British Columbia Hansard — Monday, September 19, 2005

H0919pm-09

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

First Session, 38th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) Monday, September 19, 2005 Afternoon Sitting Volume 1, Number 9 THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOFF, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Iona V. Campagnolo, CM, OBC FIRST SESSION, 38TH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................Hon. Gordon Campbell Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations .......................................................................................................... Hon.

John van Dongen Deputy Premier and Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy...................... Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation .......................................................................................................Hon. Tom Christensen Minister of Advanced Education and Minister Responsible for Research and Technology ........................................... Hon.

Murray Coell Minister of Agriculture and Lands.......................................................................................................................................................Hon. Pat Bell Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism............................................................................... Hon. Wally Oppal, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ..........................................................................................................................Hon.

Stan Hagen Minister of State for Childcare ........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Linda Reid Minister of Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues........................................... Hon. Ida Chong Minister of Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative and the Olympics.................Hon.

Colin Hansen Minister of Employment and Income Assistance ...........................................................................................................Hon. Claude Richmond Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources .......................................................................................................Hon. Richard Neufeld Minister of State for Mining............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Bill Bennett Minister of Environment and Minister Responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities ...............Hon. Barry Penner Minister of Finance.......................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Carole Taylor Minister of Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for Housing ............................................................................. Hon.

Rich Coleman Minister of Health ......................................................................................................................................................................Hon. George Abbott Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services .......................................................................................................................... Hon. Michael de Jong Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General................................................................................................................................Hon.

John Les Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Deregulation ...................................................... Hon. Rick Thorpe Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Arts........................................................................................................................................Hon. Olga Ilich Minister of Transportation...........................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Kevin Falcon LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition .........................................................................................................................................................Carole James Deputy Speaker ....................................................................................................................................................................................Sindi Hawkins Assistant Deputy Speaker.....................................................................................................................................................................Sue Hammell Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole.................................................................................................................................................

Harry Bloy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly .........................................................................................................................E. George MacMinn, OBC, QC Clerk Assistant.........................................................................................................................................................................................Robert Vaive Clerk Assistant and Law Clerk .......................................................................................................................................................Ian D.

Izard, QC Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees ....................................................................................................................................... Craig H. James Clerk Assistant and Committee Clerk ..........................................................................................................................................Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms............................................................................................................................................................................. A.A.

Humphreys Director, Hansard Services ..................................................................................................................................................Anthony Dambrauskas Legislative Librarian ..................................................................................................................................................................................Jane Taylor Acting Legislative Comptroller..................................................................................................................................................Brent Cunningham

Party Standings: Liberal 46; New Democratic 33 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Abbott, Hon. George (L) ..........................................................................Shuswap Austin, Robin (NDP)...................................................................................Skeena Bains, Harry (NDP)....................................................................... Surrey-Newton Barisoff, Hon. Bill (L)...............................................Penticton–Okanagan Valley Bell, Hon. Pat (L) ..................................................................Prince George North Bennett, Hon.

Bill (L) .....................................................................East Kootenay Black, Iain (L) ..................................................................Port Moody–Westwood Bloy, Harry (L).....................................................................................Burquitlam Bond, Hon. Shirley (L).......................................... Prince George–Mount Robson Brar, Jagrup (NDP)..........................................................Surrey–Panorama Ridge Campbell, Hon. Gordon (L) ..............................................

Vancouver–Point Grey Cantelon, Ron (L)................................................................... Nanaimo-Parksville Chong, Hon. Ida (L) ......................................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ................................................................Burnaby-Edmonds Christensen, Hon. Tom (L) ...................................................... Okanagan-Vernon Chudnovsky, Dave (NDP).................................................Vancouver-Kensington Coell, Hon. Murray (L) ..........................................Saanich North and the Islands Coleman, Hon.

Rich (L)................................................Fort Langley–Aldergrove Conroy, Katrine (NDP) ............................................... West Kootenay–Boundary Coons, Gary (NDP) .............................................................................North Coast Cubberley, David (NDP)................................................................. Saanich South de Jong, Hon.

Michael (L) ........................................Abbotsford–Mount Lehman Dix, Adrian (NDP) ..............................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Evans, Corky (NDP)......................................................................Nelson-Creston Falcon, Hon. Kevin (L) ............................................................

Surrey-Cloverdale Farnworth, Mike (NDP) ....................................Port Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Fleming, Rob (NDP) ...................................................................Victoria-Hillside Fraser, Scott (NDP) ...................................................................Alberni-Qualicum Gentner, Guy (NDP)............................................................................ Delta North Hagen, Hon. Stan (L) ......................................................................Comox Valley Hammell, Sue (NDP) ........................................................

Surrey–Green Timbers Hansen, Hon. Colin (L) .......................................................Vancouver-Quilchena Hawes, Randy (L)............................................................... Maple Ridge–Mission Hawkins, Sindi (L) .................................................................... Kelowna-Mission Hayer, Dave S. (L) ..................................................................... Surrey-Tynehead Hogg, Gordon (L)................................................................... Surrey–White Rock Horgan, John (NDP)...........................................................

Malahat–Juan de Fuca Horning, Al (L)................................................................ Kelowna–Lake Country Ilich, Hon. Olga (L)....................................................................Richmond Centre James, Carole (NDP)............................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Jarvis, Daniel (L)........................................................North Vancouver–Seymour Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) .................................................Esquimalt-Metchosin Krog, Leonard (NDP)..............................................................................

Nanaimo Krueger, Kevin (L)................................................... Kamloops–North Thompson Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP)................................ Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Lali, Harry (NDP)..............................................................................Yale-Lillooet Lee, Richard T. (L).........................................................................Burnaby North Lekstrom, Blair (L)................................................................... Peace River South Les, Hon. John (L)....................................................................

Chilliwack-Sumas Macdonald, Norm (NDP)......................................... Columbia River–Revelstoke MacKay, Dennis (L)......................................................... Bulkley Valley–Stikine Mayencourt, Lorne (L)............................................................Vancouver-Burrard McIntyre, Joan (L)...................................................... West Vancouver–Garibaldi Neufeld, Hon. Richard (L) ....................................................... Peace River North Nuraney, John (L)..................................................................Burnaby-Willingdon Oppal, Hon.

Wally, QC (L)............................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Penner, Hon. Barry (L)................................................................ Chilliwack-Kent Polak, Mary (L) ......................................................................................... Langley Puchmayr, Chuck (NDP)........................................................... New Westminster Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ...................................................................Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon. Linda (L) ..................................................................... Richmond East Richmond, Hon.

Claude (L)...................................................................Kamloops Robertson, Gregor (NDP) .....................................................Vancouver-Fairview Roddick, Valerie (L)............................................................................ Delta South Routley, Doug (NDP).......................................................... Cowichan-Ladysmith Rustad, John (L) ..............................................................Prince George–Omineca Sather, Michael (NDP)..............................................

Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ........................................ Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Bob (NDP).......................................................................Cariboo North Simpson, Shane (NDP) ......................................................... Vancouver-Hastings Sultan, Ralph (L) .........................................................West Vancouver–Capilano Taylor, Hon. Carole (L)..........................................................

Vancouver-Langara Thorne, Diane (NDP) ......................................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Thorpe, Hon. Rick (L)............................................................Okanagan-Westside Trevena, Claire (NDP) .......................................................................North Island van Dongen, Hon. John (L)..................................................Abbotsford-Clayburn Whittred, Katherine (L).............................................

North Vancouver–Lonsdale Wyse, Charlie (NDP) ......................................................................Cariboo South Yap, John (L)........................................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Clayburn ........................................................ Hon. John van Dongen Abbotsford–Mount Lehman................................................Hon. Michael de Jong Alberni-Qualicum ...............................................................................

Scott Fraser Bulkley Valley–Stikine ................................................................ Dennis MacKay Burnaby North................................................................................ Richard T. Lee Burnaby-Edmonds............................................................................. Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Willingdon ........................................................................John Nuraney Burquitlam............................................................................................

Harry Bloy Cariboo North....................................................................................Bob Simpson Cariboo South................................................................................... Charlie Wyse Chilliwack-Kent ....................................................................... Hon. Barry Penner Chilliwack-Sumas ........................................................................... Hon.

John Les Columbia River–Revelstoke ......................................................Norm Macdonald Comox Valley .............................................................................Hon. Stan Hagen Coquitlam-Maillardville................................................................... Diane Thorne Cowichan-Ladysmith .......................................................................Doug Routley Delta North........................................................................................

Guy Gentner Delta South...................................................................................Valerie Roddick East Kootenay ............................................................................Hon. Bill Bennett Esquimalt-Metchosin ............................................................. Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove....................................................... Hon. Rich Coleman Kamloops ......................................................................... Hon. Claude Richmond Kamloops–North Thompson..........................................................

Kevin Krueger Kelowna–Lake Country .......................................................................Al Horning Kelowna-Mission ............................................................................Sindi Hawkins Langley................................................................................................

Mary Polak Malahat–Juan de Fuca........................................................................John Horgan Maple Ridge–Mission ......................................................................Randy Hawes Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows...........................................................Michael Sather Nanaimo ...........................................................................................Leonard Krog Nanaimo-Parksville..........................................................................

Ron Cantelon Nelson-Creston.................................................................................. Corky Evans New Westminster ........................................................................Chuck Puchmayr North Coast .........................................................................................Gary Coons North Island.................................................................................... Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ....................................................

Katherine Whittred North Vancouver–Seymour .............................................................. Daniel Jarvis Oak Bay–Gordon Head.................................................................Hon. Ida Chong Okanagan-Vernon ..............................................................Hon. Tom Christensen Okanagan-Westside................................................................... Hon. Rick Thorpe Peace River North ...............................................................Hon.

Richard Neufeld Peace River South ..........................................................................Blair Lekstrom Penticton–Okanagan Valley...................................................... Hon. Bill Barisoff Port Coquitlam–Burke Mountain................................................. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Westwood .........................................................................Iain Black Powell River–Sunshine Coast.....................................................Nicholas Simons Prince George North .........................................................................Hon.

Pat Bell Prince George–Mount Robson................................................. Hon. Shirley Bond Prince George–Omineca .....................................................................John Rustad Richmond Centre .......................................................................... Hon. Olga Ilich Richmond East ............................................................................ Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ............................................................................... John Yap Saanich North and the Islands..................................................Hon.

Murray Coell Saanich South..............................................................................David Cubberley Shuswap ................................................................................ Hon. George Abbott Skeena ...............................................................................................Robin Austin Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................................Hon. Kevin Falcon Surrey–Green Timbers.....................................................................

Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ....................................................................................Harry Bains Surrey–Panorama Ridge...................................................................... Jagrup Brar Surrey-Tynehead .............................................................................Dave S. Hayer Surrey-Whalley ............................................................................... Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock..........................................................................

Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Burrard .................................................................. Lorne Mayencourt Vancouver-Fairview.................................................................. Gregor Robertson Vancouver-Fraserview ...................................................... Hon. Wally Oppal, QC Vancouver-Hastings...................................................................... Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington ........................................................... David Chudnovsky Vancouver-Kingsway...........................................................................

Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara.................................................................Hon. Carole Taylor Vancouver–Mount Pleasant .............................................Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey..................................................... Hon. Gordon Campbell Vancouver-Quilchena ............................................................. Hon. Colin Hansen Victoria–Beacon Hill ........................................................................Carole James Victoria-Hillside................................................................................

Rob Fleming West Kootenay–Boundary ............................................................ Katrine Conroy West Vancouver–Capilano ............................................................... Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Garibaldi............................................................. Joan McIntyre Yale-Lillooet ..........................................................................................Harry Lali

CONTENTS Monday, September 19, 2005 Afternoon Sitting Routine Proceedings Page Introductions by Members ....................................................................................................... ................................................ 141 Tributes ....................................................................................................................... ................................................................ 141 Robert James Shewfelt Hon. R.

Thorpe Statements (Standing Order 25B) .............................................................................................................................. ............... 141 Crystal meth R. Cantelon Carey Price C. Wyse Mount Polley mine J. Rustad Mann Cup win by Victoria Shamrocks J. Horgan Multiculturalism and immigration D. Hayer Assaults on seniors in Surrey park H.

Bains Oral Questions................................................................................................................. ........................................................... 144 Government support for low-income seniors R. Fleming Hon. C. Taylor J. Kwan Review of death of Sherry Charlie C. James Hon. S. Hagen A. Dix Kith-and-kin agreement guidelines G. Robertson Hon. S. Hagen M. Karagianis M. Farnworth Future of Port Alice pulp mill C. Trevena Hon. C.

Hansen Reports from Committees........................................................................................................ ................................................. 148 Special Committee of Selection, first report Hon. M. de Jong Motions without Notice ......................................................................................................... ................................................... 149 Powers and role of Finance and Government Services Committee Appointment of Legislative Initiatives Committee Committee of Supply to sit in two sections Hon.

M. de Jong Second Reading of Bills........................................................................................................ ..................................................... 150 Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2005 (Bill 4) Hon. M. de Jong M. Farnworth

Budget Debate (continued)............................................................................................................................... .......................... 151 Hon. O. Ilich J. Yap N. Simons C. Trevena B. Lekstrom G. Coons L. Mayencourt

141 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 The House met at 2:05 p.m. Introductions by Members Hon. S. Bond: It is a delight today to be able to in- troduce someone who is certainly no stranger to many of us. We've chatted a lot about being new to the Legis- lature or returning to the Legislature and some of the challenges that this job brings, but I think often we don't actually talk about th e benefits. One of the bene- fits is getting to meet extraordinary British Columbians who truly want to serve the public in this province, whichever side of the House they sit on.

Today I want to welcome someone, a very good friend, a former colleague of all of ours. She's been de- scribed as someone who is innovative. She has endless energy. She brought an incr edibly wonderful personal- ity to this Legislature. She was first elected in a 1998 by-election to represent the riding of Parksville- Qualicum, and she was re -elected in 2001 in the Nanaimo-Parksville riding. She served as our Minister of Transportation from June 2001 until January of 2004. We are so glad to see you back today; we miss you a great deal. Please join me in welcoming Judith Reid. Hon. O.

Ilich: As many of you know, British Colum- bia is becoming known as the sports capital of Canada. We are hosting the Grey Cup this year as well as the World Junior Hockey Cham pionship and the Nordic World Cup. We are hosting many, many more sporting events leading up to the Olympic Games in 2010. Adding to our sports reputation is the Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse team, which won the national championship Mann Cup this Friday in Victoria in a thrilling overtime game. Would the House join me in congratulating the Victoria Sham- rocks for this outstanding accomplishment. N.

Simons: I just would like to bring the attention of the House to three guests plus a partner up in the members' gallery. In particular, I'd like to welcome Sharon Wood and Bill Forst, president of the Sunshine Coast Teachers Association, along with Steve Jones, the vice-president of the B.C. School Counsellors Associa- tion, who are all here to ensure that we continue a re- spectful dialogue and that our students get their educa- tion — and my partner Scott, of course. D.

MacKay: This afternoon, somewhere in the gal- lery, I'm pleased to introduce somebody from Smithers, in the beautiful Bulkley Valley in the northwest part of our province. Visiting today is Charlene Watts from Smithers. She's down here representing the Association of Educators of Gifted, Talented and Creative Children. I ask the House to please make her welcome. V. Roddick: In the gallery this afternoon is a dedi- cated constituent, Dr. Beth Sparks. Dr. Sparks teaches children who need direct intervention to learn how to read and write at Cougar Ca nyon Elementary in North Delta.

She is the provincial president of the Learning Assistance Teachers Association and the president of the Delta Learning Assistance Teachers Association. Her motto is: "Is it that I can't learn, or is it that you can't teach me?" Will the House please make her most welcome. K. Conroy: Today I would like to welcome to the House William Schwark, a thir d-year law student from the University of Victoria, along with his mother Mary Schwark, who was born and ra ised in Trail and raised her family in Robson and is a teacher. As well, they have Mary's niece Marian Plotnikov with them.

She's the operator of a travel agen cy in Grand Forks. Please join in welcoming them to the House. [1410] L. Mayencourt: It seems we have developed a little bit of a theme for today's in troduction of guests. We've left one person out, and I want to make sure we men- tion her. Jinny Sims, the pres ident of the B.C. Teachers Federation, is here today. Would the House please make her welcome. Tributes ROBERT JAMES SHEWFELT Hon. R. Thorpe: I rise with sad news today and would ask the House…. Robert "Bob" James Shewfelt, former mayor of Summerland, passed away, and we had a memorial service for him on Saturday.

He was affectionately known as "Mayor Bob," and he served two terms in Summerland. Bob will be sadly missed by his family and all of those whose lives he touched, not only in Summerland but in the Okanagan and in Brit- ish Columbia. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that your of- fices send the family the condolences on behalf of all the members of this House. Mr. Speaker: It will be done. Statements (Standing Order 25

B) CRYSTAL METH R. Cantelon: I'm speaking today on the issue of crystal meth, something that will be of interest to our members and also to the people in our gallery today. Last Thursday I attended a public meeting on crystal meth in the school gymnasium at McGirr School in Nanaimo. The room was full of anxious parents, ho meowners, business people, community workers, volunteers, politicians and crystal meth survivors. And "survivors" is the right term, from what I heard from a Mr. Go rdon Robson and from the rehabilitated users themselves.

Now, this session was put on by a man called Gord Robson of the Crystal Meth Task Force. I want to cau- tion and warn the members of both sides of this House that it was a compelling an d frightening evening in

142 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 many respects. I advise you: don't invite this man to your riding unless you want the truth about crystal meth. Don't ask him in unless you are ready to hear the damage that this vicious drug can inflict on your com- munity, especially to our young people. Certainly don't ask him unless you are prepared to get involved and do something about this scourge. There are not enough adjectives severe enough to describe the effects of this pernicious drug. It is the most destructive and compelling drug to attack our streets and schools ever.

Apparently it only takes a few uses, and you're hooked. On ce you are hooked on it, apparently nothing else matters but the next hit. As one recovered user expressed it, you lose your sense en- tirely of who you are as a person. It is a vicious drug that can inflict permanent brain damage, and it is cheap and easy to manufacture from things you can buy at your drug store off the shelf.

As I sat in front of the several hundred transfixed faces, everyone wanting to hear who had an answer, I wondered, sitting there: are they looking at me as a politician to solve the problem, or indeed, was I the one who was looking at the people who needed to solve the p r o b l e m ? T h e a n s w e r i s t h a t i t w i l l t a k e b o t h s i d e s o f that; it will take all of us. An all-hands-on-deck, flat-out community effort is required to solve this problem, and there can be no turf protecti ng in this war or political sides in tackling the problem.

Every community needs to call on this task force, and you can reach them at crystalmethtaskforce.com. Nanaimo has joined Maple Ridge, Mission, North Vanc ouver, Victoria, Surrey and Parksville in this community-based approach. I call on the members of this House to support this and all other efforts to eradicate this terrible drug. CAREY PRICE C. Wyse: It is with great pride I rise in the House today to claim bragging righ ts for the people of the Cariboo for having the highest NHL draft pick amongst the 79 constituencies of B.C.

Carey Price of Anahim Lake in Cariboo South was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the NHL draft, fifth overall. He was drafted as a goalie. Carey's parents were highly supportive of his hockey career. His father Jerry, a former NHL eighth- round draft pick, 126th overall, would drive Carey three and a half hours one way to Williams Lake for minor hockey practices and weekend games. His mother Linda, presently chie f of the Ulkatcho First Na- tion band, assisted with the driving. Carey's peewee coaches, Niel Marshall and Bill McGinnis, are particu- larly proud of this achievement.

Lenny Adolph of the Cariboo Coyotes would co ach Carey after minor hockey season was completed, and this native teen played in tournaments in B.C. and Alberta. [1415] At a recent event I attended at Anahim Lake, I was struck by Carey's presence amongst his home commu- nity. He patiently provided everyone that wished an autograph with one. He proudly claimed Anahim Lake as his home while recognizing Williams Lake support for his development in hockey. To assist you with further insights to this 18-year-old and his family, I give you two quotes.

Jerry on Carey, or father on son: "He is always willing to learn, he is a great listener, and he has a solid mental game." Carey on Jerry, or son on father: "He taught me to be tough mentally and coached me the whole way through. He helped me with the technical side like angles and positioning, and he taught me never to be arrogant." Last night in his NHL debut Carey shut out the At- lanta Thrashers as he played the first half of the game. With that, I request the House to join me in recognizing Carey Price and his family and all those individuals who contribute to Carey's success. MOUNT POLLEY MINE J.

Rustad: It is my great pleasure today to highlight the booming success of the growing mining industry over the past four years, success that is so critical to the people of our province that even a member of the NDP stood up and talked about it. But I found it amusing that the hon. member for Cariboo North talking about the Mount Polley mine in northern B.C. lectured us about how the mining industry works.

