British Columbia Hansard — 20 February 2018, a.m., Issue 81 (41st Parliament, 3rd Session)

20180220am-Hansard-n81

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Morning Sitting Issue No. 81 THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Third Session, 41st Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Darryl Plecas EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance............................................................................................................................Hon.

Carole James Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training..................................................................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Minister of Agriculture.........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General.................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development............................................................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Minister of State for Child Care......................................................................................................................................Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services.................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Minister of Education............................................................................................................................................................ Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources...............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Mungall Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.............................................................................................Hon.

George Heyman Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development..............................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Minister of Health.....................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon.

Scott Fraser Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology............................................................................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon. George Chow Minister of Labour...................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions............................................................................................................................ Hon. Judy Darcy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.................................................................................................................. Hon. Selina Robinson Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General........................................................................................................... Hon.

Mike Farnworth Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction..............................................................................................Hon. Shane Simpson Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.....................................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure................................................................................................................ Hon.

Claire Trevena LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition................................................................................................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Leader of the Third Party ....................................................................................................................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Assistant Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................... Linda Reid Deputy Chair, Commi ttee of the Whole................................................................................................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ....................................................................................................................................................Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Commi ttees.................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Clerk Assistant — Commi ttees and Interparliamentary Relations ..........................................................................................Susan Sourial Sessional Law Clerk...............................................................................................................................................Loredana Catalli-Sonier, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal)........................................................................ Penticton Bains, Hon. Harry (NDP)...............................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal)................................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Beare, Hon. Lisa (NDP).............................................Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry (NDP) ..................................................................... Surrey-Guildford Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal).......................................................

Peace River South Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal)......................................... Prince George–Valemount Brar, Jagrup (NDP)..................................................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal)....................................................... Surrey South Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–West End Chen, Hon. Katrina (NDP).....................................................Burnaby-Lougheed Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ............................................................... Burnaby-Edmonds Chow, Hon.

George (NDP)............................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal)................................ Columbia River–Revelstoke Coleman, Rich (BC Liberal)...............................................................Langley East Conroy, Hon. Katrine (NDP)......................................................... Kootenay West Darcy, Hon.

Judy (NDP) ............................................................New Westminster Davies, Dan (BC Liberal)..........................................................Peace River North de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal)............................................ Abbotsford West Dean, Mitzi (NDP)...............................................................Esquimalt-Metchosin D’Eith, Bob (NDP) ...............................................................Maple Ridge–Mission Dix, Hon. Adrian (NDP)......................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Hon.

Doug (NDP).....................................................................Stikine Eby, Hon. David, QC (NDP).............................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP)....................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike (NDP) ...................................................... Port Coquitlam Fleming, Hon. Rob (NDP) .....................................................Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal)........................................................... Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Hon.

Scott (NDP) ................................................ Mid Island–Pacific Rim Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) ........................................... Cowichan Valley Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal)................................................. Abbotsford-Mission Glumac, Rick (NDP)........................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Heyman, Hon. George (NDP).............................................. Vancouver-Fairview Horgan, Hon. John (NDP) ...............................................

Langford–Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal).......................................................Surrey-Cloverdale Isaacs, Joan (BC Liberal).........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain James, Hon. Carole (NDP)...................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Johal, Jas (BC Liberal)...............................................

Richmond-Queensborough Kahlon, Ravi (NDP)..............................................................................Delta North Kang, Anne (NDP)..................................................................Burnaby–Deer Lake Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ..................................................................Nanaimo Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Shuswap Larson, Linda (BC Liberal).............................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Michael (BC Liberal)......................................................

Vancouver-Langara Leonard, Ronna-Rae (NDP) ....................................................Courtenay-Comox Letnick, Norm (B C Liberal)............................................Kelowna–Lake Country Ma, Bowinn (NDP)................................................... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Mark, Hon. Melanie (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal)...................................................................... Chilliwack Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal)....................................

Kam loops–North Thompson Morris, Mike (BC Liberal)..........................................Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Hon. Michelle (NDP).................................................... Nelson-Creston Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal)...........................................................Cariboo North Olsen, Adam (B C Green Party)........................... Saanich North and the Islands Paton, Ian (BC Liberal)......................................................................... Delta South Plecas, Hon.

Darryl (Ind.) ..........................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Mary (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Langley Popham, Hon. Lana (NDP)..............................................................Saanich South Ralston, Hon. Bruce (NDP) .......................................................... Surrey-Whalley Redies, Tracy (BC Liberal)..................................................... Surrey–White Rock Reid, Linda (BC Liberal)................................................

Richmond South Centre Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ............................................................................ North Coast Robinson, Hon. Selina (NDP) ....................................... Coquitlam-Maillardville Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal)..................................................................................Skeena Routledge, Janet (NDP) .................................................................. Burnaby North Routley, Doug (NDP) ................................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, John (BC Liberal)..............................................................

Nechako Lakes Shypitka, Tom (B C Liberal).............................................................Kootenay East Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ........................................Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Hon. Shane (NDP)................................................ Vancouver-Hastings Sims, Hon.

Jinny (NDP) .............................................................Surrey-Panorama Singh, Rachna (NDP) ........................................................Surrey–Green Timbers Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal)..............................................Parksville-Qualicum Stone, Todd (BC Liberal)........................................

Kam loops–South Thompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal).......................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Sullivan, Sam (B C Liberal)...............................................Vancouver–False Creek Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal)......................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal)................................................................ Fraser-Nicola Thomson, Steve (BC Liberal).....................................................Kelowna-Mission Thornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal).............................

North Vancouver–Seymour Throness, Laurie (BC Liberal)..................................................... Chilliwack-Kent Trevena, Hon. Claire (NDP) .............................................................. North Island Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal)................................................Richmond North Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (BC Green Party) ......................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal).............................. Vancouver-Quilchena Yap, John (BC Liberal)..........................................................

Richmond-Steveston Vacant..................................................................................................Kelowna West LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ..........................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Hon. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West.................................................................... Michael de Jong, QC Boundary-Similkameen.....................................................................

Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ...............................................................................Anne Kang Burnaby-Edmonds ..............................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Burnaby North................................................................................

Janet Routledge Cariboo-Chilcotin............................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................................. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack.............................................................................................. John Martin Chilliwack-Kent..............................................................................Laurie Throness Columbia River–Revelstoke........................................................

Doug Clovechok Coquitlam–Burke Mountain................................................................. Joan Isaacs Coquitlam-Maillardville..................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson Courtenay-Comox ................................................................. Ronna-Rae Leonard Cowichan Valley............................................................................

Sonia Furstenau Delta North ...........................................................................................Ravi Kahlon Delta South.................................................................................................Ian Paton Esquimalt-Metchosin.............................................................................Mitzi Dean Fraser-Nicola........................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Kam loops–North Thompson............................................................Peter Milobar Kam loops–South Thompson ................................................................Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country....................................................................Norm L etnick Kelowna-Mission.............................................................................

Steve Thomson Kelowna West..................................................................................................Vacant Kootenay East.....................................................................................Tom Shypitka Kootenay West...................................................................... Hon. Katrine Conroy Langford–Juan de Fuca............................................................. Hon. John Horgan Langley....................................................................................................

Mary Polak Langley East.......................................................................................Rich Coleman Maple Ridge–Mission ............................................................................ Bob D’Eith Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ..........................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim .............................................................. Hon. Scott Fraser Nanaimo...............................................................................

Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan.............................................................. Doug Routley Nechako Lakes...................................................................................... John Rustad Nelson-Creston.................................................................. Hon. Michelle Mungall New Westminster......................................................................... Hon. Judy Darcy North Coast..........................................................................................

Jennifer Rice North Island............................................................................ Hon. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale................................................................. Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour......................................................Jane Thornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head..........................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .....................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North..................................................................................

Dan Davies Peace River South............................................................................... Mike Bernier Penticton................................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam .................................................................... Hon. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam .....................................................................Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast.....................................................

Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie..................................................................Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount.................................................................Shirley Bond Richmond North Centre ........................................................................Teresa Wat Richmond-Queensborough.......................................................................Jas Johal Richmond South Centre........................................................................

Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston.................................................................................. John Yap Saanich North and the Islands............................................................Adam Olsen Saanich South............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Shuswap .................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo Skeena.........................................................................................................

Ellis Ross Stikine ..................................................................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale...............................................................................

Marvin Hunt Surrey-Fleetwood...................................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers ......................................................................Rachna Singh Surrey-Guildford....................................................................................Garry Begg Surrey-Newton.............................................................................Hon. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama........................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Surrey South...............................................................................Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Whalley........................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock............................................................................. Tracy Redies Vancouver-Fairview ............................................................ Hon. George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek.......................................................................

Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview .............................................................Hon. George Chow Vancouver-Hastings.............................................................. Hon. Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington ..................................................................... Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway ................................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara.............................................................................. Michael Lee Vancouver–Mount Pleasant................................................... Hon.

Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey...........................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Vancouver-Quilchena......................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Vancouver–West End....................................................Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee...................................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill................................................................ Hon. Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake .................................................................. Hon.

Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano................................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..............................................................Jordan Sturdy Party Standings: NDP 41; BC Liberal 41; BC Green Party 3; Independent 1; Vacant 1

CONTENTS Tuesday, February 20, 2018 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 2727 Tributes..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2727 Cassie Sharpe, Spencer O’Brien and Carle Brenneman R.

Leonard Introductions by Members..................................................................................................................................................... 2727 Statements (Standing Order 25B)......................................................................................................................................... 2727 Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo T. Redies Burnaby Family Life Society and café services at BCIT J. Routledge B.C. and North Shore athletes at Olympics in Pyeongchang J. Thornthwaite Ferry fares and coastal comm unities D.

Routley Hope and Area Transition Society programs and facilities J. Tegart Social equality and justice awareness R. Kahlon Oral Questions......................................................................................................................................................................... 2729 Environment Minister comm unications prior to spill response announcement P. Milobar Hon. G. Heyman M. Lee Money laundering in real estate industry S. Furstenau Hon. D. Eby Status of ocean protection plan J. Thornthwaite Hon. G. Heyman Regulations on spill response J. Rustad Hon. G.

