British Columbia Hansard — H0228am 01

H0228am-01

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fift h Session, 39th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOFF , SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Th ursday, February 28, 2013 Morning Sitting Volume 43, Number 1

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Fifth Session, 39th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council .............................................................................................................. Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas and Minister Responsible for Housing .............Hon.

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ............................................................................................................ Hon. Ida Chong Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism ............Hon. John Yap Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government ........................................................................................................Hon. Ben Stewart Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ................................................................................................Hon.

Bill Bennett Minister of Education ............................................................................................................................................................. Hon. Don McRae Minister of Environment .................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Minister of Finance .................................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations......................................................................................Hon. Steve Th omson Minister of Health .......................................................................................................................................... Hon. Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Minister of State for Seniors .................................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Ralph Sultan Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ............................................................ Hon. Pat Bell Minister of State for Small Business ............................................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto Minister of Justice ...................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Shirley Bond Minister of Social Development ...................................................................................................................................Hon. Dr. Moira Stilwell Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon.

Mary Polak LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ......................................................................................................................................................Adrian Dix Deputy Speaker ....................................................................................................................................................................................

Linda Reid Assistant Deputy Speaker ..................................................................................................................................................................Dawn Black Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole .......................................................................................................................................... Harry Bloy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ...................................................................................................................................................

Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees ................................................................................................................................. Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk ...................................................................................................................................................Roderick MacArthur, QC Clerk Consultant ..............................................................................................................................................E.

George MacMinn, OBC, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Abbott, George (BC Liberal) ................................................................. Shuswap Austin, Robin (NDP) ................................................................................ Skeena Bains, Harry (NDP) ....................................................................Surrey-Newton Barisoff , Hon. Bill (BC Liberal) ...........................................................Penticton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ............................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Bell, Hon. Pat (BC Liberal) ....................................

Prince George–Mackenzie Bennett, Hon. Bill (BC Liberal) ...................................................Kootenay East Black, Dawn (NDP) ................................................................New Westminster Bloy, Harry (BC Liberal) .....................................................Burnaby-Lougheed Bond, Hon. Shirley (BC Liberal) ........................... Prince George–Valemount Brar, Jagrup (NDP) ................................................................ Surrey-Fleetwood Cadieux, Hon.

Stephanie (BC Liberal) .................................Surrey-Panorama Cantelon, Ron (BC Liberal) ............................................. Parksville-Qualicum Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) .................................Vancouver–West End Chong, Hon. Ida (BC Liberal) .................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ........................................................... Burnaby-Edmonds Clark, Hon. Christy (BC Liberal) .................................Vancouver–Point Grey Coell, Murray (BC Liberal) ..............................Saanich North and the Islands Coleman, Hon.

Rich (BC Liberal) .......................... Fort Langley–Aldergrove Conroy, Katrine (NDP) .............................................................. Kootenay West Coons, Gary (NDP) .........................................................................North Coast Corrigan, Kathy (NDP) ..................................................... Burnaby–Deer Lake Dalton, Marc (BC Liberal) ............................................. Maple Ridge–Mission de Jong, Hon. Michael, QC (BC Liberal) ..............................

Abbotsford West Dix, Adrian (NDP) ............................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Doug (NDP) ......................................................................... Stikine Elmore, Mable (NDP) ................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Falcon, Kevin (BC Liberal) ...................................................Surrey-Cloverdale Farnworth, Mike (NDP) ............................................................ Port Coquitlam Fleming, Rob (NDP) ..........................................................

Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal) .......................................................Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Scott (NDP) ............................................................Alberni–Pacifi c Rim Gentner, Guy (NDP) .........................................................................Delta North Hammell, Sue (NDP) .................................................... Surrey–Green Timbers Hansen, Colin (BC Liberal) ........................................... Vancouver-Quilchena Hawes, Randy (BC Liberal) ..............................................

Abbotsford-Mission Hayer, Dave S. (BC Liberal) ................................................... Surrey-Tynehead Heed, Kash (BC Liberal) ............................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Hogg, Gordon (BC Liberal) ............................................... Surrey–White Rock Horgan, John (NDP) ....................................................................... Juan de Fuca Horne, Douglas (BC Liberal) ..............................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Howard, Rob (BC Liberal) ....................................................

Richmond Centre Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard (NDP) ........................................................................... Nanaimo Krueger, Kevin (BC Liberal) .............................. Kamloops–South Th ompson Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP) ........................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Lake, Hon. Dr.

Terry (BC Liberal) ....................Kamloops–North Th ompson Lali, Harry (NDP) ..........................................................................Fraser-Nicola Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal) ......................................................Burnaby North Lekstrom, Blair (BC Liberal) ................................................ Peace River South Les, John (BC Liberal) ........................................................................Chilliwack Letnick, Hon. Norm (BC Liberal) ..............................Kelowna–Lake Country MacDiarmid, Hon. Dr. Margaret (BC Liberal) ..............

Vancouver-Fairview Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ....................................Columbia River–Revelstoke McIntyre, Joan (BC Liberal) .................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky McNeil, Mary (BC Liberal) ..........................................Vancouver–False Creek McRae, Hon. Don (BC Liberal) ..................................................

Comox Valley Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston O'Mahony, Gwen (NDP) .........................................................Chilliwack-Hope Pimm, Pat (BC Liberal) .........................................................Peace River North Polak, Hon. Mary (BC Liberal) .............................................................. Langley Popham, Lana (NDP) ...................................................................Saanich South Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ................................................................

Surrey-Whalley Reid, Linda (BC Liberal) ............................................................Richmond East Routley, Bill (NDP) .................................................................. Cowichan Valley Routley, Doug (NDP) ............................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, John (BC Liberal) .......................................................... Nechako Lakes Sather, Michael (NDP) ......................................... Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ...................................

Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Bob (Ind.) .....................................................................Cariboo North Simpson, Shane (NDP) ..................................................... Vancouver-Hastings Slater, John (Ind.) .........................................................Boundary-Similkameen Stewart, Hon. Ben (BC Liberal) .......................................... Westside-Kelowna Stilwell, Hon. Dr. Moira (BC Liberal) .............................. Vancouver-Langara Sultan, Hon. Ralph (BC Liberal) ........................... West Vancouver–Capilano Th omson, Hon.

Steve (BC Liberal) .......................................Kelowna-Mission Th orne, Diane (NDP) .................................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Th ornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) .......................... North Vancouver–Seymour Trasolini, Joe (NDP).................................................... Port Moody–Coquitlam Trevena, Claire (NDP) .................................................................... North Island van Dongen, John (Ind.).........................................................Abbotsford South Y amamoto, Hon. Naomi (BC Liberal) ................

North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, Hon. John (BC Liberal) ............................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission .......................................................................Randy Hawes Abbotsford South .....................................................................John van Dongen Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacifi c Rim ..........................................................................

Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen .....................................................................John Slater Burnaby–Deer Lake ................................................................... Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ......................................................................... Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed ............................................................................ Harry Bloy Burnaby North .............................................................................. Richard T.

Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ........................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North ................................................................................ Bob Simpson Chilliwack ............................................................................................... John Les Chilliwack-Hope ......................................................................Gwen O'Mahony Columbia River–Revelstoke .................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley...........................................................................Hon.

Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .....................................................Douglas Horne Coquitlam-Maillardville............................................................... Diane Th orne Cowichan Valley ................................................................................

Bill Routley Delta North ......................................................................................Guy Gentner Delta South ...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola........................................................................................

Harry Lali Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ...................................................... Kevin Krueger Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon. Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon.

Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................Michael Sather Nanaimo ......................................................................................... Leonard Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan .........................................................

Doug Routley Nechako Lakes .................................................................................. John Rustad Nelson-Creston ........................................................................Michelle Mungall New Westminster ..............................................................................Dawn Black North Coast....................................................................................... Gary Coons North Island ..................................................................................

Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ........................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ................................................. Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ............................................................ Hon. Ida Chong Parksville-Qualicum ..................................................................... Ron Cantelon Peace River North ................................................................................

Pat Pimm Peace River South .........................................................................Blair Lekstrom Penticton................................................................................... Hon. Bill Barisoff Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ..................................................................Joe Trasolini Powell River–Sunshine Coast ................................................. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie .............................................................Hon.

Pat Bell Prince George–Valemount ................................................... Hon. Shirley Bond Richmond Centre ............................................................................ Rob Howard Richmond East ................................................................................... Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston .................................................................... Hon. John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands ..................................................... Murray Coell Saanich South ................................................................................

Lana Popham Shuswap .........................................................................................George Abbott Skeena .............................................................................................. Robin Austin Stikine .......................................................................................

Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ...........................................................................Kevin Falcon Surrey-Fleetwood ...............................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ................................................................................. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................ Hon.

Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Tynehead ........................................................................... Dave S. Hayer Surrey-Whalley.............................................................................. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock ....................................................................... Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Fairview .......................................Hon. Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Vancouver–False Creek ..................................................................

Mary McNeil Vancouver-Fraserview ........................................................................Kash Heed Vancouver-Hastings ....................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington .................................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..........................................................................Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara .......................................................Hon. Dr. Moira Stilwell Vancouver–Mount Pleasant .........................................

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey ......................................................... Hon. Christy Clark Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................................... Colin Hansen Vancouver–West End ...............................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee ...............................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill .......................................................................Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake.........................................................................Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano ................................................... Hon. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ........................................................ Joan McIntyre Westside-Kelowna ...................................................................Hon.

Ben Stewart Party Standings: BC Liberal 45; New Democratic 36; Independent 4

CONTENTS Th ursday, February 28, 2013 Morning Sitting Page Orders of the Day Budget Debate (continued) .................................................................................................................................................. 13167 J. Brar Tabling Documents ............................................................................................................................................................... 13167 Offi ce of the Auditor General, report No. 11, 2013, Health Benefi ts Operations: Are the Expected Benefi ts Being Achieved?