Now I could stand here and detail the NDP's destruction of the B.C. mining industry and how our government has worked tirele ssly to revive this criti- cal industry, but I think the words of Imperial Met- als chairman spoken at the grand reopening of Mount Polley this past Fr iday, which I had the hon- our of attending, really tell the true story: "For my p a r t I w o u l d s a y t h a t m u c h o f t h e c r e d i t g o e s t o a provincial government that has streamlined the permitting process and encouraged British Columbi- ans to invest in mineral exploration by offering addi- tional tax credits under the federal flow-through share financing program.

The payback to the prov- ince has been remarkable." The payback from the Mount Polley project has been incredible, with more than $6.5 million per month being put back into our economy. This is par- ticularly significant considering that in 2003 the mar- ket capitalization of Imperial Metals was just $7.5 million. Today it's more than $120 million, employing more than 250 people.

The hon. member for Cariboo North would have you believe the success was due to commodity price increases, but once again, in the words of Imperial Metals chairman: "If the su per flow-through shares financing had not been available, Imperial Metals would not have raised the money to explore in B.C., and this mine would not be reopening today." This is the key that the NDP never seemed to un- derstand, including the hon. member for Cariboo North. When done right, government policies can en- courage growth, help create jobs and bring investment to our province.

The NDP wo uld like us to think that industries like mining are simply twigs in the stream,

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 143 buffeted by changes in commodity prices. But this gov- ernment knows better. Mr. Speaker: Time, member. J. Rustad: Thank you very much. MANN CUP WIN BY VICTORIA SHAMROCKS J. Horgan: I just want to echo the comments of the member for Richmond Centre and advise this House that yet another Canadian championship has returned to British Columbia and particularly to the city of Victoria. After a 12-month absence, the Mann Cup has returned home.

Members will know that Canada has two official national sports: one that we're aware of in the winter, and more importantly another one, the fastest game on two feet, in the summer. When I was growing up as a lad here in Victoria, there was only one national sport and that was la- crosse. I spent my teen ye ars at the Memorial Arena waiting — waiting in vain for the day that the Sham- rocks would lift the Mann Cup high into the rafters of that venerable old instit ution. But year after year that coveted prize was elusive.

We would lose in the western finals to the Sham rocks or the Adanacs and, periodically, to the dreadful Vancouver Burrards, as I was saying to my friend from Hastings. Nonethe- less, it was elusive. [1420] It wasn't until 1978 when I happened to be in the city of Toronto doing a tour of Canada looking for a university to go to, to broaden my horizons and get a view of the world away from Vancouver Island that the Shamrocks were in Pe terborough for the Mann Cup. I couldn't miss the opportunity, so I went to Peterborough for game seven. They lost, regrettably, again, but I was there.

The next day I went to Trent University, where I spent the next four years getting an undergraduate degree and meeting my wife. It's with great enthusiasm that I remind this House and urge them to congratulate the Victoria Shamrocks for defeating the Peterborough Lakers at the heart of sport in the Western Communities, the Bear Mountain Arena.

Will you please join me in rec- ognizing and congratulating coach Walt Christianson and his staff; Shamrock management; all the hard- working volunteers who make lacrosse the game it is; and particularly the most valuable player, goalie An- thony Cosmo; and the entire Shamrock team. Make them welcome. MULTICULTURALISM AND IMMIGRATION D. Hayer: I want to touch today on a topic that is very near and dear to my heart: multiculturalism and immigration.

I am an immigrant, and like many of my colleagues in this House I appreciate the opportunities provided to us and provided to the rest of the people in this wonderful country of ours that we now call our home. The opportunities are boundless in a country that urges us to not only re tain our culture but to cele- brate it, encourages us to become citizens, and allows us to do anything and everything we want, even to seek and attain the highest office in the land. We champion cultural di versity. We celebrate our differences. In Surrey alone we have one of the most diverse regions anywhere on this continent.

More than 90 different languages are spoken. We celebrate that diversity, we encourage immigration, and we benefit from it immensely. Without diversity we could not create nor pursue the offshore trade that is so vital to our economy. We would not welcome foreign-trained professionals who provide much-needed additi ons to our skilled work- force. Without total acceptance of multicultural diver- sity we could not attract foreign investment so vital to our economic strength. I stand here as an example of the opportunity this country offers. I am a proud British Columbian and a proud Canadian.

I am equall y proud that this govern- ment is developing a new re lationship with our first nations people. We can now stand and say we are proud to be among the most culturally diverse people on the globe. ASSAULTS ON SENIORS IN SURREY PARK H. Bains: In recent weeks seniors have been as- saulted in Surrey parks. Two seniors, Mr. Shingra Singh Thandi and Mr. Mewa Singh Bains, were beaten and robbed at Surrey's Bear Creek Park. I'm sad to report here that both of them have died due to the injuries they suffered. First, I send my sincere condolences to the families of Mr. Thandi and Mr. Bains.

The families are still wondering why their fa- ther, husband, brother, grandfather was taken away from them in such a violen t way. Secondly, I applaud the RCMP and other members of the public, who moved in very quickly and helped arrest two youths in a very short period of time. Seniors, who are our fathers and grandfathers, built this province and this country. They made sacri- fices in their lifetimes so that we can have a better life. They went to wars and risked their lives so that we can enjoy freedom.

But due to these ugly incidents, our seniors are afraid to walk our streets alone and do not feel safe to enjoy a stroll in our parks. [1425] It is our responsibility and it's incumbent upon us to ensure their safety and well-being. We must ensure that they are treated with respect and dignity in our society, as they deserve.

Therefore, I urge all members of this House to redouble our efforts to work with fed- eral and municipal govern ments and in cooperation with police, with a goal to rule out violence in our neighbourhoods so that our seniors can enjoy their remaining lives with a sense of security and safety and enjoy a card game with their friends in our parks. A candlelight vigil is being held this coming Saturday,

144 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 September 24 at 7 p.m. at Bear Creek Park. I urge all of you who are in the area to join the family there. Oral Questions GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS R. Fleming: Will the Minister of Finance admit that her government's cuts to seniors programs over the last four years forced them to choose between rent and food? Hon. C. Taylor: I'm pleased to speak to the budget which we presented last week, because we have a very strong focus on low-income seniors in our com- munity. We have committed $242 million to help in assistance programs.

We're bringing back the seniors supplement. We are increasing the SAFER grant, which, I will remind everyone, hadn't been improved s i n c e 1 9 9 0 . E v e n t h o u g h w e a l l k n o w w h a t h a s h a p - pened to rents in the past 15 years, that particular program hadn't been expanded, so we've expanded that and also now broadened it to allow low-income seniors who live in manufactured homes to also ac- cess it. We've also put 150 million new dollars into the Health Ministry, specifically to help ease the transi- tion of our older seniors as they have health needs in the community. Mr.

Speaker: The member has a supplemental. R. Fleming: That didn't answer my question. The government made the choice in 2002 to eliminate the income supplement that made the seniors choose be- tween rent or food. The B. C. Liberals have consis- tently denied the pain they've caused over the last four years. Can the Minister of Finance tell us what evi- dence she now has that her government forced sen- iors to choose between paying the rent and buying groceries? Hon. C. Taylor: In fact, seniors did not see their income go down.

During that period the federal gov- ernment supplement was incr easing and ours was di- minishing, so the level of income that seniors had stayed exactly the same. However, we do realize that pressures are great on seniors. That's why in this par- ticular budget update, with the economy doing well, we decided that it was important to focus on those who are vulnerable in our community — namely, the low- income seniors. We are taking very aggressive steps — $242 mil- lion in three years — t o m a k e s u r e t h a t w e b r i n g back the income supplement. We're not hiding from that.

We're bringing back the income supplement. We're also increasing the SAFER assistance program, which was never increased during all of the '90s as rents went up. We believe that that, plus expanding the program, will help many low-income seniors in this province. Mr. Speaker: The member has a further supplemental. R. Fleming: That was an explanation of how the province moved in and added their own cuts to what the federal government was making — initiatives in mid-2002. But last week the Minister of Finance told the media that some seniors in this province couldn't both pay the rent and afford to buy food.

We've heard from seniors that some of them can't afford to buy cholesterol-lowering drugs and have to make that choice between life-saving drugs and rent. She said that some pensioners might be cutting back on chicken to make rent payments, in the media. That's why she restored the seniors income supplement in her budget last week. Again to the minister: will she now admit to this House what she said last week — that over the last four years this government forced low-income seniors to squeeze their food budget and pay the rent? [1430] Hon. C.

Taylor: I believe there is no question in saying that seniors throughout history — but certainly in the last few decades, as we've seen cost of living go up so much — are often the ones that are the most vul- nerable in our community. Th ey work hard all their lives; they look after their children. In British Columbia they believe in this province, but when they get to their aging years, they often find that they haven't enough dollars to really look after themselves in the way we would all wish.

I know stories — I'm sure everyone knows stories; I have heard them for the last 20 years — of seniors who, at the end of the month, have to make some choices that are very difficult. That's why in this first bu dget of the mandate, first of five, we've moved aggressively to focus on seniors first — because I think that while there are many things in the community that we want to do, we're starting with seniors. Mr. Speaker: Thank you, minister. Hon. C. Taylor: There are many ways we have helped them, in fact.

The Fa ir Pharmacare and also the MSP assistance premium impr ovements that were in- cluded in this budget will mean great benefits and re- ductions for many of our seniors in this area as well. J. Kwan: By the minister's own admission, the cost of living has gone up and seniors had to suffer because they received cuts from this government. The supplement was cut by this government four years ago. Increased costs were imposed by this government, and seniors had to suffer because they couldn't pay for those increased costs. They have to choose between rent and food. You know what?

The federal government might have stepped up to the plate because of the cuts from this government. I might remind this House and this

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 145 minister that it was this very Premier, when he was in opposition, who actually said that we don't need more money from the federal government. How times have changed. Now this minister says: "Thank God the fed- eral government was there to step up to the plate." Let me say this, Mr. Speaker. The minister admitted last week that seniors had to choose between rent and food. Now she's back in her message box. Mr. Speaker: Question, member. J. Kwan: What does this building do?

B.C.'s richest corporations get a huge tax break that they weren't asking for, and seniors get to eat chicken. To the minister: why did the government take away the seniors supplement in the first place, when it knew — and should have known — that it would make life so hard for so many low-income seniors when they have to be choosing between rent and food? Hon. C. Taylor: As we have said so many times, the importance of turning the economy around was so that we would have the dollars… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Hon. C.

Taylor: …to put towards programs that were important for our community, and that especially i n c l u d e s s e n i o r s . W h e n t h i s b u d g e t u p d a t e c a m e o u t and there was a chance to have enough dollars to focus on certain priorities, we said very strongly that it's our low-income seniors we're going to start with. I also would remind the hon. member that the op- position, when they were in government, had many opportunities to do the same and increase the SAFER grant — which is shelter assist ance for elderly renters — but they did not take that opportunity. Mr.

