British Columbia Hansard — 28 April 2026, a.m., Issue 165 (43rd Parliament, 2nd Session)

20260428am-Hansard-n165

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 43rd Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Morning Sitting Issue No. 165 THE HONOURABLE RAJ CHOUHAN, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, CM, OBC Second Session, 43rd Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Raj Chouhan EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ................................................................................................... Hon. David Eby, KC Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities .......................................................... Hon.

Brittny Anderson Minister of Agriculture and Food ..............................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General and Deputy Premier ............................................................................................................... Hon. Niki Sharma, KC Minister of Children and Family Development ......................................................................................................Hon.

Jodie Wickens Minister of Citizens’ Services ......................................................................................................................................Hon. Diana Gibson Minister of Education and Child Care ............................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness ................................................................................ Hon.

Kelly Greene Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions .................................................................................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Environment and Parks .................................................................................................... Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson Minister of Finance ......................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Brenda Bailey Minister of Forests .......................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Ravi Parmar Minister of Health ........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Josie Osborne Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs ...........................................................................................................Hon.

Christine Boyle Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ........................................................................Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert Minister of Infrastructure .............................................................................................................................................. Hon. Bowinn Ma Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth ...................................................................................................................... Hon.

Ravi Kahlon Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies .................................................................. Hon. Rick Glumac Minister of Labour .............................................................................................................................................. Hon. Jennifer Whiteside Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals .....................................................................................................................Hon.

Jagrup Brar Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills ........................................................................................Hon. Jessie Sunner Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ........................................................................................................ Hon. Nina Krieger Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services ........................................................................ Hon.

Terry Yung Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction ...............................................................................Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport ............................................................................................................. Hon. Anne Kang Minister of Transportation and Transit ................................................................................................................ Hon.

Mike Farnworth Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship ............................................................................................... Hon. Randene Neill Minister Without Portfolio ..............................................................................................................................................Hon.

Grace Lore LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition ......................................................................................................................................Trevor Halford Leader of the Third Party .................................................................................................................................................Jeremy Valeriote Deputy Speaker ......................................................................................................................................................................

Mable Elmore Assistant Deputy Speaker .................................................................................................................................................Lorne Doerkson Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ......................................................................................................................George Anderson Clerk of the Legislative Assembly....................................................................................................................................Kate Ryan-Lloyd Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel ......................................................................................................................Seunghee Suzie Seo Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly...............................................................................................................

Artour Sogomonian Clerk of Committees .............................................................................................................................................................. Jennifer Arril Committee Clerk ......................................................................................................................................................................

Karan Riarh Committee Clerk .........................................................................................................................................................................Darryl Hol Senior Legal Counsel .................................................................................................................................................................Hayley Hill Sergeant-at-Arms ..................................................................................................................................................................

Ray Robitaille Director of Hansard Services .......................................................................................................................................D’ Arcy McPherson Legislative Librarian ...............................................................................................................................................................Peter Gourlay

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS BY PARTY BC NDP Anderson, Hon. Brittny ........................................... Kootenay Central Anderson, George ................................................ Nanaimo-Lantzville Arora, Rohini ....................................................................Burnaby East Bailey, Hon. Brenda ................................Vancouver–South Granville Beare, Hon.

Lisa .......................................Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry .................................................................Surrey-Guildford Blatherwick, Jennifer ....................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Boyle, Hon. Christine .............................Vancouver–Little Mountain Brar, Hon. Jagrup ......................................................Surrey-Fleetwood Chandra Herbert, Hon. Spencer ..................... Vancouver–West End Chant, Susie .............................................

North Vancouver–Seymour Choi, Paul ..................................................Burnaby South–Metrotown Chouhan, Hon. Raj ................................. Burnaby–New Westminster Chow, George ....................................................Vancouver-Fraserview Davidson, Hon. Tamara / Laanas ...........North Coast–Haida Gwaii Dhir, Sunita .............................................................Vancouver-Langara Dix, Hon. Adrian .................................................. Vancouver-Renfrew Eby, Hon. David, KC .......................................

Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable ................................................. Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike .................................................Port Coquitlam Gibson, Hon. Diana ........................................Oak Bay–Gordon Head Glumac, Hon. Rick ...................................... Port Moody–Burquitlam Greene, Hon. Kelly ..............................................Richmond-Steveston Higginson, Stephanie ........................................Ladysmith-Oceanside Kahlon, Hon. Ravi .............................................................. Delta North Kang, Hon.

Anne ......................................................... Burnaby Centre Krieger, Hon. Nina ...............................................Victoria–Swan Lake Lajeunesse, Dana ..............................................Juan de Fuca–Malahat Lore, Hon. Grace .................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Ma, Hon. Bowinn ................................... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Malcolmson, Hon. Sheila .........................Nanaimo–Gabriola Island Morissette, Steve ...................................................Kootenay Monashee Neill, Hon. Randene ............................

Powell River–Sunshine Coast Osborne, Hon. Josie ....................................... Mid Island–Pacific Rim Parmar, Hon. Ravi ...............................................Langford-Highlands Phillip, Joan / Amshen .....................................Vancouver-Strathcona Popham, Hon. Lana ........................................................ Saanich South Rotchford, Darlene ...............................................Esquimalt-Colwood Routledge, Janet .............................................................Burnaby North Sandhu, Harwinder ......................................................

Vernon-Lumby Shah, Amna ............................................................. Surrey City Centre Sharma, Hon. Niki, KC ....................................... Vancouver-Hastings Sunner, Hon. Jessie ....................................................... Surrey-Newton Toporowski, Debra / Qwulti’stunaat .......................Cowichan Valley Whiteside, Hon. Jennifer ...................New Westminster–Coquitlam Wickens, Hon. Jodie ............................. Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Yung, Hon.

Terry .................................................Vancouver-Yaletown CONSERV ATIVE PARTY OF BC Banman, Bruce .......................................................... Abbotsford South Bhangu, Harman .................................................. Langley-Abbotsford Bird, Rosalyn ............................................. Prince George–Valemount Block, Lynne ..............................................West Vancouver–Capilano Chapman, Brent .................................................................Surrey South Clare, Sheldon ....................................

Prince George–North Cariboo Davis, Pete ..................................................................Kootenay Rockies Day, Brennan ........................................................... Courtenay-Comox Dew, Gavin ..................................................................Kelowna-Mission Dhaliwal, Mandeep .......................................................... Surrey North Doerkson, Lorne .....................................................

Cariboo-Chilcotin Gasper, Reann .......................................................Abbotsford-Mission Giddens, Kiel ..............................................Prince George–Mackenzie Halford, Trevor ......................................................Surrey–White Rock Hartwell, Sharon ..............................................Bulkley Valley–Stikine Hepner, Linda ................................................Surrey–Serpentine River Kindy, Anna ........................................................................North Island Kooner, Steve ............................................Richmond-Queensborough Loewen, Kristina ..........................................................

Kelowna Centre Luck, Tony ..........................................................................Fraser-Nicola Maahs, Heather ......................................................... Chilliwack North McCall, Macklin .........................................West Kelowna–Peachland McInnis, Scott ......................................... Columbia River–Revelstoke Milobar, Peter ............................................................

Kamloops Centre Mok, Lawrence ...........................................................Maple Ridge East Neufeld, Korky ............................................................Abbotsford West Neufeld, Larry ...........................................................Peace River South Paton, Ian ..............................................................................Delta South Rattée, Claire .................................................................................Skeena Rustad, John ...................................................................Nechako Lakes Stamer, Ward .........................................Kamloops–North Thompson Tepper, Br yan ............................................................

Surrey-Panorama Toor, Jody ............................................................Langley-Willowbrook Van Popta, Misty..............................................Langley–Walnut Grove Warbus, Á’a:líya ..............................................Chilliwack–Cultus Lake Wat, Teresa .........................................................Richmond-Bridgeport Williams, David ...............................................Salmon Arm–Shuswap Wilson, Donegal ............................................Boundary-Similkameen BC GREEN PARTY Botterell, Rob .......................................Saanich North and the Islands Valeriote, Jeremy .....................................

West Vancouver–Sea to Sky INDEPENDENT Armstrong, Tara .....................Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream Boultbee, Amelia .............................................Penticton-Summerland Brodie, Dallas .................................................... Vancouver-Quilchena Chan, Hon ..................................................................Richmond Centre Kealy, Jordan ............................................................. Peace River North Sturko, Elenore .........................................................

Surrey-Cloverdale PARTY STANDINGS Total seats – 93 BC NDP – 47 | Conservative Party of BC – 38 | BC Green Party – 2 | Independent – 6

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF RIDINGS A Abbotsford-Mission ........................................................Reann Gasper Abbotsford South ........................................................... Bruce Banman Abbotsford West .............................................................Korky Neufeld B Boundary-Similkameen .............................................Donegal Wilson Bulkley Valley–Stikine ............................................... Sharon Hartwell Burnaby Centre ...........................................................Hon.

Anne Kang Burnaby East ......................................................................Rohini Arora Burnaby–New Westminster .................................. Hon. Raj Chouhan Burnaby North ..............................................................Janet Routledge Burnaby South–Metrotown .................................................. Paul Choi C Cariboo-Chilcotin .......................................................Lorne Doerkson Chilliwack–Cultus Lake .............................................. Á’a:líya Warbus Chilliwack North ..........................................................

Heather Maahs Columbia River–Revelstoke ...........................................Scott McInnis Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .............................. Hon. Jodie Wickens Coquitlam-Maillardville .................................... Jennifer Blatherwick Courtenay-Comox ............................................................ Brennan Day Cowichan Valley ....................... Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat D Delta North ................................................................Hon.

Ravi Kahlon Delta South ...............................................................................Ian Paton E Esquimalt-Colwood ................................................Darlene Rotchford F Fraser-Nicola .......................................................................... Tony Luck J Juan de Fuca–Malahat ...............................................Dana Lajeunesse K Kamloops Centre ............................................................. Peter Milobar Kamloops–North Thompson .........................................

Ward Stamer Kelowna Centre ........................................................... Kristina Loewen Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream ......................Tara Armstrong Kelowna-Mission ..................................................................Gavin Dew Kootenay Central ............................................ Hon. Brittny Anderson Kootenay Monashee ....................................................Steve Morissette Kootenay Rockies................................................................... Pete Davis L Ladysmith-Oceanside ........................................

Stephanie Higginson Langford-Highlands ................................................ Hon. Ravi Parmar Langley-Abbotsford ....................................................Harman Bhangu Langley–Walnut Grove ..............................................Misty Van Popta Langley-Willowbrook ............................................................ Jody Toor M Maple Ridge East ............................................................Lawrence Mok Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim ........................................ Hon.

Josie Osborne N Nanaimo–Gabriola Island ..........................Hon. Sheila Malcolmson Nanaimo-Lantzville ................................................. George Anderson Nechako Lakes ....................................................................John Rustad New Westminster–Coquitlam .................... Hon. Jennifer Whiteside North Coast–Haida Gwaii ............Hon. Laanas / Tamara Davidson North Island ........................................................................Anna Kindy North Vancouver–Lonsdale .....................................Hon.

Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour ...............................................Susie Chant O Oak Bay–Gordon Head ......................................... Hon. Diana Gibson P Peace River North ..............................................................Jordan Kealy Peace River South ............................................................Larry Neufeld Penticton-Summerland .............................................. Amelia Boultbee Port Coquitlam ................................................. Hon. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Burquitlam ........................................Hon.

Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast ............................. Hon. Randene Neill Prince George–Mackenzie ...............................................Kiel Giddens Prince George–North Cariboo ......................................Sheldon Clare Prince George–Valemount ...............................................Rosalyn Bird R Richmond-Bridgeport .......................................................... Teresa Wat Richmond Centre .................................................................. Hon Chan Richmond-Queensborough ............................................

Steve Kooner Richmond-Steveston ...............................................Hon. Kelly Greene S Saanich North and the Islands ....................................... Rob Botterell Saanich South ......................................................... Hon.

Lana Popham Salmon Arm–Shuswap ................................................David Williams Skeena ..................................................................................Claire Rattée Surrey City Centre ...............................................................Amna Shah Surrey-Cloverdale .......................................................... Elenore Sturko Surrey-Fleetwood ....................................................... Hon. Jagrup Brar Surrey-Guildford .................................................................

Garry Begg Surrey-Newton ........................................................ Hon. Jessie Sunner Surrey North ............................................................Mandeep Dhaliwal Surrey-Panorama ..............................................................Br yan Tepper Surrey–Serpentine River ................................................

Linda Hepner Surrey South ..................................................................Brent Chapman Surrey–White Rock .......................................................Trevor Halford V Vancouver-Fraserview .....................................................George Chow Vancouver-Hastings ........................................ Hon. Niki Sharma, KC Vancouver-Kensington ...................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Langara .............................................................Sunita Dhir Vancouver–Little Mountain ............................. Hon.

Christine Boyle Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................Hon. David Eby, KC Vancouver-Quilchena ......................................................Dallas Brodie Vancouver-Renfrew ................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Vancouver–South Granville ................................ Hon. Brenda Bailey Vancouver-Strathcona ..................................... Amshen / Joan Phillip Vancouver–West End .......................Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert Vancouver-Yaletown ..................................................Hon.

Terry Yung Vernon-Lumby ....................................................... Harwinder Sandhu Victoria–Beacon Hill ................................................. Hon. Grace Lore Victoria–Swan Lake ................................................Hon. Nina Krieger W West Kelowna–Peachland ..........................................Macklin McCall West Vancouver–Capilano ................................................Lynne Block West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ...................................... Jeremy Valeriote

CONTENTS Tuesday, April 28, 2026 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ............................................................................................................................................. 6993 Tributes ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6993 John Garrett Trevor Halford Introductions by Members ............................................................................................................................................. 6993 Members’ Statements ...................................................................................................................................................... 6995 Chilliwack Recreation and Tourism Heather Maahs Day of Mourning for Workers George Anderson Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club Brennan Day 25th Anniversary of Miracle Newspaper and Role in Muslim Community Amna Shah Day of Mourning for Workers Kiel Giddens Science Meets Parliament Steve Morissette Oral Questions ................................................................................................................................................................. 6997 Government Handling of DRIPA Concerns and Relationship with First Nations Trevor Halford Hon.

Niki Sharma Mining Project in Okanagan and U.S. Indigenous Tribe Involvement in Court Case Scott McInnis Hon. Niki Sharma Review of Mental Health Act and Clinical Guidance to Health Care Workers Rob Botterell Hon. Josie Osborne Government Handling of DRIPA Concerns and Relationship with First Nations Lorne Doerkson Hon. Niki Sharma Donegal Wilson Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert Rosalyn Bird Korky Neufeld Government Handling of DRIPA Concerns and Legal Issues Korky Neufeld Hon. Niki Sharma Ward Stamer Proposed Changes to DRIPA and Government Priorities Claire Rattée Hon. Niki Sharma Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert

Orders of the Day Committee of Supply ...................................................................................................................................................... 7004 Estimates: Ministry of Health (continued) Claire Rattée Hon. Josie Osborne Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of the Whole ................................................................................................................................................ 7009 Bill 16 — Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 (continued) Larry Neufeld Hon. Adrian Dix Rob Botterell Jeremy Valeriote

6993 TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026 The House met at 10:02 a.m. [The Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers and reflections: Kiel Giddens. Introductions by Members Stephanie Higginson: I rise on behalf of myself, the member for Columbia River–Revelstoke and the member for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky to welcome our 30 local scientists who are here with the Science Meets Parliament program, which is a non-partisan initiative put on by the incredible team at the Canadian Science Policy Centre. They’re here for the third year running. I’m just looking around to see where I can see them all.

Today they’re going to be meeting with MLAs, whether it’s attending our meetings, having meals. Some of you have already met with them. [10:05 a.m.] We can all agree that good and current research shapes good and current policy. I’d like to welcome Mehrdad Hariri, Wendi Zhou, Zaineb Taleb, Matt McTaggart, Trushar Patel, Chris Caputo and Andrea Mellor, who are the key organizers of this event. I look forward to seeing all of the members here tonight at the reception in the Hall of Honour. Would you please help me welcome them and make them feel welcome when you see them in the House today.

Brennan Day: I rise today to welcome Denise Praill of Canuck Place. She is the president and CEO of this extraordinary organization that provides compassion - ate pediatric palliative care and support to children with life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them. Their work brings comfort, dignity and hope to families during some of their most difficult moments. Please join me in making Denise feel very welcome. Hon. Kelly Greene: I’d like to welcome Dominic Lai, director of Dragon Boat B.C., to the chambers today.

Dragon boat events are such an important cultural and athletic demonstration, and Dragon Boat B.C. does such important work bringing these events to life. I know, as the MLA for Richmond-Steveston, that the energy and ex - citement of Steveston’s dragon boat races are an important part of our summer, and they’ll be back in 2027. I’m very excited about that. Please can everybody help me make him welcome. Kiel Giddens: I’d like to introduce a special guest to - day. The Leader of the Official Opposition’s mother is here, Patti Halford. I’d also like to introduce his aunt Judy MacKenzie.

They’re here to surprise the Leader of the Of - ficial Opposition, because today is his birthday, so they’re here to take him for lunch in the dining room. Some Hon. Members: “Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday, dear Trevor, Happy birthday to you.” The Speaker: Should we allow him to speak now? I think we’ve got consensus. Go ahead, Leader of the Official Opposition. Trevor Halford: Now I’m going to feel really bad about question period in about 20 minutes. No, I want to thank the members for that. I want to welcome, obviously, my mom to the House. It’s always great to see Mom.

Lunch will be on me, not her, but I don’t mind that at all. Welcome, Judy. It’s great to see you here today as well. I did actually want to quickly introduce the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association, who’s in the House to - day. Michael Rothe, Hugh Swandel, Mike Rusch and Mar - cel Buerkler, I want to say welcome to the House to you today. Happy to hear you.

Tributes JOHN GARRETT Trevor Halford: On a more serious note, I was sad to wake up and find the news that B.C. has lost a legend this morning in the sports community in John Garrett — a great man, a goaltender for the Canucks and a very fam - iliar and comforting voice to all that heard him as he did Canucks games. I know he was actually covering the Las Vegas series. Also a Surrey resident. So very sad that we learned of Mr. Garrett’s passing this morning. A good human being, and I was sad to hear that news.

I know all members of this House share that, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends and his fans across this province. Introductions by Members Susie Chant: I’m going to be very naughty and intro - duce a particular scientist today. She fills me with awe, and I had the opportunity to talk to her for about an hour this morning, which was quite remarkable. Nancy Clark, who is a registered nurse, a bachelor of science in nursing, a master of science in nursing, a PhD in science and nursing, is on a Michael Smith research grant right at the moment. She’s working on working with

6994 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 new immigrants and integrating them into the health sys - tem and looking at ways that we can do much better at that particular task. She’s using social determinants of health to look at how we make things better for the people not only in our prov - ince already but for those who join us here in the health area. [10:10 a.m.] I am very, very happy to have her here, and I hope that the chamber will make her most welcome. Korky Neufeld: It’s not often you get an email from a grade 7 student, which means that my wife is not my only fan.

But Abby Nelson and her grade 7 classmates from Vernon Christian School along with teacher Amanda Gaythorpe and parents are here today. On behalf of myself and also the member for Vernon- Lumby, I’d just like to say, Abby, thank you so much for the email. Great meeting you this morning, and I hope you have a wonderful tour with you and your classmates. May the House make them feel welcome. Hon. Jennifer Whiteside: I’d like to note that we are joined in the gallery today by representatives from the Canadian Labour Congress.

We have Orion Irvine, who is the regional director; and Lily Chang, the secretary- treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress. Of course, they’re here because today, April 28, is the Day of Mourning. I invite all members of the House to join us on the front stairs to commemorate this day over the lunch hour. I also want to express my deep gratitude for the work of the Canadian Labour Congress in really being an import - ant partner as we move through some of the most vola - tile times our country has ever experienced. The voice of labour is so critical in that. Thank you for your work.

Would the House please join me in making them feel very welcome. Hon. Randene Neill: It is my pleasure to introduce four guests about whom we spoke during QP in the House yesterday. They are all from the watershed security fund, and they are integral partners with creating this $100 mil - lion fund with the province in 2023. A big round of applause to Mark Gifford, from the Real Estate Foundation of B.C.; Leanne Sexsmith, from the Real Estate Foundation of B.C.; the wonderful, amazing Lydia Hwitsum, from the First Nations water caucus; and Jenna Duncan, from the First Nations Fisheries Council.

Welcome to the House. Harwinder Sandhu: I am beyond thrilled and excited today to welcome one of the greatest schools in Vernon- Lumby. Vernon Christian School students are here in the gallery, and they are joined by their awesome teach - ers, Amanda Gaythorpe as well as Andy Overend, and of course, chaperones. They play an important role — Court - ney, Rudi, Renee, Louise. Many members of this House will agree with me that for many communities, it’s not just a ferry ride to come to Victoria. It takes lots of planning, effort, resources, money to come to this gallery.

I just want to say: would the House please make them feel very welcome, where they’re learn - ing about democracy. As well, they will be meeting with many of us. I think all of you have received an email, so if you can please answer their brilliant questions, that would be fan - tastic. I have had the opportunity to engage with them over the years, and they are exceptional students. The school does such a good job with them. Would the members please join me to make my guests feel very welcome. Welcome.

Scott McInnis: I’d like to join my friends from Lady - smith-Oceanside as well as West Vancouver–Sea to Sky in welcoming Science Meets Parliament 2026. This is just a fantastic initiative. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you, personally, for organ- izing this through your office. I know B.C. is an innovation hub on the planet for sci - ence and innovation and technology, and we are abso - lutely thrilled, all members, to have you here today. Wel - come to the Legislature. Hon. Brenda Bailey: Two introductions, if I may, today.

