British Columbia Hansard — 26 February 2018, a.m., Issue 86 (41st Parliament, 3rd Session)

20180226am-Hansard-n86

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Third Session, 41st Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES (HANSARD) Monday, February 26, 2018 Morning Sitting Issue No. 86 THE HONOURABLE DARRYL PLECAS, SPEAKER ISSN 1499-2175

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Judith Guichon, OBC Third Session, 41st Parliament SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Darryl Plecas EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council............................................................................................................... Hon. John Horgan Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance............................................................................................................................Hon.

Carole James Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training..................................................................................................... Hon. Melanie Mark Minister of Agriculture.........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Attorney General.................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

David Eby, QC Minister of Children and Family Development............................................................................................................ Hon. Katrine Conroy Minister of State for Child Care......................................................................................................................................Hon. Katrina Chen Minister of Citizens’ Services.................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Minister of Education............................................................................................................................................................ Hon. Rob Fleming Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources...............................................................................................Hon. Michelle Mungall Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.............................................................................................Hon.

George Heyman Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development..............................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Minister of Health.....................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Adrian Dix Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon.

Scott Fraser Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology............................................................................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Minister of State for Trade...............................................................................................................................................Hon. George Chow Minister of Labour...................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Harry Bains Minister of Mental Health and Addictions............................................................................................................................ Hon. Judy Darcy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.................................................................................................................. Hon. Selina Robinson Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General........................................................................................................... Hon.

Mike Farnworth Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction..............................................................................................Hon. Shane Simpson Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.....................................................................................................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure................................................................................................................ Hon.

Claire Trevena LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition................................................................................................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Leader of the Third Party ....................................................................................................................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................................

Raj Chouhan Assistant Deputy Speaker................................................................................................................................................................... Linda Reid Deputy Chair, Commi ttee of the Whole................................................................................................................

Spencer Chandra Herbert Clerk of the Legislative Assembly ....................................................................................................................................................Craig James Deputy Clerk and Clerk of Commi ttees.................................................................................................................................

Kate Ryan-Lloyd Clerk Assistant — Commi ttees and Interparliamentary Relations ..........................................................................................Susan Sourial Sessional Law Clerk...............................................................................................................................................Loredana Catalli-Sonier, QC Sergeant-at-Arms ................................................................................................................................................................................. Gary Lenz

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Ashton, Dan (BC Liberal)........................................................................ Penticton Bains, Hon. Harry (NDP)...............................................................Surrey-Newton Barnett, Donna (BC Liberal)................................................... Cariboo-Chilcotin Beare, Hon. Lisa (NDP).............................................Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Begg, Garry (NDP) ..................................................................... Surrey-Guildford Bernier, Mike (BC Liberal).......................................................

Peace River South Bond, Shirley (BC Liberal)......................................... Prince George–Valemount Brar, Jagrup (NDP)..................................................................... Surrey-Fleetwood Cadieux, Stephanie (BC Liberal)....................................................... Surrey South Chandra Herbert, Spencer (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–West End Chen, Hon. Katrina (NDP).....................................................Burnaby-Lougheed Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ............................................................... Burnaby-Edmonds Chow, Hon.

George (NDP)............................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Clovechok, Doug (BC Liberal)................................ Columbia River–Revelstoke Coleman, Rich (BC Liberal)...............................................................Langley East Conroy, Hon. Katrine (NDP)......................................................... Kootenay West Darcy, Hon.

Judy (NDP) ............................................................New Westminster Davies, Dan (BC Liberal)..........................................................Peace River North de Jong, Michael, QC (BC Liberal)............................................ Abbotsford West Dean, Mitzi (NDP)...............................................................Esquimalt-Metchosin D’Eith, Bob (NDP) ...............................................................Maple Ridge–Mission Dix, Hon. Adrian (NDP)......................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Donaldson, Hon.

Doug (NDP).....................................................................Stikine Eby, Hon. David, QC (NDP).............................................Vancouver–Point Grey Elmore, Mable (NDP)....................................................... Vancouver-Kensington Farnworth, Hon. Mike (NDP) ...................................................... Port Coquitlam Fleming, Hon. Rob (NDP) .....................................................Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal)........................................................... Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Hon.

Scott (NDP) ................................................ Mid Island–Pacific Rim Furstenau, Sonia (BC Green Party) ........................................... Cowichan Valley Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal)................................................. Abbotsford-Mission Glumac, Rick (NDP)........................................................Port Moody–Coquitlam Heyman, Hon. George (NDP).............................................. Vancouver-Fairview Horgan, Hon. John (NDP) ...............................................

Langford–Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal).......................................................Surrey-Cloverdale Isaacs, Joan (BC Liberal).........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain James, Hon. Carole (NDP)...................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Johal, Jas (BC Liberal)...............................................

Richmond-Queensborough Kahlon, Ravi (NDP)..............................................................................Delta North Kang, Anne (NDP)..................................................................Burnaby–Deer Lake Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ..................................................................Nanaimo Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Shuswap Larson, Linda (BC Liberal).............................................Boundary-Similkameen Lee, Michael (BC Liberal)......................................................

Vancouver-Langara Leonard, Ronna-Rae (NDP) ....................................................Courtenay-Comox Letnick, Norm (B C Liberal)............................................Kelowna–Lake Country Ma, Bowinn (NDP)................................................... North Vancouver–Lonsdale Mark, Hon. Melanie (NDP) ..................................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Martin, John (BC Liberal)...................................................................... Chilliwack Milobar, Peter (BC Liberal)....................................

Kam loops–North Thompson Morris, Mike (BC Liberal)..........................................Prince George–Mackenzie Mungall, Hon. Michelle (NDP).................................................... Nelson-Creston Oakes, Coralee (BC Liberal)...........................................................Cariboo North Olsen, Adam (B C Green Party)........................... Saanich North and the Islands Paton, Ian (BC Liberal)......................................................................... Delta South Plecas, Hon.

Darryl (Ind.) ..........................................................Abbotsford South Polak, Mary (BC Liberal)............................................................................ Langley Popham, Hon. Lana (NDP)..............................................................Saanich South Ralston, Hon. Bruce (NDP) .......................................................... Surrey-Whalley Redies, Tracy (BC Liberal)..................................................... Surrey–White Rock Reid, Linda (BC Liberal)................................................

Richmond South Centre Rice, Jennifer (NDP) ............................................................................ North Coast Robinson, Hon. Selina (NDP) ....................................... Coquitlam-Maillardville Ross, Ellis (BC Liberal)..................................................................................Skeena Routledge, Janet (NDP) .................................................................. Burnaby North Routley, Doug (NDP) ................................................Nanaimo–North Cowichan Rustad, John (BC Liberal)..............................................................

Nechako Lakes Shypitka, Tom (B C Liberal).............................................................Kootenay East Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ........................................Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Hon. Shane (NDP)................................................ Vancouver-Hastings Sims, Hon.

Jinny (NDP) .............................................................Surrey-Panorama Singh, Rachna (NDP) ........................................................Surrey–Green Timbers Stilwell, Michelle (BC Liberal)..............................................Parksville-Qualicum Stone, Todd (BC Liberal)........................................

Kam loops–South Thompson Sturdy, Jordan (BC Liberal).......................................West Vancouver–Sea to Sky Sullivan, Sam (B C Liberal)...............................................Vancouver–False Creek Sultan, Ralph (BC Liberal)......................................... West Vancouver–Capilano Tegart, Jackie (BC Liberal)................................................................ Fraser-Nicola Thomson, Steve (BC Liberal).....................................................Kelowna-Mission Thornthwaite, Jane (BC Liberal).............................

North Vancouver–Seymour Throness, Laurie (BC Liberal)..................................................... Chilliwack-Kent Trevena, Hon. Claire (NDP) .............................................................. North Island Wat, Teresa (BC Liberal)................................................Richmond North Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (BC Green Party) ......................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wilkinson, Andrew, QC (BC Liberal).............................. Vancouver-Quilchena Yap, John (BC Liberal)..........................................................

Richmond-Steveston Vacant..................................................................................................Kelowna West LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ..........................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Hon. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West.................................................................... Michael de Jong, QC Boundary-Similkameen.....................................................................

Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ...............................................................................Anne Kang Burnaby-Edmonds ..............................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed................................................................... Hon. Katrina Chen Burnaby North................................................................................

Janet Routledge Cariboo-Chilcotin............................................................................Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................................. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack.............................................................................................. John Martin Chilliwack-Kent..............................................................................Laurie Throness Columbia River–Revelstoke........................................................

Doug Clovechok Coquitlam–Burke Mountain................................................................. Joan Isaacs Coquitlam-Maillardville..................................................... Hon. Selina Robinson Courtenay-Comox ................................................................. Ronna-Rae Leonard Cowichan Valley............................................................................

Sonia Furstenau Delta North ...........................................................................................Ravi Kahlon Delta South.................................................................................................Ian Paton Esquimalt-Metchosin.............................................................................Mitzi Dean Fraser-Nicola........................................................................................

Jackie Tegart Kam loops–North Thompson............................................................Peter Milobar Kam loops–South Thompson ................................................................Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country....................................................................Norm L etnick Kelowna-Mission.............................................................................

Steve Thomson Kelowna West..................................................................................................Vacant Kootenay East.....................................................................................Tom Shypitka Kootenay West...................................................................... Hon. Katrine Conroy Langford–Juan de Fuca............................................................. Hon. John Horgan Langley....................................................................................................

Mary Polak Langley East.......................................................................................Rich Coleman Maple Ridge–Mission ............................................................................ Bob D’Eith Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ..........................................................Hon. Lisa Beare Mid Island–Pacific Rim .............................................................. Hon. Scott Fraser Nanaimo...............................................................................

Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan.............................................................. Doug Routley Nechako Lakes...................................................................................... John Rustad Nelson-Creston.................................................................. Hon. Michelle Mungall New Westminster......................................................................... Hon. Judy Darcy North Coast..........................................................................................

Jennifer Rice North Island............................................................................ Hon. Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale................................................................. Bowinn Ma North Vancouver–Seymour......................................................Jane Thornthwaite Oak Bay–Gordon Head..........................................................Dr. Andrew Weaver Parksville-Qualicum .....................................................................Michelle Stilwell Peace River North..................................................................................

Dan Davies Peace River South............................................................................... Mike Bernier Penticton................................................................................................ Dan Ashton Port Coquitlam .................................................................... Hon. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Coquitlam .....................................................................Rick Glumac Powell River–Sunshine Coast.....................................................

Nicholas Simons Prince George–Mackenzie..................................................................Mike Morris Prince George–Valemount.................................................................Shirley Bond Richmond North Centre ........................................................................Teresa Wat Richmond-Queensborough.......................................................................Jas Johal Richmond South Centre........................................................................

Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston.................................................................................. John Yap Saanich North and the Islands............................................................Adam Olsen Saanich South............................................................................Hon. Lana Popham Shuswap .................................................................................................... Greg Kyllo Skeena.........................................................................................................

Ellis Ross Stikine ..................................................................................Hon. Doug Donaldson Surrey-Cloverdale...............................................................................

Marvin Hunt Surrey-Fleetwood...................................................................................Jagrup Brar Surrey–Green Timbers ......................................................................Rachna Singh Surrey-Guildford....................................................................................Garry Begg Surrey-Newton.............................................................................Hon. Harry Bains Surrey-Panorama........................................................................... Hon.

