British Columbia Hansard — Monday, February 17, 2014

20140217pm-Hansard-v5n6

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709- 1281 (Print) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Monday, February 17, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Volume 5, Number 6

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Second Session, 40th Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Linda Reid EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council .............................................................................................................. Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing ......................Hon.

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................................ Hon. Amrik Virk Minister of Agriculture ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Pat Pimm Minister of Children and Family Development ....................................................................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development ........................................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Education ..................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Peter Fassbender Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review .....................................................................Hon. Bill Bennett Minister of Environment ..........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Minister of Finance .................................................................................................................................................. Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations......................................................................................Hon. Steve Th omson Minister of Health ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacifi c Strategy and Multiculturalism ..................Hon.

Teresa Wat Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business ....................................................................................................Hon. Naomi Y amamoto Minister of Justice ...............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation..................................................................................................... Hon. Don McRae Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon.

Todd Stone LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Offi cial Opposition ......................................................................................................................................................Adrian Dix Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................Douglas Horne Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole ....................................................................................................................................... Marc Dalton Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ................................................................................................................................................... Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Committees .................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sessional Law Clerk ...................................................................................................................................................Roderick MacArthur, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Anton, Hon. Suzanne (BC Liberal) .............................. Vancouver-Fraserview Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal).....................................................................Penticton Austin, Robin (NDP) ................................................................................ Skeena Bains, Harry (NDP) ....................................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal) ............................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Bennett, Hon.

Bill (BC Liberal) ...................................................Kootenay East Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal) ................................................... Peace River South Bing, Dr. Doug (BC Liberal) ................................ Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Bond, Hon. Shirley (BC Liberal) ........................... Prince George–Valemount Cadieux, Hon. Stephanie (BC Liberal) ................................Surrey-Cloverdale Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) .................................Vancouver–West End Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ...........................................................

Burnaby-Edmonds Clark, Hon. Christy (BC Liberal) ........................................ Westside-Kelowna Coleman, Hon. Rich (BC Liberal) .......................... Fort Langley–Aldergrove Conroy, Katrine (NDP) .............................................................. Kootenay West Corrigan, Kathy (NDP) ..................................................... Burnaby–Deer Lake Dalton, Marc (BC Liberal) ............................................. Maple Ridge–Mission Darcy, Judy (NDP) ..................................................................New Westminster de Jong, Hon.

Michael, QC (BC Liberal) .............................. Abbotsford West Dix, Adrian (NDP) ............................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Doug (NDP) ......................................................................... Stikine Eby, David (NDP) ..........................................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP) ................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Mike (NDP) ............................................................ Port Coquitlam Fassbender, Hon.

Peter (BC Liberal) ................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Fleming, Rob (NDP) .......................................................... Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal) .......................................................Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Scott (NDP) ............................................................Alberni–Pacifi c Rim Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) .............................................

Abbotsford-Mission Hamilton, Scott (BC Liberal) ...........................................................Delta North Hammell, Sue (NDP) .................................................... Surrey–Green Timbers Heyman, George (NDP) .................................................... Vancouver-Fairview Hogg, Gordon (BC Liberal) ............................................... Surrey–White Rock Holman, Gary (NDP) .......................................Saanich North and the Islands Horgan, John (NDP) .......................................................................

Juan de Fuca Horne, Douglas (BC Liberal) ..............................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ....................................................Surrey-Panorama Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) .............................................................

Nanaimo Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP) ........................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr.

Terry (BC Liberal) ....................Kamloops–North Th ompson Larson, Linda (BC Liberal) .........................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Richard T. (BC Liberal) ......................................................Burnaby North Letnick, Norm (BC Liberal) ........................................Kelowna–Lake Country Macdonald, Norm (NDP) ....................................Columbia River–Revelstoke McRae, Hon. Don (BC Liberal) ..................................................

Comox Valley Martin, John (BC Liberal) ..................................................................Chilliwack Morris, Mike (BC Liberal) ..................................... Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Michelle (NDP) ..........................................................Nelson-Creston Oakes, Hon. Coralee (BC Liberal) .............................................Cariboo North Pimm, Hon. Pat (BC Liberal) ...............................................Peace River North Plecas, Darryl (BC Liberal) ....................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Hon.

Mary (BC Liberal) .............................................................. Langley Popham, Lana (NDP) ...................................................................Saanich South Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ................................................................ Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon. Linda (BC Liberal) ..................................................Richmond East Reimer, Linda (BC Liberal) ........................................

Port Moody–Coquitlam Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ........................................................................North Coast Robinson, Selina (NDP) .............................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Routley, Bill (NDP) .................................................................. Cowichan Valley Routley, Doug (NDP) ............................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, Hon. John (BC Liberal) ................................................

Nechako Lakes Shin, Jane Jae Kyung (NDP) ...............................................Burnaby-Lougheed Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ................................... Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Shane (NDP) ..................................................... Vancouver-Hastings Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal) ........................................ Parksville-Qualicum Stilwell, Dr. Moira (BC Liberal) ........................................ Vancouver-Langara Stone, Hon. Todd (BC Liberal) .........................

Kamloops–South Th ompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal) ..................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Sullivan, Sam (BC Liberal) ...........................................Vancouver–False Creek Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal) ..................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal) ............................................................Fraser-Nicola Th omson, Hon. Steve (BC Liberal) .......................................Kelowna-Mission Th ornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal) ..........................

North Vancouver–Seymour Th roness, Laurie (BC Liberal).................................................Chilliwack-Hope Trevena, Claire (NDP) .................................................................... North Island Virk, Hon. Amrik (BC Liberal) ............................................. Surrey-Tynehead Wat, Hon. Teresa (BC Liberal) .............................................. Richmond Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (Ind.) .......................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Hon. Andrew (BC Liberal) ........................ Vancouver-Quilchena Y amamoto, Hon.

Naomi (BC Liberal) ................ North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, John (BC Liberal) ......................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ......................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ............................................................................Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon. Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacifi c Rim ..........................................................................

Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen ................................................................ Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ................................................................... Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ......................................................................... Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed .............................................................Jane Jae Kyung Shin Burnaby North .............................................................................. Richard T.

Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ........................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ......................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Hope ....................................................................... Laurie Th roness Columbia River–Revelstoke .................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley...........................................................................Hon.

Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .....................................................Douglas Horne Coquitlam-Maillardville........................................................... Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................

Bill Routley Delta North ..................................................................................Scott Hamilton Delta South ...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola....................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Th ompson ............................................ Hon. Dr. Terry Lake Kamloops–South Th ompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ............................................................... Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon. Steve Th omson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon.

Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon. Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ........................................................................... Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan .........................................................

Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ........................................................................ Hon. John Rustad Nelson-Creston ........................................................................Michelle Mungall New Westminster ............................................................................... Judy Darcy North Coast......................................................................................Jennifer Rice North Island .................................................................................. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ........................................Hon.

Naomi Y amamoto North Vancouver–Seymour ................................................. Jane Th ornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head ...................................................... Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North ...................................................................... Hon. Pat Pimm Peace River South ............................................................................Mike Bernier Penticton............................................................................................

Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam ..........................................................................Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam ................................................................Linda Reimer Powell River–Sunshine Coast ................................................. Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie ............................................................. Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount ................................................... Hon. Shirley Bond Richmond Centre ......................................................................Hon.

Teresa Wat Richmond East ..........................................................................Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ..............................................................................John Y ap Saanich North and the Islands .................................................... Gary Holman Saanich South ................................................................................

Lana Popham Shuswap ................................................................................................Greg Kyllo Skeena .............................................................................................. Robin Austin Stikine ....................................................................................... Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................... Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Fleetwood ........................................................... Hon.

Peter Fassbender Surrey–Green Timbers .................................................................. Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ................................................................................. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama ........................................................................... Marvin Hunt Surrey-Tynehead ......................................................................Hon. Amrik Virk Surrey-Whalley..............................................................................

Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock ....................................................................... Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Fairview ..................................................................George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek ................................................................... Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview ......................................................Hon.

Suzanne Anton Vancouver-Hastings ....................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington .................................................................Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway..........................................................................Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara .................................................................Dr. Moira Stilwell Vancouver–Mount Pleasant .........................................

Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................................................David Eby Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................ Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Vancouver–West End ...............................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee ...............................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill .......................................................................Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake.........................................................................Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano ............................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..........................................................Jordan Sturdy Westside-Kelowna ................................................................

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 49; New Democratic 34; Independent 2

CONTENTS Monday, February 17, 2014 Aft ernoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ..................................................................................................................................................... 1317 Introduction and First Reading of Bills ................................................................................................................................ 1319 Bill M201 — Fall Fixed Election Amendment Act, 2014 V . Huntington Bill 7 — Laboratory Services Act Hon. T. Lake Bill 6 — Provincial Capital Commission Dissolution Act Hon. C.

Oakes Statements (Standing Order 25B) ......................................................................................................................................... 1320 Proposal for World Heritage Site designation in Steveston J. Yap Fisgard Lighthouse M. Karagianis Spencer O'Brien and 2014 Olympic Winter Games C. Trevena Men's Health S. Sullivan Boating heritage in Kootenay Lake area M. Mungall 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George M.

Morris Oral Questions ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1322 Government approach to teachers' collective bargaining and release of court documents A. Dix Hon. P . Fassbender Hon. S. Anton R. Fleming C. James L. Krog Investigation into Burns Lake mill explosion and government action on issues H. Bains Hon. S. Bond D. Donaldson Impact of ferry services reductions on economy and tourism industry C. Trevena Hon. T.

Stone Tabling Documents ................................................................................................................................................................. 1326 Notice of application to the B.C. Supreme Court regarding the British Columbia Teachers Federation L. Krog

Orders of the Day Th rone Speech Debate (continued) ....................................................................................................................................... 1326 B. Routley J. Yap A. Weaver Hon. B. Bennett S. Chandra Herbert Hon. T. Lake D. Bing D. Donaldson Hon. S. Cadieux V . Huntington Hon. T. Wat N. Simons

MONDAY , FEBRUARY 17, 2014 Th e House met at 1:35 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Introductions by Members J. Horgan: I guess this is the fi rst time in 18 years that George Abbott isn't here to introduce interns, so I take it upon myself. It's a very heavy yoke to carry, but I cer- tainly, with the help of the Government House Leader, will be introducing some interns today to the Legislature.

Joining the opposition side in the hardest-working part of the building are fi ve fresh-faced graduates from British Columbia universities, at least two-thirds of them from the great University of Victoria. Th ey are Elyse Goatcher-Bergmann, Esther Rzeplinksi, Ethan Plato — and I want to leave it at that, as I know that my friend from West Vancouver will want to talk about Ethan Plato, but we'll leave that alone — Johanna McBurnie and Carly Aasen are joining the official opposition. Would the House please make them very, very welcome. Madame Speaker: Hon. Members, I have a special guest to introduce today.