I wanted to join my colleagues to welcome the students that are here from Vernon, and especially Evalina, who was a student who wrote to me. I want to congratulate the teachers for organizing this. It’s so lovely to hear directly from these students and to get to talk a little bit about our work. It’s important that we all recognize that we were grade 7 students once, and you, too, could be here participating in democracy. I hope you take that as a learning, and congratulations to your students. Lovely to have you here. I also just wanted to add my voice to welcoming Dom - inic Lai into the House.

Dom is an incredible person in our community who does so much. Dragon Boat B.C. is more than just a physical activity. It’s a cultural activity. [10:15 a.m.] They’ve done so much to contribute to building com - munity in Vancouver and far beyond. It is a wonderful organization. Lovely to have you here, Dom. Hon. Ravi Parmar: Somewhere in the gallery here to - day is my constituency adviser Steven MacAskill. Hope - fully he’s made his way in. There he is.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6995 Steven is a soon-to-be lawyer working on his degree at UBC but casually provides support to my office virtually. He’s pleased to be joined by his partner Sam Sharpe, and I hope this will be a very entertaining question period for them. Will the House please join me in making them feel very welcome. Dana Lajeunesse: A few weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting the folks at the Victoria Hand Project in their lab at UVic and to look at and learn about the work that they’re doing.

The Victoria Hand Project uses locally developed technology to make a global difference, providing cus - tom, functional upper-limb prosthetics to people in low- resource and conflict-affected regions around the world. By equipping partner clinics with 3D printers, software, hands-on training and ongoing support, they empower communities to produce prosthetics at no cost to recipi - ents, right where they’re needed. At the same time, their work here at home, training the next generation of engineers at their base at UVic, ensures that this impact is sustainable, innovative and proudly rooted in Victoria.

Please join me in welcoming chief technology officer Nick Dechev, CEO Michael Peirone, mechanical engineer Kim Arklie and business development officer Becky Hof. Darlene Rotchford: I would be remiss to not also recognize Orion Irvine with the CLC in this House. I know how much he hates these things, so it gives me extra joy. During my time at the Victoria Labour Council, Orion was assigned to it, and I can truly say part of my jour - ney was having Orion, which is why I stand here today, for all of his tireless advocacy for Victoria Labour Coun - cil in supporting us group of misfits, as I would joke.

But all kidding aside, during COVID, I could not have done it without him. So I just wanted to actually thank him on the record so he now can picket me later. Again, can the House make him feel extra welcome. Steve Morissette: Thanks to my colleague for recog - nizing and welcoming the Vernon Christian School here. I, too, would also like to thank Bailey. Bailey was born in Trail in my riding, and she sent me a letter to ask some questions of me. Thank you, Bailey. It’s great to have young people inter- act with us, and I really appreciate it. Thank you so much.

Members’ Statements CHILLIW ACK RECREATION AND TOURISM Heather Maahs: Chilliwack literally has it all. Located in the heart of the Fraser Valley, surrounded by beauti - ful mountains and flanked by the mighty Fraser and Ved - der River, lie the fertile fields of hay and, of course, our famous Chilliwack corn. It’s all going in the ground as we speak. Do you enjoy fishing? Chilliwack boasts a dozen fish - ing guide companies. Or how about the exciting, and a little scary, river raft - ing? We have three companies. Come and stay for a week, a weekend or a day excur - sion.

Fish for those amazing dinosaur fish, the sturgeon, but catch and release only. There are literally dozens of mountain hikes — Mount Thom, Mount Cheam, Elk Mountain, just to name a few. You can choose your difficulty level — a nice stroll or a robust, cardio-enhancing workout. Or how about horseback riding? There are at least ten stables for riding. Or you can come and take lessons.

And lest we forget, the incredible Circle Farm tours that showcase all the locals and their hidden gems: Minter Country Gardens, Rustic Soap Co., Anita’s Bread, Farm - house Brewing, Hofstede’s Country Barn and the Local Harvest, to name a few. Of course, there are plenty of places to go camping, for a swim, either in Cultus or a nice cold mountain-spring- fed lake like Lindeman. [10:20 a.m.] While you’re driving in town, look for signs that sell farm-fresh eggs on roadsides, or pick up a bouquet at a roadside flower stand. Include a stop for some amazing Gouda cheese at Smits and Co.w.

And I must mention again, if your timing is right, you’ll also find lots of corn stands with fresh, same-day-cut corn on the cob to enjoy. So put Chilliwack on your list for a fabulous place to visit for lots of family fun and a lovely country getaway. DAY OF MOURNING FOR WORKERS George Anderson: Today, on the National Day of Mourning, we remember workers who left home ex - pecting to come home and never did. In British Columbia last year, 138 workers lost their lives because of workplace injury or illness. Behind every number is a name, a face and a future that should still be here today.

They left behind half-fin - ished breakfasts, text messages unanswered and families whose lives would be forever divided into before and after. If we are going to honour them honestly, then we must speak honestly. Too often, the people who profit most from work are the ones who are furthest away from its risk. Too often, those in boardrooms speak of productivity

6996 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 and margins while working people carry that pressure in their backs, in their lungs, psychologically and sometimes with their lives. And when something goes wrong, it is not the board - room that pays the price. It is the worker — the appren - tice; the care aide; the truck driver; the person who gets up early, works through pain and asks for nothing more radical than the chance to come home safe. A worker is a human being, a family’s source of stability and someone’s whole world. Today we do not just mourn the dead.

We accept a re - sponsibility to the living, a responsibility to the young worker on their first shift, a responsibility to the trades - person on the scaffold, a responsibility to every person who leaves home believing they will return. Because what does it say about us if the people who build our province are the very people we fail to protect? What does it say about us if profit is counted more carefully than pain?

Let this day leave us with a truth that we cannot look away from — that a worker’s life is not the price of do - ing business, that mourning without change is hollow and that no society can call itself just when wealth is built on preventable suffering. COURTENAY LAWN BOWLING CLUB Brennan Day: This weekend I had the immense privil - ege of joining the Courtenay Lawn Bowling Club to cele - brate their 100th anniversary, a century of community connection and people showing up for one another here in the Comox Valley. Clubs like this don’t last by accident.

They last because generations choose to be part of some - thing bigger than themselves. It’s deeply Canadian — no fanfare, just commitment to community, open to all ages and ability and built on inclusion. I was honoured to take

part in the celebration, raising the flag and standing alongside so many who’ve carried this club forward over the years. I had the honour of throwing the opening bowl — ab - solutely no pressure — in front of a crowd of hundreds. Expectations were extremely low. I approached it with the confidence of somebody that had absolutely no idea what they were doing, which turns out was entirely accurate. They handed me the bowl, which as it turns out, for many of you that don’t know, is not round, and gave me a few quick instructions.

So there I am, standing on the green, trying to look like I belong in this group, knowing full well this could end very badly for me, but somehow, against all odds, I let it go and hit the jack right in the middle. Now, I’ve been told that’s what you’re supposed to do, and I’ve also been told that doesn’t generally happen on your first try. But in a way, that moment kind of shapes the spirit of the day. You show up, you give it your best, you share a laugh, and sometimes things just roll your way. That’s the spirit of the day like that — not just ceremony but laughter, stories and community.

To everyone who has been part of the club over the past century: thank you. As we celebrate the next hundred years, we also take on the responsibility to carry it forward. Under the watch of club president Susan Toresdhal, there will be a fantastic hundred years in their future. 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF MIRACLE NEWSPAPER AND ROLE IN MUSLIM COMMUNITY Amna Shah: Today I recognize a trail-blazing publi - cation in British Columbia, the Miracle newspaper.

For 25 years, the Miracle has served as the first bilingual, bi - weekly newspaper dedicated to the Muslim community in our province. [10:25 a.m.] This anniversary marks not only a remarkable mile - stone in publishing but a testament to resilience, vision and community spirit. When Nusrat Hussain founded the Miracle in 2001, he saw a growing Muslim commun - ity across the Lower Mainland that was vibrant and full of potential, yet fragmented and relatively unseen. There was no single platform to share stories, highlight achieve - ments or connect people to the issues that mattered most to them.

Out of that need, the Miracle was born. Since then, this paper has become a bridge — con - necting families; amplifying local businesses; and creat - ing space for writers, leaders and voices that might other - wise go unheard. It has helped foster pride, identity and belonging within the community that it serves. When Mohammad Naseer Pirzada took on the respon - sibility of continuing this work, the journey was not al - ways easy.

Like many community-driven publications, there were moments of uncertainty, times when continu - ing to the next issue was not guaranteed, yet through de - termination and with the support of the entire Pirzada family across generations, the Miracle endured and flourished. That matters, because without the Miracle , count - less stories might have never been told, businesses might have remained unseen and connections might have never been formed. Its impact goes beyond ink and paper. It has strengthened the social fabric of British Columbia.

Today I offer my sincere congratulations to Naseer Pirzada and everyone who has contributed to the Miracle newspaper over the last 25 years. Your work has uplifted a community and enriched our province. I wish you con - tinued success for the next 25 years and beyond. DAY OF MOURNING FOR WORKERS Kiel Giddens: As we’ve heard today, this Legislature joins many communities and families across British Col -

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6997 umbia to mark the National Day of Mourning, a day to remember workers who’ve lost their lives, been injured or been made ill because of their work. According to WorkSafe, last year alone 138 workers in our province lost their lives due to workplace injury or ill - ness — 79 of those deaths were caused by occupational disease, many from exposures that may have happened decades before; 41 workers died from traumatic inci - dents on the job; and 18 were killed in work-related motor vehicle incidents.

Behind every one of those numbers is a person, a family, a future that was taken too soon. I know that many British Columbians are deeply mourning the loss of community members, colleagues or loved ones. My own community has experienced that grief as well. Last week marked 14 years since the Lakeland Mills tra - gedy in Prince George. Twenty-two workers were injured. Two workers, Alan Little and Glenn Roche, never made it home. They deserved to return to their families on April 23, 2012. That truth must continue to guide us.

The Day of Mourning calls on all of us, especially those of us in this House, to ensure that workplaces are not only productive but safe; that workers are properly trained, protected and empowered; and that safety is treated as fundamental, not optional. Safety is a shared responsibil - ity, and leadership matters. I want to thank the workers who stand up for their own safety and the safety of the colleague next to them. I want to thank the labour leaders for their important voice on safety. I want to thank the employers who care for the well- being of their employees.

I want to thank the Speaker and all members of this House who have made contributions to safer legal protec - tions. I want to thank all of those individuals that share a commitment to workplace safety. Today as we remember those we have lost, all of us together renew our own commitments to workers, be - cause every worker in British Columbia deserves to return home safely at the end of the day. SCIENCE MEETS PARLIAMENT Steve Morissette: I rise today to celebrate Science Meets Parliament, taking place this week, here in the Brit - ish Columbia Legislature with 30 visiting researchers.

This initiative brings scientists and parliamentarians together in a shared spirit of learning, collaboration and evidence-based decision-making.

