First Session, 43rd Parliament

Official Report

of Debates

( Hansard )

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Morning Sitting

Issue No. 49

The Honourable Raj Chouhan , Speaker

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

Contents

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Statements

Message of Appreciation for Vancouver-Kensington MLA

Sheldon Clare

Introductions by Members

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill 13 — Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2025

Hon. Niki Sharma

Members’ Statements

Trey Helten

Claire Rattée

Red Dress Day and Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit

People

Harwinder Sandhu

Volunteerism

Donegal Wilson

NaloxHome and Overdose Prevention Work by Chloe Goodison

Jennifer Blatherwick

Contributions of Ed Fast

Korky Neufeld

Sookarama Event and Community Organizations in Sooke

Dana Lajeunesse

Ministerial Statements

Response to Violent Incident at Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver and Support for Filipino

Community

Hon. David Eby

John Rustad

Jeremy Valeriote

Mable Elmore

Oral Questions

Mental Health Services for Persons with Severe Mental Illness

John Rustad

Hon. David Eby

Elenore Sturko

Electoral Reform and Public Participation in Democracy

Rob Botterell

Hon. Niki Sharma

Access to Mental Health and Addiction Services in Northern B.C.

Kiel Giddens

Hon. David Eby

Mental Health Services for Persons with Severe Mental Illness

Á’a:líya Warbus

Hon. Josie Osborne

Mental Health Services and Community Safety and Violence Prevention

Korky Neufeld

Hon. David Eby

Sheldon Clare

Rosalyn Bird

Community Safety and Involuntary Care for Mental Health Issues

Trevor Halford

Hon. David Eby

Tabling Documents

Office of the Auditor General, independent audit report, Ensuring the Quality of Legal Aid Representation Services , April 2025

Climate change accountability report, 2024

Zero-emission vehicle update, 2024

Orders of the Day

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs

Hon. Ravi Kahlon

Linda Hepner

Peter Milobar

Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions (continued)

Hon. Adrian Dix

Larry Neufeld

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

The House met at 10:03 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers and reflections: Jody Toor.

Introductions by Members

Rosalyn Bird : Good morning. It is my pleasure this morning to introduce a contingent of highly

dedicated constituents from Prince George — Coun. Garth Frizzell, Coun. Kyle Sampson

and Coun. Susan Scott. They are accompanied by senior adviser, intergovernmental relations,

Catharine Sikobe; and our city manager, Walter Babicz.

[10:05 a.m.]

They will be visiting for a few days, so if you see them in the halls, please stop

and say hello and take a few minutes to chat.

Will everybody here please make them feel welcome today and throughout the precinct

this week.

Hon. Adrian Dix : Today we have in the gallery members of the Filipino community who have joined us

for the statements by party leaders and by our colleague from Vancouver-Kensington.

I want to acknowledge their strength and courage in being with us today — they give

us strength and courage — and to express the solidarity of all members of the House

with their grief in this moment.

I want to particularly acknowledge my friend, the financial secretary of the Hospital

Employees Union, Betty Valenzuela, who is in the gallery. Betty is an extraordinary

leader in our province, leader of the labour movement, leader of hospital workers,

leader of her community. She, joined with many others, is a strength today.

I’d ask everyone in the House to join me in making our guests welcome.

Hon. David Eby : As the Minister of Energy has noted, we have many guests from the Filipino community

joining us today for statements from the leaders of the parties and from the member

from Kingsway. I will do my best to recognize as many of them as possible.

Melissa Badua is here, and she is the president of the Bayanihan Cultural and Housing

Society.

Mike Caparas, the president of the Victoria Filipino-Canadian Association.

Tita Quigley, president of the Victoria Filipino-Canadian Seniors Association.

Annette Beech, president of the Victoria Filipino-Canadian Association.

Isidoro Emmanuel, BFCA board member.

Dominga Passmore, BCHS board member.

Ronnie Nicolasora, HEU.

Betty has already, of course, been introduced by the Minister of Energy.

Janice Lozano, United Filipino-Canadian Association in B.C.

Cliff Belgica.

Christian Cunanan, from the United Filipino-Canadian Association in B.C.

Bert Parungao.

Rey Fortaleza — Rey is a former Olympic boxer and community leader.

They’re all joining us.

Please, will the House join me in making them feel very welcome here today.

Hon. Jennifer Whiteside : We are really honoured to be joined today on the legislative precinct by a number

of scientists, professors, assistant professors across our academic system, who are

joining us as part of Science Meets Parliament B.C. 2025, organized by the Canadian

Science Policy Centre.

While there are more than two dozen scientists who are joining us today to have conversations

with us as decision-makers about how we can better use scientific evidence in decision-making,

I just want to say that in these times, when sometimes the truth and the facts become

casualties, it is so important that we take every opportunity we can to learn from

those who are on the front lines of generating knowledge, of doing the scientific

research that is so critical in helping us make decisions about how to make good decisions

on behalf of our communities and our province.

Would the House please join me in welcoming all of the scientists who are joining

us on the precinct today?

Hon. Randene Neill : I would like to give a warm welcome, and I hope you’ll all join me, to the 18 young

folks from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society young leaders in conservation

program, along with CPAWS’s Tori Ball and Eden Luymes.

CPAWS B.C. does absolutely amazing work protecting our wilderness in B.C. and working

to support sustainable livelihoods and advance reconciliation with First Nations.

[10:10 a.m.]

The Minister of Environment and I look very much forward to having lunch with you

today.

Please rise.

Please help me in giving them a warm welcome.

Steve Kooner : I heard the Premier’s address, and three of the people that were mentioned that are

in the gallery today are my personal friends — Cliff Belgica, Christian Cunanan and

Rey Fortaleza.

From this side of the House, we’d also like to welcome them.

Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert : I want to welcome a man who has served this province well as a lawyer, as a judge

and as a dad.

He has raised two wonderful kids with his wife Satwinder who now work with us here

in the building. They asked not to be named, but I will name him, Bill Sundhu.

Welcome to the Legislature.

Hon. Josie Osborne : I’m so pleased to welcome Guy Felicella to the House today.

Guy is a powerful speaker about the toxic drug crisis, and he widely shares his personal

experience with addiction, harm reduction, stigma, homelessness and recovery. But

most importantly, Guy believes in people. Through his work, he provides hope for recovery,

and he inspires so many of us to continue to do our work to support people in every

single aspect of their healing journey.

Would the House please join me in making Guy feel most welcome.

Susie Chant : This morning I have a friend in the gallery who I met very long ago at HMCS Discovery

when he was a brand-new officer cadet and I was a senior petty officer and, therefore,

very scary.

He is a young man that I mostly see in uniform, either as a citizen sailor with the

reserves or as a member in high standing and always at various events with St. John

Ambulance. He also works with B.C. Hydro, keeping the electricity running in our province,

and he provides service in so many ways.

The young man’s name is Mario Liverant, and he’s in Victoria right now continuing

his officer training with the reserves.

I’d just like the House to make him very welcome.

Brennan Day : I’d like to pre-welcome the grade 10 class from Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Academy.

Ms. Tansky will be inheriting my son in eight years, so I wish her all the best when

she gets here. She’s definitely going to need it.

Jessie Sunner : I just want to echo some of the welcomes that the Premier and the Minister of Energy

have made. I would like to welcome my very good friend Ronnie Nicolasora, who was

the person, when I started at the Hospital Employees Union, who I shared an office

with and truly considered my office dad.

He is such a wonderful human being. Any picket line, he will be there serving soup

and food and doing it out of the kindness of his heart. He won’t miss a single birthday

or any occasion throughout the year to wish you well. He’s such a kind, kind soul.

It’s wonderful to see you here, and please know we stand with you every single day

here in our hearts.

Please make him feel welcome.

Interjection.

The Speaker : Oh, sorry.

Member.

Sheldon Clare : Despite that I am wearing a very light shade of blue this morning, I am saddened

that you didn’t recognize me right away.

Statements

Message of Appreciation

for Vancouver-Kensington MLA

Sheldon Clare : I wanted to rise today and acknowledge the tremendous service, courage and just plain

good common sense and cultural sensitivity shown by the member for Vancouver-Kensington.

I know it was a very, very horrible weekend for her personally, and I just wanted

to acknowledge that I see she’s attending here today. I wanted to thank her for her

service. She did an awful lot on Saturday, and I think it’s worthy of this House to

recognize that.

[10:15 a.m.]

[Applause.]

Introductions by Members

Paul Choi : I’m very excited to welcome Prof. Victor Ramraj today in the House.

He’s a law professor, director of the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives at the University

of Victoria and former vice-dean for academic affairs at the National University of

Singapore. He’s co-director of the Centre for Transnational Legal Studies in London,

a global consortium of law schools. He’s a former judicial law clerk at the Federal

Court of Appeal.

He has held visiting appointments at universities such as Thailand and Japan and the

University of Toronto, and he has just freshly returned from Macau as a co-panellist

at the Asia Universities Summit. He is a big supporter, also, of the Filipino community.

Please, if I can get all the House to join me to make him feel very welcome today.

Hon. Lisa Beare : I have the honour of welcoming 65 students from Thomas Haney Secondary today on the

precinct, accompanied by their teacher, Chris Connolly.

Thomas Haney happens to be my alma mater. I was in the second grad class ever there,

which now gives you my age, if anyone wants to look that up.

