1981 Legislative Session: 4th Session, 32nd Parliament

Hansard

The following electronic version is for informational purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

Official Report of

DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

( Hansard )

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1981

Afternoon Sitting

[ Page

6609 ]

CONTENTS

Routine Proceedings

Speech from the Throne –– 6609

An Act to Perpetuate a Parliamentary Right. Hon. Mr. Williams.

Introduction and first reading –– 6613

Presenting reports –– 6617

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1981

The House met at 2 p.m.

This being the first day of the fourth session of the

thirty-second Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia

for the dispatch of business, pursuant to a proclamation of the Hon.

Henry Bell-Irving, Lieutenant-Governor of the province, dated November

23, 1981 , hon. members took their seats

Prayers.

His

Honour the Lieutenant-Governor, having entered the House and being

seated upon the throne, was pleased to deliver the following gracious

speech.

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

HON. MR. BELL-IRVING:

Mr. Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly, I extend greetings

to you all, on behalf of our Sovereign, on the opening of this fourth

session of the thirty-second Parliament of British Columbia. May I

express the wish that your goals and aspirations and those of the

people you represent will be fulfilled in the course of your service as

individual members and, together, as the Legislature of this great

province.

On a personal note, we mourn the loss of our

respected colleague, Waldo McTavish Skillings, who was a member of this

assembly for 12 years and served his province in many capacities.

take great pleasure in informing you today of two recent achievements

in the affairs of our nation which, taken together, will contribute

greatly to building a stronger and more prosperous Canada.

am advised that in September my First Minister and the Prime Minister

of Canada signed an energy agreement that resolves all outstanding

issues between the two governments on oil and gas pricing. Lengthy and

arduous negotiations have put to rest a protracted dispute that was

harming our economy and endangering our quest for energy security.

Honourable members will be pleased to learn that the federal government

has agreed to remove its tax on the export of natural gas for the life

of the agreement and will bear the costs of its incentive program. I am

advised that the people of our province are assured of a fairer share

of revenue from the sale of their resources as a result of this

agreement.

I also have the great pleasure today to inform

this Legislature of a historic constitutional accord signed just 18

days ago by my First Minister. The government and people of this

province have always been resolute in their desire for patriation of

the Constitution as the final step in our nation's independence.

However, my government could not support a unilateral process that was

divisive, unconstitutional and unfair to the people of British

Columbia. For this reason my government joined with seven other

provinces in proposing an alternative formula for a made-in-Canada

Constitution,

My First Minister was instrumental in

convincing all parties to return to dialogue and for creating a climate

of accommodation so essential for compromise. Hon. members will be

pleased to learn that these efforts prevailed and that the accord is of

special interest to Canadians living in British Columbia.

am advised that the formula for future constitutional change elevates

to first-class status, equal in all respects to other provinces, the

interests of British Columbians. This formula ensures that no future

constitutional change can challenge British Columbia's ownership of its

natural resources — the source of our lifestyle and livelihood. I am

further advised that the accord enshrines in the constitution our

fundamental freedoms, democratic rights and basic human rights to

equality and non-discrimination. These rights and freedoms, to which

Canadians have been entitled throughout our history by way of tradition

and custom, will be included in the constitution in a manner that

strengthens our parliamentary democracy.

While Canadians

have successfully met the task of patriation — and mindful of other

pressing priorities on the national agenda — much work remains to be

done in renewing our federation. As a people we meet these challenges

with a flexible and equitable amending formula, which will make much

easier our task of resolving such matters as Senate reform, additional

rights and the division of powers.

My government believes

that economically strong provinces are integral to a strong Canadian

economy. Economic leadership to promote the well-being of our people is

a vital element in establishing the framework of progress and

opportunity that must serve us in the years ahead.

I am

advised that over the course of the past five years the British

Columbia economy has contributed greatly to that of our country,

significantly outperforming national rates of real growth and job

creation. In fact, the number of people productively employed in this

province has increased by 28 percent since 1974, and in the past year

alone it is estimated that over 40,000 new jobs have been created. All

members will be pleased to learn that as of October there were 1,257,000 people gainfully employed in our province.

I am

advised that significant progress has been achieved this year in

diversifying our economy and, by so doing, expanding employment

opportunities for the people of this province. A jet-engine overhaul

plant, employing 400 people upon completion, with total employment to

increase to 1,000, has been established in Delta by CP Air in

conjunction with the B.C. Development Corporation. Expansion of coal

mining in the southeast of our province has created 1,500 new jobs. I

am advised that Ocelot Industries has established a new methanol plant

in Kitimat, and that other petrochemical projects are being actively

considered as a result of my government's energy development policy. My

government is firmly committed to maintaining a climate that will

attract job-creating investments such as these to our province.

Unfortunately,

as strong as we are, we are not immune to the negative economic

influences coming from our major trading partner, the United States of

America. Nor are British Columbians sheltered from the punitively high

interest rates being maintained by the federal government's Bank of

Canada.

The problems of inflation, high interest rates and

unemployment must be faced in a comprehensive way, on a broad national

front, and without delay. Decisive actions are essential if these

problems are to be overcome. It is with deep regret, however, that I am

advised such actions were not forthcoming in the recent federal budget,

much to the detriment of our provincial economy. Moreover, I am advised

that expenditures on the economic development of western Canada have

been shrunk considerably relative to what had been promised in last

year's federal budget. My government is still

[ Page 6610 ]

hopeful

that a significant proportion of these expenditures will be committed

to British Columbia, in view of the economic potential of our province.

government will continue to press for cohesive national leadership on

the economy. In August the provincial Premiers' meeting in Victoria put

forward a nine-point national economic recovery program for discussion

with the Prime Minister. I am pleased to advise all members that a few

days ago the Prime Minister agreed to meet with us. My government

strongly supports a return to cooperative economic management as

fundamental to improving our economy, and looks forward to an early

conference of first ministers as an appropriate forum for national

economic leadership.

