Third Session, 41st Parliament

(2018) OFFICIAL REPORT

OF DEBATES

(HANSARD)

Monday, October 1, 2018

Afternoon Sitting

Issue No. 150

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

CONTENTS

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

Introduction and First Reading of Bills

Bill 38 — Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act

Bill 36 — Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3), 2018

Hon. D. Eby

Bill 37 — Land Statutes Amendment Act, 2018

Hon. D. Donaldson

Statements (Standing Order 25B)

Orange Shirt Day and residential school system

R. Kahlon

Nanjing Massacre

T. Wat

Community Inclusion Month

B. D’Eith

Centre of Excellence in Sustainability at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

J. Tegart

Women’s History Month

M. Dean

World Seniors Day

J. Isaacs

Oral Questions

Community benefits agreement and transportation project costs

A. Wilkinson

Hon. J. Horgan

S. Bond

National Energy Board review of Trans Mountain pipeline

A. Weaver

Hon. G. Heyman

Community benefits agreement and workers

J. Martin

Hon. C. Trevena

Community benefits agreement and Pattullo Bridge project costs

P. Milobar

Hon. C. Trevena

J. Johal

M. Hunt

Community benefits agreement and Trans-Canada Highway four-laning project costs

T. Stone

Hon. C. Trevena

Tabling Documents

Office of the Auditor General, annual report, 2017-18

Office of the Auditor General, financial statements, 2017-18

Office of the Auditor General, An Independent Audit of the Ministry of

Citizens’ Services Real Estate Asset Sales Management , July

Office of the Auditor General, Understanding Our Audit Opinion on B.C.’s

2017-18

Summary Financial Statements , August 2018

Elections B.C., report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the 2018 Kelowna West

by-election, February 14, 2018

Office of the Ombudsperson, annual report, 2017-18

Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists for B.C., Investigation Report

18-04 , lobbyist: Keltie Gale, May 23, 2018

Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists for B.C., Investigation Report

18-05 , lobbyist: Ross Wallace, May 23, 2018

Office of the Representative for Children and Youth, joint special report,

Promoting Access to Breastfeeding in Child Welfare

Matters

Office of the Representative for Children and Youth, annual report, 2017-18, and service plan, 2018-19 to 2019-20

Legislative Assembly Management Committee, accountability report,

2016-17

Reports from Committees

Representative for Children and Youth Appointment

Committee, July 2018

N. Simons

S. Cadieux

Motions Without Notice

Appointment of Representative for Children and Youth

N. Simons

Orders of the Day

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

Hon. M. Farnworth

D. Davies

M. Dean

J. Isaacs

D. Routley

M. Lee

A. Kang

L. Throness

R. Leonard

S. Thomson

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018

The House met at 1:34 p.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Introductions by Members

[1:35 p.m.]

Hon. J. Darcy: It gives me great pleasure, the first day back in the Legislature for

the fall session, to introduce two guests from New Westminster: Dr. Brenda

Horner, who is with FYidoctors in New Westminster and a wonderful

optometrist whose glasses I wear with great pleasure, and her husband,

Ronald Hensy. Would the House join me in welcoming these two guests to the

Legislature today.

L. Throness: It’s a pleasure today to welcome two students studying poli-sci at

UVic. They’re my constituents Christopher Dickey, who is very active in the

proportional representation debate, and Daniel Verrier, who is president of

the B.C. Young Liberals on the UVic campus. Would the House please welcome

them.

Hon. H. Bains: As a former member of the United Steelworkers of Canada, I’m proud to

welcome a number of steelworkers here in the House today. Fifteen members

from seven locals are visiting here from every corner of our province,

representing those working in forestry, mining, smelting, telecommunications

and health care. They’re here as part of the steelworkers’ day of lobby. I’m

really looking forward to speaking to them about workplace safety and

whatever other issues they may have to make workers’ lives better. Please

help me make them most welcome.

T. Redies: We have the grade 12 class of Elgin Park Secondary and their teacher

Ms. Lindsey Ellett visiting the House today. Now, I did try to tell them

that if they were going to be watching QP, this is not how things completely

operate over here. I hope the House will help keep me honest in that today.

If everybody could just join with me and welcome them to the

Legislature.

Hon. C. James: I have a guest here in the gallery today. We served together as school

trustees in Victoria and became lifelong friends. She has had a lifetime

career in the area of child care and social work and public service in the

not-for-profits, as well, as at the provincial level and the federal level.

I’m thrilled she’s in town to be able to visit for a few days. Would the

House please welcome Sandra Griffin to Victoria.

Hon. C. Trevena: I think that everybody knows that we’re only here because we’re very

well supported. I’m very pleased to notice that up in the gallery…. My

greatest support through my life has come for a surprise visit. My husband,

Mike McIvor, is sitting in the gallery watching the proceedings, so I hope

that the opposition will be very gentle with me today. I hope the House will

make him most welcome.

R. Chouhan: It gives me great pleasure to introduce three guests from Abbotsford:

Raj, Sat and AJ Jattanar. Raj and Sat are local Abbotsford business owners,

and AJ is a student in Abbotsford. I’m asking all of you to please join me

in welcoming all of them.

J. Routledge: It gives me great pleasure to introduce Shiera Stuart with Gateway

Casinos in my constituency of Burnaby North. I’m happy to welcome her here,

and I hope you will all join me in welcoming her.

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

BILL 38 — OPIOID DAMAGES AND

HEALTH CARE COSTS RECOVERY

ACT

Hon. D. Eby presented a message from Her Honour the

Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs

Recovery Act.

Hon. D. Eby: I move that the Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act

be introduced and read a first time now.

I am pleased to introduce this bill further to government’s

announcement on August 29, 2018, that as part of its response to fight

the overdose crisis in British Columbia, it had commenced a class action

lawsuit against the different manufacturers and distributors of

brand-name and generic opioid medications in Canada.

[1:40 p.m.]

The legal action seeks the recovery of health care costs incurred

as a consequence of those companies’ actions to market, promote and sell

opioid products as less addictive, less subject to abuse and diversion

and less likely to cause tolerance and withdrawal than other pain

medications. The health care costs incurred by the province include

those for treatment of problematic use and addiction, the cost of

emergency services in response to overdose events, the cost of hospital

treatment and other costs.

The legal action that has been commenced is similar in principle

to the tobacco litigation that government initiated in 1997. As I

indicated on August 29, government is introducing legislation to allow

government to proceed in its litigation with opioid manufacturers and

wholesalers on a similar basis to that in the tobacco case. This bill

will allow government to prove its claim accurately, relying on

population-based evidence, and enable litigation to proceed as

efficiently as possible while preserving fairness.

Like the existing Tobacco Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery

Act, which has governed conduct of tobacco litigation, this bill will

establish the new statutory tort of an opioid-related wrong and

establish that government has a direct cause of action to recover the

cost of health care benefits from those who have committed an

opioid-related wrong, as defined.

Recovery, on an aggregate basis, will be facilitated by

establishing presumptions with respect to use and causation and by

shifting the burden to defendants to prove their activities did not

increase opioid use and their products did not cause harm. The act will

allow statistical information derived from epidemiological, sociological

and other relevant studies to be admissible to establish causation and

quantify damages.

Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. D. Eby: I move that Bill 38 be placed on the orders of the day for second

reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 38, Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act,

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.

BILL 36 — MISCELLANEOUS STATUTES

AMENDMENT ACT

(N o . 3), 2018

Hon. D. Eby presented a message from Her Honour the

Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act

(No. 3), 2018.

Hon. D. Eby: I move that the bill be introduced and read a first time

now.

I’m pleased to introduce Bill 36, the Miscellaneous Statutes

Amendment Act (No. 3), 2018. This bill amends the following statutes:

the College and Institute Act, the Royal Roads University Act, the

University Act, the Milk Industry Act, the Mental Health Act, the

Offence Act, the Public Guardian and Trustee Act, the Supreme Court Act,

the Business Corporations Act, the Cooperative Association Act, the

Credit Union Incorporation Act, the Financial Institutions Act, the

Societies Act and the Safety Standards Act. This bill also makes

consequential amendments to a number of other statutes.

Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. D. Eby: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second

reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 36, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3), 2018,

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.

BILL 37 — LAND STATUTES

AMENDMENT ACT,

Hon. D. Donaldson presented a message from Her Honour the

Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Land Statutes Amendment Act,

Hon. D. Donaldson: I move that the Land Statutes Amendment Act be introduced and read

for a first time now.

[1:45 p.m.]

Today I introduce the Land Statutes Amendment Act, which will

streamline, modernize and improve the security of B.C.’s land title and

survey systems.

Changes will improve services for British Columbians by enabling

more efficient electronic filing of land title documents and survey

plans and eliminating the need for paper copies, enabling broader access

to electronic filing and eliminating the need to pay a lawyer or a

notary to authorize a simple land title change, simplifying the process

for making additions to treaty settlement lands and simplifying the

approval process for technical boundary descriptions along the

B.C.-Alberta border when there is no physical change of the

boundary.

Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

Hon. D. Donaldson: I move that the Land Statutes Amendment Act be placed on the

orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting after

today.

Bill 37, Land Statutes Amendment Act, 2018, 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.

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

ORANGE SHIRT DAY AND

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

SYSTEM

R. Kahlon: Yesterday British Columbians from across the province wore orange

shirts to remember and honour the healing journey of residential school

survivors and their families. As we know, many Indigenous children

suffered terrible abuse in the residential school system. The impacts of

this trauma continue to echo through generations.

To remember the ordeal of survivors and families and to honour the

courage and resilience, yesterday, September 30, was proclaimed Orange

Shirt Day in British Columbia. Minister Fraser, Minister Fleming and

many of my colleagues had the privilege of joining survivors and their

families at an event in Centennial Square organized by Kristin Spray,

Eddy Charlie and the Victoria Orange Shirt Day Committee. I know that it

was a very moving experience.

The idea of Orange Shirt Day originates with a young girl from

Canoe Creek Indian Band whose story symbolizes the experience of

thousands of children. In 1973, six-year-old Phyllis Webstad was sent to

St. Joseph Mission School in Williams Lake. She was wearing a brand-new

orange shirt that her grandmother had given her. When she arrived, she

was stripped of that shirt and never wore it again. It was an

emotionally damaging act that made her feel as if she didn’t matter.

It’s just one example of many thousands of terrible acts that Indigenous

children suffered across the country.

In 2013, Phyllis decided to share her story and use the symbolism

of the orange shirt as a foundation of her campaign. Orange Shirt Day

now occurs annually on September 30.

While wearing an orange shirt doesn’t erase the trauma, it does

raise awareness of experiences that Indigenous children should never

have endured. It helps send the message that every child matters. This

campaign is making a significant difference in communities across this

province. Orange Shirt Day may have been yesterday, but it has a message

for every day.

NANJING MASSACRE

T. Wat: I rise in the House to speak with solemnity about the Nanjing

Massacre, which occurred 80 years ago over a period of six weeks

starting on December 13, 1937. It was an episode of mass murder and

violence committed by the then Japanese troops and aggressors against

the residents of Nanjing, then capital of China. It was horrendous.

About 300,000 were killed. Up to 80,000 women and girls were raped, and

many were then murdered.

The Chinese-Canadian communities from coast to coast have recently

called upon the federal government to declare December 13 of every year

as the Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day. The National Congress of

Chinese Canadians passed a national motion at the national convention

held in Vancouver in May this year to urge the federal government to do

so. In the Ontario legislature, a motion was unanimously approved in

October 2017 to proclaim December 13 as the Nanjing Massacre

Commemorative Day annually.

