British Columbia Hansard — 10 April 2019, p.m., Issue 237 (41st Parliament, 4th Session)

20190410pm-Hansard-n237

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Afternoon Sitting Issue No. 237 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 Wednesday, April 10, 2019 Afternoon Sitting Page Routine Business Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8315 Joe Enook R.

Chouhan Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 8315 Tributes ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8317 Dave Mannix D. Routley Introduction and First Reading of Bills................................................................................................................................ 8317 Bill 28 — Zero-Emission Vehicles Act Hon.

M. Mungall Bill 29 — Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2019 Hon. D. Eby Bill M208 — Welfare Payment System Reflection Act J. Thornthwaite Bill M209 — Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2019 A. Weaver Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 8319 Public safety lifeline volunteers J. Rice Armand Denicola S. Bond Support for the arts S. Chandra Herbert Hong Kong–Canada Business Association T. Wat Contributions of volunteers A. Kang Autism awareness M.

Stilwell Speaker’s Statement ................................................................................................................................................................. 8321 Conduct of MLAs and rules for question period Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 8322 Impact of caribou protection plan on jobs M. Bernier Hon. J. Horgan T. Shypitka Hon. D. Donaldson Consultation on caribou protection T. Shypitka Hon. D.

Donaldson Woodwynn Farms and herbicide use A. Olsen Hon. S. Robinson Consultation on caribou protection S. Bond Hon. D. Donaldson Impact of caribou protection plan on jobs J. Rustad Hon. D. Donaldson Relocation of land title records and First Nations consultation P . Milobar Hon. D. Donaldson

Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8327 M. Bernier S. Furstenau Orders of the Day Second Reading of Bills .......................................................................................................................................................... 8327 Bill 21 — Forest and Range Practices Amendment Act, 2019 Hon. D. Donaldson J. Rustad S. Furstenau S. Thomson Hon. C. Trevena C. Oakes R. Leonard D. Routley Hon. D.

Donaldson Bill 15 — Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act, 2019 Hon. L. Popham M. de Jong A. Olsen Hon. J. Sims Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply .............................................................................................................................................................. 8357 Estimates: Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy(continued) P . Milobar Hon. G. Heyman R. Sultan

WEDNESDAY , APRIL 10, 2019 The House met at 1:35 p.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. Tributes JOE ENOOK R. Chouhan:On behalf of you, Mr. Speaker, and all mem- bers of the Legislative Assembly, I would like to offer condol- ences to the people of Nunavut and, in particular, the riding of Tununiq on the passing of their Speaker, MLA Joe Enook. Last October the member for Powell River–Sunshine Coast, the Acting Clerk and I had the pleasure of meeting Speaker Joe Enook through a Commonwealth Parliamentary Associ- ation in Iqaluit. Joe Enook passed away in late March after a brief illness.

Speaker Enook was born in an outpost camp near Pond Inlet in 1957 and lived in other camps before his family settled in Mittimatalik, the Inuktitut name of Pond Inlet. He represented that community, located in the far north of Baffin Island, since he was first elected in 2011. He was a fierce promoter of the Inuktitut language and was known as a very hard worker. One of his lasting legacies, according to Premier Savikataaq, was his advocacy for the establishment of a small craft harbour in his community. Speaker Enook passed away on March 29 at the age of 61 after a short illness.

I ask the House to please join me in expressing our sorrow to Joe’s loved ones, his constituents and the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut. Introductions by Members T. Redies:I’m absolutely delighted to introduce some old friends in the House today. Barry Macdonald is the chair of the CPABC, the Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C., a former retired partner with PwC, somebody I worked together with when I was at HSBC for many years. Lori Mathison is the CEO of the CPABC and also the chair of the Vancouver Board of Trade. Great to see you, Lori.

Jamie Midgley is the executive vice-president of the CPABC and a former colleague of mine that I worked with for many years at HSBC. Absolutely delighted to welcome you to the House today. I wish all members would join me in welcoming you. [1:40 p.m.] Hon. C. James: I see a surprise guest in the Legislature today. On my behalf and on behalf of the Leader of the Third Party, I’ d like to introduce and welcome the former mem- ber for Oak Bay–Gordon Head, former Minister of Finance, former Minister of Health, former instructor at Royal Roads, small business owner.

Anyone who lives in Oak Bay or Vic- toria knew that one of the best garden shops to head to was the shop owned by the person who is here today. Please help me welcome back Elizabeth Cull. A. Weaver:I would like to join the Finance Minister in welcoming Elizabeth Cull to the chamber. For those who know, they will no longer be able to come to the riding of Oak Bay–Gordon Head, which is now extended beyond Foul Bay to Richmond and which included the old Dig This shop on the corner of Foul Bay and Oak Bay. That shop, unfortu- nately, is now closed.

Y ou’ll have to go, my friend, the member for Saanich North and the Islands, to a Dig This store. Or I believe, the Broadmead would be in the member for Saanich South…. There are still two. I highly recommend them, bought lots of supplies there. Would the House please once more make Elizabeth Cull feel very welcome. Hon. M. Farnworth:Today, as part of National Volunteer Week, we’re joined by a number of Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer Award winners who’ve distinguished themselves with their extraordinary contributions to their communities.

These dedicated people and their colleagues conduct air and ground search and rescue missions, help extricate victims trapped by motor vehicles, set up communications networks and coordinate services for victims of natural disasters. I’ d like to introduce the following Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer winners for 2019: Deb Chmara for her work with emergency support services; Les Sakals, our search and res- cue award winner; John Lamb, our winner from PEP Air; and Doug Barry, our emergency communications winner.

Doug sadly passed away in 2016, but his widow, Irene Iso- bel, and one of his sons, Grant Barry, are here to accept in Doug’s honour. I’ d also like to recognize Dale Hark, winner of road res- cue, and Paddy Flanagan, who is our lifetime achievement winner for 2019. Their dedication and sacrifice is amazing, and I would ask the House to make each one of them most welcome. Hon. M.

Mark:I’m delighted to introduce some special guests that are in the chamber today, members from the Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C., and we had a robust conversation over lunch with members from the gov- ernment side of these chambers: president and CEO Lori Mathison; executive vice-president, regulation and registrar James Midgley; CPABC board chair Barry Macdonald; vice- president, external affairs and communications, Kerri Wil- cox. Thank you for your leadership. I want to acknowledge the 35,000 members, the volun- teers that are out there conducting financial literacy work- shops. They set the bar.

They’ve got a gold standard. All of 8315

those CPAs are coveted members on all of the public post- secondary institutions where we make appointments. Our government welcomes their ethical conduct and all that they do to make sure that we uphold those ethical standards here in British Columbia. Will the House please join me in wel- coming the CPABC. J. Thornthwaite:I have some special guests to the House today, fellow animal lovers from the SPCA: Craig Daniell, the CEO; Marcie Moriarty, chief prevention and enforce- ment officer; Dr. Sarah Dubois, chief scientific officer; and Geoff Urton, the general manager of strategy and innova- tion.

Could the House please make them welcome. M. Bernier:It’s an honour and pleasure today to intro- duce some constituents of mine who’ve made the long jour- ney down to be here today. Today in the House we have Kathleen Connolly, who is the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce in Dawson Creek and one of the co- founders of Concerned Citizens for Caribou Recovery. We have also Tim Schram, who is a third-generation small business owner and outdoor enthusiast in my riding and who was also a member of the Concerned Citizens for Cari- bou Recovery.

We have Dan Rose, who is the vice-chair of the Peace River regional district with us, as well as a city councillor from the forest-dependent community of Chet- wynd, Clay Bassendowski, who is here today, as well, to be part of something that I’m going to be doing with a petition at the end of question period. [1:45 p.m.] I really appreciate the fact that they took the long journey from the Peace country to be down here on such an import- ant issue. Would the House please make them welcome. N. Simons:Some of you might have heard some beautiful singing this morning in this building.

It was the Bellflower High School Choir, from Bellflower, California. They’ve been here before. They had an opportunity to sing in the rotunda; they sang in the library. They had an opportunity to meet Mr. Speaker, and they sang in his office. It just reminds us all, members opposite, of how we’ve talked about the importance of choir and bringing voices together, diversity together and building communities and friendships. Today they were really pleased to have the opportunity to visit here. They were really warmly wel- comed. We welcome them, and we will welcome them again. Thank you, Mr.

Speaker, for your hospitality. L. Throness:In the gallery today, we have a regular visitor, Jason Goertzen from Leading Influence. He brought with him a special friend, Travis Hutchinson, pastor of Shel- bourne Street Church of Christ in Victoria. Would the House please make them welcome. Hon. L. Popham:First, I would like to introduce my won- derful dad, Henry, and my wonderful stepmom, Lee-Ann. They’re visiting today from Mayne Island, doing some errands over here. This is literally the only time we’re going to see each other, so please play nice today. I love you guys. Thanks for being here.