It is my pleasure to advise that we have a visiting Clerk from another jurisdiction on at- tachment to our House this week — Mr. Greg Reckseidler, Clerk Assistant/research offi cer, Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. Th is is one of a continuing series of attach- ments whereby our Legislative Assembly hosts Clerks from other jurisdictions. Please join me in welcoming Greg Reckseidler to British Columbia and to our House. In that I have the fl oor, I would also wish to recog- nize that my nephew and his wife have given birth to their fi rst child. I'm not anywhere near the numbers of other members in this place.

She was born on Th ursday late aft ernoon — Elise Marie Greig, born to Leanne and Liam Conway-Greig. G. Kyllo: I have two very important introductions to make to the House today. My fi rst introduction is a beautiful young girl from Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Not many people know of this young lady or have yet had the chance to meet her. However, I am most certain that all will be taken aback with her beauty, her fi ne features and her ability to soft - en the hearts of men both young and old.

I may be a bit biased in my glowing accolades, due in part to my close family relationship with Miss Kylie Angela Plock, my fi rst grandchild, who is one year old today. Weighing in at a lean 6 pounds 9 ounces and 21 inches tall, Kylie is sure to command an enormous amount…. Some Hon. Members: One day old. G. Kyllo: One day old, yeah. Oh geez. Well, there we go. So weighing in at a lean 6 pounds 9 ounces and 21 inches tall, Kylie is sure to command an enormous amount of love and attention in the years ahead.

Kylie's parents, our daughter Angela and her partner Aaron, could not have shared a more special gift with Georgina and myself and her other grandparents, Sean and Laurie Plock from Blind Bay. I ask the House to provide a very jubilant welcome to my granddaughter Miss Kylie Angela Plock. My second introduction today is another beauti- ful lady from Salmon Arm — mind you, with a wee bit more life experience under her belt. I'd like to introduce Petronella Peach. Nel exemplifi es kindness, generosity and dedication to community service.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 30 years ago, Nel has used her experience to become a passionate advocate for people with diabetes. Nel is an active and passion- ate volunteer with the Canadian Diabetes Association, has served as a regional chair for the interior B.C. re- gion and has been a recipient of the Canadian Diabetes Association's Regional Inspiration Award and the Regional Service Award. [1340] I ask the members from both sides of the House to provide a very warm welcome for my friend, Nel Peach. Hon. B. Bennett: Unlike the previous speaker, I ac- tually look old enough to have grandchildren.

I've sat in this House…. Interjection. Hon. B. Bennett: The opposition agrees with that statement. I've sat in this House over the years so many times and listened to people like John Les — I can say his name; he's not here anymore — announce their grandchildren and been quite envious of that and wondered how it felt. I've been told that it's great. It is great. I met my fi rst grandchild in Chile — her name is Isabella; I met my daughter-in-law — her name is Francisca; I met my new Chilean in-laws over the past couple of weeks and, really, a wonderful experience.

Being a grandpa really teaches you what's most important in life and puts all of this in a somewhat diff erent context, which probably won't last past fi ve minutes into question period. But nonetheless, for the moment I am glowing. A. Weaver: I'd like to introduce 29 students from Bonar Law Memorial high school, from Rexton, New Brunswick, who were in the building today and I'm told will be visiting us either now or sometime during the proceedings later this aft ernoon. Th ey're visiting a 1317

British Columbia Debates1318 Monday, February 17, 2014 school, Lambrick Park Secondary School, in my rid- ing, and their teacher, Mr. Turnbull, a man who I played hockey with when I was six or seven years old, is their leader here today. The school, Bonar Law Memorial, is part of an ex- change with Lambrick Park funded by the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada, SEVEC, a non-profi t organization that's been in operation for 76 years, benefi ting over 350,000 youth exchanges at schools across Canada.

Please join me in welcoming again these students from Bonar Law Memorial high school in New Brunswick. Hon. P . Fassbender: I rise today to introduce sev- en very special friends of mine from Christian Life Assembly in Langley, British Columbia: Peter and Arlene Pollock, Vince and Sandra Loreno, Brian Kirkwood and Steve and Ruthie Nicholson. Th ey came to the House this weekend, they wandered around, and they wanted me to let all members know that people of faith pray for us in leadership, and they are praying for every member of this House.

Th en I have the distinct pleasure of introducing the most important person in my life, my wife, Charlene. She and I are going to be married 47 years this May, and she's here to wish me well as well. So let's give them a great introduction. H. Bains: A couple of introductions today. A good friend of mine, Darryl Walker, who's also president of the B.C. Government Employees Union, a great cham- pion for the working people; and Mike Eso, who's the president of Victoria and District Labour Council. Please help me welcome both of them to this House. Hon. T.

Lake: As mentioned by the member for Shuswap, we had an opportunity to meet with members of the Canadian Diabetes Association today. Nel is cer- tainly a tremendous advocate and one of the many advo- cates that we met over lunch today, so I want to introduce the Canadian Diabetes Association that's here in the House today. Th ey'll be meeting with our ministry. Th ey are passionate advocates on behalf of the 400,000 people in British Columbia that manage diabetes, both diabetes type 1 and type 2.

Th ey've been at the forefront in the fi ght against diabetes, helping people lead healthier lives while working to fi nd the cure. Would the House please make the members of the Canadian Diabetes Association and their advocates most welcome in the House today. [1345] Hon. S. Bond: On that note, we don't oft en have the pleasure of having visitors from Prince George, but to- day I'm delighted on behalf of the member for Prince George–Mackenzie and myself. We are thrilled to have two advocates here in the House as well, Dave DeVore and Richard Lefebvre. Richard's wife, Louise, is not here, but she's a dietitian.

Both the member for Prince George–Mackenzie and I can assure this House that they do a fantastic job of educating families and supporting them in their journey with diabetes. We're thrilled that they're in the House to- day, and I would ask all of my colleagues to give them a warm welcome. D. Horne: It's with great pleasure that I introduce Darrell Burnham and Buz Knott. Darrell is the execu- tive director of Coast Mental Health and provides great programs and services to many with mental health issues, both in my community and throughout the Lower Mainland.

I hope that the House would make them both truly welcome. D. Donaldson: I'd like the House to make welcome to- day an infrequent visitor to the Legislature, not because she doesn't want to come but because she's executive dir- ector of Storytellers Foundation in Hazelton as well as keeps the farm going, and that's my wife, Anne Docherty, Nox mii leks, Wilp Gyologyet, Lax Gibuu. Th at's her Gitxsan name and clan. I would like the members, as well as thanking my son for taking care of the farm today so that she could be here, to make Anne welcome. M.

Dalton: In the House is my lovely and long- suff ering wife, Marlene. We have been married for 28 years. Growing up she was in good hands. She was ac- tually babysat by the Minister of Education and his lovely wife. Th is was prior to them even knowing each other, so she brought them together, I'm sure. Also with her is Terri Rainey. Terri is a former neigh- bour of ours and a good friend. Many may know her from the B.C. Liberals, from her involvement with the party. Would the House please make them both feel welcome. Hon.

M. de Jong: If I were George Abbott, before I whistle the theme song from Hinterland Who's Who and before I introduce the interns who are working for the government through this session, I would point out with pride that I — George Abbott, not I — had been an intern serving the government of Sir Richard McBride, Duff Pattullo, W .A.C. Bennett.

But there are some very talented people, as my friend the Opposition House Leader has pointed out, assigned to duties with the government through this session, and we are thrilled to have them — Beaudin Bennett, Simran Lehal, Sarah Griffi ths, Renae Sinclair and Adam Walter. I know that all members on both sides of the House hope that all of the interns fi nd this experience partly academic and partly very practical — and as fulfi lling for them as it will be helpful for us. I know that all members will want to make these interns welcome.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 17, 2014 1319 Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL M201 — FALL FIXED ELECTION AMENDMENT ACT, 2014 V . Huntington presented a bill intituled Fall Fixed Election Amendment Act, 2014. V . Huntington: I rise once again to reintroduce a bill that will move B.C.'s fi xed election date to the fall, be- ginning 2017. As we all know, the fi xed spring election date is inher- ently fl awed. Every four years British Columbia goes into an election without passing the budget for the coming fi s- cal year.

Opposition members and media alike are unable to scrutinize the budget before heading into the election. Th e result is that B.C. voters go to the polls without know- ing the state of the provincial fi nances. Th e very fact that government ministries and agencies have no spending authority until halfway through the fi scal year is an em- barrassment, given that the problem is so easily corrected. Seven provinces have fall election dates.

Were B.C. to follow suit, the Public Accounts would come out in the summer, and the quarterly update would be released in September. [1350] Political parties' candidates and media could separate political promises from fi scal realities, voters could cast their ballot with confi dence, and our ministries would benefi t from increased fi nancial certainty. Th e legislation I am introducing will move B.C.'s fi xed election date to October, starting with the 2017 election.

Last year we heard support from both sides of the House for moving to fall elections, and I'm further heartened by the Premier's comment: "Th e best time to change how the Legislature functions is when an election is right be- hind you." We have a government with a new mandate, the tacit agreement of both sides of the House and 44 sitting days left to pass a fi ve-line bill. Surely, the time has come to act together to restore confi dence in the provincial budget- ing process. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today.

Madame Speaker: Th e fi rst motion is fi rst reading. Motion approved. Bill M201, Fall Fixed Election Amendment Act, 2014, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. BILL 7 — LABORATORY SERVICES ACT Hon. T. Lake presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Laboratory Services Act. Hon. T. Lake: Madame Speaker, I move that the Laboratory Services Act be introduced and read for a fi rst time. Motion approved. Hon. T.

Lake: Here in British Columbia we are indeed fortunate to have an exceptional clinical laboratory sys- tem that supports the health of families across the prov- ince, but we know that this system will be challenged to meet the growing demands of the future. Th at's why we are introducing the Laboratory Services Act, which sets a framework to strengthen and standard- ize B.C.'s clinical laboratory system. It will ensure that we can provide these services now and in the future in a sustainable manner.

We expect these changes to occur over the next three years, and the changes are aligned in what is called the Triple-Aim approach. Th is term was coined by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, a non-profi t group that improves health care services around the world. Triple Aim focuses on changes that improve the popula- tion's health, enhances patient experience and outcomes as well as achieving the best value for the dollar. Th e legislation allows the provincial government to meet these goals, streamlining and integrating the system to take advantage of emerging and improving medical technologies.