It is an opportunity for us, as elected representatives, to deepen our understand - ing of the complex challenges facing our province and to hear directly from those working on the front lines of dis - covery and innovation. [10:30 a.m.] Across British Columbia and beyond, researchers are advancing work in areas that touch every aspect of our daily lives — from strengthening health systems to a focus on prevention and wellness; to helping families, work - places and communities thrive. This work matters.

It re - flects the real needs of people in every corner of our prov - ince, including rural and remote communities. We are also seeing leadership in bringing care closer to home, ensuring that people can access the services they need without having to travel far from their support networks. Scientists and innovators are transforming re - search into strategic advantage, supporting economic growth, improving public services and positioning British Columbia as a leader in a rapidly changing world.

At the same time, their work is helping us better under - stand and protect our natural systems, which are under increasing pressure; and guiding how we build the homes and communities of the future stronger, more resilient and more sustainable. I want to thank all of the participating scientists for sharing their knowledge, their curiosity and their com - mitment to improving lives. I encourage all members of this House to take full advantage of this opportunity to listen, to learn and to engage.

Oral Questions GOVERNMENT HANDLING OF DRIPA CONCERNS AND RELATIONSHIP WITH FIRST NATIONS Trevor Halford: I want to read something from the Re - gional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations regarding DRIPA. “So I think at this file….

I think it would be best that he puts it under the responsibility of another minister such as the Attorney General or other minister.” Given that the Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations wants the Attorney General in charge of the DRIPA file, we can only assume that it was the Attorney General who told the Premier to stand down on what the Premier said were amendments of the utmost importance.

We know this because it was the Premier who said publicly that he tapped the Attorney General on the shoulder, took her advice and decided not to go forward with amend - ments that he deemed to be completely necessary to pro - tect the legalities of British Columbians. This is a simple question to the Attorney General, which she has dodged numerous times over the last week. Did the Attorney General direct the Premier to stand down on these amendments regarding DRIPA and to pause this legislation and to do absolutely nothing to pro - tect British Columbians and their property rights? Hon.

Niki Sharma: We’re a team over here, and we

6998 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 work closely together to solve what are really important challenges to address for the province. I’ve been working with the Premier on this file since the beginning. What we are approaching now is a durable solution to what is a ser - ious challenge that we’ve been very open about. Unfortunately, the opposition has taken a different tack when it comes to how they approach this issue. They’re all about slogans without any real solution.

But what is the most troubling for me is the fearmongering, because they’re using that fear to raise money for political purposes. I just have a few quotes right here — I could go on all day — from leadership candidates that are telling mis - truths about DRIPA and Indigenous People coming after property rights. Peter Milobar…. Sorry. The member for Kamloops Centre. Interjections. Hon. Niki Sharma: I’m sorry. The member for Kamloops Centre: “Your property is under threat now. Donate now.” Yuri Fulmer: “No more using DRIPA as an excuse to surrender your future. If you agree… Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Hon. Niki Sharma: …it’s time to stop the voluntary transfer of your land and money. Pitch in here to support my campaign.” They are using fearmongering to raise money for their political campaigns, while we over here are addressing the real challenges that are facing British Columbians and working together to do that. The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Trevor H alford: You know what’s amazing about that answer? It’s that last week if you actually listened, the Pre - mier read out a quote that he had on the Simi Sara show. It was a great interview. I think everybody should listen to it.

What they should listen to, in fact, are the first couple of minutes of that interview when the Premier says that he understands that people are concerned about their prop - erty rights. This was last week, and the Premier said: “We would even go as far as backstopping mortgages.” The Premier said that numerous times. He said that again last week. [10:35 a.m.] Then you fast-forward seven minutes into that inter - view, and what does the Premier say? The Premier says that the opposition is fearmongering when it comes to property rights. Seven minutes later, and he already changed his position.

No wonder people are confused about where this government stands when it comes to property rights in British Columbia. When it comes to the Regional Chief of the Assembly, he said another quote, and I think this is really important: “I think it’s really important that we have somebody that can put the necessary energy, and perhaps the resources, behind it so we can really get moving in implementing, in fully implementing — doubling down and implementing — DR IPA.” Listen. A simple question to the Attorney General.

Can she admit that this wasn’t about getting support for chan - ges to DRIPA to protect property owners’ rights? In fact, the negotiations that she has spearheaded herself are dir - ectly related to a co-governance model that this Premier and this government have signed off on without the au - thority of elected people in British Columbia. Hon. Niki Sharma: I’m sorry to say I’m struggling to make sense of that question. I’m not sure. It’s not surpris- ing, because they like to offer slogans and not solutions. What the Premier was talking about in that radio inter - view was a real challenge… Interjections.

The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Interjection. The Speaker: Member for Abbotsford South, come to order. Hon. Niki Sharma: …that we’re tackling with solutions. Not only are we taking the legal action necessary to defend private property rights in this province, includ - ing all the tools that the Premier mentioned in that radio interview, but we’re also sitting down with our partners to solve what is a problem that we’ve been very clear about. We’re going to continue to be focused on the solutions that are needed to solve this challenging problem.

I know that they’ll continue to be focused on raising money off people’s fear. The Speaker: Member, second supplemental. Trevor Halford: Let me simplify it. I’ll ask a very direct, brief question to the Attorney General. Will she, or anybody on that side of the House, intro - duce amendments to DRIPA in this fall session? Can she guarantee that that will happen, yes or no? Hon. Niki Sharma: We are hard at work right now coming up with solutions to the challenges that we’ve faced since the Gitxaała decision. Interjections.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 6999 The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Hon. Niki Sharma: That work is underway, and we are committed to doing that together, with the ideas that have come forward from many parties on how we can solve this challenge. We’re going to do that by bringing in a durable solu - tion that actually addresses the challenges, instead of fear - mongering and trying to bring misinformation into this conversation. We’re going to do it in a way that lifts everybody up and supports the good work under DRIPA and gets our econ - omy continuing to move. MINING PROJECT IN OKANAGAN AND U.S.

INDIGENOUS TRIBE INVOLVEMENT IN COURT CASE Scott McInnis: Yesterday we learned that the Attorney General consented to having the Sn̓ ʕaýckstx Confederacy, a U.S. tribe, become a respondent in litigation at stopping a critical mineral project in the Kootenays. Again, this pro - ject is being co-developed with the Osoyoos Indian Band. This is extremely concerning. Hon. Justice Dley echoed this point in a recent judgment, saying: “There is much to WHY’s concern about the manner in which the Sn̓ ʕaýckstx had attached itself to this application.” My question to the Attorney General is very straight - forward.

Why did she make a choice to allow an American tribe to intervene here when she did not have to? Hon. Niki Sharma: I can’t talk about active court cases before this House, and I won’t. There are good reasons for it. How we show up in court and how we show up with our litigation strategy in representing the province in every - thing we do is something that is very protected in terms of: I won’t compromise our work in a courtroom by an - swering specifics of a case here. What I will say is that we have been clear that when it comes to the work with local First Nations, that takes pri - ority.

We stand beside our First Nations partners in this province through litigation and through our work, includ - ing the challenges that are coming from nations that exist outside of this province. [10:40 a.m.] The Speaker: Member, supplemental. Scott McInnis: What the Attorney General just said completely contradicts the statements from Chief Louie.

Chief Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band said yesterday, in a response I had here in the House: “When WHY Re - sources counsel objected to the Sn̓ ʕaýckstx Confederacy’s participation as a party respondent and advised the At - torney General counsel to reconsider their support, your counsel refused to do so.” My question to the Attorney General. Is one of the 20 DRIPA cases that she cannot name brought forward by the Sn̓ ʕaýckstx Confederacy? Hon. Niki Sharma: Again, I struggle to understand that question, but what I will say… Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Hon.

Niki Sharma: …is that I’ve been clear that I won’t talk about the contents of litigation decisions in something that’s before the courts, because we won’t com- promise our position in the court by doing that. We’ve been clear on this side of the House, as a govern- ment, what our position is in supporting local First Na - tions and working together with them on many projects, not only under DRIPA but through many groundbreaking agreements that lift all boats in this province and bring billions of dollars of investment to everybody.

REVIEW OF MENTAL HEALTH ACT AND CLINICAL GUIDANCE TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS Rob Botterell: It’s starting to feel a little bit like Groundhog Day , so I’m going to try another form of question. One year ago the Premier announced his government would review the Mental Health Act. It was a sliver of hope in the wake of tragedy. The Mental Health Act is archaic and embarrassingly out of step with modern understandings of mental health.

In 1964, when the Mental Health Act was written, residen - tial schools and Indian hospitals were operating under the colonial guise of care while conducting non-consensual medical experiments. Involuntary sterilization was com - mon practice against people who were declared mentally defective. Being queer was considered a mental disorder. The Mental Health Act must be reviewed and reformed, but a year after a review was promised, we still don’t know who is doing the review, who is being consulted or what questions they’re trying to answer. My question to the Minister of Health.

What are the terms of reference for the review of the Mental Health Act, and when will they be public? Hon. Josie Osborne: Thank you to the member for the question. There’s no doubt that the Mental Health Act, as an older piece of legislation, needs significant reform, and the member outlines many of the reasons why. That’s why

7000 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 we’ve made the commitment to do that work with a review of the Mental Health Act. The work is underway in the ministry right now to de - termine the scope and the terms of reference, as the mem - ber talks about, while we wait for the results of the Charter challenge. It’s very important that as this work progresses, we want to incorporate the voices that need to be at this table — people with lived and living experience, people who work with families, Indigenous voices.

That is all part of it, and when the work is ready to be announced, of course, we will do just that. In the meantime, though, we haven’t waited to make some important changes to the Mental Health Act, one of them being the provision of Independent Rights Ad - vice Service for people who are detained under the Men - tal Health Act. That’s an important modernization of it, providing people with the opportunity to provide that in - dependent legal advice that they need and deserve. The Speaker: Member, supplemental.

Rob Botterell: I hope this doesn’t signal a change in direction where all government work is put on the never- never plan because of Charter challenges. But I digress. One of the reasons we desperately need to review the Mental Health Act is to resolve the dangerous confusion clinicians are feeling thanks to this government’s spor - adic clinical guidance memos. One mental health advo - cate told us that these memos read like they were scrawled on a napkin. The advice is unclear. Front-line health care workers are unsure of their directives. Patients are at risk.

This is particularly concerning because these memos are preoccupied with involuntary treatment, which scien - tific evidence shows is one of the most invasive, ineffective and expensive responses to a mental health crisis. [10:45 a.m.] My question to the minister. Can the Minister of Health explain how these memos are created, how medical profes- sions are expected to respond and what legislative guard - rails are in place to ensure this guidance is evidence-based? Hon.

J osie O sborne: As the member knows, we are in estimates right now in the Ministry of Health, and yester - day we had the opportunity to have quite a bit of a discus - sion about the work that Dr. Daniel Vigo has been provid - ing with the ministry. I’ll invite more questions from the member when it’s their turn in estimates. Dr.