Jinny Sims Surrey South...............................................................................Stephanie Cadieux Surrey-Whalley........................................................................ Hon. Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock............................................................................. Tracy Redies Vancouver-Fairview ............................................................ Hon. George Heyman Vancouver–False Creek.......................................................................

Sam Sullivan Vancouver-Fraserview .............................................................Hon. George Chow Vancouver-Hastings.............................................................. Hon. Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington ..................................................................... Mable Elmore Vancouver-Kingsway ................................................................... Hon. Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara.............................................................................. Michael Lee Vancouver–Mount Pleasant................................................... Hon.

Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey...........................................................Hon. David Eby, QC Vancouver-Quilchena......................................................Andrew Wilkinson, QC Vancouver–West End....................................................Spencer Chandra Herbert Vernon-Monashee...................................................................................Eric Foster Victoria–Beacon Hill................................................................ Hon. Carole James Victoria–Swan Lake .................................................................. Hon.

Rob Fleming West Vancouver–Capilano................................................................. Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Sea to Sky ..............................................................Jordan Sturdy Party Standings: NDP 41; BC Liberal 41; BC Green Party 3; Independent 1; Vacant 1

CONTENTS Monday, February 26, 2018 Morning Sitting Page Routine Business Motions Without Notice......................................................................................................................................................... 2851 Powers and role of Finance Commi ttee Powers and role of Public Accounts Commi ttee Hon. M. Farnworth Orders of the Day Private Members’ Statements................................................................................................................................................. 2851 Chambers of comm erce C. Oakes N.

Simons The importance of the creative industries in B.C. B. D’Eith J. Thornthwaite Competitiveness G. Kyllo D. Routley The economic benefits of affordable child care M. Dean L. Throness Private Members’ Motions ..................................................................................................................................................... 2860 Motion 2 — Support for agriculture industry I. Paton J. Rice D. Barnett R. Kahlon E. Ross B. Ma P. Milobar J. Brar D. Davies R. Singh D. Ashton

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018 The House met at 10:04 a.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Prayers. [10:05 a.m.] Hon. M. Farnworth:I have a couple of motions that I know the officialopposition and the Third Party are familiar with. I’lldispense with reading the wholemotions, butI will give them to the table. Motions Without Notice POWERS AND ROLE OF FINANCE COMMITTEE Hon. M. Farnworth:By leave, I move: [That the Select Standing Commi ttee on Finance and Government Services be empowered: 1. To examine, inquire into and make recomm endations with respect to the budgetconsultation paperprepared by the Ministerof Finance in accordance with

section 2 of the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act, S.B.C. 2000, c. 23, and, in particular, to:

a) Conduct public consultations across British Columbia on proposals and recomm endations regarding the provincialbudgetand fiscalpolicy for the coming fiscalyear by any means the commi ttee considers appropriate;

b) Prepare areportno laterthan November15, 2018, on the resultsof those consultations; and 2. (a)To considerand make recomm endations on the annualreports, rollingthree-yearserviceplans and budgetsof the followingstatutory officers: (

i) Auditor General (ii) Chief Electoral Officer (iii) Conflict of Interest Commi ssioner (iv) Information and Privacy Commi ssioner (

v) Merit Commi ssioner (vi) Ombudsperson (vii) Police Complaint Commi ssioner (viii) Representative for Children and Youth; and (

b) To examine, inquire into and make recomm endations with respectto othermatters broughtto the commi ttee’s attention by any of the Officers listed in 2 (

a) above. 3. To be the commi ttee referred to in sections 19, 20, 21 and 23 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2, and thatthe performance reportin

section 22 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2, be referred to the commi ttee. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Commi ttee on Finance and Government Services, the commi ttee shall be empowered: (

a) to appoint of theirnumber one or more subcommi ttees and to refer to such subcommi ttees any of the matters referred to the commi ttee and to delegate to the subcommi ttee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House; (

b) to sitduring aperiod in which the House is adjourned, during the recess afterprorogation untilthe nextfollowing Session and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from p lace to place as may be convenient; and (

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the commi ttee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the nextfollowing Session, as the case may be; to depositthe originalof itsreportswith the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournmentand upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reportsto the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved. POWERS AND ROLE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE Hon. M. Farnworth:By leave, I move: [1.

That all reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia transmitted to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly be deemed referred to the SelectStanding Commi ttee on PublicAccounts,with the exception of the report referred to in

section 22 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2, which is referred to the SelectStanding Commi ttee on Finance and Government Services; and, 2. That the Select Standing Commi ttee on PublicAccounts be the commi ttee referred to in sections 6, 7, 10, 13 and 14 of the Auditor General Act, S.B.C. 2003, c. 2. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Commi ttee on Public Accounts, the commi ttee be empowered:

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommi ttees and to referto such subcommi ttees any of the matters referred to the commi ttee and to delegate to the subcommi ttee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

b) to sitduring a period in which the House is adjourned, during the recess after prorogation until the nextfollowing Session and during any sitting of the House;

c) to adjourn from p lace to place as may be convenient; and

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the commi ttee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the nextfollowing Session, as the case may be; to depositthe originalof itsreportswith the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournmentand upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reportsto the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved. Orders of the Day Private Members’ Statements CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE C. Oakes:Ittruly is my delightand honourtoday to talk.

I rise today in the House to recognize the B.C. chambers of comm erceand to recognizethe extraordinary commi tments thatchambers of comm erce provide to comm unities across the province. Those who sitin this House are those who understand the 2851

importanceof chambers in each of the comm unities,butit’s the peopleand the businesses thatreally powerthe economy of our province. It is in recognition and admiration of the driving force that I rise today. I have stood in the House multipletimes to defend and talk about our dynamic small-business and medium-sized-business comm unities, but I would like to take a moment to celebrate the people that assemble them. If anyone is following athome, I recomm end thatyou fol- low #pplwhopowerbc, which has a greatconversation going aboutthe importanceof smallbusinesses thatis being led by the chamber of comm erce. [L.

Reid in the chair.] The B.C. Chamber of Comm erce consists of more than 125 chambers of comm erce and boards of tradeand over 36,000 businesses. The most spectacular thing about the B.C. Chamber of Comm erce sector is that the businesses they representare as diverse as the citizens thatthey serve. Every size, sector and region of the province is represented withinthe chamber, whichshinesthroughin how innovative and experienced they have proven to be.

Throughouthistory, localchambers have even functioned as municipal governments— such as the one I’m from in Quesnel that started in 1910 — and, if they were called by theircomm unity, stepped up to provide whateverthe needs of the comm unity would be. One time when I was with the chamber of comm erce, I even organized a rodeo on behalf of the chamber of com- merce — so a very diverse group indeed. Throughout my tenure as the Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction, I worked directly and constantly with the small and local business sector.

British Columbia has the greatestnumberof smallbusi- nesses percapitain Canada.In fact,95 percentof businesses in our province are small. We determine small businesses in the province to be 50 and under employees. That’s an importantpiece of the referencing thatwe use when we do the analysis. I was able to see the many ways in which a city can clusteritselfaround business proudly, and the many ways in which a good business can be part of a comm unity. [10:10 a.m.] I profoundly believe that the power of a business extends infinitely beyond itscomm erce and can becom e a part of history or a promise of the future.

Healthy busi- nesses are able to support those around them, and they rely on the peoplein this House as wellas the cham berto support them in flourishing. Itis partly because of my time working withinthe organ- ization that I can stand here today and so gratefully thank them for the work that they do, and truly understand the commi tmentthatthey have made. I know firsthand how its people and all of their spectacular needs and ideas com- mand the direction of ourgreatprovince.

So I’m delighted to reflecton my time working directly with the chambers of comm erce, having seen firsthand how truly they respond to the comm unities and businesses they serve. There is agreatarticlecurrently thatis in the B.C. Business Magazine, in partnership with the B.C. Chamber of Com- merce, which talks abouttwo economies and one province. Often, we talk aboutruraland urban divide and whatthose differencesare. Itwas a greatexampleof how businesses in ruralcomm unities are supporting businesses in urban.

Itis one great province, and we need to ensure that we move forward, that we support that idea that we allstand as one province. I know I’ll have an opportunity to respond a little, but I wouldlike to use a few seconds to talk about some of my mentors. I spent14 years as a chamberexecutive withinthe chamberof comm erce, and this was aweek where I saw two very close friends decide to make changes. Claudia Blair, 32 years with the Williams Lake chamber of comm erce, and Patty Morgan, ten years with the Quesnel chamber of comm erce, are making changes. I wish them so much luck and success.

They’ve been true friends, true mentors, and I’m incredibly proud to call them friends. N. Simons: I really appreciate the comm ents from the member for Cariboo North. She speaks very eloquently aboutherrelationship with the chamberand the importance of the chamber in all our comm unities. I happen to representa constituency thathas five cham- bers of comm erce — the Gibsons and DistrictChamberof Comm erce, the Sechelt chamber of comm erce, the Pender Harbour and District Chamber of Comm erce, the Texada Island Chamberof Comm erceand the PowellRiverCham- ber of Comm erce.

I count among many of theirmembers, friends, and I respectand value the work thatthey do, not just on behalf of the businesses that they represent but on behalf of the families that own these businesses. We recognize that the chambers are a part of our com- munity justas much as the members of those chambers are part of our comm unity. When we think about the import- anceof the chamber, we think abouttheiradvocacy work for each other, fortheirplacein the comm unity and, as well, for the province.

The chamberoften makes recomm endations as a body to provincialorganizations, provincialgovernments,on recom- mending policy direction, emphasizing certain issues and policy directions. I think that it’s important for us to heed some of those recomm endations. I think, for a long time, the members of the chambers of comm erce in my constituency have been talking about important issues, and they often centre around taxation. They centre around regulation.

Butthey also address issues thatI think willmake many in the chambers pleased withthe decisions thatwe’ve madearound childcare, around educa- tion, around transportation. I think that we often forget….Or we don’t often forget. We don’talways think aboutthe factthatthese smallbusi- nesses are made up of moms and dads and grandparents 2852 British Columbia Debates Monday, February 26, 2018

and kids — people who rely on the services that govern- mentsprovide and, in fact, assist governmentsin ensuring that policies reflect their needs. I’m pleased thatI have an opportunity to thank and recog- nize the chambers and allthe peoplewho do so much good work forthe businessesin theircomm unitiesand, in fact,for the province.

I’m always pleased to have an opportunity to address the chamber of comm erce. [10:15 a.m.] The chamberof comm erce on Texada Island is nota big chamber, but I think almost every business shows up for theirdinnermeetings,and there’s often alotof good discus- sion around important issues. One issue that is raised at every chamber of comm erce meeting that I’ve attended is ferries. Our transportation infrastructure is essential, and it’s importantthattheirvoice be heard by government when policiesare being made around our transportation infrastructure systems.

I believe thatthe memberfor Cariboo North is speaking genuinely aboutan importantorganization in ourprovince, one that provides us a lot of good and important service. I’d like to echo hercomm entsabouttheirimportance, and I hope we continue to have a very good working relationship with our chambers of comm erce. Thank you very much. C. Oakes: Thank you to the member opposite for your words of support.