It also enables us to better coordinate ser- vices and provides greater opportunities for cost savings. Th e act enables government to strengthen patient ser- vices and ensure that resources are deployed effi ciently and where they're most needed. Th e legislation brings under one framework the laboratory services that are provided in hospitals and in the community. By moving all laboratory services under one piece of legislation, we are also strengthening governance, ac- countability, audit, benefi ts and billing of the services we provide.

We expect these changes to be implemented over the next three years and plan to consult with stake- holders as it develops the strategic direction for future service delivery. I move that the introduction of the Laboratory Services Act be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Bill 7, Laboratory Services Act, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today.

British Columbia Debates1320 Monday, February 17, 2014 BILL 6 — PROVINCIAL CAPITAL COMMISSION DISSOLUTION ACT Hon. C. Oakes presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Provincial Capital Commission Dissolution Act. Hon. C. Oakes: I move that Bill 6, entitled Provincial Capital Commission Dissolution Act, be read for the fi rst time now. Motion approved. Hon. C. Oakes: I am pleased to present the Provincial Capital Commission Dissolution Act.

Th is legislation proposes to dissolve the Provincial Capital Commission and transfer its existing properties, assets, liabilities and staff to provincial ministries, except for the Bellville ferry terminal properties, which will be transferred to the B.C. Transportation Financing Authority, a Crown corporation under the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

The commission has done a great job connecting British Columbians to their capital through strong out- reach programs and property management services. [1355] However, over the years governments have evolved to the point where these services can now be provided dir- ectly within governments. Dissolution of the commission will support government effi ciency by eliminating dupli- cation and saving the taxpayers money. For these reasons, the cabinet working group on core review recommended dissolution of the Provincial Capital Commission.

I want to recognize the commitment and hard work of everyone on the commission's board and their staff . Government will ensure that the legacy of their work continues to benefi t British Columbians. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for the second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Bill 6, Provincial Capital Commission Dissolution Act, introduced, read a fi rst time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House aft er today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) PROPOSAL FOR WORLD HERITAGE SITE DESIGNATION IN STEVESTON J.

Y ap: It's fi tting that I rise in the House today to talk about an exciting initiative underway in my riding dur- ing Heritage Week. What do the great pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Wall of China have to do with Steveston? For now, not much, but if long- time Steveston resident Loren Slye gets his way, Steveston will join these three sites on the United Nations World Heritage Site list. This list, maintained by a United Nations agency known as UNESCO, is a collection of 981 sites around the globe that have cultural or natural signifi cance.

World heritage is a designation for places on earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and, as such, are to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. Th ere are criteria to be met for this designation, criteria which are regularly revised to refl ect the evolution of the world heritage concept. Loren Slye and his colleagues in the local Steveston community group known as 20/20, who are championing this cause, believe this designation would off er the village much-needed heritage protection and increased revenue from tourism.

Like many quaint villages near urban centres around the world, Steveston is feeling the pressure of increased densifi cation and development. Preservation of its long history and heritage as a fi shing village and home to 42 canneries and processing plants has been challenging. Although some buildings are protected, to ensure pres- ervation of the whole of Steveston a UNESCO designa- tion would help place it on the tourism map. Canada has 17 sites, and it's time to add another one. Th anks to Loren Slye, the process to achieve this desig- nation has begun. FISGARD LIGHTHOUSE M.

Karagianis: As the previous speaker mentioned, it is Heritage Week in B.C., and in keeping the theme of "Heritage afl oat!" I'm happy to share the story of a beacon to the past in my constituency. Since 1860 the Fisgard Lighthouse has stood at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour, lighting the way safe- ly for passing ships. Fisgard was the fi rst lighthouse on Canada's west coast and was built, in fact, in British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, before it was part of Canada. It has guided mariners for generations and is still operating.

Th e 47-foot-high structure is topped by a light that is visible for ten nautical miles. Today the white tower and the red-brick keeper's house are a national historical site. Visitors from all over the world come to take in the beauty of the location and the exhibits that tell the story of shipwrecks, storms and the life of light-keepers who lived there until 1929. Th e view across the Strait of Juan de Fuca is the snow- capped Olympic Mountains and is very splendid.

Th e lighthouse is part of Fort Rodd Hill National Park, which preserves three historical coastal gun batteries that were built in the late 19th century as part of the coastal defence system. Th e fortress remained in service for more than

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 17, 2014 1321 50 years and was decommissioned in 1956. Today the fort is one of the best preserved and most complete of its kind in the world, and all structures are original. Visitors can explore the barracks, look down the barrels of original guns and descend into the under- ground magazines. A visit to Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse is a great adventure, and I encourage every- one here to go and take a visit. Just take Highway 1A to Colwood and turn off at Ocean Boulevard. [1400] SPENCER O'BRIEN AND 2014 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES C.

Trevena: The Olympics were brought alive and brought home for people in Alert Bay a week ago when snowboarder Spencer O'Brien took to the slopes. In the kindergarten, children were singing a song of support, students strung pennants from the ferry dock along the street, and community members gathered with drums, regalia and a lot of energy at the big house. And on the day — or, in our time zone, night — of Spencer's Olympic performance, people met at the Legion to watch as a community, supporting one of their own with pride. Spencer spent her early years in Alert Bay, off the north end of Vancouver Island.

She started her life in winter sports at three, on the community-run Mount Cain, just south of Woss. Like many people of her age, she moved from skis to snowboard when she was 11. She also moved from Alert Bay to Courtenay and continued to train at Mount Washington while studying at the Mark Isfeld Secondary in Courtenay. She said: "I'm fortunate that I had Mount Cain so early — and later Mount Washington. I have always loved the mountains." Spencer, who is 26, won gold last year for her slope- style snowboarding at the FIS World Championships and a bronze medal at the X Games last month.

She told the Olympic committee that she loves cooking, baking, fash- ion and hiking, and says the worst part of being on the road is not having her own kitchen. Despite being a star in her world of sports, she's not forgotten the community she came from, donating equip- ment to the First Nations snowboard team and getting involved with a program to promote health and wellness in aboriginal communities. She says inspiring aborigin- al youth and being a good role model are very import- ant to her.

While she cried aft er coming in 12th at Sochi, her com- munity, the community she's lived in, and Canadians across the country sent her messages of support. Her re- sponse? "Th ank you all for the love and support. It means so much. I am disappointed in myself but so proud to be Canadian," she tweeted. MEN'S HEALTH S. Sullivan: In the immortal words of a 1980s hair band, many of us don't know what we've got until it's gone. Th is turns out to be very true when it comes to men and their health. Consider these statistics. Over 90 percent of workplace deaths are men.

Men are 50 percent more likely to die of diabetes than women, and 80 percent of successful sui- cides are men. In fact, when it comes to health conditions that men and women share, it's not a case of share and share alike. Heart disease, obesity, many common can- cers, addictions, accidents are all areas where men out- pace women in numbers and severity. Men will spend, on average, nine years of their life in poor health before they die — far more than women. About 70 percent of the time this state of ill health is caused by poor lifestyle habits and is preventable.

Th is is the missing piece of the family health puzzle, and it is the one we need to address because of the high cost to family, society and our health system. Our Premier recognized this — the fi rst Premier in the country to do so. Last year she provided a fi ve-year, $5 million grant to Dr. Larry Goldenberg, the founder of B.C. Men's Health Initiative. Th ose of you who know Dr. Goldenberg know that he is an innovator and a leader when it comes to health care.

Since receiving this grant 11 months ago, he's raised more than $1.5 million in donations and is getting set to launch his groundbreaking nationwide campaign this June with support of some of Canada's leading athletes, corporations and personalities. Dr. Goldenberg and his team will be in Victoria over the next few months to work with all of us to ensure this campaign is as successful as possible. I encourage you all to meet with him. It isn't a simple problem to fi x, but we need to fi nd a way to help men change their behaviour and value their health long before it's gone.

BOATING HERITAGE IN KOOTENAY LAKE AREA M. Mungall: We all have a story or two to tell about how boats have shaped our lives. In the Kootenays boats have played a major role in shaping our modern day, and this Heritage Week we get the opportunity to honour those boats with the theme "Heritage afl oat!" For the Kootenays, fi rst, it was the unique sturgeon- nose canoe distinct to the Ktunaxa and Lakes Nations. For millennia they travelled their traditional territories north and south of the 49th parallel by water, fi shing sal- mon and living off the land.

Learn how these boats were made at the Nelson Touchstones museum this Sunday where they are off ering workshops for kids of all ages interested in making their own replica of a sturgeon- nose canoe.

British Columbia Debates1322 Monday, February 17, 2014 [1405] Also on display at Touchstones is how change came to the Kootenay Lake waters when the European explorers and voyageurs arrived in the region, oft en using what is now known around the world as the Canadian canoe. Not long aft er they arrived, gold and silver were found, and along came colonists — with them, larger boats. In 1898, the SS Moyie sailed out of the Nelson shipyard to begin her 60-year tour of duty plowing the waters of Kootenay Lake. She had 11 sisters on that lake.

Although all have since retired, you can still fi nd the SS Moyie on display in all her fi nery in Kaslo, while the SS Nasookin is now a home, looking over the water she once treaded. Today boats continue to play an important role for Kootenay Lake. Whether recreationally or with the long- est free ferry ride in the world — which, of course, didn't come without a fi ght — travel by water remains a real- ity in our region. Part of our past, present and most cer- tainly our future, boats play a defi ning role in Kootenay Lake's heritage. 2015 CANADA WINTER GAMES IN PRINCE GEORGE M.

Morris: Today, as Canadians, we're cheering our Canadian Olympic team as they perform in Sochi. In less than one year Prince George will have the honour of co-hosting the 2015 Canada Winter Games with the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation designated as an offi cial host First Nation by the Canada Games Council. Th is is the fi rst time in Canada Games history that an offi cial First Nation designation has been given to a First Nation. Our government has invested more than $11 million in this event. Provincial funding has been matched by the federal government.

With additional contributions by the host city and the city of Prince George, the total budget for the games is approximately $46 million. British Columbia has previously hosted the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops and the 1973 Canada Summer Games in New Westminster but has never hosted a Canada Winter Games. Th e next time British Columbia will host the Canada Games will be the Canada Summer Games in 2041. Th e games bring with them a signifi cant economic benefi t to the region, expected to be close to $90 mil- lion.