Heyman Gallagher Lake siphon repair D. Ashton Hon. L. Popham Flood risk mitigation for wildfire-damaged areas in Cariboo D. Barnett Hon. D. Donaldson Family Day date change and tourism industry M. Stilwell Hon. L. Beare Orders of the Day Throne Speech Debate (continued) ...................................................................................................................................... 2734 M. Elmore T. Shypitka Hon. M. Farnworth

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 The House met at 10:04 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. [10:05 a.m.] Introductions by Members Hon. D. Eby: I was looking around the gallery, and I saw BehzadHom aie, a housing activistwho I heard on the CBC the other day. I hope he hears the housing budget news thathe’s clearly here to heartoday. I’d like to welcom e him to the House. I hope I’m not stealing anothermember’s thunder, but I noticed DaleJackman up in the gallery there, a perennial candidate for the NDP in Richmond and also a very proud business owner and a wonderful guy, to boot.

Willthe House please join me in making them both wel- come. A. Wilkinson: It’s agreatpleasure to introducefive bright young minds who have joined the opposition side of the House as legislative interns this session. Joining us in caucus research are Celina Bell, a graduate of Simon Fraser Uni- versity; and Matthew Creswick and Cate White from the University of Victoria. Joining ourcaucus comm unications staff are Zoe Duhaime and Sarah Lazin,both of whom atten- ded the University of Victoria. I won’ttellthe oldjoke abouthow when the Okiesmoved to California, the IQ improved in both jurisdictions.

Butwe can note thatthe interns bring a wholelevelof energy and enthusiasm and learning and wisdom to this augustcham- ber. I won’t make any remarks about the IQ changes. Tributes CASSIE SHARPE, SPENCER O’BRIEN AND CARLE BRENNEMAN R. Leonard: I hope the House willjoin me today in con- gratulatingCassieSharpe forwinningagoldin the half-pipe, first event. Her parents are with her in Pyeongchang. Her fatherwas the director of operations atMountWashington for17 years, so she definitely grew up on the mountain slope. In a world of 7.6 billion people, to be top in her event is pretty amazing.

I also want to acknowledge SpencerO’Brien and Carle Brenneman, who also were cultivated on MountWashington and were Olympic-levelathletes.Congratulations to allthree and, in particular, congratulations to Cassie. Introductions by Members J. Martin:Joiningus in the precinctstoday is aconstituent from Chilliwack. We have Hugh Robins in the House. His favourite daughter-in-law works forthe B.C. Liberalcaucus, a senior legislative assistant.Please join me in making him feel welcome. B. Ma: Itis my pleasure to be ableto introducesomeone who is in the gallery today, a very valued volunteer, Ms. Alysa Huppler-Poliak.

Her cheerful demeanour and abso- lutely brilliantsmilehave always managed to make my day. I’m so gratefulto herforherhelp. She used to live in my con- stituency of North Vancouver–Lonsdalebuthas now moved to the constituency of Vancouver–Mount Pleasant. Again, I’m very lucky thatshe stillmakes the trek allthe way over to the North Shore to help me out.Wouldthe gallery please join me in making her feel very welcome. L. Reid: I am delighted, on behalfof my Richmond col- leagues,to introducean outstanding delegation on behalfof the Richmond Chamber of Comm erce.

We’re joined today by MattPitcairn, Dan Sakaki, Shaena Furlong, BarbaraTin- son, Fan Chun, Rob Akimow, Phebe Chan, Clint Undseth, Brian Corcoran, GrantBryan, Chuck Keeling and DaleJack- man. I’d ask the House to please make them very welcome. Hon. H. Bains: I am proud to announce to this House and introduceto you along-term friend, avery, very regular volunteer. I think she’s a part of the team that put me into this seat.Koni Marrington is here today to watch us, watch the budgetand thenquestion period. Please help me give her a warm welcome. [10:10 a.m.] Hon. M.

Mark:I have a guesthere in the chambers, Lisa Langevin, who has been a champion for women in the trades.She’s a president for the B.C. Tradeswomen Society. She’s an apprentice electrician. She’s been an advocate and champion for women that want to enterthe trades,stay in the tradesand advance in the trades.Willthe House please join me in welcoming her in the chambers. J. Yap: I have aguestfrom my riding with us this morning to observe question period, Trevor Merrell. Would the House please give him a warm welcome. Statements (Standing Order 25B) SELF-ADVOCATES OF SEMIAHMOO T.

Redies: The Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo is a non- profit organization funded by the Semiahmoo Society in South Surrey. Theirmission is to furtherpositive change by engaging the comm unity in a variety of initiatives thathelp break down stigmas and physical barriers for peoplewith 2727

disabilities. In 2017, the Self-Advocates of Semiahmoo were included in the third-year progress update for the Accessibility 2024 action plan. This acknowledgment came because of their continued effortto make White Rock beach amore inclusive spaceby providing a by-donation rental program of beach wheelchairs for comm unity members and visitors. The members of this organization were also federally recognized for theirwork with the planned accessiblelegis- lation for Canada.

Currently the Self-Advocates of Semiah- moo are diligently working with the city of White Rock to create accessible access points along White Rock beach. Theirongoing initiatives also includepresentations to loc- alschools focused on aprogram called Equally Empowered, which promotes the capabilities and strengths of peopleliv- ing with disabilities, as well as volunteering and teaching resilience in life. I’m very pleased to highlightthis very importantorgan- ization which is prom oting inclusion and understanding in our Surrey–White Rock comm unity.

I know that the self-advocates have been welcom ed and embraced by our comm unity wholeheartedly, and we are a better place because of them. BURNABY FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY AND CAFÉ SERVICES AT BCIT J. Routledge: I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you about an organization that already plays an important role in my comm unity yetrecently has taken on something even more profound. Burnaby Family Life is a non-profit that offers a wide range of social services to children, families, vulnerable immigrantsand refugees.

For example, it offers workshops in a variety of languages on such topics as effective parent- ing, positive discipline, angermanagement,money skills and dealing with parental stress. They organize support groups for single parents and recent immigrants. LastfallBFL opened a café and catering serviceon cam- pus at BCIT. More specifically, the café operates in BCIT’s Applied Researchand Innovation building— apretty appro- priate location, if you ask me. BCIT, always a supporter of innovation, has provided the space free of charge. The café is asocialenterprise venture.

Itcreates employ- m entand employability to som e of the organization’s m ost vulnerable clients. It generates revenue to support BFL’s program s, and itprepares m eals foritspregnancy outreach program. Earlierthis year my comm unity office booked the BFL café to cater a lunch for a meeting we were hosting. We hadmushroom spinach alfredo. Itwas healthy, delicious and competitively priced, and ourdining pleasure was amplified by the knowledge thatwe were supporting an organization that supports so many familiesin Burnaby. Next time we might try the roasted squash salad or the baked ziti.

I congratulate Burnaby Family Life and BCIT forembark- ing on this partnership and wish them great success. B.C. AND NORTH SHORE ATHLETES AT OLYMPICS IN PYEONGCHANG J. Thornthwaite: I’d like to recognize a group of North Shore Canadians in Pyeonchang, rightnow representing our country in the Olympics.

Of the 225 Canadian athletes in South Korea, 14 of them are from the North Shore, either by birth, being raised here or as currentresidents.Jane Channell, Manuel Osborne-Paradis, Stefan Elliott, Gilbert Brulé, Mercedes Nicoll, Spencer O’Brien, Broderick Thompson, Marielle Thompson, Emm a Lunder, Simon D’Artois, Cassie Sharpe, Tess Critchlow and CarleBrenneman all share ties to the North Shore. [10:15 a.m.] I think everyone in this chamber will be happy to hear thatlastnightan athlete from the North Shore won goldfor Canada.

Cassie Sharpe, originally from Comox, who quali- fied firstin herevent,took home the top prize for the half- pipe, making all of us on the North Shore and in British Columbia very proud. I unfortunately don’thave time to name allof theirfant- astic accomplishments,buthere are some. Jane Channell, a first-time competitor, is partof ourskeleton team. Mercedes Nicollis afour-time Olympian competing in snowboarding. MarielleThompson, who won goldin the SochiOlympics,is hoping to repeatherfeat.And SpencerO’Brien is in the big air final on Friday. The North Shore isn’talone in being proud.

One-quarter of all the athletes representing Canada have either lived or trained in British Columbia. Here in British Columbia we continue to reap the benefits that flowed to our province after our successful hosting of the Winter Olympics in 2010. Notto be forgotten,anothergroup of extraordinary Cana- dians will be travelling to Pyeonchang soon with the 2018 Winter Paralympics, starting on March 8. Wouldthe House join me in congratulating allof the ath- letes on this amazing featof reaching the Olympicsand wish them all the best competitively. Go, Canada go! FERRY FARES AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES D.

Routley: Transportation everywhere in B.C. is a vital issue but distinctly different in the various regions of the province. On Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Sun- shine Coast,we are nearly totally ferry-dependent.Airtravel is notan option formostof the peopleand businesses I rep- resent. Our lives ebb and flow with the tides and the costs of ferry travel. Our businesses faceadditional competitive pressures because of increased costsof transportation. Our studentsfacechallenges to participate in schoolsportsand extracurricular activities. Familiesare faced with high costs for essential medical travel.

One First Nation I represent is entirely ferry-dependent. 2728 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, February 20, 2018

The PenelakutFirstNation — already deeply challenged by poverty, lack of reliable water, essentially nonexistent ser- vicessuch as firefighting — must also struggleto getback and forth from the island to Chemainus, where they must purchase all their food and goods. They strugglefor ferry fares to attend family and comm unity events. B.C. Ferries was established in 1960 during a labourdis- pute atBlack Balland Canadian Pacificferry corporations. Itis the largestferry servicein North America and second- largest in the world. Hundreds of thousands of passengers are moved by B.C. Ferriesperyear.

There are six terminals in my constitu- ency plus one in my neighbourNanaimo’s constituency that one mustpass throughto getto an island in my constituency. Several years ago, amid fare increases that were several times greater than the general inflation rate, the Union of B.C. Municipalities commi ssioned a study which indicated $2 billion in lostGDP because of those highratesof increase.

Ourgovernmenthas commi tted to make life more afford- ablefor families.Reducing ferry fares willhave an imm edi- ate impact in relieving familiesstruggling to contain costs, itwillhave an imm ediate impactin reducing coststo busi- nesses, and it will remove a major obstacleto our tourism industry. HOPE AND AREA TRANSITION SOCIETY PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES J. Tegart:Abuse, addiction and homelessness are some of the toughestexperiencesthatanyone can endure. I rise today to talk about the Hope and Area Transition Society, which offers shelter to those seeking refuge from life’s storms.