Vigo has provided valuable advice that helps clin - icians reduce some of the uncertainty in the application of the Mental Health Act when it comes to providing that advice for both adults and for children, particularly in the area of individuals who are experiencing concurrent dis - orders around severe mental illness, of course, which is what the Mental Health Act is directed at, but combined together with substance use issues and sometimes ac - quired brain injuries. It is important that this advice is provided.

There is an oversight committee between the Ministry of Health, working with health authorities and Dr. Vigo to ensure that that advice is provided to front-line clinicians to sup - port them in the questions that they have about that. That work is ongoing. Would be pleased to talk to the member more about it.

GOVERNMENT HANDLING OF DRIPA CONCERNS AND RELATIONSHIP WITH FIRST NATIONS Lorne Doerkson: The province is co-governing B.C.’s legislative agenda with groups of leaders that aren’t elected by all British Columbians, who have “no obligation to the public interest for the other 5.7 million British Colum - bians.” Those are not my words. Those are the words of Geoffrey Moyse. Members of this House are elected to govern on behalf of every single British Columbian. During these new ne - gotiations, who in government speaks on behalf of the 5.7 million British Columbians that are not at the table? Hon.

Niki Sharma: There’s just so much wrong with that question. Interjections. The Speaker: Members, shhh. Hon. Niki Sharma: We are elected to represent the public. When we’re talking about health care decisions, we talk to doctors. We talk to nurses. When we’re talking about schools, we talk to teachers. We talk to students. We work with parties across this province… Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Hon. N iki S harma: …not only the business commun - ity. When we’re making business decisions, when we’re making even work with Indigenous People, we sit down with them to try to solve problems together.

It’s what gov - ernment should do to provide lasting solutions to the chal- lenges we’re facing. I’m not sure what the member is asking us to do. If the member is asking us to make decisions without talking to people, we won’t do that. Donegal Wilson: The Premier announced last Monday that rather than proceed with legislation, this government will now sit down together with the First Nations Leader - ship Council to find a path forward.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 7001 Let’s examine his track record on transparency and let it speak for itself. On the Haida Gwaii deal in Septem - ber 2025, the Minister of Indigenous Relations found out afterwards. On the shíshálh agreement, the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, who is also the lo - cal MLA, also was not briefed. My question to the Attorney General.

Will she commit today that the negotiations underway with the First Na - tions Leadership Council will be conducted transparently, or will British Columbians, once again, find out what their government has agreed to after the deal is done? Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: I hear, from the ques- tions, that they either don’t want us to work with First Na- tions People, or if we do, we should be transparent. I think we should work with First Nations People, and we should be transparent. Okay. So we’re going with her point of view, not the leader’s. Okay. All right. All right. Interjections.

The Speaker: Thank you, Members. Shhh. Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: I helped unite the Conservatives. It’s wonderful. Interjections. The Speaker: Thank you. Thank you. Shhh. Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: So, on that question, I helped unite the Conservatives. They couldn’t figure out if they should work with First Nations or not. That member thinks we should, transparently. Those other ones don’t think we should, but they’ve decided to take her point of view. Finally, a moment of clarity from the Con - servatives over there. Interjections. The Speaker: Members, shhh. Hon.

Spencer Chandra Herbert: You know, when we enter this work…. Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Members. [10:50 a.m.] Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: It’s lovely when they scream and shout, because it just shows they have no re - spect for working with First Nations People. The minute we talk about working with First Nations People, they claim that it’s co-governance. The Speaker: Members. Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: When we work with doctors, is it co-governance? When we work with the Union of B.C. Municipalities, is it co-governance? No, be - cause it’s about othering.

They take somebody who they see as vulnerable. They other them, and then they say working with those people is somehow a horrible thing. It’s not, hon. Members. It’s not, hon. Speaker. We work with First Nations People. We work with all British Col - umbians, and I’m proud of that. Rosalyn Bird: I’m very glad that the other side actually heard something that somebody is saying to them, and I have never heard doctors say they are co-governing. When the opposition asked yesterday if the province is co-governing, the Premier said: “The opposition is delib - erately twisting this to spread fear.” This is not true.

We are simply seeking clarity over this incredibly important issue, as we cannot trust this government. We have just heard the abysmal track record. The Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations says that they have entered into co-governance. The Pre - mier says they have not. Will the Premier publicly acknowledge this co-govern - ance is now the root of all of this chaos? Hon. Niki Sharma: Our position is pretty clear on this side. Interjection. The Speaker: Member for Abbotsford South, you don’t have to speak for everything. Please. Attorney General will continue. Hon.

N iki S harma: In order to solve problems, we need to sit down with people across this province to understand different perspectives. When there are chal - lenges with hospitals, we sit down with people working in those hospitals. When there are challenges with schools, we sit down with teachers and our local school boards. This is the work of government. When we’re talking about DRIPA, which is about In - digenous People, we are going to sit down with Indigenous People to solve this problem, including other stakeholders. I’m not sure anything embedded in what they’re ask - ing is a real solution.

Again, they’re conflating things, and they’re making things different than the actual facts on the ground. We’re going to stay focused on solving the problems that we need to solve, and that means sitting down with everybody to do it. Korky Neufeld: This government should be governing for all British Columbians. This government postponed

7002 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 amendments to DRIPA for six months and has committed to having these discussions behind closed doors and has entered into co-governance with an unelected group who has made it clear that they are against any sort of changes to DR IPA. Robin Junger, a former chief provincial treaty negoti - ator and deputy minister, said: “I’m not surprised to see where we are. I’m troubled to see where we are. I think it’s fair to say we’re in a democratic crisis right now.” Is the Attorney General dismissing these comments, yes or no? Hon.

Niki Sharma: Yes, I am dismissing those comments. We are working really hard to solve a challenge with our partners and with other stakeholders across this prov - ince that we’ve been very clear about. Our approach is dif- ferent than the other side, who have said that we should stop talking to all First Nations, which would just end up with them being in court repeatedly over those challenges. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon.

Niki Sharma: We are going to continue to re - spect not only the rights and title of Indigenous People — which is what the courts have directed us to, over and over again, in this province, no matter who is in government — but we’re going to do so in a different way, by bringing people together, lifting everybody up and finding solu - tions to really challenging problems. GOVERNMENT HANDLING OF DRIPA CONCERNS AND LEGAL ISSUES Korky Neufeld: You know, after nine long years, that side of the House has caused this confusion, not this side of the House. [10:55 a.m.] The Premier keeps touting

section 7 agreements under DRIPA as the only viable pathway forward for resource development with First Nations. He also says there’s no veto in place for nations under this agreement. The Tāłtān are a very pro-resource-development na - tion. However, the government has taken away any lever - age in negotiating a fair deal for the benefit of all British Columbians under

section 7. On page 4 of a release by the Tāłtān related to the Eskay Creek gold mine, it says: “If the Tahltan Central Government board decides not to con - sent, the project cannot go ahead.” To the Attorney General, does she agree that, in fact, this DRIPA agreement requires permission or grants veto power to the Tāłtān? Hon. Niki Sharma: I’m going to talk about what work- ing together with all partners in the province does for our economy. Construction on the North Coast transmission line… Interjections. The Speaker: Members, shhh. Wait for your turn. Hon.

Niki Sharma: …which they opposed, a project that will unlock tens of billions of private sector invest - ment and employ thousands of British Columbians. Also $50 billion plus in major projects, reaching final invest - ment decisions in our province over the next 12 months. The Eskay Creek mine, moving forward through a joint process with the Tāłtān — again, billions of dollars of investment. Let’s talk about mining in this province. So 2025 saw the strongest mining exploration expenditure on record in B.C., $750 million in mining exploration. Spending jumped 36 percent, the biggest increase ever.

We are unlocking investment in this province by mak - ing sure we work with everybody to do that, and we will not apologize for that. Ward Stamer: I want to read something into the rec - ord: “We’re going to be as transparent as possible.” Those are the words of the Attorney General when being asked about the 20 court cases as a result of the Gitxaała deci - sion. She also said: “The reason that the number is out there is because of the art of transparency.” I wasn’t aware that transparency is an art. My question: if the Attorney General is so committed to transparency, will she name those 20 court cases today?

Hon. Niki Sharma: I think if the whole quote was read, the rest of it would say that I will not release the contents of the court cases. My job as Attorney General is to make sure… Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Hon. Niki Sharma: …we balance the litigation inter - ests and the rights of the province, and I’m going to make sure that happens with respect to the privilege and the solicitor-client privilege and everything involved in our court cases. That’s the way I fulfil my role as Attorney General. Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon.

Niki Sharma: We have been clear, along with the Premier, about the challenge that we face with our litiga -

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 7003 tion, and we’ll continue to speak openly with British Col - umbians about how we’re going to solve that challenge and the process that we’re going to take to get there. PROPOSED CHANGES TO DRIPA AND GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES Claire Rattée: January 20 of this year: “It is not for the courts to take over, and that’s why we’re going to amend the declaration in the spring to make that intent explicit.” That was the Premier. The Premier was clear on numer - ous occasions that legislation to amend DRIPA would be tabled this session, until he wasn’t.

Now we’re being told it’s being tabled in the fall session, maybe. Now it sounds like that’s not the case. I don’t dis - agree that the government should be consulting with First Nations on this, but the reality is that they should have started this last year when these problems began. This government’s track record is clear. They don’t properly consult until something ends up in court, and all British Columbians end up paying the price for their incompetence. My question is to the Attorney General.

Since the Pre - mier’s word obviously cannot be trusted, what is the exact timeline for when these amendments will be tabled in this House? Will it be in the fall session? And why should Brit - ish Columbians trust your government to actually deliver? Hon. Niki Sharma: The Premier has articulated to the people of British Columbia the process that we’re under - taking right now.

That is to sit down with First Nations, the FNLC, Modern Treaty Nations, the Chiefs, to under - take intense discussions about coming up with a solution to the litigation challenge that we’ve been very open about. [11:00 a.m.] I’m happy to say that what’s coming from our discus - sions are solutions, and we’re doing so in a respectful way, understanding the interests of all parties, which is, I think, what British Columbians expect of us when it comes to solving challenges. The Premier has also said that we have a six-month period, and if anything is to be introduced, it would be in the next fall session.

The Speaker: Member for Skeena, supplemental. Claire Rattée: That was interesting. “If anything is to be introduced, it’ll be in the fall session.” I assume from that that British Columbians can take that there likely won’t be any changes to DRIPA coming forward. The reality is that this government’s track record on consulting with First Nations is clear. I want to make it very clear from my perspective. You do need to be con - sulting with First Nations, but we’ve had a clear track re - cord that we’ve seen play out in just the last year. We have treaties where nations haven’t been consulted.

We’ve had pipelines where nations haven’t been consulted. Time and again, we end up in court as a result of the incompetence of this government to do proper consultation, even when those nations are residing in government-held ridings. We have heard time and again that this govern - ment doesn’t come to the table, doesn’t take those issues seriously. Interjection. Claire Rattée: I’m getting there, thank you. The problem is that I don’t know how we can trust at this point that this consultation is actually being done properly or taken seriously, and I don’t know why it was not started last year. Interjection.