Please make them feel welcome today.

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

Bill 13 — Miscellaneous Statutes

Amendment Act, 2025

Hon. Niki Sharma presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor: a bill

intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2025.

Hon. Niki Sharma : I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time now.

I am pleased to introduce Bill 13, the Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2025.

This bill amends the following statutes: Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District

Act, Housing Supply Act, Islands Trust Act, Local Elections Campaign Financing Act,

Local Government Act, Professional Governance Act, Vancouver Charter, Wildfire Act

and Wildlife Act. The bill also makes consequential clarifying and related amendments

to other statutes.

We’ll be pleased to elaborate on the nature of the amendments during the second reading

of the bill.

The Speaker : Members, the question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. Niki Sharma : I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the

next sitting of the House after today.

Motion approved.

Members’ Statements

Trey Helten

Claire Rattée : I rise today with a heavy heart to honour the life of Trey Helten, who passed away

tragically last week.

Just three days before his passing, I had the privilege of spending time with Trey.

True to his nature, he was teaching and giving, taking the time to give me and other

friends a refresher on naloxone training, a skill that saves lives every day.

Trey dedicated much of his life to helping others, especially those struggling with

mental health challenges and addictions on the Downtown Eastside. He was a tireless

advocate, a mentor and a lifeline for countless people who often had no one else.

Trey’s leadership wasn’t loud or self-serving. It was quiet, fierce and deeply rooted

in compassion. He fought every day to create hope where many had given up.

I first met Trey when we were both in active addiction. When I reconnected with him

a few months ago, I was struck by how profoundly moving it was to see how far he had

come in his recovery. His life was often difficult, and he faced many challenges,

but no matter how many times he fell down, he got back up. It was that determination

that he exemplified through his work he has done on the Downtown Eastside.

His impact didn’t stop there though. Trey helped shift conversations around mental

health and substance use across British Columbia. He believed in solutions, real recovery

and building systems that treated people with dignity rather than judgment.

His work to spearhead the peer recovery navigator program has been profoundly impactful

in the fight against addiction. His efforts will not be in vain, because there are

thousands of people who have been positively impacted by Trey, and we will continue

that work in his memory.

Trey’s life reminds us that some of our greatest heroes are not found in positions

of power but on the front lines of our communities, standing shoulder to shoulder

with those society too often leaves behind.

His loss is profound. My thoughts are with his family, his friends, his colleagues

and the many people whose lives he touched. Tragically, he leaves behind a son and

an unborn child, but I know that they will grow up to be fiercely proud of the man

that their father was.

[10:20 a.m.]

Trey was a fighter, a teacher and, above all, a friend. His legacy will live on in

every life he helped save, in every person he gave hope to and in every conversation

he sparked about building a better and more compassionate future.

Red Dress Day and Action for

Missing and Murdered Indigenous

Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People

Harwinder Sandhu : Today I rise to recognize the upcoming National Day of Awareness for Missing and

Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People — Red Dress Day.

This day is a solemn reminder of the deep and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous

women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. In Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQIA+

people and every red dress we see hanging across our communities, there is a life,

a daughter, a mother, a sister, a friend — each one cherished, loved and each one

deserving of safety, protection and remembrance.

In Vernon and across the North Okanagan, communities are gathering to honour these

lives. The Vernon and District Métis Association will host a gathering on May 4, and

North Okanagan Friendship Centre will hold a ceremony on May 5, both offering spaces

for healing, for remembrance and for renewed commitment to justice.

But remembrance alone is not enough. We must confront the colonialism, the systemic

racism, ongoing embarrassing denialism by some and the gender-based violence that

allows this national tragedy to continue. We must demand change not just in our words

but in our actions.

As an ally, I stand shoulder to shoulder with the Indigenous communities. Whenever

possible, I join the annual march for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls

in Vancouver, standing strong in solidarity with them, listening, learning and committing

to be a part of the change.

Today and every day we honour the resilience, the courage and unwavering voices of

Indigenous families, survivors and advocates. Their fight for justice is a call to

all of us to act, to amplify and to never turn away. Let us build a future where every

Indigenous woman, girl and two-spirit person is safe, respected and empowered.

We owe them nothing less.

Volunteerism

Donegal Wilson : Today I want to take a moment to celebrate the heart of our communities, our volunteers.

In rural British Columbia, volunteerism isn’t just

an act of service; it’s a way of

life. It’s what keeps our small towns and rural communities strong, connected and

thriving. Volunteers are the first to step up when help is needed, often filling gaps

where formal services are stretched thin.

Across our province, volunteers contribute more than 114 million hours every year.

That is the equivalent of over 60,000 full-time jobs. That’s an extraordinary contribution

for many rural areas. It’s not just helpful; it’s essential. Without volunteers, many

of the services, events and programs we depend on simply wouldn’t exist.

Volunteerism is about more than giving back. It’s about building up, building stronger

communities, deeper connections, helping our neighbours and a shared sense of belonging.

The spirit of volunteerism also strengthens our economy. The non-profit sector is

a major employer in British Columbia, creating meaningful work opportunities, especially

for women and newcomers to Canada. In fact, over 72 percent of those employed in the

non-profit sector are women, and over half come from immigrant backgrounds, a reflection

of how volunteering and community service build an inclusive, vibrant province for

everyone.

To every volunteer, whether you give an hour a month or dedicate countless hours each

week: thank you. Thank you for making our communities safer, healthier, stronger and

more connected. Your efforts are seen, they are valued, and they make a difference

every single day.

As we celebrate Volunteer Week, let’s all take a moment to thank a volunteer, support

a local organization or even find a way to give back ourselves. It’s through small

acts of kindness and generosity that we continue to build the strong, resilient communities

we are so proud to call home.

Happy Volunteer Week and, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

[10:25 a.m.]

NaloxHome and Overdose Prevention

Work by Chloe Goodison

Jennifer Blatherwick : This last weekend was difficult. There were some very dark moments. But I want to

be very grateful for the bright core of joy that I was able to experience at the morning

of the Lapu-Lapu festival and, also, in my community.

It is not very often that you get to be at the beginning of something that is beautiful,

at the beginning of the journey of a leader. I was very lucky to be present at the

beginning of the journey of Chloe Goodison, who is the founder and now executive director

of a tiny non-profit called NaloxHome. When Chloe was in high school, she worked with

the Tri-Cities opioid overdose action committee and, together with a local Indigenous

artist, Christine Mackenzie, created an incredible, beautiful mural that still hangs

in our local library.

But for Chloe, expressing her feelings was not enough. She wanted to do something,

and she had a deep belief that young people could achieve so much if they just reached

out to other people who are like them. So when she got to SFU, she founded NaloxHome,

an organization that trained other young students to go out into the community and

to speak — to talk about stigma, to talk about safety, to talk about recognizing the

signs of overdose and then how to counteract them using naloxone.

Chloe and her team started with a tiny core of 17 people. I started seeing them at

festivals, at community cleanups, at clothing drives. There they were in their purple

shirts handing out naloxone, getting people to practise by injecting oranges and sharing

their deep and passionate commitment to making the world better.

This January they will have educated 30,000 people in our province on how to prevent

overdose.

I want to raise my hands to them for the strength and courage of their journey and

the passion of their hearts.

Contributions of Ed Fast

Korky Neufeld : All of us have certain individuals that stand above all others in our local communities.

It is my honour to be here today to recognize an outstanding individual who has dedicated

so much of his life to serving Abbotsford, Canada and beyond — former Member of Parliament,

the Hon. Ed Fast.

Ed has been a public servant for 19 years as the Member of Parliament for Abbotsford.

On May 18, 2011, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Ed to his cabinet

to serve as Minister of International Trade. He assumed his responsibility for the

include free trade agreements with the European Union, South Korea and Ukraine, and

negotiations on the original Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Ed introduced a private member’s bill, C-277, to amend the Criminal Code to increase

from five to ten years in prison the maximum sentence for luring children over the

internet for sexual purposes, which received royal assent in 2007 and became the law

of Canada.

But his public service journey began long before that. Ed’s commitment to Abbotsford

started in 1985 when he was first elected to the Abbotsford school board, where he

served two terms.

In 1996, he was elected to Abbotsford city council and served three terms. It was

from there that he went on to serve this country as MP for Abbotsford in 2006.

Over the years, Ed has witnessed many changes, faced challenges and demonstrated resilience.

In 2016, after suffering a stroke, Ed faced a difficult road to recovery. But true

to his character, he overcame that challenge with determination.

Throughout all these years, Ed has been supported by his loving wife, Annette, who

has been by his side for more than 40 years. Together they have built a life and a

family in Abbotsford, raising four daughters and now proudly watching as they have

12 grandchildren.

Ed, your dedication to our community, your unwavering commitment to our public service

and your resilience have made Abbotsford and Canada a better place.

As you now prepare for retirement from public life, I want to personally thank you

and Annette for your sacrifice, for your hard work, for your selfless service. Your

legacy will continue to inspire us all.

Former hon. Member of Parliament Ed Fast.

Sookarama Event and

Community Organizations in Sooke

Dana Lajeunesse : Today I’d like to recognize the incredible work of the Sooke Lions Club and thank

them for the vision that inspired their annual Sookarama event that showcases what

many of the local businesses and non-profits have to offer. Having attended on more

than one occasion, I’m always struck by the diversity and passion of the organizations

represented.

