British Columbia Hansard — Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Afternoon, Issue No. 2 (43rd Parliament, 1st Session)

20250218pm-House-Blues

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

First Session, 43rd Parliament

Official Report

of Debates

(Hansard)

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Afternoon Sitting

Issue No. 2

The Honourable Raj Chouhan , Speaker

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

Contents

Blessings and Acknowledgements

Frank George

Mary Ann Thomas

Speech from the Throne

General Election Results

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill 1 —

An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament

Hon. Niki Sharma

Motions

Appointment of Deputy Speaker

Hon. Mike Farnworth

Appointment of Assistant Deputy Speaker

Á’a:líya Warbus

Appointment of Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole

Hon. Mike Farnworth

Printing of Votes and Proceedings

Hon. Niki Sharma

Appointment of Select Standing Committees

Hon. David Eby

Appendix

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

The House met at 1:32 p.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

The Speaker : Good afternoon, everyone.

I would like to invite Elder Frank George of the Songhees Nation to begin our proceedings

today.

Blessings and Acknowledgements

Frank George : [ lək̓ʷəŋən was spoken.]

My honourable friends, I’m xəlkwəʇlétsə. I’m from here, the lək̓ʷəŋən homelands. My great-grandfather was Cheetlhulm, from here — Snowpatches, Cadboro

Bay, what is now known as Gyro Park. My great-grandfather and all his family members

lived in their longhouse at Cadboro Bay, Snowpatches. Cheetlhulm was a signatory to

the Douglas treaty signed in 1851.

Welcome to the sacred homelands of the lək̓ʷəŋən people. Thank you for being at this special gathering. Thank you for inviting me

to the opening of the first session of the 43rd parliament of British Columbia.

We would like to acknowledge the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, the Premier,

members of the cabinet, Members of the Legislative Assembly and their invited guests.

We want to acknowledge you all for your hard work. We raise our hands to each and

every one of you.

Hay’sxw’qa Si’em. Hay’sxw’qa. Thank you for your hard work. Hay’sxw’qa.

The Speaker : Thank you, Elder George. It’s a great privilege to have you here today and opening

our proceedings and grounding us in these lands.

[1:35 p.m.]

This is the first sitting of the 43rd parliament. On behalf of the Legislative Assembly,

I acknowledge that we are privileged to gather on the traditional territory of the

lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking people, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

We honour and respect the enduring stewardship of these lands and the wisdom, culture

and traditions which you and others so generously share with us, with our community

and with our province. Huy ch q’u.

Now I will invite Elder Mary Ann Thomas of the Esquimalt Nation to offer a blessing.

Mary Ann Thomas : Good morning, everyone. I think it’s still morning. I’m so honoured, here, to be

with you all and to welcome each and every one of you to Esquimalt and Songhees territory.

I really lift my hands up to each and every one of you for all your hard work, because

you’re not giving empty words. You’re giving meaningful words. You gave up your life

to a special home here, where we can do our decision, where we can work together,

how we can love and help and forgive one another…. In this room, there’s no time for

any judgment, any anger, because all that is poison.

It worked for me for 70 years. What my father taught me, I swallowed it, and I let

it grow. If you’re two-faced, then you run into problems, and then we make our shell

sick because the anger and judgment is a poison to our system.

I really praise this home, that we all can come together to really know to each other

that we need each other. When we pull together, our miracles happen. Your prayers

and your dreams will come true.

I talk like this because I used to always tell my sisters and brothers: “Change your

way. Don’t be mad. Don’t get mad over little things.” Now, today, I’m living alone.

All my sisters and brothers are all passed on.

I really took it hard, and then I reversed it, and I said: “I’m rich with my nieces

and nephews. Their parents aren’t here, but I’m going to do my best to give them the

words of encouragement.” I tell them: “You can grieve for a little bit, but stand

up straight. Your treasure box is full of all the teachings with my mom, my dad and

your mother. They didn’t leave you empty.”

One day I told them: “You guys, come here. Let’s sit down together. Who gets you really

mad? Who are you really mad at?” “Oh, they’re passed on now.”

[1:40 p.m.]

And I said: “Well, sit down. You write a letter, and we’ll do a special fire. And

you give it, and now you let it go. It’s not for you to carry, because you need your

brain to think about all the good memories.”