My government will continue to

demonstrate strong leadership in its own sphere of economic activity

and, in this vein, an economic development conference will be convened

in the spring. Through a process of dialogue and consultation, it is

hoped that common directions and priorities for the economic

development of our province can be agreed upon,

government has consistently maintained that interest rate problems are

a federal responsibility. The recent federal budget accepts this view,

but takes only minimal action in easing the burden on homeowners. On

the other hand, the construction of new accommodation in our province

will be set back considerably next year. My government has pressed and

will continue to press for modifications to these measures and, to

improve the situation, will bring forward specific initiatives within

its areas of responsibility.

The supply of accommodation

must be increased if the needs of our people for affordable housing are

to be met. Measures will be taken to promote rehabilitation of existing

housing stock and to increase the supply of multiple-unit

accommodation. The disposition of appropriate Crown land for housing

will be accelerated, and a residential land supply strategy for every

community in the province will be put in place. A special emphasis on

first-time buyers will be incorporated in these measures by promoting

rent-to-own programs. My government expects that these measures — in

conjunction with impressive developments now under construction in all

regions of our province — will go a long way towards improving the

affordability and availability of housing and towards increasing

employment of our people.

Although all British Columbians

are affected by current economic difficulties, those who earn their

livelihood from our abundant forest resources have been particularly

hard-hit by the fall-off in housing starts that is the by-product of

excessive interest rates. My government is meeting this cyclical

downturn with realism, with compassion and with a profound optimism

about our medium-term economic prospects.

My Minister of

Forests advises me that while our vital forest industry is at present

experiencing difficulties, the United States — which normally consumes

60 percent of our provincial lumber production — is forecast to

experience in the 1980s a decade of near-record housing starts. The

long-term market prospects for kraft pulp and newsprint are also

promising, and our industry currently is very competitive in world

markets.

I am advised that while real growth will not be as

high as in previous years, the people of our province can still expect

positive growth that compares favourably to the Canadian average.

Inflation

and high interest rates have affected my government's budget as they

have the budgets of our people. Recently announced federal cutbacks for

health and educational programs will only worsen the situation. Prudent

fiscal management, privatization of selected government activities,

wage restraint and greater efficiencies are required and will form the

central underpinnings of the budgetary measures you will be asked to

approve.

My government believes that now is not the time to

retrench into pessimism. We are a strong and vigorous province. Our

continuing vitality despite the pressures of the times is a result of

the foresight and stewardship of past years, which have provided the

firm economic and social foundation of the British Columbia of today.

We have programs in place to weather our temporary economic

difficulties. Building upon this foundation to ensure future growth is

the challenge that faces us today as British Columbians.

Continuing

investment is necessary to harness fully the bountiful resources that

are our common heritage as British Columbians. My government expects

that the development of our vast coalfields in the northeast will

continue on schedule. I am advised that this is the largest single

project in the province's history, that during construction directly

and indirectly it will create nearly 6,000 jobs and 5,000 permanent

jobs thereafter, and that it will open to development many thousands of

square kilometres of our province.

British Columbia's

economic future depends to a great extent on its strongest asset — its

people. Our educational institutions have put us among the leading

jurisdictions in the creation of a highly skilled and educated

workforce. A solid base is now in place for the requirements of the

1980s.

As we move through this decade, huge new resource

developments, tougher international competition, and the development of

new technologies will put greater emphasis on the need for a highly

skilled and productive workforce. Governments, labour and industry must

work together to ensure that British Columbians are in a position to

reap a major share of the benefits from the significant expansion in

employment expected in the coming years.

To meet these and

other opportunities, you will be asked to approve legislation to expand

the mandate of my Ministry of Labour and establish a Ministry of Labour

and Employment. The change reflects a steady evolution in the focus of

this ministry and will permit the consolidation of manpower programs

that are today lodged in several ministries. This improvement in the

administration of my government will strengthen existing links between

industry and the job market, on the one hand, and training institutions

and apprenticeship programs, on the other.

There will a

renewed emphasis on retraining and on upgrading the skills of those

already employed, toward the objective of lifetime employment. My

the dovetailing of our respective programs. Moreover, my government

will meet on a one-to-one basis with the largest employers and with

labour unions to ensure that all British Columbians are afforded an

opportunity to gain the skills necessary to ensure a productive and

rewarding life.

Perhaps no single change has had as great an

impact on the work world and on society in general as the growth in

female labour-force participation. Today, one of every two women of

working age is in the labour force, comprising nearly 42 percent of

workers. Two-income families are becoming prevalent in our society. The

rapidity with which this

[ Page

6611 ]

change is occurring is presenting governments everywhere with an obligation

to act to enrich and to support these developments so as to benefit fully from

the skills, energies and productivity of all our people.

government will proceed with the appointment of a deputy minister

responsible for women's opportunities within the Ministry of Labour. As

one of the largest employers in the province, the public service must

set an example for others to follow.

Hon. members will be

pleased to learn of the recent appointment of Jill Bodkin as the first

woman deputy minister in British Columbia. Other senior appointments

can be expected. The Public Service Commission will treat this matter

as a high priority, and will, in conjunction with the deputy minister

responsible for women's opportunities, establish targets for which all

ministries will be responsible in ensuring equal opportunity.

government realizes that this is not enough. Government has a part to

play, but it is the role of private enterprise to provide the range of

choice which our society requires. At the same time, our society must

always rely upon the resourcefulness and will of its members. My

government will meet with employers and unions to provide assistance on

ways and means to foster equal opportunity. Moreover, my government

will strengthen its counselling, training and other support services

for women in an effort to help them acquire necessary skills and

encourage them to apply for positions at all levels.