I think we often forgetaboutthe directors and the volun- teers thatstep up forthe many organizations and commi ttees thatchambers of comm erce have to formulate, whetherit’s policy or whether it’s work that’s being done on behalf of theircomm unity. They contribute, as the memberopposite said, these mom-and-pop businesses who’ve been in our comm unities, many for multiplegenerations. They step up. They volunteerto make sure thatwhateverneeds to happen in the comm unity, they’re responsible and able to take that. In my time working with the chambers of comm erce movement for 14 years….

Some items that the member opposite did recognize: the greatneed for infrastructure…. We talked a littlebit earlierabout two economies and one province, how critically important it is to considerinfra- structure as part of that whole conversation. It’s greatto have resources.It’s greatto have ability up in northern partsof the province to be ableto supply — the value supply chain down in urban comm unities — but it’s importantthatroadinfrastructure is in place. Thingslike the Cariboo connector — critically important. Side-road pro- grams. Allcritically importantto making sure infrastructure happens. Connectivity.

Connectivity is something that we worked on federally as wellas with the province for multipleyears. It’s one thing to change ourdynamic of going with techno- logy, so critically important for growing businesses across the province. Yetwhen you look at a lot of the rural com- munities, we still do not have that level of connectivity. I think it’s a real opportunity. Chambers of comm erce have worked on that for a number of years. I really hope they’ll continue and be successful with that, because that really does drive competitiveness in our comm unities.

We’ll talk a littlelater about the creative economy, but I think back to chambers of comm erceand allof theirengage- ment that they’ve had in comm unities, how critically importantthatthey’ve risen and championed differentpro- jects in their comm unity that are so important. Finally — I know my time is running out— how can we forgetaboutthe importanceof advocating to make sure that smallbusinessescan remain competitive? Chambers of com- merceare alwayson the forefrontof that,lookingattaxation, looking athow we can make sure things are truly competit- ive across the province.

Now it’s not just across Canada that we have to look at. When we look atthe United States and the competitiveness that they’re putting forward, it’s truly important for us to capture that lens on how we need to make sure we’re sup- porting our small businesses here in British Columbia so that they can remain that 95 percent of our businesses — strong, vibrant and commi tting to supporting our com- munities. Again, I wantto acknowledge the chambers of comm erce and the work that they do on the ground every day, and the chamberexecutives, managers. I mentioned Claudiaand Patty.

Thank you to allexecutives for the work you do, and their boards. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN B.C. B. D’Eith:Today I’m goingto be talkingaboutthe import- anceof the creative industriesin British Columbia.I’ve actu- ally worked in the creative industriesfor28 years, and I nev- er gettired of hearing about the successes of the dynamic and growing industriesthatmake up the creative industries. I speak with pride— I really do— abouthow importantthe creative industriesare in ourprovinceand how they contrib- ute product all over the world.

It’s kind of fun for everyone to be ableto see our local sitesand setswhen they see internationalblockbustershows. I justwanted to think aboutsome of the shows and the cre- ative industry that’s happened here. [10:20 a.m.] We think of shows like The 100, Arrow, Bates Motel, Battle Star Galactica. We allrememberthe X Files, how important thatwas. Once Upon a Time — a lotof ourkids watch that — Smallville and, recently, The Good Doctor. They’re allgreat television shows, and there are so many more.

Films like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The Hurt Locker and, of course, Deadpool are bigfilms thatwere filmed here and oth- er locations. In animation, we have Atomic Cartoons: Beat Bugs, Max and Ruby. Bardel animation has officesin Vancouver and Kelowna, which is great. They worked on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Puss in Boots, Angry Birds Blues. Digitalcom- Monday, February 26, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2853

panies.HotheadGames’ On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Dark- ness, Boom Soccer and the Big Win NHL. Of course, Relic Entertainment has Homeworld, Warhammer, Company of Heroes. And the wonderfulElectronicArtsand the campus they have in Burnaby, with FIFA soccer, NHL, UFC, Plants vs. Zombies and Need for Speed. Now, I cam e through the music industry. That’s where I was. I’m extremely proud of our B.C. music industry. We have som e of the top companies in the world, like Bruce Allen Talent and S.L.

Feldman and Associates, Nettwerk Music,604 Records, to nam e afew; and huge international artistslike Bryan Adam s and MichaelBublé, who’s actually going to be hosting the Juno Awards in Vancouver, which is a wonderful thing that’s going to be happening soon, bringing a huge economic benefit to the region. Diana Krall, Sarah McLachlan, Nickelback, to nam e just a few. Som e up-and-coming artists like Dan Mangan, for example, or Motheror Dear Rouge, who I really hope will be international success stories.

We also have am azing jewels like the Vancouver Sym- phony Orchestra or the festivals, like the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. These are all world-class pro- ductions. We have a thriving book and magazine publishing industry, with Douglas and McIntyre, Greystone Books, Hancock House, Harbour Publishing, Orca Book publish- ing. We have magazines like Vancouver Magazine, K and Pacific Rim. These are all just to name a few examples.

When we see allthese examples,we’re actually looking atfourbroadareas of output:the m otion picture industry, the musicand sound recording industry, internationaland digital m edia, and book and m agazine publishing. These sectors actually support m ore than 90,000-p lus workers, plus thousands of m ore part-time and contractors, in all four sectors. A lot of these jobs are green jobs, and the m ajority are high-paying. Now, if we look at all of this together, we’re looking at about$5.23 billion in economic contribution peryear from the creative industries.

That’s $2.3 billion from the interact- ive and digital media. That’s actually key to the B.C. tech cluster. We’ve actually experienced some of the highestrev- enuegrowth in Canadain this sector. And $2.6 billion in the motion picture industry, $400 million in the sound record- ing industry and $28 million in the book and magazine pub- lishing sector. Breaking this down into some of the sectors, the motion picture industry in British Columbia is actually the third- largestmotion picture hub in North America.

We have one provincial and eight regional film offices covering British Columbia, and we have 35 municipalfilm officesacross the Lower Mainland. Actually, 62 percent of Canada’s foreign location serviceis done in British Columbia.Itsupports100 plus domestic film and television productions. We actually have, forthe visualeffects,the world’s largest visualeffectscluster, with 80-plus visualeffectsand anima- tion studiosacross British Columbia.They’ve actually seen a 10 percentliftin salariesfornew grads in 2017. That’s 60,870 jobs.

We expectanother10,500 jobs before 2025, and 7,000 of these will be because of expansion. We’re really, really excited about that. That’s $2.6 billion. Musicand sound recording — it’s the third-largestcentre in Canada.We have about1,200 artistsand 6,400 musicians, singers and conductors; 285 music companies; over 200 music festivals; 165 music studios.That’s about 6,400 jobs, generating $400million. As faras the interactive and digitalmediaside, we have an amazing story. We have 1,150 creative tech companies that generate $2.3 billion in annualsales.We have 5,900 FTEs. It’s amazing.

That’s 16,500 jobs generating $2.3 billion. [10:25 a.m.] With book and magazine publishing, there are 200 busi- nesses, and we actually do 23 percent of the magazines in Canada. That’s 6,700 jobs. The book publishing sector sup- ports jobs for publishers and writers, printers, illustrators, designers, editors and retailers. So we’re very excited about the $28 million contribution that they make. To conclude, the creative industriesare an importantpart of B.C.’s diverse economy. These industries create green, high-paying jobs and also ensure thatB.C. is participating in the exploding globalcreative economy.

That’s 90,000 work- ers plus, generating over$5 billion perannum in economic contribution. That seems pretty important to me. J. Thornthwaite: I rise today to respond to the members opposite. Thank you very much foryoursupportforthe cre- ative industries. The creative industriesare akey partof oureconomy, par- ticularly in my own riding and the entire North Shore. The film industry employs 8,000 directjobs on the North Shore alone, and those are directjobs. Thatdoesn’tincludethe con- struction, the hotels, the restaurants, the parking — all of these indirectjobs.

So alotof peopleon the North Shore rely on the film industry, in particular, for their employment. British Columbia is one of the ten mostfilmed locations in the world, and the University of British Columbia,in par- ticular, is the ninth mostfilmed location in the world. Brit- ish Columbiais now the leadingprovinceforemploymentin Canadian film and television production. Ourprovincegen- erated $504 million in television production lastyear, which is a 41 percent increase since 2007. B.C.’s film industry production has seen a 40 percent increase in job growth, year afteryear, to over60,000 jobs.

Canadian television production from producers based in British Columbia increased by 26 percent, to $504 million. British Columbia now produces36 percentof the totalfilm and television in all of Canada, surpassing Ontario for the very first time this year. Also, this yearthe volume of theatricalfeature films made by producers based in British Columbia increased by 92.7 percent,to $79 million. Probably the highlightof these was Star Trek Beyond. According to the motion picture produc- tion association of Canada, more than 3,900 British 2854 British Columbia Debates Monday, February 26, 2018

Columbians helped bring Star Trek Beyond from the green screen to the bigscreen. That’s almost4,000 jobs on one pro- duction alone. Overthe course of 78 days of filming in Brit- ish Columbia,the production contributed $69 million to the province’s economy, including over$40 million to hire aloc- al cast, crew and extras. I recently attended the Digital Media Academy’s sixth annualexpo on Saturday, February 17, at ArgyleSecond- ary, in my riding.

It was their largest expo to date, with new exhibitors this year, including Industrial Light and Magic, Sony Im ageworks, EA Sports, Work B.C., Find Your Fit and Virtro Entertainment — virtual, augm ented and mixed reality. The digitalmediayouth expo is hosted by the North Van- couver school district’s Digital Media Academy under the direction of Murray Bulger, avery talented teacheratArgyle Secondary. The youthexpo is aplaceto learn aboutthe many educationaland employmentopportunities availablein the digital media industry.

It’s where students, parents, famil- ies, teachers and the comm unity can meetwith represent- atives from many LowerMainland post-secondary schools, localand globalorganizations, artists,studiosinvolved in all aspects of digital media. Attending were representatives in virtual reality, visual effects, animation, film, sound, photography, web design, game design, along with a host of other realms — all in North Vancouver. As you can see, the film industry is key to ourprovincial economy.

Itis a vitalpartof many differentindustries, and itemploys tens of thousands of British Columbians and con- tributesbillions to oureconomy. I hope thatthis government continues to support and nurture the industry as much as ours did, foritis truly one of the mostadvanced and cutting- edge film industries of any in the world. B. D’Eith:I want to thank the member for North Van- couver–Seymour. We dealt,on many occasions, in the creat- ive sector, and I appreciate allthe work thatshe’s done in this area.

I agree thatit’s importantthatwe continue to support and nurture the creative industries. [10:30 a.m.] I’d justlike to shoutoutto some of the amazing organiz- ations thatactually help supportthe creative industries, like MPPIA and CMPA in the film industry, MusicB.C., DigiBC, the Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia and the Magazine Association of British Columbia. Allof these now are actually supported underone roof, whichis Creative B.C. That is a pan-sectoral support service now, which is wonderful.