[10:30 a.m.]

I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge and commend just a few of these organizations

for their tireless work.

Amber Academy for fostering creativity and artistic expression among local youth.

Sooke Women in Business.

Sooke.Live radio, which is a new addition to the community that provides a platform for community

voices and local broadcasting.

The Harmony Project for promoting music and education and youth development.

Sooke Family Resource Society, which provides essential support services for families.

Sooke Region Communities Health Network for advocating for community health and wellness.

Also, Sheringham Lighthouse Society for preserving the region’s maritime heritage.

Sooke Fine Arts Society, showcasing artistic talent and cultural enrichment via the

creation of Vancouver Island’s longest-running juried art show.

Sooke Autism Support.

Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra.

Sooke Transition House, providing safe haven for those escaping domestic violence.

Sooke Region Museum for preserving the region’s local history.

This annual event is not just a showcase; it’s a testament to the collective strength

and resilience of the region. Each organization with its unique mission contributes

to a network of support, culture and development that highlights the power of volunteer

organizations.

I’d once again just like to thank the Sooke Lions Club for hosting such an incredible

annual event, for allowing residents and visitors alike to become familiar with so

many of the programs and services available.

Ministerial Statements

Response to Violent Incident at

Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver

and Support for Filipino Community

Hon. David Eby : Thank you to members for supporting this important opportunity for us to reflect

on the horrific events of the weekend.

Our province is mourning, the country is mourning, people around the world are mourning

the senseless murder of 11 people in our province, and the maiming and injuring of

dozens more, during a celebration of a community that is loved, that is respected,

that is foundational to our province.

It’s hard for any British Columbian to not have been touched in some way by a member

of the Filipino community. It’s a community that is disproportionately represented

in all of our caregiving in the province, whether it’s in the hospital, whether it’s

in care homes, whether it’s one-on-one care. It’s a community that’s been specifically

recognized for their contributions to nursing in this country. This is a community

that gives and gives and gives.

On the morning of the attack, I stood on the stage with many of my colleagues here,

with colleagues from across the way, to celebrate that community that too often has

been overlooked, working away tirelessly for us. We stood on the stage together with

many aspiring officeholders — local government, provincial, federal — to celebrate

the community and the amazing work done by the member for Vancouver-Kensington and

her team in her community office and the team at Filipino B.C. in pulling together

a cultural celebration, the second, on a beautiful sunny day.

First of all, I’d like to say it was an amazing celebration. The organizers did an

incredible job. People had a wonderful time. The actions of one man can’t take away

from that. This group has raised the profile of Filipinos in the province and brought

us together to celebrate that community, and that should be recognized.

For those who are mourning right now, loved ones who died…. And I know all British

Columbians are seeing that family, the five-year-old leaving a 16-year-old orphan

behind, staring out at us from our TV screens and from the cover of the newspaper,

all of us with a knot in our stomach about the senselessness of this tragedy.

For those of you who are mourning, and we count ourselves among you: we stand with

you.

For those of you who are in hospital, injured, recovering, some in critical condition,

for you and your families: we stand with you.

[10:35 a.m.]

I want to thank the amazing first responders. I mentioned it the next day, but I am

still so moved by the sequence of events: of dispatchers overwhelmed; at the paramedic

service saying, “We’re not going to be able to get to everybody in the way that we’d

like to. There’s just too much demand,” and then almost instantaneously we had paramedics

calling in. “We’ve added seven more cars. We’ll be able to meet the demand.”

The paramedics were just one group who stepped up in this way. There were so many:

doctors, the nurses in the hospitals who worked late and who came in, the lab technicians

in the hospital, people who keep the hospital clean and running. Every person in the

care teams in those urgent responses stepped up.

The fire department, the police department — responding to a scene of unimaginable

horror. It will be with them for the rest of their lives. The heroism wasn’t limited

to the professionals. There were people who were witness to the event, did CPR, tried

to ease the suffering of those who were injured, tried to assist those who witnessed

the unimaginable.

At three o’clock in the morning, volunteers from the Lapu-Lapu Day festival went out

to take down tents beside an active crime scene investigation because they had to,

and they didn’t sleep. The member for Kensington didn’t sleep because her office became

a triage centre for the whole community.

On behalf of the province of B.C., on behalf of all the members of the government

caucus, to the Filipino community: we stand with you through this.

I know that this community, this province, will come out of this horrific event stronger.

The Filipino community pulls together in moments of adversity like no other. They

always stand together and come through stronger.

This will be no exception. This time they’ll have the whole province standing with

them together.

John Rustad : I want to thank the Premier for his words here today.

It’s hard to imagine this event. Hundreds of thousands of British Columbians just

over the last couple of weeks came together in celebrations, out on streets, celebrating

with families; enjoying what great things we have to offer British Columbia; providing

food, free water, friendship; bringing unity of people together.

This event — I can’t imagine how this could happen. The Lapu-Lapu festival is the

Filipino community coming together to celebrate a hero of bravery and hope, to celebrate

on the street and to bring people together and to share those values with people in

British Columbia.

I want to start by saying my heartfelt condolences to the families, to those injured,

to those who’ve been killed, to the whole community. It’s unimaginable to think that

something, a tragedy like this could happen. It, unfortunately, has changed all of

us. Certainly, for the Filipino community, the impact will take a long time to get

over.

I do know the Filipino community a little bit. I’ve had the honour and pleasure to

attend some events with them over the years, to get to know families. They’re such

a caring people. They are people that are so dedicated and devoted to family, to working

hard, to improving lives and not just for them but for everyone they touch, for everyone

that they’re involved with and come across.

I think it’s one of the reasons why so many of them participate and work in our care

facilities, whether it is personal care, whether it’s home care, whether it’s in our

hospitals, because it’s in their nature as to who they are.

[10:40 a.m.]

I really want to thank the Filipino community for what they do, for everything that

they provide for all of us in British Columbia and, most importantly, for that hope,

that bravery, that love that they share so openly with everyone they come in contact

with.

At a time like this, and with such tragedy that has touched our hearts, there is a

huge time for grieving and also for answers. We need to know how to resolve this;

how to make sure that these sort of things can never happen again; how we can come

together, from all sides politically, and fight for those changes that are needed,

fight for the things that are important, fight to make sure that support is there

for the community and that celebrations like this can go on and be strengthened and

be honoured.

The Filipino community is grieving. There’s no question. And they will for many days,

months, weeks, years. I was never fortunate enough to have children, but I can’t imagine

what it’s like for a community and for individuals and families to face such tragedy

and loss and find some way to be able to go on.

I think it’s incumbent upon all of us, as elected officials, to be able to be there

in support, to be able to find answers, to be able to make sure that we can reassure

the community that we stand with them, that we will be there, that we will fight and

that we’ll make sure that the changes that are needed will happen.

It’s what I know each of us as elected officials are devoted to doing — to being here

for the families, to being here for that change, to being here to try to make those

improvements. I know that as we go through and ask hard questions, as we deal with

issues of mental health, if we deal with issues in our communities, this will always

be at a heart, and this will have touched us and affected us and changed us.

This is the darkest day that we have seen in Vancouver, probably in British Columbia.

I can’t think of a community that is more loving and more caring. That it would have

to go through this kind of a suffering and tragedy, I mean, it’s just unimaginable.

I want to say once again to the Filipino community and to all British Columbians and

those around the world that are grieving that our thoughts and prayers are with you,

that we will do everything we can to support the families, to support the community.

We’ll do everything we can to fight for the changes that are necessary to try to make

sure a tragedy like this can never happen again.

Jeremy Valeriote : Thank you to the Premier and the Leader of the Official Opposition for their words.

A huge amount of gratitude and appreciation, particularly, for the member for Vancouver-Kensington

for the strength and support you’ve shown for your community. I look forward to your

reflections on all that you’ve absorbed over the past three days.

The events of Saturday evening, where a community that was celebrating its history

and its culture were so tragically marked, will stay in our hearts and our thoughts.

To the entire Filipino community across British Columbia and around the world: we

stand in solidarity with the pain that you feel today, and our thoughts are with you.

What should have been a joyous celebration of a rich culture and heritage ended in

devastating loss, and we join you in mourning those whose lives were taken so senselessly.

I thank you for allowing us to stand beside you, to grieve with you and to share in

your vigils.

In times like this, it can be easy to call for snap judgments and quick decisions

for more policing, for incarcerating people who don’t look or act like we do. I ask

this House not to fall into that trap. I urge all of us to remember that the vast

majority of people who experience mental illness are not violent and, in fact, are

more likely to be the victim of violence than to be the perpetrator.

In this House, we may occasionally reinforce stigma and do harm to those who least

deserve it. I urge us all to be careful with our words and our actions and to avoid

reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

[10:45 a.m.]

What will make us safer is building an equitable society where people can access the

supports that they need; where people experiencing a mental health challenge can access

culturally safe, prompt and comprehensive care; where we can all live free from racism,

bullying and discrimination, feeling loved, included and able to be exactly who we

are, no matter who we are, no matter where we come from, no matter where we live and

no matter where we find and celebrate community.

Mable Elmore : I would like to thank you for the opportunity to say a few words about the shocking

murders that occurred on Saturday at the Lapu-Lapu festival. It was a shocking tragedy

for our province, for our city but, most of all, to our Filipino community. We are

so, so devastated by what has happened.