I am

advised that many of our industries have come through an exceptional

year. Our superb scenery, our hospitality and our attractive lifestyle

provide a solid basis for an internationally competitive tourism

industry. This sector is expected, this year for the first time, to top

the $2 billion mark in revenue. All those who have contributed to this

accomplishment are to be congratulated.

My government plans

to pursue programs to expand the contribution of this basic resource to

diversifying our economy. The tourism sector is highly labour-intensive

and contributes strongly to employment. Great opportunities exist in

cooperation with the private sector to increase the length of stay and

expenditures of our visitors by developing high spending package tours

and specialized forms of tourism and by marketing British Columbia as a

four-season destination. My government will continue to promote our

province as a major trade and convention location and as an ideal

centre for feature film production.

The goal of energy

security is a vital part of building a secure economic future for all

British Columbians. My government is committed to encouraging

exploration for and the development of new supplies of natural gas and

oil in order to expand our domestic base.

At the same time,

my government is committed to making alternative energy sources — such

as solar, wind and biomass — stronger forces in the energy picture.

Coal liquefaction and the use of methane are being evaluated as energy

sources and as ways to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. The first

public compressed natural gas service station is due to open shortly in

Vancouver, and other stations are expected to open within the year.

I am advised that British Columbia's available underground pools of water

at very high temperature are major untapped resources that are both clean and

renewable. You will be asked to approve a Geothermal Resources Act to promote

the orderly exploitation of this potential major resource for the benefit of

all British Columbians.

Though

richly endowed in natural gas, the people of British Columbia are

dependent on outside sources for their oil. I am advised that an

important provision of the recent energy agreement is a commitment by

both governments to resolve expeditiously the question of offshore

resources, in full recognition of the uniqueness of British Columbia as

a coastal province. My government is hopeful that the existence of

developable reserves that will create many new jobs will be confirmed

and will put in place the highest environmental standards to govern

exploration.

In spite of a number of setbacks from adverse

weather this year, I am advised that the agriculture and food industry

of our province continues to make substantial progress. The level of

self-sufficiency in food production has increased steadily during the

past five years, which has been a period of substantial population

growth. To stimulate further progress in this area, my government plans

to expand a number of its existing programs.

A strong field

advisory to the food and agriculture industry is now taking shape on a

regional basis. My government intends to develop a consultative process

with primary producers and agri-businesses so that programs offered

will be in accord with industry's needs. The food sciences advisory

service will be developed to the benefit of the food processing sector,

in particular, and of the industry as a whole.

The mobilization of the savings of our people and institutions is a vital link in the full development of our province.

Over

the past years, British Columbia's financial sector has performed

strongly. Vancouver is steadily becoming an important international

financial centre, and its stock exchange is growing impressively.

However, in an international setting of mobile capital and rapidly

changing techniques and circumstances, the need for modernization is

ever present. Accordingly, you will be asked to approve a new

Securities Act that will permit the Vancouver Stock Exchange to develop

as a genuine, permanently based and unique vehicle for the raising of

venture capital for resource and development projects. The new

Securities Act will incorporate innovative measures to protect the

investor, particularly the small or average investor, consistent with a

climate that encourages the full expression of entrepreneurial

initiative.

Competition in the marketplace is a topic of

obvious importance to British Columbia consumers and producers. My

government will be undertaking initiatives to promote greater

competition in the marketplace and will maintain a vigorous interest in

the new Competition Act proposed by the federal government.

Economic

growth and technological progress are not sufficient goals in and of

themselves. They are, above all, important instruments for financing

social progress, improving our quality of life and enhancing a level of

public safety that is highly valued by British Columbians.

government views British Columbia's unique environment as a vital

natural resource, and efforts toward improving our already high

standards of environmental quality will be intensified. In recognition

of this priority, all members will be pleased to learn of the recent

appointment of my Minister of Environment, Hon. Stephen Rogers, to the

central decision-making committee of my executive council the planning

and priorities committee.

You will be asked to approve new

legislation to protect and preserve our wildlife and waterfowl. In

addition, a new Waste Management Act will be introduced to modernize

the issuance of pollution permits and ensure stricter compliance with

and enforcement of our pollution standards.

[ Page 6612 ]

Safe,

adequate and efficient transportation systems are vital to the quality

of life in our province. Public transit systems are especially valuable

in an energy-short world, and since 1974 my government has committed a

30-fold increase to this area — from $2.4 million to $72 million per

year.

During the same period, the number of public transit

buses in operation, purchased with the assistance of my government, has

increased by more than 30 percent. The population served by transit has

doubled, as has the amount of government subsidy per ride. I am advised

that an additional four communities — bringing the total outside major

metropolitan areas to 24, compared to only seven in 1974 — now enjoy a

regular transit service. Moreover, in the past year two additional

communities have been added to the custom transit program for the

physically disabled. My government will continue to assess the need for

transit in additional communities in the province.

I am

advised that the advanced light rapid transit project is progressing on

schedule in the lower mainland. This system features state-of-the-art

technology and will make British Columbia a showcase for transit

developments. The inauguration of this system will provide a firm

transportation foundation for the social and economic life of the

community. Moreover, it will contribute greatly to employment growth in

the vital high-technology sector. I am advised that this extremely

quiet system is particularly compatible with residential and commercial

development. To ease the burden on the taxpayer, and to make best use

of the transit system's alignment and stations, negotiations with the

private sector are underway to link the system with other developments.

am further advised that locomotives have been purchased, passenger cars

ordered and stations designed for the commuter rail project on the

north side of the Fraser River. The system is expected to be

transporting commuters to downtown Vancouver by early 1983.