Members, we must not forget those who have been wronged, tortured

and murdered and those who survived and still live among us here, many

of them now in their 90s. We must remember them, and we will remember

their pain. A horrific history of injustice — if forgotten, lessons not

learned — is to invite it to repeat. Let us stand with those who

suffered and those who still live among us.

I stand before you today to share with you that I will be making a

motion in the House at the earliest opportunity to ask for the

proclamation of December 13 as the Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in

B.C., and I ask each and every one of our members for your

support.

[1:50 p.m.]

COMMUNITY INCLUSION MONTH

B. D’Eith: October is Community Inclusion Month in British Columbia.

Previously known as Community Living Month, it’s in its 20th year. B.C.

is recognizing and celebrating the contributions and potential of people

with developmental disabilities in our province. It’s an opportunity to

recognize the stories, talents and skills that people with developmental

disabilities bring to our communities. It’s also a celebration of the

families, friends, caregivers, employers and organizations that make our

province better by supporting people of all abilities in the

participation in community life.

We need to continue to remove barriers for people with

disabilities in British Columbia because every barrier removed is an

opportunity gained. Community inclusion is about building a province

where people with disabilities have an opportunity to reach their full

potential. Community Living B.C. is a big part of this work. They fund

supports and services for more than 20,000 adults with developmental

disabilities and are committed to the people, service providers and

community partners that they serve.

We want B.C. to be the most accessible and inclusive province in

Canada, and everyone can play a role to ensure the full participation of

people with disabilities in our communities. I encourage you to take a

moment to consider what you can do to make your community more inclusive

and welcoming, because a thriving community is one that supports the

participation of everyone, with all abilities.

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

IN SUSTAINABILITY AT NICOLA VALLEY

INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

J. Tegart: I’m proud to rise and speak today about the grand opening of the

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology’s Centre of Excellence in

Sustainability in the city of Merritt. The centre officially opened its

doors on September 19 of this year. As everyone in this chamber is

aware, I’m a strong advocate for this unique place of learning, which is

supported and governed by First Nations. I want to acknowledge the

attendance of the member for Burnaby-Edmonds at this very important

milestone for the school.

The $10 million expansion includes a full-size gymnasium, a clean

energy lab powered by geothermal energy, a greenhouse and a culinary

arts kitchen. The roof itself serves as a large teaching component for

solar energy. This new addition to NVIT not only represents an

advancement and new

chapter in the school’s legacy but is an incredible

opportunity for the community and those looking to study and develop new

energy technologies.

For those who have visited this facility, you will find a culture

that welcomes you: elders on site to support learning and students, a

daycare centre and student housing. It is built in a traditional circle,

with room for one more building. I can’t wait to see what comes

next.

In the spirit of supporting youth, this year the board of NVIT

offered free first-year tuition to all grade 12 graduates from school

district 58 Nicola-Similkameen. I invite all members of the House to

join me in celebrating NVIT’s continued commitment to creating

opportunities for the students of British Columbia.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

M. Dean: Today I’m extremely pleased to have the opportunity to recognize

October as Women’s History Month. The celebration of Women’s History

Month extends across our entire country, and its origin is close to home

here in Victoria. More than 20 years ago a local historian named Lyn

Gough spearheaded a national campaign to declare October as Women’s

History Month. It is thanks to the tireless efforts of her and other

women that Women’s History Month was created.

Our province has a long history of women like Gough who pushed for

progress and change. Since 1918, British Columbians have elected 114

women to serve in our Legislative Assembly. Every one of these women is

a symbol of empowerment and change. From Mary Ellen Smith, our first

woman representative in the chamber, to Rosemary Brown, the first black

woman to be elected to the B.C. Legislature, these women led us to where

we are today. And 100 years after women began to attain the right to

vote, our government established B.C.’s first-ever gender-balanced

cabinet.

[1:55 p.m.]

Of course, women have been leaders not only in the political

sphere but in every aspect of our communities. From labour reform to

economic development and from literature to Indigenous rights, B.C. has

been shaped by remarkable women.

I encourage all British Columbians to take time this month to

learn about and remember the amazing women who have helped make our

province and country what it is today. In doing so, we’ll be able to

build a better future for the women of today and for generations to

come.

WORLD SENIORS DAY

J. Isaacs: It’s my pleasure today to rise to recognize World Seniors Day and

to honour our precious and sometimes fragile seniors. Over the past few

weeks, I’ve been touring many different senior living homes and have

found and had the opportunity to speak to seniors from all walks of

life. There are many remarkable life journeys that each carry a unique

and rich history. Their stories and experiences have contributed to the

growth and the prosperity of communities all around our province and

elsewhere.

I am always astounded when I spend time with seniors. They are the

most compassionate and non-judgmental of souls. Their wisdom, grace and

honesty are both enlightening and inspiring. Seniors are happy to share

their proud moments: their first job, changing of jobs or moving to a

new community just to get a job; the powerful bond they share with their

special partner; the first Christmas in their new home; and the

happiness they feel when they talk about people and events that shaped

their lives.

There are stories of triumph and courage, sadness and sometimes

grief, but throughout their lifelong journey, seniors prove to be

resilient and push through those tough times of adversity. Memory boxes

share treasured celebrations of marriage, children and grandchildren,

pets, trophies and the remembrance of going off to war. Seniors

understand that it is the simple things in life that lead to fulfilment

and happiness. Whether they are aged 60 or celebrating a birthday at age

106, seniors continue to live productive and purposeful

lives.

Seniors built our province. They started families and created

communities that will stand the test of time. I am so grateful for all

the seniors that have passed through my life. Today on World Seniors

Day, I ask that each of you honour and connect with that special senior

who enriches your life and community.

Oral Questions

COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT

AND TRANSPORTATION PROJECT

COSTS

A. Wilkinson: On July 16 this past summer, the Premier announced a special deal,

a union benefits agreement that stands to provide millions of dollars in

benefits for union bosses in British Columbia. This has been widely seen

and judged to be a blatant payback to union donors and supporters of the

NDP. Now with millions of dollars of taxpayer funds that would’ve gone

for other construction projects around British Columbia…. Instead,

they’re being donated to unions for union purposes in the hands of the

union bosses. They are not going to the workers themselves.

The obvious question for the Premier is: will he tell this chamber

the total cost of the union benefits agreement?

Hon. J. Horgan: I thank the member for his question. I’m also encouraged that he’s

enthusiastic about getting behind the many projects that we want to see

built here to make up for the deficits over a number of years,

particularly when it comes to building transit and transportation

initiatives in the Lower Mainland, which, of course, the previous

government decided to put to referendum rather than to

leadership.

We’re very committed to making sure that when we spend public

dollars in British Columbia, we don’t only just get the project, but we

also train the next generation of workers — critically important if

we’re going to meet the challenges of significant investments that are

coming our way any day now.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a

supplemental.

A. Wilkinson: Well, that’s clearly an answer that’s been rehearsed for the last

ten weeks. Now we’ll try to get to the heart of the matter.

[2:00 p.m.]

The minister herself admitted that it’ll add significant costs,

millions of dollars on projects, including a substantial $100 million

increase on the Pattullo Bridge project alone. That means fewer projects

for the rest of the province, less infrastructure and more payoffs to

union bosses.

As the Premier leafs through his notes desperately searching for

answer 2, I’ll ask him if he can explain why the Pattullo Bridge

agreement includes “a council administration fund” which will funnel

over $1.7 million in kickbacks to the NDP’s favoured 19 unions who

bankrolled their campaign. And that is only one of 55 such

funds.

Can the Premier tell this House, just as he would in a budget, how

much money is being diverted from other projects in British Columbia,

like the Massey Tunnel replacement, and put in the hands of the union

bosses?

Hon. J. Horgan: I was flipping through my notes to be reminded of the litany of

overpriced projects that were built on that side of the House over the

past 16 years. I wanted to have absolute precision for the Leader of the

Opposition, because, of course, when he was a deputy minister, he was on

the project board for the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Mr. Speaker, you might remember that the Vancouver Convention

Centre was tagged at $355 million. But when the Leader of the Opposition

got on the board, he ran it up to $900 million. You will forgive me,

hon. Speaker, and I know all members of the House will forgive me if I

don’t take advice from the Leader of the Opposition on how to manage

capital projects in British Columbia.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition on a second

supplemental.

A. Wilkinson: Of course, the Liberals are proud to actually produce projects,

rather than useless ferries that are sold for a pittance after the NDP’s

favoured union deals.

Can the Premier explain how touting his union benefit agreement

will help British Columbians? How does it help British Columbians to put

millions of dollars in the pockets of the 19 unions that supported the

NDP through $20 million in campaign contributions, endless staff

support, a presence in the back room? The very people who are pulling

the Premier’s puppet strings are now being paid off. Can the Premier

give us a cost for the union benefits agreement rather than providing

excuses from decades ago?

Hon. J. Horgan: This is like an Eagles revival tour. They come out. They roll out

their greatest hits. The only problem is that that side of the House has

just one hit, and it’s about a B.C. Ferries project 30 years

ago.

For the Leader of the Opposition, who just recently decamped this

side of the House — with some consternation, I do recall — there is a

litany of capital projects that were double the cost they were projected

to be while that side of the House was managing the finances of British

Columbia. As I sit beside the Minister of Finance, who has tabled yet

another balanced budget — has put $1 billion toward deferred debt at

B.C. Hydro — again, members sitting on this side of the House and the

majority of British Columbians will forgive me for not taking advice

from the Eagles Steel Wheels tour.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

S. Bond: Obviously, the Premier missed the page about the hit parade that

talked about the leading economy in the country, the leading job

creator, five successive balanced budgets. That’s what our government

handed over to the Premier and her Finance Minister.

The government has admitted through transportation officials that

their NDP-approved, union-only policy will add as much as 7 percent in

additional cost to the Pattullo Bridge project alone. Presumably,

although we have been surprised before, someone in this government

analyzed what the policy means for the over $26 billion in

taxpayer-funded projects over the next three years.

[2:05 p.m.]

Here’s her chance. The Transportation Minister wanted a chance to

show off today, so will she stand up, release her analysis so that

British Columbians will know exactly how much the decision to move to

NDP-approved unions only will cost taxpayers?

Hon. J. Horgan: I wouldn’t want to waste all the practice time that I apparently

put in to take the questions from the Leader of the Opposition, so I’m

happy to take questions from the member for Prince George. Again, she

will know that the northwest transmission line started at $400 million,

ended up at just shy of $800 million. That’s double the cost. That’s on

the watch of the people on the other side.

I would again suggest that rather than casting stones as we try

and build British Columbia and fill the gaps that were left vacant by

the previous government when it comes to transit and critical

infrastructure in the Lower Mainland like the Pattullo Bridge, which is

falling into the river as we speak, I think they should wait a moment,

see how we do and then comment at the end of the project.

Mr. Speaker: Prince George–Valemount on a supplemental.

S. Bond: Premier, you need to turn the page over and try to find another

answer. Let’s give you this chance. The government has refused to be

transparent since announcing there would be an NDP-approved, union-only

policy in our province. In fact, even at the announcement and technical

briefing, there was a lack of detail, and it caused a member of the

press gallery to note that the briefing was “clumsy and

uninformative.”

The Transportation Minister has a chance today to stand up and

clear that up for us. We’re asking for a detailed analysis that the

Transportation Ministry would have done.