I want to start by, once again, saying my heart goes out to the victims, their families,

those who were injured and the many volunteers and witnesses who were there when the

incident happened and have been traumatized by it. You are our priority.

The province, the Premier, my office and I will continue to provide support to the

families of those who lost their lives or were injured.

The Lapu-Lapu celebration, which is a festival showcasing our Filipino strength and

culture, was just steps away from my office and was to be a celebration of our Filipino

strength and culture. It turned unspeakably tragic due to the actions of one individual,

which has left me and my community in shock. We are heartbroken.

There is grief. There is anger. There is shock. But we can’t let an incident like

this, however horrific, stop us from supporting and gathering within our communities

across B.C. We are collectively shattered, but we are coming together as a community.

We will heal, and we will rebuild.

I want to begin by recognizing the first responders who were on scene immediately,

who came together to provide support and save lives, and many community members across

British Columbia and around the world who have offered support and assistance. It

means a lot. We appreciate it, and it will help us move forward.

I also want to appreciate all the outpouring of support that has come from all levels

of government. I thank the city of Vancouver, the federal government, the consul general

and the ambassador from the Philippines for their ongoing support in this difficult

time.

There’s a lot that needs to come together, and we will continue working with the city,

the province and federal government to make sure there are adequate supports and services

in place. Together, we will all support the community and help ensure the necessary

healing occurs.

I would like to now say something very specifically to those in the Filipino community

who are in incredible pain. We are hurting right now.

The events of this Saturday were horrifying, and their impact cannot be understated.

But we will support each other, and we will help each other move forward. We will

come together out of this catastrophe. The strength we were to celebrate on that day

will be shown as we get through this, as we rebuild. I love you all.

[10:50 a.m.]

Again, we are here for the families of the victims and those who are injured, and

we will stand by those who have been indelibly scarred and devastated. We will come

together. We will support our community, and we will rebuild our community, rebuild

with our great strength.

I want to close by saying that anyone who needs help should seek it out. There is

no reason why you should struggle alone. I encourage anybody who has been impacted

to please reach out. Talk to your friends and family. Get help and get support.

We are here for you. We love you, we care for you, and we’re here for you.

We stand strong together.

Oral Questions

Mental Health Services for

Persons with Severe Mental Illness

John Rustad : In the light of the tragedy, I wish at this point that we could be taking some time

to be doing other work, other than to be asking questions in question period. But

we do need to carry on with the work that we’ve been elected to do in this chamber.

This past weekend’s event, especially for the Filipino community, has set some serious

questions that need to be asked.

Interim police chief Steven Rai has called this the darkest day in the city of Vancouver’s

history, and it may well be the darkest day in British Columbia’s history. Despite

this darkest time, we saw the best in humanity shine through the actions of first

responders and of the bystanders who rushed in doing everything they could to help

and, certainly, in the health care workers around the province and the health care

workers in the Lower Mainland who responded to the code orange, who continue to give

the care. I want to say thank you to all of them.

But even as we grieve, we need to fulfil our duty as members of the Legislature to

ask the difficult questions so that we can ensure that these events will not be repeated.

As a first question to the Premier: does the Premier recognize the current system

is not providing the level of care that people with severe mental illness need, that

is putting British Columbians at risk?

Hon. David Eby : Thank you to the member for the question.

I recognize this is not the ideal moment for question period, but I appreciate the

critical role of the opposition and the need for question period. I thank the member

for recognizing that in his question. I just don’t want the community to think that

this is somehow improper. In fact, this is how the Legislature will get through this.

The question the member asked is an important one. We know that mental health services

are critical for people in the community. For the specific incident, I won’t speculate.

Vancouver Coastal Health has released some information to indicate this man was being

tracked by a care team. He was compliant with his medications. There was not an indication

of violence. It leads to a whole array of further questions for British Columbians,

for me and, I’m sure, for the opposition as well.

Because there’s a current police investigation — 100 police officers right now are

investigating this, ensuring that the evidence is there to convict this man for the

heinous crime that he committed against our community — we’re limited in what we can

release without compromising that investigation. Police will release information as

they can. We want them to do that, encourage them to do that, but not at the expense

of getting a conviction.

In terms of the mental health system generally in the province, we know the province

needs urgent expansion of mental health supports. We just recently opened some beds

for people struggling with mental health addiction and brain injury at Surrey Pretrial.

We’re opening more in Maple Ridge for a different group of people. We have 2,000 beds

in the province that are available for doctors and nurses to use the Mental Health

Act to hold people involuntarily, and those services are available.

People should go to hospital. They should ask for assistance. We know that we need

more. We’re adding 140 more beds at new hospital builds across the province. We’re

going to keep doing that work, because it is a priority.

The Speaker : The Leader of the Official Opposition, supplemental.

[10:55 a.m.]

John Rustad : I know we all share in the grief of the incident, as people around the world do. But

the tragedy and, unfortunately, far too many other incidents around the province caused

by individuals with significant police contacts and related to mental health disorders

have shown an unacceptable pattern in British Columbia where people with serious mental

illness disorders are deteriorating in communities without proper care, without support.

I would ask the Premier to put forward how it is that we can break this pattern. What

is it that we need to be doing as a province to fix the system that is clearly not

meeting needs and, quite frankly, is broken so that we can ensure these people are

receiving the care that they need and we can reassure the families in British Columbia

of the safety and ability to be able to celebrate without fear of these issues happening

in the future?

Hon. David Eby : Again, for this incident, I’m going to refrain from speculating about the contact

this individual had with the system and how the system responded or did not respond

to the needs that he had. It’s an individual that made a decision to drive a vehicle

into a crowd of people, killing elders and children. He should be prosecuted and convicted.

There are two aspects to this. One is the health care system, and there’s the criminal

justice system.

On the criminal justice side, we’re training more police officers to ensure that police

are available to support community events and communities across the province. We’re

tracking repeat violent offenders, 400 in the province, to ensure the courts have

all the information they need, when people are arrested, to detain and hold these

individuals and to intervene with supports if, for example, mental health interventions

will help interrupt that cycle of offending.

We’re opening mental health beds literally in prisons so that individuals who are

in our remand centre in Surrey, for example, are able to get mandatory involuntary

care while in custody to ensure they’re not released back to the community untreated.

We’re opening additional beds for people who aren’t in contact with the criminal justice

system at Maple Ridge, and we will be at other sites across the province.

I know that there are lots of people struggling in our community, very visibly in

communities, particularly in downtown cores. There have been incidents of repeat violent

offenders in our community. I can tell British Columbians that those numbers are coming

down thanks to these programs, and we’re going to continue to expand them to ensure

that people are safe.

With the horrific attack that took place in Vancouver, we’ll look to the criminal

justice system to provide information to the police about what they find in terms

of this individual’s activities before the attacks, how the system responded or didn’t.

If those answers don’t come through the criminal justice system, we will not hesitate

to call a public inquiry to get the answers that British Columbians deserve.

Elenore Sturko : I stood with the Premier and MLAs on both sides of this House to celebrate the community,

the Filipino community, at the Lapu-Lapu festival. I stood beside them again at the

vigil in Kensington Park. And I’m still standing in solidarity to support the victims

and their families and British Columbians.

We also must stand here in this chamber today, because British Columbians deserve

answers. And as our leader, the Leader of the Opposition, said, this is not the first

time we have seen this pattern. It’s been reported that the man accused of murdering

festival attendees had well over 50 police contacts. He had numerous health care contacts

related to mental illness.

According to media reports, just hours before the attack, a family member had contacted

the psychiatric ward at the hospital because the man had a deteriorating mental health

condition. He had police contact just the day before. Despite the fact that the man

had a care team, we know the result. The system failed, and people were killed.

[11:00 a.m.]

To the Premier, how many times does someone in this province have to interact with

police? How many times do they have to interact with the health care system before

effective supports are in place to keep the public and seriously mentally ill people

safe?

Hon. David Eby : I won’t speculate about this particular incident. Police are investigating. I expect

that we will hear answers, from police and from the criminal justice system, about

aspects of what the member is asking. I encourage them to share whatever information

they can as soon as they can, but we won’t compromise the possibility of prosecution

and conviction at this stage.

I also want to say that this man made a decision. He decided to drive a vehicle into

a crowd of people, killing children, killing seniors. He should be criminally tried

and convicted.

For the health care system — the member is a former police officer; she’ll know that

without knowing the specifics of this case, conduct needs to rise to a level before

we can take action to detain someone, to force them into care or arrest them. The

information we have currently from Vancouver Coastal Health is that up to this horrific

murder, the person was compliant with medication and had no indication of violence.

It raises all kinds of questions that the member rightly asks. I don’t have the answers.

Police are investigating that exact question right now.

I would urge British Columbians to let the police do their work to provide us with

the answers and for the court system to provide us with the answers. If those systems

are not able to do so at the earliest opportunity that we can do so without compromising

the police investigation or prosecution, we will call a full public inquiry.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Elenore Sturko : The court’s role is to look at evidence the police will collect, and they will determine

whether or not the accused murderer is guilty, innocent or not guilty as a result

of a mental illness. But it is not the role of the court to do a deep dive on our

mental health care system, where there are clearly gaps in helping British Columbians

who were shaken by the tragic events of this past weekend.

