British Columbia Hansard — Tuesday, March 7, 2006

H0307am-03

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 38th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) Tuesday, March 7, 2006 Morning Sitting Volume 7, Number 3 THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOFF, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Humphreys Director, Hansard Services ..................................................................................................................................................Anthony Dambrauskas Legislative Librarian ..................................................................................................................................................................................Jane Taylor Legislative Comptroller...............................................................................................................................................................................Dan Arbic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONTENTS Tuesday, March 7, 2006 Morning Sitting Routine Proceedings Page Address by Her Excellency the Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada.............................................. .. 2761

2761 TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2006 The House met at 10:03 a.m. [S. Hawkins in the chair.] Prayers. Hon. M. de Jong: Madam Speaker, in anticipation of the Governor General's access to this chamber, I move that we do recess from this chamber. Deputy Speaker: The House will recess until such time that the bells will summon the arrival of the Gov- ernor General. The House recessed from 10:05 a.m. to 11:13 a.m. Mr. Speaker: Hon. members, guests, would you please rise for the arrival of Her Excellency the Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada. Her Excellency the Rt. Hon.

Michaëlle Jean, Gover- nor General of Canada, having entered the chamber, took her seat on the throne. Mr. Speaker: Pray be seated. On behalf of all members and on behalf of all British Columbians, I would like to welcome you here to Victo- ria and to the legislative chamber. We are honoured to have you here. I would like to invite you, Her Excellency the Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean, to say a few words. Address by Her Excellency the Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada Rt. Hon. M. Jean (Governor General): Premier, Chief Justice, Mr.

Speaker, members of the Legislative Assembly, Your Worship, distinguished guests, chers amis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [1115] It's really a great pleasure to start my first official visit to British Columbia here in Victoria. I so appreciate the warmth, in every sense of the word, of your welcome.

I t i s e a s y t o u n d e r s t a n d w h y — despite your dis- tance from what is consider ed the business, financial and political centre of this country — British Columbia remains the destination of choice for many Canadians, particularly those who seek greater balance in their lives and also a deeper connection with the physical environment. Indeed, Victoria 's longstanding tradition of counting blossoms helps to remind the rest of the country of how important it is to stop and smell the roses.

And I confess that since my first visit to Vancou- v e r , I h a v e i m a g i n e d t h a t i f I w e r e t o c h o o s e t o l i v e anywhere outside of my home province of Quebec, it would certainly be here in B.C. — not just because of the glorious physical surroundings. The dynamism and energy of your province and its people is equally ar- resting. On this trip my travels are confined to your two southernmost metropolitan centres. But I know that Vancouver and Victoria are not reflective of the entire province, as I'm sure many of you in this chamber would be quick to point out.

So let me assure you that I am equally eager to visit the other corners of your great province — to bear witness to the quiet grandeur of Haida Gwaii and the ancient traditions of its people; to bask in the bright Okanagan sunshine and sample its world-famous produce and wines; to explore and ex- perience B.C.'s north, its coast and its interior. Serious students of history know that Canada would not be Canada were it not for British Columbia.

By becoming the sixth province to join Confederation in 1871, B.C. played a transformative role, complement- ing our Atlantic heritage with a Pacific orientation that has helped to redefine us in significant ways. The manner in which your entry was negotiated exempli- fies the bold pioneer spirit that continues to thrive here. Si vous trouvez qu'il est difficile de nos jours de représenter, à Ottawa ou même à Victoria, un comté du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, imaginez-vous ce que cela pouvait être, il y a plus d'un siècle.

En effet, pour se rendre d'ici jusqu'à notre capitale nationale en 1871, la délégation de la Colombie-Britannique devait voyager par bateau à vapeur jusqu' à San Francisco et, de là, prendre le train jusqu'à Chicago, puis la voiture à cheval jusqu'à Ottawa. Un périple qui durait deux semaines. Une fois arrivée à Ottawa, la délégation de représentants de la Colombie-Britannique avait prévu demander à Sir John A. Macd onald de faire construire une route pour les voitures à cheval reliant leur prov- ince au reste du pays.