For

the foreseeable future, private automobiles and trucks will continue to

be the primary forms of transportation for most British Columbians. My

government will continue with the Annacis crossing and the Coquihalla

Highway, and will proceed with major road improvements to secure fully

our coal and other resources in both northern and southern areas of our

province. Full efforts will be devoted to maintaining the existing

system through the timely replacement of pavement on main highways and

the paving of road shoulders on rural gravel road surfaces. Where

appropriate, existing two-lane highways will be converted to four lanes.

government views with increasing concern the number of accidents on our

highways. Highest priority will be given to dealing with the errant

driver — through increased vehicle and driver inspection. Increased

traffic law enforcement, including more refined computer processing,

will be pursued. You will be asked to approve additional measures to

reduce accidents on the highways of our province.

Our life

in British Columbia is well served by a wide range of first-class

institutions that are the envy of most other jurisdictions. The

challenge before us — made more difficult by recent federal cutbacks —

is to ensure through planning and foresight that we are able to adapt

to the changing needs of the future in a way that enriches our quality

of life.

Significant improvements to our health system are

nearing completion. The new Grace Hospital on the grounds of the

Shaughnessy Hospital will provide the people of our province with

exemplary maternal and infant care, and will serve as the provincial

referral centre for at-risk mothers and their infants.

government will participate in the opening of the new Children's

Hospital, also on the Shaughnessy site in Vancouver, funded by

provincial and regional governments along with the Variety Club and the

Children's Hospital Foundation. The children of British Columbia soon

will have a facility that will enhance our already enviable reputation

for diagnostic and treatment services.

I am advised that

health services consume the largest percentage of the provincial

budget, and that prudent management, realistic demands and efficient

delivery are essential. My government is placing increased emphasis on

preventive services, whether they are institutional or community-based.

am pleased to note that my government has made arrangement for

capitalizing the Terry Fox Medical Research Foundation. That foundation

is financing a newly formed Crown corporation — Pacific Isotopes and

Pharmaceuticals Ltd. — which is in the process of building a plant to

purify interferon and supply all Canadians with this experimental

cancer-fighting drug.

The role of the family as the basic

foundation of our society cannot be overemphasized. This has been a

consistent view of my government, and one which underlies and gives

focus to its many programs. You will be asked to approve amendments to

the Family Relations Act to strengthen this area of society.

government recently has developed a new approach for the care of the

mentally handicapped. This involves a shift in emphasis from care in

large institutions to a range of community-based options. It builds

upon the progress that has been made in developing a coordinated

government approach to social service delivery. All members will be

pleased to learn that the president of the B.C. Association for the

Mentally Retarded has called this shift "the strongest statement of

support for the human rights of mentally handicapped persons coming

from any political official in Canada today."

British

Columbians can justifiably be proud of the wide range of services

provided to our senior citizens. In 1982 my government will participate

in the World Assembly on Aging. A task force has been established to

prepare the groundwork for this conference and to review all programs

offered to the aged so as to ensure that government programs reach

those who are most in need, and that our people are aware of the

programs offered by my government.

The improvement of our

public and private pension systems is a matter of high priority. My

provincial governments in achieving pension reform. You will be asked

to consider a report on pensions during this current session.

information service for senior citizens is to be developed. One feature

of this service will be a special telephone number, to assist our

senior citizens in gaining access to the full range of services

available to them.

British Columbia's educational system is

among the finest in the world and is an achievement for which we can

all take great pride. The financing of this system places a great

burden on taxpayers at all levels.

My government is aware of

the considerable consternation that arose in 1981 around the issue of

school taxation. It has received a report setting out both short-term

and long-term recommendations, which are now being considered.

[ Page 6613 ]

The

equalization of educational and cultural opportunities is an important

objective of my government. Grants are now being made available to

rural and isolated communities to make possible the reception of

Knowledge Network of the West satellite television programming.

During

this past year, my government's multi-dimensional program of grants,

information and technical services has furthered the development of

cultural, recreational and sports opportunities for British Columbians.

In addition, a well-rounded system of individual awards has encouraged

the pursuit of excellence in athletics and the arts.

The

highly successful B.C. Games, initiated by my government in 1978, now

involve at various stages of competition almost 200,000 athletes from

all parts of the province. The importance of these games goes well

beyond the search for excellence. Harnessing the energies of our

people, enhancing the spirit of our communities, and bringing people

together from all parts of our province, the B.C. Games are a tribute

to the achievements of our youth and to the sense of community of our

people.

The first-ever British Columbia Festival of the

Arts, to be held in Kamloops, will bring together musicians, actors,

dancers and artists from all over our province in competition, in

workshops and, above all, in celebration. It is hoped that this unique

showcase will do for the arts what the B.C. Games have done for amateur

athletics.

My government will sponsor a number of innovative

programs to encourage British Columbia's many athletic achievers. The

B.C. Winter Games will be held in Trail in March. The Summer Games will

be held in Vernon in August. My government will introduce a "road to

Olympics program," designed to encourage Canada's national sports

teams to train and compete in this province in preparation for the 1984

Los Angeles Olympics.

My government is delighted, as I am

sure all British Columbians are, that Anthony Island Provincial Park

has recently been declared a world heritage site by the United Nations.

Located at the southern tip of the Queen Charlottes, Anthony Island is

the site of a former Haida village and contains the most significant

collection of totem poles in the Pacific Northwest.

All

members of this House can take pride that earlier this year our

parliament buildings restoration program was given an award of honour

by the Heritage Canada Foundation.

No single element of our

democratic system of government is as important as our electoral

process. Hon. members will be asked to consider legislation to improve

the accuracy and timeliness of our voters' list and streamline other

aspects of election administration.