You know, I went to residential school. I came out hating the white people. My father

grabbed me right here. “How could you punish everybody? It wasn’t them that did that

to you. You react. Change it now. Love everybody.”

Because when you forgive, it doesn’t mean it’s okay. It just means that you’re not

going to let that come and make you miserable. My hair was so long. I got hit. Put

in a toilet bowl. And I told my father all this. He says: “Those are the poor people

that don’t know how…. They’re just there for one thing.”

So I always keep this alive, because I’m speaking for the ones that don’t have a voice.

Because we struggle with saying “I witnessed lots.” A lot of nieces, nephews, friends

who are two-spirit — how they’re mistreated. That is the way they are. We have to

accept them for who they are. That’s why you see lives taken, because they don’t accept

them. But each child is a gift.

But do you know what? One time I did the burning for Nanaimo. And there were eight

people that came up, and they said: “[Hul’q’umi’num’ was spoken.] We’ll tell the people.”

Some of the people had abortions. Some of them had miscarriages. So when that baby

comes back, they’re the two-spirit. That’s why we have to accept who they are: to

love one another, to help one another and forgive one another.

I’ll just leave this with you, because we’re all living around a lot of things. Even

if you don’t know the people, say hello. Acknowledge them, to give them the feeling

that they’re recognized and they’re wanted. Think before we say something. Because

once the word is out, you can’t grab it and take it back. This is how I wish for every

one of you to accept each other. Work together. Maybe you can’t stand them, but work

through it and work with them.

I don’t pray and say the Hail Mary. I pray to the day. I pray for the day. I pray

for the air. I pray for the water. I pray for the trees, because they’re so much alive

like us.

I could go on and on, but I just really want to say [Hul’q’umi’num’ was spoken]. To

really thank you for today. I’m so honoured to be here in the House of the Speaker.

I just really love him and respect him, because he doesn’t send any paper out to the

nation. He has his league that comes to see us and approaches the right way, not through

fax or paper. We need to talk face to face to each other and nothing gets out of proportion.

I wish you guys all the best today, because you know I never give empty words. That’d

be cheating on myself. My father would be so upset. That’s why I honour each and every

one of you, because what you put out is what you’re going to get back.

[Hul’q’umi’num’ was spoken.]

The Speaker : Thank you, Elder Thomas. As always, it’s a great honour to have you here. On behalf

of all the members and invited guests, thank you. Thank you so much.

[1:45 p.m.]

Again, I know, Members, that you have your family members and other guests sitting

in the gallery. We will not be making individual introductions. Otherwise, we’ll be

here the whole evening.

On behalf of all of you, I would like to welcome each and every one of our guests

here joining us today on this historical day. Thank you so much.

Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor will be arriving in the chamber shortly, momentarily.

We are also honoured to have the lək̓ʷəŋən traditional singers and dancers accompanying Her Honour into the chamber. We are

grateful for their ceremonial contributions to today’s event.

We will wait for the arrival of Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor, accompanied by

the lək̓ʷəŋən traditional singers and dancers.

Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor requested to attend the House, was admitted to

the chamber and took her seat on the throne.

[1:50 p.m.]

[ lək̓ʷəŋən was sung.]

The Speaker : May it please Your Honour, the House of Assembly has elected me as their Speaker,

though I am but little able to fulfil the important duties thus assigned to me. If,

in the performance of those duties, I should at any time fall into error, I pray that

the fault be imputed to me and not to the assembly, whose servant I am, and who, through

me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to the King and country, humbly

claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have the

freedom of speech in their debates, access to Your Honour’s person at all seasonable

times, and that their proceedings may receive from Your Honour the most favourable

interpretation.

[1:55 p.m.]

Hon. Niki Sharma : Hon. Speaker, I am commanded by her Honour the Lieutenant Governor to declare to

you that she freely confides in the duty and attachment of the House of Assembly to

His Majesty’s person and government, and not doubting that their respective proceedings

will be conducted with wisdom, temper and prudence, she grants, and upon all occasions

will recognize and allow, their constitutional privileges.

I am commanded also to assure you that the assembly shall have ready access to her

Honour the Lieutenant Governor upon all seasonable occasions and that their proceedings,

as well as your words and actions, will constantly receive from her the most favourable

construction.

Speech from the Throne

Hon. Wendy Cocchia (Lieutenant Governor) : Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker, hon. Members, Elders, Chiefs, veterans, uniformed service

members, leaders and distinguished guests.