Again, to the Minister of Transportation, will she release all

internal costing documents so that British Columbians can know the full

cost of a decision made by this government to have an NDP-approved,

union-only policy in our province?

Hon. J. Horgan: I think members on that side of the House understand. I’m sure

they still get out and talk to people now and again when they’re not

preparing for question period, and they have been talking to businesses

that are having a difficult time finding workers, whether it be baristas

or pipefitters. The whole continuum of workers in British Columbia are

critically short of the need we have to meet the challenges of growth

going forward. Consequently, we have a skills shortage in British

Columbia, and the way to address that is to make sure that we have

apprenticeship ratios on big projects. That’s exactly what we’re

doing.

NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD REVIEW

OF TRANS MOUNTAIN

PIPELINE

A. Weaver: On August 30, the Federal Court of Appeal quashed the federal

cabinet approval of the Trans Mountain project. The court cited: “The

board’s process and finding were so flawed that the Governor-in-Council

could not reasonably rely on the board’s report. Second, the government

of Canada failed to fulfil the legal duty to consult Indigenous

peoples.” In particular, the court noted: “The board unjustifiably

defined the scope of the project under review not to include

project-related tanker traffic.”

The B.C. NDP campaigned on using every tool in the toolbox to stop

the project from going forward. My question to the Minister of

Environment is this. In light of the fact that the court ruled that the

NEB process was flawed, my question is: will he use his authority to

pull out of the equivalency agreement with Ottawa on the environmental

assessment of this project for the next 22 weeks?

Hon. G. Heyman: Thank you to the Leader of the Third Party for the question. I

think this is a good opportunity to just take a brief look at

history.

There was a time when the official opposition, then in government,

expressed concern about the impacts of diluted bitumen on our coast,

expressed concern about failings they perceived in the National Energy

Board process, but as that process rolled on, the official opposition

simply rolled over and accepted the conclusions of the National Energy

Board.

But that wasn’t all. First Nations on the coast expressed concern

as to their rights, their culture, their traditional economy. Thousands

of British Columbians expressed concern about our environment, tens of

thousands of jobs that were at risk, and this government stood up with

them and expressed the same concerns. What did the opposition say when

we did that? They said that there was a decision, the project was going

ahead, and we should simply accept it.

[2:10 p.m.]

The decision of the Federal Court of Appeal is significant and

far-reaching for a number of reasons, but not the least of which is it

validated the concerns of First Nations, it validated the concerns of

British Columbians about our coast, and it validated the actions of our

government in standing up for our coast. And that’s what we will

continue to do.

Mr. Speaker: Leader, Third Party, on a supplemental.

A. Weaver: I do recall when I sat in opposition with my colleagues from the

B.C. NDP at a time when I heard them calling on the government of the

day to actually withdraw from the equivalency agreement over the same

concerns that I share today.

Our Prime Minister has signaled that the NEB has precisely 22

weeks in which to reassess the available information. That’s over

Christmas. Interveners have to have given notice within the next couple

of days if they want to participate. It’s clear to me and those who

participated as interveners in the prior assessment that the decision

has already been made. How is it possible that the British Columbia

government can have faith in a process where the decision is clearly

made and where a prime minister has reiterated, time and time again, it

will be built?

Again, to the Environment Minister: will he stand up for the

interests of British Columbians and give the federal government the

required 30 days’ notice to withdraw from the equivalency agreement

today?

Hon. G. Heyman: Again, thank you to the Leader of the Third Party, who raises some

very significant points about the process that is underway. The decision

of the federal court was complex. It’s far-reaching. We are reviewing it

with both internal and external legal advice.

The federal government’s announcement about how they intend to

proceed with the NEB now gives us an important context within which to

assess our options going forward. We are well aware of the impending

deadline. We are preparing our action in response to that deadline. But

more importantly, we are preparing a range of options that are thorough.

They’re well considered. But I can assure the Leader of the Third Party

this: we will defend our environment. We will defend our coast, and we

will defend the tens of thousands of British Columbian jobs that depend

on it.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT

AND

WORKERS

J. Martin: The NDP union benefits agreements restrict contracts to unionized

companies and force employers to join select NDP-approved unions. Taking

away workers’ rights to choose whether or not to join a union or which

union to join is discriminatory, and it’s wrong.

Can the minister or the Premier explain why the NDP are forcing

workers to join unions against their will?

Hon. C. Trevena: I just don’t understand why the opposition doesn’t want to see

good jobs for local people in B.C. I’m very proud of our community

benefit agreements because we are going to be investing in people. We’re

going to be investing in training. We’re dealing with a skills

shortage.

I’d also like to correct a misconception that the member for

Chilliwack has just raised, which is that it’s only union. Any

contractor can bid on these projects — any contractor, whether union or

non-union. And I think everybody really wants to see investments in the

people of B.C. as well as the infrastructure of B.C., and that’s what

this will provide.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Chilliwack on a supplemental.

J. Martin: Excluding 85 percent of construction and trade workers is

discriminatory, and it is terrible, terrible public policy. Good wages,

a diverse workforce and training opportunities do not depend on whether

or not workers are in a union, are not in a union or are being forced to

join an NDP-approved union.

Can the minister drop this discriminatory policy of forced

unionization?

[2:15 p.m.]

Hon. C. Trevena: Workers, whether they are union or non-union, will be able to

start working on the project, but having this as a basis ensures that we

get a good, stable workforce, and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re

trying to address something the opposition, when they were in

government, ignored, and that’s the skills shortage. We’re going to make

sure that we have people who are trained, who are able to have

apprenticeships, and that we have Indigenous people working, women

working — people you don’t usually see on these jobsites.

The community benefits agreement is an investment in British

Columbians. It’s an investment in the people of British Columbia. It’s

no surprise that in a recent poll, seven out of ten British Columbians

thought that community benefit agreements were the right way to go for

this province.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT

AND PATTULLO BRIDGE

PROJECT COSTS

P. Milobar: In July, the Premier refused to answer media questions about the

cost of his payoff to NDP-approved union bosses. In fact, July 30, the

Premier said: “We have got two projects underway.” Before we have too

many people piling on about the consequences, “we should get the tenders

back….” Well, the closing day for those tenders was September

Therefore, will the minister table all documents related to the

project costing and come clean about the true cost of the payoff to the

NDP-approved union bosses?

Hon. C. Trevena: If it was up to the opposition when they were in government, we

wouldn’t be having the Pattullo being built. They ignored this. This is

a bridge. It is a vital link across the Fraser. We need that bridge to

be replaced. We are going to be replacing it. There is no

question.

We’re going to be linking Surrey and New Westminster. We’re using

the community benefits agreement framework. We are very satisfied with

this. We have the RFQ process completed. We’ll be moving into the

request for proposals. Any benefits to the community definitely outweigh

whether there is an increased cost or not. We are investing in our

communities.

Mr. Speaker: Kamloops–North Thompson on a supplemental.

P. Milobar: Well, we’re not asking questions on whether or not the Pattullo is

a needed transportation connection. It obviously is. And we’re not

asking questions about barista training programs. We’re asking questions

about the increased cost of the CBAs.

On February 16, the minister announced the Pattullo project would

cost $1.377 billion. Exactly five months later, on July 16, tenders were

issued and the union benefit agreement was announced with no change to

the budget. But this is what the Vancouver Sun wrote in July:

“The labour deal is estimated to boost the Pattullo costs by 7 percent,

or almost $100 million.”

I believe the minister verified that 7 percent. Will the minister

table documents that explain this costing and tell British Columbians

the truth about the cost of this payoff to NDP-approved union

bosses?

Hon. C. Trevena: The simple answer is that the $1.377 billion is the cost. There is

no increased cost. That’s the cost.

It might be hard for the opposition to understand, since they have

an incredibly bad record in looking at costs when you talk about major

infrastructure. The Port Mann Bridge, $1.8 billion over budget under

their guidance, and they have the temerity to lecture us about costs.

The Pattullo is $1.377 billion. That’s what we said when we announced

it. That’s what we’re still saying. That is the cost of the Pattullo

Bridge.

J. Johal: According to the Vancouver Sun , the minister said that

“her ministry has been aware of the union-only plans since the NDP

assumed power last year” and has been planning for the $100 million

increase within the bridge budget of $1.37 billion. To quote the

minister directly: “Yes, there is that level of potential increase. We

are confident that the Pattullo budget is the budget.”

[2:20 p.m.]

British Columbians don’t believe the minister, and neither do I.

Will she table documents that prove her claim, five months before it was

announced, that the NDP payoff was fully costed into the bridge

budget?

Hon. C. Trevena: The budget is $1.377 billion. This from an opposition who, when

they were in government, had a catalogue of overspending on major

infrastructure…. The Premier has already talked about when the Leader of

the Opposition was in charge, and we got hundreds of millions of dollars

overspent on the convention centre roof. We all know about that. We know

about B.C. Place, where the final cost was $149 million over budget. The

northwest hydro transmission line was $736 million, which was $332

million over budget.

When we talk about highways, I keep going back to the Port Mann

Bridge. In the end, it cost $3.3 billion, which was $1.8 billion over

the budget that that opposition, when they were in government, said it

was going to be.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Richmond-Queensborough on a

supplemental.

J. Johal: British Columbians don’t believe this minister. Here’s why. I have

a June 2017 briefing note that reads: “TransLink currently estimates

that the Pattullo Bridge replacement would cost approximately $1.5

billion.” The June 2017 estimate is $1.5 billion, yet the budget

announced this February was $1.37 billion. In July of 2018, the minister

announced an additional $100 million in labour costs but pretends it has

always been in the budget.

It just doesn’t add up. Will the minister admit she tried to

mislead British Columbians, or will she provide the documents to back up

her claims?

Hon. C. Trevena: Well, I would hope that the member withdraws that comment, Mr.

Speaker.

We’ve seen in the budget what the cost of the Pattullo Bridge is

going to be. That’s the cost of the Pattullo Bridge. If the opposition

doesn’t care enough about the people of British Columbia working on good

projects, building the infrastructure of British Columbia…. We’re

talking about dealing with a skills shortage. We’re talking about

employing Indigenous people. We’re talking about employing women —

ensuring that we get a strong workforce to lead us into the next

generation, as well as having good infrastructure for this

province.

If the opposition doesn’t care about that, I’m glad they’re in

opposition. They don’t deserve to be in government. But we care about

that, and we’re going to make sure that things happen.

M. Hunt: The experience of the 1990s was that the union benefit agreements

increased costs and caused the scope of the projects to be scaled back.

Now, the Pattullo Bridge project was supposed to include a new

interchange and a new road on the Surrey side, called the Scott Road

extension.

To the Minister of Transportation: will it be Surrey residents who

are forced to pay the price with the loss of their new interchange and

the Scott Road extension?

Hon. C. Trevena: I think that many people in Surrey are very happy with what this

government has done. Our first act was to remove the tolls so that they

could cross to that side of the Fraser. People in Surrey are saving

thousands of dollars, thanks to us. Employees are saving thousands of

dollars, and families are saving thousands of dollars, thanks to our

withdrawing the tolls.

If it were up to that side of the House, who were in government

for 16 years and did nothing about a bridge that was about to fall into

the river, they still wouldn’t have a bridge. We are committed to

building a bridge that will link the two communities. It’s an important

gateway. We’re going to ensure that it’s built, despite the opposition

hectoring about it.

Mr. Speaker: The member for Surrey-Cloverdale on a supplemental.