Founded in 1993, the transition society offers a range of programs from youth violenceprevention, aboriginalment- orship, counselling and even extreme weathersupport.The society is ableto offerawidebreadth of programs thanks, in part,to the localvolunteers who continue to play a critical role in HATS’s success. I recently hadthe opportunity to visitthe facility in Hope and meetwith the executive director, Gerry Dyble. During our meeting, we were able to discuss some of the unique challengesthatHope facesand how they, as atransition soci- ety, were trying to address localissues.During my time with Ms.

Dyble, she was ableto talk aboutsome of the work that HATS has have been pioneering, projectslike Thunderbird Motel and the Jean Scott Transition House. The Thunderbird Motel provides those who suffer from long-term homelessness the chance to live in an environ- mentthatis safe, inclusive and supportive. The motelfocuses on helping residentsdevelop the life skills necessary to live a healthy and independentlife through learningand volunteer opportunities.

Alternatively, the Jean ScottTransition House is an eight- bed, 24-hour facility that provides shelter and supportive services for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. [10:20 a.m.] These two projects that I’ve highlighted are just a small sampling of whatis provided by this society. The work that’s being done provides an imm easurableamount of good for the comm unity and the surrounding area. I’d like to invite allmembers of this House to join me in thanking the Hope and Area Transition Society. SOCIAL EQUALITY AND JUSTICE AWARENESS R. Kahlon: Today is social equality and justice day.

It is a day recognizing the need to promote efforts to tackle issuessuch as poverty, exclusion, unemployment.This day is areminderthatwe as aprovince, acountry and as represent- atives of comm unitiesmustcontinueto work to remove bar- riers faced by peoplebecause of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability. We have madesome progress in Canada, but much work remains. We must improve racial equity in Canada.

In Canada, university-educated, Canadian-born m embers of visible minority groups earn an average 87.4 centsforevery dollar earned by a Caucasian peer, according to the Conference Board of Canada. We must improve LGBTQ equity. More than one in five LGBTQ students reported being physically harassed or assaulted due to their sexual orientation. We must improve Indigenous comm unities’ equity. Sui- ciderates among FirstNations youth are five to six times the national average, whileInuit youth rates are approximately ten times the nationalaverage.

Addressing these challenges requires hard work, cooperation and the willfor change in the name of justice. On this day, I think of experiencesthatpeoplefrom mar- ginalized comm unitiesfaceevery day and the sacrificesthey have madeto survive. I think of the diverted dreams of indi- viduals and missed opportunities and innovations of our comm unitiesthatrise from comingtogether. I think of pain- fulexperiencesof generations pastand my deep desire to be partof a fundamentalchange to create a differentfuture for my son and his generation. It is imperative on us to make this shift happen.

In closing, on socialequality and justiceday, I wouldlike to thank the thousands of individuals and organizations who step up and raise issues in their comm unities, in our province and in our country. Oral Questions ENVIRONMENT MINISTER COMMUNICATIONS PRIOR TO SPILL RESPONSE ANNOUNCEMENT P. Milobar: Yesterday the Minister of Environment said thathis calendarforthe January 30 Bowen Island retreatwas publicly available, but this is not the case. I’ll ask again. Will he tablehis January calendar and all materials related to the secret Bowen Island retreat? Tuesday, February 20, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2729

Hon. G. Heyman: This must be the most widely talked about secret retreat in history. I looked in my calendar. I saw the m eeting in my cal- endar. I double-checked with staff. Itwas in my calendar. My calendaris published proactively. That’s allyou need to know. It’s public. Mr. Speaker: Kam loops–North Thompson on a supple- mental. P. Milobar: We did not receive it through a public means. The timing of the minister’s disclosure…. Interjections. P. Milobar: This is avery serious matter. The timingof the minister’s disclosure…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, we shallhearthe question, please. P.

Milobar: Although the governmentfinds this a laugh- ing matter, it’s very serious. The timing of the minister’s dis- closure of his market-sensitive announcement is critically important. LastWednesday in this House, the ministerwas very clear. He had informed multiple groups prior to making the information public.On what day and at what time did the ministerinform individuals and the Bowen Island group of the details of his forthcoming announcement? [10:25 a.m.] Hon. G.

Heyman: For a period of several hours on the 29th of January, officials of this government — including myself, officials in my ministry — madea numberof con- tactswith differentpeople, including governmentand — not an exhaustive list — the federal Environment deputy min- ister; the DFO, Departmentof Fisheries and Oceans; Trans- portCanada; CoastGuard; the NationalEnergy Board; and Natural Resources Canada. In industry, again the day before: the Canadian Associ- ation of PetroleumProducers; the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association; B.C.

Business Council;the Railway Association of Canada;FirstNations, including the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs,the Tsleil-Waututh, the Heiltsuk; as wellas environ- mental groups. That’s not a complete list, but the complete list couldbe provided if you wished. Mr. Speaker: Kam loops–North Thompson on a second supplemental. P. Milobar: I would note that within minutes of the announcement,the minister’s formercolleaguesatthe Sierra Club issued a news release stating thatthe B.C. government would“introduceoilspillregulations thatrestrictnew ship- ments of diluted bitumen.” This is the

section that the Alberta governmentdeclared to be a surprise and which led to the totally unnecessary trade war. Can the ministerconfirm thatbefore the announcement, he gave groups the information related to restricting the transportation of diluted bitumen? Hon. G. Heyman: I’m notsure how many times or how many ways I can answer the member’s question.

I’ve announced that governments — including the gov- ernment of Alberta, including deputy ministers in the Alberta government; including the federal government of Canada and a number of ministries; including industry; including First Nations; and, yes, including environmental stakeholders; all of whom have an interest in this issue — were given information in broad-brush strokes aboutallof the five points of the proposal to consult with British Columbians about regulations to do with spill control.

WhatI’m hearing from British Columbians, and I’m hear- ing it consistently since January 30, is how happy they are to have a government that listens to them; that stands up for ourcoast,ourenvironment,ourrivers and ourstreams; and thatstands up for allof the jobs, the tens of thousands of jobs in tourism, in fishing, in smallcoastalcomm unities, in Interior touristattractions — standing up to ensure that those jobs are protected from the possibility of acatastrophic oil spill by doing the outrageous act of proposing we get sound science on how to transport these substances safely and clean them up if they are spilled.

M. Lee: This, clearly, is an important matter for this House. I just want to continue this line of questioning. I have anotheremailfrom one of the Bowen Island group members which reads: “Here are some messaging sugges- tions. Focus on the factyou’ve delayed construction. Every delay hits the company and worries investors.” To the Minister of Environment, were the financial impactsof stalling tactics discussed during this January 30 Bowen Island retreat? Hon. G.

Heyman: What’s a m atter of importance for this House is to know when all m embers of this House will stand up for B.C. jobs, for the B.C. environment, for B.C. comm unities and forthe rightof British Columbia to regulate impactson our environment. That’s what British Columbians want to know. That’s what counts, and that’s what we’re doing. Mr. Speaker: The member for Vancouver-Langaraon a supplemental. M. Lee: A bit of thin ice here for this government. The concerns of British Columbians oughtto be how we contain and maintain financialstability and investmentcli- mate in this province.

We want stability in this province. 2730 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, February 20, 2018

[10:30 a.m.] The email also recomm ends activistsfocus on construc- tion delays, because for investors: “A delay is more concrete and realistically worrisome.” Sincethis documentwas circu- lated lastfall, we’ve seen this ministertake actions thathave been widely perceived as delaying tactics and thathave led to significant financial losses for investors, including their retirement plans. To the minister, before the announcement,was he made aware of the Bowen Island group’s intentions to negatively affect the company’s share value and worry its investors? Hon. G.

Heyman: I’ve madeitabsolutely clearthatI meet with all stakeholders — business, other governments and environmentalgroups. I’ve also madeitclearthatI attended, at invitation — an invitation that was extended to me, I believe, two to three weeks priorto ourannouncement— to attend a meeting of environmentalistson Bowen Island, to share dinnerwith them and to do aboutan hour-long ques- tion-and-answer period. I accepted that invitation. I didn’task them whattheirstrategies wouldbe. I didn’t participate in theirstrategy discussions any more than I par- ticipate in the strategy discussions of the B.C.

Business Council, of the Canadian Association of PetroleumProdu- cers or of Kinder Morgan. WhatI do know is thatBritish Columbians wantto know what theirgovernment is thinking. They want a chance to consult.Many peoplehave said to me thatthey don’tbelieve they had enough chance to consult with the previous gov- ernment.We listen, we consult,and we stand up for British Columbia. MONEY LAUNDERING IN REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY S.

Furstenau: Whilethis may seem to be, to some, less urgent than a dinner on Bowen Island, this last weekend we saw stunning revelations in the Globe and Mail about money laundering in B.C. and itsconnections to drug traf- ficking and realestate in Metro Vancouver. The investigation revealed thatdrugtraffickers have laundered tens of millions of dollars through Vancouver real estate, and this is only a fraction of the problem. To say this is astonishing is an understatement. This mess gotoutof controlunderthe B.C. Liberals, but this governmenthas now been in powerforoversix months and has yet to take bold action.

Government has more information about what’s truly going on in B.C. than even the bestreporters with access to intelligence and data inac- cessibleto anyone else, yetwe are relying on the media to reveal these shocking practices. My question is to the Attorney General. One of the key journalistson this issue, Sam Cooperof Postmedia, says the rot goes even deeper than we now know. The minister has the information. Exactly how deep doesthis rotgo, and don’t British Columbians deserve to know the full extent of this problem? Hon. D. Eby: I certainly thank the memberfor the ques- tion on this very important issue.

I think it’s important to recognize how we got here. In 2009, there was an integrated casino investigation team — policeofficers that were dedicated to investigating what happened in casinos. They produced a reportfor the then ministerresponsible forgaming, the memberforLangley East.This is asumm ary thatwas in the Sun. Sam Cooperwrote this: “The 2009 threat reportsaidthatknown gangsters were gamblingin B.C. casi- nos,and Asian organized crime groups, Italian crime groups and Hell’s Angels operate illegal casinos in B.C.

Some of these underground operations are linked to crimesincluding prostitution, extortion, loansharking and kidnapping, the reportsaid.” The main issueconcerningunlicensed gambling “is the protection of the public.” The minister got that report, and in April 2009, he took decisive action. He defunded the integrated casino investig- ation team. Fast forward…. Interjections. [10:35 a.m.] Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. D. Eby: I know he’s upsetaboutthe news, buthe did this. He did this.