I would like to start by acknowledging the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations upon whose territories we are gathered

here today.

Thank you to the lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers, Elder Frank George from the Songhees Nation and Elder Mary Ann

Thomas from the Esquimalt Nation for starting us off in a really good way.

I am pleased to deliver my first Speech from the Throne, laying out your government’s

plan to defend British Columbians in uncertain times, a plan to make sure people here

can thrive, no matter what the world throws at us, and to secure a brighter future

for everyone who calls this beautiful place home.

I am honoured to carry on what has become a tradition in this place, remembering some

of the remarkable lives we have lost during the past year.

We mourn Iona Campagnolo, British Columbia’s 27th Lieutenant Governor.

We mourn Hereditary Chief Hemas Kla-Lee-Lee-Kla of Kwakiutl First Nation, known as

Bill Wilson. He was a fearless advocate for First Nations rights and freedoms.

We also mourn other Indigenous leaders, including Sim’oogit Hay’mass, Chief Chester

Moore of Nisg̱a’a Nation; as well as Elder Cody Gus of c̓išaaʔatḥ First Nation; and Elder Josie Paul and her daughter Elder Edie Frederick of Lheidli

T’enneh First Nation.

We mourn Niilo Edwards, the first executive director and CEO of the First Nations

Major Projects Coalition. Edwards was a visionary leader who believed in the power

of partnerships and shared prosperity.

We join all Canadians in mourning Murray Sinclair, a tireless defender of rights and

dignity for Indigenous peoples.

From the world of music, we mourn classical guitarist Alexander Dunn, rock drummer

Rocket Norton, the musician Nell Smith, clarinetist Phil Nimmons and Eleanor Collins,

Canada’s first lady of jazz.

We mourn the artists Joe Average and Anna Banana; as we do the writers Darrel J. McLeod,

Roy Miki, Stan Persky and Maria Tippett.

From the world of sports, we mourn curling’s Tim Horrigan; baseball’s Kaye Kaminishi;

sprinters Peter Ogilvie and Joyce Yakubowich; and Gerry James, who played hockey and

football.

From the worlds of medicine and science, we mourn dermatologist Dr. Alastair Carruthers

and sports medicine’s Dr. Jack Taunton. We also mourn psychologist Sue Johnson.

From the media, we mourn Glenn Baglo, Rick Cluff, George Garrett and Alden Escobido

Habacon.

We mourn labour’s Jessie Uppal, Bill Brassington and Kim Novak.

We mourn professors Roger Gibbins and Rebecca Warburton, as we do community educators

and activists Maggie Ip and Grace Eiko Thomson.

We mourn fire captain Ron Hegedus, as we do mourn those who have served in the Armed

Forces during wartime, as did John Hillman, Bill Cameron, Kenneth Lett and Peter Goodwin

Chance.

We mourn significant leaders who have made an indelible mark on our country. We mourn

former Premier John Horgan, who guided us through a global pandemic; and also former

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who strengthened our trading relationship with the

United States.

[2:00 p.m.]

We mourn other former Members of Parliament from British Columbia, John Fraser and

Chuck Strahl.

And we mourn other members who served in this Legislature: Dan Coulter, Tony Brummet,

Russell Fraser, Gerard Janssen, Dennis MacKay, Shannon O’Neill and Bob Williams.

We mourn and reflect on the loss of so many British Columbians from toxic drugs, and

we mourn those who lost their lives on the job.

To all who lost loved ones over the past year, we extend our sympathies and condolences.

We acknowledge and share your grief.

We open this first session of British Columbia’s 43rd parliament at the most consequential

time for our province since the Second World War. In the face of an unprecedented

and unjustified threat to our economy, British Columbians are joining with all Canadians

to fight back. We’ve come together to support each other and stand up for our country.

We are saying with one united voice that we will never be the 51st state, not now

or ever. Instead, we will take our destiny into our own hands by building on our strengths.

During its first four weeks, the new United States presidential administration has

taken our country on a roller-coaster ride, and we must be prepared for this to continue

for the next four years.

The historic bond between Canada and the United States has been strained in profound

ways. Trust has been broken and will not easily be repaired. No matter what the future

has in store, one thing has been made clear: we will not leave our future success

to the whims of unpredictable forces from beyond our borders or leave people here

to fend for themselves.