M. Hunt: We’ve seen this movie before. We don’t have to go any further than

the McKenzie interchange here on Vancouver Island, which was scrapped by

the NDP in the 1990s to help pay for the Island Highway payoff to union

bosses. Now it’s Surrey residents that are losing an important

transportation improvement to pay for the NDP kickbacks to their union

buddies.

[2:25 p.m.]

To the minister, what was the estimated cost of the new

interchange and road that were cut from the Pattullo Bridge project to

pay for this payment to NDP-approved unions?

Hon. C. Trevena: We are committing to Surrey’s transportation. By building this

bridge, we are showing a commitment to Surrey’s transportation. We are

working with the communities. Unlike the opposition when they were in

government, we are working with municipalities to get the solutions for

communities.

We are investing in a bridge that will link Surrey with New

Westminster and with the rest of the Lower Mainland. We’ve already made

a commitment by removing the tolls, our first act as

government.

I think the people of Surrey will be very happy with the continued

investment we’re getting. We’ve got the LRT coming. We’ve got the

complete commitment to Surrey, to its infrastructure, and making sure

that people in Surrey can move affordably and easily.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT

AND TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY

FOUR-LANING PROJECT COSTS

T. Stone: Well, it’s not only the Pattullo Bridge which the NDP are proving

quite adept at providing taxpayers with less for more. We now know

what’s coming to the Trans-Canada — a four-laning project east of

Kamloops, thanks to the NDP’s union benefit agreement. Higher costs,

decreased scope and delayed construction.

The Hoffman’s Bluff to Jade Mountain four-laning project was

announced 2½ years ago, and construction was supposed to start a year

ago. Instead, nothing has happened on this project except the

announcement of a payoff to the NDP’s approved union bosses.

My question to the Minister of Transportation is this. How can the

Minister of Transportation continue to say she’s accelerating

Trans-Canada four-laning projects when, in fact, she has added cost,

scaled back features and has delayed construction of these projects by

over two years?

Hon. C. Trevena: As I say, we are exceedingly proud about the community benefits

agreement. I’m very pleased to see that it’s going to be working in the

Interior of British Columbia, as well as the Lower Mainland.

The member used to be the Minister of Transportation before he

became an opposition member. When he was the Minister of Transportation,

he was very well aware of the negotiations that had been taking place

over this stretch of highway. In fact, I’ve had conversations out of

this chamber with him about that.

The negotiations have been ongoing. We are committed to making it

work. In the early new year, we will be tendering a number of the

Trans-Canada Highway projects under the community benefits framework. I

think that people will be seeing a huge benefit throughout the Interior

from using a new system to be hiring people, filling a skills shortage,

making sure that people get to work and making sure people get trained

when they get to work.

[End of question period.]

Hon. J. Horgan: During question period, I made reference to a Steel Wheels tour

involving the Eagles. Everyone, of course, knows it was the Rolling

Stones. I want to thank the member for Nechako Lakes for correcting me

on that.

Tabling Documents

Mr. Speaker: I have the honour to present the following reports.

First, beginning with the Auditor General, a number of reports:

Annual Report 2017-18 , Financial Statements 2017-18 ,

An Independent Audit of the Ministry of Citizens’ Services Real

Estate Asset Sales Management and Understanding Our Audit

Opinion on B.C.’s 2017-18

Summary Financial Statements .

In addition, a report from Elections B.C., the Report of the Chief

Electoral Officer — 2018 Kelowna West By-Election .

Another report: the Ombudsperson’s Annual Report

2017-2018 .

Two reports by the registrar of lobbyists, the first being

Investigation Report 18-04 , lobbyist: Keltie Gale; and

secondly, Investigation Report 18-05 , lobbyist: Ross

Wallace.

Then two reports from the Representative of Children and Youth, the

first being Promoting Access to Breastfeeding in Child Welfare

Matters ; and secondly, Annual Report 2017-18 and Service Plan

2018-19 to 2019-20 .

Then the Legislative Assembly Management Committee’s

Accountability Report 2016-17 , which summarizes the financial

and administrative work of the assembly.

[2:30 p.m.]

Hon. R. Fleming: I seek leave to make an introduction.

Mr. Speaker: I’m thinking we have a statement from the member for Powell

River–Sunshine Coast in advance, Minister, if we may do that

first.

Reports from Committees

REPRESENTATIVE FOR CHILDREN

AND YOUTH APPOINTMENT

COMMITTEE

N. Simons: I have the honour to present the report of the Special Committee

to Appoint a Representative for Children and Youth.

I move that the report be taken as read and received.

Motion approved.

N. Simons: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the

report.

Leave granted.

Mr. Speaker: Please proceed.

N. Simons: I move that the report be adopted, and in doing so, I’d like to

make a few comments.

This report constitutes the committee’s unanimous and enthusiastic

recommendation to appoint Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth as B.C.’s

Representative for Children and Youth.

Dr. Charlesworth has an exceptional background in social services

and a deep commitment to the children and families in B.C. I believe she

is blessed with a combination of the best characteristics of both her

predecessors. Her approach to advocating for children and youth, her

knowledge and experience and her leadership style will serve not just

the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth but, indeed, the

children and youth and families of this province very well.

Dr. Charlesworth was unanimously appointed acting representative

by the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth on August 31. I

thank that committee for this appointment and for helping to ensure

continuity in the office.

On behalf of all British Columbians and this Legislature, I’d like

to thank Mr. Bernard Richard, who served as representative until the end

of August. Those who observed him in his relatively short period of time

here were unanimously impressed by the depth of connection that he made,

and no more so than with the youth of British Columbia. We wish him all

the best back in his home in New Brunswick.

I’d like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Deputy Chair,

the member for Surrey South, and all committee members — the members for

Burnaby–Deer Lake, Cowichan Valley and Richmond South Centre — for the

conviviality of the deliberations and the focused work that was put into

the appointment process.

Of course, our work was supported by the unfailing skill and

knowledge of the Office of the Clerk of Committees, who we thank for

their hard work.

S. Cadieux: I, too, will echo the Chair’s enthusiastic comments and welcome

Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth to the role. As those in this House will know,

I have a great deal of knowledge of that office and the very difficult

work that it does. It takes a very special person to do that work. I

believe that Dr. Charlesworth will do that office proud and wish her

well in her endeavours.

Mr. Speaker: The question is adoption of the report.

Motion approved.

N. Simons: I ask leave of the House to move a motion appointing Dr. Jennifer

Charlesworth as Representative for Children and Youth for the province

of British Columbia.

Leave granted.

Motions Without Notice

APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE

FOR CHILDREN AND

YOUTH

N. Simons: I move:

[That Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth be appointed as an Officer of the

Legislature, to exercise the powers and duties assigned to the

Representative for Children and Youth, pursuant to the

Representative for Children and Youth Act (RSBC 2006,

Chapter 29).]

Motion approved.

[Applause.]

Introductions by Members

Hon. R. Fleming: I believe they’ve just left the chamber, but they caught question

period here. A group of grade 6 students from the Victoria School for Ideal

Education were here with their teacher Tania Chavez. I’ll be available to

debrief them if they had any trauma from question period earlier.

Thank you for that opportunity.

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. Farnworth: I call continued debate on the throne speech.

[2:35 p.m.]

[L. Reid in the chair.]

Throne Speech Debate

(continued)

Hon. M. Farnworth: It’s my pleasure to rise and continue debate on the throne speech,

which I adjourned so many, many months ago. It was not something I expected

to be doing on this particular day. In fact, my expectation was that we

would be debating another piece of legislation which was tabled in the

spring session. The plan was that while we would not be debating that

legislation at that time, we would be debating it in the fall.

Unfortunately, there is an issue related to the legislation and another

province. So we are not.

I made the decision that we will not call that. Therefore, as members

know, the default piece of legislation that often gets called for a time

such as this is the throne speech.

Before I get into that, it’s probably a good idea to maybe, just for

those who watch these debates at home, give a little bit of background on

the throne speech and why, for example, we tabled three pieces of

legislation today and we’re not debating those three pieces of legislation

today. I see my colleague from Prince George–Valemount nodding and

smiling.

The fact is that in this chamber, legislation is tabled. Today three

pieces of legislation were tabled, important pieces, but they sit on the

order paper so that the opposition has a chance to look at them before

they’re called for debate. My expectation is that there will be additional

legislation tabled also this week, tomorrow, and that we will have a full

parliamentary calendar to look at, debate and discuss, both in this chamber

and in committee stage, legislation that the government has brought forward.

Much of it is related to what was outlined in the throne speech.

Also, to remind those people who are watching this, the throne speech

lays out, at the beginning of a session, the government’s agenda, the

government’s vision, the government’s plans for that spring session and for

the fall session. I have noticed with interest some of the discussion that

takes place in the Twitterverse, and I’m often surprised at people’s

understanding of how this place works. For many people, they were under the

impression a new session: a new throne speech. That is not the case. This

session is a continuation of the spring session. We will not be dealing with

the budget but, rather, solely with legislation.

As I said, this legislation flows from the throne speech which was

read by the Lieutenant-Governor in February. That throne speech outlined a

number of issues and priority areas that we as a government campaigned on

and that we intended to move forward on this session. Many of those areas

are of critical importance to my own constituency of Port Coquitlam, where I

have had the privilege of serving now for a number of years.

[2:40 p.m.]

It always gives me great pleasure when I can report to my constituents

on the progress that is being made on issues that matter to them. In this

year’s throne speech, one of the key issues talked about was education. I

have a fast-growing community. The average family size is larger than the

provincial average, according to the census data.

We’ve seen significant construction of new residential units in Port

Coquitlam, particularly on the north side of my community — in fact, the

neighbourhood that I live in. There have been literally hundreds and

hundreds and hundreds of townhomes that have been built for families. It’s

remarkable and amazing to see the number of kids living in those townhouse

complexes.

That, of course, puts pressure on our education system by means of the

need to have more teachers but also in ensuring that we have the classroom

space available for those young kids who are entering our education system

and who are going to be there — well, the ones that moved in — for the first

12 years in the K-to-12 system.

That’s why I’m so pleased that we’re seeing the construction, for

example, of the new Lee School, the new Minnekhada Middle School. Both are

critical pieces of education infrastructure that are taking place in my

community. Those were promises made prior to the election campaign. These

are commitments outlined in the throne speech that we’re moving forward

on.

What we’ve seen with that growth…. That growth is going to continue,

and not just in my riding but throughout the Tri-Cities. I know my colleague

across the way in Coquitlam–Burke Mountain has seen similar kinds of growth

as those subdivisions march across Burke Mountain, and it’s been great to

see that happen. The bears aren’t too happy about it. We’ve seen a

significant increase in human-bear interaction.

The reality is that we’re a very fast-growing region, so the increase

in residential development needs an increase in school investment, and that

school investment has been taking place. That school investment has been

taking place not just in my riding, in the riding of the member for

Coquitlam–Burke Mountain and other ridings in the Tri-Cities, but also

throughout British Columbia. We’ve hired additional teachers to meet those

needs but also to meet the issues raised by the previous government when it

came to the Supreme Court decision.

Along with this growth, transportation issues are also of critical

importance in the Tri-Cities. We have seen, obviously, an increase in

growth. We’ve seen an increase in ridership or more vehicles on the road.

We’ve seen realignments in the bus routes that are providing better and

increased service. Part of that is the cooperation that’s taking place

between local governments and the province and TransLink to ensure that

we’re able to provide the transit and transportation services that a growing

province and a growing economy need. Again, that’s something identified in

the throne speech that we’re following through on.