Budget Debate (continued) .................................................................................................................................................. 13167 J. Brar Hon. S. Bond N. Simons Hon. N. Y amamoto R. Fleming

THURSDAY , FEBRUARY 28, 2013 Th e House met at 10:02 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Prayers. Orders of the Day Hon. T. Lake: I now call for a return to response to the budget. Budget Debate (continued) [Applause.] J. Brar: Th anks to the member. Quite a good begin- ning and in the spirit of friendship, at least to start the day. [D. Black in the chair.] It's always a real honour to stand up in this House and respond to the budget speech. Th is is a rare opportunity to speak for the people of Surrey.

I exist in this House be- cause the people of Surrey have elected me as their repre- sentative three times in a row. Th erefore, I would like to convey my sincere thanks to the people of Surrey for giv- ing me the opportunity and for putting their faith in me. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] The city of Surrey is the second-largest city in the province. Mr. Speaker: Hon. Member, sorry to interrupt you, but I have a report that I have to table. Tabling Documents Mr. Speaker: Hon.

Members, I have the honour to present the Auditor General's report No. 11, 2013, Health Benefits Operations: Are the Expected Benefits Being Achieved? Continue, Member. Debate Continued J. Brar: Th e city of Surrey is the second-largest city in the province. Surrey welcomes over 1,000 new residents every month and is proud to be called the fastest-growing community in the country. [D. Black in the chair.] Surrey is also a young city.

Th ere are over 100,000 people under the age of 19, and Surrey has the largest number of youth of all B.C. municipalities. [1005] Th e population growth brings with it unique econom- ic opportunities and challenges to address the growing needs of our growing population. Th erefore, the people of Surrey watched the budget speech with deep interest, hoping it would address some of the challenges facing our people. Over the years the B.C. Liberal government has shown it is not up to the challenges facing our fast- growing community.

We still see chronic problems with education, income inequality, transit and health care. Surrey residents are fi nding it hard to travel on public transit, schools badly need funding, and we see the visible signs of poverty and income inequality in parts of the city. Th ere is no good news in this budget for the people of Surrey. B.C. Liberals claim that this is a balanced budget. It is not a balanced budget. Th is is the fi ft h defi cit budget in a row. In fact, it is a bogus budget. Let me tell you why this budget is a bogus budget.

First, the total projected surplus for this budget is just $197 million — just $197 million — and the projected defi cit for last year's budget was $968 million. In reality, today the defi cit for the last fi scal year is now predicted to be $1.2 billion. In other words, the defi cit, as projected by this government, and the reality of the defi cit — there's a variation of $232 million. It is $232 million more than they projected last year.

Th e question that the people of British Columbia are asking is: how realistic is it to have a defi cit of $197 mil- lion when their last-year defi cit was over, by their projec- tions, about $232 million? Secondly, they used accounting tricks to move ex- penditures from one year to the other year. Th at is an- other thing they did, and that's why this is a bogus budget. And it is not only the opposition saying it. Media are say- ing it, political pundits are saying it, and the accountants are saying it.

Let me tell you what a well-known, respected reporter, Vaughn Palmer, said on February 20 in the Vancouver Sun. "Another fi scal trick saw the government bring for- ward into the outgoing fi nancial year, meaning the one ending this March 31, about $150 million worth of pro- gram spending that would have otherwise been booked to the incoming year, meaning the one beginning April 1." Th at means they have moved the $150 million expendi- ture from the budget year, which is the next year, from the previous year.

Th irdly, this is a bogus budget because the Liberal re- cord of making predictions about revenue is very, very poor. Last year, for example, the B.C. Liberal predictions for natural gas revenue were wrong by half a million dol- lars — half a million dollars over just a six-month period. Th at's why this is a bogus budget. Fourthly, this is a bogus budget because this budget in- 13167

British Columbia Debates13168 Thursday, February 28, 2013 cludes $800 million of revenue from a fi re sale of public land and assets. Th is is unrealistic and simply not cred- ible. Again, this is not only the opposition objecting to it. Th e people of British Columbia are asking questions about it, and the media are asking questions about it.

Th is government has been silent, not responding to many of the questions being asked. [1010] Let me tell you what Vaughn Palmer on February 20 stated in the Vancouver Sun : "Th e most controversial saw the inclusion of $800 million worth of scheduled asset sales, mostly government-owned land that has been declared surplus, marketable or both. Previous govern- ments have sold off assets from time to time as well. I don't recall them doing it to this extent, nor as a route to a balanced budget." Th at's what Vaughn Palmer is saying from the Vancouver Sun.

Today in the Vancouver Sun I read a completely dif- ferent new layer about that. Th e government planned to sell off fi nancial instruments. Th at's what is reported in today's Vancouver Sun by Jonathan Fowlie. Th is is a new item which has never been disclosed before. Th is is what Jonathan says: "Th e B.C. Liberal government's controver- sial plan to balance its budget by selling off public assets includes the disposal of hundreds of millions of dollars… of what it is calling 'fi nancial instruments.'" Th at's what the newspaper is saying today. Interjection. J.

Brar: Madam Speaker, the member for Chilliwack is objecting to my comments. I think he will have a chance to speak to the budget, and he should stand up and speak to the budget when his turn comes. About this sale of these properties. Th is government has been very secret about disclosing the list of those properties. We have asked them in this House, and the people of British Columbia have been asking about that list, and this government has been completely secret. Th at brings a lot of suspicion about the sale of those proper- ties.

Th e argument used by the government, in my opin- ion, is baseless and does not stand the test of the market. What they are saying is that by disclosing the list of properties, the price of the property is going to go up. Th at's the argument this government is using. Th at is a baseless argument, in my view. In my view, the more buyers, the better the price of the property. Th erefore, I would like to ask the government that they should make the list of those properties public. (

a) Th e public of British Columbia has the right to know the list of those properties. (

b) Th e more buyers, the better the price, I think, is the formula. Th e more people that know about it, the better the price that the people of British Columbia can get for that property. (

c) People will judge whether those properties are sur- plus, as defi ned by the government. Th erefore, there is a disclosure issue this government continues to refuse about those properties, and that's why this budget is a bogus budget. Th ere is bad news for the people of Surrey. Th e list of those properties includes fi ve properties in the city of Surrey. Th e city of Surrey, the fastest-growing popula- tion in the province, in the country, which needs a lot of properties to build schools, to build hospitals, and fi ve of those properties are included in the city of Surrey.

Th ere are two lots on 192 Street in the middle of a fast-growing community. Th ey also sold a former school board offi ce, located next to the city hall, and they are selling two schools. I don't know which the schools are, because they don't disclose the information. But the most controversial and most objectionable piece of land this government has put on sale is the 15-acre lot in the Panorama Ridge neighbourhood in Surrey. Th is is a piece of land that was purchased more than 15 years ago by the previous gov- ernment to build a new hospital for the growing popu- lation of Surrey.

Th is is a perfect location to build a new hospital at the corner of 152 Street and Highway 10. [1015] This is a location that is in the middle of a grow- ing population and with an excellent road network to three other hospitals in the region: Peace Arch Hospital, Langley Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital. But the B.C. Liberals have put that piece of land on sale to bal- ance the budget just before the election, so they don't care about the needs of the fastest-growing community in the province. Th at is the people of Surrey.

Th at's why this is a bogus budget, because we don't know whether the sale of those 100 properties will ma- terialize and will bring the money they have projected in the budget. Another thing is that this is not the fi rst time. Th is budget is actually nothing but a repeat of the 2009 pre- election budget. If you remember, Madam Speaker, it was in '09, just before the election, that they presented the budget saying that the total defi cit would be $495 mil- lion. Not a penny more. Th at's what they said. And it's not only what they said during the presentation of the budget.

Th ey kept repeating it during the election campaign. But as soon as the election was over, what did the people of British Columbia fi nd? Th at that was completely wrong. Th e actual defi cit was over $2 billion, fi ve times more than the prediction made by this government in the '09 budget. Clearly, this government, the B.C. Liberal govern- ment, misled the people of British Columbia. Th ey mis- informed the people of British Columbia about the prediction about the budget and particularly about the defi cit. Th e other thing they said during the pre-election cam- paign, that….

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 28, 2013 13169 J. Les: I rise on a point of order, Madam Speaker. I believe I heard the member opposite suggesting that the government misled the people of British Columbia. I believe that to be unparliamentary language, and he should withdraw. M. Farnworth: Madam Speaker, it is a time-honoured, long-known parliamentary fact that the term "misled" is perfectly acceptable parliamentary language. Th e term "deliberately misleading" would be unparliamentary, but "misleading" is parliamentary. Deputy Speaker: Th ere is no point of order.

Would the member for Surrey-Fleetwood please continue. J. Brar: Th ank you, Madam Speaker. Y ou know, we live in the fi nest democracy on the earth, and people have the right to object, but at the same time, if you say to the people of British Columbia that the total defi cit will be $495 million, and, in reality, it's $2 billion, I don't know what word you would use to explain that. I just said "mis- led," but I don't know. What word would you use to say that, as to what happened there? Th e other thing they said during the pre-election in '09…. Th ey didn't mention in the budget at all about the HST.

Th ey said they had no plans to introduce the HST in the province of British Columbia. Not only that, but they actually gave that commitment in writing to the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association. Th ey also gave that commitment in writing to the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association. But that was during the election campaign. As soon as the election was over, because they said the total defi - cit would be $495 million and, in fact, it was $2 billion, they were looking for new cash. So guess what hap- pened.

Just a few weeks aft er the election, they imposed the HST on the people of British Columbia. Th at's what they did. It was a complete surprise for the people of British Columbia. [1020] What happened after that we know. The people of British Columbia stood up to this government. They signed petitions. Th ey answered the future of the HST through the referendum — and we still continue, the people of British Columbia still continue, paying HST, even aft er that HST was defeated through a legal process, through a referendum process. People still keep paying it.

Th at's why the people of British Columbia don't believe the budget of this government. Th e other issue, which is not part of this budget, is the issue of income inequality. Th is is very close to my heart. Th e budget fails to address the growing income inequal- ity in our rich province. Income inequality has been growing in every part of British Columbia since the B.C. Liberals took over in 2001.