We are at a crossroads. The journey ahead will not be easy, but there is nowhere better

positioned to weather the storm and come out the other side stronger than right here

in British Columbia.

B.C. is an extraordinary place. Our province has everything we need to succeed: a

strong economy supported by many different industries; abundant natural resources;

clean energy the world needs; and our most important strength of all, the people who

call this extraordinary place home. The people of B.C. are hard-working, highly skilled

and resilient. This is who we are.

Throughout history, British Columbians have risen to meet the moment. When Britain

stood alone in Europe against the Nazis, Churchill made a desperate appeal for more

military equipment. British Columbia answered the call.

At the outset of the Second World War, fewer than 1,000 British Columbians worked

in the shipyards. By 1943, that workforce was greater than 30,000. The shipyard in

North Vancouver produced nearly half of all cargo ships delivering Allied supplies

and raw goods to the front lines. On Sea Island in Richmond, workers, many of them

women, built the fuselages for the B-29 Superfortress bombers and amphibious aircraft

for shore patrols.

By the war’s end, more than 90,000 men and 26,000 women from B.C. had enlisted. This

was the highest rate of participation in the country.

In peacetime, British Columbians have worked together to welcome the world to our

home, during Expo 86, the 2010 Winter Olympics and the recent Invictus Games, and

we’re preparing to do it again for the men’s FIFA World Cup next year.

B.C. is a place where we get big things done. We build dams to harness nature’s awesome

strength to power our homes and industries. We build highways on the sides of mountains.

We are a province of entrepreneurs and risk-takers. We are leaders in partnership

with First Nations, underlying our commitment to meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous

peoples. We protect our land, air and water, and we take action to tackle climate

change while we grow our economy.

Today we are called on to summon that strength and character one more time, to summon

the courage to do things differently, to chart our own course.

[2:05 p.m.]

Your government is working quickly to reorientate itself to a fundamentally changed

landscape, including reviewing programs and spending to ensure they address today’s

challenges. Difficult times such as these call for action that is both thoughtful

and tough.

British Columbia’s strategy has three components: strengthening and growing our economy;

diversifying our trading relationships; and responding firmly and forcefully, if required.

First and foremost, we will strengthen our economy to be more agile and durable. In

the best traditions of our province, people of different backgrounds and perspectives

are coming together in a common purpose. A new coalition of leaders in business, labour

unions and First Nations are partnering with government.

Today we are executing a made-in-B.C. plan to speed up permitting and regulatory approvals,

to train the next generation of skilled tradespeople, to attract private capital while

expanding our electricity production, to support emerging industries, from technology

to life sciences, and to increase manufacturing opportunities. This is particularly

important for our hard-hit forestry sector. Adding more value to every tree harvested

as B.C. Timber Sales is reformed to ensure it is responsive to this challenge.

Working together to grow a stronger, more self-sufficient economy here at home is

our top priority. To unlock the incredible potential here in British Columbia, your

government is expediting an initial 18 major projects. They include natural gas and

clean energy as well as critical mineral and mining projects worth $20 billion in

investment. Twelve of them are majority First Nations owned. These projects are estimated

to create more than 8,000 jobs and support families, especially in northern and rural

communities.

Late last year the green light was given to nine new clean energy projects, which

will boost B.C. Hydro’s current electricity supply by 8 percent, enough to power 500,000

homes. This will generate between $5 billion and $6 billion in private capital spending

throughout the province, creating 2,000 jobs during construction. Eight of the nine

successful clean energy projects will have 51 percent First Nations equity ownership.

To get this essential electricity online faster, new wind power projects will be exempt

from the environmental assessment process, prioritizing efficiency and regulating

in a way that makes sense, while continuing to ensure that our high standards are

met. A stable supply of clean and affordable energy is essential to power economic

growth while protecting our land and water for our children.

This session, legislation will be introduced to allow the B.C. Energy Regulator to

act as the one window for permits necessary to support the North Coast transmission

line, in addition to other important electricity transmission projects, new wind and

solar. The B.C. Energy Regulator has shown success at getting projects moving quickly

while maintaining strong standards. This will ensure that we build the line sooner

and in partnership with First Nations along the route.

Your government will eliminate unnecessary red tape and break down barriers to growth.