I would also like to introduce a number of folks who participated in the Vaisakhi celebrations just moments ago in the Hall of Honour. With us today are the Sikh Y outh of Victoria; Khalsa Aid; Avtar Singh Dhillon of the Sikh Motorcycle Club; the Sikh Nation Blood Donation; Gian Singh Sandhu, who is also a recipient of the Order of B.C.; and the three Sikh gurdwaras of Victoria — the Khalsa Diwan Society, the Punjabi Akali Sikh Temple and the Gurdwara Singh Sabha of Victoria. Thank you for all you do to represent your communities and in being a part of the greater community. Y ou’re very valued. M.

Stilwell:Joining us in the gallery today will be 27 grade 5 students from École Oceanside Elementary School in school district 69 of my riding. They are accompanied by Ms. Raviglione and six adult chaperones, one of whom hap- pens to be my friend, and the CAO of the town of Qualic- um Beach, Daniel Sailland. The class will be touring the pre- cinct and learning about the things that go on inside and outside the chambers and about the legislative process — all the exciting things that go on here on a day-to-day basis. Would the House please make them feel very welcome. R.

Kahlon:I’ve got two special guests here today. Well, I have lots of special guests here today, but the Minister of Agriculture introduced some of them. Two, in particular, I want to introduce. One is Mark Gordienko, who is the former head of the longshoremen in Canada. He and I have been good friends for a long time. Now that the ferries are free, he finds himself more frequently visiting this chamber to come hear the proceedings. Today he brought someone very special to me. He brought my father-in-law, Gurmit Grewal, with him today.

They’ve got quite the friendship — quite the duo — so they travelled together today. I want to say a special thank-you to him. As many mem- bers in this House know, in order for us to do our work, it requires a lot of people back home to help with family and other things. I think my son sees him way more than he sees me. The other day my son was driving with him and was complaining that he had to go to tutor lessons. My father-in- law said to him: “Listen. Do you think I like taking you to tutor lessons? Y our dad told me I have to take you to tutor lessons.

We’re both in the same boat together. ” Since then, my son has been in solidarity with him. I want to thank both of them for being here today. Hon. M. Mungall:Zavier and I have some very special guests with us today in the House. Zavier’s grandmother, my mom, Carmen Mungall —et en français, on dit “mémère” — is here, along with her sister,matante, Jeanine Tenove. Zavier’s good friend George is also here. As always, Zavier 8316 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 10, 2019

is in his dress code but this time this lovely suit comes from Grandma, of course. Please may the House make them very, very welcome. [1:50 p.m.] M. Bernier: I appreciate following after the minister, because I want to acknowledge Geoff Morrison, who I know is in the gallery today as well. Geoff is with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. It’s great to see him here. As most people know, most of the oil and gas compan- ies that are in the province of British Columbia are CAPP members and specifically in my riding, so it’s great to see Geoff here today. A.

Olsen:It never ceases to amaze me the amount of con- nections on this side of the House to Mayne Island. Nonetheless, I would just like to pause for a moment and sayY SC̸ÁĆEL to Tiffany Joseph, ŚWXELOSELWET. Tiffany is a powerful woman from our community in W̱ JOȽEȽP, WSÁNEĆ. She also has heritage in the Squam- ish Nation on the North Shore. A true leader in our com- munity, she just ran in the North Saanich by-election — the first opportunity to run on the other side of the line, I would say — to seek a seat in municipal council.

She is doing very important work with respect to native plants, Indigenous plants, from our area and the restoration of a sacred place in our territory calledSṈIDȻEȽ. It’s a very, very important place to the WSÁNEĆ people. I ask that my colleagues here please raise their hands and welcome Tiffany Joseph to the House today. Hon. J. Sims: Today a lot of us from both sides of the House joined in with the Vaisakhi celebrations. A big shout- out to everybody who was able to make it happen. Thank you so much. I especially want to recognize today the musicians who played today at the Vaisakhi.

I met Amarjeet Singh, who is the founder of the Naad Foundation, in 2011, when he first came to Surrey and opened up a school, where he still teaches music. He has a master’s degree in music and many years of performing tabla solos. We have become very, very good friends. I know that my children really enjoy listening to them and come to many of the concerts they hold in Sur- rey. Amarjeet was joined by Baljit Singh, who is currently working as a teacher and performer in the Naad Foundation in B.C. as well.

Having that music added to the first Vaisakhi celebration in the people’s House made it extraordinarily special. So please help me welcome both of these wonderful musicians, who made their instruments talk and touched our hearts. B. Ma: I’ d like to take this moment to introduce to the House a very good man and a good friend of mine, a man named Dick Jones. Dick worked as the highways manager of North Vancouver, part of the Howe Sound district. He served with the Ministry of Transportation for 35 years.

He retired about 12 years ago, but he always had many, many fond memories of working for the province as part of the Ministry of Transportation. He also knew my partner grow- ing up, ever since he was a very small child. He was like a second father to him. Dick isn’t able to join us in the House today, but he is watching from the hospice at Peace Arch Hospital. I’ d really love to ask the members to please join me in thanking him for his service to this province. Hon. J.

Horgan:I, too, want to stand and say to all mem- bers of the House how wonderful it was to have the first Vai- sakhi celebration here at the Legislature today. The member from Surrey, the Minister of Citizens’ Services, just spoke about the band that played. I want to just reach out to my friend from Boundary- Similkameen, who was working with me together on an important issue. The name of the band is Indian Standard Time. I had no knowledge of this, Member. I told you I would keep you up to speed on all events. I had no know- ledge of this.

Indian Standard Time was in the House today, and as the member for Boundary and I work together, we’ll hopefully get to another time, in another place. Tributes DAVE MANNIX D. Routley:I just received some sad news of the passing of a very important constituent. His name was Dave Mannix. He was a board member on the Island Coastal Economic Trust. He’s got a long history of service in the Nanaimo area — a Snuneymuxw band member and a member of ICET since 2006. [1:55 p.m.] He was the CEO of the coast opportunity fund, which arranges and manages and promotes investment in Indi- genous communities.

He was the economic development officer for the Snuneymuxw First Nation. He was 20 years in forestry, owning his own company. He was also the chair of the National Aboriginal Forestry Association, a firefighter, an ambulance volunteer, search and rescue in Sooke. Dave Mannix will be sorely missed by the people of Nanaimo. There’s a memorial service at the Snuneymuxw First Nation longhouse on April 11. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL 28 — ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES ACT Hon. M. Mungall presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Zero-Emission Vehicles Act.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8317

Hon. M. Mungall:I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now. I am pleased to introduce Bill 28, the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act. This bill establishes the new Zero-Emission Vehicles Act and amends the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act. British Columbians are eager to make the switch to zero- emission vehicles. We have the highest per-capita adoption of zero-emission vehicles in Canada, with over 17,000 zero- emission vehicles on the road, averaging 4 percent of new light-duty vehicle sales in 2018. We also have one of the largest public-charging and hydrogen-fuelling networks.

As more people adopt zero-emission vehicles and as tech- nology improves, more people are seeing that these types of vehicles can work for them. But barriers to increased adop- tion of zero-emission vehicles still exist. In our CleanBC plan, we committed to help reduce those barriers by mak- ing zero-emission vehicles, or ZEVs, more affordable and accessible for British Columbians. We are delivering on that commitment with this bill, which will ensure greater sup- ply and availability of ZEVs at more affordable prices in our province.

The proposed legislation establishes ZEV sales targets reaching 10 percent of light-duty vehicle sales by 2025, 30 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040. The legislative framework is designed to ensure that these vehicle targets and emissions reductions targets in CleanBC are met, while being achievable for the automotive industry as a whole. The bill outlines a compliance system based on a point system similar to other jurisdictions.

Because not all zero- emission vehicles have the same emission profile, these point systems are used to recognize a vehicle class’s actual con- tribution to greenhouse gas reduction. Those classes with a high GHG reduction profile will have more points than those that result in fewer emission reductions. Measuring GHG emission reductions is an important component of our zero-emission vehicle mandate, because reducing our impact on climate change is ultimately the reason behind this mandate, so we need to measure it.

In our system, the points are going to be called ZEV units, and suppliers will accumulate ZEV units to meet yearly requirements. To aid in tracking and enforcement, the bill includes provisions for annual reporting and verification, penalties, appeals, the handling of confidential information and information-sharing. The bill also repeals sections of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act that relate to ZEVs so that there’s no redund- ancy. This is to ensure that there are not competing legislat- ive requirements on manufacturers as well. Mr. Speaker:The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. M.

Mungall:I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for the second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. Bill 28, Zero-Emission Vehicles 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. BILL 29 — MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2019 Hon. D. Eby presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2019. Hon. D.

Eby:I move the bill be introduced and read a first time now. [2:00 p.m.] I’m pleased to introduce Bill 29, the Miscellaneous Stat- utes Amendment Act, 2019. This bill amends following stat- utes: the Integrated Pest Management Act, the Motor Vehicle Act, the Personal Property Security Act and the World Trade University Canada Establishment Act. This bill also makes repeals and consequential amendments to other statutes. Mr. Speaker:The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. D.

Eby: I move the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. Bill 29, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2019, 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. BILL M208 — WELFARE PAYMENT SYSTEM REFLECTION ACT J. Thornthwaite presented a bill intituled Welfare Payment System Reflection Act. J.