It builds on our first budget where we removed the tolls off the Port

Mann Bridge and the Golden Ears, and I can tell you that that’s had a

profound impact on the people in my community. They’ve been able to travel

back and forth. Whether it’s Port Coquitlam to Langley, in the case of

friends and family members whose kids, whether they’re in PoCo or Maple

Ridge….

Whereas before you wouldn’t have bought a place in Langley, often

now they do, because we’ve made it easier for families to stay

connected.

They’re saving money, money in their pocket — hard-earned, after-tax

dollars. When you think about what the cost of those tolls were and how much

it’s saving a family, that’s significant — you know, $300 a month for a

person in a vehicle, after-tax dollars. That’s something that this

government made a priority in terms of making life more affordable — again,

a key element of the throne speech.

[2:45 p.m.]

An element related to my portfolio has been…. I’ll come back to my

community on some of the key issues in a moment.

One of the key issues in the throne speech was around the legalization

of cannabis — an important issue, a significant shift in public policy and

probably the largest shift in public policy in this country since the

mid-’60s and the introduction of medicare, of universal health care in this

country.

It has required a significant amount of effort and time, in terms of

legislation — legislation that we dealt with in that spring session and

legislation that came about through a significant process of consultation.

It was consultation that involved tens of thousands of British Columbians in

communities right across the province, working cooperatively to put in place

regulations and rules that meet the needs of individual communities right

across this province — recognizing that one size does not fit all and that

the approach that’s required in Vancouver is not the same as the approach

that’s required in Richmond, for example, or in Vanderhoof or in Port

Coquitlam.

I am pleased in the direction that that has been going and that

British Columbia will be ready on October 17 when legalization takes place.

Again, it’s a commitment in the throne speech — that this was a critical

issue that we would be addressing.

We have been operating under a very tight timeline. In fact, it was

only in June that the federal government finally was able to get through the

Senate the enabling legislation — the two bills, Bill C-45 and C-46 — that

dealt with the critical issues that the province was going to have to be

responsible for. Given the time frame, I think the staff in my ministry, the

cannabis secretariat, have done an amazing job — an amazing job — of getting

legalization ready to the point that it is in this province.

As we are well aware, October 17 is not the beginning or the end of

the process but rather a key step in what I believe will be the evolution of

cannabis regulations and legalization in the years to come. Much is still to

be determined with the federal government. We are in constant contact with

them and watching as they work to bring in the next stage, which, we are

told, will be next year.

Along with that, one of the key issues around that has been the

drug-impaired driving. Again, this is something that we’re mindful of and is

part of that entire issue addressed in the throne speech. We have a lot of

questions around the drug-impaired driving technology. As I’ve stated

before, we fully expect that there will be court cases around that issue,

whether it’s here in British Columbia or whether it’s in another

jurisdiction. But from the moment that technology is tested, we can be

assured there will be a court case. That’s just a fact of life.

It’s important to recognize that safety of the public, both in terms

of ensuring that drug-impaired driving is something that the public takes

seriously and also from the health care side of things. Again, that’s part

and parcel of our throne speech in ensuring that when it comes to health

care, those issues related to cannabis are addressed, that those issues that

my constituents are concerned about…. For example, wait-lists, MRIs and all

of those parts of the health care system that people rely on….

That’s why it’s a significant focus of this government. It’s about the

services that people rely on. That’s what this throne speech is about —

dealing with the issues that matter to people, dealing with the issues that

they know are important to them. Of course, health care is a critical

one.

What we’ve seen since the throne speech is the work of my colleague,

the Minister of Health, who has been across this province ensuring that that

health care infrastructure, which is needed to sustain our first-class,

world-class health care that we have in this province, continues long into

the future.

We’ve seen the Health Minister up in Fort St. John at the hospital up

there. I see my colleague across the way nodding in appreciation of the

initiatives and the work of the Minister of Health. Likewise, I know that

the member who represents Terrace is thrilled by the announcements that have

taken place.

[2:50 p.m.]

What’s really fascinating…. I would be remiss, if I did not mention

for the public that those two significant projects are in opposition-held

ridings. We are doing health care improvements in ridings held by the

government and ridings held by the opposition. These are decisions that are

being made not on a partisan basis, but on the basis of what is right for

the communities. Where is the need at its greatest?

I mean, Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace is one that has been on the

drawing board for a very long time — election after election. I know that

there are those…. In fact, there is a former Premier — I shall not mention

his name — who once said: “Why waste a good election promise by keeping it?”

Well, as much as I understand that logic, I think most people want to see,

particularly, especially when it comes to issues like health care, the

government following through on its commitments. That’s why I’m so pleased

that we are, in fact, doing just that.

Another initiative that came about, that I think is really worthwhile

pointing out…. I think there’s something that often does not get recognized

enough, and that is that it’s not always conflict in this House. There are a

lot of times where both sides work together. There’s a recent initiative

that happened because of just that. It’s an issue of very much concern to

women’s health, a situation where women would go for a mammogram and were

not told that if they had dense breast tissue, the mammogram was not

necessarily as effective and as reliable as it could be.

Thanks to work by the women’s caucus on the government side and the

women on the opposition side, who listened to a presentation and made the

case, that change has now taken place. Women in this province, the first in

this country, will receive what is now common practice in much of the U.S.

That is, when they have a mammogram and it reveals that they have dense

breast tissue, they are, in fact, told.

Prior to this change, they were not told. They didn’t know, so they

sometimes left with a false sense of comfort. Now they are told, and they

will be able to get follow-up treatment or different kinds of examinations

to ensure that there is not a health issue or a tumour that might have been

missed through a mammogram. That’s an example of this House working

together, and members on both sides putting forward and achieving, I think,

a significant change in public policy.

I can see that the green light is probably going to turn to red

momentarily. [Applause.] I will take that as applause for a great speech. As

I said, I had not expected to be speaking on the throne speech today, but I

know other members will be speaking, and I look forward to their

interventions on this debate. With that, I thank the members for paying such

close attention.

D. Davies: As mentioned, we are returning to the Speech from the Throne. A lot

has happened since that speech so many months ago. It was quite enjoyable

reading through my reply to the throne speech. In fact, it took me a while

to find it once I started looking. But it was quite interesting, going

through some of the points before I did update them.

It is my pleasure, on behalf of my constituents of Peace River North,

to comment to the Speech from the Throne. I would love to agree with the

hon. colleague who just spoke before me, but I cannot. There are some points

there that I will certainly have to speak against. Some of my comments that

I did develop so many months ago certainly still hold merit today. Honestly,

if I were to choose one word that could have described this throne speech,

it would be “vague.” In fact, if I could choose more than one word, it would

be “empty” or “void.”

[2:55 p.m.]

“Lacking substance.” “Shows little regard for rural and remote British

Columbians.” “Shows little regard for the average British Columbian.” But I

will stick with “vague.” Those words that were written almost eight months

ago are still a defining term for this government: vague presentiments at

attempts of progress. This is somewhat surprising, though, because the

throne speech is usually what maps out what the government stands for, a

road for all of us in British Columbia to get us from here to there with

this government. But I think I might have got better results from using

Google maps to get the throne speech.

Unfortunately, this throne speech, in my opinion, sounded more like an

apology than anything else. During the election, the NDP came out with a

number of big-ticket promises designed to win over voters, a bit of a honey

trap of sorts to persuade voters on a number of false promises. The problem,

though, is it became even more apparent when the government delivered its

budget. This throne speech was designed, in my opinion, to actually lower

the expectations of British Columbians.

For example, there are a few well-known and often-talked-about

campaign promises that are now completely missing in action. The $10-a-day

daycare: missing, presumed dead. The $400 rebate for renters — I think we

know that that’s probably over. The 114,000 housing units, once a solid

campaign promise, are now purely aspirational. In fact, the budget was about

80,000 units short. Promises, promises, promises. I feel like I’m living in

Narnia or the enchanted forest or something.

Perhaps the most glaring omission is any real plan to grow the economy

of British Columbians, which I believe explains why they are breaking these

expensive promises. It’s because there’s no plan to pay for them all. Of

course, since the throne speech has happened, this government is now engaged

in a trade war of sorts with Alberta. They’ve antagonized the federal

government. They’ve presided over 40,000 private-sector job losses. This is

a government that says it wants to make life more affordable for British

Columbians. LOL.

For the middle class that was looking forward to seeing this

government deliver on at least a few of its campaign promises, the situation

looks dismal at best. Since forming government, we’ve seen the NDP introduce

more than a dozen new taxes, totalling more than $8 billion — $8 billion out

of British Columbians’ pockets. This is rather disappointing, because there

are a few things that the government did, in fact, do right. They were our

campaign promises that they did right. They got our campaign promises

right.

The September budget update actually followed through on some key tax

breaks that the B.C. Liberals announced, including the MSP premiums being

cut by 50 percent, which represents nearly $1 billion tax savings; cutting

the small business tax rate from 2.5 down to 2 percent; and the phasing out

of the PST charged on electricity by industry. We in the opposition

supported these tax cuts because people in British Columbia were already

counting on them. But if I can read between the lines on this throne speech

and some of the things that have happened recently, I think this might be

the last time that we hear the phrase “tax break” in a long time.

To prove my case, let’s look at the new increase in taxes that we’ve

seen so far from this government, starting with the carbon tax. British

Columbia had received international acclaim on bringing in one of the most

progressive carbon taxes in the world because it was revenue neutral.

British Columbians knew that the increase in carbon tax had to be offset by

a decrease in personal taxes or other forms of taxation. It was fair, and it

was transparent. But the NDP has now abandoned the revenue

neutrality.

British Columbians should be concerned about this new stealth tax.

It’s gone up five bucks a tonne starting on April 1, and that was no April

Fools’ joke. Now, with the federal carbon tax plan, I do have to question.

The federal carbon tax plan is now being threatened. We’re starting to see

it unravel across the country. What will the plan be then in British

Columbia? Up and up?

[3:00 p.m.]

Well, yes, it will rise. In fact, it will rise for the next four

consecutive years. The average British Columbian should be concerned,

because consumers will be the first to feel it at the pumps. We’re already

starting to see that. Prices at the pumps will go up to about 8½ cents a

litre for gasoline and more than 10 cents for diesel. This means that

consumers will pay more than $5 extra in carbon tax every time they fill up

and nearly $10 if you drive an SUV, more if you drive a larger

pickup.

For Lower Mainland drivers, the NDP even increased their gas tax,

causing them to pay, now, the highest gas prices in North America. The

Canadian Taxpayers Federation has this to say: “With more than 5.7 billion

litres of gasoline sold in B.C. last year, it means that the provincial

government will take in an average of $490 million in gasoline taxes, and

when the diesel carbon tax is included, that jumps to more than $600 million

in tax revenue taken from motorists in just one year.” Think of how that

would affect the entire economy in British Columbia.

Someday our economy will eventually become less dependent on fossil

fuels. We know that. But in the meantime, diesel is still an incredible

driver of much of our economy. Just come north, and you will see that.

Anywhere from tractor-trailers that deliver our food in grocery stores to

school buses that take your child to school and the remote communities — and

I have a number of them in my riding — that rely on diesel generators just

to provide electricity for their residents — all of these run on

diesel.

That means this NDP stealth tax increase is going to cost us a lot

more than we bargained for. When the cost for transportation increases, most

companies — I would, probably, almost safely say all companies — pass this

on to the consumer. So much for making life more affordable for British

Columbians.