Notwithstanding that further investigation may be underway, the facts already show

a clear and devastating pattern in British Columbia of people with mental illness,

with dozens of police interactions, repeated contacts with the health care system

and countless missed opportunities to ensure effective support was in place. He had

services, but they failed.

How many incidents does the government think it should take before a person is effectively

supported — ten interactions, 20, is it 30? We know that there were more than 50,

perhaps even as many as 100, documented interactions with authorities, a final plea

for help within hours of this tragedy that left 11 people dead and still more in the

hospital.

My question is: how was this allowed to happen?

Hon. David Eby : I won’t join the member in speculating. I won’t join the member in saying, of the

people that were tracking this individual or monitoring him, or the police that interacted

with him, and judging any of the decisions they made.

We don’t know what happened. The investigation is underway. If there were failings

in the system, we will address them. If this was an individual who made a decision

to run down a bunch of people, then he will be prosecuted and convicted and held for

the rest of his life — which, in my opinion, is exactly what needs to happen.

Now, my commitment to the member and to all British Columbians is that I agree with

her. I agree the criminal justice system is not set up to deep-dive into our health

care system. If we do not get the answers from the criminal justice system that British

Columbians are rightly looking for, then we will call a full public inquiry, at the

earliest opportunity to do so without compromising that criminal trial.

Electoral Reform and Public

Participation in Democracy

Rob Botterell : I also wish to acknowledge the earlier heartfelt statements regarding the Lapu-Lapu

festival tragedy.

I also wish to acknowledge that we are proceeding with question period in difficult

circumstances. In asking questions, we mean no disrespect to the horrific events in

the earlier statements.

[11:05 a.m.]

Last night we saw Canadian democracy in action, a system very familiar to British

Columbia. We saw a winner-take-all, first-pass-the-post counting system which locks

us further into an adversarial status quo, where collaboration is the exception rather

than the rule, where people vote based on fear of the worst possible outcome rather

than in support of a vision of the future they would like to see, where parties work

for their own electoral interests rather than collaborating for the best interests

of the public.

To the Premier: how will you modernize the voting system in British Columbia to adequately

honour each person who makes the effort to vote?

Hon. Niki Sharma : I want to thank the member for the question.

Our democracy is very important. It’s important that we have a strong democracy, and

I think what we saw last night was a demonstration of many Canadians participating

in that democracy.

Every time we have a democratic process in B.C., the electoral officer reviews that.

I know there is a select standing committee that will be in place. It will involve

all members of this House and will review that election. As Attorney General, if there

are changes that need to be made under the Election Act to modernize our democracy,

I’ll certainly do so.

The Speaker : Member, supplemental.

Rob Botterell : Thank you for the answer to the first question.

Across Canada and across British Columbia, people are feeling disconnected from institutions,

from decision-making, from each other. We hear that people don’t see their decision-making

reflected, that their voices don’t matter and that their votes don’t count. Trust

in our institutions, including our democracy, is the cornerstone of our system of

government. Our education, health and housing systems suffer when they don’t reflect

the will of the people.

To the Premier: how will you ensure that people feel connected and listened to by

this House?

Hon. Niki Sharma : Again, I share the member’s sentiment. It is important that we have an engaged public

that understands the work that we’re doing here and how important our democratic institutions

are.

That’s the work of all of us. I think the proper place for understanding changes is

not for the government to direct it but for all parties of the select standing committee

to understand how we can make our democracy strong and continue to do so.

I’m glad that we’re having a select standing committee to do just that work. I’ll

be receiving a report from the Chief Electoral Officer at some point about the last

election, and we will continue to do the work of making sure that everybody is involved,

that we have high voter turnout, that people are engaged with this important project

of democracy.

Access to Mental Health and

Addiction Services in Northern B.C.

Kiel Giddens : The head of the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia’s psychiatric board,

backed by 23 community agencies, has been advocating for mental health and addiction

support for patients. They’ve launched a petition to bring a psychiatric hospital

to northern B.C.

There are very few short-term acute psychiatric care beds available in Prince George,

Terrace and Dawson Creek, only 45 of those in total. If anyone in the region requires

a greater level of safe and secure forensic care, there are no beds at all in Northern

Health.

These patients need to somehow be transported to one of only three beds in Kamloops.

The head of psychiatry at UHNBC has said: “We are releasing dangerous patients from

the hospital before they are ready to go, because we have to. There is nowhere else

to send them.”

To the Minister of Health, when will this government bring proper psychiatric care

to Northern Health?

Hon. David Eby : Thank you to the member for the question.

Dr. Daniel Vigo, a special adviser to the province, has been meeting with mental health

specialists from the hospital, has been working with Chief Dolleen Logan and is making

very good progress in identifying solutions for additional mental health services

in the North.

Let me say this. The province has historically centralized intensive mental health

services — for example, at Colony Farm at Riverview — and transported patients across

the province.

[11:10 a.m.]

Our goal is to bring these services to the regions in the province so that people

can get care closer to home, closer to family and support networks who are key to

their success on release. We’ll continue that work. We are very active in the member’s

region in advancing that.

Mental Health Services for

Persons with Severe Mental Illness

Á’a :líya Warbus : Right now a 28-year-old man living in Victoria with schizophrenia is supported by

community housing. His family has been discouraged from seeing him, and because he

is an adult, they have no authority to intervene.

One of his parents told us after what happened on this past weekend that the attacker

could have been their son. This man recently attempted to slit his own throat with

a machete. His main supports are meeting with a support worker once a week for coffee

and a doughnut.

My question. Are these sufficient supports for someone battling serious mental illness?

When can we expect increased supports that are immediate, before someone becomes a

danger and needs to be incarcerated and put into one of these emergency beds?

Hon. Josie Osborne : Thank you so much to the member for the question.

I want to begin by commenting just how important it is that we are having this conversation

here today in the House. Despite the fact that this is question period, this is a

very important time for us to take in the events of this weekend, to really hold people,

and all people who are impacted by the actions of others in situations like these,

close in our hearts and to thank all of the first responders, the health care workers,

mental health counsellors, everybody who is active in this weekend’s incident and

continues to support people.

The member rightly raises concerns for those people who are actively living with mental

health issues and with serious illnesses and the work that we have to continue to

do to support them, in providing for and working with them, not only to have the appropriate

supports but to provide appropriate housing.

That’s why our government maintains a commitment to building out complex care housing

for people who need those kinds of active supports. That is why our budget this year

adds more resources, and as has been spoken about in this House, not just in urban

areas like Victoria or the Lower Mainland, but these supports are actively needed

in more rural and remote areas of the province.

We’re going to continue to do that work. I think what we’re hearing today in the House

is that all parties are deeply committed to this and that we’ll continue to work together

to ask the difficult questions of each other and to use what we learn, in time and

immediately, from incidents that have taken place around British Columbia to strengthen

and bolster the mental health care system for all British Columbians.

Mental Health Services and

Community Safety

and Violence Prevention

Korky Neufeld : Yes, another difficult question.

A tourist visiting from Toronto, Stephanie, came to Vancouver to see the sights, to

visit Stanley Park, experience everything that British Columbia has to offer. Instead,

she was viciously attacked on the Vancouver seawall. She was left beaten with a black

eye and, more importantly, terrified for her life.

Prior to the incident, the attacker’s family had pleaded for him to get mental health

help. Mr. Nungu’s family told the media they called the police because he was having

a mental health crisis, that he was off his medication and that he needed help.

Why didn’t Peterhans Nungu receive the mental health assessment that could have prevented

this brutal attack on Stephanie?

Hon. David Eby : My understanding is that when the family called police, this individual was, in fact,

arrested. This is a matter that is in front of the court. Again, I will continue to

monitor it.

Deeply disturbing to British Columbians. Visitors come to British Columbia to feel

welcome and safe, but all British Columbians should feel safe. We’ll continue to monitor

this file, but I am sure, as well, on this one, we will see information come out through

the criminal justice system.

[11:15 a.m.]

Sheldon Clare : Back in September 2024, a deeply disturbed mentally ill man with a history of over

60 police interactions brutally attacked two innocent people in downtown Vancouver,

killing one man, cutting off his head, and severing another’s hand. Despite prior

convictions and probation for assault and assault causing bodily harm, there were

no effective interventions to prevent this mentally ill–related catastrophic outcome.

Only after this horrifying attack did the Premier announce nine beds to be installed

for the pretrial centre. Now, these beds are only for those who have become entangled

in the justice system. This is after something bad happens.

To the Premier, what will the Premier do to prevent these violent attacks from happening

in the first place?

Hon. David Eby : The member’s timeline is not correct, but we’ve been working with Dr. Daniel Vigo

to ensure that we have a couple of critical pieces in place.

One is the intervention services in community, the ACT teams. These are assertive

community care teams that provide care to people who are struggling in community,

particularly those that are identified by police or community service organizations

as being a particular risk, either themselves or to other people.

Also, we know that many of these individuals are ending up being arrested in our criminal

justice system, so we need to do both things at the same time, and we are. In this

budget, we’re expanding those ACT teams. We’re expanding the care that started with

the Surrey Pretrial beds that the member said, which are, indeed, targeted to people

who are in the pretrial system.

In the coming weeks, we’ll announce additional beds at Alouette in Maple Ridge, where

people are in community, not necessarily involved in the criminal justice system.