Th e 2015 Canada Winter Games will feature 19 of- fi cial sports, including Paralympics and Special Olympics competitions. More than 3,400 athletes, coaches, staff and offi cials will participate in the games from over 800 Canadian communities. Up to 4,500 volunteers will be involved. More than 10,000 visitors will experience Prince George and the north-central Interior. British Columbia will field a team of 350 athletes, coaches and mission staff . Team B.C.'s goal is to fi nish in the top three medal count of the games.

Th e games will leave a positive legacy that includes new and improved sports facilities and community pride for everybody in the region to enjoy. Madame Speaker: May I thank all members. Oral Questions GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO TEACHERS' COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND RELEASE OF COURT DOCUMENTS A. Dix: Th ese last years and, indeed, these last weeks have seen on display the chasm between the Premier's words and the government's actions with respect to the education of children in our public schools. In April 2011 when the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in the Bill 28 case, the Premier said she had learned.

She said: "Y ou want to get it right, and that time we didn't get it right." Th ey didn't appeal. Th ey set about introducing legisla- tion that was virtually identical to the law that was struck down as unconstitutional. Within months, two months, they were setting in motion — according to the evidence provided to the court, as early as June 2011 — a strategy of a combined legislative response to an expected teach- ers' strike in Bill 28. Th ey were putting in place a strategy to provoke a teachers' strike by September. Why?

According to the evidence provided by the gov- ernment, in documents and testimony, because it would give the government a political advantage. By September, quoting from the court judgment: "When a full strike did not materialize, so important was a strike to the gov- ernment strategy that in September 2011 Mr. Straszak planned a government strategy of increasing the pressure on the union so as to provoke a strike." [1410] Why shouldn't the public be able to read the evidence that was put forward in open court by government wit- nesses? Hon. P . Fassbender: Last week in this House we talked about the facts.

I want to repeat those facts. Th is govern- ment clearly showed that in light of the BCTF taking job action — not providing report cards, not providing the opportunity for parent-teacher interviews, not providing extracurricular activities — and in spite of that job action, we stayed at the table throughout that period. Th en when in March the BCTF announced a full-scale strike to throw the school districts into disruption, we initiated a cooling-off period. We worked very hard. We appointed a mediator with one intent only, and that was to reach a negotiated settlement, which we did in June of that year.

Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition rises on a supplemental.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 17, 2014 1323 A. Dix: Here we have the three legs of the govern- ment's strategy. Leg 1, the government denies the public its right to know what happened in open court — evi- dence that shows, contrary to what the minister said, that the government's political strategy was to provoke a strike. Th e second leg is for the government to continue to act in court to deny the right of the people to see the evi- dence and the truth. Th irdly, we have the Premier of British Columbia go- ing around saying something completely diff erent.

Th is is actually worse than it can possibly be: the government covering up the evidence and then testifying to some- thing diff erent. Th is is what is happening. My challenge to the Minister of Education — he has his point of view; I have my point of view: release the documents, release the evidence, and let's let the public judge the truth. Madame Speaker: Please state your question. A. Dix: My question, very simply, to the Attorney General — or to the Minister of Education, if he'd like to see it — is just that. It's just that.

It seems to me that the Attorney General and the Minister of Education can't have it both ways. Madame Speaker: Please state your question. A. Dix: Th ey need…. We need…. Th e public has a right to know. Why shouldn't they see what he's seen — that the government was conspiring to provoke a strike? Hon. P . Fassbender: Well, I appreciate the Leader of the Opposition's willingness to discuss sealed documents in the House. We choose not to do that. We also don't put out videos dealing with sealed documents, which the Leader of the Opposition has done.

Again, the facts are that this government worked tire- lessly during that period to continue negotiations, even in light of disruptions in schools. We worked very hard to bring in a cooling-off period to avoid disruption. We brought in a mediator. Th e fact, which is in the public domain, is we negotiated a settlement at the 12th hour that kept schools working, that kept the security of their education, which is absolutely what this government is all about. Madame Speaker: Th e Leader of the Opposition on a supplemental. A.

Dix: Th is 12 years of misleading the public about what's going on in public education, about the govern- ment's intentions, needs to end. It needs to end. Th e gov- ernment's right to spin and mislead doesn't supersede the public's right to know when it comes to…. [1415] Th e Attorney General could speak out for the pub- lic's right to know right now by intervening in court and allowing the public to see the evidence presented in open court — evidence that anyone who attended those trials….

It's evidence that the Minister of Education has seen — all of the cabinet ministers over there have seen — that shows what the government was doing: trying to provoke a strike. I understand they want to cover that up. I understand they want to cover the truth up in this case, but I say: let the documents and the evidence speak. Will the Attorney General take action to ensure that the public's right to know is protected and supersedes the government's right to spin? Hon. S. Anton: As this House well knows, the matter is in front of the Court of Appeal.

It is for the Court of Appeal to hear the arguments and the debate on the evi- dence. It's not for it to be debated here. Th at's their role. Our role is a diff erent one. We stick to our role; they stick to their role. Th ose documents, the evidence, are under court order and sealed under court order. It is not for us to breach that court order. Th ere is an argument in front of the Court of Appeal for an extension to that court order. Th at argument will be heard by the Court of Appeal. Th e Court of Appeal will decide accordingly. Th at debate is heard in court, not here. R.

Fleming: Well, thanks to an open court and thanks to this democratic chamber, we know that by June 2011 the Premier's deputy minister and her chief negotiator were in the midst of developing a strategy to lead to a full-blown strike in B.C. schools. Th at's what we know. We know that cabinet was subsequently briefed about this plan, and as head of the cabinet, the Premier was part of this briefi ng. Th e Premier, of course, refuses to say any- thing in this House, but on a daily basis she's happy to be out there in the media attacking the court and attacking the ruling every single day.

She says that the court was wrong on the facts at the same time that she's legally pre- venting the public from getting the facts. So I ask the Attorney General, using her responsibil- ity to put the public interest ahead of partisan interests, to allow parents in British Columbia to get the answers that they seek and that they deserve. Will the Attorney General agree to make application for the release of docu- ments from trial and let the public decide the facts for themselves? Hon. S.

Anton: Th e discussion on the facts, the rul- ing on the facts, the ruling of the justice of the Supreme Court, the documents themselves — all of those things are in front of the Court of Appeal. Th e debate on those, the argument on those, the legal discussion on those — that happens at the Court of Appeal. Th at does not hap-

British Columbia Debates1324 Monday, February 17, 2014 pen in this chamber. Th at's where it should remain, and the Court of Appeal will make its decision accordingly. Madame Speaker: Victoria–Swan Lake on a supple- mental. R. Fleming: I would ask the Attorney General to understand the gravity of this situation. She's in charge of the court system, the justice system of this province. Th e sworn facts from the Supreme Court exposed what her government was up to. Th ey wanted a full-blown strike and were frustrated when they couldn't get one.

Th ey deliberately torqued up pressure to get a strike by docking pay, by ending profes- sional development, by holding back funds from school districts. Th ey tried to get before the labour board to help assist in shutting B.C. schools down. Th at's the evidence the court heard under oath. Th ose are the court's facts. [1420] We haven't gotten any answers in this place from the Premier, so I' again ask the Attorney General. We've had enough of a government that puts its political interests fi rst and the needs of parents and kids dead last in British Columbia.

So will this Attorney General fi nally put the public interest fi rst and apply to release the documents related to the Premier's school strike strategy? Hon. S. Anton: Th e House has its role; courts have their role. It's interesting that the hon. member from the other side believes that government dictates to courts, but in fact, that is entirely incorrect. Th e foundation of our democracy is an independent court system. May I read from Mr. MacMinn's book, which I read the other day.

"Th e sub judice convention exists for the equally good reason of protecting the separation and mu- tual respect which must exist between the legislative and judicial branches of government in order that parliament not interfere with the judicial proceeding by constitut- ing itself as an alternative for debate on the same issue." Th e matter is before the court. Th e debate is heard be- fore the court. C. James: In April 2011 B.C. courts ruled that the edu- cation legislation brought in by the Premier when she was Education Minister was illegal.

Th en the Premier told the public that she would adhere to the court fi nd- ing. She actually said that she would get it right this time. She signalled that she would show respect for the public, for classrooms, for teachers and for students. Now we know that, instead, she pursued a strategy to provoke a full-scale strike so that she could circumvent the ruling. Th e Premier won't answer questions about mislead- ing the public. Th e Premier, in this place, won't answer questions about her role in negatively impacting educa- tion for hundreds and thousands of students. But the Attorney General can.

The Attorney General still has the opportunity to stand up for the public and their right to know. I heard the Attorney say that we should listen to the independ- ent court system. Well, let's listen to Judge Griffi n. Judge Griffi n ruled that documents that show how this government planned to shut down schools with a full-scale strike should be- come public. She noted that the government "relied on assertions of fact regarding its conduct, alleging that it had consulted in good faith." Madame Speaker: Member, state your question. C. James: Th e fact is that the government didn't act in good faith.

My question is to the Attorney General. Will she up- hold the principle of open court by making application to release the documents so that British Columbians can see for themselves what role the Premier played in shut- ting down B.C. schools? Hon. P . Fassbender: Th e Attorney General has been clear. We are not going to debate the items that are before the court. But what I will do is clarify for the members opposite the facts again. Th e facts again…. When we brought in the legislation, we worked very hard with the BCTF to bring in some measures to meet the fi rst ruling.

And what were those? [1425] Th e learning improvement fund of $210 million. Th e fact that we have hired, through that, 500 new teachers. Th e fact that we have hired 400 new special education as- sistants. Th e fact that we've extended hours for 7,400 spe- cial education assistants in this province. And probably the most important fact: in the past decade this govern- ment has increased the number of education assistants by 60 percent. L. Krog: Th e Attorney General talks about her role. The only role that this government seems to be per- forming is the farce of this political scandal.

She knows it to be true that she has an ancient and serious obligation to the public of British Columbia to put the public interest ahead of partisan political interest. She continues to rebuff this responsibility. She could take legal steps to ensure the public got the information they deserve, instead of trying to manipulate public opinion by causing a provincewide strike like the Premier did. It's up to the Attorney General to do the right thing.

Th e Premier's continual assertions that the courts got it wrong only vindicates what Justice Griffi n said: "Where the courts are tasked with the role of determining the constitutionality of government conduct, it is even more important for there to be transparency so that the public can have confi dence that the result was reached in fulfi l- ment of the court's duty to be independent and impartial."

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 17, 2014 1325 Madame Speaker: Member, state your question. L. Krog: Th e Attorney General has that opportunity. We've even provided assistance. Th e opposition, with the assistance of counsel, has prepared a notice of appli- cation. She can sign it. She can fi le it. She can serve it. It will enable the court to release the documents and the transcripts. My question is simply this, to the Attorney General.