There’s no explanation as to where the revenues will go from the

carbon tax. There’d been talk about putting more money directly into public

transportation — no indication of that in the throne speech. I guess the

next time that you go and book a flight, take your family on a trip, you can

thank the NDP for making that trip a little more expensive.

We’ve seen the double-dipping employer health tax, which will cause

property taxes to increase in municipalities as they try to brace for this

unexpected blow. We’ll see school boards, like Surrey, Vancouver, Coquitlam

and many others, that have to deal with multi-million-dollar deficits as

they now work through these unpredictable costs.

We have a speculation tax, which was unanimously condemned at the

recent UBCM convention in Whistler and is causing thousands of affordable

housing units to disappear as investment dries up. This is something that I

heard when I talked to many municipal leaders at UBCM.

We’ve seen a broken promise on hydro rate freezes. Instead, the

government’s raising it by 3 percent. That’s a very strange

freeze.

If you’re wondering about affordable housing, though, the throne

speech provided soothing words with little substance. Promising 14,000 units

during the election — that sounds really, really good to many people that

are relying on that. We’ve been reminded a few times in this House of the

cost of that plan, $23 billion. And that’s not including the

land.

You know, housing could become more affordable if we were looking at

supply increases. But the NDP’s so-called 30-point housing plan does not

have one point that addresses supply in the market for the middle class. Not

one. It only looks at demand, which has led to a tightening of the market

and demand being pushed into the condos, townhomes or other smaller starter

homes. That is the very market that British Columbians were already

struggling and trying to enter.

I think that increasing supply is a better option, a better option for

making housing more affordable. But the government is now doing its level

best to lower expectations on all of its campaign promises by stretching

this one out for ten years. That is quite a lofty stretch, considering they

would have to win the next three elections.

[3:05 p.m.]

If you are a renter and you voted for the NDP promise, because they

did promise the $400 rebate, I think you’re going to be waiting for a while.

In fact, that estimated rebate would cost $265 million a year. I think the

government has walked away from this promise because, well, they just didn’t

think it through.

A universal benefit — any British Columbian renting a property would

be eligible for this $400 rental rebate. That’s any British Columbian who is

renting. So a person who is renting a townhouse in downtown Vancouver for

$5,000 or $6,000 a month is eligible for the $400 rebate, as is a single

parent struggling in a basement suite. It doesn’t make sense. And, again,

it’s one more broken promise.

As mentioned a moment ago, I’m also rather disheartened by any lack of

plan or any lack of real mention about growing the economy of British

Columbia. There’s nothing mentioned in the throne speech about how the

government plans to pay for these large, big-ticket items that were speckled

like magic fairy dust throughout the campaign time a little over a year

ago.

This raises a red flag too, because we still do, believe it or not,

face economic uncertainty in this province. Some of my remarks on the

economy during our original throne debate have still not been addressed to

this day. In fact, I would say they’ve gotten worse. At the time we were

speaking some months ago, it looked like the NAFTA agreement would be

abolished. Well, it has been. The United States has undone the North

American Free Trade Agreement, which has caused another level of uncertainty

for industries in British Columbia.

The B.C. lumber industry is still under attack by the softwood lumber

dispute. The soured relationships with our close trading partners within our

own country have been destroyed — for instance, our relationship with

Alberta.

I could talk on a number of points, but I am limited to the time. So

I’m going to move on to talking about education. This was supposed to be a

party that was going to be the saviour of our education system, which is not

true. British Columbia had an unbelievable record on education before. In

fact, we were the envy of the world. British Columbia was the envy of the

world when it came to results and delivering education. I can speak from

experience as a former school teacher. Top results in math. Top results in

science.

Well, to the rescue, the NDP government talks about fixing the

education system in B.C. To really be honest, I was quite surprised. Hearing

this all through the election campaign, I was really surprised that there

weren’t a couple of pages on education in the throne speech. No, there were

two small paragraphs on saving British Columbia’s education system, two

paragraphs of really nothing, of really no offer of doing anything

different. Well, a little bit of an offer of doing things

different.

Now, fast-forward. Here we are eight months later, and we see where

they’ve delivered on their throne speech. In the time since then, we have

seen a lot of reannouncements from the government on promises and

commitments that were made by the previous government. In fact, there’s

actually less spending by the NDP government on education planned than there

was already set in place by the previous government, less spending on

capital projects.

[3:10 p.m.]

Let’s talk about the portables for a moment, the lofty goal of

eliminating portables in Surrey. In fact, I recall that during our estimates

following the budget debate, the Minister of Education told me: “Just watch.

You will be seeing trucks backing into Surrey and dragging out the

portables.” Well, eliminating portables in Surrey, the number one priority.

Guess what happened in September? There are now more portables in Surrey

than there were last year. I’m not too sure how that is recognized as a

decrease, recognized as fixing the problem, or recognized as being the

saviour to B.C.’s education system. I just don’t see it. It is a

shame.

I do want to begin closing. I think that one thing that we can look at

eight months later as I went through this throne speech, as I was looking

through the throne speech — updating it, taking some stuff out, leaving much

in that has not been looked at. With members sitting on the other side of

the House the day that this speech was read…. They must be asking themselves

some pretty tough questions right now about where the government is

going.

What a failure in setting a road map for British Columbians in this

province. Again, I sure hope that things do change and that we truly can

start providing great services to British Columbians and giving some hope

for British Columbians.

M. Dean: Well, it’s a great honour for me to take my place here in the chamber

and to rise to deliver my response to the Speech from the Throne. I remain

very grateful to represent the constituency of Esquimalt-Metchosin. My

community is full of hard-working citizens, seniors, young families. My

constituency is the home of Canada’s west coast naval base. We have four

municipalities and three First Nations. All of our communities are coastal,

and they’re all very diverse as well, from urban to suburban to

rural.

Wherever I travel through the whole of Esquimalt-Metchosin, I hear

from citizens who are having trouble with the cost of living. I’m very

pleased to be able to share with them that the first and most urgent

priority in the throne speech is to make life more affordable. That is very

vital for residents of Esquimalt-Metchosin.

As the throne speech says: “Too many British Columbians are working

paycheque to paycheque. Many can’t pay the bills without going further into

debt. They’re anxious and uncertain about the future because no matter how

hard they work, they can’t seem to get ahead.”

A local single mom — she put herself through college; she works really

hard; she’s employed in the education sector — has got to take a second job

and even occasional casual work, and she still finds that she can’t make

ends meet. She’s now looking into getting a second mortgage on her house so

that she can consolidate and clear her debts and then try and get ahead. She

doesn’t have the option of selling her house because if she did, she would

then have to pay more in rent than she does for her mortgage.

When life is unaffordable, the doors of opportunity and doors of

self-determination slam shut. People in my constituency who are being forced

to work two or three jobs to make ends meet certainly don’t have the time or

the energy to complete education or upgrade skills. They’re trapped. Our

throne speech offers different ways to tackle affordability.

Now, it will be no surprise to anybody in this House that housing is

the biggest expense for families in my community, and I strongly support the

action that we’re taking on tackling the high cost of housing by stabilizing

B.C.’s out-of-control real estate and rental market.

We can see the results of speculation all around the province, with

distorted markets, sky-high prices and empty homes. Legislation to crack

down on tax fraud, tax evasion and money laundering will help to address

some of the factors distorting the market. It’s all aimed at getting some

sanity back into the market so that British Columbians can live here and

stay with their family here and build their career and contribute to the

economy here.

[3:15 p.m.]

Just as importantly, we’re also leading the way to encourage the

construction of more affordable housing. We’re on the way with the largest

investment of affordable housing in B.C.’s history, with social housing,

student housing, seniors housing, Indigenous housing and affordable rentals

for middle-income families.

Increasing the supply of affordable housing is crucial in my

community. We have had years of near-zero vacancy rates for rentals, and

when people can find an available unit, it’s often too expensive or it’s not

well maintained.

We have a couple of exciting projects that are developing in my

community that support increased densification and renovation of affordable

housing units. One project in my community has actually been razed to the

ground — of affordable units. Everybody has had proper services to relocate

them, and then there’s been a plan to actually increase density on the same

footprint of land by a non-profit housing association. Everybody who wants

to move back in will move back in, and then more people will move back to

that neighbourhood.

In another part of my community, there are going to be some new

affordable units, 100 new affordable housing units, going up in a new

development with a different non-profit housing organization. In order to

renovate another building that they’re currently housing people in, they’re

moving those people into this new housing unit so they can then do a

renovation.

A single mom of three kids that I know — just as an example — was

given notice to leave her rental home. She wanted to live in the same

catchment area. With three kids going to school, she needed to be close by.

She didn’t want too much disruption for them. When she would go for viewings

of available homes to rent, she would turn up and find that she was one of

nearly 20 families. It was really depressing for her. She always knew that

she wasn’t going to be able to compete with them, and eventually she had to

downsize and take a smaller option in order to stay in the same community.

Stories like this are being shared everywhere across my

community.

Last year our government took the first steps to help renters by

closing fixed-term lease loopholes, ending geographic rent increases and

increasing support to the residential tenancy branch. This year, as outlined

in the throne speech, government introduced stronger protections for renters

and owners of manufactured homes and protections for renters facing eviction

due to renovation or demolition.

I’ll tell you about another single mom who lives in my community,

another hard worker. She works, and she has a professional career in the

community’s social services sector. She has two daughters that she’s

responsible for, and they’re at the mercy of the rental market. She’s living

paycheque to paycheque, but when she’s been forced to move due to a

renoviction or an increase to rent, she has had to turn to her employer to

ask for an advance on her wages.

In my community, there are examples of renovictions that have affected

hundreds of people. An entire community living in mobile homes were given

notice to leave so that all of the land could be redeveloped. Many of these

residents were living there because it was affordable, and they were

recipients of some kinds of supports. They were seniors, people with

disabilities, people unable to work. And now many of these displaced people

in our community had to turn to family, and they’re still living with them

now.

The move to enhance the SAFER and RAP grants has made a big difference

in my community. Esquimalt-Metchosin is home to very many seniors, and SAFER

can mean the end to choosing between paying the rent or buying groceries.

One local resident, Lillian, recently contacted my office to say that

because of the increase in the amount she receives every month, she can now

pay her entire B.C. Hydro bill without having to borrow from her daughter.

So I’m very proud to support SAFER and RAP and very pleased to see that

amounts paid out have increased to help those who need those extra dollars

to help make ends meet.

Many families in my community have been struggling, also, to find

child care of any kind, let alone child care that’s affordable. That’s why

the child care plan referenced in the throne speech is very crucial. In my

community, there are many families where one or both parents are working

extra shifts and driving well out of their way for child care they feel

lucky to have found. Commuting for child care and then commuting for work?

Can you imagine the strain on those families?

[3:20 p.m.]

Well, they are some of the ones who will benefit most from our plan of

affordable, quality child care for everyone. Because of the vision in the

throne speech, safe, affordable, licensed care is becoming B.C.’s standard,

giving parents the peace of mind they need and the quality of care that they

can rely on. This is the largest investment in child care in the province’s

history, and by working together with providers, advocates, communities and

parents, this plan is already making a difference.

I hear it from parents in my constituency. I hear it from early

childhood educators and teachers. More licensed spaces are increasing

availability, and by bringing costs down, we’re opening doors of opportunity

for families. We’re training more early childhood educators and investing in

recruiting and retaining the dedicated professionals who work with children

around the province.