UnderCreative B.C., there are the regionalfilm commi s- sioners, the industry sponsorships and initiatives, project development,the interactive fund, Passportto Markets,and tradeand investment. They also have the B.C. music fund, which launched in 2016. It provides $15 million over two years to the music industry, supporting eight programs. Of course, there are the tax creditsthat are very helpful in sustaining many of the creative industries.These taxcred- itsactually supportthe very strong labourbase thatwe have in the creative industries, particularly in film, television and digital.

We have the production servicestax credit and the Film Incentive B.C. tax credit. These are very important. I’m very pleased, actually, to buildon the work that’s been done. Scriptwriters are now actually going to be included, as of Budget2018. It’s really greatin terms of building the local talent,in terms of ourown local, homegrown creators, which is really important. There’s also the interactive digital media tax credit, and that’s also been extended for five years in this latestbudget. Also, we saw the book publishers tax credit. That was also extended for three years under this budget.

The other really important part for support is training. Without training, it’s very difficult to support the creative industries.There’s the North Island College pilotprojectthat was done to make sure we can train outsideof the Lower Mainland. There’s Capilano University, Emily Carr, the Van- couver Film School and the Centre for Digital Media. Supporting the $5.23 billion creative industries through training, tax creditsand programs is criticalfor the coming years. I’m pleased to see the $15 million increase to the Arts Council and $3 million in Budget 2018 for Creative B.C.

The creative industriescontribute to the B.C. economy. It’s undeniablewhatthese industriescontribute, and we need to ensure thatthese industrieshelp us to remain diverse in our economy and to contribute to the global creative economy. COMPETITIVENESS G. Kyllo: Itis truly my pleasure to rise and speak today about som ething that British Columbians shouldbe very concerned about:ourdom estic and internationalcompet- itiveness. It’s no secretthattaxstructures greatly influencethe com- petitiveness of a jurisdiction and are an importantdeterm- inate of economic growth.

Competitive tax rates can serve to foster economic growth in a varying number of ways, including helping to attract international business invest- ment and incentivizing existing businesses to invest in product development and new equipment to improve pro- ductivity. Additionally, competitive taxratesmake B.C. busi- nesses more competitive in an increasingly globaleconomy, betterenabling them to compete successfully in internation- al markets.

Like many of the members here today, I represent a vibrantcomm unity, whose success was builtlargely by dar- ing entrepreneurs who found the lakes of the Shuswap to be an idyllic backdrop for their business ventures. Ithas been said time and time again, by m embers from both sides of the House, thatbusinesses are the backbone of oureconomy, butrightnow localbusinesses are caught between the proverbialrock and ahard place. Government m easures to erode the competitiveness of B.C. businesses putatrisk the economic growth of ourprovince. Increased Monday, February 26, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2855

taxes lead to reduced business earnings and potentially significant losses, leaving employers with extremely dif- ficult choices to be m ade: either reduce staffing levels through layoffs or raise prices. Reducing staffing levels wouldprove to be devastating to smallercomm unities, particularly where employm ent opportunities are notas plentifulas largercentres. The lat- ter would increase the cost to consumers. And for busi- nesses thatare competing internationally, increased prices wouldonly furtherreducetheircompetitiveness resulting in lost sales.

The cocktailof increased corporate and personaltaxrates, rising carbon taxes and the escalation of minimum wage rates mixed with the job-killing payrolltax willbe hard for businesses of all sizes to swallow. [10:35 a.m.] The government’s own MSP Task Forcecautioned against the payrolltax.“A payrolltaxwouldreducethe competitive- ness of B.C. businesses ata time when they’re facing several competitive challenges, including expected increases to the minimum wage, CPP increases and recenttaxreforms in the U.S. which improve the competitive position of many U.S. businesses.” I’m an entrepreneuratheart,privileged to be ableto serve in this House and represent the hard-working men and womenof Shuswap.

I know fullwellthe challenges,risks and stresses of running smallbusinesses. The currentassaulton B.C. businesses is of great concern. This sideof the aisleboastssignificantfirsthand business experience. We’re business owners, farmers, entrepreneurs and business managers. We can sympathize with business owners who are desperately tryingto figure outhow to move forward. I understand whatit’s like to investyourlife savings and to mortgage your home on an idea and a dream to create a business and to create family-supporting jobs in British Columbia.

This, I believe, providesme with a very different perspective from m embers on the other side of the House. Taxes are, in part,designed to providereliefto those who need it most. But what if those very peoplelose theirjobs because businessescannotabsorbthese new taxcostsoreco- nomic shifts are too large or too sudden? The unintended negative consequences of reducing the competitiveness of B.C. businesses m ay well prove to be m ore harmf ulthan helpful. These consequencesextend far past asking the top tax bracket to pay m ore. Businesses need to be confidentin ourprovince’s business and invest- m ent climate.

They need to know the ruleswon’t change with every election. We should be building relationships with businesses across our province and the country, not scaring them away. Now, prior to the release of this year’s budget,B.C. was ranked as havingthe sixth-highestmarginaleffective taxrate for business when compared to 34 OECD jurisdictions and our ten Canadian provinces. We only expect our compet- itiveness to continue to suffer as these increased taxes of Budget 2018 come into play.

In a recent op-ed by the Business Council of B.C., Jock Finlayson and Ken Peacock expressed concerns. “The new employerhealth tax, the EHT, comes as an unwelcome surprise to the business comm unity. Set at 1.95 percent of payroll for all but the very smallest firms, the tax will generate almost $2 billion a year by 2019-2020. The EHT spells higherlabourcostsfor B.C. employers, even those who currently pay MSP premiums on behalfof theirworkers.

Moreover, in 2019 many employers willfind themselves paying both the new payroll tax and MSP premiums as the government effectively double-dips for almost a year.” They go on further to caution: “The most glaring missing piece in Budget2018 is the failure to acknowledge ortackleB.C.’s lagging investmentperformance. British Columbia is losing ground to the United States on competitiveness, capital formation and business attraction, owing in part to higher taxes, increased regulation, and rising carbon and energy priceson our side of the border at a time when the U.S. is moving in the opposite direction.

Nothing in Budget2018 suggeststhe government is keen to confront that problem.” Economistsknow fullwellthatif we intend to spurinvest- ment,we shouldlowertaxes on the earnings of capitaland if we intend to increase employment,we shouldlowertaxes on workers and the businesses that hire them. We need to give ourbusinesses acompetitive edge, nottake measures to hamper growth. Increased taxation makes us uncompetitive.

It is crucial that in representing our constituents,we listen to the con- cerns of business owners, rather than dismissing their opposing opinions as a lack of understanding of the intric- aciesof taxes. As business owners, our constituents know more aboutthe impactsof increased taxation and business growth than this House has been giving them credit for. Business owners in my riding have been reaching outto me expressingtheirconcerns aboutdealingwith, in part,the payroll tax. It is important that they know their concerns are both validand heard.

Competitive taxpolicy has enabled B.C. to rise to the fastest-growing economy in Canada. Deputy Speaker: Member. Member, these statementsare less political. G. Kyllo: However, with so much hanging in the balance, we cannotafford to risk this position. Therefore, we mustbe diligentand thoughtfulwhen undertaking any tax orpolicy change thathampers the ability of B.C. businesses to remain competitive. [10:40 a.m.] D. Routley: I did think we were in members’ debate and notbudgetdebate. Thatbeing said, I willcontinue with my planned presentation, which is, to begin with, adefinition of the notion of competitiveness.

Competitiveness, I think, refers simply to the desire to be more successfulthan others. Butapplied to an economy, business orsociety, it’s the cumulative effect,the outcome, of the kinds of investmentswe make, as played outin oureco- 2856 British Columbia Debates Monday, February 26, 2018

nomic well-being. When we look atcompetitiveness simply as areduction of costs— even one costin particular, thatof business taxation — we miss the point entirely. Competitiveness in our eco- nomy, a modern economy, is builton a greatmany factors. Thatis why whatwe’re seeing now are investmentsin child care and in housing. Once an economy reaches a point where housing costsare outof reach forthe workers thatare required in ourworkforce, thatis adrag on competitiveness. We have to look at competitiveness and examine all of the factors that affect it.

When we look atthe labourforce, we know thatin Que- bec, when they started theirchildcare program, soon after- wards, they had the highest participation of women in the skilled trades. In oursociety, one of the main challenges to competitive- ness is the replacementof labour. There’s a labourshortage and askills shortage. If we simply focus on reducing coststo businesses through taxation, we willmiss the pointthatone of theirgreatest challenges is a supply of well-trained, pre- pared, healthy workers.

Our economy depends on us investing in peopleto get the mostoutof them in orderto be competitive: education; infrastructure like the PattulloBridge, in the budget;spend- ing on publicbuildings.Allof these create thousands of jobs butalso create an infrastructure thatsupportsa competitive economy. When we look at the elimination of costs like the MSP premium, when we look atthe reduction of faresin B.C. Fer- ries…. Those are direct investments in competitiveness.

If you look atwhat’s happeningin the coastalcomm unitiesand the Island comm unities, we have a tourism industry thatis deeply impacted by costs such as ferry fares. So when we examine and try to increase ourcompetitiveness, if we focus solely on one simpleequation, we willmiss the boatand our efforts will be wasted. In orderto truly support a modern economy and com- petitiveness, we have to do things like cut small business income tax, which has been done, but also move towards investing in supporting industry — like the Buy B.C. pro- gram, as an example.

When we, as agovernment,look atthe rolethatgovernmentplays in the economy as apurchaserof goods and services….On VancouverIsland, the Vancouver Island Health Authority, Island Health, is the number one purchaser of goods and services.

If we are careful and strategic about the way we use our own involvementin the economy both as a patron, as gov- ernment,butalso as the body responsiblefor providing the infrastructure — the bedrock foundation for a successful economy — itmeans workers can afford to live, can afford a placeto live and can afford to have theirchildren taken care of so that they can contribute to the economy. If we ignore those problems, if we allow housing costs to soar beyond the reach of the peoplewho need to live in our comm unities to make our comm unities successful, we willlose.

There’s a phrase in the GulfIslands thatthe most endangered speciesin the GulfIslands is the working family. That’s the reality. So, yes, we must remain tax-competitive. But we must remain cost-competitive, revenue-competitive. We must be competitive in the services that we provide to people, we mustbe competitive in the quality of workers thatare produced, and we mustbe competitive in a broadrange in orderto be truly successfuland answerthe simpledefini- tion of competitiveness — the desire to be m ore successful than others. G.

Kyllo: In hearing and listening to the comm ents of the member opposite in referring to Quebec, a have-not province, now I kind of understand the direction that this government may be wanting to take us in. [10:45 a.m.] When it comes to understanding competitiveness and making B.C. businesses actually successful and having the opportunity to compete in international markets, there’s another euphemism, a phrase, that I’ve heard. Trying to explain thatto the members opposite is like tryingto explain thunder to goats. I am justso gladthatthe m emberopposite wantsto talk aboutthe human elementof business.

We shouldbe celeb- rating the creative and the innovative, enterprising British Columbians who are brave enough to invest in the busi- ness world. I’d like to just take a minute to introduce to the House three businesses thatare in my riding thatare allexpressing extreme concerns with respectto the new tax hikes thatare before them. Waterway HouseboatVacations in Sicamous is celebrating their50th anniversary and anticipatingataxhike of $23,000. North Enderby Timber is a key player in our softwood lumber industry. They’re commi tted to sustainable forest management and high-quality products.