Thornthwaite:I move that a bill entitled the Welfare Payment System Reflection Act, of which notice has been given in my name on the order paper, be introduced and now read for the first time. Medical health experts and first responders know that there is a significant spike in drug-related deaths within days of people receiving their social assistance cheques. During income assistance payment week, there is, on an average, one more illicit overdose per day, bringing the average total to five.

In February 2016, the police chief in Victoria called on the province to consider staggering the distribution of income assistance cheques throughout the month because of the 8318 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 10, 2019

strain that the increase of overdoses caused on resources that surpassed the capacity to deal with the incidents. In 2018, Vancouver paramedics received an average of 22 overdose calls a day. Insite, a safe injection site, had an average of approximately seven overdose incidents a day in 2018. The fentanyl crisis has exacerbated the situation. A recor- ded 16 overdoses occurred on cheque day and 11 more on the following day.

We need more concrete action on the prevention, treatment and recovery options in mental health and addictions in order to turn the tide on the number of deaths that continue to occur in British Columbia. Changing the distribution of the cheques would help reduce the strain on overdose services and is a step in the right direction in fighting against the opioid crisis. Mr. Speaker:The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. J. Thornthwaite:I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill M208, Welfare Payment System Reflection 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. BILL M209 — BUSINESS CORPORATIONS AMENDMENT ACT, 2019 A. Weaver presented a bill intituled Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2019. A. Weaver:I move that a bill intituled Business Corpora- tions Amendment Act, 2019, of which notice has been giv- en in my name on the order paper, be introduced and read a first time now.

This bill amends the Business Corporations Act, adding a new part to the act that would give companies in British Columbia the ability to incorporate as benefit companies. This legislation would support companies that choose to put the pursuit of social and environmental goals at the heart of their mission. Benefit companies would embed a commit- ment into their articles to operate in an environmentally sus- tainable and socially responsible way and to pursue public benefits.

B.C. is home to a number of incredibly innovative and socially responsible companies that want to play a bigger role in addressing the challenges we face collectively. This legisla- tion is one that government can support and encourage busi- ness to take on this critically important role in our society. Mr. Speaker:The question is first reading of the bill. Motion approved. A. Weaver:I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill M209, Business Corporations Amendment Act, 2019, 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) PUBLIC SAFETY LIFELINE VOLUNTEERS J. Rice: It’s National Volunteer Week, and this year’s theme is “The volunteer factor: lifting communities. ” This is to recognize the impact volunteers have lifting every part of our society.

On that note, I want to make sure British Columbians are aware of the thousands of dedicated public safety volunteers who guide our communities through periods of struggle by giving freely of their time, sometimes risking their lives to help those who are affected by emergencies. Later today the Public Safety Minister and I will take

part in the 2019 Public Safety Lifeline Volunteer Awards. Public safety lifeline volunteers are really the heart of B.C. ’s emer- gency management system. [2:05 p.m.] They do everything from leading air and ground searches to helping victims of serious car accidents to providing radio expertise when other communications systems are down to being the front line of support ser- vices for victims of natural disasters. These people help British Columbians through some of the most trying experiences of their lives.

They help them not for money or recognition but because of a belief that giving back to others can make a difference. They know the greatest gift you can give someone in trouble is your strength. When I think about the dedication and sacrifice displayed by public safety lifeline volunteers, a simple thank-you seems inadequate. I will, nonetheless, say thank you on behalf of all British Columbians. I’m honoured and humbled by the work of all our public safety lifeline volunteers, work which is exemplified by those joining us today.

Their commitment to this province, our communities and our neighbours is an example of what’s best in us all. ARMAND DENICOLA S. Bond: Well, he may have been small in stature, but he was a giant of a man. Sir Armand James Denicola passed away in Prince George on March 1, and his life was cel- ebrated on March 21 in a standing-room-only crowd in attendance. Armand is survived by his wonderful wife of 54 years, Doreen, his children, his grandchildren and his great-grand- children. Armand loved his family, and he loved his country. Wednesday, April 10, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8319

He was a decorated Second World War veteran, having enlisted in the Canadian Scottish Regiment when he was 20 years old. Armand won many medals of honour and had been awarded the rank of knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour by the French government for his

part in the liberation of France. Armand was also a cowboy, having lived in the Chilcotin and worked for the C1 Ranch and Chilcotin ranch near Alexis Creek. In 1947, after his dad passed away, Armand moved back to the farm on Foreman Road and spent the rest of his life living on the farm. He also worked in the log- ging industry, the Dominion Experimental Farm and as the supervisor of the runway at our airport. I am so grateful to have known Armand. He had a quick wit and a mischievous smile, and he loved to tell stories.

When he was forced to spend time in the hospital and Bill and I went to visit him, he told us repeatedly that all he wanted to do was to go home to the farm on Foreman Road. One of the highlights of every Remembrance Day for me was the chance for my annual photo with our Second World War veterans. I will cherish those images even more now, since future photographs will not include Armand. But this I know. Despite his physical absence, I have every assurance that this man, who touched so many hearts, including mine, will be present as we pay tribute to those who have served their country and made a difference.

We will always remember Sir Armand James Denicola and be thankful that we shared a little piece of his life. SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS S. Chandra Herbert:Want to help build community? Support the arts. Want to help people live longer and health- ier and more enriched lives? Support the arts. Want to deal with some of the most challenging social issues we have? Support the arts. Want to involve youth, bring new neigh- bours together and make healthier, more interesting places to visit? Support the arts. Want a vibrant, creative, resilient economy? Support the arts.

I’ve made these arguments — and my apologies to col- leagues who’ve heard me make them over and over and over again — over the years, but you know, supporting the arts works. We’ve seen it in our communities, with some of the busiest jobsites being the film economy, the visual effects, the digital, the music. The creative economy is just booming in British Columbia these days — something we can all be proud of. We’ve, of course, seen it in the non-profit arts world, with record-breaking investments from this government in the B.C.

Arts Council — $10 million more going to support youth connecting, Indigenous arts, festivals, the things that make life good to celebrate and bring us together. Of course, we’ve seen that through Creative B.C., in sup- porting our book publishers, our authors, our writers through the film and television tax credit. Our arts and cre- ative economy are on a roll in British Columbia, and I couldn’t be happier, because arts bring us together. Arts are so often what make life worth living. They make us question. They make us dream.

Arts inspire. [2:10 p.m.] I just want to say thank you to everybody in British Col- umbia who supports the arts, who invests in the arts, who volunteers, who works, who loves the arts. And thank you to everyone in this House for supporting increased investments in the arts. It pays off. It makes life worth living. HONG KONG–CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION T. Wat:Last month the Australia–Hong Kong free trade agreement was signed, marking a significant milestone in an already substantial trade and investment relationship between Hong Kong and Australia.

Now, you may be ask- ing: “This is all well and good for Australia and Hong Kong. But what does this have to do with Canada, let alone British Columbia?” Well, it is because, much like our Commonwealth partner, Canada also shares a long tradition of economic cooperation with Hong Kong, namely through the Hong Kong–Canada Business Association. Last month I had the honour of attending the 35th annual gala for the association’s Vancou- ver branch, which saw over 300 business leaders participate.

Established in 1984, the Hong Kong–Canada Business Association is one of the largest bilateral trade associations in Canada, with around 1,000 members. The mandate of the association is to encourage bilateral trade relationships between Canada and Hong Kong by helping businesses expand their commercial relationship with Hong Kong and throughout Asia, using Hong Kong as a platform for advan- cing this objective. The previous B.C. Liberal government understood the importance of this connection and the positives that arose from a stronger economic relationship with Asia.

That is why, in 2012, former Premier Christy Clark announced that a new trade and investment office would be opened in Hong Kong, strengthening B.C. ’s already solid ties with Asia’s most Canadian city. The goal of this office is to provide local mar- ket knowledge and access to large networks within govern- ment and industry and to connect B.C. businesses with new markets and opportunities.

I hope that all members can see why these Canadian-Asi- an connections are so important to our economy here in B.C. and why I started by congratulating Australia for their future good fortune, as we have experienced it as well. CONTRIBUTIONS OF VOLUNTEERS A. Kang: April 7 to 13 is National Volunteer Week 2019. It is a time when Canadians celebrate to thank the 12.7 mil- lion volunteers across our nation. This year’s theme is “The volunteer factor: lifting communities. ” The volunteer factor 8320 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 10, 2019

celebrates and recognizes the exponential impact of volun- teers and how they lift our communities. This year’s theme is signified by the beautiful image of hot air balloons of different sizes, shapes and colours. These hot air balloons reflect the diversity of our community volun- teers, and they illustrate that when people volunteer togeth- er, the sky is the limit in terms of what they can achieve. Volunteers are the driving force that celebrates com- munity programs to become a success. Volunteers help out with community cleanups.