A mom living in Colwood was telling me about her dire child care

needs. She has to commute to drop off her infant. She leaves her daughter at

the daycare at the earliest possible time because then she has to join the

commute into town to get to work. If there are ever any issues, she has to

drive out of town to get to the daycare. If there are any holdups in

traffic, she is full of anxiety about being late for her daughter’s pickup

from daycare. Increasing local child care spaces gives more choice, reduces

stress and keeps families together more.

Now I’m going to turn my attention to education. Education is the

greatest equalizer, from the very young to seniors. Investment in education

is an investment in a better collective future. By fully funding class-size

and composition requirements, more than 3,500 new teachers, librarians and

counsellors are in B.C. schools helping students learn in smaller classes

with more individual attention.

The West Shore, in my constituency, is one of the fastest-growing

communities in the province, with loads of young families moving in over the

last few years. So there’s a lot of pressure on our schools, and it’s vital

that we continue to fund infrastructure improvements to reduce the number of

children learning in portables.

In school district 62, we had two new high schools built over three

years ago. Yet as soon as they were open, they were oversubscribed. The

population in the school district continues to grow quickly, and it’s

projected to continue growing. We will continue to invest in education in

these communities, as we have committed to in the throne speech.

We are also investing in improving education with smaller class sizes

and recruiting more teachers into our education system. A whole generation

of children graduated from our education system with inadequate resources,

and we are now supporting our children and students to fulfil that

potential.

Now, I strongly believe in lifelong learning. I’m very lucky to have

Royal Roads University in the heart of Esquimalt-Metchosin, and I’m actually

an alumnus of the university as well. I’m very proud that our government is

dedicated to addressing some of the obstacles to affordability in

post-secondary and adult education. By cutting student loan interest by 2½

percent, graduates can get out of debt more quickly and on the path to their

tuition free, many members of my community are now able to prepare for a

degree and upgrade their skills for work.

A strong economy is where everyone is doing better, where people have

the opportunity to apply their skills, are paid fairly and share in the

benefits that their hard work helped create. Exciting initiatives in my

community include a partnership between the First Nations Technology Council

and Royal Roads University. I learned about it at the announcement of the

partnership earlier this year. This partnership takes Royal Roads’

groundbreaking technology-enabled teaching and learning expertise to expand

programs from classroom to on-line delivery. Students build their skills in

web development and coding, GIS and GPS mapping, software testing, network

testing and more.

[3:25 p.m.]

I’m very proud to stand here on the traditional territories of the

Songhees and Esquimalt peoples. My constituency also includes the Scia’new

Nation. As referenced in the Speech from the Throne, we know that true and

lasting reconciliation will take time. If it is to be meaningful, it will

require deep transformation. It is a journey that I’m committed to taking

step by step.

Yesterday was Orange Shirt Day, and my colleagues from Victoria–Beacon

Hill and Victoria–Swan Lake attended a local event here in Victoria to

honour and remember residential school survivors and their families. A

shameful period in our shared history was recognized. The resilience and

bravery of residential school survivors, their families and communities was

honoured. We acknowledge the trauma and abuse inflicted on generations of

Indigenous peoples. Today and every day, we commit to working together with

Indigenous peoples to heal and build a better future.

I’m going to turn my attention now to helping citizens stay well and

caring for those who are sick. We know that rapid access to health care is

one of the keys to getting well and staying healthy. But for too long, too

many people have not had access to the health care they need. Hospitals have

been overcrowded. Wait-lists for surgeries are too long. Many people in my

community cannot even find a family doctor.

Our health minister has travelled the province of B.C. with

announcements of improvements in the health service over the last year.

Improving services is a foundation of our throne speech. People need

services where and when they need them. Health services are so critical and

the best models of service need to be delivered according to need in every

different community across the province.

By bringing together family doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and

other health care professionals, a team-based approach to care will improve

access while reducing pressure on emergency rooms, like the one at Victoria

General in the constituency of Esquimalt-Metchosin. There’s a wealth of

research evidence from around the world indicating that team-based care has

significant benefits for patients, providers and the sustainability of the

health system. Team-based care has been shown to reduce hospitalizations and

physician visits while improving outcomes for patients with chronic

diseases.

In addition to the work of the Ministry of Health, the Victoria

Division of Family Practice, which includes people living in my community,

is recruiting new family doctors and locums to the community. They are also

supporting physician retention through succession planning, coaching,

medical record optimization and other initiatives to improve efficiency and

allow doctors to accept more patients.

Our community needs more family doctors as we have one of the lowest

rates of connection of individuals to a GP. Many of the issues raised by

residents with my constituency staff are concerns about not having a family

doctor, either for themselves or for someone else in need in their family.

Working with local leaders, the ministry and health professionals, we can

build capacity in the community and attract and retain more health

professionals.

Our government is also taking action to reduce wait times. One example

is the new south Island hip and knee program. I was so pleased to attend the

announcement by the Minister of Health at Royal Jubilee Hospital earlier

this year. This new strategy is dramatically increasing access to hip and

knee surgeries on the south Island and getting people back on their feet

faster.

Another example that I’d just like to talk briefly about is making

free the treatment of Mifegymiso. This is now available for all women across

British Columbia. This is what’s known as an abortion pill, and what it

means is that women across the whole province have choice. It also protects

vulnerable women, and it supports women, especially, in remote and rural

areas.

Now, by cutting the medical services premiums in half, our government

has put up to $900 a year back into the pockets of thousands of hard-working

people. And soon MSP premiums will be gone altogether. That is going to make

a really positive difference to people in my constituency.

I’ll tell you about Martha. I was chatting with Martha just a couple

of days ago. She lives in Esquimalt. She’s 86. She told me how worried she

has been for her granddaughter. Her granddaughter is just starting a family

and has been struggling to make ends meet. Well, with the MSP being reduced

by half, her granddaughter is now more able to get by.

[3:30 p.m.]

[R. Chouhan in the chair.]

Then when I told Martha it would be eliminated entirely in January

2020, she was visibly relieved and was going to call her granddaughter to

make sure that she knew as well. What a strain was going to be lifted from

that family.

My constituency is home to a large number of seniors, and many of them

are single women. As a retirement capital, Victoria is well-equipped, with

exceptional services and supports for our elders. Yet again, there is a gap

that also needs to be addressed.

As referenced in the throne speech, we’re focused on improving access

to services and providing a better standard of care in places like

residential care homes. By investing $240 million over three years, the

direct care that seniors receive will increase over the next three years to

an average of 3.36 hours per resident per day. Staff in the residential care

homes in my community work incredibly hard and do a fantastic job. These

extra dollars will be such a help to them.

Then just one more point, before I wrap up, that relates to

affordability. ICBC was created to provide affordable insurance to all B.C.

drivers, but years of reckless decisions by the previous government have

thrown the corporation into financial chaos. We’ve started making the tough

decisions that will stem ICBC’s losses, keep insurance affordable and

provide enhanced care for people injured in automobile accidents. We are

going to make ICBC work for people again.

Now, this is really important in Esquimalt-Metchosin. This is a mobile

community. A lot of people in my community drive. In fact, people in my

community rely on their vehicles. They’re running kids to clubs. They’re

running them to sports. They’re driving between shifts or between different

jobs. They’re driving to and from child care across the region.

So I hear from local people who are grateful that we are putting

ICBC’s priority back where it should be: providing fair and affordable rates

for British Columbians and giving drivers peace of mind, with appropriate

care if they’re in a collision. As the throne speech puts it: “We cannot

build a better future if British Columbians can’t afford to be part of that

future.” We hear this from businesses across the province. They tell us that

they can’t hire staff. I hear this from chiefs of fire departments. In my

community, they’re concerned that they won’t be able to recruit firefighters

because of the cost of living in our communities that we expect them to

protect.

We hear from families that generations might not be able to live close

enough to each other to offer support and those family connections and

relationships as people grow up and grow older and need each other. Young

families are telling their parents that they can’t live close by. It’s not

affordable. They have to move further and further away. Seniors who are on

fixed incomes are saying to their professional, working children that they

can’t afford to stay close by in their community. They just can’t afford to

live there.

Our task is to increase the opportunities available to people, give

them relief and provide a life that they can afford. So I’m honoured and

grateful to be part of a government that is already making a difference.

There’s so much work to be done, and the throne speech lays out some of the

ways that we’re getting there on the journey ahead. I’m very proud to stand

here today and support the speech from the throne.

Hon. K. Chen: Hon. Speaker, I would like to seek leave to make an

introduction.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

Hon. K. Chen: I’m really happy to be here today to welcome 50 adult education

learners from National Open University being with us in the gallery today.

National Open University is an on-line adult education institution based in

Taiwan, with a lot of members taking courses here from Canada and here in

B.C. Both the member for Burnaby–Deer Lake and I have joined many of their

events in B.C. and have seen how passionate they are with lifelong

learning.

From my understanding, one of the oldest members of their class is

over 90 years old. Many of them, over the age of 65, are really happy to be

able to take the ferry for free, as our government has restored seniors’

ferry discounts. I would like to ask members from this House to make them

very, very welcome, and I hope that they enjoy their visit here today in

Victoria.

[3:35 p.m.]

Debate Continued

J. Isaacs: I am humbled and deeply honoured for the opportunity to speak here

today as the representative for the riding of Coquitlam–Burke Mountain. We

return today to this Speech from the Throne, but so much has happened since

this speech was first delivered that my previously prepared comments were

outdated. Like my colleague before me, it was quite entertaining to go back

and read the comments before updating them.

Before I get to the speech itself, I would like to take a moment to

acknowledge my community and the wonderful place that I have the privilege

to represent. I understand and fully appreciate the responsibility that has

been entrusted to me to not only act on behalf of my constituents but to

also act in the best interest of all British Columbians. I take that

responsibility seriously.

I am grateful to be living in one of the most beautiful and safe

cities in the world, a city that embraces and welcomes diversity. Coquitlam

is an active community where celebrations take place throughout all

seasons.

Soon, after the trick-or-treaters visit our doors, the winter light

displays will start to take shape. Each year has seen a showcase of

spectacular lights for residents and visitors from all over the Lower

Mainland and elsewhere to enjoy. The walk around Lafarge Lake brings friends

and families together to reflect in the joy of the holidays and to take in

the brilliant and colourful displays.

There are numerous sports tournaments throughout the year, hosted at

Percy Perry Stadium, that bring together players and teams from across B.C.

and Canada. These players are talented athletes who represent their regions

and exhibit the highest level of competitiveness and

sportsmanship.

This November, Douglas College will host the Canadian Collegiate

Athletic Association Women’s Soccer National Championship at the Percy Perry

Stadium. As stated by Brian McLennon, athletes’ manager at Douglas College:

“This event will celebrate women in sport and leadership as well as showcase

the excellence of Douglas College, particularly our Coquitlam campus.” Of

course, we wish victory to our home team, the Royals.

The Scottish Highland Games, Teddy Bear Picnic and Canada Day

fireworks are just some of Coquitlam’s signature events that bring families

and friends to our vibrant downtown.

Last July the Michael Cuccione Foundation once again inspired soccer

teams and competitors to participate in skills-training activities and games

in their annual Kick for a Cure fundraiser. The foundation has raised more

than $23 million for childhood cancer research, significantly advancing

pediatric oncology.

I had the privilege to attend the Order of British Columbia ceremony

at Government House in Victoria a few weeks ago. This is the highest order

bestowed to individuals. The awards were presented by the

Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia, Her Honour Janet Austin, and the

Premier.

I was so excited that one of the 14 British Columbians selected by the

advisory council from 203 nominations was my constituent Dominic Cuccione.