Speaker: The member has a supplemental. J. Kwan: Is the minister meaning to say that seniors in the last four years actual ly didn't matter? "Too bad for them that they had to choose between rent and food." Is that what the minister is saying? Because that's exactly what the government has done. They actually hoisted those cuts on the backs of seniors. The Minister of Finance wants British Columbians to be- lieve that this budget is about caring for poor seniors. "It is about social justice," the Minister of Finance says.

But what it's really about is a surprise tax cut for B.C.'s richest corporations and small relief for seniors. Make no mistake about it, hon. Speaker. Budget is about priorities. This government chose to ignore the needs of the seniors four years ago, and what they give back in this budget doesn't even barely begin to make up for what they lost in the last four years. Will the minister just admit that all her budget does for seniors is give back a very little of what this B.C. Liberal government took away in the first place? A simple answer, yes or no, will do. [1435] Hon. C.

Taylor: It would be a shame just to use one or two words when I can use so many more words to answer. That is to say once again…. It has been very important to have the economy turn around and make sure… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Order, please. Hon. C. Taylor: …that we, in fact, had enough dol- lars to spend on our priorities. We're starting this man- date with the first budget th at focuses on our seniors. In fact, there are 242 millio n new dollars put into the seniors supplement, to th e SAFER program which we are expanding not only into terms of its definition but also in the assistance that it provides.

We're also put- ting more money towards hospital beds to make sure that our seniors are well taken care of. I will remind people, as well, that we have intro- duced in this budget the B.C. tax reduction, and that is for the lowest and next category of income earners. That also applies to seniors. REVIEW OF DEATH OF SHERRY CHARLIE C. James: We've heard, over and over again, the Finance Minister talk about the fact that a budget is about making choices. We saw in this budget that a little bit was given back to seniors, but it gave nothing to children in need.

This summer we learned the details of a tragic case that I know is of deep concern to everyone in this House. Sherry Charlie was only 19 months old when she died in 2002. She died at the hands of a caregiver who later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sen- tenced to ten years in jail. It 's a tragic case and one that I know we all find difficult, but we must learn from this young girl's death so that other tragedies can be prevented. Sherry died in September 2002. The minis- try received a report on her case in March of 2004.

I would like to ask the Minister of Children and Families: why did this government hold on to that re- port until after the election? Hon. S. Hagen: I'm happy to answer the question, but every time this is raised, the parents of Sherry Charlie have to go through the sorrow again. I will say again, as I have said public ly, that we are all sorry for the loss of Sherry Charlie. But for the member's infor- mation, I just want to outline the steps for you so that you're clear. The

summary is a high-level overview of the perti- nent facts of the matter. The director's review is a com- plete story from start to finish. Rarely are these reviews released, and certainly never are they released without severing information to protect the families in these

146 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 matters. This review had to go back and forth to the person who was doing it, which took a lot of time. The director, who has the authority to release it, would not have held it back because of the election. It was a nor- mal course of events that took place, and we got to- gether with the three parties at the earliest possible time in Vancouver to release the

summary. Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition has a supplemental. C. James: I can assure the minister and others in this House that everyone sitting on this side of the cau- cus understands the pressures on Sherry Charlie's fam- ily. That's why we're raising the issue — because the best thing we can do for Sherry Charlie and for her family is to ensure that something like this does not occur again. The purpose of these reports is to inform best prac- tice. It's to avoid similar situations happening again.

The government should have acted quickly to release the information and then worked with all parties to make change. It's not about blame; it's not about point- ing fingers. It's about ensuri ng that this does not hap- pen again. It was only after significant pressure from the opposition and the public that the government re- leased the report in full. I ask again to the minister: who made the decision to hold the report for over a year, and who made the decision to release the inadequate

summary? [1440] Hon. S. Hagen: That responsibility lies with the director. A. Dix: My question, as well, is for the Minister of Children and Family Development. Will the minister confirm that the original terms of reference for the di- rector's review into the Sh erry Charlie tragedy were changed in October 2002, deleting a reference as to whether the ministry's response to child protection concerns was adequate? Hon. S. Hagen: I was not the minister at that time and am not aware of it, but I'm happy to follow it up for the member. Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. A.

Dix: I ask the minister whether he will be pre- pared to return to the House today, table the original terms of reference for the review and explain why a full investigation into the ministry and his government's role was blocked as early as October 2002. Hon. S. Hagen: I will take that question on notice. KITH-AND-KIN AGREEMENT GUIDELINES G. Robertson: The fact of the matter is that the min- istry did make some serious and tragic mistakes that must be answered for. Those answers should have come months ago. Sherry Charlie had been placed in a home under one of the ministry's kith-and-kin agree- ments.

The guidelines for this new form of child pro- tection were faxed out in draft form to aboriginal agen- cies without any training whatsoever. To the minister: why did the ministry send out draft guidelines on such an important new policy as kith and kin in a negligent manner and without any training? Hon. S. Hagen: I can tell you that the delegated agency or the delegated authority, which is the Nuu-chah- nulth, and the ministry have worked very, very closely together since this tragedy to make sure that we've tight- ened things up so that they can't happen again.

It's always great to stand up when you're in opposi- tion and pontificate, but let me remind the House that the NDP never released directors' reviews unless by FOI request. The NDP never held a press conference to go over any child deaths an d subsequent reviews, and the NDP never put out a release with regard to any child's death — or reviews. I can say categorically in this House that this minis- try is more open and transparent than any other minis- try of its kind in Canada and probably the United States and Europe as well.

We release all the informa- tion that we can without violating the privacy of the family and without violating the Privacy Act, to make sure that we are in fact accountable and the public does know what's going on. Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. G. Robertson: Let me remind the minister that under the previous NDP governments, we had an independent child commissioner that your government did away with. To get back to the subject at hand, these kith-and- kin guidelines were deeply flawed. They included a checklist of criminal offences to be done before a child could be placed in a home.

H o w e v e r , 2 9 c r i m i n a l o f f e n c e s — including abduc- tion, assault, sexual assault, attempted murder and other very serious crimes that children are often the victims of — were left off the list. Why did the ministry leave these 29 offences off the list of crimes that social workers were supposed to do criminal-record checks for? Hon. S. Hagen: I have said on the record that a mis- take was made by one of our social workers, and we recognize that, but we also want to make sure we learn from this so that these sorts of things can't happen again.

If you look at our website, you'll see the 12 recommenda- tions that were made, and all of those either have been completed or will be completed early this fall. [1445] At the same time, our desire is to work with the aboriginal community and work with delegated abo- riginal agencies to make sure that aboriginal children can stay in aboriginal homes or in the home of a rela-

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 147 tive. We agree with the abor iginal community on that, and that's what we want to continue to work towards. M. Karagianis: Several times in this questioning I've heard the minister put responsibility for this issue on someone else's sh oulders. I say that the minister needs to own up to these mistakes and take responsibility. When the ministry discovered the guidelines were flawed, that information should have been made public so that changes could have been made effective imme- diately.

Why did the government not disclose the in- formation it had about the flawed guidelines as soon as it was discovered there was a problem? Hon. S. Hagen: There is a process we go through in government. It's controlled by the director. That process was carried out according to the act. Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. M. Karagianis: The guidelines were a significant part of the problem. The ministry's ability to manage its most important duty, the protection of children, was hampered by severe budget cuts.

In 2002, the same year Sherry Charlie died, the government had tried to cut $360 million out of the budget for children and families at the same time that the ministry was going through massive restructuring. This was a dangerous combination that all the experts warned the B.C. Lib- eral government about several times. However, the minister refuses to see the connec- t i o n . I n f a c t , he s a i d o n A u g u s t 5 t ha t S her ry C h ar - lie's tragic case had nothing to do with budget or saving money. Is the minister still convinced that budget cuts and chaotic rest ructuring played no

part in this tragic case? Hon. S. Hagen: This occurred because of a tragic error made by one of our employees — okay? Having said that, I have a high level of confidence in our social workers. I believe they do their job professionally. I believe they do their job well. The challenges that are faced every day by our front-line social workers in this ministry are the most difficult challenges we deal with in government. None of us would want to see this happen again. None of us do want to see it happen again. I can say it was a mistake that was made that was not related to budget cuts. M.

Farnworth: We agree with the minister's state- ment that the aboriginal community should take re- sponsibility or should have responsibility. We also feel that in order to do that, they need to have the re- sources. Here in this House, it's not a social worker who has to take responsibility; it's the minister and the government. It's government policy and decisions by the minis- try that must be addressed here as well as the negli- gent way the government provided guidelines on kith-and-kin placements. There are also some trou- bling questions on how those agreements were de- signed.

It's not just what was left out of them that's trou- bling, but it's also what's in them that's the problem. For example, they state that a formal assessment of the care providers will not be conducted. In addition, they instruct social workers: "You are not monitoring the care providers' home or the care of the child." That's a fundamental flaw. Eliminating safeguards such as formal assessments and ongoing monitoring saves money, but the minister has denied that saving mone y had anything to do with this ministry's errors.

Wh y were kith-and-kin agree- ments designed without these important safeguards for children's safety? Hon. S. Hagen: I can assure the member opposite that we require anyone in th e proposed care provider's home who is 18 years or older to have a criminal- record check. The same chec ks and balances are there as in a foster home. [1450] I might also add that it was the mother who asked that the child be placed in this home. That's a require- ment under the kith-and-kin arrangement. The mother asks the social worker or the ministry to place the child in a home of a relative. Mr.

Speaker: The member has a supplemental. M. Farnworth: Yes, the mother has a say. But it's also not the mother's fault. It is the government who must ensure that the stan dards and regulations are there. In this case they weren't. Those two key areas were left out. The questions we've had here today point to the critical lessons that need to be learned from this tragic incident. These lessons could have been shared and learned months ago, but instead the government chose not to release the report until after an election.

After everything we've heard today, how can the minister justify his government's decision to hold onto this report for 15 months and put political timing ahead of child protection? Hon. S. Hagen: As my colleague said last week, there's a great deal of simi larity between the lack of research or incorrect research of this NDP opposition and the last NDP opposition. I take a bit of offence that there is an accusation that this report was stalled be- cause of the election. I've already made clear that the director of child welfare cannot do that under the law. It was not stalled.

The other important thing to note here is that as soon as the incident occurred and as soon as the facts were found out by the ministry, changes were then commenced. Over the three-year period changes have been taking place to make sure that practices are im- proved and to make sure that as soon as we know that

148 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 there is something wrong, those changes are made so that the child's life is safe. FUTURE OF PORT ALICE PULP MILL C. Trevena: A year ago the specialty cellulose mill in Port Alice closed. For a year people have been hang- ing on, hoping that a deal would be brokered which would get them back to work and save their village. Now their EI has run out, and they're still waiting — now because negotiations are finally happening. But we all know that negotiations take time. Nobody can expect an overnight agreement.