We see volunteers in care homes or elders residences, helping isolated seniors keep connected with the community. We see volunteer parents in schools and classrooms. Some volunteers are specially trained indi- viduals, such as those who assist nurses in immunization clinics, volunteer firefighters and volunteer search and res- cue teams. This is just to name a few. When I think of volunteering, the first person that I think of and am reminded of is a very special friend. Her name is Anne Waller.

During volunteer week last year, Burnaby cel- ebrated the 40th anniversary of citizen support services and the retirement of Anne Waller after 29 fantastic and passion- ate years. Anne was a department head. She was a mentor to many and a friend to all. She tells people that she manages a small department with a big heart. She had a department of five staff who manage almost 300 volunteers annually. I want to take this opportunity to thank Anne for all she does. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all volun- teers across British Columbia for all that you have done to lift our communities up.

Quoting Sherry Anderson: “Volunteers are not paid because they are worthless but because they are priceless. ” [2:15 p.m.] AUTISM AW ARENESS M. Stilwell:April is World Autism Awareness Month. It’s a chance to reflect on the strides that we have made with education and inclusion, to share our stories and to recog- nize the supports and services available for people on the autism spectrum and their families. For me, this month is also about celebration. I believe in informing the world about what autism looks like, what it feels like and what it sounds like. I’m not shy about it.

I tell our family stories in hopes of opening eyes and opening hearts. When my son, Kai, was diagnosed on the autism spec- trum, I remember being told that he may never commu- nicate normally and that he would probably never graduate, find employment or live independently. It has not been an easy journey, and there are likely more challenges ahead. But I can proudly say today that thanks to the supports, the ser- vices and the incredible people helping him to fill his toolbox with the skills that he needs, Kai talks way too much, espe- cially when it comes to weather and natural disasters.

He will be graduating high school this June, and he will be going to Vancouver Island University in the fall. And he has a part- time job. [Applause] In our country, there are about one in 66 children and youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. It’s safe to say that we all know someone who has been impacted by autism, whether it’s a friend, a family member, a son or daughter or a neighbour. Everyone is living a different experience.

I’ d like to acknowledge some organizations and networks who are helping children and families navigate the com- plexities of living with autism, including the Autism Society of B.C., the Canucks Autism Network and, locally, our Nanaimo Child Development Centre. I am incredibly proud of Kai’s hard work and perseverance, but I know that he didn’t succeed in isolation. He succeeded with the help of different organizations, programs and opportunities in our community that have opened doors to recreation, school and employment programs.

This month join me in celebrating the resources for assess- ment, treatment, education support and research helping families and people living with autism spectrum disorder reach their full potential. Let’s continue to build awareness and inclusion. Speaker’s Statement CONDUCT OF MLAs AND RULES FOR QUESTION PERIOD Mr. Speaker:Members, we’re about to start question peri- od. Before we do, if I might make a statement, particularly out of a concern expressed by the House Leader for the offi- cial opposition yesterday regarding behaviour of members in the House.

I want to begin by quoting to you parts of an email I received today, which is one not unlike ones I receive, many per week. It goes like this: “Y esterday I visited the Legislature during question period as a chaperone for an elementary school field trip. I was delighted by the hospitality we received on our tour and the beautiful building. I was appalled and deeply saddened by the ugliness we witnessed dur- ing question period. The time was wasted in posturing, bullying and name-calling. It was rather uncomfortable to watch with students we teach to ‘Be kind. Be safe. Be respectful.

Be responsible. ’” That’s their school motto. I receive lots of letters like that. I don’t want to receive any more. I just want to point out that oral question period is an important accountability exercise and provides members of the Legislative Assembly with the opportunity to seek infor- mation from the government of the day and to hold the gov- ernment to account. These are two fundamental responsibil- ities of our system of parliamentary democracy. [2:20 p.m.] It follows that this vital proceeding is an important and central part of each sitting day.

We must ensure that it func- tions in providing a daily public venue to canvass urgent and Wednesday, April 10, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8321

important matters that cannot be addressed through other proceedings. As such, it is helpful to review recent practice and the ongoing expectations with regard to oral question period. Again, I want to thank the House Leader for the Official Opposition for raising this issue yesterday. The standing order relating to oral question period is not new. Standing Order 47A outlines the basic expectations of this aspect of daily proceedings. I strongly encourage mem- bers to read Standing Order 47A and its accompanying nar- rative inParliamentary Practice in British Columbia, fourth edition, pages 139 to 144.

Presiding over oral question period is always a challenging role for a Speaker. This is captured well in the third edition of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, where it is noted at page 503: “Presiding over the daily question period is regarded as one of the most onerous and difficult tasks undertaken by the Speaker.

The Speaker strives to ensure that question period is conducted in a civil manner, that questions and answers do not lead to debate and that both sides of the House have an opportunity to participate. ” In recent days, it has become virtually impossible for the Chair — and, I would suggest, for members as well — to hear proceedings during oral question period, particularly answers to questions. I do not think it is unreasonable to expect that all members conduct themselves in a manner which shows respect for each other and for this institution.

In reviewing the six Hansard broadcasts of oral question period on April 1 through April 9, I observed frequent inter- ruptions, interjections and general disorder, reducing the proceeding to an ineffective exchange at best or a spectacle at worst. With respect to questions about the role of the Chair dur- ing oral question period, I make four submissions to the House.

First, as Speaker, I am reluctant to interfere in debate, but I will do so if it appears that either the question or the response cannot be heard.House of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edition, at page 503 states: “The Speaker has discretion and authority to rule out of order any question posed during question period — or to interrupt any mem- ber, in the case of unparliamentary language, for example — if the Speaker is satisfied that it contravenes House rules of order, decorum and procedure. ” Furthermore, as reflected in a decision of Speaker Hartley recorded in theJournals of May 31, 2000: “ As has been the practice in the past, the Speaker is reluctant to continually intervene” — as I’ve had to do — “bearing in mind the short duration of our question period.

But unless members on both sides of the House exhibit some self-discipline, the Chair will have no option but to intervene. ” Second, I will exercise my discretion where it’s afforded to me by the rules of this House, including on allowing or disallowing a supplementary question, as provided for in Standing Order 47A, subsection (c).

In this respect, I note thatHouse of Commons Procedure and Practice, third edi- tion, also notes, at page 504: “The Speaker retains sole discre- tion in determining the time that individual questions and answers may take, and the Chair may interrupt any member consuming more than a reasonable share of time in posing or responding to a question. ” I think we should pay particular attention to that because we’ve had some questions which go on too long and some answers which go on too long, and it hurts the ability to get more questions in. Third, I have a fundamental duty to uphold order and decorum in the House.

I will not hesitate to ask members to come to order when such discretion is merited and at any point during a sitting, including during oral question period. Should a member make frequent, repeated or dis- orderly interjections, I will ask that particular member to come to order.

Should that member refuse to comply with the request, Standing Orders 19 and 20 extend certain powers to the Chair to restore decorum in the House, which I am prepared to enforce. [2:25 p.m.] Lastly, I will note that when the red light at the table is illuminated at the end of question period, members must be succinct in stating their question or providing a brief response, as the case may be. The red light indicates the 30-minute time frame for oral question period has elapsed, and members should take note that this is not an opportun- ity for extended commentary by either side.

This discretion I have provided is well founded and well recognized in our assembly, as well as in other parliamentary jurisdictions. Finally, I would remind all hon. members of the import- ance of maintaining order in all our proceedings, and I encourage members to review the commentary inParlia- mentary Practice in British Columbia, fourth edition, pages 98 to 103, regarding language and decorum.

There is one element of commentary that I would like to highlight, which comes from page 99: “The proceedings in the House are based on centuries of tradition of mutual respect and integrity. ” I believe that it is possible to have passionate debate and exchanges about issues that we care deeply about without excessive noise, rudeness and dis- turbances. It seems, judging by the correspondence I receive, that many of our constituents feel that our conduct and decorum do not meet their expectations — as taxpayers.

Poor beha- viour reflects badly on the Legislative Assembly, and I again ask that we be mindful of our responsibilities to constituents, to this institution and to each other and demonstrate respectful behaviour in our proceedings. Thank you. Oral Questions IMPACT OF CARIBOU PROTECTION PLAN ON JOBS M. Bernier:With that, a job to do. 8322 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 10, 2019

This week the Premier was on Kamloops radio, acknow- ledging the failure of his Forests Minister on the land titles records, saying: “We are going to have to do a better job. ” Well, we agree on something, finally. That, also, is not the only thing that this minister is failing on. The public is outraged that the government is imposing a predetermined caribou plan that will result in significant job losses. We have thousands of people pack- ing town halls around the province as we speak, voicing their frustration and disapproval of what this Premier and this minister are doing.

Today in the gallery, we have local officials and concerned citizens who want answers about how the Premier’s plan is going to impact their lives. Will the Premier explain to them why he is making decisions in Victoria on a plan that’s going to threaten to shut down key parts of B.C. ’s rural economy? Hon. J. Horgan:I thank the member for his question. I will correct some facts, however, if that’s all right. Firstly, with respect to the registry, it was privatized by the former government. The board was appointed by others, not this government. The board made the decision, and we’re working through that.