Dominic was recognized for his exceptional dedication and commitment to

honour his son Michael’s memory and Michael’s vision to help children and

families who face the many challenges of childhood cancer. I am so proud

that both Dominic and his wife, Gloria, are recipients of the Order of

British Columbia.

Coquitlam’s downtown core boasts fantastic ethnic restaurants,

eateries and pubs as well as shops and services that promote economic

development and growth and create local job opportunities. You can enjoy the

beautiful spring and autumn landscape Coquitlam offers, hike or bike the

numerous trails, participate in the Coquitlam Crunch Challenge or simply

take in a play or concert at Evergreen Cultural Centre. The new outdoor

amphitheatre was a huge attraction that saw people come out for summer

concerts and entertainment, rain or shine.

Coquitlam has it all, including a world-class transportation system.

The Evergreen Line provides easy access to all the amenities and has itself

become a signature piece of Coquitlam’s landscape, displaying beautiful hues

of colour to light up the evening. I have lived in Coquitlam for over 30

years and have seen Coquitlam grow into a well-planned, urban city that has

benefited from good governance and stewardship.

[3:40 p.m.]

Having been involved in various non-profit organizations, such as

youth and family, homelessness, mental health and restorative justice, I

know firsthand the incredible contribution that these organizations make to

our city and how important their work is delivering programs and services

that support vulnerable children and youth, seniors and individual families,

who are all in need.

I want to recognize and thank the outstanding volunteers whose

commitment and time make a difference and benefit all of us. Volunteers work

tirelessly behind the scenes and all year to raise awareness of the work

their organizations do and to additionally raise much-needed

funds.

I was recently able to facilitate a salmon donation through a

partnership with the private sector. This generous donation yielded over 300

pounds of salmon, enough to feed 1,000 people, and an ongoing donation of 30

pounds per week, enough to feed another 100 people per week.

I want to recognize SHARE and, in particular, Claire MacLean, the CEO

of SHARE, whose outstanding leadership helped to fill the empty shelves of

their new cooler and secured a healthy, fresh, high-protein food source that

will serve over 1,000 people who attend the food bank each month.

Special thanks to Jeremy Dunn and Marine Harvest for partnering with

this initiative. Jeremy was struck by the need in the Tri-Cities, and he

immediately stepped up to help.

There are many, many community leaders, businesses and individuals who

also step up to support organizations through event sponsorship, as donors

or community partners. Their contribution provides the necessary resources

that allow non-profit groups to deliver their services. I sincerely thank

each of them for supporting their community and cannot emphasize enough how

important their monetary contribution is in sustaining the work that

not-for-profits deliver to our citizens.

It is these things — arts and culture, sports, entertainment, social

gatherings and celebrating different cultures — that together, along with

not-for-profit organizations, collectively provide opportunities that enrich

our lives. They keep us connected as a community and create opportunities

and jobs. It is these things that allow us to broaden our experience and

participate across the spectrum and at all levels. These foundational pieces

bind us together. They define our quality of life and create an environment

for a healthy and stable society.

With such an abundance of culture and opportunity, it is no wonder

that Coquitlam residents are also diverse. We are a community of hardworking

families, seniors, students, young families, new immigrants and

entrepreneurs. I am pleased to see Coquitlam continue to grow and

flourish.

Over this past year, we have had many constituents visit our office

and ask for assistance and help. From MSP applications, mental health and

addiction issues, health care challenges, senior issues, housing and

daycare, we are there to help and support.

I am grateful that I have two amazing constituency assistants, Linda

Matthews and Mary Sanzovo. They bring their impressive life experience and

business skills to our office every day, and they work diligently on behalf

of our constituents. They go above and beyond to serve Coquitlam–Burke

Mountain constituents, and I want to thank them for their commitment and

passion to serve. Their dedication and support mean a lot to me.

I’ve had the opportunity to have many conversations with parents,

businesses, community leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs, industry,

educators, health and medical professionals, and seniors. I always welcome

and appreciate the conversation.

As Seniors critic, I have heard from patients, advocates and family

members who have been involved in one way or another with the health care

system. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been touring many different seniors

homes, talking with many staff members, care aides and seniors. I’m happy to

say that there are quite a number of seniors over the age of 100 who are

still healthy and active. There are so many remarkable life journeys that

carry their own unique and rich history. Their stories and experiences have

contributed to the growth and prosperity of communities all around our

province.

Independent living and assisted living create new opportunities for

our seniors to experience social interactions, healthy menu choices,

entertainment and scheduled outings. It is always a difficult and stressful

time for families when their loved one needs to move to residential

care.

[3:45 p.m.]

From my own experience with elderly parents, I know the challenges

families face when parents are aging — the trials and tribulations that go

with finding the right care, the changing care we need as we age and the

care that every one of our seniors deserves. There is clearly a need to

provide families with timely access to a model of care that works for and

with families.

A campus-of-care model allows spouses to remain close together,

particularly when different levels of care are needed. It is necessary that

the continuum of care be first supported at the primary level and that the

care model continue to adapt and change and to offer a range of care options

that are flexible and provide for changing needs and

requirements.

We all have a responsibility to care for our senior population. We

need to look out for the seniors who live in our apartment buildings, and in

our neighbourhoods when we are out and about. Loneliness and isolation are

two of the greatest threats that impact the overall health and well-being of

our seniors.

We need to build on what we already know. Seniors want to live

productive and purposeful lives, and they deserve to have options that

support them with the best possible care. They do better when they can stay

in their own homes, when they are connected to family and friends and are

socially engaged. Providing options for support and services will help

seniors live independently in their homes for as long as possible. I hope

that the government will soon proclaim the changes that we introduced in

Half of every dollar in our provincial budget currently goes to the

costs of maintaining the health care system. Effective management of our

health care budget will ultimately provide the highest quality of patient

care and the best health outcomes, while also supporting health care

professionals and seniors who are in residential care.

We cannot continue to fund an opioid epidemic without balancing out

the root causes of mental health and addiction and recognizing that

specialized care and ongoing support are essential to help people get on

track and stay on track. It’s time to modernize the delivery of health care

and ensure that mental health care receives dedicated, wraparound care and

support.

We must also be mindful that addiction is an illness unto its own and

needs to be treated independently from other co-concurrent conditions. While

a prescribed and therapeutic treatment option may improve and stabilize a

person suffering from an addiction, only abstinence from the substance

causing the harm will set an addicted person free from their

addiction.

There is still a critical shortage of health care providers and

professionals, with many in the health care sector retiring. Meeting the

human resource targets that are needed to manage all of the aspects of our

health care system will be a challenge. These are just a few examples that

emphasize the enormity of the challenges we are faced with and how important

it is that government has a plan in place that will meet the demands of

change and the pressures of increasing financial burdens that consume nearly

half of the annual budget.

Quality of life is precious, and each of us deserves to be afforded a

reasonable quality of life. It is something that every government should

strive to provide for its citizens.

The throne speech came up short and provided no assurance that there

is a solid and secure plan in place that generates the necessary revenues to

meet even the most minimum of revenue targets.

This government increased taxes by over $8 billion in their budget. In

the last 13 months, they introduced a new employer health tax; raised the

carbon tax; increased property transfer taxes; introduced a cabin tax and

called it a speculation tax; and introduced the so-called school tax, which

is really just an asset tax. Yet, as this throne speech demonstrated, they

have no plan to grow the economy, no plan to create jobs and no other plans

to generate revenue.

A recent report from the Conference Board of Canada predicts declining

housing starts, slowing investment spending and a lower economic growth tied

to NDP policies. This is particularly disappointing, given that the NDP

inherited a $2.7 billion surplus and the strongest economy in the country

from the former B.C. Liberal government.

Government has a responsibility to provide all its citizens with

opportunities that expand economic development and infrastructure and that

create opportunities through the advanced education and skills training that

lead to sustainable jobs and prosperity. It does not have a mandate to

choose its preferred workforce.

[3:50 p.m.]

Government needs a plan that will grow our economy by developing the

gifts that the province of British Columbia was given. Businesses and

industries alike face growing and financial pressures. Government needs to

support and develop a new economy with technology and innovation, but it

also needs to allow for transition, prepare for automation and disruptive

technologies. Government needs to expand and diversify our markets to

safeguard us from the ups and downs of economic cycles.

We cannot grow our economy and provide jobs and opportunities by

increasing taxes and placing an unfair tax burden on those who have worked

hard, sacrificed time and family and taken on financial and business risks,

nor can we grow our economy by stifling resource development and creating

regulations that cripple innovation and diminish opportunities to

participate in diverse market opportunities.

We cannot grow our economy by creating debt that is kicked down the

road only to land on the shoulders of our children and grandchildren. The

consequences of this kind of mismanagement will clearly compromise future

generations.

Our economy is best supported when we welcome domestic and global

entrepreneurs to our province, when our province provides an attractive

environment for business to thrive in, reduces unnecessary regulation and

policies and takes positive steps to diminish business risks.

Hon. Speaker, I wish to remind you of my earlier comments and the

importance of arts and culture, sports, entertainment, social gatherings,

celebrations and the work that is being done by our not-for-profits in our

communities. These are the very things that enrich our lives and are a

reflection of our social fabric and our desire to broaden our experiences,

but they do not address the struggles of the day. They do not support the

extent of economic development that needs to take place in order to support

the services and delivery of programs. We need economic development to

support transit, to pay for our health care, our education and

infrastructure.

The promise of affordable housing fell short, with only 2,000 modular

units scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018, rather than the 114,000

housing units promised over ten years. As the Leader of the Opposition

noted, it will take the government 67 years to fulfil their promise at the

current rate.

The $10-a-day daycare plan has been downgraded to a mere slogan, as

the Premier put it. The government clearly never had any intention of

implementing a $10-a-day child care system when they made their election

promise. We have heard from daycare providers and families alike that the

confusion around the opting-in process has not resulted in any more spaces

and has actually caused some daycare providers to close, and families and

operators have still not had their concerns addressed.

The rental subsidy, another election promise that vanished. There was

disaster control. We saw an amendment to the rental increase formula, but we

still have a major election platform promise that the NDP has completely

reneged on.

I see a fulfilment on the B.C. Liberal budget, with the reduction of

student loan interest, but no fulfilment on the NDP promise to remove

interest on student loans. No mention, either, of the completion grant for

university students — another clear election promise.

We have seen a trade war with Alberta, confrontations with the federal

government, job losses in the tens of thousands and a refusal to address key

infrastructure deficits, such as the Massey Tunnel, the Brunette overpass

and the dangerous stretch of road on Lougheed Highway that has claimed many

fatalities.

I’m very pleased to see that Burke Mountain opened the first school,

Smiling Creek Elementary, in September. Tomorrow is the official opening.

During the election, the Minister of Education and the Premier stood on the

site and made an election promise that they would fast-track schools on

Burke Mountain. It is important that constituents know and understand

initial approvals and funding processes were completed under the previous

B.C. Liberal government. There is a process to everything, and the

completion of the school was already moving as fast as it could under the

previous government.

[3:55 p.m.]

We were given a throne speech devoid of detail and full of broken

promises. Many of the announcements, in fact, are re-announcements, and they

are projects that the B.C. Liberal government initiated and

funded.

I sincerely hope that government will fulfil its obligation to provide

opportunities that expand economic development for all British Columbians

and will not rely on personal and corporate taxes as its unrealistic plan to

create much-needed revenue.

D. Routley: It’s a great pleasure to be able to stand on this side of the House

and reflect on