Claire Rattée: Yeah, I do actually have a question. Interjections. Claire Rattée: Oh, really? Really. The Speaker: Shhh, Members. Interjections. The Speaker: Members. Interjections. Claire Rattée: Yeah, exactly. And why don’t you take a look at the amount of time that that side takes to respond to a question? [The Speaker rose.] The Speaker: The member for Skeena has the floor. [The Speaker resumed their seat.] Claire Rattée: The Attorney General has said today that they are approaching a durable solution. We don’t know what that solution is because maybe, maybe not, something will be tabled in the fall.

She has said, “We have been clear that working with local First Nations takes priority,” yet again, as I’ve mentioned, numerous na- tions haven’t been consulted. The Speaker: Member, ask a question now, please. Claire Rattée: Talk about what working together with all partners does. The Speaker: Question.

7004 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 Claire Rattée: My question is very simple. If there is not going to be legislation tabled in the fall, what can Brit - ish Columbians take from that? What is going to happen with DRIPA? Can they feel confident that we aren’t going to end up in court again before the fall session? Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: Well, we will con - tinue to work hard with British Columbians to listen to them, to ask their advice, to seek their solutions so that we can govern in a better way. That’s how you lead good government. But you know what?

On the other side, when you ask about the North Coast transmission line…. We consult with the public. We try to generate activity so we can open new mines, so we can get new opportunity in the northwest. What is their consultation period? To say no. What do we do when we talk about clean energy? Interjections. The Speaker: Shhh. Hon. Spencer Chandra Herbert: What’s their consul - tation? To say no. What do they do when we talk about improving livelihoods, family livelihoods with First Na - tions communities? They say no. Education? No. Health care? No. The party of no to everything over there.

It’s get- ting tiring. We listen. We work. We solve problems while they say no. [End of question period.] Orders of the Day Hon. Mike Farnworth: In this chamber, I call con - tinued estimates debate for the Ministry of Health. In the Douglas Fir Room, I call continued committee stage on Bill 16, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act. [11:05 a.m.] The House in Committee,

Section B. The committee met at 11:07 a.m. [Mable Elmore in the chair.] Committee of Supply ESTIMATES: MINISTRY OF HEALTH (continued) The Chair: I’ll call the committee to order. On Vote 32: ministry operations, $35,968,875,000 (continued). Claire Rattée: Just before I pick up where we left off yesterday, I’m wondering if the minister was able to get that updated document with the number of beds and the breakdown by region and all of that. Hon. Josie Osborne: Yes, it’s my understanding it was sent out. But we do have a physical copy here, which we can pass to the member. Claire Rattée: That would be great.

Thank you. I’m sorry, I didn’t see that in my inbox yet. While that’s happening, I’m just going to pick up where we had left off yesterday. We were talking about involun - tary care and those 28 net new beds that were in Alouette and Surrey Pretrial. I just wanted to clarify that what I meant when I was asking that was that those 28 are the only beds that are for the sole purpose of involuntary care. These two facilities are solely focused around involuntary care, while there are other beds that are in separate facilities that could be used dual purpose.

They could be used for one or the other, depending on the situation. The 153 and the 266, those can kind of go back and forth. But those two facilities, the number of beds there are the only ones that are solely for the purpose of in - voluntary treatment. [11:10 a.m.] Hon. Josie Osborne: Welcome back, to the member for Skeena. I’m looking forward to the conversation we’ll have for the next hour.

Again, back to Surrey Pretrial Centre, which has ten beds designated under the Mental Health Act for psychi - atric care; and Spiritwood Homes, as they are now called, in Maple Ridge, which has 18 beds designated under the Mental Health Act…. I want to be very clear that these beds are not designated for the exclusive use of individ - uals who are receiving involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act. Now, in practice, most of the beds at Spiritwood Homes are very high-needs residents or patients with high-risk behaviours.

Most people, generally, will be receiving in - voluntary care under the Mental Health Act. Surrey Pretrial Centre — the same could be said. But I want to be clear that if there is an individual who goes into crisis, who, in discussions with a clinician, is offered psychiatric treatment and voluntarily accepts that treat - ment, they can use that bed in Surrey Pretrial. It is not held empty because we’re waiting for somebody who is be- ing involuntarily held under the Mental Health Act to use that bed. Again, the designation of the beds is as psychiatric beds to receive that care.

It is a clinical decision whether the pa - tient will receive that care involuntarily, and that, of course, can only be done when the conditions explicitly listed in

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 7005 the Mental Health Act are met and the clinical assessment has been made. Claire R attée: Thank you to the minister. That does help clarify it for me. Then, if I’m correct in my math here, that means that we have 447 beds in this province that could theoretically provide involuntary treatment. The reason that I’m asking that is because Dr. Vigo estimates that there are approxi - mately 2,500 people in British Columbia that have mental health, substance use and a brain injury as a concurrent disorder. That’s a pretty low percentage.

We’re not even at half, as far as bed capacity. My question to the minister is, essentially: does she be - lieve that this is enough? What is the plan to address this? What is the current utilization rate of the beds that exist? [11:15 a.m.] Hon. Josie Osborne: I want to be clear that there are hundreds and hundreds of more beds than just the 447 that we were talking about specifically yesterday.

I read into the record the beds that we have announced as a gov - ernment that we would modernize and create net new, and then together with the Spiritwood Homes and the Surrey Pretrial Centre, that makes up the 447 number. But I also yesterday referred to the number of desig - nated beds under the Mental Health Act for psychiatric care. That is actually nearly 2,100. Again, there are 930 acute care beds, 952 tertiary beds, 190 beds at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, the ten at Surrey Pretrial and the 18 at Spiritwood. Again, that’s nearly 2,100 designated beds for psychiatric care.

Yesterday I also referred to, when we were talking about that, just over 400 beds that were announced, some net new, some modernized as part of government’s plans to expand this type of care. As the Premier and others have spoken openly about, too, with the work that Dr. Vigo is doing with govern - ment and providing advice on this small group of people experiencing this triad of concurrent disorders of severe mental illness, acquired brain injury and substance use disorders….

The type of care that is required for those people is something that government is committed to continuing to build out — looking at sites right now in Surrey and in Prince George, and in time, expanding to other areas of the province — because we know it is important for people to get care as close to home as possible. We also know, sadly, that this population of people ex - periencing these concurrent disorders has grown in very, very large part due to the toxic drug crisis that the prov - ince is experiencing.

Claire Rattée: The reason I was asking about those 447 in relation to the 2,500 people that are experiencing those three concurrent disorders is because, as the minis - ter had already mentioned, that is a very small portion of the population. So that’s just 2,500 right there, and those are people that are not likely to voluntarily seek it. They may, but most of them are not likely to, and that’s kind of the target audience for who we’re looking at when we’re looking at involuntary care.

The 2,100 beds, even if we were factoring that into the equation, still wouldn’t actually serve 2,500 people that are estimated to be living with all three concurrent disor - ders. Not to mention the fact that if that’s a small part of the population, we can assume that there are thousands and thousands more British Columbians that also volun - tarily need access to either treatment or a psychiatric bed or a combination of the two, whatever that may look like. That’s why I made the comment about that 447 beds, because those are the ones that are solely targeted at that audience of 2,500, roughly, give or take.

I was really look - ing to see if we have a plan to be able to address that, not - withstanding the need to address not having sufficient capacity for treatment beds. I will get to that, again, a little bit later.

There was a January 2026 Ombudsperson report that assessed the implementations of the recommendations that were made in the 2019 report on involuntary care under the Mental Health Act. [11:20 a.m.] I am hoping that the minister can explain why there has been no progress on recommendation 7 — to imple - ment an appropriate way of identifying involuntary pa - tients who are clients of the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia. Will this recommendation be met prior to the introduction of the 100 involuntary beds men - tioned by the Premier at the UBCM convention? Hon.

Sheila Malcolmson: I seek leave to make an introduction. Leave granted. Introductions by Members Hon. Sheila Malcolmson: I would like the chamber to welcome a school group from my riding of Nanaimo– Gabriola Island. In the gallery are grades 6 and 7 students from Cinnabar Valley Elementary. Big hello, and really glad you’re here. This is the people’s House, so it’s really good that you’re here. What you’re wit- nessing here is the specialist from the Conservative Party, official opposition, asking questions of the Health Min - ister about her budget.

This particular conversation, you can tell, is about mental health and addictions. The minister, who’s elected from Tofino and that part of Vancouver Island…. This is part of her 18 hours of ques-

7006 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 tions. She’s answering questions about how she spends her budget, and I’m really glad that you’re here to witness it. Will the gallery please make my fellow students very welcome. [11:25 a.m.] Debate Continued Hon. Josie Osborne: Just coming back to the previ - ous answer, we were talking about the number of Mental Health Act–designated beds in the psychiatric system in British Columbia. I want to be clear that it’s not….

I don’t think the member is intending this, but it’s not a strict kind of apples-to-apples comparison of one bed, one per - son when comparing the number of beds that are available for a population of people. People don’t occupy a bed for an entire year, for example. One bed can service several people. At the same time noting, too, as we talked about yes - terday, that there are different levels of care.

People can step up and step down as they move — sometimes into an acute care facility or a longer-term facility, a tertiary bed; and sometimes receiving community supports, for example, through mental health teams or through

an ACT team. Also, just to make the point that not all psychiatric care needs to be delivered in a bed. That is why the relation - ship between a patient and their care provider team is so important to determine what is best for that person with the situation that they are in and what they are facing, to provide the most appropriate level of care. Of course, in some cases, that must be bed-based, but in other cases, it is not always required and, in fact, can be much better and healthier for a patient or person to be able to receive psychiatric care in community.

Moving on to the member’s question about the Om - budsperson’s 2019 report, I’m going to just take this op - portunity to provide a brief update from 2026 and the update that the Ombudsperson’s office themselves pro - vided. This was a report that made 24 recommendations regarding the Mental Health Act compliance and rights protections. In their 2026 update, the Ombudsperson’s of- fice reported that 12 of the 24 recommendations are fully implemented, eight are partially implemented, and four have not demonstrated substantial progress yet.

The ministry and the health authorities are actively working together and have responded to many, many areas of what the report pointed to — for example, es - tablishing clear and consistent provincial standards for involuntary admissions procedures under the Mental Health Act; establishing a regular audit of designated fa - cilities compliance with Mental Health Act forms comple - tion requirements.

Through the audits, we are continuing to see improve - ments in those Mental Health Act form completion rates compared to 2019; and also in the implementation of poli - cies and requirements for processes for completing form 5, the consent for treatment to ensure that treatment is ap - propriately authorized and documented.

As well, improvements to processes around form 16, notification to near relatives, ensuring that more patients’ families or loved ones are receiving information about their loved ones’ status; reviewing and making improve - ments to training that is offered to those who exercise au - thorities under the Mental Health Act; addressing issues related to records management for Mental Health Act forms for involuntarily admitted patients; implementation of the Independent Rights Advice Service and an updated guide to the Mental Health Act, which will be published in the next several months.