C'est alors que George Étienne Cartier, le lieutenant québécois du premier minister du Canada, les prenant à part, leur a dit, avec la ruse qu'on lui connaissait : "Non, non, non! Soyez plus ambitieux. Soyez plus ambitieux, demandez un chemin de fer!" Cartier ne se rendait pas compte que, en leur faisant cette recommandation, il nouait entre les politiciens de la Colombie-Britannique et du Québec un lien qui a perduré de manière assez étonnante. [1120] As challenging as it is to represent a northern B.C. riding in Ottawa or even Victoria today, you should consider the task more than a century ago.

To get from here to our national capital in 1871, the B.C. delegation had to travel by steamboat to San Francisco, across land by train to Chicago and then by wagon to Ottawa. It took them two weeks. Once in Ottawa, the delegation planned to ask Sir John A. Macdonald to build a wagon road to B.C. as a means of connecting it to the rest of the country. But George-Etienne Cartier, the Prime Minister's wily Quebec lieutenant, took the weary B.C. politicians aside and in- sisted: "Non, non, non! You must be more ambitious.

You must ask for a railway!" In delivering this advice, Cartier established a special bond between B.C. and Quebec poli- ticians that has persisted in surprising ways ever since. The delegation, of course, acted on his words, and the rest of the story constitutes our shared history. The daring, expensive promise ex tracted from Sir John A.

2762 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES T UESDAY, MARCH 7, 2006 Macdonald by British Columbia became an essential part of our national dream. Successive generations of British Columbians have never stopped building on that dream. As a result, 135 years later Canadians across the country continue to benefit from your pres- ence in Confederation. The abundance of your spectacular landscape has inspired artists for centuries, and it attracts tourists from around the world. The attention paid to develop- ing your rich resources has yielded enviable prosperity for generations.

And now the means that you are de- veloping to balance the two remind us all of the fragil- ity of this small planet we share and the respect we owe it and each other. Respect manifests itself in many ways. Just let me speak to one of these. As an immigrant to Canada who has been honoured with the opportunity to serve its citizens, I am particularly moved to be here in your Parliament Buildings.

British Columbia has a long tra- dition of electing members from immigrant and minor- ity communities who have ensured that this Legisla- ture has led the way in reflecting the rich diversity of your province's and Canada's population. In this chamber Frank Cald er, the first status Indian to be elected to the Legislature, gave voice and dignity to the concerns of aboriginal British Columbians. As Speaker, Emery Barnes, the first black Speaker in any Canadian Legislature, ably served not just his commu- nity but the entire province.

Since then, members of this House of Chinese and Southeast Asian heritage have continued to make visible the multifaceted inheri- tance of your citizens. In 2000, B.C. made Ujjal Dosanjh Canada's first non- Caucasian and first Indo-Canadian provincial Premier.

In this process your Legislature has demonstrated in a tangible and high-profile way the warm welcome that B.C. embodies — the symbol of hope, the symbol of op- portunity that your province continues to represent, not just to the rest of this country but to the rest of the world. [1125] Your multicultural cities, where English-as-a-second- language students often outnumber the Canadian-born, are really a beacon of what's possible, a model of how diverse communities can live and prosper together.

We may not be able to package this or put a price tag on it, but it nevertheless remains one of our most remarkable commodities. Surely, in the context of a new global envi- ronment still rife with misunderstanding and violence, the capacity to create communities that thrive on trust and consensus is among our most important collective responsibilities. I have pledged to use my office to really focus at- tention on breaking down solitudes, the differences of all kinds that continue to separate us — those imposed by geography and age, by gender and ethnicity, by language and religion and by poverty and ignorance.