I'd like to ask the Minister of Economic Develop- ment why his government waited almost a full year, until five minutes to midnight , to step in and start the negotiation process. Hon. C. Hansen: In fact, government has been very active over the past year to try to find a private sector op- erator who would be willing to reactivate the mill. The government is not an owner of this property. It is a bank- rupt mill, and it is in the hands of the trustee. The trustee has also been very active in trying to identify companies that might come to the table to reactivate this mill.

The fact of the matter is that a lot of the economics for starting up the mill weren't there, even as recently as a few months ago. As world prices have changed, it's actually once again made this mill viable in the eyes of some people. That's not a determination that gov- ernment has to make. That is a determination that the private sector proponent needs to make. I'm pleased to report that there has been some considerable progress made over the weekend and on Friday towards getting an agreement in place. Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. C.

Trevena: Yes, there have been buyers around talk- ing about the mill since about December. I know that the trustee has been very vigilant, and they've been looking at all the potential buyers and making sure that whoever does come up, whether it's this buyer or another buyer, will actually be able to keep the mill going. This is a profitable mill. It's a specialty cellulose mill. What it produces is produced in very few places, and what it manufactures goes into so many different products and creates so much money for the B.C. econ- omy that it would be worthy to make sure that it does get up and running.

However, we are still talking about negotiations, and we've had close negotiations for the last month or so, where people have thought we are close to a deal. As the minister says, now we think that we're close to a deal again. I very much hope for the people of Port Alice that we are close to a deal. However, if we're not, I would like to know what the minister would do to help the people of Port Alice move on. [1455] You said a couple weeks ago in a letter to the North Island Gazette that the province is committed to helping the community build a better future.

I would like to know from the minister just what you envisage you would do to make sure that the village of Port Alice does have a future. Hon. C. Hansen: We have made it quite clear that we are prepared to assist the residents of Port Alice. Our first hope, of course, is that the mill can be reacti- vated again, and there is a lot of work that's focused on trying to make that a reality. We've also made it quite clear over this period of time that if this were not to come together, if the mill were not to be reactivated, we are still going to be there for the community.

The Min- ister of Community Services has looked at ways that her ministry can assist the community. Some of that has already been provided in a transitional sense. If the mill were not to be reactivated, there are other programs that would roll out. But that's our second choice. Our first choice is to make sure we do every- thing possible to ensure that this mill is reactivated again so there can be a major employer, so that the ma- jor employer in that community can be there once again providing good jobs. I think what's also important is that that's not done at all costs.

We cannot forsake the responsibility that any mill operator in this province has towards ensur- ing that the environmental problems do not get trig- gered in the future — with any mill operator not hav- ing to take responsibility for those problems, should they manifest in the future. That's the issue. We want the jobs. We want the mill reopened, but we also have to make sure that those environmental issues are protected. [End of question period.] Reports from Committees Hon. M. de Jong: Mr. Speaker, I have a report to present.

I have the honour to present the first report of the Special Committee of Selection for the first session of the 38th parliament. I have that report. For the benefit of members, just let me alert them to the details of the report. The Spe- cial Committee of Selection — appointed on September 12, 2005, to prepare and report lists of members to compose the select standing committees of this House — reports the following lists of members to compose the select standing committees for the present session. Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs: Ms. Polak, Convener; Mr. Horning; Mr. MacKay; Ms. McIntyre; Ms.

Roddick; Ms. Whittred; Mr. Fraser; Mr. Austin; Mr. Coons; Mr. Lali. Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations: Mr. Black, Convener; Mr. Cantelon; Mr. Jarvis; Mr. Lekstrom; Mr. MacKay; Mr. Rustad; Mr. Evans; Mr. Chudnovsky; Mr. Puchmayr; Mr. Gentner. Select Standing Comm ittee on Education: Mr. Nuraney, Convener; Mr. Jarvis; Mr. Lee; Mr. Mayen- court; Ms. Polak; Mr. Rustad; Mr. Robertson; Mr. Hor- gan; Mr. Routley; Ms. Thorne.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 149 Select Standing Committee on Finance and Gov- ernment Services: Mr. Lekstrom, Convener; Mr. Bloy; Mr. Hayer; Mr. Hogg; Mr. Lee; Mr. Yap; Ms. Karagianis; Mr. Simons; Mr. Krog; Ms. Kwan. Select Standing Committee on Health: Mr. Sultan, Convener; Mr. Hayer; Mr. Jarvis; Mr. Nuraney; Ms. Roddick; Ms. Whittred; Mr. Cubberley; Mr. Sather; Ms. Conroy; Mr. Wyse. Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Re- form, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills: Mr. Horning, Convener; Mr. Bloy; Mr. Hawes; Mr. Hogg; Mr. Krueger; Mr. Mayencourt; Mr. Chou- han; Mr.

Cubberley; Mr. Farnworth; Mr. Fleming. Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts: Mr. Fleming, Convener; Mr. Bl ack; Mr. Cantelon; Mr. Hawes; Ms. McIntyre; Ms. Polak; Mr. Rustad; Mr. Sul- tan; Mr. Yap; Mr. Bains, Mr. Dix; Mr. Ralston; Mr. Macdonald; and Ms. Thorne. I move that the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. [1500] Hon. M. de Jong: I ask leave of the House to sus- pend the rules to permit the moving of the motion to adopt the report. Leave granted. Hon. M. de Jong: I move the report be adopted. Motion approved.

Motions without Notice POWERS AND ROLE OF FINANCE AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE Hon. M. de Jong: By leave, I move: [That the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services be empowered: 1. To examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to the pre-budget consultation report prepared by the Minister of Finance in accordance with

section 2 of the Budget Transparency and Account- ability Act and, in particular, to: (

a) Conduct public consultations across British Columbia on proposals and recommenda- tions regarding the provincial budget and fiscal policy for the coming fiscal year by any means the committee considers appropriate, including but not limited to public meetings, telephone and electronic means; (

b) Prepare a report no later than November 15, 2005 on the results of those consultations; and 2. (

a) To consider and make recommendations on the annual reports, rolling three-year service plans and budgets of the following statutory officers: • Auditor General; • Chief Electoral Officer; • Conflict of Interest Commissioner; • Information and Privacy Commissioner; • Ombudsman; • Police Complaint Commissioner; and, (

b) To examine, inquire into and make recommenda- tions with respect to other matters brought to the Committee's attention by any of the Officers listed in 2(

a) above. (

c) That the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services be the committee re- ferred to in sections 19, 20, 21 and 23 of the Auditor General Act and that the performance report in sec- tion 22 of the Auditor General Act be referred to the committee. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, the committee shall be empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcom- mittees and refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is ad- journed and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be conven- ient; and (

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the com- mittee, and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or fol- lowing any adjournment or at the next following session, as the case may be, to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a pe- riod of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Motion approved. APPOINTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES COMMITTEE Hon. M. de Jong: All of my speeches won't be that interesting, I can assure members.

By leave, I move: [That a Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initia- tives be appointed for the 38th Parliament, pursuant to

Section 9 of the Recall and Initiative Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 398, and the committee be comprised of members of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills estab- lished this session.] Leave granted. Motion approved. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY TO SIT IN TWO SECTIONS Hon. M. de Jong: By leave, I move the following: [Be it resolved that this House hereby authorizes the Committee of Supply for this Session to sit in two sec- tions designated

Section A and

Section B;

Section A to sit in such Committee Room as may be appointed from time to time, and

Section B to sit in the Chamber of the As- sembly, subject to the following rules: 1. The Standing Orders applicable to the Committee of the Whole House shall be applicable in both Sections of the Committee of Supply save and except that in

Section A, a Minister may defer to a Deputy Minister to permit such Deputy to reply to a question put to the Minister.

150 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 2. Subject to paragraph 3, within one sitting day of the passage of this Motion, the House Leader of the Offi- cial Opposition may advise the Government House Leader, in writing, of three ministerial Estimates which the Official Opposition requires to be considered in

Section B of the Committee of Supply, and upon re- ceipt of such notice in writing, the Government House Leader shall confirm in writing that the said three min- isterial Estimates shall be considered in

Section B of the Committee of Supply. 3. All Estimates shall stand referred to

Section A, save and except those Estimates which shall be referred to

Section B under the provisions of paragraph 2 of this Order and such other Estimates as shall be referred to

Section B on motion by the Government House Leader, which motion shall be governed by the provi- sions of Standing Order 60A. Practice Recommenda- tion #6 relating to Consultation shall be applicable to this rule. 4.

Section A shall consist of 18 Members, being 11 Members of the B.C. Liberal Party and 7 Members of the New Democratic Party. In addition, the Dep- uty Chair of the Committee of the Whole, or his or her nominee, shall preside over the debates in Sec- tion A. Substitution of Members will be permitted to

Section A with the consent of that Member's Whip, where applicable, otherwise with the consent of the Member involved. Fo r the first session of the Thirty-eighth Parliament, the Members of

Section A shall be as follows: the Minister whose Estimates are under consideration and Messrs. Cantelon, Hayer, Horning, Jarvis, Krueger, Lee, Lekstrom, Mac- Kay and Yap and Ms. Polak and Ms. Roddick, Messrs. Bains, Chouhan, Cubberley, Evans, Farnworth, Fraser and Ms. Conroy. 5. At fifteen minutes prior to the ordinary time fixed for adjournment of the House, the Chair of

Section A will report to the House. In the event such report includes the last vote in a particular ministerial Estimate, after such report has been made to the House, the Govern- ment shall have a maximum of eight minutes, and the Official Opposition a maximum of five minutes, and all other Members (cumulatively) a maximum of three minutes to summarize the Committee debate on a par- ticular ministerial Estimate completed, such summa- ries to be in the following order:

(1) Other Members;

(2) Opposition; and

(3) Government. 6.

Section B shall be composed of all Members of the House. 7. Divisions in

Section A will be signalled by the ringing of the division bells four times. 8. Divisions in

Section B will be signalled by the ringing of the division bells three times at which time proceed- ings in

Section A will be suspended until completion of the division in

Section B. 9.