In addition to this, the member has asked specifically about recommendation 7, recommending that the Min - istry of Health and health authorities develop and imple - ment, in consultation with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner and the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia, an appropriate method for identifying patients who are clients of the Public Guard - ian and Trustee of B.C.

Under the Mental Health Act, it actually requires that we provide notification to the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia about all patients who are taken in involuntarily under the Mental Health Act. What we need to do is work to devise a system that is more manageable. In the notification process, this is something that is im - portant, of course, not just to the PGT but also incredibly important to families and has been the subject of much discussion amongst people with lived and living experi - ence and their families and will comprise a part of the Mental Health Act review.

Under the Mental Health Act review, looking specific - ally at notification processes and procedures will help us to address this recommendation. That is why the substan - tive change or developments that perhaps the member is seeking to learn more about haven’t occurred yet.

But I’m encouraged to know that that work will be underway, and it will be part of the Mental Health Act review. [11:30 a.m.] Claire Rattée: On the first part of the response there, I do understand and recognize that one bed is not neces - sarily one person, but that was also partially why I asked a couple of times about utilization rates, to try and better understand where we were at with that. I’m still going through this Ombudsperson report.

Recommendation 19 requires the board of directors for each health authority to establish a 100 percent compli - ance rate in form completion for the involuntary admis - sions process under the Mental Health Act as a yearly per - formance measure.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 7007 Apparently, there’s been no progress made on that recommendation. The deadline was March 2021. It also notes that the rate of completion for form 5 was another major concern outlined in the report, particularly due to Bill 32 repealing the deemed-consent provision in the Mental Health Act. When this was introduced, I raised concerns about scrapping deemed consent without creating a replacement framework.

I’m wondering if the minister agrees with the Ombuds- person that the rate of completion for form 5 is concern - ing and that Bill 32 has potentially created some uncer - tainty for involuntary care standards and if that needs to be further looked at and why no progress has been made on recommendation 19. Hon. Josie Osborne: Thank you again to the member for the focus on the importance of the proper and com - plete use of form 5s under the Mental Health Act that provide that direction for involuntary care.

This was the focus of the Ombudsperson’s report in 2019 and then be - came, as I was just describing, the subject of work between the Ministry of Health and health authorities. Now, since the report was released in 2019, the ministry and health authorities have been reporting their progress on the completion of all forms. There are six different forms typically used under the act, as the member knows. For example, starting in Q2 of 2020, forms 4.1 and 4.2 showed a 58 and 55 percent completion rate. But four years later, at Q2 2024, that had jumped to 89 and 91 percent.

With reference to form 5 specifically, in Q2 2020, the completion rate was just 27 percent. Now, that is clearly unacceptable. Two years later it had jumped to 49 percent. Two years after that again, Q2 2024, it’s up at 74 percent. [11:35 a.m.] After the amendments to the Mental Health Act last fall that the member and I debated here in this House, I issued a directive to all of the health authorities with my expectation that that work would continue to reach a 100 percent compliance rate.

Now, I don’t have an updated figure newer than Q2 2024 to provide to the member, but certainly, as we receive that, just as we have with the com - pletion rates from previous audits, we’ll make that public. Claire Rattée: Moving on to a slightly different topic, did the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research re - ceive approval from the ministry for a two-year extension to 2026 on the safe supply evaluation? Hon.

Josie Osborne: We tracked down the specifics, which are that, yes, the institute has received two separate one-year extensions for an evaluation of the prescribed al - ternatives program, and that now expires September 2026. Claire Rattée: The FOI that I received indicated that the final report would have been completed March of this year, so I’m wondering if the report has been completed. And will it be made public? [11:40 a.m.] Hon. Josie Osborne: The ministry has received an in - terim report, which is under review right now by the min - istry staff. We’ve not received a final report.

Of course, with the new September 2026 ending of the contract, we’ll expect to see further reporting by then. Hon. Sheila Malcolmson: I seek leave to make an introduction. Leave granted. Introductions by Members Hon. Sheila Malcolmson: Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Members. I’d like the legislative chamber to welcome the grade 6-7 class from Cinnabar Valley Elementary in my riding of Nanaimo–Gabriola Island, here with their teacher Tabi - tha Oakley. We’re really glad that you’re here.

You’re in the people’s House, and what you’re witnessing is an exchange between the Mental Health and Addictions critic for the Conserva - tive opposition on this side asking questions of the Health Minister about her budget, focusing on the issues of men - tal health and addictions. Sitting behind the minister are members of her public service. When a question is asked, then the minister asks her public service for advice. This is the opposite of ques - tion period, where everything happens really quickly. This is kind of like watching paint dry. The critic has 15 minutes to ask her question.

The min - ister has 15 minutes to answer her question. The purpose is to get as much information out…. It’s not really a de - bate; it’s an information-seeking exercise. This is like hour 3 of 18 hours of questions that the Health Minister will get. She’s elected in Tofino. I’ll just say we’re really glad you’re here. Thank you to the Chair for letting me introduce my school members. Debate Continued Claire Rattée: Sorry, I don’t know if I maybe missed it. I was asking if that report is going to be made public, whether it’s the interim report or the final report. Hon.

J osie O sborne: All along, the institute has been releasing some of the results as they’ve made findings in the work that they’ve done. Just noting the role of the federal government, too, in commissioning some of this work, they’ve also committed to publishing their results

7008 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 through peer-reviewed journals and papers. Certainly, that will be public. [11:45 a.m.] Some of the interim results are showing that prescribed alternatives are associated with substantial reductions in mortality and that clients are reporting reduced use of unregulated substances and better outcomes, particularly when the dosing is adequate and when they have stable housing as well — interesting initial results. I’m looking forward to seeing the continued reporting coming from the institute and the eventual publication, yes, of their findings.

Claire Rattée: We know right now that there are fewer people accessing safe supply or prescribed alternatives than there were at the peak of the program. It seems like that number is continuing to go down, based on what I’ve seen. We also know that the government has spent roughly $8.87 million every year on safe supply. I’m wondering how much money is going to be allocated for that this year, given that we have fewer and fewer people accessing the program. Hon.

Josie Osborne: As the member indicates, the province has allocated $8.87 million per year to support both the prescribed alternative programs as well as the evaluation work that’s underway. Also, as the member has indicated, the number of persons who are dispensed any prescribed alternatives — which in December 2025 was 3,409 individuals — is down from the number of people at the peak, when 5,189 were dispensed any prescribed alternatives. That was March 2023. The number of clinicians that are providing pre - scribed alternatives, as of December 2025, was also 685.

I do want to say, though, that in looking at the pre- scribed alternative program, it is also important to take into account other forms of treatment that are related to the care that these clients, these patients, are receiving. Together, co-prescribing opioid prescribed alternatives, for example, with opioid agonist treatment can form com - mon practice and is helping patients adjust to OAT more quickly and to maintain their engagement with OAT.

When looking at the envelope of funding that provides this direct kind of care to British Columbians, I think it’s important to consider both those programs together. [11:50 a.m.] In December 2025, the same month for which I just cited the figure of 3,409 people who were dispensed pre - scribed alternatives, there were also, of those, 2,345 who were dispensed both PA and OAT within the same month. So 75 percent of people who were receiving an opioid pre - scribed alternative back in December 2025 were also re - ceiving OAT at the same time. Claire Rattée: I don’t understand.

Does that mean that we’re not changing that budget, that the budget is staying the same? We’re spending the exact same amount even though there are far fewer people utilizing the program? I’m just trying to get clarity on how much money we’re anticipating to actually get spent on that this year. There’s no change? Hon. Josie Osborne: Yeah, the $8.87 million is an en - velope of funding that is provided for the prescribed al - ternative program. Then as the number of patients who receive it fluctuates…. It may go up, it may come down, but it is encompassed within an envelope.

Now, if the number decreases and the expenses don’t total $8.87 million, well then, clearly there’s a surplus in that particular part of the Ministry of Health’s envelope. But we want to be sure that there is adequate funding for those individuals who are receiving this form of care, and it continues to be an important form of care for people. Claire Rattée: Was there a surplus for that last year? Hon. Josie Osborne: Because this most previous fis - cal year, ’25-26, isn’t closed out, I cannot tell you what the total amount is yet.

But I can tell the member that in 2024-2025, for the opioid prescribed alternatives drug program, the subtotal was $17.3 million. Claire Rattée: I want to ask some questions about Red Fish Healing Centre. It’s been several years since a second location was promised by this government. I asked in budget estimates a year ago about that second location, and I was told that the work was still underway to scout a new location. I recall being frustrated with that response at the time, and I’m going to be really frustrated if I get it again, because this is something that has been promised for several years now.

I’m hoping that the minister has an update on where we are at with the second location for that facility. [11:55 a.m.] Hon. Josie Osborne: Good news for the member. This gives me an opportunity to talk about govern - ment’s progress with respect to expanding the model of care that Red Fish Centre in Coquitlam is providing. As the member knows, this is a mixture of involuntary and voluntary patients who are receiving the intense care — we would call it quaternary beds, in most cases — for people often with high-risk behaviours and who need high inten - sity of services, too, around concurrent disorders.

Now, we’ve spoken quite a bit in this House over the past year about the expansion of beds that can be used for involuntary care into Prince George and Surrey. The vision, really, is that these become like a hub-and-spoke

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 7009 model with Red Fish in Coquitlam, where the facilities in Prince George and in Surrey that are actively being planned right now for development and opening will pro - vide that type of care for concurrent disorders. So while it may not be a Red Fish Healing Centre per se, again, it’s this hub-and-spoke model. The work that Dr. Vigo has been doing in providing advice on this particular population of patients, the type of care that is needed and the importance of being able to provide that kind of care out in regional health authorities is really important.

We’ve seen incredible successes at the Red Fish Healing Centre, and knowing that we will be able to provide that model of care to a similar population of patients in those centres is an important part of expanding that model. While I don’t have a precise estimate of the number of beds yet in those two centres, as the planning work is completed and government is able to make further an - nouncements about exactly where those two projects are, of course, that will be released. Then at the same time, Dr.

Vigo continues to work together with the Ministry of Health and the health au - thorities about identifying further sites, next in Interior and in Vancouver Island Health Authority. With that, I move that the committee rise and report progress and ask leave to sit again. Motion approved. The Chair: The committee is adjourned. The committee rose at 11:57 a.m. The House resumed at 11:57 a.m. [The Speaker in the chair.] Mable Elmore: Committee of Supply,

Section B, re - ports progress on the estimates of the Ministry of Health and asks to leave to sit again. Leave granted. Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat:

Section A re - ports progress on Bill 16 and asks leave to sit again. Leave granted. Hon. Jessie Sunner moved adjournment of the House. Motion approved. The Speaker: This House stands adjourned until 1:30 p.m. today. The House adjourned at 11:58 a.m. Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room The House in Committee,

Section A. The committee met at 11:08 a.m. [Debra Toporowski / Qwulti’stunaat in the chair.] Committee of the Whole BILL 16 — MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES AMENDMENT ACT, 2026 (continued) The Chair: Good morning, Members. I will call the Committee of the Whole on Bill 16 to order. On clause 7 (continued). Larry Neufeld: I feel like I accomplished almost every - thing I needed to yesterday, so this will be a little quicker. With respect to the conversation that we had yesterday, I was very happy to hear from the minister comments to the effect of flexibility. People can buy what they like. I very much agree with that.