It’s not a failure of anybody. It’s a misunderstanding, and we all have to work better to do a better job of that. When it comes to mountain caribou, the member will surely know — as a mayor at that time or, at least, as a city councillor — that in 2003 the federal government acknow- ledged that the mountain caribou were at risk and that as recently as in 2014 they directed the former government to take some action or they would take unilateral action. Let’s move from 2014 to 2017. We had an election cam- paign two years ago this month.

In the time that we’ve been on this side of the House, we have worked diligently to try and understand why issues like this — like ICBC, like B.C. Hydro, like so many issues that we’ve been discussing in this place — were neglected by the previous government, left to the future to resolve or, as the federal government said, kicked down the road. This issue is critically important to the people of British Columbia. It’s critically important to those in the member’s constituency. We are working with the public. We’ll continue to work with the public to try and find…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker:Members. Hon. J.

Horgan:The member surely has her answer. [2:30 p.m.] Mr. Speaker:Member for Langley, this is outrageous. I’ve just finished talking about decorum and being appropriate in the House. We’re not two minutes later, and we’re behav- ing as people would expect that we should never behave. I’m sorry. I cannot tolerate this any longer. M. Polak: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the interest of understanding the ruling, is it the Speaker’s position that heckling is always out of order? Mr. Speaker:I am not saying heckling is out of order.

I’m saying that interrupting a speaker is out of order and inter- rupting a speaker when they start is out of order. I don’t know how clear I have to be about that. The average person on this planet would say that when somebody is speaking, it’s appropriate to not interrupt. I’m sorry. That’s what I mean. We will not have interruptions of a speaker. M. Polak:Respectfully, I would like to read from the web- site for the Parliament of the U.K. in describing the activities in the chamber.

I appreciate that a level of decorum should be maintained, but I also appreciate that in oral question period, there is also a tradition of a certain amount of leni- ency with respect to interventions. It is short. It says: “The style of debate in the House has traditionally been one of cut and thrust: listening to oth- er members’ speeches and intervening in them in spontan- eous reaction to opponents’ views.

This style of debate can make the Commons chamber a rather noisy place, with robustly expressed opinions, many interventions, expres- sions of approval or disapproval and, sometimes, of repartee and banter. ” I would just submit and respectfully ask that we consider that, as theHouse of Commons Procedure and Practice states, there is, on the part of chair occupants, generally a practice of ignoring what they call applause and mild heckling. Mr. Speaker:Member, we are going to have to continue this conversation in the Speaker’s office at a later time. We will continue now with question period.

The member for Peace River South on a supplemental. M. Bernier:Well, it’s been a little bit. Hopefully, the Pre- mier can remember my first question that I had. British Columbians can see right through this sham of what they’re calling consultation right now around the province. We have over 30,000 people who have signed petitions, and more signatures being gathered every single day around the province, speaking against what this gov- ernment is doing.

In the recent meeting in Chetwynd, almost a fifth — think of that, a fifth — of the population showed up in Chetwynd to voice their concerns around a unilateral decision that the NDP are doing right now. Why? Because they actually wer- en’t involved in any of the processes that the Premier just talked about. They were left out, and that’s a disgrace to the people in the region. We’re talking about, now, significant job loss as a direct result of the Premier’s caribou plan and what he’s trying to do. He never even bothered talking to the public before decisions were being made. Will the Premier today…?

He has an opportunity in front Wednesday, April 10, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8323

of this House today to stand up and say that he’s going to stop this process until more work, more science, more data and more information from the public are taken. Hon. J. Horgan:We are seeking feedback on a response to federal legislation. I’m confident that the member under- stands that. To characterize this as somehow an NDP plan is a mischaracterization of the enormous challenges we face, and the member knows that. The member knows that.

People in his community, people in Peace River North, people in Columbia River–Revelstoke and people in Cariboo North are affected by federal legislation, species-at-risk legis- lation that the former government knew about for a decade — for a decade. We are working diligently with communities, with First Nations, with the industry, with workers to try and find a way forward. I would appeal to the member to work with us to try and find a way forward in the interest of his constitu- ents, in the interest of the B.C. economy and in the interest of mountain caribou. [2:35 p.m.] T.

Shypitka:People in the Kootenays are tired of this Pre- mier and the NDP government making decisions for them from their offices in Victoria. I come from a very heavy industrial area of B.C. There will be direct impacts on resource industries, and people are deeply concerned that they will lose their jobs or be shut out of the back country. A question to the Premier. Will the Premier drop this attempt to impose a plan that will result in significant job loss? Hon. D. Donaldson:I know the people in the Kootenays see the southern mountain caribou as an iconic species. People in B.C. do.

First Nations do, people across Canada and people internationally. We’re acutely aware of the impacts conservation and protection of the southern moun- tain caribou could have on local economies and local jobs. That’s why we as a government undertook the challenge to protect caribou and protect jobs by making sure B.C. was at the table in these discussions. Now, the risk that we inherited, the risk and the path that we were headed down, was the fact that due to a patch- work of measures that the former government took that were unacceptable to the federal government’s standards when it came to species at risk….

Their inaction was putting at risk a federal government unilateral decision regarding the habitat needs of caribou and not the needs of communities. That’s not the approach we took. We took the approach, on a government-to-government basis with the federal gov- ernment, to enter into a framework in order to protect jobs and protect caribou. It’s better that B.C. is at the table, unlike the previous government’s approach where B.C. would have been shut out. Mr. Speaker:The member for Kootenay East on a supple- mental. CONSULTATION ON CARIBOU PROTECTION T.

Shypitka:This is the NDP once again deciding that the government in Victoria knows better than the people in rur- al British Columbia. The draft to Ottawa is complete. It has been done without public consultation. The fix is in. The deal has been done. Once again, regional voices have not been part of the solution here, and rural B.C. once again is on the outside looking in. These eleventh hour fake consultations are mere window dressings before rural B.C. gets shafted, and rural B.C. won’t stand for it. The question is to the Premier.

Why doesn’t the Premier stand up and back off and actually listen to those that his decisions impact the most? Hon. D. Donaldson:This is a draft agreement that’s out for public consultation. We’ve had amazing input from the public. We value local knowledge that’s underway in the Peace region and across the interior of the province, in through the Kootenays. We feel that that’s going to impact, in a significant way, the final agreement.

I just want to add that the approach that the former gov- ernment took, knowing that the federal government listed the southern mountain caribou as a threatened wildlife spe- cies in 2003…. For 14 years, the actions they took were obvi- ously not enough. The federal government issued an immin- ent threat of extinction in May 2018. We take this seriously. We don’t take the approach — and what the member is suggesting — to ignore First Nations rights, to ensure B.C. isn’t at the table and to let the feds decide on a significant issue for the people of B.C.

That’s not our approach, and that’s why we’re undertaking this public consultation process on a draft agreement. WOODWYNN FARMS AND HERBICIDE USE A. Olsen:Woodwynn Farms is an iconic farm in Central Saanich. It’s about a 200-acre contiguous piece of agricultur- al land. It’s got massive potential. It’s had its fair share of con- troversy over the decades, since I’ve been at the local govern- ment table and now in provincial politics. Thousands of people drive by the farm each week. It’s, frankly, a very important part of our community.

Many of us who’ve lived in the community a long time have gone by there and noticed and known the Holsteins that used to graze underneath the Garry oaks next to the road. Last weekend I noticed that the upper field was brown, completely dead, the field further to the south, part of the farm operation, still lush and green. I’ve been receiving mes- sages from my constituents asking whether the government has treated the property with glyphosate — Roundup, as it’s known — or another herbicide. [2:40 p.m.] 8324 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 10, 2019

My question to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: did B.C. Housing, the owner of Woodwynn Farms, spray that property with this or any other herbicide? Hon. S. Robinson:I want to thank the member for the question and for drawing my attention to this matter. I just became aware of this concern, and I will commit to getting more information and sharing the details with the member as soon as I have more information. Mr. Speaker:Saanich North and the Islands on a supple- mental. A. Olsen:Taking a closer look at the farm — and I’ve had photos sent to me — it’s very clear.

Where you get to the side of the field, it’s green, and then there’s just this massive dead field. It has very much all of the signs of a field that’s been sprayed with glyphosate. We know that there are an awful lot of challenges with it. There’s a lot of evidence of the harmful impacts. Woodwynn was either organic or was on the way to becoming organic. The future of it was to achieve organic status. It runs next toḰENES, an important watershed with- in Saanich and Central Saanich. I know that First Nations communities have got a huge interest in that land.

I recognize that the minister has just become aware of it. I would just ask if the minister would also, in her response back to me, at some point, be able to acknowledge whether or not the local First Nations were also consulted on this. Hon. S. Robinson:As I said, I will get more details and certainly share them with the member. CONSULTATION ON CARIBOU PROTECTION S. Bond: For months, thousands of concerned British Columbians and local government officials have deman- ded that this Premier hold meaningful consultations on the caribou recovery efforts. Instead, they were ignored.