Th at's why I accepted the welfare challenge last year to live on the welfare amount, to experience fi rst time what life is like for the 800,000 people living in poverty in this province, because it is very hard for me to believe, and I think it's very hard for any member of this House to believe, that we have 100,000 children living in pov- erty in this rich province we call "Th e best place on earth to live." It's very hard for me to believe that over 90,000 British Columbians use a food bank every month. We have a wealthy society. We have a wealthy province, and we can do better.

We can do better, and I think the people of British Columbia want us to do better, particu- larly the way we look aft er the most vulnerable people of the province. Th is budget does not address that issue. I lived on the provincial income assistance for a month, beginning January 1, 2012. I met a lot of people living in poverty, living on welfare. I listened to their stories, very heartbreaking stories, and there is a message to all of us. Under the B.C. Liberals life has become less aff ordable. Life has become less aff ordable for families. Th at's the message, and that message was very clear.

British Columbia now has the highest level of income inequality and the highest rate of poverty of any prov- ince in Canada. Th is budget off ers absolutely no hope for those people. Th e B.C. Liberal record is very clear when it comes to supporting or assisting the most vulnerable people. A report released by the Toronto-Dominion Bank in December 2012 shows that British Columbia has the highest level of income inequality in Canada.

Similarly, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives states that in 2009 the top 20 percent of earners in British Columbia had 44.8 percent of aft er-tax income, the most of any jurisdiction in Canada. Th e bottom 20 percent had the smallest share, with only 4.5 percent of income. Th e gap between the rich and the poor is highest in this province because of the policies of the B.C. Liberal gov- ernment for the last ten years. Th e B.C. Progress Board annual report, 2006, empha- sizes the fact that…. Th is is a board established by this government. Th is is the board established by the B.C.

Liberal government. [1025] Th is is what they say: "Low income matters for two rea- sons. First, equality of opportunity is an important goal in British Columbia. All children, irrespective of their so- cial background, should have an equal chance to succeed in the province, and there is compelling evidence that children from low-income families are at greater risk." Th at's what the B.C. Progress Board said. Th e second thing they said: "Governments and society as a whole bear important collective costs that fl ow from high levels of economic marginalization in the province." Th at's what the B.C.

Progress Board says. Th ere is a clear diff erence between our vision and the B.C. Liberals' vision, as indicated in this province. Th e B.C. Liberals' economic and social policies have left B.C.

British Columbia Debates13170 Thursday, February 28, 2013 with the worst poverty rate in Canada for several years in a row, according to Statistics Canada. Th e B.C. Liberals have refused to follow the lead of eight other provinces and territorial governments that have comprehensive poverty reduction plans in place or under development. We cannot aff ord not to take actions to address the growing gap between the rich and the poor. We must start addressing income inequality with a pragmatic ap- proach, with clear targets and timelines. Th e B.C.

Liberal government has continuously refused to take steps in that direction. Th e government and the people of British Columbia want us to take action. Th at's why we have tabled, the New Democrats have tabled, a Poverty Reduction Act in the Legislature that would result in a poverty reduction plan to improve the lives of the most vulnerable people of British Columbia. We are committed to bringing change for the better. We are committed to bringing change for the better, one practical step at a time. Interjection. J.

Brar: I know, Madam Speaker, the member for Chilliwack has diffi culty listening to all of these facts, you know, because it's hard for him to digest the factual reality. Education is another story, and this budget does not address the chaos this government has created in the education system. In 2001 the B.C. Liberals promised to the people of British Columbia that they would provide "the best education system, so that no child is left behind." Th at's what they said. In reality, they did the opposite.

Th ey closed over 150 schools in the province, and they cut capital funding for building new schools in every budget, particularly in the fastest-growing community of Surrey, as well. Under the B.C. Liberals, a decade of confrontation with the teachers has damaged our school system completely. Th e ability of our public education system to meet the needs of stu- dents, particularly those with special needs, has declined. Th is budget does not address the key issues facing our students.

Class size, composition, support for spe- cial needs students remain key educational priorities, and this budget does not address those priorities. Th is budget is a missed opportunity, and particularly when it comes to the city of Surrey — as I said earlier, the fastest- growing community in the province. Th e B.C. Liberals have cut capital funding for the Surrey school district since 2005. Th e Surrey school district didn't receive a penny to build new schools since 2005. Th e Surrey school district is the largest school district in the province and one of a few growing school districts in the province.

At this point about 7,300 students are at- tending schools in portables. In other words, around 10 percent of the students in Surrey have no real classrooms, and they receive education in portables. Th at's the reality, and the number of portables has gone up to 292 last year. Th at is equivalent to 12 elementary schools, and that is not good for Surrey families and students. [1030] Th e B.C. Liberal government record on education is very disturbing. Th is government, the B.C.

Liberal gov- ernment, championed a law that strips teachers of the right to negotiate smaller classes and enhanced school support for students. In 2001 the B.C. Supreme Court declared that law unconstitutional. Th at's what happened. In 2001 and '02 the B.C. Liberal government slashed education capital funding by 47 percent, from $450 mil- lion to $240 million, and then continued to reduce it over the following ten years. Th at's what happened. In 2010-11 there were more than 16,000 classes that broke the B.C. Liberals' own class-size and composition law — 16,000.

B.C.'s student-to-educator ratio was the worst in Canada in 2009 and '10, as per Statistics Canada. Post-secondary education is another story under the B.C. Liberals. Th e B.C. Liberals have failed to make post- secondary education a priority in this budget, resulting in lost opportunity for young students. Th e Liberals singled out the Ministry of Advanced Education as the only one to receive a cut in the 2012 provincial budget, and they did the same in this budget at a time of a serious skills shortage. It makes absolutely no sense to cut funding for post-secondary education. Th at's what the B.C.

Liberals did in the budget. At a time when students in this province have roughly about $27,000 average debt, it doesn't make sense not to have a need-based grant program for students. At a time when 80 percent of the jobs in the future will require some level of post-secondary education, it doesn't make any sense to cut funding for the Ministry of Advanced Education. Th at's what this government has done in this budget. Access to education and skills training is key to grow- ing a sustainable economy. Th at will attract investment, create good jobs and build a ladder of opportunity into a stronger middle class.

But this government has a com- pletely diff erent vision. To conclude — I don't know how much time I have — I just want to re-emphasize that this is a bogus budget be- cause it is not a balanced budget. Th is is the fi ft h defi cit budget in a row. In fact, it is a bogus budget because they used accounting tricks to move expenditures from one year to the other and because this budget includes $800 million revenue from a fi re sale of public land and assets. Th at is unrealistic and simply not credible.

It's a bogus budget because critical issues like train- ing and reinvestment in our land base and investment in climate change are missing in the budget. Th is budget will not fi x the credibility gap that the B.C. Liberals have desperately tried to fi x with more than $16 million in taxpayer-funded ads. Th ank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity.

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 28, 2013 13171 Hon. S. Bond: I very much appreciate the opportunity to stand today in the Legislature and provide some com- ments about Budget 2013. [1035] I will have, certainly, more to say about the budget spe- cifi cally, but I do want to take the opportunity as I stand in this House, and as I do each time that I get to speak, to recognize what an unbelievable privilege it is, whether you are in government or in opposition or an independ- ent in this House, to serve British Columbians aft er hav- ing been elected by your constituents. It's an amazing place.

It's an opportunity to teach the rest of British Columbia about all parts of the province. I live in a beautiful riding. I'm extremely proud of it. I am very honoured to be the MLA for Prince George– Valemount. It's also a place where we get to disagree with one an- other. Hopefully, that's in a respectful way. I think British Columbians expect that of us. I want to begin by recognizing, as virtually every mem- ber has, that we get to serve in this place and we get to be as successful at our jobs as we are because of a number of groups of people. First and foremost are our families.

Certainly, I, like others, have had exceptional support from my husband, my children and many, many close friends and colleagues. When you've been in public offi ce of some sort for almost two decades, there is a long list of thank-yous. I'm very grateful to my family and friends for the unbelievable support that they continue to give. But I also know that in order to be eff ective in our jobs as MLAs — and, certainly, as a cabinet minister — there are teams of people who work to support us every single day.

I am always grateful, and I want to very much recog- nize my own constituency assistants, one of whom is not feeling very well today in Prince George. I'm sorry for that. So to Katrina and Dorothy, who make my world a lot more simple — I appreciate them. Here in Victoria I have a very busy portfolio and a team that literally helps to hold everything together in what is a complex and diffi cult ministry. To Evan, Mike, Damon, Raz, Rahim, Lara, Kim and Candice — they are an exceptional team, and I'm very grateful to have their support on a daily basis. I also want to recognize two other members of the House.

We have been a great team, and we enjoy working together — the member for Prince George–Mackenzie and the member for Nechako Lakes. One of the things that helps when you're here in Victoria is making sure that you're bringing a strong and united voice for your part of the province. I can't begin to tell you what an honour it's been to work with both of these members, working hard on behalf of the people who live in the northern part of British Columbia. Y ou know, we stand in the House, and we hear…. Th e member who just spoke previously. Th ere was hardly one positive sentiment in the entire speech.

We live in a fantastic province. We live in a province that is on the verge of being even greater, and we have such possibility and such opportunity. It means we have to be strategic and we have to be thoughtful. We have to be bold, and we have to grasp the opportunities that are before us. Member aft er member on the opposite benches has gotten up and looked back. Lots of criticism but very little positive planning for the future. We can stand here all day and can debate whether or not the members op- posite believe that the budget is balanced.

What is absolutely astounding to me is that we talk about what happened in terms of previous budgets, but what's completely ignored in the comments is the fact that the world faced a global economic downturn. If you look around us, British Columbia is better pos- itioned today than virtually any other jurisdiction in North America. In fact, you don't have to just listen to members on this side of the bench. When you actually look at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, for example, they said that if you're going to invest any- where, choose British Columbia.