That is just the beginning, and we’re going to continue opening beds across the province

for people who are struggling, particularly with health issues, addiction issues and

brain injury all at the same time.

Rosalyn Bird : On October 18, 2022, Const. Shaelyn Yang was killed in the line of duty while trying

to help Burnaby park staff check on a man living in Broadview Park.

The accused who stabbed Constable Yang had been living in the park for months and

was facing assault charges from an incident that occurred seven months before he killed

Constable Yang. He had also been charged with assault and wilfully obstructing a peace

officer in February 2021, two police interactions in the year before he killed a police

officer six months later.

These tragic and preventable incidents continue to occur. Why has it taken this government

so long to just begin to address this historic problem?

Hon. David Eby : I was at the constable’s funeral. It was a moving event, a horrific death, and the

whole community mourned. Police officers put themselves at risk at every call that

they attend. I was thinking about first responders, particularly this weekend, again

putting themselves at risk for all of us.

The member is correct to recall that the tragedy was devastating for the province.

It is one of a series of attacks on police officers nationally of profound concern.

It’s a national issue that we are grappling with. In particular, this incident led

to significant changes around peer-assisted teams in community, around active community

outreach and treatment program expansion to prevent these kinds of incidents.

We’ve got to keep doing this work. We will keep doing this work, and I’ve outlined

much of it that’s underway across the province right now.

[11:20 a.m.]

Community Safety and Involuntary

Care for Mental Health Issues

Trevor Halford : The reality is that on Saturday, people left their homes to take

part in a joyous

occasion, and 11 of those people aren’t coming home. The reality is that Constable

Yang went to work to protect her community, and she didn’t come home. The reality

is that we have not updated our Mental Health Act in any substantial way since 1996.

Right now the reality is that it’s not just the province watching what this Premier

does next. It’s not just Canada watching what this Premier does next. The world is

now watching what we do next. And I can tell you this. In every community, whether

it’s mine or any other member of this House, in all honesty, we are not doing enough

to keep our streets and our people safe. That has unfortunately been proven out time

and again.

My question to the Premier is a direct one. When will he take the necessary action

that we can accomplish in this House to make sure that people can be taken off of

our streets and given the care they need, before these tragic incidents occur again?

Hon. David Eby : In relation to the horrific mass murder that took place over the weekend, our government

has announced we’ll establish an independent commission to move quickly to review

best practice from other jurisdictions, because we know there are other community

organizations that are planning on holding events this summer that are asking: “Should

we hold our event? Can we do it safely?”

We want to make sure they have all the information they need to ensure the event is

as safe as possible so that British Columbians are able to continue celebrating.

In terms of this specific incident, I won’t join the member in his conclusions that

he is drawing already about what happened. Police are investigating that.

What we know is that a man made a decision to drive a vehicle into a crowd of people.

He killed innocent people — 11 and potentially more as people struggle for their lives

in hospital right now. He is rightly charged with murder. He is facing a criminal

trial. I hope he is convicted. I hope he spends the rest of his life behind bars.

As for the system as a whole, British Columbians rightly have questions, as does the

opposition. We will ensure that at our earliest opportunity, if we don’t have those

answers, we will call a full public inquiry so we can get those answers.

But it’s important for the member to know and it’s important for British Columbians

to know that when we look at communities across the province, we are seeing crime

rates come down. These programs intervening with repeat violent offenders, with people

struggling with mental health issues and with criminality generally are driving down

crime rates in the province. It’s not enough. We’ve got to do more.

In Vancouver, a 6 percent drop in overall crime, down 18 percent over 2016. Kelowna

decreased the second year in a row, down 17 percent over the high-water mark in 2022.

In Kamloops, a 14 percent drop over the previous year. The numbers are lower than

2020 and 2021.

This isn’t enough. We’ve got to do more. But it shows that these programs, the work

that we’re doing with police, prosecutors, Crown counsel, social workers and mental

health services, are working. We’ll continue to do that work.

[End of question period.]

Tabling Documents

The Speaker : Hon. Members, I have the honour to table a report from the Auditor General, Ensuring the Quality of Legal Aid Representation Services .

Hon. Adrian Dix : I have the honour to present the 2024 climate change accountability report, pursuant

to the Climate Change Accountability Act.

Also, hon. Speaker, I have the honour to present the 2024 zero-emission vehicle update.

The purpose of this report is to provide data on the status of vehicle suppliers’

compliance with the Zero-Emission Vehicles Act and regulation.

Orders of the Day

Hon. Mike Farnworth : In this chamber, I call estimates debate for the Ministry of Housing and Municipal

Affairs.

In

Section A, the Douglas Fir Room, I call continued estimates debate for the Ministry

of Energy.

[11:25 a.m.]

The House in Committee,

Section B.

The committee met at 11:27 a.m.

[Lorne Doerkson in the chair.]

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of

Housing and Municipal Affairs

The Chair : We’ll call the chamber back to order, where we will be contemplating the estimates

of the Housing and Municipal Affairs Ministry. We’ll call on the minister to move

the vote.

On Vote 33: ministry operations, $1,513,975,000.

The Chair : Minister, do you have any opening remarks?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : Thank you, Chair. Yes.

First off, I want to thank the amazing team here that I’ve got, and not only here.

There are folks in the other room and some in their office, I assume, that are just

amazing. I am just so fortunate to have such a strong team of individuals who are

thoughtful, who are caring, who understand that the work we do impacts all communities

and, in particular, the lens of empathy they bring to the work. I’m only able to do

what I’m able to do because of their amazing work, and I want to say I’m really grateful

to all of them.

I want to welcome the member back. I know we haven’t had a chance to see each other

in person, but it’s great to see the member here.

Of course, housing is a major priority for our government. It’s a major priority for

the province. Although right now tariffs and a whole host of things are top of mind,

we know that it always comes back to housing. Housing is central to the economy, is

central to our health as a community, and it’s critically important for us as we go

forward.

I look forward to the exchange we’re going to have, and I want to thank all members

that are participating, in advance.

[11:30 a.m.]

Linda Hepner : Thank you for your comments. I’m glad to be back in the House, and I hope I have

the stamina that this has been given because we know what an important issue it is

for both sides of the aisle. My questions today to the ministry….

I’m glad to see you’ve brought so many capable people that will be able to help us

answer some of our questions. My key priority areas will include increasing the housing

supply and affordability, as you described, and those measures that you have implemented

in order to do that; supporting home ownership, as opposed to rental; addressing homelessness;

talking a little bit about the action response team, the IHART team; and improving

community livability and infrastructure.

I’m joined here with our critic on Municipal Affairs. I’m sure there will be more

questions and that I can at least turn some of that over as we proceed throughout

the day.

Talking about financial sustainability and good governance for local governments in

improving their prudent financial management and oversight.

Strengthening regulatory systems — that would be providing fair and efficient responsive

residential tenancy services, as well as how we are protecting not only tenants but

ensuring landlords have rights as well.

Reconciliation with the Indigenous people and the off-reserve alignment relative to

the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and advancing those housing

projects.

Finally, the economic and social challenges and reviewing some of the programs under

the ministry for efficiency and how we’re going to address what I would consider now

to be significant constraints, going into, as you described, the tariff situations

that we may be faced with.

My first questions to the minister will be around the Speculation and Vacancy Tax

Act and the revenues, costs and results of that act. We know that in B.C., the prices

are remaining stubbornly high. My questions will be really talking about the stated

goals and the burden that has been imposed administratively on home owners and taxpayers

to comply with some of the requirements.

My first question is to you, Mr. Minister.

Does the minister believe that the speculation and vacancy tax has effectively eliminated

the issues of foreign investment and speculation in British Columbia’s housing market?

If yes, why are home prices still at record highs?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : I’ll start by saying to the member that the speculation and vacancy tax is actually

with the Ministry of Finance. That being said, at a high level, I’m happy to speak

to it. I just want to make sure that I put that on the record at the beginning so

that if there are specific pieces I can’t answer, the member understands why.

On a high level, I would say the speculation and vacancy tax has been effective. It’s

been effective to ensure that the housing in our communities is available for people

in our communities. The member is probably well aware of the impact in Metro Vancouver,

where we saw over 20,000 homes that came onto the market for long-term rental from

the introduction of the speculation and vacancy tax.

We have heard from mayors from around the province who want us to consider expanding

the speculation and vacancy tax to their communities because they are seeing the impact

in other communities.

If the member’s question is, “Do I think it’s been effective,” my answer is yes. I

do believe it’s been effective. I think the member was asking: “Why hasn’t it solved

the entirety of our housing crisis?” One program won’t do that. If that was that easy,

there wouldn’t be a ministry dedicated to this, and everybody in the country would

just do one thing. It’s going to require a whole host of measures.

[11:35 a.m.]

I have spoken on many occasions about needing to address speculation as a key part,

which we’ve been doing. We talk about reducing red tape, so we can get to decisions

quicker, and finding more efficient ways for decision-making to happen. I’m sure we’ll

canvass that, but we have introduced a whole host of legislation over the last few

years, which has led to some greater efficiencies.

It’s going to require investments directly into affordable housing, which we’ll be

canvassing, I’m sure.

Lastly, it’s going to need for us to ensure that we’re protecting some of our existing

housing stock as well, and we are doing that with the rental protection fund.