Hon. members, this

assembly now begins an important and demanding session. I pray that in

the discharge of your duties you remain mindful of the effect of your

decisions on the future course of British Columbia and Canada. The

difficulties our province faces today, while legitimate cause for

concern, need not and must not obscure the basic strength of our

economy, the tremendous potential of our human and natural resources,

the exciting prospects of our future.

Through the leadership

and efforts of my ministers and through the work of this assembly, you

must strive to build a stronger province. Through the spirit of our

people, together we must achieve progress to sustain our province and

nation. This is the challenge we face today.

May Divine Providence attend your deliberations.

His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor retired from the chamber.

MR. SPEAKER: Hon. members, in order to prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor's speech.

Introduction of Bills

AN ACT TO PERPETUATE A PARLIAMENTARY RIGHT

Hon. Mr. Williams presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor:

a bill intituled

An Act to Perpetuate a Parliamentary Right.

Bill

1 introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of

the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

HON. MR. BENNETT:

Mr. Speaker, I move that the speech of His Honour the

Lieutenant-Governor be taken into consideration at the next sitting of

the House, and that this order have precedence over all other business

except introduction of bills until disposed of.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. WOLFE: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Votes and Proceedings

of this House be printed, being first perused by Mr. Speaker, and that

he do appoint the printing thereof, and that no person but such as he

shall appoint do presume to print the same.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. BENNETT:

Mr. Speaker, I move that the select standing committees of this House

for the present session be appointed for the following purposes:

(1) On standing orders and private bills;

(2) On public accounts and economic affairs;

(3) On agriculture;

(4) On municipal affairs and housing;

(5) On labour and justice;

(6) On health, education and human resources;

(7) On transportation and communications;

(8) On environment and resources; which said committees shall severally be

empowered to examine and inquire into all such matters and things as

shall be referred to them by this House, and to report from time to

time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for

persons, papers and records, and that a special committee be appointed

to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to

compose the above select standing committees of this House, under

standing order 68(1), and by leave said committee to be composed of

Hon. G.B. Gardom, Hon. E.M. Wolfe, Hon. P. Hyndman and Messrs. Brummet,

Segarty, Howard, Gabelmann and Cocke.

MR. HOWARD: Mr.

Speaker, I rise to put to the House some thoughts on this particular

motion. Perhaps what I should do initially is move an amendment

thereto, an amendment which has been moved on other occasions. I

therefore move, seconded by the hon. member for New Westminster

[ Page 6614 ]

(Mr. Cocke), that the motion be amended by adding "

(9) On fair election practices;" after the word "resources."

similar motion was moved by me on February 29, 1980. The government at

that time, through the Premier, rose and accepted the motion and it

passed the House unanimously. The committee was, according to the

procedure set up for committees, struck and members named to it. The

committee didn't meet The chairman, or the convener of that committee,

was then the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs and is now the

Minister of Health (Hon. Mr. Nielsen).

It is interesting to

note that on that occasion all other standing committees had private

members named as conveners. But in that particular instance it was a

cabinet minister, and I submit that that cabinet minister was under the

thumb of the Premier and ordered not to have that committee meet under

any circumstances.

On December 4, 1980, at the beginning of

the session which concluded earlier today, we moved a similar motion,

and the Premier rejected that motion. The House divided and,

accordingly, the committee was not established. Today we have another

chance to move the same motion as on two other occasions. I note — I do

this only as an aside, because the motion with respect to the speech

from His Honour is not before us — that there is passing reference in

the speech from His Honour with respect to some electoral matters.

want to submit to the House, though, that the most acceptable and

democratic way to approach electoral law is to have all members in this

House participate in the committee to develop it; and not to have

electoral law, which is the foundation of our democracy, drafted by a

few people in the secrecy of a cabinet committee in a partisan way.

Dealing

again with what this committee might be able to deal with, prior to

last Christmas the Premier made two very significant statements. One

was that he had no intention of calling a provincial election until he

was sure in his mind that his party would be returned to office. We've

got a long way to go, Bill. [Applause] You'll notice the partisan

applause for the Premier's condition. I want to submit to you that

you'll never live long enough to wait for that time.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please. Hon. member, you would assist order in the House greatly if you would continue to address the Chair.

MR. HOWARD:

Yes, Your Honour, I'm trying — as you know I always do — desperately to

do that. There are occasions when people distract me, though. That was

one of the comments on electoral matters that the Premier made prior to

last Christmas. The second one he made was that he was going to embark

upon a program of redistribution. When asked by the press what that

meant in terms of where these additional seats would be, the areas of

the province that came immediately to the Premier's mind were areas

where there is a preponderance of Social Credit support. That's not

redistribution; that's political predetermination. And it wouldn't be

the first time that that Premier has engaged in that kind of activity.

The

third reason I think this committee should be accepted and afforded the

decency of being able to meet during this session is the question of

the enumeration of voters. One or two months ago, or something in that

period of time, the Premier made some offhand comment that to him

enumeration of voters was irrelevant. Well, being a person who doesn't

believe in voting himself, I suppose he could come to that conclusion.

But, Mr. Speaker, the enumeration of voters is fundamental to our

democracy. The right of people to vote is fundamental. And we know that

under our electoral law it is not possible to vote unless your name is

on the voters' list.

Interjections.

MR. HOWARD:

More interruptions, Mr. Speaker. How can we maintain order in the House

if you permit these people opposite to continue the way they're doing?

"Irrelevant," said the Premier. Do you know what the Premier was

saying with that comment? He was saying that is was irrelevant to him

that anybody who has reached the age of 19 since May 10, 1979, should

not be entitled to vote. Anybody who has become a new Canadian since

that period of time should not have his name on the voters' list.