They’re facing increases north of $100,000. And ValidManufacturing in Salmon Arm employs over 100 staff who create cost-effective solutions for industrial, comm ercial and recreational vehicles.They will see premi- ums rise by close to $150,000. With the median household income in B.C. hovering around $70,000, thatrelates to two new positions thatcould have been…. Deputy Speaker: Member. G. Kyllo: Yes, Madame Speaker. Deputy Speaker: This portion of the morningis related to non-partisan comm ent. G. Kyllo: Thank you, Madame Speaker. Now, local businesses big and small do not operate in a void.

Waterway Houseboats,for example, allows couplesto hostweddingson the water. These weddingsincludefestivit- Monday, February 26, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2857

ies such as dancing and dining. These and otherbusinesses, like musicians and caterers and florists,are involved in their events.ShouldWaterway be forced to raise theirprices,per- haps fewer coupleswill choose to holdtheireventsin the Shuswap, a decision that would harm other businesses in ourcomm unity. At Waterway Houseboats,over50 percent of theirclientelecomes from Alberta — anothercautionary tale for the members opposite. The lastthing thatwe wantto do is to chase businesses away.

After all, these are not faceless corporations; they are family businesses built up carefully with great love and care over generations. They draw in tourists,support comm unity construction, and develop and m anufacture innovative technology. They are so much m ore than a tax bracket.And yes, not every business in the province will face new taxation. But those that do will shoulderan imm ensely disproportionate burden. THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE M. Dean: No matterwhatsideof the aislewe are on in this chamber, we can allagree there is a lack of available, afford- ablechildcare spacesin B.C.

Finding good-quality, access- iblechildcare is a major issue for most British Columbian families.Most familiescan’t afford to live on one income, and many parents,especially women, wantto remain in the workforceand advancetheircareers. Indeed, they need to in order to plan for their senior years and grandparenthood. Yetin B.C., childcare fees are the second-highestfamily expense after housing and are increasing at rates that out- paceinflation. For infantsand toddlers, these fees are now the second-highest in the country.

For familieswho can afford the fees,spacesare hard to come by, especially forchil- dren underage three, with the regulated-spaceavailability for less than 20 percent of all children. Parentswaitm onths on wait-lists,and too m any have to m ake the difficult choice of not working or sending their childto an unlicensed care provider. Otherfamiliesadda comm ute for childcare on top of theirstressfulcomm ute for work. Jen, who livesin my constituency, was tellingme the other day, with increasing stress, that she has to drive ten kilo- metres away from home for childcare before she joins the Colwood crawl.

It’s no wonder, then, thattoo many families make the decision forone parentto stay home — this is dis- proportionately women — keeping potentially 17,000 par- ents out of the workforce and forcing many familiesonto social assistance. Withoutquality, affordableand accessiblechildcare, too many parents in B.C. do not have the freedom to choose whetherto stay athome orgo back to work.

Forfamilieswho cannot find or afford childcare, it’s most often the women who are essentially forced to stay home or to work reduced hours, putting theircareers on holdand ultimately affecting their status and income in their retirement. [10:50 a.m.] Liz is a young woman living in Esquimalt. She’s just landed her perfect job, and she’s pregnant. She’s really anxious now about child care. She has put her name on numerous listsand liveswith anxiety every day, notknowing whether she’s going to geta spot or whether she’ll have to give up herjob.

She’s one of thousands being keptoutof the workforce, forcing many families onto social assistance. It isn’t just familiessuffering. Whether it’s absenteeism, greater turnover, reduced productivity or increased use of extended health benefits, ultimately employers are paying the pricetoo. As AnitaHuberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade, said:“The work-life conflictexperienced by parents raisingyoungchildrentoday is costly foremployers.

The res- ultis higherabsenteeism rates for this group of employees, greaterturnoverand increased use of extended health bene- fits — all of which employers pay for.” We can see the resultsof ignoring this economic reality: increased inequality, increased childpoverty, increased reli- anceon socialassistance, increased attention from otherser- vices and authorities. Clearly, childcare is an economic imperative.

The coststo oureconomy and society from a lack of affordableuniversal childcare are clear, and so are the benefits.Childcare has become as criticalto the health and growth of oureconomy as K-to-12 and post-secondary education and skills training. Some studies estimate that universal childcare will create 69,100 netnew full-time-equivalentjobs in B.C., comprising a number of factors. With access to affordable, quality childcare, up to 17,000 B.C. parents,mostly mothers, willbe ableto enterorreturn to B.C.’s labourforce. With availablechildcare, parentswill be ableto move from part-time or casualto full-time jobs.

From reduced staff turnover, absences and increased pro- ductivity alone, conservative estimatessuggestthatuniversal childcare wouldlead to a growth of approximately 14,000 full-time-equivalent jobs. The employmentmultiplierforthis sector— the number of jobs created per$1 million of increased outputin a given sector — is, at36.9, by far the highestacross allindustries, suggesting that early childhood education doesn’t only providesignificantbenefitsto children, familiesand the eco- nomy butthatitprovidesabetterreturn on investmentthan many other sectors.

The importance of quality early learning is made very clear by a recent Conference Board of Canada report that shows there is close to $6 in economic benefits for every $1 spenton expanding early childhood education enrolment of children underfive years of age. According to Statistics Canada, the GDP multiplierforchildcare outsidethe home is among the highest of all industries.

The economic benefits from lower child care fees, and increased income as parentsreturn to work, helps more than just families.Estimates are that there wouldbe netgain of almost $260 million in family disposable income, which leads to more spending, with the end resultbeing an over- 2858 British Columbia Debates Monday, February 26, 2018

$172-million increase in GDP and 1,700 more jobs. It’s estimated thatthe benefitsto businesses from reduced staff turnover, absencesand increased productivity willresultin a GDP increase of around $1.2 billion. Universalchildcare is one of the bestinvestmentsgovern- ment can make. L. Throness:Well, it’s apleasure to speak to the economic benefitsof childcare. I know thatthe currentacademicrage, the scholarly fashion, is to assert that there are great eco- nomic benefitsassociated with childcare.

ButI’m an opposi- tion member, so I wantto question that.The main Canadian study of Quebec’s daycare claims thatincreased labourmar- ketparticipation of women pays for its$7-a-day plan. But here’s whatthe FraserInstitute says: “These claims shouldbe treated skeptically. The resultingtaxrevenuesfrom increased maternal labour force participation likely do not offsetthe full cost of Quebec’s program.” To replacefamily care with government care is probably not cheaper, and it’s easy to see why. The parent who re- enters the workforce makes a salary.

We mustdeductfrom thatthe training costsand salary of the early childhood edu- cator; the cost to the economy of that child care worker unableto dootherthingsthatmightearn more. Deductalso the costof governmentsubsidies,of regulation, of running a daycare; and the many miscellaneous coststo parents,like picking up and dropping off children. [10:55 a.m.] There couldbe some economic gain if those entering the workforce were high-income earners, but by definition, those who benefitfrom this subsidy are low-income earners taxed at the low end of the progressive scale.

Their taxes mightnoteven covertheirown subsidy, letalone the entire child care program. Why else would the government want universal public daycare? I can see acoupleof reasons. We know that700,000 baby boomers willretire in the nextfive years orso, and our province is already experiencing a shortage of workers. To alleviate thatshortage, the governmentneeds to push more peopleinto the workforce. I think that’s abigdriverformore child care. The governmentalso wantsmore womenin the workplace forthe purpose of genderequity. Of course, we allwantfair- ness in the workplace.

Butforsome reason, the government doesn’t see a parent taking care of his or her own childat home as productive labour, even though a differentperson caringforthatsame childin adaycare is applauded fordoing productive work. This is an obvious contradiction. I find itstrange thatthe government,usually so touched with tender pity for hurting people… Interjections. Deputy Speaker: Members. L. Throness:…ignores the cries of an infant leaving its parent,who has to go to work, and the sadness of a parent who wouldratherstay home with theirnew baby forawhile. But parents are not offered that option.

Suddenly, for the government, it’s all about the money. This, to me, is the second reason for universalpublicchild care. Parentshave to go to work to generate the taxes to help pay for big government programs like child care. In contrast, I think the benefits of child care are not primarily economic. They are social. It’s about self-fulfil- ment.It’s abouthavingkids and acareeratthe same time. It’s more about lifestyle than about growing the economy.

The governmentcouldgrantrealequity to lower-income parentsby giving them a real, equalchoice:helping parents to enterthe workplaceand sendingtheirchildto good public care, orhelpingthem to work and arrange private care witha family memberorsomeone else they trust,orassisting them to keep theirchildat home, particularly for the first three years when parental attachment is most important. Itshouldn’tbe allaboutthe money. Itshouldbe aboutpar- entalchoiceand what’s best,in the parents’ eyes,in theirown circumstance for their own kids.

If the governmentreally wantsto grow the economy, then instead of shoehorning people in the workforce, it will provide incentives to employers to replacelabourwith cap- ital. That is, to replacehuman workers with software and machines that automate boring, repetitive tasks. That don’t gettired orillormake mistakes.Thatdon’task forwagesand thathappily work 24 hours a day. Butunions wouldn’tlike that, would they? This, perhaps more than anything else, would give us more real economic growth.

History shows that human knowledge applied to technology and machines, more than human labour, has provided the incrediblestandard of liv- ing, unmatched in all of human history, that we enjoy today. To conclude, I think there’s room for healthy skepticism about the vaunted economic benefits of child care. Child care provides more of a social than an economic benefit. I wouldencourage the government to provide real options to parents so that they can do what they want with their lives and still be sure that theirchildren are well raised in whatever setting they choose.

This would be a real social benefit of great value, which, in their haste to justify and push through the creation of universalpublicchildcare, the government has apparently forgotten. M. Dean: Thank you to the memberfor Chilliwack-Kent for his perspective. Universal childcare offers choice to British Columbians and equality of access, which also means access to the advantages that universal child care brings. Not only are there clear imm ediate benefits to universal child care, the benefitsof universalchildcare willalso increase overtime.

Children who experiencehigh-quality, affordablechildcare grow up healthier, bettereducated, less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system or go on social assistance — allof which leadto higherearnings, highertax revenuesfor Monday, February 26, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2859

governments and reduced government spending. The literature overwhelmingly finds that high-quality education in the early years leads to improved cognitive and language development and better numeracy skills, all of which are essential for success in today’s society. Long-term, high-quality universal childcare can help to address the core economic and socialchallenges facing our province. Itcan help reducepoverty, address skills shortages and improve productivity and innovation.

Studiesshow that forevery dollarinvested, the benefitratio fordisadvantaged children is in the double digits. [11:00 a.m.] While the long-term benefits are greatest for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, earlierlearning like that received in high-quality childcare centres has been proven to improve the abilities of all children.

Early childhood educators can also help to identify learn- ing ordevelopmentaldelays atan early age and providepar- entsand children with appropriate support.Early detection means thatthe childcan receive specialized help sooner, pre- venting issues from intensifying, which is more challenging and costly. Overall, there is compelling evidence that chil- dren who receive early childhood education have bettereco- nomic, social and health outcomes. Deputy Speaker: Hon.