Good progress has been made in housing, where B.C. is breaking down barriers preventing

the construction of middle-class homes. We’re making progress in mining, where major

project review timelines have been reduced by more than 35 percent. Now we are accelerating

that work while applying those lessons to other sectors such as construction, forestry

and agriculture, all of which are foundational to our success as a province. Every

minister has been given marching orders to speed up permit approvals to get job-creating

projects built in partnership with First Nations, communities and businesses throughout

the province.

Beyond natural resources and our strength in new technologies, our province is home

to one of the busiest film and television production centres in North America. Budget

2025 will include tax credits to ensure that our province remains a destination of

choice for film-makers in Canada and around the globe while employing B.C.’s world-class

skilled film crews. This highly anticipated change is already attracting new production

deals.

[2:10 p.m.]

As we grow our economy and build here at home, we will diversify to whom we sell our

products around the world. That means expanding and strengthening our business relationships

with countries in Asia, Europe and beyond. Here again, British Columbia is very well

positioned. As the west coast gateway to Asia and major global centres, our ports

are some of the busiest in Canada.

We are less exposed to the U.S. market than other provinces, but we know more needs

to be done. Your government will upgrade transportation infrastructure, improve supply

chains and make sure businesses have ample industrial land. This is crucial to stay

competitive on the world stage and reach new markets efficiently. New trade missions

will help B.C. businesses build strong economic partnerships around the world.

We will also break down trade barriers within Canada. British Columbia has led the

way on this front for years, most recently by securing a deal with our wineries to

sell directly to customers in Alberta. Discussions are also underway with Alberta

for greater cooperation and alignment on a range of issues.

Underpinning this work is an imperative to stay strong and united, as a country, through

uncertainty with the United States. The bottom line is this: it should not be easier

to buy and sell with Washington state than with our Canadian friends and neighbours.

This must change, and change it will.

While we grow and strengthen our economy, the threat to our sovereignty remains. We

stand strong and united. As a country, Canada must be prepared to fight back, if necessary,

to prevent a trade war.

British Columbia is thoughtfully and directly making the case against tariffs to our

many friends in the United States. A tariff war would be devastating to families on

both sides of the border. Tariffs on top of softwood lumber duties would increase

the price of homes for Americans. Attacks on our food exports would mean expensive

groceries at the checkout for working families in the United States.

Your government is using all channels available to convince American decision-makers

we are better as a team. We are better when we work together and focus on areas of

shared concern for both countries, including border security and toxic drugs, such

as fentanyl. Too many people in both of our countries have lost loved ones to the

toxic drug crisis.

Just like the Americans, our hearts are filled with rage at the predators who move

precursor chemicals and lethal drugs into our country. Your government is eager to

work with other jurisdictions in going after the transnational criminal organizations

trafficking in death, building on our efforts to stop gangs, by taking away their

fast cars and fancy homes.

B.C. will also continue treating addiction as a health issue, connecting people to

treatment and taking new steps to provide secure care for people struggling with brain

injuries, mental illness and severe addiction. These issues must be priorities for

all governments in North America but should not be used as a pretext for destructive

tariffs.

As a country, Canada must be ready to fight back, if necessary. B.C. will respond

to any economic attack on our families, firmly and forcefully, as part of a united

Team Canada effort. We will never back down from defending workers, farmers, businesses

and livelihoods here in British Columbia and across Canada. This is not a fight we

started; this is not a fight we want, but we won’t ever roll over or let our guard

down.

Through turbulent times that included a pandemic, B.C.’s economy has performed well.

We’ve created 250,000 jobs in the past seven years, with the strongest hourly wage

growth in the country. Last year we had the biggest GDP growth among large provinces

and one of the lowest unemployment rates.

[2:15 p.m.]

Our debt-to-GDP ratio is less than half of Ontario’s or Quebec’s, and we have the

highest credit rating of any province, but a strong economy is not just about GDP

numbers or quarterly reports. It’s about generating the wealth necessary to make us

all better off, to create good jobs with paycheques that keep pace with the cost of

living. In short, it’s about delivering in tangible ways on the challenges people

worry about at their kitchen table. In this way, economic and social progress go hand

in hand.

When we make child care more affordable and available, we help expand the labour market

by ensuring more parents can enter or re-enter the workforce. That’s what we’ve done

here in B.C. by cutting child care bills in half, saving parents an average of nearly

$8,000 every year.

When we deliver more homes people can afford, we help those working in the retail,

construction and service sectors live closer to their jobs. During the next ten years,

experts expect B.C.’s Homes for People plan to deliver 300,000 new middle-class homes.