Anybody who moves to this province from any other province in Canada or

any other nation in the world where he is identified under our

electoral laws as British subjects should not have the opportunity to

vote. Anybody who moves from within this province to a different

electoral district than the one in which he may be registered is not

entitled to be registered in the new electoral district. That's what

the Premier was saying when he classified an enumeration of voters as

irrelevant.

The Premier wants a system by that declaration

where dead people on the voters' list can vote and live ones can't. Is

that what he wants?

The final straw, which we discovered

just a few days ago — and this will be enunciated in more detail by a

colleague of mine — was that the registrar of voters has advised that

he is no longer going to make registration cards available.

MR. HOWARD:

The fundamental way in which you can get on the voters' list in this

province is to affix your signature to a card, and if the registrar of

voters has been ordered by the Premier not to make those cards

available, then that's the dirtiest electoral trick of all. All I am

providing the House with, Mr. Speaker, is an opportunity for this

Legislature to embark upon a course of decency and democracy in

electoral matters. I hope the Premier will agree with me, accept the

motion, have the committee struck and have it meet.

HON. MR. BENNETT:

Mr. Speaker, I have no intention of conducting items which will be more

properly dealt with in the throne debate, particularly dealing with

matters on electoral reform. I'm certain it wasn't a threat against the

Premier that he isn't going to live long enough to fight the next

election against the NDP, because I'll tell you I'm going to live as

long as they'll let me live, and I'll be there to fight them.

However,

there will be adequate time and certainly a lot of opportunity for the

government and this assembly to set up committees on need. We reject

this amendment.

MR. COCKE: Mr. Speaker, I'm

suggesting that we will support this amendment to the resolution. We'll

support it for a number of reasons. The first reason was enunciated by

my colleague. We've been listening for almost three years to some kind

of rumour around electoral reforms in our province. We have seen

nothing of substance. The other day when I received a phone call from

our political party indicating that the registration cards were cut off

from all political parties herein and forever, I was mildly enraged.

Because we

[ Page 6615 ]

have

managed to disfranchise people in this province for years with an

archaic electoral act. Those thousands who are disfranchised are

becoming greater in number every day.

My colleague said

moving from one town to another or from one constituency to another....

I can tell you of dozens moving from one apartment to another in the

same building and becoming disfranchised. I'd like to give you an

example of the kind of registration campaign that's going on now. It's

a joke, if you happen to have a bad sense of humour. The joke is as

follows. There are ads in the paper which are relatively inconspicuous,

and those ads say if you did not vote in the last election, you may not

be on the rolls. Therefore you should seek out the registrar of voters,

whoever and wherever he might be. The problem is to try to find him in

the phone book. For instance, in New Westminster his office is closed,

and you go to the government agent. You have to be a detective to find

your way to register. That is not good enough. That's why I support my

colleague's amendment to the resolution.

If we are trying

determinedly to keep people off the voters' list, we are succeeding

beyond a doubt. But we in this Chamber, above all people working within

the democratic process, should insist that everybody be franchised.

Everybody should be on the voters' list. I hope that the Premier can

get up or have one of his colleagues get up and change the minds of the

government on this question. It's long overdue. We can no longer sit

back and let our fellow British Columbians, who should be voting in the

next election, remain off the list.

MR. LAUK: I rise

to bring some examples to the attention of the chamber. At the same

time I apologize to our guests for the slight delay. We are going

through a ceremony here today, which is the opening of the Legislature,

and there are certain things that are to be taken without debate; but

there are other things that so affect our democratic system that it is

absolutely essential that we deal with them when they come up in this

House. The motion to set up committees for this chamber has been moved

by the Premier, and an amendment has been proposed by the opposition.

We ask only that there be an electoral reform committee of this

Legislature, an electoral reform committee that can look into the

tremendous problems we are having in this province in registering

people who are entitled to vote. One of the most important aspects of

the democratic system is that right to vote. We ask for that right to

vote.

I noticed that our government was very heavily

involved in negotiating with the other provinces and the federal

government to establish a constitution of which every Canadian would be

proud — they worked very hard. One of the rights in that constitution

is the right to vote, that no one should be impaired in his right to

vote.

My colleague from New Westminster (Mr. Cocke) has

pointed out that to seek out the registrar of voters is an almost

impossible task. One can just as easily get the Attorney General (Hon.

Mr. Williams) on the telephone, or the Premier, as find the registrar

of voters. As a matter of fact, I saw reported the other day that when

they actually found the number buried in the telephone book under a

somewhat misleading name, they telephoned it and they received a

recording which stated: "This number is no longer in service." The

registrar of voters, Mr. Speaker, is no longer in service in this

province, and the people of this province are being disfranchised. I've

just been passed a note. I referred to the committee incorrectly. It's

the Fair Election Practices Committee.

Mr. Speaker, we argue this:

that when we talk to this government about the redistribution of

wealth, their answer is the redistribution of electoral boundaries.

When we talk to them about the right to vote, their answer is the right

to work. Their movement is always away from democratic principles and

equality within this province. In my constituency alone, Mr. Speaker,

we have canvassed some areas, trying to assist the registrar of voters

to get these people on the list. We found in one poll, which in 1979

included almost 300 eligible voters, that there were four people living

in that poll on the voters' list. They didn't demolish the poll; they

built two new highrises. Four people! It's worse in other areas, I'm

told. Yet when we ask the registrar of voters, when we ask the Premier

of the province for some assistance, for some enumeration, we're given

this back-of-the-hand treatment, this simple rejection — that

enumeration is irrelevant.