Fastforward seven years, and the then Finance Minister, the memberfor Abbotsford West,gota memo on his desk, March 2016: “There has beenasignificantincrease in the use of illegal gaming houses in the province and the legitimiz- ation of proceeds of crime through B.C.’s gaming facilities.” The decisive action taken by that minister, hon. Speaker?I wish I couldtellyou whatitwas, because I have no ideawhat he did. Itappears he did nothing. So on receiving a briefing that this type of activity was taking place…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. D.

Eby: I realizeit’s notas importantas a dinneron Bowen Island, but it is important. On being briefed as the new minister, I broughtin a per- son of remarkable reputation — Peter German, a former deputy in the RCMP, the author of Canada’s anti-money laundering law textbook — to getto the bottom of this and to make recomm endations for reform, which include other areas of our economy like real estate. I’m so glad the member asked the question. I hope she asks another. Mr. Speaker: House Leaderof the Third Party on a sup- plemental. Tuesday, February 20, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2731

S. Furstenau: Unfortunately, I couldn’thearallthe min- ister’s response. However, I would like to ask a further question. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members, we shall hear the question. S. Furstenau: I appreciate the ministerspeaking to some of the systemic inaction that we’ve seen on this file. The investigation over the weekend made the scope and the urgency of this problem crystal clear. People are profiting off the deaths of fellow British Columbians, and this illicit money is being parked in ourrealestate, contributing to our housing crisis.

My concern is that the Attorney General, in response to this in an article, said that it could take up to four years to take action. Journalistswho have been reporting on the scandalfor years say there’s no need for the delay. The case, as the minister points out, was proven long ago. We have acommi tmentto take action on money launder- ing in ourhousing crisis. The ministerhas said this a prior- ity. Butwe can’tafford fourmore years. We need imm ediate, boldsteps to fix this mess. My question is for the Attorney General. How does taking four years make this a priority? Hon. D.

Eby: I thank the memberfor herquestion. The new allegations in the Globe and Mail raised two separate pieces that require a response.

One is there are very specificallegations involving indi- viduals and addresses raising questions aboutthe conduct of professionals who are regulated in the provinceby inde- pendentbodies.So in term s of those individualallegations thatwere in the Globe and Mail story, we are currently pre- paring correspondence with professional regulators and m aking sure thatpolice, Revenue Canada, FINTRAC and FICOM have the inform ation they need about those spe- cificallegations and that they are aware of them and are pursuing them. The second is these are….

Although it’s the same genus — essentially, it’s money laundering — it’s a different species. This is anew allegation, as faras I’m aware, around builders’ liens and loans being used in this way registered atthe land titleregistry, whichraisessystemicissueswe need to address. It does take time, and one of the things that we have to do is buildup the capacity thatwas so degraded underthe previous government to detect, prosecute and ensure the province is actually able to stop this activity.

We have to rebuildthat.PeterGerman is helpingus dothatin away that is thoughtful and, most importantly, that is effective. [10:40 a.m.] STATUS OF OCEAN PROTECTION PLAN J. Thornthwaite: My constituentswere very concerned to hear the Prime Minister say recently that the $1.5 billion ocean protection plan may be atrisk for British Columbia. British Columbia does deserve those world-leading protec- tions that are part of that plan. My question is to the Minister of Environment. Has he called the federalministerto ask if the ocean protection plan is being cancelled or withheld — yes or no? Hon. G.

Heyman: I’m entertained by the line of ques- tioning from the opposition thatseeks to distractfrom some very simplefacts.The memberopposite who asked the ques- tion used to stand in this House and talk aboutthe import- ance of the film and television industry to B.C. And we all know thatit’s B.C.’s beautifulscenery, beautifulenvironment, beautiful coastline that attractspeopleto British Columbia — $2.7 billion in film and television spending and many, many thousands of jobs. What’s atissuehere is notwhetherI oranyone in this gov- ernmentresponded to a statementthatthe Prime Minister madein a news interview.

What’s atissue here is why every memberof this House isn’tstanding up togetherto defend B.C.’s jurisdiction, to defend our jobs in the Interior and coastalcomm unitiesand to stand up forourrightsunderthe constitution to protect our economy, our environment and our coastline. J. Thornthwaite: Thank you very much to the Minister of Environmentforthe complimenton my advocacy forthe film industry.

Whatyou’re saying then, Minister, is thatif this Premier and this Environment Minister have put the ocean protec- tion plan at risk, you are not standing up for the environ- ment.Have you actually called the federalminister, or have your staff called theircounterpartsin Ottawa to see if the ocean protection plan is atrisk here in British Columbia — yes or no? Hon. G. Heyman: The bestway to protectourcoastis to ensure thatwe understand whatmeasureshave to be in place to transport diluted bitumen and all petroleum products safely and to clean them up effectively if they’re spilled.

That’s what we’re proposing to discuss with British Columbians. And I assume that’s why the government of Canada in December announced they were going to spend over $45 million on new scientific studies to answer the same questions that we say need to be answered. We’re proposingto consultwith British Columbians about protectingourjobs, ourcoastand ourenvironment.I’d invite members of the opposition to support British Columbians and support our constitutional right to do that. REGULATIONS ON SPILL RESPONSE J.

Rustad: Yesterday the Minister of Environment wouldn’tconfirm a date for the publication of an intentions paperrelated to the January 30 announcement.Yeton Feb- ruary 7, the Premier at a press conference said: “When we 2732 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, February 20, 2018

have an intentions paper, which we expectto have by the end of the month….” The Premier promised to make this paper public this month. Will the minister be keeping the Premier’s promise? [10:45 a.m.] Hon. G. Heyman: The Premierwas restatingwhatI stated when we announced thatwe were working on the intentions paper. Ourintention remains to have thatready for public- ation and for dispersalthroughoutBritish Columbia by the end of the month. I wouldhope we make itby the 28th. If we miss by a day or two, it will be because we’re getting it right. Mr. Speaker: Nechako Lakes on a supplemental. J.

Rustad:The Environment Minister knows that this tradewarwillcontinueforas long as the ministerdelays. I’m pleased to hearthathe wantsto try to getthis outas soon as possible, butin the February 7 press conference, the minister also indicated thatthe consultation process may notbe until as early as 2019. The minister yesterday refused to answer the timeline. You’ve said today, now, thatitmay getoutby the end of the month. How many more delays before British Columbians will actually see what these regulations will be? Hon. G.

Heyman: We are following a well-established pattern of publishing intentions papers and having robust consultations with British Columbia. The m ember knows that.He was a m emberof the executive councilof the pre- vious government. If he’s not sure how the Ministry of Environmentworks, he shouldhave a discussion with the form erMinisterof Environment,the m emberforLangley, who oversaw the publication of a number of intentions papers related to the Water Sustainability Act as well as other measures.

I wouldalso note thatone of the features of the actions of the previous Ministerof Environmentwas to regularly give a courtesy heads-up to allstakeholders justbefore the release of an intentions paper. GALLAGHER LAKE SIPHON REPAIR D. Ashton: With the GallagherLake’s siphon damage in 2016, agovernmenttripartite agreementwas reached to cov- erthe $10 million repair. GallagherLake wateris imperative to South Okanagan irrigation. With the ongoing wine and tradewar, mayors, FirstNations leaders and the agricultural industry are deeply concerned.

To the Minister of Agriculture, has she been in contact with herfederalcounterpartto ensure thatfederalfundingis still secured? Hon. L. Popham: Thank you to the memberforthe ques- tion. I know that this is an important issue for the region. The staff within my ministry are in contactwith the federal government. Mr. Speaker: Penticton on a supplemental. D. Ashton: I would like to thank the minister for her answer, but potential losses to the agriculture and wine industries in the Oliver area alone have been pegged at $172 million withoutthe use of thatsiphon.

Itis with grave concern thatthe mayorand councilhave written to the gov- ernment saying that the federal funding is actually threatened. I wouldjustlike to ask the ministeragain: whatassurances can she give this House thatthis funding has notbeen jeop- ardized by the current government actions or inactions? Hon. L. Popham: Well, I can tellthe m emberand reas- sure the m emberthatmy staff is in conversations with the federal government. I, myself, while visiting in that area justlastweek, hadconversations with the MP thatrepres- ents that area.

I understand whatitwouldmean to the agriculture com- munity and the greater comm unity if that situation is not resolved. I can tellyou thatI’m a champion for agriculture. So under my watch, I am doing my very best. FLOOD RISK MITIGATION FOR WILDFIRE-DAMAGED AREAS IN CARIBOO D. Barnett:The Cariboo experienced the worstfire season in history this past summ er. Fire severely damaged banks near waterways, which will increase the risk of flooding. My question is to the Ministerof Forests,Lands and Nat- uralResourceOperations.

Whatwork has the ministry done to stabilizethe land and banks nearcreeks, streams and oth- er waterways? [10:50 a.m.] Hon. D. Donaldson: I appreciate the concern and the question from the member. It gives me an opportunity to once again highlight the effortsof the ministry staff under the B.C. Wildfire Service:1.2 million hectares were burned in the catastrophic fires of 2017, 65,000 peopleevacuated, over500 structures destroyed, yetnotone singlelife was lost directly as a resultof the fires.

I wantto say we owe a great debt of gratitude to the staff in the ministry as well as the volunteers and the contractors for ensuring that happened. Wildfire recovery effortsare underway. To date, $21 mil- lion has been allocated for reforestation, fireproofing com- munities and restoring ecosystems in the Cariboo to ensure that when the spring freshet happens, we have minimal impact as far as erosion concerns are anticipated. Mr. Speaker: Cariboo-Chilcotin on a supplemental. D. Barnett:My constituentswouldlike concrete answers.

The springfreshetis coming, and there are realconcerns sur- Tuesday, February 20, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2733

rounding flooding in fire-damaged areas. My question to the minister: will the ministershare any plans, concrete plans, regarding flood mitigation in the fire- damaged regions throughout the Cariboo? Hon. D. Donaldson: Well, the concrete plans are that $21 million has been allocated for reforestation, for fire- proofing comm unities and for restoring ecosystems in the Cariboo. We’llbe reseedingimportantareas oncethe snow is removed. We’llbe planting trees. We’llbe ensuring thatthe tourism sector, which is vitalto the area, is receiving fund- ing as faras attracting more peopleto the area.