Section A is hereby authorized to consider Bills re- ferred to Committee after second reading thereof and the Standing Orders applicable to Bills in Committee of the Whole shall be applicable to such Bills during consideration thereof in

Section A, and for all pur- poses

Section A shall be deemed to be a Committee of the Whole. Such referrals to

Section A shall be made upon motion without notice by the Minister responsible for the Bill, and such motion shall be de- cided without amendment or debate. Practice Rec- ommendation #6 relating to Consultation shall be ap- plicable to all such referrals. 10. Bills or Estimates previously referred to a designated Committee may at any stage be subsequently referred to another designated Committee on motion of the Government House Leader or Minister responsible for the Bill as hereinbefore provided by Rule Nos. 3 and 9.] Leave granted. Motion approved. [1505] Orders of the Day Hon.

M. de Jong: I call debate on Bill 4. Second Reading of Bills FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 Hon. M. de Jong: Bill 4, which is the subject of second reading debate before the House, makes two specific amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protec- tion of Privacy Act. In short, what it does is bring the ap- pointment process for this legislative officer into line with the appointment processes that are followed with respect to, I believe, all of the other legislative officers. I should just take a moment to alert members specifi- cally to what is occurring.

The incumbent, Mr. Loukidelis, is coming to the end of his term. In fact, his term has ended and, I believe, did so around the middle of August. Upon review of the act, we determined that the in- cumbent was precluded from being considered for reap- pointment by a very specific provision of the act. I should say that, based on my review of what took place at the time when the act was created, this wasn't an accidental thing, and members should know this.

From my recollec- tion, the government of the day made a conscious deci- sion, which enjoyed support from both sides of the House, that for a variety of reasons this should be a single-term appointment. That is not case with respect to similar officers elsewhere in the country where incumbents are af- forded an opportunity to apply for reappointment to a second term. That was not an option that was available either to Mr.

Loukidelis or to the members of this House who, I hope, following passage of this legislative initiative, will be in a position to form a committee of selection to consider who should be the next commissioner under the terms of the act. The first part of the amendment makes it clear that the committee — and there will be a committee of selection staffed by members of the assembly — will have the option. It do es not guarantee anything. It means that the members of the selection commit- tee will have the option of considering an applica- tion from Mr. Loukidelis.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 151 My sense is there has been some discussion. I have certainly had the benefit of discussions with members on the other side of the House, and there is a sense that the committee should have that option. At the end of the day, we will all be awaiting their recommendation. That's the first part of what Bill 4 does. The second part of this two- or three-section piece of legislation is to confirm that, pending the work of the selec- tion committee, Mr. Loukidelis can continue in a capacity as an acting commissioner.

The advice we received also did not contemplate an incumbent being appointed to continue in an acting capacity. The concern there, for the benefit of members, is that absent the proper statutory authority, de- cisions that the acting commissioner might make in the interim might lack the necessary protection of law. The second part of this b ill ensures that that author- ity exists. It ensures that we, as a Legislative Assembly, have the authority to grant the incumbent the ability to continue as an acting privacy commissioner. [1510] We think, then, that all of those authorities are there.

We can appoint the committee and get on with the task of interviewing and making a recom- mendation to the House around who the next Infor- mation and Privacy Commissioner should be. Those would be my initial comments on second reading. M. Farnworth: It's my pleasure to make some comments from the opposition's point of view on this bill, and I'd like to thank the House leader for raising and introducing this at this particular time. We support what's in the bill.

We think it's a com- monsense approach to dealing with the question that did plague the initial committee when seeking to draw up the terms of reference in the original act. I was a member of that committee. It was felt at that time that a single-term appointment would be appropriate and that the individual would then probably be more inclined to perhaps not be con- cerned about a second-ter m appointment in the dis- charge of their duties. As time goes by, one of the benefits is that you get to see how

an act is working. You get to see what's happ ening in other provinces, and British Columbia is alone from the other prov- inces in not allowing, at this time, the incumbent to re-apply for a position. I think this brings us into line with other prov- inces, and it's something th at we will be supporting. It does not mean that the current incumbent will get the position, but what it means is that they are able to apply. We expect that there will be considerable interest in this position, as it is a unique opportunity to be an independent officer of this Legislature.

Therefore, we will be supporting the bill, and we look forward to a speedy passage. Mr. Speake r: Seeing no other speakers, the Gov- ernment House Leader closes debate. Hon. M. de Jong: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Only to add — I think what I'm sure would be the comments of every member in the House — for the incumbent, Mr. Loukidelis, words of thanks for the work that he has done thus far in his term. I don't think I'm sharing any secrets. H e h a s i n d i c a t e d a d e s i r e t o c o n t i n u e i n t h a t w o r k a n d will, I know, therefore, be submitting to the selection process.

I know that all members are grateful for the work that he has done in his capacity as commissioner. With that, I move second reading of the bill. Motion approved. Hon. M. de Jong: I move that the bill be referred to a Committee of the Whole for consideration at the next sitting of the House after today. Bill 4, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2005, read a second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole House for con- sideration at the next sitting of the House after today. Budget Debate (continued) Hon. O.

Ilich: I appreciate this opportunity to make my inaugural address to this House and to comment on the September budget update which was tabled last Wednesday. Before I begin, though, I'd like to express my sin- cere appreciation to the people of Richmond and my constituency of Richmond Centre for giving me the opportunity to represent them in this Legislature. I'd like to congratulate Minister Linda Reid and MLA John Yap for their election victories in Richmond. I know that the three of us will work hard to ensure the people of Richmond will be well represented in Victoria.

I'd also like to thank my family and all the people who worked on my campaign and contributed throughout the campaign. [S. Hawkins in the chair.] I grew up in Richmond, raised my family in Rich- mond and built a successful business there. I'm very proud of the accomplishments of my community. Richmond is a thriving multicultural and multifaceted city full of talented and compassionate people. I'm proud to call it home. I'm very committed to ensuring that the people of Richmond share in the benefits of this and future budgets. I want to thank the Minist er of Finance and her staff for their excellent work.

Pr eparing the budget update required a tremendous effort by many dedicated peo- ple over a short period of time. I want to let the minis- ter and her staff know that their efforts are appreciated. The update forecasts a provincial surplus that is significantly larger than anti cipated. This allows us to do more for the people in our communities who need help and, also, to continue to invest in the economy. We decided in this first budget of the new mandate to focus on helping seniors, strengthening our economic

152 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 competitiveness and supporting first nations. This fo- cus will benefit my community of Richmond. [1515] More than 20,000 people over the age of 65 live in Richmond, and that's 12 percent of our population, so I'm pleased that this budget will provide additional support to those seniors most in need in my community. The September budget update provides an addi- tional $242 million over three years for a range of pro- grams and services to benefit seniors.

We are renewing the seniors supplement to provide a monthly benefit to those seniors at the lowest income levels, and this will benefit some 40,000 seniors across the province. We are also doubling the annual funding for shelter aid for elderly renters. This will improve subsidies for low-income seniors who rent. Also, we will expand coverage to those who own manufactured homes and pay pad rental. In addition, we are investing in updat- ing existing seniors health facilities and modernizing the full range of services that will help seniors live as independently as possible.

This will help achieve two of our great goals. These are to have B.C. lead the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness, and to build the best system of support in Canada for seniors and those in need. As Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Arts, I will work to ensure that residents in my community of Richmond and across the whole province receive the greatest benefit from increased investments in extra funding for seniors.

The stated goal for my ministry is to bring British Columbians together, to build partici- pation, celebrate excellence and increase the social and economic benefits of tourism, sport and the arts. The vital ingredients to healthy living include physical activity, recreation and arts and culture. En- suring that B.C. seniors have affordable access to facili- ties and programs they need to maintain and improve their fitness and health is a key goal for our govern- ment. We want to ensure that seniors have what they need to continue living full and rewarding lives. We must be doing something right in Richmond.

I'd like to note that according to Statistics Canada, peo- ple in Richmond have the greatest life expectancy in Canada, living an average of 83.4 years, which is al- most four years longer than the normal average of 79.5 years. My community has launched a program called Getting Richmond Moving, a program that encourages people of all ages and abili ties to get active and in- crease physical fitness.

Richmond seniors have been actively bicycling, walking, dancing, gardening — doing all manner of things — and they've been staying active and getting involved in the community, so I'm pleased to see that our seniors will benefit from this budget update. Sen- iors built our province. They deserve to benefit from a strong economy. One reason I ran for office was this government's record of managing our finances to make sure that we have the economic basis to take care of those in need. We must also continue to ensure that we have sound fiscal policies in place to support businesses and help them prosper.

Government does not create jobs by it- self; businesses create jobs. This government has worked to encourage growth with a series of measures to keep British Columbia competitive, from income tax cuts across the board, to cu tting red tape by one-third, to targeted investments in key economic sectors. We are building on that record. The September budget update contains new measures to enhance B.C.'s competitiveness and support job crea- tion.

B.C.'s corporate income tax rate is cut by 1½ percent from 13½ percent to 12 percent, and this will save B.C. businesses $350 million over the next three years and make our province more attractive for investment. Additional tax reductions and investments will have a direct impact on prosperity in my community, and I'm proud that this government recognizes the needs of business. In Rich mond there are over 12,000 licensed businesses, and the people of Richmond are highly entrepreneurial.

Richmond hosts a range of in- dustries and associated business activities, including high-tech, aviation, transp ortation, tourism, manufac- turing, agriculture and retail. I know they look to this government for sound fiscal management as well as appreciation of the challenges they face. The budget update builds on the success of previous budgets. As the Minister of Finance reported last Wednesday, British Columbia is outpacing Canada in several key indicators, including retail sales, manufac- turing, exports and housing. B.C. has created over 230,000 new jobs since 2001.

Overall, our economic growth is again the best in the country, and this renewed economic activity and optimi sm is clearly evident in Richmond, which boasts more than 116,000 jobs. [1520] Many of these jobs are at the Vancouver Interna- tional Airport, which will benefit greatly from in- creased tourism. As the Mini ster of Tourism, Sports and the Arts, one of my mandates is to double tourism revenues.

I'm very happy to see that we have paid attention to first nations, because in order to achieve this vision of increasing tourism revenues, it is vital that first na- tions communities be our part ners in consultation on the use of land and resources. Developing a new and stronger relationship with fi rst nations is a priority for our government. The need to move forward on this commitment was reaffirmed in the September budget update. We have set aside $100 million for a First Nations New Relation- ship fund.

My ministry will take the lead in the tourism sector, working with the Ministry of Aboriginal Rela- tions and Reconciliation, first nations groups and Tour- ism British Columbia. Achieving greater certaint y for resort developers and investors will help B.C. increase its economic com- petitiveness. First nations people need to be partners in this development, and our government wants to make sure that economic prosperity will benefit all of our citizens. I'm glad to see th at the September budget up- date continues the prudent approach to fiscal man- agement that has been a hallmark of this government.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 153 It protects B.C. from revenu e risks that might threaten our fiscal stability, and it ensures that all areas of gov- ernment have the resources they need to achieve Brit- ish Columbia's key priorities. A sound financial base enables government to address other areas of our soci- ety and culture. It enables key investments in commu- nity. The 180,000 people in my community and the more than 50,000 families understand that a quality of life relies on good health and fi tness and a rich culture and heritage. Last year through the B.C.