Members, unanimous consentof the House is required to proceed with Motion 2 without disturbing the priorities of the m otion preceding iton the order paper. Leave granted. Private Members’ Motions MOTION 2 — SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY I. Paton: On behalfof my constituency in DeltaSouthand on behalfof the greatpeopleinvolved in agriculture activit- iesacross this province, I am proudto stand in this House to present the following motion: [Be itresolved thatthis House supportsproviding assistanceto B.C.’s agriculture industry.] I speak this morningon behalfof my constituents,my rid- ing of Delta South.

Having grown up in Delta South, I grew up on the farm. I was born in 1956 on ourfamily farm, and I’m proud to say that I’m still living on my family farm in my grandfather’s house, the same house thatI’ve been in for many, many years. My upbringing was on ourdairy farm in Delta. My family is…. I’m a third-generation farmeron the same farm in Delta. [R. Chouhan in the chair.] I certainly know whatit’s like to be involved in the agri- culture industry, having been adairy farmerformany years. I know whatit’s like to getup every morning at4:30, work through the day, milk again at five o’clock at night.

So I’ve been very aware of the challenges of farming, the challenges of agriculture, the challenges of signing your own paycheques— whatI’ve done every yearsinceI came outof UBC in 1979. I’ve been in charge of my own two businesses — my farm auction business and my dairy farm in Delta. My father, Ian Paton Sr., was the chairman of the Agricul- turalLand Commi ssion, so ourfamily is ratherclose to the job of protectingand savingfarm land in the provinceof B.C.

I’m very proud of whathe did overthe years as a commi s- sionerand then, eventually, in the late ’80s, being the chair- man of the Agricultural Land Commi ssion. Nothing brings peopleclosertogetherthan a good meal. Take amomentand try to think of acelebration orgathering in yourlife thatdidn’tinvolve food. It’s probably impossible. Equally impossibleis getting the food on yourplate without a farmer, a rancher, a fisherman ora wine producer. I could go on and on. The B.C. agriculturalindustry is madeup of hard-working men and women whose goods end up on the table across British Columbia and around the world.

B.C.’s agrifood and seafood sectors are booming today, thanks in partto the managementof the previous B.C. Lib- eral government. The best support that government can provideto businesses, including those in the agriculture sec- tor, is to create an economic climate thatencourages success. There are actually 31,000 hectares more land in the ALR today than there were in 1974. The budgetforthe land com- mission has been increased, back in 2012, by 50 percent,and itnow sitsatroughly $4.5 million. We are certainly support- ingourAgriculturalLand Commi ssion and the land reserve.

There are anumberof challenges looming on the horizon. I’ve been getting an earfulfrom farmers aboutthis govern- ment’s plans to hike the carbon tax and the minimum wage. It’s going to hitthem financially, and thatcouldmean some tough decisions ahead. Reducing staff or raising pricesfor consumers could be on the table. The minimum wage, in particular, came as a surprise to many. Danielle Synotte, comm unications director for the B.C.

Ag Council, said: “The government received a report from the minimum-wage review commi ssion and justadop- ted every recomm endation, without any consultation for how itwouldbe implemented.” Imagine that— nottalking to the peoplewho willbe directly affected before making a decision on minimum-wage hikes. That’s also the concern I have about the Agriculture Ministry’s advisory commi ttee studying the agricultural land reserve and AgriculturalLand Commi ssion.

Itunder- represents farm ers and excludes key agricultural sectors and regions. [11:05 a.m.] Presentations are being done by invitation only, so only handpicked associations willhave the chanceto meetfaceto facewith the commi ttee. This means anyone notinvited will be limited to providing on-line feedback only. How can the 2860 British Columbia Debates Monday, February 26, 2018

commi ttee do a thorough, balanced review, given these lim- itations? I’m very skeptical. What’s more, the ministerappears to have already made up hermind on the changesshe wantsto make regardingthe elimination of zone 2 from the ALR. She has publicly stated thatshe sees a change coming, and in the same breath, she promises to consult in a meaningful way. I stand here this morning very proud of our agriculture industry in B.C. I think everyone’s doing ratherwell. We’ve hadsome good crops this pastsumm erin the vegetablebusi- ness, the cranberry business, blueberries. Dairy farming is doing very well.

We can also support,in a big way, predator controlin ournorthern comm unitieswith wolves, bears and cougars. J. Rice: I’m proud to rise today and talk aboutthe import- anceof the agriculture sector to British Columbians. I want to thank the member opposite for his remarks. He is, no doubt, a strong advocate for the agriculture industry. I see that displayed in his time here in the House. Sayingthat,I think ourcurrentminister, ournew Minister of Agriculture, is also aphenomenaladvocate.

I couldn’tfeel any better, knowing thatshe is in the rolethatshe is, because no one has advocated for agriculture like she has in the last fouryears. I feelquite good, knowing she is in the placethat she is in. I attended a fisheries conference on Friday with the Minister of Agriculture, and I heard from fisherm en who said thingsto m e like, “We haven’tseen aMinisterof Agri- culture from the provincehere in years, in decades,and we have multipleMLAs thatare participating in the comm er- cialfishing sector,” which is an importantpartof the agri- culture sector.

I’d like to spend some time talking aboutthis during my allocated time, because I think it’s often overlooked. We gravitate towards land-based agriculture when we think aboutthis portfolio, and as a coastalresidentand a coastal MLA, I think it’s important that we talk about the import- ance of the fisheries to our province. I will just touch on som e of the broad commi tm ents thatwe m adein this budgetjustrecently around agricul- ture generally. The budget is over $93 million. That’s an increase of $8 million to help B.C. agriculture and sea- food businesses grow.

The supportfor agriculture is going to increase in the nextthree years to over $97 million by 2021, which is an increased investm entof $29 million over the next three years. This budgetinvestment is helping B.C. farming families, seafood and food processors across our province and will support growing the market for B.C. products around the worldand here athome. The fundingwillhelp them succeed, generating good, well-paying jobs, economic activity and revenuein comm unitiesalongourcoastand in ourprovince.

This year’s budgetwill support each of the items in the Minister of Agriculture’s mandate letter, including the enhanced Buy B.C. program; Grow B.C., with incentives for new farmers; Feed B.C., serving more B.C. foods in gov- ernmentinstitutions; steps in developing a food innovation centre; and a revitalized ALR. I think those are phenomenal commi tmentsand demonstrate this government’s commi t- ment to supporting agriculture comm unities and the agri- culture sector. I also wantto justtouch on a littlebitaboutthe wildfire season.

The wildfires and flooding this yeardevastated many areas of ourprovince, displacingtens of thousands of people. We saw the producers, the land, theircattleon the frontline of an unprecedented disaster. We announced, in partner- ship with the federalgovernment,a $20 million agriculture recovery program, to help address the needs of farmers and ranchers impacted by this summ er’s devastating wildfires.

We also have appointed George Abbottand ChiefMaur- een Chapman to lead an external review, an after-action review of the wildfire season, and I suspect that there will be new recomm endations on how we can bettersupportour agriculture comm unities when it comes to wildfires. [11:10 a.m.] Touching back on the fisheries part of the Ministry of Agriculture, I just wanted to talk about something that’s really important to coastal B.C.

I represent this huge area of the north coast — Prince Rupert all the way down to the centralcoast,through the Bella Coola Valley, which has great agriculture, down to Bella Bella, on to Oweekeno, or Wuikinuxv, and including Haida Gwaii. Comm ercial fishing or fishing and shellfish aquaculture and aquaculture are ahuge partof the economy formy con- stituents.Butwe’re laggingbehind, compared to ourAlaskan neighbours to the north and to the maritime provinces to the east,when itcomes to actually generating or capturing the actuallanded value or the financialbenefitsof having a robust fishing industry.

I’ve been looking at reports recently. One in particular has really struck a chord with me. I wish we could have props here, because I wouldholdup this graph. ButI can’t. It basically says: “We’re catching less fish in the maritime provinces,butwe’re getting more value. We’re catching less fish in Alaska, but we’re getting more value. In B.C., we’re catching less and making less.” D. Barnett: I wouldlike to offer my appreciation to the memberforDeltaSouth forgivingus the opportunity to talk about supporting agriculture in British Columbia.

We are fortunate to live in aprovincethatoffers so many opportun- ities to grow food in virtually every part of the province. My riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin is no exception. We pro- duceavariety of crops, butwe are predominantly known for ourcattleindustry. Whilebeef cattleare raised throughout our province, many of the 4,000-plus cattle ranches that operate in B.C. are located in the Cariboo region. B.C. ranches occupy overfive million acres of private land. They also have tenure on 21.5 million acres of Crown ran- geland. In fact,two-thirds of the agriculturalland reserve is owned by ranchers.

Monday, February 26, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2861

Overall, the beef industry is important to the province’s economy and supportsmany family and comm unity busi- nesses. The total economic contribution of the industry is estimated at $600 million annually, and an estimated 8,700 persons are employed in the B.C. beef sector. In the Cariboo, there are cattleranchoperations, large and small. We are talkingaboutfamily operations thatare passed down from one generation to another. Peoplewho work in the industry love the industry. We have highly active and vibrant 4-H clubs in the Cariboo district. We are also innovators in the cattleindustry. Underthe previous B.C.

Liberalgovernment,atTRU university in Wil- liams Lake, we launched the program where studentsgain the expertise to buildand sustain ranching enterprises with- in B.C.’s ranching industry and apply thatknowledge to agri- culture businesses in any region. By the end of the program, studentsgain an understanding of ecosystem management in the lastintacttemperate grassland in the world. This pro- gram is highly supported by ourlocalranching industry and by Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor. As you probably are wellaware, Mr. Speaker, 2017 was not a particularly good year for the cattleindustry in the Cari- boo.

This summ er’s wildfires, the worstin the history of the province, had a devastating effect. Peoplelosttheirhomes and buildings,ranchers lostmiles and miles of fences, and pastures used to sustain cattle through the summ er and fall were all burned up, with the tragic loss of prime grazing land. Although we can expect the land to startto rebound nextseason, many ranchers have been struggling and will continue to. Many lost their hay crops and hadto rely on the kindness of theirneighbours to make it through this season.

If there is one sector in B.C.’s agricultural industry that requires the mostsupport,I wouldsay ranchers are the most in need of assistancerightnow. Thatis why I’m disappointed thatin the budgetlastweek, itdid notspecify any program or funding that wouldhelp the ranching industry through this difficultperiod. As amatterof fact,there was littleabout rural B.C. development. [11:15 a.m.] Foran industry thathas contributed so muchto the devel- opmentof this province, I wouldhope thatthis government recognize the need and act accordingly.

For young people interested in pursuingacareerin the cattleindustry, the gov- ernment needs to signal some kind of support to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our ranchers. R. Kahlon: I want to thank my colleague from down south for bringing forward this motion: “…thatthis House supports providing assistance to B.C.’s agriculture industry.” I think thatthe one comm entI’d justlike to make regard- ing my colleague’s comm entsearlieris thatthe industry also involvesworkers. Workers are partof the industry.

So I think thatwhen we talk aboutraising wages forthe workers, that’s good forthe industry as well. When the workers are making money, it is good for the industry as well. We’ve seen an increase in workers coming from Mexico and Jamaica, so part of supporting the industry also needs to be supporting those workers that come. I’ve seen some initiatives, for examplein Kelowna, where now they’re talk- ing aboutbuilding housing in a comm unity-based project.I think we need to do more of those things. The agriculture industry isn’t just about the peoplewho own the land. It’s also aboutpeoplewho work the land.