Will she do the right thing — defend the public interest, not the Premier's political interest — and sign the no- tice of application and let the people of British Columbia have the truth? Hon. S. Anton: I think we can all be relieved to know that the member opposite wants us to do the right thing. Th e right thing is, as I read earlier…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Order. Hon. S. Anton: Th e right thing is to protect the sep- aration and mutual respect which must exist between the legislative and judicial branches of government. We have an independent court system.

Th e discussion is to be de- bated in the courtroom. Th at's where the discussion hap- pens. Th at's where the debate happens. Th at's where the decision is made, not in this chamber. INVESTIGATION INTO BURNS LAKE MILL EXPLOSION AND GOVERNMENT ACTION ON ISSUES H. Bains: In January of this year the Premier made yet another commitment to the workers and families of Babine Forest Products sawmill in Burns Lake. She said this. She said that justice must be done and that it must be seen to be done. Y et two years since the explosion that killed two workers and injured 19, no charges have been laid.

None are forthcoming. No one is being held accountable for what they deemed to be a preventable incident — no one. Kathleen Weissbach, the wife of one of the victims of the explosion, has given up hope that the Liberal govern- ment cares about justice. She said this: "Th e guys have lost faith, and they no longer trust the Liberal govern- ment, because they keep them from getting justice, any form of justice." To the minister: where is the promise of justice? Where is the justice for those workers and those families that was promised by this Premier? Hon. S.

Bond: Th ere is not a single MLA in this House that does not feel absolutely saddened by what happened. The lives of those families have been altered forever. Communities were devastated. [1430] Th at's why when charges did not proceed, the Premier moved very quickly to assign to a highly regarded pro- fessional public servant the job of putting together the fact pattern. Th at report has been released, and the Premier and I have made it very clear to WorkSafe that we expect there to be changes. We expect the recommendations that have been brought forward to be implemented. In fact, the Premier didn't stop there.

Th e Premier has retained an independent adviser, one of Canada's most well-known lawyers, Len Doust, QC, to ensure that the recommen- dations are completed and also to act as an independent adviser to government. No one can erase the pain and the loss, but this gov- ernment certainly intends to ensure that the recommen- dations that have been brought forward are implemented. Madame Speaker: Member for Surrey-Newton on a supplemental. H. Bains: Th e government keeps on holding up the in- vestigation by the Premier's political appointee to argue that somehow justice has been done.

Th e empty words will not restore the faith that these workers and their families have lost. Kathleen Weissbach doesn't think it is adequate — that investigation. She said that the Premier had big words, but she couldn't back them up with actions. Th at's why the families have lost faith, the workers have lost faith, and the community has lost faith. A report by a politically appointed aide won't fi x that. Th at's why the minister could do the right thing now and call for a truly independent investigation so that we can restore the faith that they have lost in this government and the system. Hon. S.

Bond: I don't know about the member oppos- ite, but there are very few words that can erase the pain that families and communities have experienced. I live in Prince George. I know many of the families that were involved, the workers that attended that night, the para- medics, the nurses. I can assure you that the words that we share are not empty words. In fact, there are a series of recommendations that are far-reaching. It is absolutely essential that we move for- ward quickly. In fact, when Mr.

Doust was asked about whether or not an independent inquiry would change the outcomes in terms of Crown's decision, his answer was no. We need to move forward and ensure that each recom- mendation is carried out. It will include a review of the underlying processes, the personnel. Th e most import- ant thing is to ensure that this does not happen again. Th at is what we're working to. Th at is what is important

British Columbia Debates1326 Monday, February 17, 2014 at this point in time. D. Donaldson: Th e government's response on this issue has been totally inadequate. Two local men from Burns Lake lost their lives at the Babine Forest Products mill explosion two years ago this past winter. Other workers, including a constituent of mine, were badly burned and are still trying to put their lives back together. Two years this man hasn't worked.

Last week the Premier passed the buck on this issue, saying that she was deeply disappointed with WorkSafe B.C., an agency governed by a board directly appointed by her government. Th e Premier needs to stop fi nger- pointing and take some responsibility. Th e buck stops at her desk on this terrible tragedy. To the Jobs Minister: how does avoiding account- ability and shift ing blame improve worker safety in this province? [1435] Hon. S.

Bond: I'm not sure how the member opposite can characterize the fact that the moment the explosion happened, this government made sure it was there to pro- vide support in that community and in Prince George. Following that, a large team of individuals from across ministries went to work with those communities, went to look at fi bre supply and look at issues to ensure that we could actually rebuild a mill and put people back to work.

Th is is about accountability, and the report clearly, ab- solutely clearly, lays out a series of recommendations that speak to process, to protocol, to looking at how this happened. Th e best thing we can do, as diffi cult as it is — and we have unbelievable empathy for families who've suff ered loss — is we need to make sure those recom- mendations move forward. W e need to make sure that WorkSafe does deal with the issues related to the inves- tigation. Th ey need to be fi xed. Th e Premier made that clear to WorkSafe, and we expect it to happen.

IMPACT OF FERRY SERVICES REDUCTIONS ON ECONOMY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY C. Trevena: Even though no economic impact stud- ies were done ahead of the savage cuts to B.C. Ferries, we know that B.C.'s provincial economy will take a hit. Th e Minister of Transportation didn't bother going to hear from the aff ected communities, so I wonder whether he's bothered to read any of the dozens and dozens of letters from chambers of commerce, from tourism operators and from businesses decrying his decision. I quote from one sent to the minister from German tour operators.

"We still cannot believe that this really is a serious plan of the B.C. government…. At this point, we can only urge you to intervene immediately in order to avoid serious and lasting damage to British Columbia's tourism from Europe." To the Minister of Transportation, can he quantify the hit to the provincial economy that cutting the Discovery route will mean? Hon. T. Stone: I thank the hon. member for her ques- tion. As I said, back almost three months ago…. Th e an- nouncement on B.C. Ferries was made November 18. At the time, I said this was a very diffi cult decision.

Tough decisions lie ahead if, indeed, as a province we want to ensure that B.C. Ferries is sustainable, aff ordable, effi cient and, most importantly, there for generations to come. Now, we have seen rounds of consultations for the last three years. Th e B.C. Ferry Commissioner was out meeting with communities in 2011. The Ministry of Transportation was out and met with thousands of indi- viduals in 2012. In late 2013 there was yet another round of consultations. For the eight months that I have been the minister, I have met with many mayors. I have met with regional district chairs.

I have met with ferry advisory commit- tee chairs. I have met with small business owners. I have met with chamber representatives, and indeed, I have met with representatives of the tourism industry. We will continue to do so, because at the end of the day, we're go- ing to do everything we can, working with B.C. Ferries and ferry communities, to ensure that the ferry service is there for generations to come. [End of question period.] Tabling Documents L. Krog: I rise to table the notice of application I re- ferred to during question period. Leave granted. Orders of the Day Hon.

M. de Jong: I call continued debate on the throne speech. [1440] Th rone Speech Debate (continued) B. Routley: I must say that it's really great to be back and once again have an opportunity to speak out on be- half of the fi ne people who live in the Cowichan Valley. I want to focus today, the limited time that I have, on one throne speech item that's critically important to people in the Cowichan Valley, and that's the modern- ization of the century-old Water Act. Th is is an issue that is absolutely critical to a lot of my constituents, and we're very concerned about the future of our water and

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 17, 2014 1327 our watersheds. Hon. Speaker, did you know that without water you will start to die within 72 hours? We must have water. Without water, no food is grown, no energy is captured, no activity can be performed. We actually need water for life, yet we humans go around threatening our own life-giving water. Did you know, hon. Speaker, that in Canada on any given day of the year, public health authorities are re- porting more than 1,500 drinking water advisories that are enforced in communities throughout Canada? [D.

Horne in the chair.] In the Cowichan Valley we have serious concerns about the pollution of drinking water — contamination that is being rained down on us by this Liberal govern- ment, contamination delivered, ironically, by your own Ministry of Environment. Government has the authority to dump contaminated soil in the Shawnigan watershed. Th ey've given that authority. I see that some of that dumping has begun already, even though most people generally believe that water is a shared public asset, that water must be protected and managed for the public good.

And yet this Liberal gov- ernment has adopted a kind of global economic funda- mentalism. As stated in the throne speech, they intend to be fo- cused on getting to yes. Th ey are all about getting to a profi table yes, even if it means dumping contaminated soil in Shawnigan Lake's beautiful watershed. Th e Liberal yes, therefore, believes that community rights are not as important as profi t-taking as a principle — or even as a core value to this Liberal government. I believe this is totally unacceptable. Th is government has clearly ignored all of the positions taken by political parties.

Across the spectrum we were unanimous dur- ing the last election that we had no interest in seeing a dumping-of-contaminated-soil plan go ahead — in the beautiful Shawnigan Lake watershed of all things. Even the Liberal candidate said in this last election, "Not only is the site above a major aquifer that supplies drinking water; it is also right beside a stream that fl ows directly into the Shawnigan Lake. Th is is lunacy," he de- clared. He was right. Th ere's one Liberal, for sure, I can agree with. Absolutely right that it's lunacy, and it has begun.

All of the Cowichan Valley municipal groups that the CVRD represents, and those are communities all over the Cowichan Valley…. In fact, it goes beyond the bound- aries of the Cowichan Valley. [1445] Th e majority of the CVRD and the Shawnigan resi- dents were all ignored by this government, all treated as not as important as getting to yes. And yes for who? For one for-profi t company, South Island Aggregates. I'm not against business having the opportunity to get into business and do what they've been doing for years, and that's providing gravel.

But now they've been granted a permit, of all things, by this Ministry of Environment to dump up to fi ve million tonnes of contaminated soil over the next 50 years in the Shawnigan Lake watershed. It is quite simply a nightmare, the fact that this gov- ernment could actually condone and support a plan to dump tonne aft er tonne of contaminated toxic soil with chemicals in this soil like furans and dioxins — dioxins are a cancer-causing chemical — petroleum hydrocar- bons like benzene and styrene, just to name a few of the long list of contaminants approved to be dumped in the Shawnigan watershed.

Th is government says in the throne speech that they're going to modernize the Water Act, yet by their actions they seem to have no focus on protecting the waters so critical to the people of the Cowichan region and the Shawnigan Lake region specifi cally. What will happen to all of the toxic contaminants that are left on the truck tire treads? Has anybody thought about that?