Decisions were made in Victoria behind closed doors, and a predetermined plan was announced that will result in significant job losses. Local knowledge and on-the-ground experience matter, and they have been overlooked and only brought into the picture now as a token afterthought. My constituents and thousands like them are frustrated and angry about being left out of this critical process. Will the Premier finally listen and ensure that meaningful, appropriate consultation takes place? Hon. D. Donaldson:This is a draft agreement.

We’re seeking public input, and the engagement process has been very rigorous, to date. People have been attending in incred- ible numbers — over 2,500 people in the first sessions we’ve held in the Peace River country. This is the valuable process where we gain input from the public before draft agreements become finalized. These agreements will provide greater certainty and a more secure economic future for the people in the regions.

That’s because the path that we were headed down, because of the patchwork approach of the previous government, was leading to a result where the federal government, under the Species at Risk Act, would unilaterally impose a

section 80 order, based on habitat only, that would be catastrophic to workers, catastrophic to communities and that could result in billions of dollars in economic losses in B.C. That’s not the approach that we’re taking. We’re taking an approach to involve regional voices. We’ve had numerous meetings throughout the period where these draft negoti- ations have been undertaken. That’s the approach that this government is willing to take to get from a final draft to a final agreement. Mr. Speaker:The member for Prince George–Valemount on a supplemental. [2:45 p.m.] S.

Bond: The minister knows it is way too little, and it is way too late. In rural communities, including my own, across northern British Columbia, hundreds and hundreds of people have jammed into rooms, in fact, overflowing, because they want their voices heard. This Premier has decided that the government in Victoria knows best. As a result, people across the regions where we live feel disrespected and ignored.

The Premier has a chance today to stand up in this House and listen to thousands of British Columbians — thousands of them — that are concerned about their ability to keep a job and to enjoy recreation and participating in activities on the land base that they live on. It’s time for this Premier to stand up, to show that he cares about that and to take a pause in this process. We’re trying to jam a pile of meetings into the next couple of weeks. That is hardly fair — too little, too late. Will the Premier stop the process today and give people a chance to have their voices heard? Hon. D.

Donaldson: Well, let’s talk about “too little, too late. ” The people on the other side, when they were in government — and the member asking the question was a cabinet member at the time — had 14 years to act to respond to the federal government warning that the mountain caribou were a threatened wildlife species — 14 years. Because the former government didn’t act, we’re facing the timeline that we’re facing now. We’re left to try to fix a problem that they created. As far as a solution and who knows best, I’ll just read a quick quote from Chief Roland Willson, who’s not in Victor- ia.

He’s the Chief of the West Moberly First Nation. He says, in regards to this draft agreement: “This agreement is the res- ult of the lack of action by the previous government over the Wednesday, April 10, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8325

last 16 years that they were in office. The reason we’re here today is because of that. We can’t lose sight of what happened there. I raise my hands to this government for stepping up and doing what the other government refused to do. ” IMPACT OF CARIBOU PROTECTION PLAN ON JOBS J. Rustad: Maternal penning, predator control, habitat work — the work that we were doing when we were in government all led to increased caribou herds in the Peace country. Something more significant we did, as well, is that we included all participants in an engagement process, including Chief Roland.

The minister is clearly failing these forest-dependent communities. I want to give a quote from Rodger Roy, who is the man- ager of the West Fraser mill in Chetwynd. He had this to say this morning: “We had been told that we can expect job losses in the range of 500 people. We had not been consulted or involved or asked for our opinion and had no input what- soever or discussion in any of these discussions at all. ” It’s an absolute shame that this government has not taken that ser- iously, in terms of these communities and what’s needed to be done.

Will the Premier stop imposing this plan to destroy signi- ficant jobs in our communities? Hon. D. Donaldson:Well, conference calls between staff on the provincial caribou recovery program and stakehold- ers, including industry, local governments and NGOs from across the province, have happened every six weeks over the past 12 months that we’ve been in government.

I just want to point out that if the actions of the previous government were so great, then I fail to understand why, then, the federal government issued, under the Species at Risk Act, a determination of imminent threat of extinction for the caribou herds that we’re now trying to deal with. To quote, once again, Chief Roland Willson from the West Moberly First Nation: “This government” — meaning this government that’s sitting on this side of the House — “is try- ing to fix the wrongs of the previous government.

I’m glad that they took on the challenge, and we’re sitting at the table now doing this. ” [2:50 p.m.] Mr. Speaker:The member for Nechako Lakes on a sup- plemental. J. Rustad:A petition of 35,000 people from up in that area, half the population of the Peace River, would disagree with the Premier, in the sense that there is no engagement whatsoever. This is a top-down process that has been driven by this government, out of a Victoria approach that they know best. This is unacceptable.

On top of this, they’re driving up costs and creating uncertainty, imposing a plan that will destroy jobs right across this province. The only way that a caribou recovery strategy can be successful is if it has buy-in from local residents. That means you actually have to go and talk to them before you make a plan. It’s time for this Premier and this government to go back to the drawing table, give some respect to the people that live in the Peace and come up with a better plan. Hon. D.

Donaldson:We’re acutely aware of what was left to us by the previous government and the potential impacts on local economies, workers and jobs. The potential impact of a unilateral decision by the federal government under the Species at Risk Act would have meant billions of dollars of economic consequences to rural communities right across the province.

What we’ve done is taken a different approach, made sure B.C. was at the table during these draft negotiations and then presented a plan for public engagement to incorporate local knowledge in the last little while, where we’ve been able to get great input from people all over the province. I want to quote from the federal member, now a federal cabinet minister, Jonathan Wilkinson, who says: “We can’t kick this problem down the road, which has been the path of the government for 15 years. ” He’s referencing the previous government. RELOCATION OF LAND TITLE RECORDS AND FIRST NATIONS CONSULTATION P .

Milobar:It’s fairly obvious that this week’s message box by the government appears to be: “If in doubt, blame the fed- eral government for our shortcomings. ” This is what the Premier told Kamloops radio about the relocation of land titles records in an interview played on Monday. “I’ve every expectation that the minister is going to be working with the mayor and council and Indigenous groups. ” In fact, in that same interview, the Premier also acknowledged that the minister is the minister responsible. Y et they keep tap dancing away, saying they’re not respons- ible for land titles.

However, mere hours after that interview, the movers showed up and began loading boxes of records — a total slap in the face to the local community and local First Nations. In fact, this has forced the Chief of the Whispering Pines First Nation to retain lawyer George Petel to represent his band’s legal interests about seeing what they can do to stop the removal of these records until proper consultation can take place. When is the Premier going to stand up, take proper responsibility for this mess of a file and acknowledge the province needs to start a consultation with area First Nations? Hon. D.

Donaldson:The Land Title and Survey Author- ity. If it were a government body, we would expect consulta- tion and communication to be done differently than it was 8326 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 10, 2019

done. However, it’s not part of government. The reason it’s not part of government is because the members over there, when they were in government, made it a corporation that has nothing to do with government. If this member and the members opposite are concerned about the actions of the Land Title and Survey Authority, all they have to do is look in the mirror for the reasons why. Mr. Speaker:The member for Kamloops–North Thomp- son on a supplemental. P .

Milobar:Well, I’ d point out to the minister that this government, when we were in government, never moved the records, and we wouldn’t be having this conversation. It’s their actions that have led to this. [2:55 p.m.] The minister can say he’s not responsible, yet he had the president and CEO of land titles sitting behind him in estim- ates to advise him. The reality is this. The minister has also acknowledged that the province of B.C. is actually the owner of these records and these documents that have not had consultation.

The reality is that area First Nations and area municipal governments have been unanimous in raising their concerns about the lack of consultation on this file. The minister has said he would look into it. He hasn’t. The Premier has said he would direct the minister to do it. He didn’t.

Local area First Nations have said — again, to quote Chief Lebourdais of the Whispering Pines yesterday: “There has been nothing from the minister’s office or the Premier’s office about any consultation on any of this. ” When will the Premier stand up, acknowledge that there’s been a colossal failure of consultation, stop the removal of the documents immediately, start the process of having proper consultation with area First Nations, and stand up and deliver on his word for once in this House? Hon. D.

Donaldson:The colossal failure was the ideology that the government over there created in privatizing the land records office. These are important…. Interjections. Hon. D. Donaldson:The misinformation spread by the member is hard to respond to because it’s so false on so many fronts. The point is that the land records office, the Land Title and Survey Authority, is not an arm of government. It was created on that government’s watch. We’re proud of our record of reconciliation with First Nations across this province. [End of question period.] Petitions M.

Bernier:I rise in the House, proudly, to present a peti- tion from over 30,000 people — and counting, daily. They’re calling on this government to consult openly with all users, stakeholders, businesses and local governments, which they haven’t done; immediately begin economic and socioeco- nomic impact studies in the northeast region, which they haven’t done; and provide baseline data on populations and relevant science-based studies to support closures and recov- ery plans, which they haven’t done. S. Furstenau:I rise to present a petition that was delivered by grade 9 Reynolds student Mira Blakely yesterday.