I just want to highlight that. I think the budgethas some key things that support the agriculture industry. The ministry’s budgetfor’18-19 is over $93 million. That’s $8 million more than last year to help B.C. agriculture and seafood businesses grow. In fact, next three years, it’s over $97 million. By 2021, the increased investmentwouldbe about$29 million overthe nextthree years. That is quite a significant investment. Back to the motion: “…providing assistanceto B.C.’s agri- culture industry.” Yes.You betoursideof the House supports that, and our budget reflects that. The dollars are there.

This yearthe Ministry of Agriculture budgeted the highest since it became separate from the FLNRO budgetin 2011. The budget investment in farming-families,seafood, food producers and processors across the province will support the marketof B.C. productsaround the world. I know the previous governmentdid some good work on trying to get agriculture productsoverseas. We’re going to continue that and, in fact, try to expand that. There are a few things in particular in the Minister of Agriculture’s mandate letter. We’ve got Buy B.C., Grow B.C. and Feed B.C.

I know the Ministerof Agriculture is very proud of talking about those initiatives. A coupleof thingson thatthatI wanted to highlight.One is our hospitals and health authorities buying more local food. I know that Interior Health, I believe, buys about 25 percentfrom localproducers, which is astart,butI think we need to expand that. How do we make that happen? Perhaps we need to look atthe menus thatourhospitals are using.

If we can change the menus in each of the local health authorities to adapt to what’s in season and what’s growing, I think that we can create a better incentive for local producers to provide the goods that we need. I think that instead of asking the producers to just produce what we need, we can adjust our menus. Because getting people healthy is about good, quality food. We know we produce good local food, so I see a natural partnership in that. Partof Grow B.C. is incentives fornew farmers. There are a lotof young peoplethatwantto enterfarming. They want to getinto farming.

My family are allfarmers forgenerations and generations. I’m probably the firstgeneration that’s gone away from farming, but that happens. But there are lot of new families,youngfamiliesthatwantto getinto farming, so we need more programs to providesupportsforyoungfarm- ers to getaccess to land. Thatpartis in there, so I’m pretty happy about that. I know that there’s a piece about the Food Innovation Centre in the mandate letter of the Agriculture Minister. I 2862 British Columbia Debates Monday, February 26, 2018

think that’s critical. [11:20 a.m.] In my travels, when I’ve talked to peoplewho are involved in the sector, they wouldlike to see a centre where they can experimentwith tastes and flavours. I think thatstep willbe critical for us to produce. The time is coming close. I know thatwe’ve started a process to revitalizethe ALR. I’ll have to talk about it another time. E. Ross:Many thanks to the memberfor Delta South for putting forth this motion on agriculture and the importance of supporting the entire industry. We owe a lot to ourfarmers. They provide ourprovince with high-quality and nutritious food.

The agriculture sector also makes a significantcontribution to ourprovincialeco- nomy through exports. I’m glad to hear both sides of the House talking aboutone of the mostimportantexports,and that’s seafood exportscoming from the westcoastof British Columbia. The most successful export product of all in that regard is farmed salmon. Totalseafood exportsfrom B.C. amoun- ted to $1.3 billion in 2016, and farmed salmon accounted for $524 million of that. As a matter of fact, three-quarters of farmed fish produced in Canada comes from B.C.

In terms of B.C.’s aquaculture industry, farmed salmon accountsfor 90 percentof production compared to just9 percentof shell- fish and other farm species. Fish farms contribute $1.1 billion to the provincial eco- nomy on an annual basis, and thousands of stablejobs are created in remote comm unitiesthathave traditionally high- erunemployment. These jobs are distributed up and down B.C.’s coast. Aside from providing consistent employment opportunities, fish farms pay about 30 percent higherthan B.C.’s median employment income. There are about6,700 peoplecurrently workingdirectly in the salmon-farming industry.

In the last three years alone, salmon farms created over 1,600 jobs. B.C. salmon farms also generate economic activity in other parts of the eco- nomy, because the industry depends on suppliers and lots of otherserviceproviders, including processing companies, salmon feed companiesand many otherspecialized industry service companies. Because the industry is located along B.C.’s coastlines, sal- mon farmers rely on the supportand partnership of the First Nations in whose traditional territory they operate.

Cur- rently B.C. salmon farmers are partnering with coastalFirst Nations on 20 economic and social partnerships. This has opened up many desperately needed employmentopportun- ities for First Nations up and down the coast. This motion calls for support for all agricultural sectors, including aquaculture. In a period of uncertainty with respectto NAFTA and ourlargesttrading partnersouth of the border, productsfrom B.C. farms are finding theirway into markets in Asia and beyond.

That’s why it’s crucial that the fish farm industry receive supportfrom allBritish Columbians, including the provin- cialgovernment.The fish farm industry has received mixed signals. On one hand, itseems to pointto B.C.’s aquaculture industry as a threat. In the same breath, as a dispute with Alberta and the federal government continues, there are claims thatthere are spokespeopleworking in the interestof saving jobs on the coast in regard to fish farms. I once served as a chief councillor of Haisla, and like many other First Nations, we were equally concerned with the health of wildsalmon stocks.

Even though there are no fish farms in the Douglas Channelin Haislaterritory, we see inconsistentruns differentyears. The Skeena Riversockeye has been declining too, again, with no fish farms in sight. We have to ask ourselves a simplequestion: whatis really affectingwildsalmon? There are certain factors raised by sci- entistsin the Cohen Commi ssion and othercrediblereports thatpointto the realculprits.These includeocean warming, habitat damage and overfishing, including bycatch. Everyone in this House wantsto ensure thatourwildsal- mon notonly survive butthrive forthe enjoymentof gener- ations to come.

Butfor this to happen, we need to focus on the realthreatsidentified by science. In the meantime, let’s provide oursupportfor an industry thatcontributes to the overallhealth of ourprovincialeconomy and takes the pres- sure off our wild stocks. [11:25 a.m.] B. Ma: I’m pleased to be ableto rise in supportof today’s motion regarding supporting B.C.’s agriculture industry. I’d like to thank the member for Delta South for bringing up this fantastic motion and giving me the opportunity to dis- cuss and, indeed, celebrate this important industry.

I’d like to take a little bit of a different tone than what maybe some members previous have been discussing. I think thatusually when peoplethink aboutagriculture, the image of massive farms, huge vineyards and orchards or giantfeedlotsoften comes to mind. That’s probably because — atleastfor me as city folk and maybe some of my other city folk MLAs here — the vast majority of the produce, dairy and meat that we purchase does in fact come from these largerfarms. Sometimes we forgetthatB.C.’s agricul- tural industry is actually so much more diverse than that.

I’d like to take this opportunity to talk a littlebit about the smallholding farm that my partner’s mother, Christine Proulx, and her partner, Rob Hyslop, keep on 40 acres of land up in Barriere — beautifulNorthThompson. The mem- berfrom North Thompson is righthere in the House today. Forthose of you who don’tknow Barriere, B.C., it’s a sweet, ruraltown with aboutthe same totalpopulation as my high schoolhad. Itexistsaboutan hournorth of Kam loops along the No. 5 road on the traditional territories of the Secwepemc First Nations.

They call theirfarm Chinook Farm, and on it they keep laying hens, heritage breed pigs, sheep and cattle. They’re extremely proud of the fact that their produce is ethically raised. The animals are tame and happy with lotsof room to roam, grazing on 60 acres of land thatChristine and Rob Monday, February 26, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2863

lease nearby. The animals live as they are naturally inclined. I’ve seen those animals. They are indeed very, very happy. Also on theirNorth Thompson farm are three dogs,four horses and two catswho live and play with the sheep. Their farm cats are about the same age as my two city cats, but they’re twicethe sizeand abouttentimesas tough. Theircats actually sleep, by the way, with the sheep during the winter, outside, and they actually ridethe sheep outto pasture. Itis the mostadorablething. I know — skepticallooks coming from the other side.

There are actually photos of theircats perched on top of these sheep riding out to pasture. They really need to put a video of this on the Internet. It’s aregistered farm since2016. Farms theirsizeare often called hobby farms. While they do love the farming life, it’s definitely not a hobby to them. They produce food for saleand work at it like any other business.

They sell eggs, meatand honey through farm-gate sales.Whilethey aren’t quite large enough to survive on theirfarm income alone, they also couldnotdo withoutit,and of course, they abso- lutely love it.They love the physicaldemands of asmallhold- ing farm and love being ableto provide theircomm unity a healthy, ethical option for food. I have to say, by the way, thatworking on a farm is clearly very good exercise. Christine is a very tough, strong, hard- working woman. When I first moved into my condo, Christine actually came down from Barriere to help my part- nerand me move in.

We hada lotof used, solidfurniture to move. Atthattime, I was 30 years oldand she was 61 years old, and atone pointshe actually said to me: “Oh, Bowinn, leave those for me. Those are too heavy. I’ll take care of it. I don’twantyou to injure yourself.” So really quite, quite fit. But I digress. I guess my point here is that for those of us who are unfamiliar with the agriculture industry in B.C. — myself included; I don’thave a lotof experiencein it— we som e- times forget that B.C. is absolutely peppered with these smalland m edium-sized farm s thatform partof the fabric of our agricultural industry.

Grow B.C., Buy B.C., Feed B.C. — those program s aren’t just about the big guys. It’s also about encouraging people to buy local, feed local, grow local. This helps allof ourlocalfarm ers and ranchers, from our m ost profitable businesses all the way down to those just getting going. I’m very happy that our government is supporting the agricultural industry. I look forward to opportunities to continue to grow B.C., buy B.C. and feed B.C., and I look forward also to hearing the remaining statements from m embers. P.

Milobar: It’s purely coincidental that I’m standing up afterthe previous speakerto speak aboutKam loops–North Thompson and the greatagriculturalproduction thatwe do have there. I think she’s removed halfof my speech, though, so I’ll have to recalibrate a little. [11:30 a.m.] In Kam loops–North Thompson, we are very proud of our agriculturalheritage. Kam loops has long been an agricultur- alhub for the various ranchers and othercrops thatdo get grown in and around Kam loops.

As far away as Williams Lake and down to the Merritt area even, peopleuse Kam- loops as a bitof a servicehub, especially back before high- ways had been expanded. In Kam loops’s case, some of our history, unfortunately, doesn’t still exist within agriculture. Two notableexamples wouldbe the hop farms thatused to exist.Both Rainieras wellas Molson Canadian hadlarge hop farms in Kam loops. As well, we were world-renowned forourbeefsteak tomatoes and ourcanning facilities thatwe hadin Kam loops forcan- ning tomatoes. We’re going back into the ’50s and the ’60s when I’m talking about this.

Unfortunately, those production sites we no longer see happening. This predates ALR. It wasn’t because of land speculation in Kam loops in the 1950s or 1960s thatwe saw these industries no longerbe ableto survive. Itwas because the economics of those canning facilitiesorthose hop farms compared to production in other areas started to become, to a pointwhere…. Even back then, they became notfinan- cially viable to continue to operate. In the case of the hop farm, we were ableto receive alarge donation from Molson. In fact,thatis where ourB.C.