It’s starting to make a difference right now. Rents are finally going down, more new

rentals than ever are being built and construction is going strong.

When we hire teachers and build modern schools, we help students get a good start

in life, preparing them for an ever-changing workforce. When we build roads, highways

and public transit, we help make workers more productive by getting them to their

jobs and back to their loved ones faster. This session, new legislation will be introduced

to get those and other critical infrastructure projects built faster to keep our economy

moving.

When we expand skills training, we help people get ahead and businesses attract the

talent they need to thrive. To that end, your government will work closely with industry,

labour and post-secondary institutions to create faster and easier pathways to get

in-demand skills in the trades, creating new opportunities for mid-career workers

and young people that grow the middle class, support business expansion and strengthen

our workforce’s productivity. Ultimately, we know we cannot claim our economy is truly

working unless it is working for everyone.

For too long, people have been taken advantage of and left behind by powerful interests.

Rampant speculation has put home ownership and rent out of reach for many working

families. Gouging on top of global inflation has driven up the cost of daily essentials.

Your government will take new actions to safeguard people who work hard and play by

the rules. This session, laws will be introduced to protect British Columbians from

credit card fraud, unfair practices by cell phone companies and to recover health

care costs from wrongdoers.

B.C. will maintain our leading work to make sure the housing market works for ordinary

people, not those keeping homes empty or flipping them for a quick profit. Keeping

everyday costs low for working families will continue to be a top priority, from locking

in savings on car insurance to putting money back in people’s pockets.

Our work to strengthen enforcement and intervention services to build safer, stronger

communities will be a key focus. Here in B.C., we’re adding more police officers and

establishing teams of prosecutors and probation officers to stop repeat violent criminals

from reoffending.

The success of British Columbians is at the centre of your government’s economic plan,

one that works for every person and every community throughout the province. A strong

and growing economy is necessary to protect and improve the public services families

rely on, especially health care. There is no greater expression of who we are as Canadians

than our universal public health care system, providing life-saving care for everyone

without taking out a credit card.

But like many places, British Columbia is feeling the strain of worker shortages and

a rising demand for care. Communities are growing, people are getting older and sicker,

and many doctors and nurses are retiring. Your government is responding by adding

more nurses and family doctors, opening more community clinics and building more hospitals

than ever.

[2:20 p.m.]

In the past two years, British Columbia has connected hundreds of thousands of people

to a primary care provider. More are being connected every day, and yet we know there

is so much more we need to do.

Your government will work with regulatory colleges to ensure trained health care workers

from other countries have their credentials recognized faster. That includes attracting

the best and brightest medical professionals from the United States, who are already

drawn to the benefits of our public health care system.

The challenges also require changing the way we do things. B.C. has taken action that

allows doctors to spend more time with their patients. Since the scope of practice

for pharmacists was expanded, people are getting prescriptions for minor ailments

and free contraception quicker and more easily. We’ve tripled the number of nurse

practitioners in the province. Many are now taking patients in their own primary care

clinics.

While the recent threats from the U.S. administration have felt like a betrayal, they

have awoken something powerful in Canadians. You can see it everywhere you go. People

are considering their choices carefully. When planning the next vacation, they’re

choosing to travel locally. At the grocery store, they’re looking for “Made in Canada”

or a Buy B.C. logo. We are all saying, with one unified voice, our country is not

for sale.

Canadians and Americans have always been good friends. In many cases, we’re family.

We share the longest undefended border in the world and a partnership that has benefited

both countries for more than 150 years.

Ours is a bond forged in battle. We stormed the beaches at Normandy together on D-Day,

fighting to liberate Europe from fascism. For generations, our soldiers have died,

cried and celebrated victory beside each other. Together we have looked to the stars

and seen U.S. space shuttle missions supported by Canadarm, a powerful symbol of our

long-standing collaboration on science and technology.

We worked together to build a highway from Dawson Creek to Alaska, with local First

Nations playing an essential role as guides through difficult and remote territory.

There is much we admire about our southern neighbour, but we will never become the

51st state. We make our own decisions and control our own future.

Because we have followed our own path, we live longer and have a more robust social

net. Our democratic institutions are stronger, and our day-to-day lives are safer.

Canada is a place that is special — not because we are perfect, but because we are

always striving to make progress.