I say to you, Mr. Speaker, that

what's happening in this province would not be allowed to happen in any

other political jurisdiction. I have sent correspondence to the

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and asked them for similar

examples. The reply is: "No other examples." They asked me to send them

a copy of our Election Act and a comment on the procedures for

enumeration. Obviously they are in a state of disbelief about the

voters' list in the province of British Columbia. I say it's a black

mark for British Columbia, and we should all work together to ensure

that that black mark is taken off.

HON. MR. WOLFE:

Mr. Speaker, it's rather a pleasure to be faced with a typical amount

of NDP rhetoric on opening day — it's kind of entertaining. The fact of

the matter is, as we all know, that the throne speech has given a very

clear indication that amendments to the act are going to be before this

Legislature, with ample opportunity to discuss all of these matters.

might say with regard to enumerations and the voters' list in this

province — and enumerations in particular — that during the period in

which this government across the way held office — 1972 to 1975 — not

one enumeration was held in this province, nor was any attempt made

to....

Interjections.

MR. SPEAKER: Order, please, hon. members. Let's hear the debate.

HON. MR. WOLFE:

During that same period of time not one sincere attempt was made to

upgrade the voters' list, and no advertising funds were spent to remind

the citizen of his obligation to be responsible for having himself on

the voters' list if he wants to vote. I just think that we should be

reminded of those facts. This government and the governments that

preceded it did in fact conduct enumerations in this province in

several years I could mention.

We will debate these matters

during the throne speech and during the amendments which have been

indicated in that throne speech. So I'm sure that the members opposite

will see fit to support the measures that have been indicated. Mr.

Speaker, both sides of this House have the same regard for wanting to

have everyone have an opportunity to vote in this province. The Premier

of this province has stated publicly in recent days that there will be

an enumeration of all the

[ Page 6616 ]

citizens

before the next general election in this province that's a very clear

indication that we're all aware of — and the chief electoral officer

has been given instructions to that effect, to prepare for such

enumeration. So for those reasons we cannot support the amendment.

MR. BARBER:

If the Provincial Secretary (Hon. Mr. Wolfe) told the whole story to

the people, he would tell them that the current Election Act does not

require an amendment in order that an enumeration take place.

the Provincial Secretary were conversant with the facts he would know,

as the people of British Columbia should, that in the 1979 general

election there were 46,000 voters who cast ballots which were never

opened. Why? Because the law provides it. Why? Because the enumeration

was a mess — chaos. Why? Because of the ineptness of the procedures

followed by this government. Forty-six thousand people voted, but their

votes were never actually counted. This is a disgrace. It is part, we

believe, of the fundamental problem which requires resolution in the

form of the amendment that we present today. Forty-six thousand people

were cheated out of their right to vote last time. They thought they

could, but it turns out that their votes were not in fact counted at

all. This is not acceptable in a modern democracy.

I ask the

House to consider why the Premier accepted an identical motion two

years ago, but refuses it today. I ask the House to consider why the

Premier, accepting that motion two years ago, understood that it is the

tradition in our system that such committees shall not only be struck

but they shall also meet. Two years ago he stood — some might say

cynically — in his place and smiled, accepted the resolution and then

refused to consent that the committee meet at all.

I ask the

House to wonder why it is in the political interests of this Premier to

have accepted the motion two years ago that he refuses today, and to do

nothing in the interim to correct the problem. He asks us to take him

at his word that there will be an enumeration. Well, there are some

people who took him at his word on other issues and have yet to see the

results. We don't take him at his word; we want to see it in law.

Today,

Mr. Speaker, we are taking the first, but surely not the last,

opportunity that the official opposition is empowered to take to make

sure that the law includes the right to vote; that it includes an

honest, non-partisan redistribution process in the future. And we are

asking that the members of this Legislative Assembly themselves, from

both sides of the House and not just one, be involved in the drafting

of such amendments to the Elections Act as may be required. The

mechanism we have for doing that is a committee of the House. The

interest this House has in having that done fairly is self-evident. It

is a world of difference, Mr. Speaker, between drafting a law in a

non-partisan way in a bipartisan committee and presenting that as our

agreed upon, mutual opinion, and having that same law come in, rammed

through this House against the weight of the opposition's opinion by

the superior weight of the government's majority. That is not

acceptable, it is not fair, and it is not the highest standard.

an issue as sensitive as the right to vote, as difficult as

redistribution, as necessary as the right to guarantee these things in

a fair and honest way, we ask the government to do it through committee

in a bipartisan and fair way. The way to do that is by accepting the

amendment we propose today.

To conclude briefly, Mr. Speaker, those who have memories will recall work

that the committee could have done two years ago. It might, for instance, have

looked at the Ekhardt report, the peculiar demise of three seats held by New

Democrats, the peculiarity of Gracie's finger, and other aberrations in

the British Columbia system. Those who have memories will recall what it was

like two years ago when the Premier was trying to get out from under the heat

and the public scrutiny. He stood up and smiled and said: "Yes, I'll

accept your committee." Then he turned around and refused to allow the

committee to meet.

But

not everyone has a memory, Mr. Speaker, so we make the motion again

today. We require campaign spending laws and we require a full

enumeration, but above all we require a commitment from this

Legislature that such laws dealing with such matters as the right to

vote, and be counted be laws that are fair, be laws that serve no party

over the other, but that serve, in fact, the general interest of the

people.

There is no higher principle than the right to vote.

There is no lower conduct than the cynical behaviour of a government

determined to undermine the effective exercise of that right to vote.

appeal to the government to accept the motion today that they accepted

two years ago. Word for word it is the same motion. We appeal to them

to establish a committee of both sides of the House so that it may be

made fair. We ask them to do this in the name of all the people of

British Columbia. If they were good enough and big enough to do so they

would win the praise of all of the people of British Columbia.