Those are some important measures. Again, I can speak high level on the speculation

and vacancy tax, but it is a Ministry of Finance measure.

Linda Hepner : Can the minister provide any detailed revenue figures on how much money the speculation

and vacancy tax has generated since its implementation?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : Again, the speculation and vacancy tax is with the Ministry of Finance. I’ll have

the team try to find some numbers from the Ministry of Finance, but it’s better situated

for the estimates of the Ministry of Finance.

Linda Hepner : I’m hearing that the minister suggests that I should ask that question of Finance,

or is the minister prepared to undertake…? Clearly, that is within his ministry, this

kind of tax.

You would think that you would be interested in knowing the kind of revenue that is

bringing in.

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : Again, it’s actually not in our ministry. It’s with the Ministry of Finance, so that’s

what I was getting at.

Linda Hepner : I’ll reserve the right to ask that question later then.

Can the minister then identify how many individuals or households have paid the speculation

tax since it was introduced, and can the minister offer insights into the typical

profile of those taxpayers?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : I think this may get repetitive, because the speculation and vacancy tax is with

the Ministry of Finance. That’s where the information is available. I would direct

the member to estimates with the Ministry of Finance to get at the speculation and

vacancy tax and all the information the member is requiring.

The Chair : Member, I will just warn that we have now heard a couple of times that this may be

directed better toward the Minister of Finance.

Linda Hepner : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was hoping he may have a profile of the kind of taxpayer

that we were imposing this taxation on, so I’ll leave the financial piece of it to

the Ministry of Finance.

In terms of the reporting requirements — let’s move on to that. Do we have any indication

of what it would take, or what it does take, for the ministry to annually incur and

implement and enforce the staffing, the mailing, the advertising, the legal services?

I know we had a deadline, so I’m assuming all of that was clearly within the ministry

and not within Finance.

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : Again, the speculation and vacancy tax is with the Ministry of Finance. They lead

all the elements the member has highlighted — better suited for Ministry of Finance.

Linda Hepner : Then I’m going to move on and talk about the revitalizing. This is also dealing with,

however, investment, introducing foreign investment into British Columbia.

[11:40 a.m.]

A prominent real estate marketer, Bob Rennie, has proposed a program allowing foreign

buyers to invest in rental properties, provided they were to commit to a long-term

rental. This initiative would aim to stimulate housing supply.

Apparently the Premier has signalled a shift in the perspective, acknowledging the

role that investors can play in addressing housing shortages. He has, in fact, expressed

interest in harnessing investments through facilitating more conversation around this.

My first question is a policy question of the minister. Does the ministry support

initiatives that reintroduce potential foreign investment into B.C.’s rental housing

market under long-term rental commitments?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : I haven’t met with the individual the member is referring to regarding this specific

proposal, but I would say that even with the speculation and vacancy tax, as long

as an individual is renting their property, they’re able to do so and not pay the

tax. When individuals are not renting their property is when they have to pay the

tax.

Generally, on a high level, I would say that we are always open to ideas and thoughts

about how we can continue to get purpose-built rentals being built in this province.

When individuals, whether we agree with them or not, whether they’re from not-for-profit

or from private…. It doesn’t matter where the ideas come from. We’re always willing

to look into those ideas, listen and explore whether they’re feasible or not.

At this point, on the specific idea, all it is, is very general. If there is more

information that that individual brings forward, then we would possibly consider it,

but we’re not there yet.

Linda Hepner : Has the ministry taken any steps to evaluate or implement programs that would facilitate

foreign investment as proposed by industry stakeholders like Rennie?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : There is no concrete proposal that has been proposed. It’s a high-level concept that

was suggested. If there is something that is concrete that’s proposed, it’s certainly

something we would have to consider, but we’re not there yet.

Linda Hepner : How does the ministry intend on assessing the proposal or the impact of renewed foreign

investment on housing affordability in British Columbia? What would be the elements

of consideration?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : It’s hard to speculate, because there’s no proposal. That being said, if there is

a proposal, we would have to analyze it just like we do every other proposal that

comes from industry.

My understanding from what I’ve read online publicly is that it requires several changes

at a federal government level, and the advocacy is less to the province and more to

the federal government. We’ll see what concrete proposals come forward, but it’s hard

to provide commentary on something that’s not present to us at this time.

Linda Hepner : Could the minister clarify for me what he means when he believes that foreign investment

in rental properties requires federal intervention?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : I didn’t imply that. I said that the stakeholders that are proposing this are targeting

it towards the federal government. I can’t comment on why they are, but I’ll leave

it to them to describe their proposal and explain that.

Linda Hepner : I beg to differ on terms of whether or not that was intended to be a federal issue

at all. I believe that they were specifically targeting our interests in having foreign

investments, as we are a province that does not wish to have that. But I will leave

that for the time being and ask a question about how the minister compares the effect

of institutional investors versus individual landlords providing affordable rental

housing.

[11:45 a.m.]

How are you measuring the effect of institutional investors who’ve come forward, as

opposed to an individual landlord?

The Chair : Thank you, Member. Just a reminder to come through the Chair, please, with all questions.

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : Again, I’ll just start with where the member started, with the comment around not

understanding the federal piece.

Again, I can’t speak to what specifically they’re lobbying or advocating to the federal

government, but it is my understanding that the federal government has a ban on foreign

investment until February 2026, so it may be that.

I just want to assure the member I’m not trying to avoid it. I just don’t know the

details of what they’re proposing to the federal government.

To the member’s question about institutional investment versus, say, mom-and-pop investor

landlords, maybe the member is getting at REITs. I would say that what we’re starting

to see with REITs in British Columbia is their desire to get out of older rental buildings

and use those dollars to invest in new purpose-built rentals.

Anyone that invests in the ability to create more rentals is, I think, positive, whether

it’s some REITs trying to invest in brand-new construction or whether it’s a mom-and-pop

landlord that wants to have extra units.

Linda Hepner : I have several questions regarding the considerations around foreign investment.

But I think what I will ask directly of the minister is: has he had any conversations

specifically with Rennie in terms of this kind of an approach?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : I don’t recall having a conversation with Mr. Rennie around his proposal. It may

have been at an event in passing, but I have not seen any proposal in any way that

is concrete that my ministry can analyze.

Linda Hepner : How does the ministry then plan to ensure that rental income generated from foreign-owned

properties would contribute positively to our economy and wouldn’t result in significant

capital outflows?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : Again, the member is asking me hypothetical questions about a proposal that’s not

concrete and hasn’t been presented to us, so it’s next to impossible for me to answer

that question.

Linda Hepner : I am going to turn this over to my colleague and the critic for Infrastructure at

this point in time, because I need a break.

Peter Milobar : I just have a couple of quick questions for the minister. I’m sure it will probably

shock him to find out it’s to do with the Cherry Avenue apartments in Kamloops in

my riding. This is a property that was purchased a few years ago, three times the

assessed value. It was supposed to be open and have people housed in it in September

of 2023.

[11:50 a.m.]

We’re now pushing up on September of 2025, still unsure if there will actually be

people living in this 42-unit apartment building yet or not. We’re unclear what the

actual total dollar value that B.C. Housing has had to expend on this building is

now. The original deal with the owner that it was purchased off of fell through in

terms of the repairs that were needed to be done. Other reputable local contractors

are now dealing with the repairs.

So this isn’t about anything that’s happening locally; this is about the handling

of B.C. Housing. The building was allowed to freeze up, and pipes burst yet again.

I say yet again because B.C. Housing had the exact same thing happen to them with

a hotel/motel that they bought about three blocks away a year or two earlier. Lessons

weren’t learned that time either.

What is the full price costing, all in, with the renovations and purchase of the Cherry

Avenue apartments, and what is the expected move-in date for people?

Hon. Ravi Kahlon : Thanks. No surprise. I knew the member was going to ask this question at his first

opportunity. Appreciate that.

I can share with the member that the complete cost is $14.8 million. It was unfortunate

when the pipes burst. It was, obviously, an unforeseen challenge. When that happened,

the not-for-profit partners and B.C. Housing went in, and because the walls needed

to be opened up, there was some serious work that needed to be done.

B.C. Housing, with the not-for-profit provider, decided to expand the renovations

beyond what was just needed before. That includes new fire sprinkler and fire alarm

panels. They’ve done some additional work for the retaining wall around it; essentially

redid the entire electrical of the building; increased the electrical capacity, originally

anticipated for 600 amp, to 1,000; and a whole host of changes to balconies, etc.

Because that work needed to be done, it was an opportune time to expand that.

I can share with the member that we expect people to move in this fall.

Noting the hour, I move that the committee rise and report progress and ask leave

to sit again.

Motion approved.

The committee rose at 11:54 a.m.

The House resumed at 11:54 a.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Lorne Doerkson : Committee of Supply,

Section B, reports progress on the estimates of the Ministry

of Housing and Municipal Affairs and asks leave to sit again.

Leave granted.

George Anderson :

Section A reports progress on the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions and asks

leave to sit again.

Leave granted.

Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert moved adjournment of the House.

Motion approved.

The Speaker : This House stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. today.

The House adjourned at 11:55 a.m.

Proceedings in the

Douglas Fir Room

The House in Committee,

Section A.

The committee met at 11:29 a.m.

[George Anderson in the chair.]