It’s 340 signatures requesting that the government of B.C. lower the voting age to 16. Orders of the Day Hon. M. Farnworth:In this chamber, I call second read- ing of Bill 21, Forest and Range Practices Amendment Act. In

Section A, the Douglas Fir Room, I call continued debate on the estimates of the Ministry of Environment and Cli- mate Change Strategy. [3:00 p.m.] [J. Isaacs in the chair.] Second Reading of Bills BILL 21 — FOREST AND RANGE PRACTICES AMENDMENT ACT, 2019 Hon. D. Donaldson:I move that Bill 21, the Forest and Range Practices Amendment Act, 2019, be read a second time. The proposed amendments in the Forest and Range Prac- tices Amendment Act, 2019, will restore public confidence in how B.C. ’s forests and ranges are managed.

We’re respond- ing to feedback received over the past decade about the need to do things differently in the woods and on the range. Once in effect, these amendments will be the first major amendments to the act and regulations since they came into effect in 2004. That’s 15 years where there were supposed to be reviews and potential amendments to the Forest and Range Practices Act that were never done. Much has changed in those 15 years.

The efforts of our government on reconciliation are a good example of what’s happened in the last 20 months, but there have been suc- cessive court cases that have reinforced the First Nations interests in the forest. Also, there have been many changes on the landscape in the last 15 years around catastrophic nat- ural events, whether it’s been the pine beetle infestation in the Interior, whether it’s been wildfires around the province. These are all events and situations that needed to be con- sidered in any review or amendments under the Forest and Range Practices Act, and it was never done.

It was meant to be done. It was never done, and I’m happy that we’re intro- ducing these amendments as a first step today. There are over 55 million hectares of Crown forest land Wednesday, April 10, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8327

in B.C., over 140 forest stewardship plans and over 1,475 range use plans. The changes that we’re proposing in this amendment will create more frequent and reliable oppor- tunities for public input, improve information-sharing and forestry planning, strengthen government’s ability to man- age forest activity by restoring some specific powers to government, expand the definition of “wildlife” in the act to help protect at-risk species and improve and streamline range use planning.

More opportunities for public review and comment will be created by requiring the replacement of forest steward- ship plans every five years and woodlot licence plans every ten years. We know that under the current act, forest stew- ardship plans can be extended, and some of these plans have been extended twice. In other words, a forest stewardship plan has been in place for 15 years without reconsideration. This will make sure that plans have to be resubmitted every five years.

In the event of catastrophic damage, such as wildfire, a licensee will need to update a forest stewardship plan and submit it to government for approval within six months, making these plans more responsive to changes on the land base. We’ve heard feedback from numerous sources on this, whether it’s the Forest Practices Board, Union of B.C. Muni- cipalities, First Nations or concerned citizens, that we have to be more responsive to these kinds of events on the land base when it comes to planning forest activities through things like the forest stewardship plans. These amendments will make sure that happens.

Another new requirement is for forest companies to pro- duce a forest operations map that includes the approximate proposed locations of proposed cutblocks and roads. This map is to be made publicly available and will be subject to review and comment by interested parties, including First Nations, the public and other tenured resource users. A forest operations map must be completed before a licensee can apply for a cutting or road permit. Again, this is in response to people really wanting to know what’s going on in their own backyards when it comes to the forest resources.

Of course, having some information and knowledge about that, about the approximate proposed loc- ations of cutblocks and roads, will definitely lead to people being able to understand what’s going on in their own back- yards and potentially lead to less conflict about those plans. [3:05 p.m.] The worst thing is when people are uninformed and don’t know where those kinds of activities will occur on the land base. That’s happening because we haven’t had a review or amendments to the Forest Practices Act since its inception in 2004.

The map will help those who are potentially affected to understand where road building and logging will occur. Another amendment will expand the definition of wildlife in the act to align with the definition under the Wildlife Act and allow for the protection of ecological communities. Cur- rently, only animals are identified. Changes will also ensure that the Forest and Range Prac- tices Act and regulations regime uses consistent terminology for at-risk species — either endangered, threatened or of spe- cial concern.

The expanded definition comes into effect April 1, once the bill receives royal assent, and all other amend- ments will come into effect by regulation. The ministry will also be able to vary or suspend an oper- ation plan, a forest or a range practice, or a cutting or road permit where it may unjustifiably infringe on an Aboriginal right or title. The changes being introduced today respond to feedback, as I said already, and insights received over the last decade from First Nations, the Forest Practices Board, the forest industry, the Union of B.C.

Municipalities and the ministry’s forest and range evaluation program. It will bring back improved oversight by government on a publicly held natur- al resource, and that’s the forest. We’re also improving and streamlining the range use plan- ning. The range stewardship plan is being eliminated and range use plans will be managed through an online platform. As well, the term of a range use plan will be aligned with that of the range agreement to improve administrative efficien- cies. Currently, range use plans are there for a term of five years, with a possible extension of five years.

Range agree- ments are in the form of a licence for 15 to 25 years or a per- mit for one to ten years. Together these amendments will put land first by making sure government is in the driver’s seat when it comes to Crown tenures and other land use decisions. The initial changes to the act will be followed, over the next two years, by more substantive changes, which will be informed by a public consultation later this spring. For that, I’ll wrap up my comments on second reading.

I look forward to hearing comments and the perspectives of all members of this Legislature who choose to partake in second reading debate. J. Rustad:I’m pleased today to have an opportunity to stand up and respond to Bill 21. After going through a num- ber of days of estimates with the Minister of Forests, it seems like we’re right back at it again, only a little bit different per- spective. It’s good. It’s good to have these discussions, and it’s good to be thinking about this. When I look at the act, and I looked through this…. My initial reaction on the act is one of: “Y ou know, it seems reasonable.

It seems like we could support it. ” But there are some questions that need to be asked, and I need to be con- vinced that this act will actually be able to help our indus- tries, whether it’s forestry or whether it is agriculture. There’s a process that we’ll go through, of course, as we go through second reading, but also, in particular, when we get to the committee stage of the bill. One of the things that the minister was just talking about, I find interesting, in that there would be a requirement upon the industry to update the plans on the land base if there’s a fire in the area.

If there’s a fire of significance in the area, 8328 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 10, 2019

they’ll have to go and redo their stewardship plan, and they have to do it within six months. Well, first of all, that’s very challenging, in that a fire isn’t necessarily out until the fall. It’s tough to get in to do the kind of work that you need to do over the winter. But more importantly, I find it really curious, in that that requirement isn’t on the chief forester, in terms of updating their inform- ation for the area. The company has to look at it, but perhaps the government doesn’t. It’ d be interesting to know why the minister thinks that, as we get into the committee stage.

When I look at the bill and I think about my community and communities much like the one that I live in and the ones that I represent, forestry is an important part. In over 140 communities across the province, forestry plays a signi- ficant role. It supports lands. It supports our families. It sup- ports our communities. Not just forestry but also agricul- ture and range — they’re very important components. Any changes to these components, to the base factor that makes these industries work, people have an interest in. They want to know. [3:10 p.m.] I find it interesting.

One of the questions I’ll be having in committee stage with the minister…. There doesn’t seem to have been a lot of consultation or engagement, particularly with the ranchers, when they talked about the changes to the range plans. I’m curious as to why that hasn’t happened. The minister says that there’ll be lots of consultation going for- ward into phase 2, but I’m wondering why there wasn’t an indication or an engagement that allowed people to be more comfortable with what this was, prior to this bill being intro- duced in the Legislature.

When you think about our land base and you think about everything that needs to be done, we’re looking for a balance. We have to balance between wildlife, the values that we have out there, the biodiversity on our land base as well as, of course, water, recreation, forestry and agriculture — all of these types of things. For us, of course, living in British Columbia, we live this. We understand the balance, and we understand the needs that need to be put in place. When I look at the plan, overall….

Like I say, it’s some- thing that I look at and think: “Well maybe it can be sup- ported. ” But I find it also curious when the minister says he’s looking for more public input. People have been talking to him about, particularly, the forest stewardship plans and the need to be able to renew these every five years. I’ve had the honour of representing Nechako Lakes for 14 years now, and it truly is an honour to bring forward the issues that come up in my riding. My riding is very depend- ent upon forestry; there are many mills throughout the area and activities.

I find it curious that in that 14 years, I’ve never had one person come into my office and ask me about a forest stew- ardship plan or the need to have opportunity for input. So I actually asked the companies in my area. I said: “When you put your forest stewardship plans out for public input, how much input do you get back?

How many comments and questions came back?” One of the people said to me: “Well, they managed to bring out, you know, their wife and children and a few friends so that they’ve got at least somebody to sign up on the sheets when the public comes in, because nobody else seems to come in and engage on these. ” I’m wondering where this drive is to do this renewal of these plans every five years, as opposed to allowing it to be able to be extended out for periods of time. Like I say, I’m sure there’s a reasonable rationale for it.

I’ll be interested in exploring that with the minister as we go into the com- mittee stage. Range plans and that side…. I talked to some ranchers about this going into the second reading debate, and I asked them what their thoughts were on it. What they said, actu- ally, was interesting. It’s that the range stewardship plans weren’t really being used and that they’re being eliminated, I believe, in this bill, if I have that right. They weren’t really used, although range plans…. Of course, as the minister said, there are close to 1,500 of these.