HON. MR. McGEER:

Mr. Speaker, I only wish to intrude very briefly. This is a traditional

day in British Columbia and not one characterized by the rigorous

debate which members will find in days ensuing. It's only to remind

you, sir, and the other members of the House that the motion which

we're now debating is the traditional motion offered on opening day,

and one which conforms to the rules of the House under standing order

68. To depart from that with the amendment proposed by the NDP would be

to violate the very rules of the House, the object of which is to

ensure the sober reflection with which we have observed the great and

important traditions of democracy. That doesn't preclude them from

advancing, as they have done before, the motion to set up an additional

committee — a motion which in the past the government accepted, but not

one which violated the rules of the House on opening day.

would further remind Mr. Speaker, as others already have, that this

motion from the floor of the House is one that can receive adequate

debate in days ahead. The throne speech itself contains, I think, the

sentiments expressed by all the members opposite. But you know, Mr.

Speaker, I have been in this House for some 20 years now, and there

never has been a session go by but what the losers in the election

haven't somehow complained about the electoral process itself. One

example is that when I was leader of the Liberal Party we didn't need

to complain about the electoral process. [Laughter.] I might say that

the public renders its judgment at each election, and in every election

in memory in British Columbia that judgment has been very clear,

independent of whatever people may say are the inadequacies of the

rules of the election itself. I am sure that when the test comes again

in the not too distant future, Mr. Speaker, the public will have its

say and be satisfied with it.

MR. BARRETT: Mr.

Speaker, I didn't expect this to be Veteran's Day, but since age in

this chamber allows members to make some comments on the rules, I

thought that I should as well, since we are in order. Some members,

when they lose, just cross the floor and solve the problem.

[ Page 6617 ]

Most

members believe in the party they run for strongly enough that when

they are elected here, they stay here and represent the party that they

represented when they ran for office. There is nothing we can do in

this amendment to prevent people from abandoning the label that they

ran on. That's not our appeal, so I understand the guilt of that member

in making those comments, but he is addressing himself to the wrong

problem. That's a matter of conscience, not a matter of law.

MR. SPEAKER: And now to the amendment....

MR. BARRETT:

Mr. Speaker, I want to address that member's memory to a similar

amendment that was in order which he voted for and which achieved a

significant victory on opening day by the opposition, and that was

making the public conscious of the fact that there was no full written Hansard in this province. If it had not been for a motion like this we would not have achieved it.

Mr.

Speaker, in deference to our obligation to Her Majesty as loyal

opposition, it was at that time, when we addressed the people of this

province on opening day in New Westminster with exactly the same

debate, that we shamed the government of the day into considering a Hansard .

We don't appeal to shame this government; it is shameless. What we are

asking is a commitment to fair play; a commitment that allows every

citizen, regardless of race, creed or philosophy, the right to know

that when they pay their taxes they have a right to vote. Mr. Speaker,

it is right from Magna Carta. No representation should be allowed,

according to them, unless they deem the rules. We say the other way: no

taxation without representation, every citizen should be guaranteed the

right to be on the voters' list, and there should be no debate.

Amendment negatived on the following division:

YEAS — 22

Macdonald

Barrett

Howard

King

Lea

Lauk

Stupich

Dailly

Cocke

Nicolson

Hall

Lorimer

Leggatt

Levi

Gabelmann

Skelly

D'Arcy

Lockstead

Brown

Barber

Hanson

Passarell

NAYS — 30

Waterland

Hyndman

Chabot

McClelland

Rogers

Smith

Heinrich

Hewitt

Jordan

Vander Zalm

Ritchie

Richmond

Ree

Davidson

Wolfe

McCarthy

Williams

Gardom

Bennett

Curtis

Phillips

McGeer

Fraser

Nielsen

Kempf

Davis

Strachan

Segarty

Mussallem

Brummet

Division ordered to be recorded in the Journals of the House.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM:

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. member for Skeena (Mr.

Howard), that Walter Kenneth Davidson, Esq., member for Delta electoral

district, be appointed Deputy Speaker for this session of the

Legislative Assembly.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM:

Mr. Speaker, I move that on each Tuesday and Thursday of this session

there shall be two distinct sittings, one from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,

and one from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., and on each Monday and Wednesday one

sitting from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m., and on each Friday there will be one

sitting from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., unless otherwise ordered.

speaking to the motion I'd like to inform the House, much as I did last

year, that during the remainder of the session the morning hours will

continue to be adjusted, as they were in the last sessions.

Motion approved.

HON. MR. GARDOM:

Mr. Speaker, I move that report No. 9 of the Select Standing Committee

on Standing Orders and Private Bills, adopted by this House on February

27, 1973, relating to oral questions, be adopted by this House for the

present session.

Motion approved.

Hon. Mr. Curtis tabled the British Columbia Assessment Authority 1980 annual report.

HON. MR. CURTIS:

Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to present a report entitled In Response to

the 1980 Report of the Auditor-General, dated November 1981.

Leave granted.

Hon.

Mr. McGeer tabled the seventh annual report of the Universities Council

of British Columbia for the year ending March 31, 1981.

HON. MR. McGEER: Mr. Speaker, I ask leave to table the first annual report of the Ministry of Universities, Science and Communications.

Last,

but not least, the first issue of the first volume of British Columbia

Discovered , a new international magazine of the achievements of British

Columbia science.

Leave granted.

HON. MR. GARDOM:

Before moving adjournment, on behalf of all members on both sides of

the House, I'd like to express the heartiest of welcomes and good

wishes to our many guests on the floor of the House and in the

galleries today.

Mr. Speaker, I move the House now be adjourned.

Motion approved.

The House adjourned at 3:32 p.m.

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