Only by working together can we eliminate the barriers that prevent skilled immigrants from fully contributing to their new country. Only through collaboration can we find meaningful solutions to the social alienation that drives some young people to isolation and despair. J'estime que la marginalisation d'un être humain, quel qu'il soit, est une perte pour nous tous. Car il n'y a rien de plus indigne, dans une société aussi fortunée que la nôtre, que de laisser pour compte ou de ne pas soutenir les plus vulnérables d'entre nous. Je pense aux enfants. Je pense aux jeunes. Il y en a une quantité d'autres.

N'oublions pas qu'i ls représentent non seule- ment notre avenir, mais notre présent. Nous avons envers eux un devoir sacré; celui de leur laisser en héri- tage un monde meilleur. Il nous incombe aussi de veiller à ce qu'ils puissent l'apprécier et s'apprécier les uns les autres, dans le respect et en se montrant justes, en se montrant responsables. Ce devoir fait aussi

partie de notre rêve collectif. C'est un exploit dont peu de sociétés peuvent se vanter. Alors nous, qui sommes sur le point de réaliser à plus d'un

titre ce rêve, ne pouvons nous permettre de pren- dre cette tâche à la légère ou de prétendre qu'elle ne relève pas de nous. The marginalization of any human being is a loss to us all. Nothing in our affluent society is more disgrace- ful than our failure to nu rture and support those who are most vulnerable. Children and youth represent not only our future but also ou r present. We have a pro- found duty to them, not only to pass on a better world but also to ensure that they have the capacity to em- brace it and each other with respect and responsibility.

This, too, is part of our collective dream and an achievement that has eluded many societies. Close to realizing it in so many ways, we cannot afford to take it for granted. We cannot afford to assume that it's some- one else's task. Every one of us, with every action we take and every attitude we express, has an opportunity to foster respect, to promote dialogue and to nurture cooperation. [1130] During this first official visit to British Columbia, I really look forward to speaking with you and speaking w i t h y o u r f e l l o w c i t i z e n s about this and many other issues.

The conversation we start this week will be but the first

chapter in our ongoing dialogue. This is what I'm hoping for. I know that you and the people you represent have important matte rs to discuss, inspiring stories to share and also valuable lessons to teach me. So I'm here to listen. Merci beaucoup. Thank you. [Applause.] Mr. Speaker: Thank you, Your Excellency. I'd like to call on the Hon. Gordon Campbell, the Premier of British Columbia, to say a few words. Hon. G. Campbell: Let me start by saying thank you to Your Excellency for taking the time to come to British Columbia and to speak to us in the House.

Je voudrais remercier Son Excellence d'avoir pris le temps aujourd'hui de nous re ndre visite dans l'édifice de l'Assemblée législative. I want to say, Your Excellency, that listening to your words today in our House reminds us all of the

TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2006 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 2763 strength and the power of the Governor General in C a n a d a . I t r e m i n d s u s o f h o w m u c h w e ha v e i n c o m - mon, of how much our history has built us to today and given us the opportunities that we all enjoy. As you mentioned during your comments, they are oppor- tunities and rights and fr eedoms that we can never take for granted. I have just come back fr om Europe, where I was with Her Excellency at Turin, and we both celebrated as the first quadriplegic ever took an Olympic flag and waved it.

One of the things that touched me while I was there, Your Excellency, was the number of people who came and said to me: "This could never happen in our coun- try." So as you talk of breaking down solitudes, of build- ing understanding, of looking for bridges that include all Canadians and the opportunit ies that our country pre- sents, you are talking of a dream to which we all aspire in this House, regardless of political party. As you talk of the vast, open spaces of Canada, I think we should recognize that those vast, open spaces are reflected in the open minds and the open hearts of Canadians.

Indeed, if we did not look to our deep his- tory, where it was the open hearts of our aboriginal populations that welcomed us all as immigrants to this land, where those open minds and open hearts showed us the way to a better future…. If we can build on that, we can remove one of the longest-standing solitudes that Canada has experienced: the solitude between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians. Tomorrow we will celebrate International Women's Day, and I know what a strong advocate you have been for women in Canada and around the world.