Th is may ultimately be spreading poison- ous leachates throughout the trucking and transporta- tion corridors as they travel over and over again, in and out of the contaminated soil-dumping sites throughout the Shawnigan region, over the Malahat to Victoria and beyond. Th is is not far-fetched when all you have to do is drive to the little community of Y oubou. Look what happens when the logging trucks, which are busy exporting logs, drive through that community all summer long, all win- ter long. In the summer it's just dust clouds, and in the winter it's mud sometimes right up to people's ankles.

Actually, the company, to their credit, fi nally put in a truck wash to wash some of the trucks. Just think about this. We're going to have tonnes and tonnes of toxic chemical dumped in our watershed, and then they are going to be trucking it in and out and up and down the road with all of those great big truck tires dragging it all over the community and up and down the highways.

To add more concern to this matter, these contam- inants are to be brought into and dumped close to community wells and aquifers and right upstream to our pristine Shawnigan Lake, right in the very heart of our beautiful Shawnigan watershed. Th e residents have formed groups, such as the Shawnigan Residents Association, to try and stop this from happening. Th ey had to do fundraising, if you can imagine this, to pro- vide funds to try to protect themselves from the actions of their own government.

Even the Cowichan Valley regional district has tried to get this government to listen and to stop this from happening. To date, the wishes of all of the communities in the Cowichan Valley that I represent have been completely

British Columbia Debates1328 Monday, February 17, 2014 ignored. Government has clearly failed to act to protect the community interest when it comes to the water in Shawnigan Lake. Th ere is no Liberal action plan to allow communities to stop this kind of risk-taking behaviour with their community watershed. Y et I would remind the hon. Speaker that this gov- ernment talks about an earthquake plan, earthquake preparedness. What do they think is going to happen? How are we going to prepare, in the event that there's a catastrophic earthquake?

Everybody, all the scientists, are talking about how it's going to happen one day, and they're busy trucking up and down the road all this toxic chemical right into the Cowichan Valley. It's totally un- acceptable. Sadly, there's nothing in this throne speech that gives any hope that this government has any interest in these kinds of community concerns, and that, to me, is very disturbing and regrettable. Communities ought to have the right to stop individuals from profi t-taking when put- ting an entire community's water at risk. [1450] What about them impacting the community land val- ues?

Any of the Liberal ministers that are here, what would you think about your land values? Any of the Liberal min- isters that are here: what would you think about your land values and what would happen to them if they were mov- ing a toxic dump into your neighbourhood, eh? What would you think that would…? Th at's a very serious conse- quence indeed. Everybody else gets to have their property values decrease as a result of one profi t-taking, putting- the-community-at-risk kind of venture. Y ou look at the environmental and recreational oppor- tunities in the community. What are you going to start up?

Are you going to start up a canoeing or a kayaking venture right next to the toxic dump? I don't think so. I don't think too many people are going to be excited about setting up that kind of thing. I don't know. Is the Green political friend here? Are you going to want to make a special trip up and do a tour of the beautiful Cowichan Valley and have a look at the lilies and the fl owers that grow right next to the toxic chem- icals? I don't think so. Somehow I just don't think it's go- ing to happen. I would like to ask this government further. I would love to ask a question.

What do you think tomorrow's children would want to say to you about the incredible mess that you will have left behind for them? What do you think they would want to say to you if they could look you in the eye and take you by the hand up to this great big hole with 50 million tonnes of toxic chemicals, some kind of stew rolling around in their area? Y ou're going to tell them: "Oh, it's all very fi ne. We've made an incredible mess for you, but oh well, it's not in our backyard." It's not in the minister's backyard — no. Government should be able to….

Th ey should be busy enabling communities to defend themselves, to defend the sustainability and protection of their communities' water and watershed. Th is is important to communities. I don't think, other than a roof over your head, having the basic necessities of life, like water…. Th at is pretty serious, when you start threatening that. Th at's what this govern- ment has taken on. I don't understand how they don't get it. All of these people rallying and protesting. I guess they get so used to it and their hides get so thick that it just runs off like more contaminated soil. I don't know.

Th e government should be listening. Instead, we get this Liberal dump- and-run policy, an "it's not there in their backyard, so they just don't care" attitude. It's clear for all to see that this government's idea of moving ahead on this plan is to steamroll over any com- munity interest, no matter what the risk to the environ- ment or to the communities' most basic of all needs. All they want is a little pure water. Another great concern for the Cowichan Valley not addressed in this throne speech is the state of our world- class rivers, such as the Cowichan River, which is a Canadian heritage river.

In the fall of 2012 the water was so low in the river that Cowichan Tribes First Nations and other community groups had to bring fi sh upstream in dump trucks in a desperate attempt to help the survival rate of our wild salmon stocks. It was deemed the trap- and-truck strategy. Th ey even had a strategy, the trap- and-truck strategy, to haul fi sh upstream in dump trucks. Th e Liberal government, I would add, had refused to listen to the community concerns regarding the need to hold back a little water at the weir in Lake Cowichan.

We, in fact, ended up having a crisis in water levels that required this plan for rescuing fi sh. While I had com- municated my support to the minister…. I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss a page of this, so I'm just going to go back a little bit. [1455] What was incredible to me was that Cowichan Tribes, the mayors and Cowichan Valley regional district had all tried to talk to government in the spring of 2012.

We even had the mayors, and all these mayors knocked on the door and said: "Could we get MLA Routley out in the hall to talk to him?" Th ey were there with a member from Cowichan Tribes, and they said: "Lookit, we want the op- portunity to hold back a little water. Th ere's not enough snowpack. We're concerned at the low levels in the river at this juncture, and we want to just up…." It's like a ferry boat ramp, the weir is, and it just lift s up. Th ey would have been able to save back a little rainwater in the lake so that they could dispatch it later.

However, as a result of not listening, we ended up with this crisis in water levels that required this plan for rescuing fi sh. While I had communicated my support to the Minister of Forests…. All the community leaders and even myself as MLA had put forward political capital in the commun- ity. By that I mean…. All of you know, as politicians, that

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 17, 2014 1329 if you stand up and say, "Th is is my position," there are al- ways some folks, believe it or not, that are not unanimous in their thinking of what they would like to see happen. As far as I'm concerned, the issue became more of one…. All these mayors, First Nations, all unanimous — this was a no-brainer to me that it should be supported, so I supported them.

Th e issue in the end is about what was more important for the community: the survival of fi sh and the Cowichan Valley river habitat or where we would be moving deck chairs on the beach if we hold back water for the weir. I lived on Lake Cowichan. I lived in Marble Bay, had two hectares of land and it was all raked lowlands. I ac- tually had about 190 feet of waterfront. When the sum- mer…. When it went down, yeah, we liked it, because then we had more beachfront, and we got to move the deck chairs down the beach a little bit. But really, when it comes to preserving our wild salmon stocks….

To me, I don't understand those folks who were upset about hold- ing back a little water at the weir. In the end, what happened to the salmon was that the salmon were stuck there in Cowichan Bay in the big, deep pools right down in the bay. Th ey were sitting there as a breakfast, lunch and dinner buff et for the seals. Th e seals were even using one of the booming grounds as a kind of fl oating island to hang out on. Th at allowed them to stick nice and close by the salmon buff et. Now, this wasn't working out too well, though, for the salmon.

Th eir numbers were going down pretty dramat- ically and pretty quickly. Th at's when people decided we had to act. Th e fi sh and their future chance in the spawn- ing grounds were all at a very elevated risk because of the low water levels in the river. Th at brings me to the point that all of the Cowichan Valley community saw the problem; however, the prov- incial government — who actually had the power to act and to instruct the powers that be to hold back a little bit of water — chose not to do so.

I'm sure the minister has reasons, but I do fi nd it shocking to have all the mayors, the Cowichan Valley regional district chair, the MLA — everybody — stepping forward and saying, "Can we hold a little water back?" and it didn't happen. And then our worst fears were realized. Now, I want to illustrate the continuing frustration we feel in our communities regarding the government's lack of actually listening to the concerns of the community, whether it be Cowichan Tribes or the Shawnigan com- munity's concerns for the contamination of their water- shed.

All of this is only magnifi ed when you look at the position Cowichan Tribes have taken and shared with the community regarding their concerns and their rep- resentations to government on the upcoming Water Act modernization process. [1500] Please, if you do anything, just listen a little bit to what First Nations say in their submission to government re- garding the Cowichan River and all that it means to them: "Water is an integral part of the livelihood and existence of the Cowichan people. To us it is sacred.

We have relied on water since time immemorial, and we take on the responsibility to look aft er it with the objective of keeping it clean and pure. Our water is essen- tial to our cultural and spiritual needs, particularly related to trad- itional sources of food. Cowichan people have always fi shed and harvested from the rivers and the sea in our traditional territory." And they want to continue to do so. It was really striking. In fact, a lot of us just stopped for a moment. We were at a watershed conference just weeks ago with people from all over Canada, actually from all over the world.

All kinds of biologists and specialists and scientists who knew about water and watersheds were at this conference. Th e former chief of Cowichan Tribes, Lydia Hwitsum, really had everybody awestruck in her point that, real- ly, they had some very simple principles in mind. Th ey said at the watershed conference that they wanted one day to see the First Nations and Cowichan Tribes be able to harvest the seafood like the clams that were once abundant and once available in Cowichan Bay.

It's been closed since the 1970s as a result of pollution and fecal coliform levels being so high that they can't eat the con- taminated fi sh. It really was stunning to stop and think about what we have done to our water and to our watershed — that this chief had grown up as a little girl and remembers the day that they once used to be able to actually harvest the seafood. Th ey can't do it anymore, and she'd really like to live long enough to see a day where they could once again harvest the seafood.

"Th e current Water Act" — which was put in place back in 1909 — "is based on the colonialist approach of the time," they point out, "with First Nations' interests dismissed outright. Revamping or modernizing the Water Act is long overdue, and Cowichan Tribes want to express our concern that this process needs to be based on aboriginal rights and title to the water in our territory.

Th erefore we take the stand that this process needs to be based on 'duality of ownership' and that the province does not assume it has jurisdiction over water, nor is it the sole authority to delegate management of water in our territory." I pause there to make the point that it's interesting that back in 1909 they established some principles, the kind of fi rst in, fi rst rights principle that gave people continuing rights. Even today some of those rights have been sold and are treated as…. I mean, they are like gold to whoever had the rights to water, and water in areas….