We are a proud and independent country, proud of how we take care of each other and

our neighbours, just as our B.C. wildfire firefighters were there for the people of

Los Angeles in their time of need.

Through this time of uncertainty, your government will be there to support you and

your family. As proud British Columbians and Canadians, we are called on to meet this

moment the same way we always do: by working together and looking out for each other.

Together we will build a stronger, more secure future here in the best province in

the greatest country in the world, the true north, strong and free.

On just a very quick personal note, I would like to thank you. It’s been my sincere

pleasure to deliver my first throne speech in this chamber. I think I join about 61

percent of you as being a newbie.

I really thank you all for your service. I especially thank your families for their

support of you being here for your service.

I wish you all the very best, sincerely, to embark together in this first session

of the 43rd parliament here in beautiful British Columbia.

I’m very proud of you all, because you’ve joined me in doing this without the seventh-inning

stretch.

Thank you. Merci. HÍSW̱ḴE.

Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor retired from the chamber.

[2:25 p.m.]

[The Speaker in the chair.]

The Speaker : Hon. Members, in order to prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy of Her Honour

the Lieutenant Governor’s speech.

General Election Results

Clerk of the Legislative Assembly : Hon. Members, pursuant to

Section 147 of the Election Act, I received two reports

from the Chief Electoral Officer certifying the results of the general election held

October 19, 2024.

The first letter, dated November 5, 2024, certified 90 members, and the second letter,

dated November 12, 2024, certified the results of the three remaining electoral districts

that were subject to judicial recounts.

Accordingly, the members of the 43rd parliament of the Legislative Assembly of British

Columbia are as follows.

[2:30 p.m. - 2:35 p.m.]

[See Appendix.]

Hon. Niki Sharma : I move that the certificates of the Chief Electoral Officer of the results of the

election of members be entered upon the Journals of the House.

Motion approved.

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

Bill 1 —

An Act to Ensure the

Supremacy of Parliament

Hon. Niki Sharma presented a bill intituled

An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament.

Hon. Niki Sharma : I move that Bill 1, intituled

An Act to Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament, be introduced

and read a first time now.

The introduction of this bill prior to consideration of the throne speech expresses

the established right of Parliament, through its elected members, to deliberate independently

of the Sovereign. As such, it is an important part of our parliamentary democratic

process.

It is my honour as Attorney General and Deputy Premier to introduce this bill of historic

and symbolic importance at the opening of each new session.

The Speaker : The question is the introduction and first reading of Bill 1, intituled

An Act to

Ensure the Supremacy of Parliament.

Motion approved.

Hon. Niki Sharma : 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.

Motion approved.

Motions

Appointment of Deputy Speaker

Hon. Mike Farnworth : I move, seconded by the member for Chilliwack–Cultus Lake electoral district:

[That Mable Elmore , Member for Vancouver-Kensington Electoral District, be appointed Deputy Speaker

for this Session of the Legislative Assembly.]

Motion approved.

Appointment of

Assistant Deputy Speaker

Á’a :líya Warbus : I move, seconded by the member for Port Coquitlam electoral district:

[That Lorne Doerkson , Member for Cariboo-Chilcotin Electoral District, be appointed Assistant Deputy Speaker

for this Session of the Legislative Assembly.]

Motion approved.

Appointment of Deputy Chair,

Committee of the Whole

Hon. Mike Farnworth : I move, seconded by the member for Chilliwack–Cultus Lake electoral district:

[That George Anderson , Member for Nanaimo-Lantzville Electoral District, be appointed Deputy Chair of the

Committee of the Whole for this Session of the Legislative Assembly.]

Motion approved.

Printing of Votes and Proceedings

Hon. Niki Sharma : I move:

[That the Votes and Proceedings of this House be printed, being first perused by the Speaker, and that he do appoint

the printing thereof, and that no person but such as he shall appoint do presume to

print the same.]

Motion approved.

[2:40 p.m.]