When we look at a triple-A credit rating, that is not an insignifi cant accomplishment. Th ere are very few juris- dictions that have managed to retain and have successive credit upgrades. We don't hear anything about that on the other side of the House. In fact, if we look back to the 1990s, we had successive credit downgrades in British Columbia — a pretty staggering diff erence. [1040] I remember one of the things that compelled me to run in the fi rst place, when I fi rst decided to run as an MLA.

I was so embarrassed that British Columbia had been moved from have status to have-not status — a rich and beautiful province. At a time when other jurisdic- tions were actually prospering, our province was going in exactly the opposite direction. Th at not only made me sad but concerned me greatly. If we look at the comparison today…. Th at was then, and this is now. Let's talk about why it's important to place a balanced budget before the citizens of British Columbia. I can assure members of this House that one thing we're clear about is we're not prepared to saddle future generations with debt.

We're going to continue to look at debt reduction. We're going to continue to look at economic investments in this province. In fact, we just heard from the opposition Finance crit- ic the other day that the plan on the other side is: "Y ou know what? We're going to balance the budget, but we're going to take one fi scal cycle to do that.

In other words, we're going to build up the debt, and we might get around to balancing a budget in four or fi ve years." It's pretty rich that we sit and listen to members on the opposite side of the House talk about this balanced budget, when in fact they have laid it out for British Columbians.

British Columbia Debates13172 Thursday, February 28, 2013 One thing we do know about their plan is that they plan to have a defi cit. We don't know how big it is. We do know that it'll take them four or fi ve years to get around to actually balancing the budget. So how big will that defi cit be? Day aft er day: "Let's add more to education." We just heard that from the member opposite. "Let's add more." He neglected to point out that there are 65,000 fewer chil- dren in the education system, and we continue to invest record amounts of funding in education in the province. Th e same is true for health care.

All we hear about on the other side of the House is that we've cut funding to health care. Th e last time I looked at the budget docu- ment, it says that over the next three years we will in- crease funding to health care by $2.4 billion. I don't know how you get the math to work it out to be a cut — $2.4 billion. Th e health care budget has grown to the largest budget in the history of this province, and yet it's characterized as a cut. It's also hard to sit and listen to the member previous to me speak about child poverty. Now, we should be very clear.

Th ere is not a single member in this House, whether they're on that side of the bench or this, that doesn't care about children in this province. Child poverty isn't and shouldn't be a partisan issue. Every single person in this House cares about that. What the member opposite failed to point out is that B.C.'s poverty rate is at its second-lowest point in the past 20 years. Only 2008, before the recession, showed a bet- ter result, and until the recent recession British Columbia saw a dramatic, consistent decline in the poverty rate.

In fact, since 2003 our child poverty rate has dropped by 45 percent — 19.2 percent in 2003 to 10.5 percent in 2010. Th at is a higher rate of decline than the national average. No one in this House believes for a moment that that's good enough — no one. To stand in this House and sug- gest that there should be a partisan approach or that people feel diff erently about reducing child poverty is simply unacceptable.

Madam Speaker, when you look at Budget 2013, one of the most important things we have looked at is how we make tough, practical decisions so that we can make sure that our families in British Columbia can be protected as much as possible through what are very diffi cult eco- nomic circumstances. But to suggest that the budget does nothing for families, once again, is simply not accurate. [1045] I want to refl ect on…. We spend a lot of time talking about how that was then and this is now. I want you to look at where I live, for just a few minutes — what it was like then and what it's like now.

One of the most import- ant things for families in British Columbia is that they have a chance to have a job so that they can care for their children, so that they can meet the dreams and hopes they have. Let's look at the unemployment rate where I live. In 1998 the unemployment rate was 14.1 percent. I live in a beautiful, prosperous place full of resources that need to be developed responsibly and sustainably — 14.1 per- cent. Let me tell you what it was last month. Last month where I live the unemployment rate was 4.5 percent. Th at was then; this is now.

For the fi rst time in the history of British Columbia we're training doctors outside of the Lower Mainland. Why is that important? Because families in northern British Columbia deserve a physician, and we've learned that if you actually train those physicians closer to home, they'll stay there. Th is government in the beginning of our mandate had the foresight to say that you need to move the training closer to home so that northern students would have the opportunity to train and be physicians closer to their homes.

Th at's exactly what we did, and we're seeing that we now can retain and recruit physicians to the north in a way that simply wasn't possible. We have a medical program in northern British Columbia. Th at wasn't even contemplated before we became government. It doesn't stop there. I know many members in this House travel extensively. I travel back and forth to my home. I try and do it every week. But I can't tell you how many times, Madam Speaker, I sit beside someone on a plane who has had to leave their loved one in Vancouver for cancer treatment.

I want you to know that's not an easy ride home when they're feeling like they want to be close to the person that they love. Is it fair that they should not be able to be treated closer to home? Of course not. Let's look at what happened then and now. Northern residents wanted a cancer centre for decades. Th e an- swer was: "No, there are not enough people. Y ou don't have a large enough population base." Well, I want you to know we looked at that, and we said: "Th at's simply not good enough." I can't begin to tell you what an unbelievable day it was when we opened the northern cancer centre.

It was emo- tional, and it was a demonstration of what Prince George and the north looked like then and what it looks like now. We only have to look at our post-secondary institu- tions. I sat and listened to: "We don't invest, we haven't done anything, and nothing has changed." Th at's simply not accurate. We have invested millions of dollars, both in infrastructure and in training programs, and this budget continues that practice. I am a fi rm believer in training people closer to home, making sure we have the workforce of the future. I know this.

I'm pretty excited that at this point in British Columbia's history we actually have jobs looking for people instead of people looking for jobs, which was cer- tainly the circumstance back then. Now, when you talk about investing in infrastructure, government is going to invest…. Th ink about this. Over the next three years, despite what we just heard — "no

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 28, 2013 13173 investment, nothing is happening" — government is go- ing to invest $10.4 billion in taxpayer-supported capital projects — $10.4 billion. Th e north has been such an amazing benefi ciary of the strategy that we've had in place. It's so discouraging to sit on this side of the House and listen to people say that the north has been neglected. Nothing could be further from the truth. [1050] I live there, and I've watched investment at the College of New Caledonia, at the University of Northern British Columbia. We're training more nurses.

We're training physiotherapists. We're training doctors. We're training skilled workers at the College of New Caledonia. In fact, we made the single largest investment in the College of New Caledonia's infrastructure since the day it was built. And we will continue to invest $10.4 billion in taxpayer- supported capital projects over the next three years. If we look at health care…. In 2000, I believe, approxi- mately 6,000 people went to an arena in Prince George, and do you know what they said? "We don't have the health care services we need." Th ese 6,000 people said: "We've had enough.

We deserve better health care op- portunities." Th at's exactly what they got under the B.C. Liberals over the last 12 years — investment aft er investment in health care. And as I've suggested, we look at the out- comes. We have a cancer centre now. We're going to open a cancer lodge very shortly, and what a project that is. Th e generosity of northern British Columbians. Y es, government contributed a small amount to that project — small in terms of the total project; certainly not small when you think of a $2 million contribution.

But the millions of dollars that were raised for that project were raised in the north, across the north, by generous donors. We have physicians staying in the north. Six thousand people said then: "We've had enough. It's not fair. We don't get equitable service." Th at is not the case today. We have a new set of circumstances in north- ern British Columbia, and we are very proud of the ac- complishments and the investments that have been made over the past 12 years. Th is budget ensures that the health care budget in British Columbia, as I said, will increase by $2.4 billion — hardly a cut.

When we talk about the budget and how we invest in families, we know that families are challenged. One of the most important things for families today is that their children get the opportunities that they deserve. It's fan- tastic because, as I stand here in the Legislature today and I look up, we've got some guests in the gallery. I'm not sure where they're from, but they're students. It's important, whether you're on this side of the House or that side of the House.

Th e work we're doing here to- day and in the years past and future is to make sure that young people, like the ones visiting us in the gallery to- day, have every opportunity to be successful. We've built some opportunities into the budget for families. We have a B.C. training and education savings grant, a chance for families to start that…. Deputy Speaker: Excuse me, Minister. Th e member for Delta South seeks leave. V . Huntington: I seek leave to make an introduction, Madam Speaker. Leave granted. Introductions by Members V .

Huntington: I'm very pleased today to be able to introduce 30 grade 5 and 6 students from Pebble Hill Elementary in South Delta. Th ey're here today with their teacher, Mr. Scott Preddy, and many of their parents. I hope members help me welcome them to the precinct today. Debate Continued Hon. S. Bond: Well, now we know where they're from, and that makes it even easier for us to have that conversa- tion. So welcome to the precinct today. We hope that you enjoy your visit here and have an opportunity to under- stand government and how it works a little bit better.

Hopefully, it might inspire you to think about, possibly, a political career somewhere in your future. It's a pretty im- portant job and exciting — lots of opportunities for you. As we look at our budget, we think about the B.C. training and education savings grant — an opportunity for families to plan for the future, to make sure that their children have a head start when they get the opportun- ity to go to a post-secondary education. We have a new B.C. early childhood tax benefi t.

Again, we hear, "No investment," yet $146 million to support ap- proximately 180,000 families in our province with chil- dren under six years old. Families will receive additional support. Th at's important. We have a new early-years strategy that will invest over $76 million over three years to support the cre- ation of new child care spaces and improve the quality of child care and early-years services. All of these things are investments that the balanced budget in 2013 brings to the table. [1055] But when we think about why it's so important….

Y ou know, we sit and we listen to the rhetoric and the back- and-forth. What's critical is that we recognize that for fu- ture generations, we have to make tough decisions. We have to be in a position at times to say: "No, we simply can't aff ord to do that now." We have to look aft er the priorities of health care. We have to look aft er educa- tion. We have to make sure we have strong transporta-

British Columbia Debates13174 Thursday, February 28, 2013 tion infrastructure. In fact, really very personal and important to me now is that we have an accessible, transparent, aff ordable jus- tice system. Th e fi rst thing that I hear…. When the ques- tion is asked, "How do we ensure that system is in place in the province?" the fi rst answer is: "Let's just write an- other cheque. Let's just invest more money, and that'll fi x all of the problems." Well, it's about much more than that. It's about foun- dational challenges. When you look at what the issue is in the justice system….