And we’llbe ensuring, through ourwork with the Red Cross, thatsmall businesses are able to recuperate from the fires as well. We’re firing on allfronts,making sure thatthe peoplein the Cariboo are taken care of as faras land recovery, as faras social recovery. FAMILY DAY DATE CHANGE AND TOURISM INDUSTRY M. Stilwell:With over19,000 tourism-related businesses and 127,000 tourism-related employees in this province, the tourism industry is responsiblefor the livelihood of thou- sands of British Columbians. But unilaterally, this govern- ment moved Family Day.

Can the Minister of Tourism tell this House what con- sultations she had with the industry before making that decision? Hon. L. Beare: I have answered questions aboutFamily Day a number of times in this House, and my answer remains the sam e. Moving Family Day was the rightthing to do for families in British Columbia. Moving Family Day has received overwhelming support,and the m embers opposite are proving onceagain justhow outof touch they are with people. The Ministerof MentalHealth and Addictions has spent months working on the overdose crisis, which has touched every comm unity in this province.

Ourgovernmentimple- mented regional action teams and comm unity teams, and she has not received one single question. The Ministerof Labourcreated the FairWages Commi s- sion to form a path to $15 an hour to support workers in British Columbia — not one question from the members opposite. The member for poverty reduction and social services…. Mr. Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Hon. L. Beare: Thank you.

The member for poverty reduction and social services has been criss-crossing our province, talking to hundreds of British Columbians about our government’s creation of a first-ever poverty reduction strategy — not one question from the members opposite. The members opposite… Mr. Speaker: Minister. Hon. L. Beare: …are focused on one day of the year. Ourgovernmentis working 365 days of the year for British Columbians. [End of question period.] Interjections. [10:55 a.m.] Orders of the Day Hon. M. Farnworth: I know members may want to extend question period.

However, I have to disappointthem and instead call more debate on the throne speech. [R. Chouhan in the chair.] Throne Speech Debate (continued) Deputy Speaker: Members who don’t have House duty, maybe please leave the House so thatwe can continue with the business. M. Elmore: I am very pleased to rise and resume my placeand to continue my remarks in response to the throne speech. It’s a greatprivilege to stand in this placeand speak on behalf of folks in Vancouver-Kensington.

Certainly I am very pleased to speak in support of the throne speech, which is focused on making life more afford- ablefor peoplein British Columbia. We know thatafter16 long years, peoplehave been frustrated with the reality of rising living costs, cuts to services and fewer opportunit- ies.This throne speech really recognizesthatand takes us in a new direction to address the challenges and the crisis of affordability that families face. I’ve certainly heard from familiesand individuals from Vancouver-Kensington. After 16 long years of decisions by the previous B.C.

Liberalgovernmentto prioritize giving tax cuts to the most wealthy, to millionaires, but raising fees and costs,we’ve seen costsforB.C. Hydro raise, increases for ICBC and certainly the mishandlingof ICBC, where we have learned of just an incredible debt and the financial crises rocking ICBC. In addition, we’ve heard of increasing ferry fares, rising tuition fees, the crisis of affordablehousing, the lack of adequate affordablehousing, and bridge tolls taking a big toll on families.

I’m very pleased the throne speech recognizes that, and thatwe have taken some first,initialsteps to address afford- ability for families.We have announced that there’ll be a cap on B.C. Hydro and that ICBC will be adequately man- aged. We’ve madethe commi tment to reduce medical ser- vicepremiums by 50 percent,lookingtowards reducingMSP premiums in the years ahead, as wellas reducing intereston 2734 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, February 20, 2018

student loans by 2.5 percent. [11:00 a.m.] B.C. had, underthe B.C. Liberals, the highestinterestrate on studentloans in the country, really putting a lotof pres- sure on young peopleand studentswanting to pursue their education. We have recognized that and taken steps to address that.As well, addressing the affordability crises, we have removed the bridge tolls and also madecommi tments in terms of reducing ferry fares. These are some in the suite of areas thatourgovernment has recognized and taken initial action on.

Within the throne speech, there’s a continued commi tmentto work on behalfof British Columbians to realizethe struggleand the crisis of affordability that many folks right across the provinceare facing, and forthe governmentto work on side with British Columbians and be on the sideof peopleand to work to make life more affordable. I wantto also address ourcommi tmentin terms of restor- ing publicservices.After16 years we have seen justa steady deterioration and underfunding and erosion of our public services— publicservicesthatBritish Columbians depend on.

And thatreally has leftBritish Columbians withoutthat adequate support. I want to talk, in particular, about publiceducation. We had, under the B.C. Liberals, 16 years of not only a fight againstteachers butalosing fight,and the message from the Supreme Court of Canada, nonetheless, to ensure that our public education system is adequately funded. In Vancouver-Kensington, families and students have been very engaged on this issue.

SinceI’ve hadthe privilege of beingthe MLA, now formy third term, I’ve worked stead- ily and supported studentsand teachers and familiesin Van- couver-Kensington around issues of adequate funding for publiceducation, supporting many familiesthat have been very active in terms of advocating on behalf of protecting our schools and saving schools from closure and, particu- larly, very active and engaged parentsand teachers and stu- dents at McBride Annex, which was on the list to be closed.

So very pleased thatthatactivism and supportfrom those studentsand parentsand teachers has really gotthatmessage through, and the school remains open. Certainly, that is a realtribute, speakingto notonly the valueof localschools in ourcomm unitiesbutalso the importanceof adequate fund- ing for publiceducation, which our government has com- mitted to. It doesn’t take the Supreme Court of Canada to tell us that we need to adequately fund publiceducation.

So I’m very pleased aboutthatcommi tmentand the importanceof ensuring thatchildren in ourschools are adequately suppor- ted and have every opportunity to prosperand to be success- ful in our schools. We know, in talking to many familieswith young kids, that support for young children…. Certainly, that is the research thatis coming out— the importanceof the support in those early years for the developmentof young children. That’s where they really set the foundation for success. I’m very pleased that we have a commi tment around adequate supportforpubliceducation, in terms of restoring the many cutsoverthe years.

Overa generation of students have gone through this fightin ourpubliceducation system — 16 years. So we have more than…. I guess itwouldbe four cohortsof children who have gone in at kindergarten and graduated grade12 who have been through ourpublicedu- cation system over16 years of this fight,of the previous Lib- eral government undermining public education. There’s a realneed to ensure thatchildren are supported — thatwe ensure thatthere are adequate supportsforteach- ers and children to be successful. That’s abigpriority as well.

We know also, through discussions and travels and comm unity consultations around the poverty reduction plan and hearing from folks right across the province in all comm unities — in our urban centres and suburban centres, our rural areas and semi-rural areas — that it’s a reality.

Many people have fallen through the cracks and have really suffered through the cutsin these last16 years in term s of inadequate supports for folks who need that help and support. [11:05 a.m.] In particular, when we talk about housing and the need forsafe and adequate and appropriate housing, the hard-to- house folks and peopleon the street,there’s a need, as well, to address services to support people with mental health and addictions. Often if you have that dual diagnosis, it’s very difficult to find adequate housing.

We’ve heard, right across the province, thatthere’s a realcrisis of affordability, a very low or near-zero vacancy rate for rentals and a need forhousing rightacross the spectrum. I’m very pleased that we have recognized the challenge around taking aprovincial approach, with a need for provincial plan around mental health and addictions — putting that together. There’s great need, and I’m very heartened with the role of the minister, who’s doing a very capablejob and meeting a lotof needs for familiesin British Columbia and for indi- viduals.

It has been just a terriblecrisis around the record deaths of folks who are caughtin this opioidcrisis, whichhas really struck peopledown, through ourcomm unities, from allwalks of life. So the commi tmentof the government,cer- tainly reflected in the throne speech, to taking on this issue and providing the needed supportsforthose individuals and families, is much needed.

As well, in term s of services that British Columbians depend on and that our government is commi tted to improving and strengthening, removing the fees for adult basic education and English language learning are also issues where I’m very pleased that our government has taken this step. I know that in Vancouver-Kensington I have, just half a block from my office, the South Vancouveradulteducation centre. In my first term, when they faced cuts,I metwith those studentsand teachers and heard theirstories.

It was through a very active campaign, hearing firsthand from stu- dents that young peopleare not ableto finish their grade Tuesday, February 20, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2735

12 for a whole range of reasons — either single parents, young people who have children, or people who have to work and, forone reason oranother, aren’tableto complete high school. Needing to pay fees to upgradeand finish their grade12, really limiting them from the opportunity to pur- sue upgrading of their skills, was a great barrier. So one of the government’s early actions, to remove fees for these individuals, I think, is a great benefit not only to them individually in term s of their success, but the need thatwe have, rightacross the province, forsupplying skilled workers.

It’s not only for individuals to fulfil their potential but also to contribute in our economy. That’s a big need, we know. In the throne speech, we talked aboutworking for famil- ies,working to make life more affordableforfamilies,work- ing to improve public services that families and British Columbians depend on, and also building a strong and sus- tainableeconomy thateveryone can benefitfrom. We have taken significant steps around addressing the need for affordable, safe and adequate housing. We know thatthere’s need rightacross the board, notonly in Vancouver-Kensing- ton but right across the province.

There is need, we hearfrom seniors, foradequate housing. There is need, also, for middle-income families.There is need forwomen who are fleeing domesticviolence. It’s right across the board. It’s coming into just these tremendous needs in all these areas that have been neglected and that have not been a priority for the previous B.C. Liberal gov- ernmentover16 years. Thathas created justsuch a crisis, a hardship and difficulties for people in our province. [11:10 a.m.] I’m very proud that our government is commi tted on these issues.

It’s a great honour to be working as the Par- liamentary Secretary for Poverty Reduction to bring in a poverty reduction plan in British Columbia. British Columbia is the only province notto have a poverty reduc- tion plan and, notcoincidentally, has record levels of poverty in ourprovince and also has the highestincome inequality gap, so we’re looking to address the realcrisis and realneeds of British Columbians.

When we talk about poverty reduction, it’s not only to address the 700,000 British Columbians who live below the poverty line, 40 percentwho are also the working poor, who bring home a paycheque, who work two, sometimes three jobs but aren’t ableto make ends meet.It’s also an invest- mentin people. It’s an investmentin strengthening ourcom- munity. I have been very pleased to have meetings and have broad-based support for this plan. The issueof socialjusticeand equality in BritishColumbia — certainly, that’s shared very broadly across ourprovince.

