, in line with clause 18, to design

it in a way that only impacted the target of your retaliatory measure and not other

targets.

Steve Kooner : Just in regards to that point, currently we’re dealing with the Attorney General’s

department right here and now, but later on another minister that is not part of the

Attorney General portfolio may be looking at this. Then we are looking at legal issues.

Would the Attorney General’s office be working in coalition with that other ministry?

There are some legal questions here.

Hon. Niki Sharma : In my ministry, with my role as being the chief legal officer and our team here being

the legal team that advises government, of course, we would be very much advising

with any legal implications or legal analysis to do with anything. The other part,

I would say, is that this is a cabinet decision, so the use of this power would involve

a discussion of all ministers at that table.

Steve Kooner : Thank you for answering that question. Once again, I thank the Attorney General’s

staff for all the hard work they’re doing today to provide answers.

[11:40 a.m.]

Going further, I have a question about the administration of such a tolling provision.

Has the government conducted any feasibility studies, procurement planning or interagency

consultations to assess the regulatory enforcement and administrative infrastructure

needed to collect and enforce tolls, under clause 14, across provincial undertakings

such as B.C. Ferries or key highways?

Hon. Niki Sharma : As an enabling piece of legislation, it gives the power to the minister and the cabinet

to do the things that we have set out. The Ministry of Transportation understands

how to do these kinds of things. As we know, in the history of the province, there

have been times where there have been tolls on certain infrastructure in B.C.

I just would say that, as an enabling piece of legislation that we hope never to use,

the time of making a regulation would be the time that the analysis of how and if

that particular charge or toll would be implemented, given the skills of the Ministry

of Transport with history and knowing how to do this. And clauses like the ones we

will get to, clause 16, allow for a contemplation of arrangements that could be in

place about how to do it.

Steve Kooner : A follow-up question to that.

Normally, when we get a piece of legislation, even enabling legislation, it’s there

after considering what tools we need. And once you figure out what tools you need,

you do the legislation.

My question is: did the Attorney General’s office review the exact tools are that

are needed to actually collect tolls and enforce tools? Was that done because…? We

have legislation here, and there has to be some sort of structure to the legislation.

It must be enabling of something. It must be enabling of certain tools.

Basically, going back to the question, were there studies done in terms of the tools

that are needed, and does this actual legislation actually address those?

I understand that the Attorney General has said that the appropriate ministry would

know how to operate these. But my respectful submission is that to come up with the

legislation…. Obviously, in that legislation, even in enabling in nature, there would

be a purpose to it, right? There would be a purpose to it, and it would allow certain

tools to work. So was there some of that study done?

Hon. Niki Sharma : Exactly what the member is asking is contained in the clauses of the bill. My team,

along with the Ministry of Transport and any other relevant ministries that understand

how charges or fees could be collected into infrastructure, worked together to understand

which enabling powers are needed in order to implement such a regime. Those are exactly

the clauses that we’re talking about today.

With that, I move that the committee rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again.

Motion approved.

The Chair : This committee is now adjourned.

The committee rose at 11:44 a.m.