It's unfortunate that the First Nations are claiming that even today there doesn't seem to be any rights of the duality of ownership for First Nations who live in areas that they've been assigned — "Water Issues in Cowichan Traditional Territory": "Cowichan people and culture have always been intimately con- nected to the watershed. Because of the placement of reserve lands by the federal government, most of us live in the fl oodplain of the Cowichan or Koksilah rivers." Well, that was convenient of them, eh? Th e feds thought that it was the right thing to do to give them the fl ood- plain.

British Columbia Debates1330 Monday, February 17, 2014 "Every year a large portion of the reserves are fl ooded and our members are forced to leave their homes. Much of this fl ooding is caused by unchecked activities in our watershed" — urbaniza- tion, poor logging practices. "Not only does the fl ooding aff ect our homes; it also further increases the contamination of our wells and our rivers. [1505] "Cowichan Tribes reserves have a total of 50 wells, including ten community wells. Th ere are boil-water advisories on approxi- mately 90 percent of these wells.

Clearly, Cowichan Tribes needs more control over activities in the watershed that aff ect our culture and the well-being of our communities." Cowichan Tribes apparently is currently in litiga- tion — I guess along with the teachers; they're in line for the courts — with the province over a water issue. "We took this step because the province was not listening to us" — oh, there's a familiar theme — "by way of many letters and phone calls, specifi cally with regard to issuing land tenure on Crown land for the access to a well.

Despite our pleas to not issue this tenure and the fact the Crown land is on the treaty table, the province denied our aboriginal rights and permitted tenure to the proponent. Cowichan Tribes is confronted with water issues now" — the pressure is on the resource in a very heavy way — "and we simply cannot wait for a stalled treaty process to accommodate our need to protect the sacred resource. "In 2004 Cowichan Tribes initiated a project to develop a strategic recovery plan for fi sh and aquatic resources within the Cowichan watershed, which includes the Cowichan and Koksilah rivers and the Cowichan estuary.

Th e Cowichan Recovery Plan was completed in 2005, and in 2007 the Cowichan basin water management plan was developed by a partnership consisting of Cowichan Tribes, the Cowichan Valley regional district, B.C. Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Catalyst Paper Corp." Th ey, by the way, have a large say in the river. Th ey have rights to almost a third of the water in the summertime. "Th e partnership resulted in the Cowichan Tribes–led Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable, which includes all the stakeholders from the Cowichan Valley interested in watershed management issues….

"Th e advisory board is a model for what is working with respect to water and watershed management in the Cowichan Valley. It is also a model for what will work as a future governance model under a modernized Water Act. "Cowichan Tribes has always had involvement in numerous restoration and stewardship activities.

Th is year our aboriginal fi sheries department is working to develop a 'vision document' for the purpose of clarifying the role that Cowichan wishes to take in rebuilding the Cowichan River chinook…." I might stop here and add that Cowichan Tribes are the largest First Nations group in British Columbia — the largest band, group of bands. Th ere are six major bands that are involved in Cowichan Tribes.

"At a recent community meeting Cowichan members were asked 'what was their "vision" for the watershed and its fi sheries.' Comments included Cowichan Tribes having more control over their traditional territory and greater power over decisions involv- ing development, land use, water quality and quantity. "Th e Cowichan community strongly expressed the desire to see a clean and healthy watershed in the future to allow for the preservation of spiritual and ceremonial uses as well as to provide access to clean and healthy food.

A Cowichan elder stressed the importance of protecting the watershed through partnerships and shared stewardship. Th e only way that this partnership can work is to begin dialogue around the duality of water ownership…. "As outlined in the opening caveat of this submission," we believe that "the process by which the Water Act is being modernized is fl awed. Th ere are also underlying assumptions that must be dis- cussed with First Nations." I see that the clock is running out, and I want to talk about the community, the CVRD.

Th e watershed put forward a group of recommendations which I'll be ex- pounding on later. One of them that's critical is the fundamental concern of the whole-of-watershed planning and management. Th ere is a serious concern that we're still going back, in the 1909 amendments, to the thinking that is outdated and antiquated in that we're not planning and managing on the basis of the entire watershed, or whole-of-water- shed planning and management. [1510] "We believe" — in Cowichan — "that the legislation is...fl awed because it does not empower whole-of-watershed management.

Although water sustainability plans would be allowed for, at its core the primary focus of the legislation continues to be water alloca- tion. We respectfully submit that in order to ensure adequate fl ows, good water quality, sustainable fi sh populations, other ecosystem services and a sustainable economy, we must plan and set clear objectives at the watershed…level." J. Y ap: I am honoured to take my place in this debate on the Speech from the Th rone. I appreciate the very passionate comments of my friend from Cowichan Valley. I was listening very care- fully, and I do appreciate….

I was listening for any alleg- ations of jiggery-pokery; there were none. He did focus a lot on a theme that obviously is very important to him and his constituents, and I look forward to his support for the water act when it comes forward to this House this session. I also heard the member talk about listening. He re- ferred to that a number of times in his presentation. Our government, this side of the House, listened carefully, and we provided a positive vision to British Columbians. In May of 2013 they responded and endorsed our vision for British Columbia.

I'd like to focus, in the time that I have, on the vision that is laid out in the throne speech, a speech which lays out our government's plans for the coming months. I will be speaking in enthusiastic sup- port of this vision and this throne speech. I fi rst of all want to make a series of thanks. I know all members share the same obligation that I do to people who work with us, who support us, who care for us. I have a list here, as other members do, to say thank you too.

I want to start out by thanking my constituency of- fi ce staff , Paige Robertson, Po-Wah Ng and Hagan Dietz- Rosales, who toil daily in my constituency offi ce and work to represent me and to help solve problems that constituents from time to time bring to our offi ce. I also want to thank the staff here in Victoria who work so hard for all members — in particular, my legislative as- sistant Janta Quigley, research staff Gurpreet Vinning and communications offi cer Monika Weatherly. Th ese are just some of the people that work so hard on our behalf. In my

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 17, 2014 1331 riding I have so many people that I really have to thank, but I will want to single out two in particular: my riding association president and vice-president, Ray Holme and Michael Chiu, for their great support and hard work and volunteerism on behalf of myself and our team. Last but not least, I certainly want to thank the people who are most important to me, my family — my wife, Suzanne, and my two adult children, Lisa and Michael, who I'm so proud of.

Th ey have given me their uncon- ditional support and love, and give me the strength to do the work that means something on behalf of the constituents of Richmond-Steveston and the people of British Columbia — the work that we do, not just here in Victoria in this House but in Richmond-Steveston and throughout the communities. [1515] My constituents expressed very clearly to me before and aft er May of 2013 what was truly important to them. As all of us were embarking on that grand undertak- ing of reaching out to the people of British Columbia, I heard at the doorstep….

When I went throughout my riding, I heard loud and clear that the people of my rid- ing, Richmond-Steveston, wanted a government to look aft er the economy. Th ey wanted a government to ensure that there were opportunities not just for themselves but for their chil- dren and their grandchildren. Th ese were clearly the comments, these were clearly the dreams, and these were clearly the requests of the people of Richmond-Steveston.

Going closely along with that, in addition to provid- ing the framework for great economic opportunities for British Columbians, the people of my riding wanted us to contain government spending, to keep government aff ordable for British Columbians. Th at was clearly what people were asking for. Th is government, this throne speech, lays out a plan that will deliver on these com- mitments. It's economic development that will provide the opportunities that will sustain communities, that will allow us to have the revenues as government to provide the needed public services that we all value.

My riding, Richmond-Steveston, includes a beautiful portion of our west coast. Richmond is a microcosm of the multicultural population that is our beloved province, British Columbia. Lots of activities happen in my riding that refl ect a pride in what we have and what we need to continue to work towards. I spoke earlier today on the desire of a number of my constituents to work towards achieving a designation of world heritage site for the vil- lage of Steveston. Th at's something that refl ects on how people feel about our community and the volunteerism, the real feeling of community and pride in what we have.

All of this ties back to the need for us to have a strong economy. B.C. is now leading the way in Canada. We have an enviable record of achievement. I mentioned government spending, keeping government aff ordable. As we know, B.C. is one of only two provinces — two provinces in Canada — that will achieve a balanced budget this fi scal year. Now, I know for some, including perhaps members on the other side, a balanced budget may not be, you know, the thing to talk about.

But when you think about the challenges that other provinces are facing, provinces that are struggling to control spending, provinces that are struggling to achieve what we have through the vision of our government, of our Minister of Finance, our Premier, members of the government side, we will achieve a bal- anced budget, and that will allow British Columbia to be well-positioned for a great economic future.

Part of this future involves reviewing regulations and laws that have been in place for some time, and the throne speech talked about the work that I had the priv- ilege of being involved in as Parliamentary Secretary for Liquor Reform. Th at work was a comprehensive review of the liquor laws and regulations that have been in place in British Columbia for many years. Th is was a comprehensive public engagement by gov- ernment that truly was unique. Th e website attracted over 76,000 visits. We received 3,500 e-mails, over 4,000 blog comments. People were engaged.

Whatever the topic, people were engaged on the aspect of looking at and modernizing liquor laws in British Columbia. I had the opportunity of travelling through regions of the province to meet with stakeholders on the entire spectrum of liquor policy. Th ere were 75 in-person stake- holder meetings and presentations.

As a result of this re- view, we came up with a series of recommendations, 73 in total, and a report that has been made public that will modernize liquor laws, regulations, in a balanced way, recognizing that while there are economic opportunities, opportunities for communities, there is also the impera- tive of balancing these opportunities with the social and health aspects of liquor reform. [1520] Th e reforms will support manufacturers: our wonder- ful wine-producing industry, our emerging craft beer industry and craft spirits throughout the province, and the hospitality sector and tourism, which touches virtu- ally the entire province — opportunities for continued economic development.

I'm proud that the government has accepted these recommendations to move British Columbia forward with modern liquor regulations to re- fl ect the lifestyles of British Columbians in today's world. Th e Speech from the Th rone is a blueprint, a blueprint for moving British Columbia forward. One of the crucial strategies laid out in the throne speech — which we've been focused on and which we'll continue to work on — is that great opportunity provided by liquefi ed natural gas, a new industry that will take advantage of the great natural gas assets of British Columbia.

It's an opportun- ity to create investment and jobs, jobs that will support communities throughout the province — not just in the areas where the industrial activity would take place dir-

British Columbia Debates1332 Monday, February 17, 2014 ectly, in the northeast

section of the province and on the north coast. Th is imminent development of a new liquefi ed natural gas industry will help all British Columbians continue to grow our economy. We've heard numbers. Th is is a gen- erational opportunity. While some will take potshots at the good work that's being done by our government and, in particular, the minister responsible for liquefi ed nat- ural gas, it is forecast that LNG development would add $1 trillion to GDP over the next generation. LNG would create 100,000 jobs for British Columbians over the next number of years.