Appointment of

Select Standing Committees

Hon. David Eby : I move:

[That the Select Standing Committees of this House for the present Session, be appointed

for the following purposes:

1. Aboriginal Affairs;

2. Agriculture, Fish and Food;

3. Children and Youth;

4. Crown Corporations;

5. Education;

6. Finance and Government Services;

7. Health;

8. Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct and Standing Orders;

9. Public Accounts;

and further that the Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives and the

Select Standing Committee on Private Bills and Private Members’ Bills be appointed

for the present Parliament,

which said Committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all

such matters and things as shall be referred to them by this House, and to report

from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for

persons, papers and records, and that a Special Committee be appointed to prepare

and report with all convenient speed lists of members to compose the above Select

Standing Committees of this House under Standing Order 68 (1), the Committee to be

composed of the Hon. Mike Farnworth (Convener), Hon. Ravi Parmar, J anet Routledge , Stephanie Higginson , Á’a:líya Warbus , Jody Toor , Bruce Banman and Rob Botterell .]

Motion approved.

The Speaker : Members, before we adjourn the House, I would like to invite all members and their

guests downstairs, one floor down, for a reception. Please ask your guests to join

us.

Hon. Mike Farnworth moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The Speaker : This House stands adjourned until 1:30 tomorrow afternoon.

The House adjourned at 2:41 p.m.

Appendix

Electoral District

Ballot Name

Political Party Affiliation

Abbotsford-Mission

Reann Gasper

Conservative Party of B.C.

Abbotsford South

Bruce Banman

Conservative Party of B.C.

Abbotsford West

Korky Neufeld

Conservative Party of B.C.

Boundary-Similkameen

Donegal Wilson

Conservative Party of B.C.

Bulkley Valley–Stikine

Sharon Hartwell

Conservative Party of B.C.

Chilliwack–Cultus Lake

Á’a:líya Warbus

Conservative Party of B.C.

Chilliwack North

Heather Maahs

Conservative Party of B.C.

Columbia River–Revelstoke

Scott McInnis

Conservative Party of B.C.

Kamloops–North Thompson

Ward Stamer

Conservative Party of B.C.

Kelowna Centre

Kristina Loewen

Conservative Party of B.C.

Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream

Tara Armstrong

Conservative Party of B.C.

Kelowna-Mission

Gavin Dew

Conservative Party of B.C.

Langley–Walnut Grove

Misty Van Popta

Conservative Party of B.C.

Langley-Willowbrook

Jody Toor

Conservative Party of B.C.

Maple Ridge East

Lawrence Mok

Conservative Party of B.C.

Peace River South

Larry Neufeld

Conservative Party of B.C.

Penticton-Summerland

Amelia Boultbee

Conservative Party of B.C.

Port Coquitlam

Mike Farnworth

B.C. NDP

Port Moody–Burquitlam

Rick Glumac

B.C. NDP

Powell River–Sunshine Coast

Randene Neill

B.C. NDP

Prince George–Mackenzie

Kiel Giddens

Conservative Party of B.C.

Prince George–North Cariboo

Sheldon Clare

Conservative Party of B.C.

Prince George–Valemount

Rosalyn Bird

Conservative Party of B.C.

Richmond-Bridgeport

Teresa Wat

Conservative Party of B.C.

Richmond Centre

Hon Chan

Conservative Party of B.C.

Richmond-Queensborough

Steve Kooner

Conservative Party of B.C.

Richmond-Steveston

Kelly Greene

B.C. NDP

Saanich North and the Islands

Rob Botterell

B.C. Green Party

Saanich South

Lana Popham

B.C. NDP

Salmon Arm–Shuswap

David L. Williams

Conservative Party of B.C.

Skeena

Claire Rattée

Conservative Party of B.C.

Surrey City Centre

Amna Shah

B.C. NDP

Surrey-Cloverdale

Elenore Sturko

Conservative Party of B.C.

Surrey-Fleetwood

Jagrup Brar

B.C. NDP

Surrey-Guildford

Garry Begg

B.C. NDP

Surrey-Newton

Jessie Sunner

B.C. NDP

Surrey North

Mandeep Dhaliwal

Conservative Party of B.C.

Surrey-Panorama

Bryan Tepper

Conservative Party of B.C.

Surrey–Serpentine River

Linda Hepner

Conservative Party of B.C.

Surrey South

Brent Chapman

Conservative Party of B.C.

Surrey–White Rock

Trevor Halford

Conservative Party of B.C.

West Vancouver–Capilano

Lynne Block

Conservative Party of B.C.

West Vancouver–Sea to Sky

Jeremy Valeriote

B.C. Green Party

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20250218pm-House-Blues
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20250218pm-House-Blues
Language	en
Format	htm
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	73a1816bfefcb25b5c54f67b7976085eb4b9815c

Source file is stored in the law ingest library (htm).