Geoff rey Cowper was a very re- spected lawyer who did work to look at justice reform. In his report one of the things he said was that we have to grapple with a "culture of delay." We're not going to fi x the culture of delay by simply writing a bigger cheque. In fact, this budget provides over $1.1 billion to support the justice system in British Columbia. Madam Speaker, you know, for most British Columbians, that's a pretty big number — over a billion dollars to ensure that we have a justice system that works and that people can have confi dence in, in our province.

But we have to ask some of the tough questions. At a time when the crime rate is the lowest that it has been at in over three decades, when there are fewer cases going to courtrooms in British Columbia, why does it take longer to fi nd resolution to the issues that victims face? We know that it's tough enough to be the victim of a crime, to suff er some great, horrible circumstance. Is it made any easier by the fact that it takes so long to come to resolution? Of course not.

Just as I believe the issue of child poverty isn't a partisan issue, I don't believe that having a great justice system should be a partisan issue either. Where we may diff er is how we get to that place where we can remove that culture of delay. I believe that before you start to add more dollars…. And we certainly hear about it — add more judges, add more legal aid, add more this, add more that. First we have to fi gure out if what we have is being invested properly and if the system is working eff ectively. I'm very excited about the work we've been doing.

Y esterday or earlier this week, I think, we released a white paper, too, and a community safety and policing plan. We're looking at innovation in the system. We're look- ing at how we bring stakeholders and partners together in the system to talk about how we can improve this jus- tice system. Th e fantastic news is that in this budget, the Justice Ministry's budget was increased. We wanted to be sure that, fi rst and foremost, we could protect front-line police offi cers, and our budget includes a signifi cant in- crease to do just that.

But we're at a pivotal moment in the time that we have to look at justice and look at reform. Th at takes cour- age, and it takes cooperation, and it takes momentum. It means we have to ask ourselves: what are the things we can take out of the courts today so that we can concen- trate on those signifi cant cases that need to be in court- rooms? One of the things I am most proud of, which we have worked on as a government, is the signifi cant changes we have made to the Family Law Act in this province. For decades the act remained status quo.

When we looked at the issue of family law, one of the things that I thought a lot about was the fact that families who fi nd themselves in confl ict need to be supported in ways that don't neces- sarily mean litigation. Do we really want to be solving, in courtrooms, issues that are diffi cult for families? Th ere are far better ways. We look at mediation. We look at other ways of sup- porting families. Th e Family Law Act, which will come into force very shortly now, in March, takes a new ap- proach to supporting families who find themselves unfortunately caught up in the justice system in the province.

Th ose are the kinds of innovative things that we need to look at. [1100] The issue of impaired driving — we've debated it in numerous ways in this House. In fact, there have been challenges. I had to bring that law back into this Legislature aft er the courts said to us: "Y ou need to do this diff erently." We did that, and there are benefi ts to that. Obviously, we will continue to refi ne a law that is leading the country in the reform that it has brought. [H. Bloy in the chair.] Why does it matter? Well, fi rst and foremost, it matters because it takes impaired drivers off the streets.

Over the course of the time the law has been in place, we know that over 100 people have gone home to their families, who would not have without the tough and focused legis- lation that this side of the House put in place. Th ose bene- fits are priceless. But if you look at it from a reform perspective in terms of the justice system, it also means that impaired-driving cases are far fewer in the court- rooms than they were previously. We're also looking at civil disputes in a diff erent way. We should be able to deal with strata issues and small claims without taking up excessive court time.

That doesn't mean there isn't the opportunity at the end of that process for a judicial review, a judicial process. But why can't we begin to resolve those issues outside of court- rooms? Th at's why we brought that legislation through the House. In fact, we'd like to do the same thing with traffi c tick- ets. Picture this for a moment. Communities want more police offi cer time. Guess where a lot of them spend their time — sitting outside of traffi c court, only to discover that their case won't be called today.

Th ere are diff erent ways we can approach the justice system, and it's essential that instead of simply saying, "Let's just add more money. Let's just keep putting more

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 28, 2013 13175 taxpayer dollars into the system," we need to be bold. We need to be innovative. In the words of one of the recent- ly appointed Supreme Court justices…. He said to me: "Y ou need to be persistent if you are going to succeed in change and in reform in the justice system." So we will continue to look through our white paper, through other initiatives at laying out a path in British Columbia for looking at reform in the justice system. As I am close to the end of my time, I want to focus just for a couple of minutes on the budget.

Y ou don't get to the place we fi nd ourselves in today in British Columbia without a great deal of hard work and discipline. We can debate that in this House, but there's something we can't debate because it's simply the fact. Th ere are only two jurisdictions in Canada that are in a position to balance their budget. We are one of them. In fact, it has taken a decade of fi scal prudence, con- trolling spending, looking at making those tough deci- sions, making sure that we are making tough choices so that investors have confi dence in our province, looking at sustainable economic development.

At the end of the day, it's not a partisan issue. British Columbians want the best health care options they can have. Th ey want the best education opportunities for their children. Th ey want great transportation infrastructure. Th ey want safe communities to live in, appropriate policing. Th ey want community-based policing. Th ey want to make sure — yes, to the member opposite's point — that we are addressing poverty and child poverty in British Columbia. But to do that you have to have sound, strong economic principles and a vibrant economy. We have a track record that demonstrates we can do that.

We are one of two jurisdictions in a position to present a balanced budget. [1105] Today I am very proud to stand and support bal- anced budget 2013. It lays out the path for the future of British Columbia. It demonstrates prudent fi scal manage- ment. Most importantly, it supports families in British Columbia in the way they deserve to be supported. Deputy Speaker: The member for Powell River– Sunshine Coast. [Applause.] N. Simons: Th ank you for that wonderful, wonderful reception. I most appreciate it. It's my honour and privilege to stand in the House and respond to Budget 2013.

I thank the minister and mem- ber for Prince George–Valemount for her comments — some of which, I would like to say, I agreed with. Th at was my fi rst positive statement. Th ere will be some others. Obviously, in the Legislature of British Columbia there will be diff erences expressed in this chamber. Because of the system we have in place, it's not oft en that we stand up and give the other side our compliments, our grati- tude and our thanks. But there are some members on both sides of the House who are leaving.

On a personal note, I'd just like to say my best wishes to each and every one of them who I have had the opportunity to trade baseball signals with or chat with in the hallways or exchange some jokes with and get comments on my haircut from. I think that, in truth, the hallways of this building are oft en more tem- pered than perhaps this chamber is. Th at being said, I also have colleagues on this side of the House who are off to do other things — pursue their retirement perhaps or just get on to other new and excit- ing adventures. I'd like to particularly mention — well, all four of them….

But the member for Delta North…. Or is it Delta South? I just call him by his fi rst name, which we don't do in this chamber very oft en. He's going to be spending a bit of time in Powell River, so I'm trying my best to be nice to him now, knowing that perhaps he's go- ing to be closer than I would have otherwise suspected. Th e member for Coquitlam-Maillardville, who is a wonderful MLA, has represented her constituency with great spirit and has served her community for a long time prior to being an MLA as well.

Th e member for North Coast, who I spent a lot of time with, has been a spark, an energetic superstar in cau- cus. He has worked extremely hard on an issue that is of huge importance to my constituency, and that is the ferries. He has been an outstanding critic and someone who has brought to the fore the concerns of our con- stituents and made them known to successive Ministers of Transportation, who have not necessarily been in the position to make the necessary corrections to that system that would have made life more aff ordable.

Of course, there's also my friend the former counsellor and biologist — still a biologist — the member for Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows, who besides being an eloquent spokesperson for the protection of the environment and agricultural land has also been a steadfast supporter of mine in my attempts to become a better birdwatcher. His skill in that area is matched, perhaps, by very few in this chamber. Th eir personal style and their generosity have made life in this chamber easier, and I thank all of them. So while we see members departing, there will be new members in this House aft er May.

My best wishes, on a personal note, to everybody. I'd like to also thank people who work in my offi ces in Powell River and in Davis Bay on the beautiful Sunshine Coast — also known as the Gulf Coast Riviera. It's true; it was referred to as that at one time. Both Maggie Hathaway and Kim Tournat have been amazing advocates for my constituents on issues of im- portance to them, whether they be individual issues where people come to the offi ce and need some help navigating the complexities of government or systemic issues that aff ect a broader number of people and need to be addressed perhaps in this chamber.

British Columbia Debates13176 Thursday, February 28, 2013 [1110] Th ey have both been wonderful in helping me carry the concerns of my constituents to this chamber and, in some cases, in having some success in changing the approach of this government on some issues after a considerable amount of arm-twisting and, shall we say, prodding. I was going to say "coercion," but that would've been the wrong word. So my thanks to the staff in Powell River–Sunshine Coast and, of course, to the staff here, who are always working hard and who we fl y by quickly, carrying papers, and sometimes only see in passing.

I'd like to say thank you to the class from, I believe, Delta who are presently exiting the chamber. I will not take that personally. I understand that they have other classes to go to or other things to do in this wonderful capital city. So thank you for coming to the legislative chamber, and I hope that this place…. Y ou will remember this place. Perhaps you'll be back. Perhaps we'll be mentioning you in speeches for the ac- complishments that you make in your lives, whether you're a musician or an athlete or a bureaucrat. I hope this chamber is a place that you can have pride in as you grow up.

It is a place of great importance to the people of this province. We've oft en talked about issues — very specifi cally, about the direct connection that this chamber has to the quality of life and the safety of young children, to the quality and safety of our drinking water, to the protection of our natural environment, to the promotion of equal- ity and a better system of governance. I think this cham- ber's relevance to the people of this province, whether it's noticed or not, can't be understated.