It is an opportunity for us to reflect on what we can do to assure that all women, immigrant women and others, can reach their full potential in our country and in our province. British Columbia is a province that proudly calls itself Canadian. We believe that we are no longer on the edge of Canada's future; we are at the centre of Canada's future. We are at the centre of our Asia- Pacific future. We are at the centre and, in fact, leading in terms of social innovati on, of economic opportunity and of reaching out and including all British Columbi- ans in the future that they deserve.

Today as I came with you up towards the Legisla- ture and watched Your Excellency as you interacted with so many children, I saw the lights in the eyes of those children, and I though t to myself what a huge opportunity we have in this country. Those children are our present. Those children do represent a generos- ity of spirit that we should all embrace. [1135] As we look to the future, we look to work with you to eliminate the solitudes so that your legacy as Gover- nor General will be one where people can look back and say: "We removed barrier s. We built understand- ing.

We strengthened this great country." Today, on behalf of all of those of us in the House and the people of British Columbia, let me say thank you. Thank you for reminding us of the strength of our country. Thank you for reminding us of what we have in common. Thank you for reminding us of the exam- ple that we do set today and of the quest that we must still pursue to assure that Canada reaches its full poten- tial and our national dream is truly realized. Merci beaucoup. Mr. Speaker: Thank you, Premier. At this time I'd like to ask the Leader of Her Maj- esty's Official Opposition, Ms.

Carole James, to say a few words. C. James: Your Excellency, it's great to be able to add my voice of welcome to British Columbia from Her Majesty's Official Opposition. We were debating, as you mentioned, the weather.

I know you'll be getting an official welcome from the mayor later, but we were debating who was responsible for the weather in British Columbia — whether it was the city or the province — s o I w a n t t o p a s s o n t o y o u from both His Worship and myself, as the local MLA, that we were very pleased to arrange the sunshine so that you could truly see the blossoms and flowers that you mentioned earlier as you arrived in our city. I also want to welcome you to an island. As you mentioned in your remarks, an island is very close to you and to your daughter.

On behalf of an Islander, I'd like to welcome Her Excellency, as well, to Vancouver Island. I also know that sand dollars have a particular per- sonal connection for you, so I would like also to wel- come you back sometime to Vancouver Island, as we are a home of sand dollars. It would be a wonderful opportunity for you to be able to visit and to connect with your talisman, as you've described it. You mentioned youth, and I'd also like to thank you for raising the awareness and for setting as one of your priorities the issue of youth and their futures.

I know, Your Excellency, that later in your visit in British Columbia you'll be meeting with a number of aborigi- nal youth. I'd like to thank you for setting that as a pri- ority because, as others ha ve said, youth truly are our future. They truly are the hope for all of us.

I'm sure — as you experience, as we spend time with that genera- tion — it gives all of us in this chamber hope that there is a future, that we do have strong voices coming up to follow us in this Legislature to make sure that democ- racy and the kind of values that you have described for British Columbia and for Canada will be strong and will be recognized in that future generation. I'd also like to thank you for the role model that you provide to so many women and to so many others, immigrants to our country.

I think it's very appropri- ate, Your Excellency, that you're here for International Women's Day, as an opportunity to be able to celebrate and recognize the achievement. That role modelling is very important for all British Columbians and for all Canadians. [1140] Your Excellency, welcome. I appreciate your first official visit, and I look forward to you coming back to British Columbia once again. Thank you. Merci beau- coup.

2764 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES T UESDAY, MARCH 7, 2006 Mr. Speaker: Thank you, Ms. James. Would you all please rise for the departure of the Governor General. Her Excellency the Rt. Hon. Michaëlle Jean, Gover- nor General of Canada, retired from the chamber. The House resumed; Mr. Speaker in the chair. Hon. M. de Jong moved adjournment of the House. Motion approved. Mr. Speaker: This House stands adjourned until two o'clock this afternoon. The House adjourned at 11:41 a.m.

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Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	H0307am-03
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	H0307am 03
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	833880ab2b7d8b1353e8865bb1483be9b70018e2

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