We’ve metand talked rightacross the spectrum in terms of members atthe chamberof comm erce, atthe board of trade, the business sector. Business leaders, as well, are on board, supporting this initiative and investment. It resonates. It really speaks to the need in comm unities across British Columbia, where right across the board….

Folks don’thave to be livingin poverty to recognizethe value of ensuring thatallBritish Columbians, allneighbours and everyone living in comm unity has the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty, to have that success and oppor- tunity that builds and strengthens the entire comm unity.

When we talk aboutsome of the key componentsneeded to address and meetthe needs of British Columbians that have beenneglected, thathaven’tbeenapriority of the previ- ous government….Certainly the throne speech talks about the biggest issue and the biggest difficulty for British Columbians around adequate, safe and affordablehousing. These are issues, as well as child care…. Having the ability to meetthose needs — notonly of folks who need those supports,who are living below the poverty line — is also a benefitthateveryone benefitsfrom. There is a need for affordable housing and child care.

These are key concerns, as well, for the business com- munity, for owners of small business. We heard this. It’s a very consistent message that we heard about the challenge of small business owners, particularly in comm unities throughoutthe Interior, who have a difficulttime — having employeesbeingableto afford adequate housingin the com- munity and also needing to have access to childcare, and ensuring that folks can stay, live and work in local com- munities and be part of the economy. These are priorities that are shared right across the spectrum.

The commi tmentfrom the throne speech addresses those challenges. It lays out our priorities. I’m very pleased that it sends the message. We’ve taken some initial steps. The throne speech addresses these key themes and ourintention to move forward and make life more affordablefor British Columbians, to ensure that public services that British Columbians depend on are restored and strengthened to supportBritishColumbians. It’s tied together. Itgoeshand in hand withasustainableeconomy thatallBritish Columbians can benefit from. We know, as well, thatthe issue of the working poor is a big priority.

Fully 40 percent of folks who are working fall below the poverty line. So this is a big challenge as well. That’s why there is a commi tment around the Fair Wages Commi ssion to look at increasing the minimum wage. I’m very pleased that there was also a consultation process around that,to hearfrom workers, from folks who do work hard — two, three jobs to make ends meet— butalso to hear from localbusinesses,the business sectorand also industries in terms of the challenges they face in moving forward. I think that’s a key theme, as well, in the approach of our government,and thatis in the throne speech as well.

We’re looking to work in partnership. We’re looking to work in partnership to listen to British Columbians, to hear their concerns, to hear what the challenges are that British Columbians face. [11:15 a.m.] There are a lotof stories coming forward in terms of just the incrediblestress on families,the crisis of affordability, the crisis in housing, the lack of availability of childcare, the dif- 2736 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, February 20, 2018

ficulty of employers and the need for skilled workers. Right across the spectrum, we are commi tted. Our government is commi tted to work in partnership with industry, with businesses, with FirstNations to address ourcommi tmentsaround reconciliation and ensure thatwe restore thatrelationship, ensure thatwith Indigenous people across our province, we work in partnership with them on joint solutions. The government is here to support the ini- tiatives of local municipalities, of folks who work hard in theircomm unities, of individuals and familiesright across our province to ensure that life is more affordable.

The government is on the side of people. We invest in publicservices and a sustainable economy that all British Columbians can benefit from. I’m very proud to speak in favour of the throne speech and to be working on imple- mentingapoverty reduction plan. There’s alotof work to do. I’m very excited and looking forward to working in partner- ship rightacross ourprovince, to working on behalfof Brit- ish Columbians. T. Shypitka: It’s my pleasure to respond to the Speech from the Throne. As always, I considerit an honour to be ableto speak in this House and to representthe good people of my riding of Kootenay East.

Before I get to my comm ents on the throne speech, I wouldlike, first,to recognizeacoupleof localevents.I’d like to congratulate and send wishes of ahappy birthday to three of my biggestsupporters thatare celebrating birthdays. My Auntie Anne Shypitka — happy 80th birthday to her. My mother, Lynne, justturned 75, and my niece Kimberley Bo Bo Bat Shypitka turns 27 years today.

Turning to asombre note, lastweekend, on Saturday, Feb- ruary 17, the comm unity of Cranbrook and the provinceof British Columbia paid honourand tribute to two fine mem- bers of our comm unity who perished in a horrific auto- mobile accident. Apartfrom being the captain on the B shiftatthe Cran- brook fire department, Clayton Murrell’s accomplishments were astounding, including past secretary, vice-president and presidentof his local, 1253. He represented the Eastand WestKootenay regions as vice-presidentof the B.C. Profes- sionalFirefighters Association.

Clayton was the vice-presid- entof the Pine Ridge Roping Club. He hadan imm ense pas- sion for roping, which he and his wife, Joan, spentso much time doing together. WhatI personally recallaboutClayton is his always-posit- ive attitude, his infectious smile, his Tom Selleckesquemous- tache and his sense of pride. When you shook Clayton’s hand, itwas always firm, a firmness thatshowcased his con- fidenceand his pride, pridein himself, pridein his family — he is survived by his two greatchildren, Dysen and Kirsten — pride of his workmates at the fire hall, but, equally, his pride of his comm unity.

Clayton was a protectorof his comm unity and advocated to bring the properEMR training to his colleaguesto better assistfirstresponse. Thatwas Clayton’s vision: to betterserve and protectthe comm unitiesand the provincethathe loved so dearly. I willmake apledge to ensure thatClayton’s vision is properly recognized. Joan MacKinnon, who essentially perished alongsideher husband on that fateful morning of February 3, was an equally giving person. Joan was the head of our lifeguards and the aquatic coordinator with the Cranbrook Aquatic Centre.

Joan received the Lifesaving Society’s outstanding achievement award as a Lifesaving Society instructor in 2010. This is the highesthonourforan instructorwithinthe branch. Joan was instrumentalin ourlocalcoaching of our SpecialOlympic athletes and was a strong supporterof the Lifesaving Society. Joan, like herhusband, loved the outdoors. They were pas- sionate abouthorsesand competingtogetherin rodeo events throughoutB.C. and Alberta. Joan leftbehind two children, Aaron and Andrew. Together, Clayton and Joan were pillars of our com- munity, and they always put others’ safety in front of their own.

Joan and Clayton were only 51 years of age. As this couplehas now been reunited in all of eternity, may they forever rest well. [11:20 a.m.] On behalfof my family, the constituentsof Kootenay East and, if I can be bold enough to say, the members of this House and the province of British Columbia, I offer our collective condolences to the friends and family of Capt. Clayton Murrell and the beautiful love of his life, Joan MacKinnon.

I wouldalso like to take this opportunity to thank allthe first responders from all services, such as the firefighters, British Columbia Ambulance Service, search and rescue, RCMP, paramedics, lifeguards and others in attendance at the celebration of life. There was representation not only from alloverB.C. butas farwestas Manitoba,as wellas rep- resentation from our American brothers and sisters to the south of us. Alltold, there were about3,000 in attendance. Finally, a thank-you to the Cranbrook fire department and all the otheragenciesand volunteers that put togetherthis memorial. It was done right.

To move on to the throne speech and what it meant to me and the many peopleof my riding. Among otherthings, the mostfundamentalprinciplethatthe peoplein my riding expect of their government is the ability to stick to their word and deliveron theirpromises. Unfortunately, the mes- saging within this throne speech last Tuesday fell a little short of the standard. The purpose of the Speech from the Throne is to serve as aroadmap forgovernment’s intentions. It dictates where our government plans on taking British Columbia in the near future, laying out the goals and the route to those goals.

Roadmaps are only as usefulas the details they provide. The speech did an excellentjob of identifying and outlining obvious issues that are happening within our province. It also didan excellentjob on describinghow British Columbi- ans are affected by these various problems. However, itdidn’t Tuesday, February 20, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2737

providealotof substanceon how the provincialgovernment planned on handling these tough issues. Itwas kind of like the oldcomm ercialthatwas on TV years ago, “Where’s the beef?” Little substance. Afterlistening and reading through the throne speech, it became quite evident that the NDP did not plan to fulfil campaign promises. Even if they attempted to, British Columbians would not be able to afford them. For example, the two biggest focal areas of the speech involved childcare and affordability.

Now, I rememberthat when I was in election campaign modelastApril, afriend of mine — I callhim afriend; we don’talways see eye to eye on certain issues— accosted me atan election forum one even- ing. He was literally screaming atme, saying the B.C. Liber- als were getting in the way of his family getting $10-a-day care. He was very adamantaboutit.He was very upsetthat perhaps thatmessage wouldbe lostif the B.C. Liberals took government. I toldthe gentleman numerous things around this prom- ise and why it was not a good platform.

One of the main reasons was that the plan would cost around $1½ billion per year, and the rollout of this plan was about ten years. His childwouldthen be in high school. I also toldhim that it was, more than likely, a false promise. In last Tuesday’s throne speech, there was no mention of $10-a-day care. It is interesting to note that as of Tuesday, the Premier himself now insists that he m ade no such promise on $10-a-day care and thathis words were justbranding of a term. Mosteveryone I talk to seems to rememberita little differently. In fact, on the B.C.

NDP website, if you check itout,they stillhave: “John Horgan and the B.C. NDP will work for you and take realaction to m ake your life m ore affordable — like reducing or eliminating fees, tolls and fares, while bringing in $10-a-day child care.” They m ay have taken that down now since I’ve m entioned it, but it was there as of this morning. This pastJune he said: “We plan, by year5, to have 66,000 new spacesand the $10-a-day plan.” Thatwas lastJune. This couldnot be more crystal-clear. There is no room here for extrameanings.This was a daycare promised to be priced at a rate of $10.

Not branding, not intentions, but a promise. Unfortunately, it appears that this brand was another empty and predatory promise used to win votes. I wonder how many more NDP promises will be spontaneously turned into brandingwhenthey realizethere is absolutely no way of funding them. Otherpromises made, like a $400 renters rebate and the plan to eliminate portables in Surrey — what about the $1,000 creditto university and college students?— are more broken promisesthatwere nowhere to be seen in the speech. [11:25 a.m.] If anyone shouldbe angry at the government, it should be theirown supporters.