For that reason, I'm proud to be able to stand here and represent what I be- lieve are the important concerns of my constituents liv- ing in Powell River–Sunshine Coast. I should start, perhaps, to talk about one thing that I would've hoped was in this budget but wasn't.

I know that when I talk about the cuts I see to programs and services to people with developmental disabilities, children or adults, the government side will just shout back: "Spend more money; spend more money." I take off ence to some degree with that, because, quite honestly, it's not always about fi nding more money to spend, but it's using the money that we have in a better way, more eff ectively, and to priorities that I think many on both sides of this House sometimes would agree to.

I could list a litany of expenditures made by this govern- ment or other policy directions that they've taken over time which have, in fact, reduced our ability to target re- sources where they really need to be. As a former child protection social worker, I remember quite well the announced 23 percent cuts to the Ministry of Children and Families in the early 2000s. I had a prob- lem with them, not because I wanted to criticize the government…. Quite frankly, at that time I was not as politically aware as I should've been.

I was not familiar with the political parties and their views, but I certainly became aware. When I saw that a ministry that had gone through quite a bit of diffi cult time with the Gove inquiry that came about because of mishandling of cases in Vancouver, I thought that the attention paid to that situation was ne- cessary. I think the government of the day took a bold step to ensure that the problems in the child welfare sys- tem would be addressed and that they'd fi nd some solu- tions and that perhaps we would learn something from that as we went forward.

But then I saw the 23 percent cuts, which were later reduced to 11 percent. [1115] I suppose, in a way, if you're getting hit, you want the person who's hitting you to stop or slow down. It doesn't really eff ect the change that you want. An 11 percent cut only sounds good in relation to not being a 23 percent cut. But an 11 percent cut to the ministry that's respon- sible for ensuring that children — children who cannot speak for themselves, who live in most cases in a degree of poverty that we shouldn't tolerate in this province….

Th e services that were in place to make sure that they were safe, that they had opportunities, were the services that were cut in 2002. Eleven percent had a huge impact on the children throughout this province. Th ose were decisions made then by many of the mem- bers who are still in government. I still wait for some justification for those or some acknowledgment that they were ill-conceived. Without that, the public of the province sees a government that has not learned from its mistakes. We just received a report from the Representative for Children and Y outh, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.

Th e re- port ostensibly was on the tasering of an 11-year-old boy in Prince George. Th is 11-year-old boy had some behaviour issues that resulted in police getting called quite regularly to where he was living, which I might add changed quite oft en in his young life. Th e police responded by trying to subdue the young fellow with a Taser and were successful, obviously. When that news broke, we had to say: what was go- ing on?

An 11-year-old who can't be charged under the Criminal Code and whose life has obviously taken some turns which have caused him some trauma — how is it possible that we ended up in a society where an 11-year- old could be tasered? Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond did a comprehensive re- view, not of the specifi c incident where the police showed up and tried to subdue the young fellow, but about the child's life. He was born in the late '90s. He grew up es- sentially under a government that, when he was about four, cut the services that were the most important to him.

Th e representative specifi cally says in her report that in 2002 she didn't understand why the child development offi ce wanted to cut back his services 50 percent. Th at

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 28, 2013 13177 question remains unanswered in the report of the repre- sentative. It is incomprehensible, I think the words were — or for reasons unknown to the representative — that the social worker was asking for a 50 percent cut in this child's access to child development programs. Th ose are the programs that try to address the disabil- ities or the delay in a child's learning.

Th is little fellow, who ended up getting tasered when he was 11, was a client of those services — a client of the services that were being forced to be cut in 2002 because of the 11 per- cent cut in services to Children and Families. So we see a more recent symptom of a bad decision made in the early 2000s that I think really needs to be acknowledged. I would also point out that in the same years when those budget cuts were coming into play in 2002, there was also a push towards deregulation. I know "deregula- tion" is a bit of a buzzword.

When people say, "We don't like red tape," they're oft en referring to regulations. Let me point out that the regulations in our province are in place to protect us. Whether it's health regulations to make sure that our restaurants are clean and we won't be likely victims of food poisoning…. Our water qual- ity is regulated. Regulations exist in order to protect the public interest. Th ere are some regulations that are perhaps redun- dant, perhaps over the top, and some regulations need- ed to perhaps be changed.

But in the context of budget cuts of 11 percent to a child welfare agency or organiza- tion, when you put that and juxtapose it with the fact that at this very same time the Ministry of Children and Families was deregulating faster than any other ministry in the province in 2002…. [1120] Th e Ministry of Children and Families, in fact, won an award presented by the then minister responsible for deregulation, the Deregulation Sprint Award, for the ministry that achieved its deregulating targets the fast- est.

So in my mind this really refl ects the personality of a government that in its zeal to appeal to those who think regulations are all bad, to prove that they are interested in deregulating, creates an award system for ministries. How fast can you deregulate? It's not about how well you can deregulate or how much thought goes into the de- regulation process, but just how fast. Th ey won an award. I'm sure it's a lovely award, but I think it would be an award that I would hide, because the result of their cuts in regulations….

As a result of their cuts in services to children at the time, the impact was devastating. Just one little symptom that we see was an 11-year-old whose needs were not met because of cuts made at that time. R. Fleming: Apologies to my colleague from Powell River–Sunshine Coast, but I just would seek leave to make an introduction. Deputy Speaker: Proceed, please. Introductions by Members R. Fleming: With us today are 24 grade 5 students and eight adults from Selkirk Montessori School. It's a won- derful facility in my constituency down in the Burnside- Gorge area. Th ey are joined by their teacher, Ms.

Arlene Ewart, and I would ask the House to please make these children and adults welcome here in this House this morning. Debate Continued N. Simons: I join my colleague from Victoria–Swan Lake in welcoming the Montessori kids. Somehow the kids never sit in the other gallery, so I'm just presuming they're up there. I take your word for it, and the fact that you wave at them from the other side of the House, I'm sure. It seems just as quiet as it was earlier.

I was just talking about the previous budgets of this government in the context of this current budget and the thought that needs to be put into the impact of cuts to services to not just children but adults with specifi c vulnerabilities. I just want to talk about vulnerability. We always talk about vulnerable people in our society. What is that vul- nerability?

Th e vulnerability in my mind is to be sus- ceptible to a life that isn't lived to its fullest — you know, a life where its trajectory is hampered by poverty or by involvement unnecessarily with the health system, the justice system, the mental health system or addictions services.

Y ou know, these are kids and adults who need the support of a society that cares in order for them to live a quality of life that we could look at and say: "We're proud of that" or "We can accept that." I've had the pleasure and privilege of being the critic for both the Ministry of Children and Families and cur- rently for Community Living B.C., both of whose cli- ents would be considered in the category of vulnerable — vulnerable to harm, vulnerable to a poor quality of life if their needs are not addressed appropriately. I see in the budget, this particular budget, things that would….

If I were a parent of a person with a developmental dis- ability or if I were a self-advocate or if I were a brother or sister or relative of someone with a disability, I would say: "I do not like what the future holds for them under this government." It's not a question of saying: "Well, just throw more money at it." But there are some fi xed costs in govern- ment. Th ere are some fi xed costs that we should expect to provide, especially for children at risk, especially for adults at risk.

I don't think we should be making com- promises, and I don't think we should be trying to achieve the impression of a balanced budget on the backs of the most vulnerable in our communities.

British Columbia Debates13178 Thursday, February 28, 2013 I'm sorry, as the Minister of Justice earlier said she was sorry. I'm sorry about the impact that this budget is go- ing to have on them. [1125] We hear repeatedly of the image of parents sitting around a dinner table and saying: "Y ou know, Son" — or daughter, whatever the case may be — "we just can't af- ford it." I can understand it. I sat around a dinner table with my parents. My parents raised six children.

I know I was shielded from any of the concerns they had around the cost of living, but I don't remember my parents saying: "I'm sorry we can't aff ord food" or "I'm sorry we can't af- ford something that you need, because we've spent it on something purely aesthetic." So when I hear the govern- ment chastising us for saying that there should be more resources into a particular area…. I would understand that chastisement if they were not, at the same time, putting millions of dollars into adver- tising that sort of contradicted their previous position on advertising — that is, advertising prior to an election.

I would accept it more if the government hadn't chosen to spend $11 million on a festival to celebrate artists. I recognize the importance of that, but this is a tough time, and I say that right back. We can't aff ord certain things because we have more important priorities, and I think no one would disagree. I would ask any of the members opposite if they would disagree. Maybe a wheelchair for a kid who needs a wheelchair is more important than the Bollywood fi lm awards that were created for the government's purposes.

Maybe a dad who's looking aft er a child with disabilities shouldn't have to spend six months trying to get approval for gloves so that he can provide personal care to his teenage daugh- ter. Th is fellow shouldn't have to wash his gloves because the government won't pay for another box of gloves, es- pecially in the context of $11 million for a fi lm award or a $16 million budget for self-serving ads. Th at's what I'm saying. I'm not saying: "Just create a new stream of revenue." I'm saying that the stream of revenue is fl owing in — or trickling in, even.

We'd better use that for things that'll make our communities better. We should really try to use that to invest in order to address the concerns that have been raised in this House. I know it's diffi cult for a government, especially indi- vidual members, to see that our record on child poverty in this province is by all accounts — when I say "by all accounts," by almost every measure — not good enough. Put a number on it. Second worst, worst, third worst, least best? It doesn't really matter.

Where it does matter is to a child who's growing up in that and whose fi rst fi ve years of life are living in poverty because the government just doesn't want to do a plan. Maybe they don't want to have measures that they may not achieve, but a plan would be a good idea any- way. A plan would be a good idea because then you can see if you're succeeding. If you don't want to know if you're succeeding or not, maybe that's when you don't have a plan. But I would say there were just $16 million, $11 million…. I have to tell families that I'll try and advocate.