Arts Council, which falls under my ministry, the government sup- ported artistic and cultural programs in 225 communi- ties throughout the province. These included every- thing from art galleries to symphony performances to literary festivals and book publishing. Richmond is a community diverse in cultures and with a wealth of recreation facilities, heritage sites, parks, trails, libraries, galleries and performance spaces. I'm pleased that this budget update confirms an additional $9 million over three years for the British Columbia Arts Council.

Earlier today I had the honour to represent the province at the groundbreaking for the new Olympic speed skating oval in my community. The province is providing $30 million toward this new and exciting facility. This 8,000-seat, 33, 000-square-metre facility will be a centrepiece of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The oval will also provide a lasting legacy for B.C. athletes and Richmond residents. The facility's permanent features include a wellness centre and fit- ness centre as well as community activity areas avail- able for arts and cultural ev ents.

This is just one exam- ple of how our government is taking advantage of the opportunities that the upcoming Olympics represent to build substantial legacies for our communities. Later this week I will also be presenting a cheque to assist the John Lecky UBC Boathouse build a perma- nent facility to train competitive rowers in Richmond. Through investments like this, we will build participa- tion, celebrate excellence and increase the social and economic benefits for all to share. Our government recognizes that the legacies we create will not only be in the area of sport.

I'd also like to note the commitment made by government in the recent throne speech to es tablish a new Asia-Pacific museum of trade and culture to showcase our Pacific history and tell our story to the world. My ministry will take the lead in bringing this new museum to real- ity in the upcoming years. Richmond is a community made up of nearly 60 percent immigrants, many fr om the Asia-Pacific. I'm proud to represent these hard-working individuals and families, and I share in their belief that this is a prov- ince where their culture can be recognized and cele- brated.

Thanks to the additi onal funding provided by the budget update, we can now invest more in building our cultural economy in communities throughout B.C. [1525] As well as tourism, sport, art and culture, I'm also pleased to have the volunteer sector as part of my port- folio. In communities across the province volunteers demonstrate every day how vital they are to our soci- ety and to our quality of life. Richmond has a long tra- dition of volunteerism and a substantial and energetic workforce and volunteer force.

British Columbia's vol- unteers today number nearly one and a half million, and collectively they contribute 114 million hours of volunteer service each year. The voluntary sector con- tributes $2.5 billion in benefits to the GDP of this prov- ince, and this is a substantial economic benefit. Perhaps the greatest benefit from volunteering is that it makes people feel good. As well as helping and contributing to their commu nities, people who volun- teer their time and expertise benefit in terms of their own health and well-being.

My ministry will lead gov- ernment's commitment to recognize, support and build a volunteer force. Our province's amateur sp ort is built on the work of volunteers. There are more than 140,000 sport volun- teers in B.C. They are at the heart of the 5,000 clubs and not-for-profit societies involved in sport and physical activity in our province. This coming Saturday I will be attending an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Richmond Youth Soccer Association. This group started with just six teams in Richmond and now boasts more than 160. It's run entirely by volunteers.

Groups like Richmond Youth Soccer make a significant contribution to the well-being of our communities. We need to have our youth participating in sport and physical activities. The province has an ambiti ous goal to dramatically improve the health and wellne ss of its citizens by en- couraging them to act now and make positive lifestyle choices. This includes increased physical activity. Vol- unteers will play a big

part in helping to achieve our goal to get British Columbians more active and fit. Tourism is another of the pillars of the British Co- lumbia economy. To increase competitiveness, our tourism industry needs impr oved transportation infra- structure. One of the most significant transportation investments we are making is the new RAV line, which will provide high-speed connections between down- town Vancouver, YVR and the city of Richmond. It will be completed in 2009.

It will deliver significant benefits for those working in Vancouver and living in Rich- mond, and increase the flow of travellers in and out of the airport, increase hotel business and substantially reduce air pollution by getting people out of their cars. This investment will pay off in future years for Richmond, for Vancouver and for the entire province. More than 15 million passengers pass annually through YVR in Richmond. It's the most vital gateway for our province, and it's a vital component of my community.

Improved transportation an d increased tourism traffic is not only good news for our province's 18,000 tourism enterprises; it's good news for all of the associated businesses that support them. Our government has also placed increasing empha- sis on strengthening our position as the Pacific gate- way. In the tourism sector we are poised to see sub-

154 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 stantial increases in visitors from China as we pursue approved destination status with that huge market. We have made economic development and service to our communities and stakeholders the focus for the new ministry. Our objective is to improve the B.C. economy by helping to grow these sectors and by ex- ploring synergies between sectors. Cultural tourism is one example, and sport tourism is another. This year we will host the Grey Cup, world snow- boarding championships, world curling champion- ships and the World Nordic Cup.

At the end of the year it's the World Junior Hockey Championships and the 2007 World Youth Soccer Championships, to name a few. We'll also be hostin g the Memorial Cup. In 2008 Cowichan will be hosting the North American Indige- nous Games. This is great news for the B.C. tourism industry and business in general. I k n o w t h a t t h e p e o p l e i n m y r i d i n g o f R i c h m o n d will be very pleased with the September budget up- date. In closing, I congratulate the Minister of Finance for delivering the September budget update. It con- firms and builds on commitments made in February.

In addition, it provides new tax relief and makes new investments targeted to key needs. We can do this be- cause we have a stronger economy and a balanced budget with a surplus. This enviable situation provides us with more choices, and I believe we are making the right choices. We are also increasing our financial commitment to health care, education and so cial programs, and we are building new infrastructure to support our growing province. I have made a commitment to the people of R i c h m o n d t o w o r k o n t h e ir behalf. This budget pro- vides a sound fiscal platform for me to be able to do that.

Importantly, it also recognizes that our goal is not just to pursue economic gr owth for that purpose alone but to ensure that we do not leave behind those in our community who are most vulnerable and in need. [1530] I thank my colleagues on both sides of the House for this opportunity to comment on our government's fiscal plan. I believe it moves us ahead in meeting the priorities of British Columbians, and I believe it estab- lishes a basis for more great things to come. J.

Yap: Madam Speaker, I'd like to take this oppor- tunity to congratulate you on your appointment as our Deputy Speaker and wish you well in this important role in this House. It's an honour and a privilege to rise in this House to speak as the new member for Richmond-Steveston and to speak in support of the budget update as out- lined by the hon. Minister of Finance. I want to thank the people of Richmond-Steveston.

I'm honoured that they chose me to be their representa- tive in this House and look forward with enthusiasm to working with the members of my caucus, with our government and indeed with all members of the House, including members of the opposition, to con- tinue to make our province an even better place to live in, to raise a family in, to invest in and to retire in. I want to thank my family — my wife Suzanne, daughter Lisa and son Michael — for their love, under- standing and support, which means so much to me as I embark on my new responsibilities in service to my con- stituents and this assembly.

I also want to acknowledge the dedicated support of the many volunteers who helped me achieve my goal of getting elected as a mem- ber of this Legislature. There are so many who came forward to help me, and I believe I have thanked all of them. There are too many to name at this time, but I would like to acknowledge two people whose hard work, support and counsel really made a difference to me, and those are my campaign co-chairpersons Michael Chiu and Brian Petersen. I'd also like to acknowledge the efforts and contri- butions to our province of my immediate predecessor as MLA for Richmond-Steveston, the hon.

Geoff Plant, who served British Columbia with distinction and in- tegrity as Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations. He also served Richmond- Steveston well as our MLA, and I wish him well in his new career path. When I started my campaign to be elected to this Legislature, many people asked me why I wanted to take this step. It's probably a question that other mem- bers of this House get asked as well. I ran because I'm proud of the achievements of the B.C.

Liberal govern- ment, and I wanted to be pa rt of the continued rebuild- ing of British Columbia as the best place in Canada to live in. In four years our government has turned our province around. British Colu mbia has gone from last place to first place in term s of our economy. Our prov- ince has been restored to its rightful place as the lead- ing provincial economy in Canada. By virtually every measure, B.C. is number one. In job creation we are number one. There are 231,000 more jobs in B.C. than in December 2001. These jobs help British Columbians provide for their needs and support their families.

Ninety-five percent of these jobs are full-time positions — jobs which allow people to save for their futures and achieve their dreams. We've seen the lowest unemployment rates in 24 years. Our GDP growth is strong. We are projected to see 3½ percent growth this year and to achieve strong growth in the years to come. We see this growth in Richmond, my community, where new home construc- tion is progressing at a brisk pace as more and more families move into our community to share in the qual- ity of life that we enjoy in a unique environment.

Coming from a financial background, I know that businesses need to be encouraged to invest. But not everyone in this House is aware of the need for this encouragement. During the election we heard the NDP say that government has only a limited impact on mak- ing a difference to our economy. But British Columbi- ans know better and in May of this year re-elected our government under the lead ership of our Premier, something that had not happened in 22 years. [1535] As a result of our economic strength, we are now able to reduce the general corporate income tax from

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 155 13½ percent to 12 percent. This tax cut will help all sectors of the economy grow. More and better jobs will be created for British Columbians. The strong economy allowed us to cut personal income taxes in February for those people who have the lowest incomes in our soci- ety, so 730,000 British Columbians will pay less provin- cial income tax or none at all. Virtually all British Columbians who earn less than $16,000 a year will pay no income tax. Those who earn $26,000 a year or less will pay lower provincial income taxes than before.

Now that we have a genuine surplus using generally accepted accounting principles, I am proud that the B.C. Liberal government is investing a significant portion, $242 millio n of the budget surplus, towards helping seniors who need help the most — those on fixed incomes. I wholeheartedly support o u r g o a l o f b u i l d i n g t h e best support system in Canada for persons with dis- abilities, special needs, chil dren at risk and seniors. Seniors are our priority. They are our mothers and fa- thers.

They brought us into this world, built this prov- ince, are the pioneers and ho ld a special place in our hearts and lives. I want to take a moment here to talk about what was said by the opposition. The member for Vancouver– Mount Pleasant said: "The government talks about a record surplus, but seniors are still waiting for long- term care beds." Unfortunately, the member is wrong. Across B.C. we have built more than 4,000 new, re- placement or upgraded residential care and assisted- living units for seniors since 2001.