But the range stewardship plan was a tool that, actually, min- istry staff were using to be able to help with ranchers and move through things. So I’m curious as to that particular tool or that flexibility that, in some places, the range man- agers were able to help ranchers in going through that. I’m curious whether that type of flexibility will still be there or whether those options and components will be gone. I think one of the things that I look at in this bill — and it’s disturbing — is this continuous pattern that a lot of the questions will be answered through regulations.

The intent and the full exposure of this is not transparent. We fought on the LNG bill that came in. We fought for one very good purpose: that there needed to be transparency, that the agreement needed to be out in the public and transparent so that people could see what’s going on. What’s the intent of the ministry? What is it that they’re trying to achieve through this? By going to more of this work through regulations…. It’s just another example of the government deciding that they don’t want to necessarily reveal this out front and have that fuller engagement.

We’re seeing that in spades, of course, with caribou and the caribou management plans which, of course, were a large focus of question period today. It’s disturbing. It’s very disturbing, because we want to be able to have that transparency. People on the land base, people that depend on our land base, whether it’s for agri- culture or forestry, need to see that transparency and under- stand what it is that the ministry and this government are trying to achieve. The other thing that I’m concerned about is when you look at these requirements for renewal on these plans every five years or every six months….

If there’s a fire in the area…. Madam Speaker, as you’re probably well aware, over the last two years, there have been very, very significant fires across Wednesday, April 10, 2019 British Columbia Debates 8329

the province, not just in large-scale fires but the number of fires across the province. [3:15 p.m.] If we’re going to have companies having to go in and update their plans every six months, this is a tremendous amount of cost that comes onto the companies and a burden — time for engagement and the whole process. We’re already looking at an industry right now that’s struggling. Lumber prices are $340 U.S. or below.

Many companies have come to me and said that their break-even is close to $400 now because of all the additional costs and uncertainty that have been layered on by this government, as well as high stum- page and the softwood lumber challenges. This layer of uncertainty, this layer of additional cost, is going to have an impact. It will make things tougher for companies to be able to operate. Now, I think we all want transparency, and we all want an opportunity for input and process.

But when you look at the fact that there has been very little engagement or process when opportunities are there, but we’re adding yet more requirements and more engagement and more process…. All that is, is adding red tape and cost, making things less competitive. It’s not actu- ally achieving, I think, what the minister wants to try to achieve. I’m just wondering, like I say: where is this being driven from? What is the purpose that the ministry is trying to get to? I think the minister agrees that forestry is a vital com- ponent.

It’s important, I know, for the communities that he has, that he represents in his riding, as it is for many of us here in this Legislature. As we go through the committee stage on this bill, I think there certainly will be some interesting questions and discus- sions as we go through. Ultimately, that will lead to whether or not our side of the Legislature supports the changes that the ministry is planning to do in this bill. As I mention when I talk about flexibility for ranchers and the process that they go through, you know, many ranch- ers…. I don’t know, Madam Speaker, if you had that oppor- tunity….

I know the minister has probably had that oppor- tunity. But many people who work on the land base work long days. They have, I guess, a challenge with doing paper- work, going through the process, going through these types of engagements, and that’s a concern. Are we adding more burden on to these people who are trying to raise the food that we eat or are trying to scratch a living out on the land base and are also so important for communities like mine, like Vanderhoof, and so many others that have that as an important component?

Like I say, I’m just wondering if the minister is concerned about adding some layers of potential paperwork and other components that need to be done by these ranchers and sort of what the reasoning is and the thinking behind wanting to do that. Concerns that ranchers have been raising with me, with having to engage personally with First Nations on things like being able to do a dugout for watering or wells or these types of things…. This is just adding to their angst in terms of: what is it that we’re expecting ranchers to do to be able to continue on with utilizing range and utilizing our land base?

Y ou look at this, and you look at all of these components that are being added up. It’s the reason for asking: why is so much of this going to be done through regulation? When I looked at the visual quality objectives…. I was working in the industry in the 1990s when visual quality objectives were first brought in. We sort of looked at it. It all made sense, and it was all nice because we thought of the world as a static world. The landscape is dynamic. It changes. We have seen that dramatic change across the landscape now because of mountain pine beetle.

Many of those areas that are visual quality objectives are dead. Trees are falling down, they’re fire hazards, and they’re close to communities. They need to be able to go in and to do something in those areas. Will this be able to provide the flexibility that is needed to do that so that communities can protect their communities against the potential of wildfires, so that we can get young and healthy forest growing back in these areas that have such restric- tions on them in terms of the ability to be able to harvest and to go in and to be able to replant?

I’m just wondering: are the changes in this act designed to be able to help with that problem, or are they actually going to hinder with that problem? Similarly, when I look at the issue of invasive plants and the requirements in terms of going out and doing assess- ments and the work that may need to be done, talking to ranchers…. I mean, for invasive plants, there’s so much spread of weeds that come from migratory birds, that come from people out recreating on ATVs and other things that are taking seeds along with them unknowingly.

This happens on the land base. [3:20 p.m.] Will we end up downloading costs now to ranchers having to manage these sorts of things on the range when it might not even be their issue? It might be something that is brought on from outside. So it does end up being a down- loading from the government onto ranchers, onto people who are operating on the land base. Once again, I believe that as this particular component goes through, it’s going to be driven more in regulations afterwards. So it’s a big question mark: how will all these things work?

Certainly, if it’s going to be a downloading of costs and a burden onto ranchers that are price-takers — they struggle to be able to carry on with what they’re doing — I can’t support that. Clearly, we want to see a healthy landscape. If there are weeds, weed issues, we want to be able to go through and make sure that the work is being done. I think that both sides of this House would like to see that. I guess the question is: will this end up being downloading, or will this be a part- nership and resources that government will bring to bear in terms of their role in managing the landscape?

After all, 95 percent of the landscape in this province is 8330 British Columbia Debates Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Crown-owned, and the Crown should have a responsibility in terms of stepping up to the plate and being able to make sure those are looked after properly. Once again, like I say, there are many details to come in terms of how this process will go. I have these fears about what is going to come through regulation and the process. Hopefully, we’ll get a sense of that through the commit- tee stage. Hopefully, it won’t have to go to a process that ends up like the mountain caribou, with people starting to protest and coming out with concerns because the plan is already done.

Hopefully, there will be that opportunity for the engage- ment and process, and we’ll get a good sense of that as we go in and through this. In the end, Victoria-driven regulations imposed down on these without the engagement, without the study and work and considerations for the people and the communities is not a good approach. It’s a bad approach. It’s the wrong approach. Y ou need to be able to work with the people.

Y ou need to be able to make sure that the farmers and ranchers, the forestry professionals, the people in communities have an opportunity to engage so that we can have healthy ideas that help to support what we all want to see, which is not just a healthy forest for all the biodiversity issues we have but healthy communities and healthy families. With that, I look forward to raising these concerns during committee stage as well as hearing what other members con- tribute to this debate. S. Furstenau:I’m pleased to rise today to speak to Bill 21, the Forest and Range Practices Amendment Act.

British Columbia has long been known as the province of hewers of wood and drawers of water. We’ve all seen the fam- ous turn-of-the-century photographs of gigantic trees being logged. For generations, forestry has supported thousands of families in the province, just as for thousands of years our forests have, in turn, nourished the environment that we all depend on. Our forests are no longer what they once were. Mills have closed. Jobs have been lost. And our forests are not being managed sustainably. Every year more and more of them go up in flames or succumb to pests.

Every year forests that have been logged without proper review jeopardize community watersheds, endanger species, harm the local ecosystems and dump more carbon into our atmosphere. The state of affairs has gone on for far too long, and the legislation before us today is overdue. As legislators, we have a duty to protect the public interest, not just for today but for generations to come. And it is with that in mind that I speak to this act today. I’ d like to begin by revisiting the Haddock report on pro- fessional reliance, which emerged in response to the sys- temic mismanagement of public resources.

The review, pub- lished last summer, outlined in great detail the challenges that we face and provided 121 recommendations on how we can address them. A significant portion of this review was dedicated solely to the forestry sector. Mark Haddock found that the Forest and Range Practices Act “is a somewhat unique approach to pro- fessional reliance….

Government’s reliance on forest tenure holders is much higher than in other natural resource legis- lation. ” In other words, although the other natural resource sectors were already placing too much reliance on pro- ponents to uphold the public interest, this was especially prominent in forestry. [3:25 p.m.] Mark Haddock found that this reliance was based on four key factors. The information submitted to the government about decisions on the land base was limited. There were also limitations on the discretionary authority of decision- makers when approving plans and making orders.

So the people charged in government with protecting the public interest were meant to do so with limited information and with limited available tools. The requirement for approvals for cutblocks and forest roads has been eliminated. Finally, the practice of tenure hol

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20190410pm-Hansard-n237
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20190410pm Hansard n237
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	70af9bafb2f787a0451dae5397f2199b0dddacfa

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