In addition to making childcare a focal point, Tuesday’s throne speech also highlighted the matterof affordability within ourprovince. This is an issue that,I believe, certainly needs to be addressed with a reas- onableand clear plan, one thatconsiders the limitations of ourresourcesand realistic projections of revenues and that provides long-term lasting value. It must be sustainable. However, we did not get a reasonable approach in the speech. Instead, we were given the miraculous fix to afford- able housing by building 114,000 additional homes, or 11,400 every year over the nextten years.

During the last election campaign, the candidate from the NDP party stated this new election promise — rightin the middleof a forum, I might add. I was flabbergasted by this bold vision that he and his party hadcome up with. I was actually humbled by this vis- ion. When I did the quick math on this major promise, I came up witharoughfigure of about$25 billion. I was pretty certain, at that point, that this wouldbe another question- able promise made.

Flash forward ten months later to what we now hear in the throne speech.Notonly was there no mention of 114,000 affordablehousing unitsbeing built, but the throne speech also added the caveatthatin orderforthe governmentto ful- fil itspromises of building affordablehousing, it will need the help of the federalgovernment,as wellas of municipal- ities to rezone and, in some cases, provide land to getthis projectstarted — something they chose to leave outof their election promise, leaving this government with convenient scapegoats for when their promise inevitably falls flat.

As far as accomplishments go, all that this government could reference in the throne speech was 1,700 modular homes completed lastyear. I’d like to make something clear. Those very same 1,700 homes were announced underthe previous government.With thatbeing said, to date, notone modularhome has been approved orbuiltunderthe current government. I wouldlike to also addthat the promise this government has put forward lacks any measurableplan to drive the economy orcreate job plans whichfuelthis $25 bil- lion housing plan. As a matter of fact, it’s quite the opposite.

The recent refusalto abide by a recentfederalSupreme Courtorderto allow the Trans Mountain pipeline to proceed has notonly defied the ruleof law buthas also discredited ourprovince to investors, otherprovincesand ourcountry as a whole, as well as eliminating affordability in this province. Much-needed revenues for the province to build infra- structure — like the PattulloBridge, George Massey Tunnel, Highway 1 — have been hampered by this move.

Hospitals, schools and, of course, this grand scheme of 114,000 afford- ablehomes need revenues.They need arevenue stream, and it has been cut short because of the irresponsibledecision this government has made. The government says that they are making this stance by blocking the shipmentsof diluted bitumen because they are standing up for all British Columbians. Does this gov- ernmentknow thatthere are more British Columbians that supportthe completion of the Trans Mountain projectthan those that don’t?

What British Columbians is the Premier speaking about? 2738 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, February 20, 2018

I’lltellyou one group thatthis governmentsupports.It’s the ones thatare standing up for the specialinterestgroups that are funded by American energy companies, which wouldlove nothing more than to completely shutdown our natural resource industry. I find itvery difficultto believe members on the opposite side of the House actually want to make life in B.C. more affordable, especially considering they raised taxes almost imm ediately aftercoming into power. They raised taxes on business, raised taxes on agriculture and forestry through things like the carbon tax.

Peopleexpectataxraise when the governmentis running a deficit.However, this governmentinherited an unpreced- ented $2.7 billion surplus, $800 million of which has already been spent.Thatdoes notspeak formaking life more afford- ablein British Columbia. This governmentneeds to be held accountable, to dowhatthey say they’re going to deliver, and this side of the House will continue to do just that and to look out for all British Columbians. I also noticed severalotherrebranded promises madeby the B.C. Liberals, items like eliminating MSP premiums.

Although our elimination of that MSP premium was a tax break, the NDP’s version is to addthis elimination to your personal taxes. [11:30 a.m.] Reduction in the studentloan rate and additionalengin- eering seatsat TRU and UNBC. You’d think that after 16 years — we hear it all the time — of sitting on the other side, they wouldcom e up with som ething a littlebitm ore original. The saddest part of this wholedebacleis that the only reallosers in this equation are theirown supporters — the people who believed that they would actually live up to their word.

I think that speaks volumes to the character of this government.They have demonstrated thatthey are willing to complain endlessly, promise the world, but when it’s theirturn, they failto deliverm eaningfulchange, and we all pay the price. As the critic for Energy, Mines and PetroleumResources — mining and LNG — I’m tasked with holding this gov- ernmentto accountand ensuring thatthey are moving our energy sectors towards a long and prosperous future — a future which will require planning and investments to ensure that British Columbia does not remain stagnant.

Itgoes withoutsaying thatmining and energy are incred- ibly importantindustries in the Interior and northern B.C., as wellas residually throughoutthe province. This is why it was troubling to see thatthere was no mention of develop- ing these sectors, as wellas no mention of PowerBC, or the roadmap thatthe minister’s mandate lettercalls for, located anywhere in the throne speech. We’ve all seen a change in the rhetoric on hydro rates. I think it was last December when the headlines read: “Province Delivers on Commi tment to Freeze B.C.

Hydro Rates.” Now in the throne speech, whatdo we see? “To keep hydro rates affordable, governmenthas asked the B.C. Util- ities Commi ssion to freeze hydro rates for the next year.” Quite the 180. There was also no m ention of reinvigorating or restor- ing the innovative clean energy fund; no m ention of the scientific panelthatthe currentgovernmentpromised on fracking; the mining jobs task force, or the term s of refer- ence and m embership of this task force, which are due in the firstquarterof 2018 — no m ention of any of this in the throne speech.

The throne speech talked of complianceand enforcement beingstrengthened, butlike many otherNDP promises,they have failed to make a decision and outline the details of the independentoversightunit,which was promised during the May election. This is an integralpartto the mining industry — yet no mention. I can’texpress enough how vitally importantthe industry of mining is to the revenue and socialside of ourprovince — how these industrieshave literally builtourcomm unities, employ union and non-union workers alike.

This is partof who we are in this province, and to getnothing more than a sideglancein this throne speech is, quite honestly, a slap in the face to our industry, our workers and our investors. The listof shortcomings keeps growing with littleend in sight. It’s troubling to see the utter lack of initiative from members on that side of the House to make these issues a priority and to help the industries that built this province into what it is today. As the peoplemay have noticed yesterday, and I’ve con- veniently leftmine on, the MLAs were wearing a blue rib- bon.

This blue ribbon here was in recognition of the thou- sands of workers who take care of B.C. seniors. The province of British Columbia has proclaimed February 19, 2018, in their honour. As yesterday was B.C. Seniors Care Providers Day, I thought I wouldbring up the lack of commi tment of this government in the throne speech towards senior care. Out of a45-minute speech, there was butone sentenceon senior care solution — one sentence. The sentence said it would provide more time for caregivers to spend with seniors, but they don’tidentify how much more time.

The sentencesays they willtrain more people, butfails to say how many and how they plan on retaining these care providers, which is actually as big a problem as finding more trained people. As my beloved colleaguefrom Cariboo-Chilcotin said in her speech, they deserve more than “bedpans and lockup.” I have to give outa shout,actually, to a residentthatlives in my hometown of Cranbrook. Hername is Dianna Green Bennett.She has aform of MS, and she lives in assisted care. She has the courage of a lion, and she is standing up forthe lack of care she feels is currently being delivered.

Peopleare living longerin theirconditions and becoming more complex.More time is needed, mostdefinitely, and we need a more definite description of how thatwilllook. This throne speech wouldhave been a great opportunity to say this, but it missed the mark once again. [11:35 a.m.] Tuesday, February 20, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2739

Senior and assisted-living care in our province is a big issue. For those thathave spenta lifetime of hard work, not only do they deserve respect and family care; they deserve more than one sentence in a throne speech. As far as local events go, this government claims to be allfor B.C., butthe throne speech offered very littlefor the B.C. interiorin regards to thingsthatmatterto the peoplein my riding of Kootenay East.There was no mention of fixing the B.C. camping reservation system and how they plan on putting British Columbians first in line for camping spots. This was a big promise during the lastcampaign.

They were going to fix the reservation system. They were going to put British Columbians first in those camping spots — yetno mention. There is amention on increasing conservation officers but no real hard numbers on how many — and then failed to mention hiring of park rangers. No mention of hiring of park rangers. Perhaps the biggestdisappointmentforme is no mention of the decline of wildlife populations and an independent agency to facilitate a proper funding model to gather the proper scientific data needed to bring together a holistic wildlife biodiversity land use plan. This is a big deal. Interjection. T.

Shypitka: We’ll getto the member over there on the othersideon something he said yesterday, which was actu- ally quite good. I’m hoping I willsee this in today’s budget,as I have made my voiceheard quite loudly to governmentand as this is a message from my constituency. Wildlife habitatloss is a big issue. Ourwildlife populations are being decimated around the province, and no area is more severe than in my riding of Kootenay East.Oncecalled the Serengeti of North Amer- ica,Kootenay Easthas more biggame, has more carnivorous creatures than anywhere on the continent.

The awareness of this issue is non-partisan, as funding for our wildlife has been flatlined for 40 years. Habitat loss is one of the main culprits,but there’s a wholehost of other ingredientsthatmake this adeadly recipe. Biodiversity, land access, regionalized representation are allpartof the formula to success. The biggestproblem is thatwe don’treally know for sure the exact science on building up our populations. We need more numbercountson predatorand prey, more mapping on wildlife corridors, breeding and calving areas, invasive species and noxious weeds and disease.

Through this information we can adjustourhunting regulations and ourpolicy on individualspecies.We have to address thatfirst to get to the individual species. For example, the recent ban on grizzly hunting was not science-based — like the member for Oak Bay–Gordon Headsays he supportsand, I think, alotof the peoplein this House support. It was a political decision based on a pop- ulistic approach to many that have no idea of what proper wildlife managementlooks like. We need to be looking past one-species solutions for something as detailed as this.

Ourprovince is beautifuland diverse, with more ecosys- tems in place, I dare say, than any jurisdiction in the world. These blanketpoliciesand one-size-fits-allsolutions willno longerdo here in ourprovince. The time is now. The time is urgent,and I’m more than willing to work with the Minis- terof Environment,the Ministerof Forests,the Ministerof Agriculture to work on solutions on a bipartisan level. Interjection. T. Shypitka: My friend — he’s tapping over there — for Saanich North and the Islands has pointed outthe low steel- head numbers in the province. Quite true and equally as important.