I’ve said it many times. If you choose to own an electric vehicle, absolutely, I support that 100 percent. And I’ve made very clear what my con - cerns are around mandating that. [11:10 a.m.] The minister did make some very interesting com - ments yesterday, and I’m pleased to hear them. I believe that February, if I was not mistaken, was a record sales month in the province. Interjection. Larry Neufeld: March. Thank you for that correction. Fantastic. Great. My question to the minister is: if we’re setting records, why do we require a mandate when the market itself is making the decision? The Chair: Minister.

Hon. Adrian Dix: Well, thank you very much, hon. Chair. It’s good to see you. It’s good to see everybody. This is going to be a fun de - bate. I sensed that, and that’s why we’re drawing so well in the committee today. The question is pretty straightforward. Interjection. Hon. Adrian Dix: It appears my fan club is on the other side.

7010 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 But I’d say that what we intend to do with this man - date, understanding that EVs are good for our economy, are good for human health…. We, significantly, have had troubles, which I think everyone acknowledges, in terms of getting access to the cars. We want people to have the opportunity to buy. This is a moment when the price differential between EVs and other cars is declining, when the range of EVs is expand - ing. We want British Columbians to have an opportun - ity to participate, help us meet, yes, our economic and cli - mate targets.

That’s why we’re proceeding with this legislation. The legislation strongly supports the purchase of EVs for all of the reasons I’ve described — the economic reasons, the climate action reasons, the health reasons. Less pollution is good for human health in a general sense. These are the reasons we’re doing it. Here and everywhere else in the world, they are recognizing that, through rapid, almost exponential growth of EVs. There has been some change in the policy climate in the United States of America with respect to EVs. We have to recognize that. We had some short-term impacts, like the behaviour of Mr.

Musk in the Trump administration, which dramatically hurt, at least for a period, the sales of Teslas in our province. This is an opportunity for British Columbians. We want to make sure they have access to the cars, and that’s what the mandates do. They support the federal mandate. The federal mandate, effectively, using tailpipe emissions, to 75 percent in 2035…. We’re matching that. We’re say - ing that that is a target that allows us to be flexible, as the member suggests, and reasonable in the level we’re at.

But I’m very pleased that we’ve seen here, in the last month, a return and, indeed, an increase over what we saw at the beginning of the Trump administration, which had a negative short-term effect on sales here in British Columbia. We’re No. 1 in Canada. But I’m not satisfied with being No. 1. We want to do better. I don’t think most people look at these questions and say: “I want to be better than Nova Scotia.” They want to say that we want to improve our economy and our health and our opportunities for people.

It is changing the marketplace and becoming more af - fordable, both for new car sales, which are affected here, but also through used car sales, a market I’m much more interested in myself. Used car sales, because we have now 229,000 EVs on the road and growing, are going to con - tinue to climb as well. Finally, I’d just note the important question of cost to drive and range, the improvements being made in EVs in our marketplace. We want to have access to that.

Electri - city is less volatile than gasoline, and I think there are a lot of people in British Columbia who wish, in the wake of what’s happening between the United States and Israel and Iran, that they owned an EV right now. Just to put the number, there is a significant difference in costs at $1.40 a litre. There is below that, but at $1.40 a litre, there’s a significant increase, difference in cost, but we’re well above that now because of world market condi - tions.

I think what this says is that we’re on the right track with this legislation, consistent with the federal govern - ment and giving opportunity to people in B.C. Larry N eufeld: In response to the minister, I don’t dis- agree with a large portion of what he said. My question actually, or my comment, is around…. If the market is already dictating a massive uptake, as we’ve identified in March, why do we require a mandate? Why don’t we allow the people to make their own decision to purchase these vehicles instead of forcing them to? [11:15 a.m.] Hon. Ad rian D ix: Well, the people do make their de - cision, right?

And I’m delighted in B.C. that we lead the country in EVs and we lead the country in hybrids. By definition, therefore, we’re lowest in the country in ICE vehicles. That’s what the people want to see, and I’m very proud of that. What we need to do, though, is give people the op - portunity, the idea. It’s in the not very recent past where people had to wait eight, nine, 12 months on a list to buy the EV that they want. Just as EVs, just at this time, are across the world becoming the vehicle of choice — and in many respects, the best cars — we want to make sure people have access here.

That’s why we think the man - dates, admittedly amended to reflect where we are, con - tinue to be important. Clause 7 approved. On clause 8. Larry Neufeld: In the last response, the minister did speak of hybrids, and that is something I’ve recently looked at myself, quite honestly.

With respect to the hybrids — and I believe this fits better into clause 8 than it does 7, which is why I left the question — the request by the Premier of Ontario to the Premier of British Columbia over allowing hybrid vehi - cles to be included in the ZEV, in the mandate, would al - low Canadians to purchase Canadian-built vehicles that would fit that mandate. I’m wondering if the minister would like to comment to that, please. Hon. Adrian Dix: Well, I would be…. I’m surprised that the Premier of Ontario isn’t thanking the people of B.C. for buying so many Ontario-built hybrids, because people in B.C….

They’ve shown this again and again, re - cently, with respect, for example, to going to the United States to make purchases in response to our current cir -

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 B ritish Columbia Debates 7011 cumstances with the American government. The people of B.C. have spoken. They’ve spoken about buying B.C. They’ve taken action. We see this in the cross-border sales. We see it in the short-term visits. We see it in the vis- its to the United States. We see it in travel patterns, where in an unprecedented way, people in B.C. are shopping and vacationing in B.C. and in Canada, including Ontario.

So what I would say to the Premier of Ontario is that we have made changes to the law here, but we believe in EVs, and by the way, the Premier of Ontario should as well. The Premier of Ontario and his province have received very significant federal subsidies in this space. They’ve re - ceived very significant federal support. I’m a Canadian. I want us to buy Canadian as much as possible, and I support when Ontario does well. But On - tario, to be frank, hasn’t delivered in this space as much as they should want to. They have a very poor charging network.

I heard someone from Ontario say: “It’s colder in Toronto.” Well, it isn’t colder in Toronto than it is in Mont- real. In Montreal, they’re doing three times as well here. The benefit of Canadian automobile policy is primar - ily to Ontario, and that’s a good thing, not a bad thing. So I think that the Premier of Ontario and, I’m hopeful, the people of Ontario will do their share in helping us meet our national goals. It shouldn’t just be the people of B.C. standing up.

The people of Ontario should have the op - portunity to do their national goals, and I believe, know - ing Ontarians, they absolutely want to do that if granted the opportunity. I’m hopeful that the Premier of Ontario, consistent with his letter to the Premier of B.C., will do his

part in doing what we’re doing, putting in place a remarkable charging system, the best in Canada here in B.C., and that he’ll follow the province of Quebec and support that sys - tem so that people in Toronto, in the Soo, in Sudbury and in Thunder Bay will do what we’re doing across British Columbia, which is improving the economy, improving human health — because they don’t produce gasoline in Ontario either — and improving affordability for people. [11:20 a.m.] I would encourage the Premier of Ontario not to ex - press these views about legislation in B.C., although I wel - come debate, and I’m delighted to hear from him.

I’m delighted to hear from colleagues across the coun - try but also to participate in what we’re trying to do together as a country, which I think will set Canada apart from the United States and improve our economic, fiscal and personal resilience against the kind of shocks we’ve seen, including the intermittency of fossil fuels that we’ve seen as a result of the Iran war. Rob Botterell: It’s certainly enjoyable to be here today to hear the answers to questions for the minister. It’s a highlight of the day. I just wanted to raise a question.

There are MLAs that have the privilege and the joy of living around Prince George and north of Prince George. Some of those MLAs are saying: “Electric vehicles, EVs — great idea, but cer - tainly not in this part of B.C. because it gets cold here in the winter.” Knowing that the minister has in-depth knowledge and appreciation of all of the benefits and challenges that EVs involve, I’m curious what the minister’s view is of EVs in northern B.C., considering that in Norway the average temperature in winter is minus 7 degrees and sometimes goes to minus 20 or 30. Passenger vehicles in Norway….

As I understand it, EVs are around 95 percent. I don’t know if this has been canvassed before, but I’d like to raise just a question about temperature and EVs. Hon. Adrian Dix: Interestingly, earlier in the debate, I was praising the hon. member in his profession. Perhaps his colleague will fill him in on that. But I wanted to say a couple of things. As I was discuss - ing yesterday, there’s a different car market in the Interior than here. I think we just have to acknowledge that there’s a dramatic…. Than here in Victoria and in Vancouver…. There are a lot of trucks in Victoria and Vancouver if you drive around.

Of course there are. It’s a very popular thing for all kinds of reasons — work and personal pref - erence. There are a lot of trucks here. But there are a lot more trucks…. It’s not a non-EV space, but it’s a less de - veloped EV space. So it’s understandable that you would have a different approach in different parts of the prov - ince equally. We have been and we’ve sort of completed the EV char- ging network…. We need to do a better job in regions of addressing that issue, especially when distances are longer and issues of range anxiety are more.

We have to acknow - ledge that there’s a different reality in the North and EV sales reflect that reality and to be respectful of that, and that’s what we’re continuing to do. What’s happening, though, and you’ll see this…. There’s a very significant

article I recommend to the member today about the evolution in range and the reduc- tion in price of EVs and the evolution in range, which is going to significantly improve that. What we need to do as a province is ensure that we have a charging network in the North worthy of our plan and our policies so it’s there for people who want to make that choice. Secondly, technological improvements will improve the situation in the North now — both in terms of range and in terms of reliability, on these questions.

So I think we have to understand the difference, respect the differ - ence but pursue policies that allow the inevitable result, which is the increasing growth of EV sales across the province. That’s the equality of the policy, I think, which is char - ging networks and access in ensuring that people have ac - cess to cars and trucks in different regions, while reflect -

7012 B ritish Columbia Debates T uesday, April 28, 2026 ing legitimate differences between regions and people’s circumstances in those regions and the nature of the car market in those regions. I was telling people yesterday that the best lesson I ever got on the car market in B.C. was from Jim Pattison, who talked to me about trucks in some places and cars in some places and how people have different needs from their ve - hicles and different plans.

I think we see that in different regions. [11:25 a.m.] But the overriding provincial policy should be to en - sure that there is, absolutely, that opportunity in the North, and as circumstances change — especially on tech - nology, especially on technology on different kinds of cars — that will be reflected in purchases as well. Larry Neufeld: To the minister and perhaps a col - league to my left, I would like to tell a little stor

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20260428am-Hansard-n165
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20260428am Hansard n165
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	8240cf2354f79c898e981eedcb1cee0df626c57b

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