Committee of Supply

Estimates: Ministry of

Energy and Climate Solutions

(continued)

The Chair : Good morning, Members. I call Committee of Supply,

Section A, to order. We are meeting

today to continue the consideration of the budget estimates of the Ministry of Energy

and Climate Solutions.

On Vote 23: ministry operations, $90,831,000 (continued) .

[11:30 a.m.]

Hon. Adrian Dix : If I may, I have a number of follow-up questions that were asked by different members,

including my colleagues for Peace River South and Salmon Arm–Shuswap. I’ll be sharing

some information, as well, with the member for Peace River South.

The member for Salmon Arm–Shuswap asked about an amount that the ministry spent on

Gravity Storm Ltd. The response is that neither of these expenses relate to the work

of the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions. They appear to be expenses related

to the work of the Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals, so I’d encourage the

member to reach out to the minister of that area for answers to his questions. I encourage

him to do so.

The member for Peace River South asked a series of questions about hydrogen projects,

and I committed to bringing him a list of projects under active consideration. It’s

not a full list. There are other projects. But what I will do is share this information

with the member, and he may wish to follow up in estimates after the lunch hour with

some of the questions.

Further, he asked a series of questions about hydrogen projects, about the B.C. hydrogen

strategy. I’ll also share information with him that he’ll be able to review at the

noon hour. If he has follow-up questions, certainly, we’ll be able to deal with those

this afternoon.

Larry Neufeld : The minister and I spoke in the interim before we started today, and it’s with a

pretty heavy heart that we’re all here today doing the work of the people. I just

want to recognize the tragedy that’s befallen our beautiful province and the incredible

citizens that were affected. That being said, we will get on with the work of the

people.

Thank you for the information, Minister. That was actually my first line of questioning,

so I’m going to skip ahead.

When I did have the opportunity to go back and review our last interaction on April

10, reviewing the Hansard — again, great work by our good friends at Hansard — at three hours 48 minutes, approximately,

the minister had indicated that the province required a strong and diverse amount

of base power augmented by other sources.

My question to the minister is: would the minister consider thorium molten-salt reactors

as part of that solution?

Hon. Adrian Dix : I think the member is quite right. It’s my view that we need to build out our electricity

capacity, our clean energy capacity in B.C. We saw the start of that with the decisions

that went forward on our call for power and the decisions that were made subsequent

to that.

It’s my expectation that we will continue in doing more calls for power, including

looking through requests for information at options for base power, as well, renewable

base power.

The member will know…. I think really what he’s asking is sometimes called small nuclear.

It’s what he’s asking about. Those will not be considered in this process for a couple

of reasons.

One, in our view and in my view, the technology is not nearly ready yet. Other jurisdictions

are reviewing it. I think that in this area, sometimes it’s good to be first; sometimes

it’s good to see proof-of-concept. While there’s lots of talk and promotion, there’s

very little proof-of-concept. What we know is that this will be well beyond the cost

of other potential sources of power.

Two, many of us live on fault lines, and given the myriad of options available for

renewable energy in B.C., this is not needed in that call.

[11:35 a.m.]

What I did say, and what I believe, is that we have to produce both the base energy

and sometimes the intermittent energy to drive B.C.’s clean energy future, to drive

our economic future. We are going to seek widely.

As the member will know and I would add, consideration of that would actually be contrary

to the Clean Energy Act as it stands, put in place by the previous government. But

we are going to be looking widely at renewable options for energy, including base

energy, because I think it’s critically important for the economic future of the province.

These aren’t final decisions about anything, but in the present context, because we’re

talking about immediate calls, I don’t see there being a role in those calls for small

nuclear.

Larry Neufeld : Thank you for that answer.

What I would like to put on the record, though, is that the mention was made that

the technology is not ready. I would suggest that in doing research, it was relatively

easy to uncover that there’s been an extensive amount of research done by the United

States, back in the ’50s and ’60s, on this exact technology and that there actually

is an active plant that has started up in China.

Further, what I would like to put on the record is everyone is scared of that concept,

and perhaps for correct reason, for the simple fact of things that have gone wrong

in the past. If we as professionals in this area understand what a thorium molten-salt

reactor actually is…. The fuel acts as the coolant. It needs to be activated to run,

so if something goes wrong, it shuts itself down. The reason I mention that is….

I guess my question back to the minister is: would you reconsider that stance?

Hon. Adrian Dix : Well, the member shouldn’t get me wrong. Canada and the world have been heavily involved

in nuclear technology for a long time. We all remember the central part, including

many political debates in the country, that Candu reactors played in our political

debate, mostly nationally and mostly not here.

My point is twofold. It’s true that other jurisdictions, including China and potentially

American jurisdictions and other Canadian jurisdictions, may be looking in this area.

As they develop that, more information and proof-of-concept will be developed. Regardless,

I would say that on the economics of it, it’s not close to being competitive, it’s

contrary to the current act, and it’s not needed, given the many other options we

have at this time.

I appreciate that there may be a difference of opinion on those things. I don’t think

there can be a difference of opinion, really, on the question of cost at the moment.

There can’t be a difference of opinion on the law, and there can’t be a difference

of opinion that other jurisdictions are very actively considering it — including Canadian

jurisdictions, I would say; including Ontario and, I believe, New Brunswick. And some

American jurisdictions are looking at this.

My point is that because they’re doing that, in part, we of course should have our

eyes open to what they’re doing and reviewing it. I’m just saying that right now,

as we deal with the energy needs of the province on broad issues of safety — we’re

in an earthquake zone — and also, I would argue, issues of cost and an efficiency

of approach, we have many better options, and we need to consider those options in

the next short while.

Larry Neufeld : Thank you for your answer, Minister.

I would follow that up with this. In the absence of using that technology or similar

technology, offering a very solid 24-7 base load power, how would the minister plan

to address gaps in energy supply from intermittent renewables like solar and wind,

perhaps outside of something like the shortage of hydro that we may be experiencing?

Hon. Adrian Dix : I’d say that we have options aplenty here in British Columbia for renewable energy

resources. We need to explore those in formal processes — in other words, ask both

B.C. Hydro and proponents to come forward with proposals in a process. That’s exactly

what we intend to do.

[11:40 a.m.]

I think if you look at some of the options around batteries, some of the options around

geothermal, some of the options and continuing options around hydroelectric power

and many others, they’re real options for us to address.

I think it’s not just a question of what I may believe but a question of seeking that

out and providing a way for that to come forward. I think the options are considerable

for us, both traditional options that have been part of B.C. — which include hydroelectric

power, of course, dams — and also new forms of power which are increasingly demonstrating

their viability in the world.

I think this is a period of opportunity. I believe in our province. I believe we can

become a clean energy superpower and that this will drive economic growth in regions

such as the northwest and also regions such as the northeast and allow us, in fact,

to support traditional oil and gas industries with cleaner technology and develop

products in B.C. that nobody else in the world has, or very few.

This is an opportunity for our province, and I think we need to lean in to the possibility

of renewable electricity. We need to lean in as some people are going in another direction,

including the U.S. president.

I think where the market is going in the United States is towards renewable. We see

it in jurisdictions as varied as Texas and Iowa and all other jurisdictions in the

United States. I believe that this is a fundamental opportunity. The contribution

of B.C. Hydro over the years, and the people of B.C. in building our hydro system,

creates an extraordinary support for that effort.

We have great opportunity here, and we need to pursue it.

Larry Neufeld : I’m going to jump back to LNG at this point and where we had left off when we last

had the opportunity to have this conversation.

I had asked the question: will the government commit to consulting with industry to

find a balance between protecting the environment and providing a stable business

atmosphere whereby long-term investment is possible, and, if so, what is the plan

in doing that?

Hon. Adrian Dix : I love the fact that the member for Peace River South has raised the issue of LNG

three minutes before adjournment. I think that’s a higher level of estimates strategy

than I’m usually aware of.

What I may do is just give a brief answer and then ask the House to report progress.

I think we had a little bit of this discussion last time. I think the member for Surrey

South even became quite animated in that discussion. I don’t want to inspire him here

today, so I will be blander in my response.

I would say that there are significant opportunities. We’ve seen that in B.C. We have,

through electrification, projects that are the lowest-emission LNG in the world that

are proceeding, that are under construction — three of them under construction. The

first LNG will be exported from British Columbia this summer. I think that will be

a significant moment for our province.

The province’s policy and strategy, and we talked about this before, focused on course

returns to the province, on local communities such as Kitimat, on climate change objectives,

on the role and the involvement of First Nations in those processes.

I think that policy continues to be in place, and it has proven itself to be successful.

When we instituted that policy under former Premier Horgan, there were no approved

LNG projects, no FIDs, and now we have three. The quantum of investment — I was told

I underestimated in our discussions a couple of weeks ago — is about $42 billion,

which is significant for our province and leaves us with the lowest-emission LNG in

the world.

We believe that the approach we’ve taken, balancing off all those considerations —

including jobs, including jobs for people in B.C., including returns to community,

including climate change and including a significant role for First Nations — continues

to be the right approach as we approach further investment decisions, for example,

by LNG Canada and also in other projects. We’re going to continue to pursue that approach,

that balanced approach that we believe is working for people in B.C.

With that, I move that the House rise, report progress and ask leave to sit again.

Motion approved.

The committee rose at 11:45 a.m.