"I'll try and advocate for you to get a van so that you can drive your child around town. I'll try to advocate so you can get a ramp built for your front steps so you don't have to strain your back carrying your 16-year-old up the stairs.

I'll try and advocate for you if you're resorting to in- stalling a pulley system to take your son up the stairs be- cause the government doesn't have money for a stairlift ." Y ou know, I'll try to advocate, and I'll do so with a cer- tain degree of resentment — but dedication, nonetheless — because I see expenditures of this government and I see where some of the spending is going. I'm not saying everything this government does is bad. I take issue with that characterization.

I don't raise issues aff ecting my constituents because I want people to throw more money at it. [1130] I don't say that ferry fares are unaff ordable, and busi- nesses are going under because people can't aff ord to travel, and it's all the government's fault. I'm just saying: why aren't the priorities of this government to address the real economic and social needs of our communities? We see a lot of this. Y ou know, it's almost like fresh paint on a building that is not in good shape. Prioritize, priori- tize. Do not burn the kitchen table to provide heat and then expand to your walls.

Eventually you have nothing to heat. Th ere's no point. Celebrations are important, and recognitions are im- portant, but we see, unfortunately, this trend that I think the public sees as well. It's cynical, but it's accurate, and that is a government that is attempting to put a shine on something that is tarnished. What I see as tarnished is the record over good times and some bad times. We came through very good times while we were sitting here in opposition, and we went through bad times while we were sitting here in oppos- ition. Th ey take the credit in the good times, and they blame us in the bad times.

We're still on this side, but not for long. I think, really, we need a government that takes re- sponsibility, places the amount of attention necessary on the issues that will create a better society in the long run. It's just disappointing to me that, you know, criticisms of the budget are met with: "All you want to do is throw more money at it." No. We want to have deeper discus- sions and better decisions around the money that we do get from people in this province. We talk about taxpayers. I'd like to talk about taxpay- ers. I'd like to talk about people who don't pay taxes.

I'd like to talk about all the people in this community, our environment. Y ou know, we have a broader interest to

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 28, 2013 13179 represent than simply those who are giving government money. We have a broader interest. We have a broader interest to the children, and we have a broader interest to our environment, and we have a broader interest to those kids who are yet unborn and the future of this province. Can I maybe just turn now to the issue around justice?

Th e Minister of Justice and member for Prince George– Valemount talked about how our justice system, in her words — and I would disagree ahead of time — is "more accessible, transparent, aff ordable." But I know that in 2002, 28 courthouses were closed. Y ou know, the first thought is that these delays in people's trials are unfair, and we'll have cases thrown out, and in fact, we do. Drug dealers — cases have been thrown out of court. Th at's a shame, because we had a system where there were delays and there were ineffi cien- cies, but closing 28 courthouses out of 64 was probably not well-thought-out.

However, it refl ected the need to cut the budget in 2002. It's across-the-board thoughtless. Almost across the board, it's just an inappropriate way to be governing the province. Those communities…. Burnaby, Castlegar, Chase, Chetwynd, Creston, Delta, Fernie, Grand Forks, Hope, Houston, Invermere, Kimberley, Kitimat, Lillooet, Lytton, Maple Ridge, Merritt, Oliver, 100 Mile House, Parksville, Princeton, Revelstoke, Squamish and Vanderhoof — those courthouses were closed. And it's not just the im- pact on the criminals and the victims. Let me point this out.

It's not just the victims and the criminals who deserve a swift er justice. Th ese are the courthouses in which chil- dren who have been removed from their parents will ap- pear with a social worker and with the family. Th ese are the kinds of things that we need to address. A government that prioritizes self-promotion over the needs of its children, its disabled or the seniors of this province, I think has its priorities wrong. I know that they may be making the best eff ort, and I would not criti- cize any eff ort. However, I believe that the government has run its course. It has made some mistakes.

It is not all bad. Th ere are good people on the government side. [1135] I disagree strongly with the priorities that they've fi xed for themselves in this budget, and for that reason I can't support the budget. I'd have liked to have seen a little bit more for those who needed it and a little bit less for the pomp and pageantry that is not deserving. With that, I think I've made myself clear. Hon. N.

Y amamoto: It is an honour to rise today to speak in support of Budget 2013, but before I start, I just wanted to address some of the comments that the mem- ber opposite, the member for Powell River–Sunshine Coast, just made. CFIB gave British Columbia, the only jurisdiction in Canada, an A in red tape reduction this year — the only jurisdiction in Canada to receive an A. I take great exception to the member for Powell River– Sunshine Coast when he remarked about the great work that this government has done on red tape reduction.

But like the member opposite, the ministry, Children and Families, and this government place the safety of children and families in British Columbia as their high- est priority. Th e ministry is always evaluating the regula- tions to ensure that they're eff ective, that they're relevant, that they're streamlined — to ensure that they provide children and families in B.C. an environment that is safe. Despite a global economy that continues to be in tur- moil, we have fulfi lled our promise to balance the budget in fi scal 2013-14.

I am proud that this government has balanced the budget — something that only two prov- inces in Canada have managed to accomplish. Th is is a modest, responsible budget, and we are being very, very prudent. Balancing the budget is a core value of this govern- ment. In eff ect, we're making a commitment to not spend any more than we take in. Balancing the budget allows us to create the economic conditions that will stimulate job creation and help the province grow.

Balancing the budget means managing taxpayers' money with respect, and it sets out a sensible, realistic plan to guide our prov- ince for the next three years. Let's contrast that with the actions of the NDP . Th e NDP have said that they plan to return to defi cit budgets and overspending, with a promise to balance the budget some time in the next few years — eventually. We don't really know. Mr. Dix says that more money should be…. Interjections. Hon. N. Y amamoto: Sorry.

The Leader of the Opposition says that we should spend more money in a number of areas — thank you for listening — but refuses to provide very many details. Remember, we are talking about taxpayers' money. We're talking about spending taxpayers' money, hard-earned money. He's refusing. Th e Leader of the Opposition is refusing to tell us how he would spend it. What we've done is we've off ered a clear, detailed plan — one that is balanced, and one that will grow the econ- omy. Th e NDP is proposing higher spending and bigger government, without providing details.

British Columbians do have a choice, a clear choice. Th ey can look to a proven government that understands fi scal responsibility, a government that has made some tough choices to ensure that our children and grand- children are not saddled with overwhelming debt. Or, they can choose a group that doesn't understand that you can't spend more money than you earn, that you can't make promises you can't keep, and you can't tax and spend beyond taxpayers' ability to pay.

British Columbia Debates13180 Thursday, February 28, 2013 Th is government took an unprecedented step of en- gaging an independent, highly regarded top fi nancial forecaster to review B.C. government's revenue and eco- nomic forecast for the 2013 budget. Th e former Bank of Montreal chief economist, Dr. Tim O'Neill, concluded that the province's economic and revenue expectations are sound and prudent, and we've adopted a very cau- tious economic forecast that refl ects the global uncer- tainty that still exists. Mr. Speaker, you can't ask for a better recommendation than that.

Budget 2013 is all about planning for B.C.'s future. We should not spend money we don't have, and we won't leave a legacy of unnecessary debt for our children and the next generation. Th at approach will give our province an edge in at- tracting new investment in a still uncertain global econ- omy. We can look towards a future of growth, opportunity and prosperity. Th e board of trade has also had extremely positive things to say about our budget. Th ey have categorized their feedback under four headings. Th ey are: debt re- duction, spending restraint, tax competitiveness and economic vision.

For debt reduction, they've awarded us a B-plus. Th e Vancouver Board of Trade wanted government to main- tain an 18.3 percent debt-to-GDP ratio in 2014-15, and they were pleased to note that not only did we achieve the 18.3 percent, but we were, in fact, able to lower it to 18.1 percent in 2015-16. [1140] Th is budget also received an A-minus for spending re- straint.

Th e board of trade has noted that "for an election- year budget, there is remarkable constraint on spending, and we acknowledge the discipline required to identify $1.1 billion in savings in various ministries and Crown agencies." Th e Vancouver Board of Trade has also acknowledged the difficulty for governments in achieving balanced budgets in a diffi cult fi scal environment without increas- ing revenues and, in recognition of that work, has award- ed us a B-minus for tax competitiveness. Th e fi nal area of examination from the board of trade was that of the overall economic vision.

Th e board of trade determined that our budget, combined with the throne speech, demonstrates clearly that our govern- ment's priority of balancing the budget using cautious and realistic assumptions, spending constraint and tar- geted economic development in natural resources and the Asian marketplace is worthy of a mark of B-plus. In every area of the budget this government has found the balance between ensuring that services to British Columbians are maintained — in fact, expanded where necessary — and not overreaching or overpromising. Th is is actually very diffi cult to achieve, but we've done it.

At the same time, we found savings of close to $1.1 bil- lion in ministries and Crown agencies, and we are put- ting about half of that towards achieving the balanced budget and about half to investment in families, jobs and economic growth. Th at includes spending in such areas as a sports and arts legacy fund. Th ere's additional funding for increased RCMP policing costs, including offi cers hired to combat organized crime and gang activity, and additional mon- eys to provide carbon tax relief for commercial green- house vegetable growers and fl ower growers.

New measures introduced in this budget will help make family life more aff ordable for British Columbians raising children — including the B.C. training and edu- cation savings grant. For example, a new B.C. early childhood tax benefi t will provide $146 million to ap- proximately 180,000 families with children under six years old. Eff ective immediately there will be a one-time education savings grant of $1,200 for families to put into an RESP . About 90 percent of B.C. families with young children will be eligible for this.

B.C.'s new early-years strategy announced by the Premier last week will invest $76 million over three years to support the creation of new child care spaces and to improve the quality of child care and early-years services. Th e B.C. early-years strategy is an important investment in our children and their futures. It's about helping par- ents balance the demands of work and raising a family, and setting up children for life-long success. The goal of this government is one that I support wholeheartedly — that is, to control spending, keep taxes low, keep our triple-A credit rating and a balanced budget.