Development and construction is continuing on 2,100 new units right now as we debate this budget. As part of this commitment to create 5,000 new beds for seniors by 2008, my own riding of Richmond- Steveston looks forward to the construction of 50 new assisted-living units at the Austin Harris site right in the heart of Steveston, whic h just last month received approval from the city of Richmond to proceed. I look forward in the near future to the sod-turning ceremony and the official opening of this seniors care facility.

Five years ago, when the NDP was in power, sen- iors waited for as long as a year for residential care beds. Today we're doing much better. Average wait times for residential care are way down, between 30 and 90 days. This is real leadership for B.C.'s seniors. The budget update will double the level of support under the SAFER, or Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters, program. This will help seniors in my riding and across B.C. find housing and live their lives. Health and education are major priorities of the government.

We will be inve sting $3.7 billion more per year in health care in 2007 and 2008 than in 2000 and 2001. Certainly, these are not the cuts that some groups have said the B.C. Liberal government inflicted on health. Every year the B.C. Liberal government in- creased funding to health care, and this has resulted in better health for all British Columbians. In health care, our government has increased in- vestment in programs which will better serve British Columbians, whether it is in reducing wait times for needed surgical procedures or expanding needed hos- pital services in the areas of our province most in need.

The people of my community have benefited from this investment. For example, at Richmond Hospital the necessary resources have been provided to reduce wait times for hip and knee replac ement procedures. This is happening as we speak. The budget offers $77 mill ion over three years for the recruiting and training of nurses. So far, this gov- ernment has added 2,500 new nurse-training spots in B.C. so that we can hire th e nurses we need to provide the health care our citizens need.

The Liberal government has nearly doubled the number of doctor-training sp aces in B.C., opened new medical schools at UVic and UNBC, and a third medi- cal training program will be added to UBC Kelowna. This is the first increase in more than 20 years. We are committing $465 million over three years for Pharmacare, which will improve access to medical drugs for all British Columbians. [1540] Our great goal to make B.C. the best-educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent clearly is fundamental to our continued progress and our future.

Literacy is the foundation of education, which in turn is the basis for an enlightened and progressing society. I'm pleased to see how this goal is being developed in my community. For example, in the Richmond Public Library, where two weeks ago I had the opportunity to hand a cheque of $57,000 over to the library…. These funds are to be applied towards additional resources which will help keep Richmond's public library one of the best in the province. This is part of the $12 million Libraries Without Walls initiative.

In education, we're investing more than we ever have in kindergarten to grade 12, as well as in ad- vanced education. I'm proud of the strides our prov- ince has made in making our K-to-12 school system one of the best in the country as measured by graduation rates. The government is spending al- most $900 more per student per year in K-to-12 edu- cation than in 2000-2001, in spite of declining stu- dent enrolment. All parents want their children to receive a qual- ity post-secondary education so that they will be prepared for their future.

B.C.'s strong economy al- lows us to make investme nts in post-secondary edu- cation for our future. Now, I'd like to revisit another quote from the speech from the hon. member for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant. She stated: "Too many British Columbians have lost access to higher education because they can- not afford tuition, and the government has refused to honour its commitment to legislate a tuition cap." Well, Madam Speaker, she is ignoring reality. We are limit- ing tuition increases to the rate of inflation to ensure tuition levels remain affordable for B.C. students and their families.

Right now tuition levels remain at or below the national average. As this Ho use is aware, the previous NDP government chose to freeze tuition fees while

156 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 underfunding institutions. Post-secondary schools could not keep up with the growing costs of delivering quality education. As a result, the education of many students suffered. In 2001 it was common to hear about students who could not get into classes that they needed to complete their studies. Often these students would have to wait significant periods of time for these courses, delaying the completion of their degrees by more than a year. This extra time of study increased their student loans and dela yed their entry into their careers.

But times have changed. The provincial govern- ment continues to work on the goal of 25,000 new seats for post-secondary education by 2010. These are seats which will provide our children with the education they need in a timely fash ion, preparing the future leaders of B.C. I'm also proud of our government's new approach to the relationship with firs t nations, the new relation- ship which will be marked by an attitude of reconcilia- tion.

It's one which looks to help many of our first na- tions brothers and sisters tr ansition from a struggling socioeconomic status to one which will be filled with hope for the future, where first nations people can par- ticipate in this economic success which we call British Columbia. I applaud the government for backing up its vision with the resources of the $100 million First Na- tions New Relationship fund.

As we pursue these great goals, turning them into action to improve the lives of British Columbians, we will be making great progress as a people — as a great province leading a great nation, Canada, forward. The people of my riding, Richmond-Steveston — indeed all people of British Columbia — e x p e c t u s t o m o v e f o r - ward on these goals for the betterment of all. I'd like to talk about my riding. My riding includes the historic village of Steveston, which over a century ago was the commercial heart of what we know of as Richmond today.

Steveston has seen much change in the last 100 years as the fortunes of the commercial fishery changed over this period of time. As we have seen British Columbia's economy evolve, so has Ste- veston's. As we have seen the cultural mix of our prov- ince shift, so has the same happened in Steveston.

To- day my riding is truly a representative example of our multicultural society, with people from all ethnic and cultural groups living together in harmony and seeking to make our part of this great province a wonderful place to work and live and raise a family in. [1545] This budget provides immigrants $15 million over three years for B.C. Skills Connect for Immigrants, to help them find work in their fields of expertise. Being an immigrant to Canada myself, I know how important immigrants are to my community and how B.C.'s con- tinued success will hinge on their success.

In my travels throughout my riding, I have heard the many voices of people who want our government on both sides of the House to focus on a few key areas which they consider to be critical. I sense a strong de- sire on the part of the people of my riding for us to conduct ourselves in the best interests of the people rather than as is expedient or convenient politically. The B.C. Liberal government has responded in sev- eral ways. The referendum on STV will happen again, this time giving more information to the voters, such as what ridings would look like under STV.

There is an Assistant Deputy Speaker chos en from the ranks of the opposition. There is the expanded oral question period. And we should not forget the aquaculture committee, which will contain mostly opposition members and will be chaired by a member of the opposition. Our government has reached out and attempted to end the petty bickering and move forw ard to work in the best interests of all British Columbians.

I say this mindful that there will be differences of opinion on the how-to questions but that, by and large, we can have general agreement on what it is we want to see happen in our province as we move forward as a people. I would hope, I dare say, that all members can agree on the essence — the essence, if not the specifics — of the great goals for our province, as these goals individually and collectively can truly make a positive impact on our lives as British Columbians. I look forward to the road ahead for our province.

I know there will be many challenges, but I am confident we will be able to continue B.C.'s economic growth, creating more and better jobs for all British Columbi- ans. This continued economic growth will allow the government to provide the health care and education that British Columbians expect. This growing economy will allow us to continue to do a great job in sustain- able environmental management. I am proud to speak in favour of this budget, which will continue to move British Columbia forward. N.

Simons: I would just like to start by saying that I am humbled with the opportunity to speak in this Legislature, and I think of the 800-plus members who have gone before me and have tried their best to serve British Columbians in any way they could. I'm hon- oured to have the opportunity to do what I can to assist in furthering the goals of all British Columbi- ans. I'm very fortunate indeed — and I echo the words of my colleagues in the House — to have a strong partner beside me, encouraging me and sup- porting me in the work that I do. I'm pleased to say that he's here today in the gallery.

I have the plea su re of represe nting what I t hink is the most beautiful constituen cy out of the 79, and I'm sure everyone else will agree. Interjection. N. Simons: The member opposite might have the second-nicest. Powell River and Sunshine Coast reflect the diver- sity that exists in our province. I'll give a tour to any member who wishes to enjoy the benefits of living in that area that I've learned in the last 20 years I've lived there.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 157 I had the distinct pleasure of giving my parents a tour of my constituency, a small part of it anyway. It does extend from Keats and Gambier islands all the way up to Queen Charlotte Sound and east to Tweedsmuir Park, bordering on some of the northern ridings that I'm pleased to say are represented by my fellow New Democrats.

They enjoyed their visit im- mensely because of the wonderful events and oppor- tunities and just the physical beauty of the area. [1550] I hope to do what I can to make sure the interests of the people, the fish and th e animals, and the forests and the lakes of my constituency are protected so that they can be enjoyed by generations to come. We're here now, and we have work to do. Nice to see the member for Nelson-Creston, the first constitu- ency I ever memorized. There you go. I didn't call him by his name. The four years ahead do ex cite me; they excite me a lot.

I believe that a new tone — perhaps a new ap- proach to politics and to governance — may seep its way through the thick marble of this chamber. Perhaps we'll have an opportunity to work together, whenever possible, to hold each other to account, as we've been doing for the last week and a half — I feel like a vet- eran — and to make sure that our interests are always, really, toward making sure that British Columbia is a healthy, safe and good place to live. We all come from diverse backgrounds.

We all bring to this House our specific interests and our per- sonal experiences that, I hope, serve to inform the de- bate in this House. I hope that they increase the level of debate in this House, but that's not to say anything against a good row once in a while. I'm sure that when disagreements do come up — and they will; I'm just predicting that; we can check the Hansards later — we will always strive to find solutions, but holding the government to account is not the same as conflict for conflict's sake. Earlier today in question period an issue close to my heart was raised. I think I'll raise it later.

Let me talk about the constituency. Let me talk about the wonderful opportunities that exist in Powell River–Sunshine Coast. We have wonderful tourism opportunities. We have a geography like no other. I'd like to acknowledge th e Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Arts. I have followed in her path as she's met with stakeholders around the province, and I've always heard good things. I do look forward to work- ing with her. I believe there's a good opportunity to pursue and encourage the pr omotion of tourism, the promotion of sport and the pr omotion of arts in this province.

We are a rich and diverse community, and I do look forward to that. I was talking about the diversity in Powell River– Sunshine Coast. I'd like to come back to that just for a moment. Just recently, this past summer, there was a conflict of two events. Both were happening in Sechelt, actually. One was the Festival of the Rolling Arts, which was a vintage car show and shine that happened at the same time as the Festival of the Written Arts, which wasn't. It was about the promotion and encour- agement of reading and literacy, of enjoyment of art for the sake of enjoyment.

I'm slightly troubled by the fact that so often the arts are relegated to a second ary or tertiary role in our societies when, in fact, they really form the cornerstone of our cultures. When you think of any place, when you think of any country, province or region, the first thing you think of is probably not economic develop- ment but probably the state of the culture of that com- munity. Whether you meet with artists or musicians or you think of celebrations, festi

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	H0919pm-09
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	H0919pm 09
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	7aa07ecdfca3db88772f1986fbbbd9317c7c11a1

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