Well, this problem is on the land as well as the water, and we need some change. It has to happen now. The omission of the ranching comm unity and the contin- ued funding for fencing and costrecovery for lostlivestock due to predation was notin this speech as well. Ourranch- ers deserve better. These are suchbigdeals to ourregion, and it is truly disappointing that this government has failed to recognize their importance. If British Columbia is to remain beautiful, data-driven steps need to be taken in orderto preserve ourback country.

These initiatives cannot simply be afterthoughts but need to be laid outclearly and taken seriously. I willcontinue to work hard on these files. The budget will come out today, and I look forward to seeing more details on how they will allocate resources to accomplish some of these goals they have laid out for the peopleof this province. This government has done a great dealof work telling British Columbians whattheirpriorities are. With the budget, we will actually get to see if their money matches their mouths. [11:40 a.m.] I, for one, am notholding my breath.

My colleaguesand I look forward to holding this governmentto task in estim- ates. This government thus far has not given much hope to British Columbians. After starting a needless tradewar with Alberta, the governmentoffers no ideas to stimulate the economy or to reassure investors. As a m atter of fact, it’s quite the opposite. This is a sourm essage thatthis gov- ernmentis sending to ourpartners in Canada and Canada as a nation. The throne speech promises m ore reviews and littleaction. The only certainty is allof British Columbia is going to pay for it.

What I’ve brought forward thus far is only a small sampling in the ever-increasing listof broken promises and stolen,rebranded ideas. I believe, as do many others, that British Columbians deserve much better. Forthose reasons, I strongly oppose this throne speech. Hon. M. Farnworth: As I begin my remarks, I’m reminded of something that the Ministerof Health said to me in response to the previous member’s speech, who said 2740 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, February 20, 2018

he wasn’t going to holdhis breath. The Minister of Health said to me: “Don’t holdyourbreath. It’s not good for you.” I intend to follow the advice of the Ministerof Health and notholdmy breath, because I think I’ve got,afterlisteningto that, quite a lot to say. I wantto take a few minutes and thank my constituents. This is really the firsttime sincethe election thatI have the opportunity to do that. I first was elected in 1991, again in ’96, then in ’05, ’09, 2013 and, m ost recently, in 2017.

Itreally was an honourto be re-elected for the sixth time by a comm unity I’ve grown up in — which, next year, I willhave been a residentof for50 years. PortCoquitlam is where I went to school. Interjection. Hon. M. Farnworth:Yup, 50. I am 58. I will be…. Interjection. Hon. M. Farnworth:That’s true. Anyway, to me, it’s a very specialplace. I can think of no greaterhonour than representing a comm unity that you’ve grown up in. As I said, it really is an honour. And it’s an honourto speak to this throne speech, because after listening to the remarks of the previous member….

I understand where he’s coming from, and he clearly is pas- sionate about a numberof issues. I was, really, particularly interested to hear, on some of the issuesaround…. Whether it is back-country preservation, wildlife management, the state of our environment, the decline in species and how important they are, he was critical of the throne speech, going: “Well, there are no specificnumbers. We need con- servation officers. We need wildlife managementofficers. We need good data.” Well, the problem is that for 16 years we didn’t getany of that.

For 16 years, they cut the number of conservation officers, they cutthe wildlife managementsupportsand they cut the back-country supports. Sixteen years. Now, I know the memberoverthere is going “16 years.” He’s already, I can tell…. He’s going: “Oh yeah. Here they go, 16 years.” ButI’d justlike to remind him thatthey too, on that side, had their favourite number that they used to like to…. Interjections. Hon. M. Farnworth:Exactly. There you go.

I’d like to remind him that for 16 years his party did sit on this sideof the House, and so very many of those issues thathe is talking aboutand is concerned aboutthatweren’t directly and specifically mentioned in the throne speech in specificnumbers…. The reason is because his party failed to deal with those issues on that side of the House. They did that with so m any other areas of government policy, whether it is B.C.

Hydro, whether it is ICBC, whether it was education and the constant feuding with teachers, the constant desire to be taking them to court, wasting tax dollars on courtfightsthatthey knew thatthey were going to lose…. [11:45 a.m.] Interjection. Hon. M. Farnworth:Oh, he’s upsetbecause I’m layingout a record of the last 16 years to enlighten him as to…. Interjections. Hon. M. Farnworth:Itmostcertainly is arecord. The fact is, it is a record.

You guys took the teachers to court time and time again, and every singletime you lost.The resultwas that when we won this election, you had the biggest mess of ICBC in the history of this province. You hadthe biggest mess atB.C. Hydro this province has everseen. You hadan education system where parentsfeltthatthey were pawns in adispute between governmentand teachers. Those are facts. That was that government’s record. So we have a challenge of addressing and fixing those messes. In the throne speech, we’ve laid outhow we’re going to do that.We’ve seen itwith actions from this government right from the get-go.

In my own constituency of Port Coquitlam…. People from the Tri-Citiesand south of the Fraserwere punished by an unfairtolling policy thatmeantthata working family in my comm unity…. If two peoplelived in PortCoquitlam and were working south of the Fraser— in Surrey, for example, as many peoplewere — they were paying, between the two of them, $3,000 ayearto cross the PortMann orthe Golden Ears bridges in after-tax dollars — $3,000 a year. Thatdoes not include the small business man I talked to during the election campaign. The small business man was telling me that it was costing his company $15,000 a month.

So we laid out a program that was fair to people, that addressed the costs of affordability. When we came and formed government,in ourfirstthrone speech, we laid that out— making life more affordable. We took those tolls off. That’s putmore money back in the pocketsof ordinary, hard- workingfamiliesin my constituency and throughoutthe Tri- Cities. That’s what an agenda based on…. Interjections. Deputy Speaker: Members. Hon. M. Farnworth:Thank you, hon. Speaker. It’s unfortunate I don’t have…. I’m just getting going. Hon. A. Dix: Unanimous consent. Hon. M.

Farnworth:I suppose I could, buteven I, Minis- ter of Health, must be fed at noon. I hearthe howls overthere: “How is itgoing to be paid?” Tuesday, February 20, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2741

Well, it’s paid the same way that every otherinfrastructure is paid in this province. I didn’t see you making howls, for example, when roadimprovementstook placein Kam loops. I didn’t see you making howls on taking the tolls off the Coquihalla so many years ago. Thatwas quite okay. I didn’t see them rushing to puttolls on the Sea to Sky Highway. So why is itokay to nothave tolls on the Coquihalla,butit’s not okay to take the tolls off the Port Mann Bridge? Well, I’lltellyou something.

I willstand with the people in my riding on theirsupportfortaking the tolls off the Port Mann Bridge over the desire of that side of the House to make them continuepaying up to $3,000 of after-taxincome every year. We stand foraffordability on this side. They stand for tax breaks for the top 1 percent. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Now, let’s geton with anotherissuethatthe members have talked about— thatwe haven’tlaid a plan outproperly on infrastructure.

I have to congratulate a government— and I’m proud to be partof agovernment— whose firstactions in this throne speech, one of the key announcements that was made…. It’s about fairness. It’s about ensuring all parts of British Columbia are treated equitably. My colleague the Minister of Health…. Interjection. Hon. M. Farnworth:Oh, hang on. I hear the member talking about hospital taxes.

I’m wondering if the…. [11:50 a.m.] I know the Minister of Health made an announcement abouta hospitalin Williams Lake, if I’m notmistaken — a government so commi tted to fairness that one of the first actsthey are doing is anew hospitalin Williams Lake, arid- ing not held by us. What we are doing is ensuring fairness. Then a second capital, anotherhospitalproject,if I’m not mistaken. Mills Memorialreplacement,up in Terrace, Brit- ish Columbia, again represented by an opposition member.

Thatkind of fairness and equitabletreatmentwe didn’tsee from thatsideof the House for 16 years, where more often than not, decisions were made on the basis of what party holds a particular riding. Our throne speech is designed to deal with issues of affordability. Education is critical to people in my com- munity. It’s criticalto the long-term economic future of Brit- ish Columbia. We need to know thatwe’ve gotteachers who are trained. Interjections. Hon. M. Farnworth:What I like is…. As much as the heckling is going on, and the chatter, ittells you two things.

One is thatthey’re listening, which in my time in this House, I’ve alwaysthoughtis alotbetterthan givingaspeechto total silence — right? — which means they’re not listening. Education.

We’ve laid out an ambitious plan to address the education shortfall, notonly in terms of the capitalthat’s needed in ourprovince to dealwith the fast-growing areas thatare occurring in Surrey and PortCoquitlam and other partsof the Lower Mainland, but also to ensure that we’ve got the right number of teachers, which is why, after the Supreme Courtdecision, one of the firstthings we did was hire allthose teachers thatare needed, and more teachers are going to be hired. We’re building schools in my own riding of PortCoquit- lam. The throne speech thatlaid outthe plan….

We’ve just mostrecently announced — the Ministerof Education was in my comm unity — Irvine Elementary School. That was a school that had been a priority for district 43 for quite a numberof years. Yetforsome reason, overthe last16 years, itneverkeptmaking itup. The districthad itup here, and somehow, it kept falling back down there. Parentswere outdoor-knocking.

In fact,I was outdoor- knockingwiththem in the pouringrain lastOctober, gather- ing signatures to letthe governmentknow justhow import- antthis schoolwas, thatitwas criticalto replaceIrvine Ele- mentary, which was a cinder-block school built on a very poorfoundation. If there was an earthquake, forexample, it would come tumbling down.

Well, I’m proudto be partof agovernmentthatrecognizes the importanceof that.I’m proudto be partof agovernment thathas a plan foreducation, thathas a plan forhealth care, thathas aplan to dealwith the transportation infrastructure requirementsthatare notgoing to justhelp constituentsbut help build the economy of this province. I know thatthe eagerand attentive ears on the otherside of the House wouldlove to hearmore. ButI also know many of them are desirous to get some lunch. Interjection. Hon. M. Farnworth:You know what,hon.

Member?As much as I wouldlike to agree to yourwish, I do know that a lotof peopleare hungry. Itis close to the hour. So noting the hour, I willreserve my rightto continue, and I adjourn the debate. Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of debate. Motion approved. Hon. M. Farnworth moved adjournment of the House. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until1:30 this afternoon. The House adjourned at 11:54 a.m. 2742 British Columbia Debates Tuesday, February 20, 2018

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Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20180220am-Hansard-n81
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20180220am Hansard n81
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	7ef071cf6b5a0da85e8e1d97f4a257c7b6c347c2

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