In education, on the North Shore we've been par- ticularly fortunate. In both bricks and mortar and qual- ity of education, this government has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring B.C. students get a world-class education. Our infrastructure commitments have made our schools safer. Th e seismic upgrading of many North Shore schools is either complete or well underway.

When I walk up the hill to my offi ce, I pass Queen Mary Elementary, currently undergoing seismic up- grading and heritage restoration, and I think of all those generations of students that will learn within those walls safely, getting one of the best educations available any- where on the globe. Th e results speak for themselves. B.C. grade 4 students, some of who will be educated in that building, have been shown to be amongst the best read- ers anywhere. What will those students do when their time in our pri- mary and secondary education is done?

It's my hope that they will make one of the best investments anyone can make and continue on into some form of post-secondary education. In the future, as we've all heard, 80 percent of jobs will require some form of post-secondary education. I'm incredibly proud to be part of a government that is making that investment just a little bit easier. A child that will be starting their education in the fall at the rebuilt Queen Mary School will be able to benefi t from the $1,200 grant for their RESP that I spoke of earlier. Th at

British Columbia DebatesThursday, February 28, 2013 13181 will grow and allow them to pursue the education required to seize the opportunities of the future. Whether it's at- tending the new Bosa Centre for Film and Animation at Capilano University for a degree in visual arts or train- ing in shiatsu massage at the Canadian College of Shiatsu Th erapy, a training centre in my riding that recently cele- brated its 15th anniversary, post-secondary education is essential to our future prosperity. [1145] Th is government is providing new help for parents to ensure that our children get the education they deserve.

From early learning investments that will total $76 mil- lion over three years, students can proceed into an edu- cation system that is hiring new teachers and teaching assistants. Students can take advantage of the $18 million of funding for arts programs. And as the former president of the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation, I've seen fi rsthand the great impact that programs like Artists for Kids have on the lives of children. Th is is $18 million that is very well spent. One of the reasons why I love North Vancouver is that we've embraced the arts.

Our community came together and supported Artists for Kids for many years. Th e new Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art was built in part- nership with the North Vancouver school district and the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation and the generos- ity of B.C. arts patrons. But North Vancouver is more than that. North Vancouver also has a strong waterfront industrial pres- ence, a vibrant restaurant and retail sector. Tourism and the fi lm industry add to the colourful fabric of the North Shore. Th e North Shore and North Vancouver is a very, very healthy, balanced community.

And I'd like to add that the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce won the B.C. Chamber of Commerce award last year — an incredibly strong, involved cham- ber. I think when you look at communities all around British Columbia, if you see strong community chambers of commerce, you also see strong communities. Our focus on increasing trade and economic diversifi - cation will be a huge boost to the North Vancouver econ- omy. We are a trading province, and North Vancouver is the focus of much of that trade. Over the past ten years the proportion of B.C. trade with Asian markets has doubled.

Th is can only be a good thing for North Vancouver–Lonsdale, a riding whose terminals are the gateway to the Asia-Pacifi c for B.C. coal and lumber, grain and potash from the Prairies. Th e North Shore trade area terminals and industries generate 5,000 jobs just on the North Shore and 12,000 jobs in B.C. Many of these people work at Neptune ter- minals, Lynnterm, Cargill, Richardson and Seaspan Marine. Th ese numbers are not abstractions. Th ey mean real jobs for real people, and this economic growth is what will pay for those services that we demand.

A few months ago I had the opportunity to break ground at Seaspan, the shipbuilding facility that will be building the Coast Guard's new icebreakers. Projects like these are going to be driving the economic growth over the next several years. I have the golden shovel from that groundbreaking hanging on my wall in my offi ce. Speaking of my offi ce, in North Vancouver I'd like to thank Matthew Naylor and Erin Rennie, my two con- stituency assistants who so ably serve the constituents of North Vancouver. Th ey are young, they're enthusiastic and products of our great post-secondary system.

Th is budget is protecting their future, the next generation, ensuring that they have jobs, opportunities and import- ant services like health care and education for the times when they have families and kids. I'm very proud to be the Minister of State for Small Business. I think this fi ts me like a glove, this role. I'm a former small business owner myself, so I bring a lot of my own personal experience and knowledge to this role. I think we all know that small business is integral to the health of the province. But there are some pretty incred- ible statistics about small business in B.C.

Ninety-eight percent of all businesses in British Columbia are small businesses. Th e small business sec- tor employs over one million people, making up 56 per- cent of private sector employment. It generates 29 percent of B.C.'s GDP . Small business owners live and work in our communities. Th ey employ many people in our com- munity. Th ey support local causes and charities and par- ticipate in local events. Th ey don't just own and operate their own small busi- nesses. Th ey are also your Little League coaches. Th ey bring oranges to soccer games. Th ey raise money for your hospital foundations.

Th ey serve on their PACs. Th ey are moms and dads and aunts and uncles. If busi- ness is the backbone of B.C.'s economy, small business is its heart and soul. As Minister of State for Small Business, I had the op- portunity recently to present the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medals to three incredible people in British Columbia: Dee Dhaliwal, Doug Smith and Ruby Sharma. Th ese three individuals have contributed to enhancing the economic environment of their communities. Th ey hold a passionate belief that giving back to the commun- ity in which they live, work and play is a fundamental responsibility.

Th ey refl ect the spirit and the passion of small business people in British Columbia. [1150] In the fall of 2012, immediately aft er the Premier ap- pointed me as Minister of State for Small Business, with the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, we began a process of consultation with the small business owners and oper- ators across B.C. that was unprecedented. Th e goal is to create a small business accord that will hold govern- ment accountable to small businesses in B.C. to ensure that we are the most small business–friendly jurisdic- tion in Canada. Not only did I travel to many communities throughout

British Columbia Debates13182 Thursday, February 28, 2013 the province, participating in both chamber of commerce events as well as specifi c consultations on the accord, but we undertook an on-line survey as well as a hugely suc- cessful Twitter town hall in which we reached 35,000 dis- tinct individuals. We are only a few weeks away from announcing our fi nalized B.C. small business accord, which will provide guidance to government to ensure that the proper tools, support and regulations are developed for small business.

Th e Premier has set a clear mandate to make B.C. the most small business–friendly jurisdiction in Canada, and I'm very excited about the work that is underway to get us there. As I've said, since I became the Minister for Small Business I've travelled to almost every region of the prov- ince to meet with small busin esses across all sectors to discuss their successes and challenges and to see what the province can do to improve the business climate in B.C. "Providing certainty" is a phrase that came up oft en.

We as a province can provide business with certainty in many ways, including sound fi scal management, con- sultation on policy changes and programs. Critically, we can provide certainty to business by balancing the budget. Th at's what we've presented: a balanced budget for fi scal 2013-14. Nothing fancy, nothing extravagant — just sim- ple, credible and balanced. Let me read you a quote from the president of the B.C. Chamber of Commerce, John Winter. He says: "Business has been clear. Government's priority was to get its fi s- cal house in order.

Budget 2013 does that in a balanced way that controls spending while making modest in- creases to taxes." As I mentioned earlier, we had to make some tough choices to balance the budget. One of them was to in- crease the general corporate income tax rate by a mod- est 1 percent. However, we are not increasing the small business tax rate. Th e small business tax rate is 2.5 percent. Under the NDP , it was 4.5 percent — almost double. Th e small busi- ness threshold before the small businesses have to pay tax is now $500,000. Under the NDP , it was $200,000. Th is saves small businesses about $20 million a year.

We recognize that there are many challenges that small business owners face, and we want to do what we can to help them grow and succeed. Small business owners or their employees don't have the opportunity to contrib- ute to a pension plan. In fact, just one in three workers in B.C. belongs to a registered workplace pension plan. My sister has a health food business, and my brother works for a small contracting company. Neither of them has the option of saving for retirement through a group pension plan.

We'll be announcing today that we will be working with the federal government so that perhaps one day my sister and my brother will be able to have the opportunity to pool their retirement savings with a regulated pension program to make it easier for hard- working British Columbians to save for their retirement. Th is is a huge step to support small business owners and their employees. In conclusion, I am extremely proud of this govern- ment's record of sound fi scal management, and we are building on that foundation. It was a huge accomplish- ment to balance this budget.

A recent CFIB survey re- vealed that 93 percent of small businesses rank this as their top priority. Small business owners know that they can't spend more than they make. Th is government knows that as well. With this budget, we are being proactive at keeping debt aff ordable and have produced a balanced budget for fi scal 2013. Th is takes discipline. I am proud to invite all members of this House to sup- port the 2013 British Columbia provincial budget for fi ve simple reasons: it's modest, it's responsible, it's achievable, it's prudent, and most importantly, it's balanced. R.

Fleming: I will begin my remarks now and then continue aft er the next sitting of the House. I appreciate the chance to respond to the government's budget bill this morning and later on, because it is some- thing that is worth examining very carefully. We are so close to an election now — 11 weeks away. We've seen this play from the Liberal playbook before, in 2009. British Columbians will well remember a budget that was tabled that called for a defi cit that was, in the words of the then Premier, "$495 million, maximum." [1155] Aft er the election was over, we came back to this place in the fall of 2009.

Th ere was a big surprise there for British Columbians that played out over the summer around imposing a harmonized sales tax that the Liberal Party had specifi cally promised not to introduce. And lo and behold, the September 2009 budget had a defi cit projection that was six times larger than the one that was promised in the bogus pre-election budget. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] British Columbians are going to look at this budget that has been tabled in the same light that they saw the 2009 budget tabled from this B.C. Liberal government.

Noting the hour, I would like to reserve my place to continue remarks at the next sitting of the House. R. Fleming moved adjournment of debate. Motion approved. Hon. T. Lake moved adjournment of the House. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker: Th is House stands adjourned until 1:30 this aft ernoon. Th e House adjourned at 11:56 a.m.

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Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	H0228am-01
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	H0228am 01
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	74bc516f83f1f9db89cb149826dcf4bf4d0a913a

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