Th is is a great opportunity to receive the kind of eco- nomic development and opportunities for tax revenues that will allow us to eventually retire the provincial debt. I mention that this is an opportunity for British Columbians throughout the province. Our government is working hard to ensure that there is opportunity for entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses, to have a chance to win some of the business throughout every aspect of the liquefi ed natural gas industry as it develops. Buy B.C.

Th at will be the mantra of our gov- ernment, to give B.C. companies — small and medium- sized companies — a chance to be suppliers to the LNG industry as it develops. One such company that is really looking forward to this is a company owned by a constituent of mine. Ari Burstein owns Marcon metal fabricators, a company that started from humble beginnings. It started in the mar- ine industry and diversifi ed into metal fabrication for transportation-sector assets. It's really looking forward.

Right now they employ 75 people and are already in discussions with potential major contractors that will de- velop some of the infrastructure for LNG. Th is company, owned by my constituent, will have an opportunity to bid on that business, and without a doubt, as this progresses, he will need to hire more employees — more job oppor- tunities for his company because of this LNG opportunity. Liquefi ed natural gas will also help address the eff ects of climate change. We know that the demand for lique- fi ed natural gas is drawn from our Asian trading partners — in particular, from China.

As we see the opportunity for our cleaner-burning liquefi ed natural gas being trans- ported to those parts of the world to displace other fossil fuels, this will have a positive impact on climate change. [1525] Th ere's no doubt this won't be easy. Nothing worth- while is easy to achieve. Th ere will be a lot of hard work that will need to be done. Again, the throne speech lays out a vision for us to work towards to achieve great things for British Columbia. We are an open trading economy here in British Columbia.

Th e throne speech talks about the great op- portunities for us to continue to build our economy by increasing trade opportunities. Our Premier has led four successful trade missions to Asia. Th ese trade missions have led to billions of dollars in new investments and op- portunities for our province. One of the major infrastructure assets for British Columbia and indeed Canada is YVR — Vancouver International Airport, located in Richmond. It's one of the most important employers and economic generators for Richmond, for my community.

As a gateway to British Columbia — as British Columbia is a gateway to Canada and, indeed, North America — it is so important for us to continue to build on those opportunities. Our Asia-Pacifi c priority strategies include developing and attracting more people with the kinds of skills that will help position B.C. as the premier destination to do business, to invest, to settle, to raise a family. As we work on achieving this vision, I can see that my community of Richmond is well positioned to continue to be a part of this great economic development that is British Columbia.

Th e throne speech lays out a great vision, but it also touches on a number of important issues that all of us support. Th e issue of ensuring that we recognize our shared history. I'm very pleased to hear the commitment in the throne speech to move forward soon with an apol- ogy to the people of British Columbia of Chinese herit- age, of which I'm one. Th is is a formal apology from this House that will address the fact that a couple of genera- tions ago life was diff erent. Life was diff erent, and people viewed the world diff erently.

Th ere was systematic dis- crimination against some groups, including Canadians of Chinese heritage. I'm proud of the fact that a lot of work has been done. I appreciate the work of the Minister of International Trade in working collaboratively with members of the opposition to bring forward a motion to this House that will clearly enunciate a formal apology from the province of British Columbia to the community for what had hap- pened all those years ago. As I conclude my comments, let me say this.

While we may have diff erences of opinion on how to approach problem-solving, I think we all agree, whichever side of the House that any member should sit, that we do live in a terrifi c part of the world here in British Columbia, in Canada. We have achieved so much together. British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places, a place in the world where you can come here, you can do business, raise a family. It's something that we can all be proud of. Th is throne speech lays out a vision that will ensure that with continued hard work, we will continue to make British Columbia the best place on earth. [1530] A.

Weaver: With the 2014 Speech from the Th rone, the British Columbia government has once again con- veyed its goal of creating jobs, controlling spending and building an economy that is not erected on the backs of

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 17, 2014 1333 future generations. Like the government, I, too, believe this is possible. In fact, I believe that the long-term economic prosperity of British Columbia will ultimately depend on us meeting this goal. It will depend on our ability to transition our economy to one that meets the needs of today without sacrifi cing the welfare of future generations. However, with this belief comes my assertion that we are not there, that there is more to be done — a lot more to be done. We need a vision coupled to a concrete plan of action to get us there.

In 2008 we had such a vision of this economy. It manifests itself along the climate action plan, and with its inception, we as a province set out on a new path. British Columbians led not only our country but our continent as we found innovative ways to begin the transition to a strong low-carbon economy. In 2008 we had a plan to transition ourselves to this economy, one that was grounded in evidence and ac- countable to clear, measurable targets. Th e goal was to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent below 2007 levels by 2020. We were on track to achieve this goal.

However, under the vision of the current throne speech, I'm afraid to say that we will certainly fail. When I respond to the budget, I'll elaborate on this concern in more detail. Today, however, I'd like to focus on the government's bold assertion that LNG develop- ment is "the greatest single step we can take to fi ght cli- mate change." According to the throne speech, LNG production could reduce China's emissions by over 90 megatonnes a year.

Leaving aside the fact that no credible international climate body would off er greenhouse gas reduction credits to a jurisdiction for producing green- house gases, let's still look at the overall numbers. In 2011 British Columbia emitted 62 megatonnes of carbon pollution. Our legislated goal is to reduce our emissions to 43 megatonnes by 2020 and to 13 mega- tonnes by 2050. If LNG is to decrease Chinese emissions by 90 megatonnes per year, we will have to produce it. What this means is that while China could decrease its emissions, we will certainly increase ours.

Th e ques- tion is: how much will our own emissions increase? And how will this aff ect our own provincially legislated cli- mate targets? Let's take a look at the numbers. According to the Pembina Institute, if we are to meet the government's rev- enue projections from LNG, we would need at least fi ve LNG plants. Th ese plants would emit roughly 73 mega- tonnes of carbon pollution per year. Th at's nearly double our 2020 target and more than fi ve times our 2050 target. What does this all mean?

It means that selling LNG to China so that it might decrease its carbon emissions means that we in B.C. will have no choice but to throw our own targets out the window. Forget the laws. Forget the rhetoric. Th e science says it's impossible. We will be throwing away the certainty of our own climate targets for the possibility of them meeting theirs. If we are to walk away from leadership, if we are to turn our backs on our climate targets and ignore the laws we set for ourselves, what does that say about our resolve in the face of adversity?

In 2008 we boldly committed to ad- dress one of the greatest challenges of our time. In 2014 it would seem we have boldly committed to perpetuate it, if not even accentuate it. Just this past week John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, was in Indonesia, where he described global warming as perhaps the most fearsome weapon of mass destruction. He further stated: "Terrorism, epidemics, poverty, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruc- tion — all challenges that know no borders.

Th e reality is that climate change ranks right up there with every single one of them." As Britain dealt with historical fl oods across its nation last week, the Guardian newspaper celebrated Valentine's Day with a front-page story by Sir Nicholas Stern, the esteemed economist. It was entitled: "Climate Change Is Here Now. It Could Lead to Global Confl ict.

Y et the Politicians Squabble." [1535] Floods in Calgary and Britain, record droughts in California and Vancouver Island, record-breaking heat and fi res in Australia, devastation in the Philippines from Typhoon Haiyan and in New Y ork from Hurricane Sandy — the list is growing, and the problem is getting more and more serious. I reiterate: yet the politicians squabble. Look around this chamber, and ask yourselves what you and your caucuses are doing to address this, the greatest challenge of our time. Are you cheerleaders for the fossil fuel industry and the B.C. LNG pipedream?

Are you so busy playing the game of gotcha politics that you've lost touch with the reason why you are here? Coming back to the LNG plan outlined in the throne speech, there's another issue. If we are to double down on LNG exports and consider them for their impact on reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, what about our other exports that increa se global greenhouse gas emissions? Will they be counted, as well, or will they be conveniently left out of the calculations? Let me off er just one specifi c example: thermal coal. Right now British Columbia exports 20 mega tonnes of thermal coal each year.

Th e vast majority of this coal is shipped in from the United States and Alberta and does not contribute to B.C. jobs the way metallurgical coal does here in our province. Washington, Oregon and California, our partners in the Pacifi c coast action plan on climate and energy, have so far said no to thermal coal exports. With their export limits in place, American producers are looking for new export ports, and so over the next two years we will see a 20-mega tonne increase in thermal coal exports through British Columbia.

Th at's a total of 40 mega tonnes of thermal coal each year, between the existing and the pro- posed expansion of exports.

British Columbia Debates1334 Monday, February 17, 2014 If we are to boast that LNG exports would be "the greatest single step we can take to fi ght climate change," that they would decrease, somehow, Chinese emissions by 90 megatonnes a year, then we must also consider how much our other exports increase global carbon emis- sions. If we look at reliable scientifi c estimates, the 40 mega tonnes of thermal coal we will be exporting will add over 100 megatonnes of carbon pollution to our atmos- phere each year.

Th e fact is that while we could possibly reduce Chinese emissions by 90 megatonnes, we will certainly increase emissions from coal exports to 100 megatonnes. Forget 90 megatonnes in savings. We will have just increased net emissions by ten megatonnes from coal exports alone. To be clear, I'm not suggesting we ban coal exports or in any way limit our metallurgical coal industry in British Columbia. I'm talking specifi cally about the ex- pansion of thermal coal exports that originate outside our province. When those are factored in, the numbers just don't add up.

I therefore stand today to introduce an amendment to the motion for an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Th rone. I do not introduce this amendment as a mat- ter of confi dence in the government.

I introduce it as a contribution to the debate about the consistency of the government's vision of an economy that does not un- necessarily burden future generations. [Be it resolved that the motion "We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, in session assembled, beg leave to thank Y our Honour for the gracious speech which your Honour has addressed to us at the opening of the present session," be amended by adding the following: "and that the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, recog- nizes that climate change is one of the greatest issues facing our Province and that this government's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is in consistent with the current ex- pansion of United States sourced thermal coal exports coming through British Columbia harbours, and therefore calls upon this government to follow the lead of our Pacifi c Coast Action Plan Partners, Washington, Oregon and Cali

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20140217pm-Hansard-v5n6
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20140217pm Hansard v5n6
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	83d37ab944d2cd5e2a0745df7e0635a9e86d681e

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