Wild- life Park in Kam loops has been located ever since — as a donated piece of land from the former hop farm area. I bring that up, though, because we do see…. Although we hear greatconversations around wanting to continue to support B.C. agriculture and taking that seriously, we also see a lotof increased costscoming towards agriculture over the nextlittlewhile— increases in carbon taxes, increases in wages.Allof this means thatagriculture getsmore expensive to produce within the province. Why that is a concern is…. Although I love going to a farmers market,and we have greatorganicgrowers in Kam- loops….

A former colleague of mine on Kam loops city councilhas an organic farm. It’s wonderfulto getthatpro- duce, buta lotof those times, those types of produceare a littlemore expensive than whatyou mightsee in some of the bigger chain store produce departments. That’s a concern to me. I can totally understand that — and I have no problem at all — when peopleare trying to provide for theirfamily in an affordableway, they have to access food sources as affordably as possible. Adding cost pressures thatwillcreate some upward pressure on purchas- ing localfoods does notactually expand that.I have a con- cern around that.

There may be some programmin g in placeto try to get some of the food boughtand broughtinto hospitals. Those measures, I think, everyone can support and appreciate. However, if it’s notboughtata marketvalue thatthe farmer needs to operate, either one of two things is going to have to happen. Either the health authorities need to be willing to pay a premium and see an increase in theirbudgetsto be ableto do that,or there’s going to have to be a government subsidy given back to the farmers to make sure thatthey’re 2864 British Columbia Debates Monday, February 26, 2018

madewholewith theirpricing, because they cannotjustuni- laterally cut their price down. I have one daughterwho wentto university down in Cali- fornia — swimming — and I was fortunate enough to go down there all four years that she was there and drive the I-5 regularly. The I-5, literally — I mean, Highway 5 — goes through Kam loops and goes allthe way up into Jasperand Edmonton and back down to Winnipeg. Technically, there’s always that move to call it the I-5 all the way through and around, butthe I-5 goes allthe way from Mexicorightup in through British Columbia and all the way along.

The I-5, in British Columbia’s case, is a very significant corridor for agricultural competition in our province — unlike any otherprovince outthere. We have to make sure that our farmers are staying competitive, because the very realreality is thatthe consumers willspeak with theirwallets when it comes to agriculture and agricultural products. I wantto make sure thatwe, as an overallgovernmental thoughtprocess, are looking atthe big picture and notjust coming outwith a quick couponing program and think that is going to solve all the agricultural woes in the province.

We need to have an understandingthatif we keep increas- ing cost pressures around labour, fuel and other combust- iblesthatfarming and agriculture need, they willnotbe able to compete on thatI-5 corridor. We willsee a furtherflood- ing of, actually, producecoming from down south of us — totally counterproductive to what,I think, is trying to be the intent of increasing agriculture. [11:35 a.m.] J. Brar: I’m really pleased to respond to the motion intro- duced by the memberforDeltaSouth, and I thank the mem- ber for the introduction of the motion.

I may talk aboutthe poor record of the previous govern- menton the agriculture industry lateron, if time permits.I know the time is very limited. ButI justwantto say to people thatI’m also a son of a farmer, and I have lotsof friends in the farming industry in Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Abbots- ford, Surrey, and so on. First,I wouldlike to highlightthe historiclevelof support ourgovernmenthas extended, in justseven shortmonths, to the agriculture industry. Ourgovernmentis fully commi tted to supporting and strengthening our agriculture industry.

Our government is working each and every day to builda strong, sustainableeconomy thatsupportsjobs in the agri- cultural industry, particularly in the rural area. This governmentwantsa betterB.C. for each and every person working in the agriculture industry in our province. Agriculture is the key contributor to economic developm ent, diversification and provincewide job cre- ation. Our agriculture is a $14 billion industry, and that provides approxim ately 63,000 jobs in the province. Primary agriculture is represented by over 17,500 farm s, using 2.5 million hectares of provincial land.

Less than 3 percent of that land is under the ALR. The food processing sector is the second-largest m an- ufacturing industry in B.C. Our key commi tm ent, during the last election campaign, for the agriculture industry includes:we willbring back the Buy B.C. program to m ake itbetterto supportouragriculturalsector; we willrevital- ize the land reserve and the Agricultural Land Commi s- sion for the 21stcentury; and we willhelp young farm ers across the land and work with primary producers on initi- atives like ensuring bee populations stay healthy and sup- porting fruit and nut growers.

Our government is building more opportunities for the province’s agricultural industry with a three-pronged approach: through Grow B.C., Feed B.C. and Buy B.C. Buy B.C. will offer a recognizablebrand on local products and help B.C. food to expand their salesin the province. Feed B.C. willhelp increase the use of B.C. food in hospitals and othergovernmentfacilities.Grow B.C. willfocus on policies and programs thatsupportfarmers and help B.C. producers expand local food production as well as supporting young British Columbians who want to farm.

Together, the programs will encourage new growers, increased production and higherconsumption of B.C. food productstoday and for future generations. This program is an important part of our commi tment to create good jobs across the province. We want to get British Columbians excited about the products that are being grown and pro- duced in ourprovinceand celebrate the success of B.C.’s agri- cultural industry. It’s abouttime to getthe buy-B.C. conversation going and give consumers a simple way to support local products grown, harvested and madeby theirfellow British Columbi- ans here right in our province.

When ourB.C. food producers succeed, we allsucceed. A healthy and thriving agriculturalindustry is criticalin creat- ing jobs and growing oureconomy, specifically in ruralBrit- ish Columbia. I wouldlike to conclude…. I know the membersaid atthe beginning, madeone comm ent,thatwe didnotdo fullcon- sultation when we talked about the minimum wage. I just want to point out that we had a Fair Wages Commi ssion, whichwentthroughthe province, to every comm unity of the province, to consultthe peopleof British Columbia. People were also asked to make presentations on line.

So it’s false to say thatwe didnotconsultthe peopleaboutminimum wage. [11:40 a.m.] D. Davies:I’d like to, firstof all, startby thanking my col- league from Delta South for bringing forward this motion on supporting ouragriculturalindustry in this province. I’m goingto be focusingalotof my comm entstoday on the agri- cultural industry in my region of Peace River. Before I start, it is worth noting that in British Columbia, we owe a great deal, of course — and I think all of us in this House can agree on that — to our agri- culturalindustry.

Itcontributes to food security across our province simply because we all benefit from highly pro- ductive farm s thatfeed ourprovince. Beyond that,the B.C. Monday, February 26, 2018 British Columbia Debates 2865

agriculture industry is continuing to see record-breaking numbers across the entire sector. For the fourth straight year in a row, B.C.’s agrifood and seafood sectors are some of the mostdiverse in Canada,pro- ducing over200 agriculturalcomm odities and 100 seafood species.Allcombined, agriculture accountsfor$13 billion in salesevery year in British Columbia, $3.5 billion of which are exports.We’re also talking aboutalmost63,000 jobs that employ British Columbians here in this provincein the agri- culturalindustry, and many of these good peopleare located in my own region of Peace River North.

Whilemany think of the energy sector when they think about PeaceRiver North, it is a fact that our PeaceRiver region has over 30 percent of the farm land in British Columbia. We have close to 2.5 million acres in production. The Peaceregion is, indeed, the largestagriculturalregion in British Columbia.Ourregion is home to 1,800 farms that produceover$100 million annually. Whileresidentsin the south might assume that most production is done in the FraserValley orthe InteriororVancouverIsland, in fact,90 percentof the grain grown in B.C. is grown in my region and 95 percent of all canola is also grown in the Peace.

However, this doescome with some greatchallenges.Cur- rently we cannotmove ourgrain to market.There are over 20,000 tonnes of grain rightnow stuck in grain elevators in my region alone, and I know thatthe issue isn’tmuch better in Peace River South. This issue is due to not being ableto getrail cars from CN. In fact,the North Pine Farmers Institute was promised 16 rail cars a week, and they have only had just one, one railcar, sinceJanuary 1. Unfortunately, itdoessound like the railcars are being prioritized to move oil. Maybe we should look at a different way to move oil — let’s say, pipelines or something.

Anyway, this governmentmustwork with CN, mustwork with ourfederal government partners and must work with the B.C. Grain Producers to getthis grain moving to market. As I said, 1,400 tonnes a week is not moving to market, and the elevatoroperators are paid to move productthrough these grain elevators. Thatmeans no money is being paid to the elevator operators, threatening jobs. As well, the farm- ers are notgetting paid with much-needed cash flow as they move into this very busy season — as wellas providing food for their own families.

You might be surprised to learn, though, that the Peace region is also aprime areaforproducing exceptionalquality grass seeds. As one of Canada’s most northern farming regions, we benefitfrom longdaylighthours duringthe sum- mer. This allows for the production of crops that require a high numberof degree days. We producetraditionalprairie crops, such as wheat, oat, barley and canola. The Peaceregion is also a big livestock producer.

We’re home to traditionallivestock, such as cattle, sheep, goatsand horses, but we’re also home to some of the largest bison herds in British Columbia.As well, we producellama,alpaca and wild boar. Perhaps one of the sweetestthings — pun intended — is our honey production. Our long summ er days and plenti- fulforage in the region are idealfor beekeepers. We in the Peaceproduceas much as three times more honey than any- where else in the provinceperhive.

In fact,the Peaceregion accountsfor30 percentof allthe honey crop, and of course, perhaps sweeter than anything — again, pun intended — Peace honey is well renowned for its exceptional flavour. I know thatthe hon. memberfrom PrinceGeorge–Peace River is also well known for his honey production. I hope thathe does feelthe sting of completion this year — fullof puns today, folks — when the Peaceregion honey is com- plete in their product.

In conclusion, the nexttime thatwe think and talk about agriculture in British Columbia, make sure that we don’t overlook the incredibleopportunities,the incredibleagricul- tural comm unity in Peace River. [11:45 a.m.] R. Singh: I’m really honoured to speak on this motion, as we are extremely lucky to have suchaproductive agricultural sectorin this provincewith a diverse area of producegrown and soldand exported across B.C. I’m really glad that our government understands that.

Budget2018 investsheavily in farms and farming families by providing the agriculture industry with over$93 million earmarked for agricultural and seafood business growth in the 2018-2019 fiscalyear. This is the highestithas been since 2011, representing an additional$29 million in funding over the next two years. The governmentis also taking a three-pronged approach to support and revitalize our agricultural sector through Grow B.C., Feed B.C. and Buy B.C.

As has been mentioned by previous members, Grow B.C. willbe providing start-up loans and other supports for young farmers interested in entering the field, helping to supportfruitand nutgrowers and expand localfood producers and processors. This is an essential part of promoting food security in our province. Feed B.C. will focus on increasing the amount of B.C.- grown and -processed foods in government-run institutions, such as hospitals and schools, which will help to stimulate the agricultural economy and put more money into the hands of local farms and farming families.

Buy B.C. willre-establish a strong and easily recognizable Buy B.C. brand, which willhelp consumers throughoutthe province to make informed decisions about the food they buy and where it comes from. We will also support an industry-led marketing campaign to emphasize the import- ance of buying local B.C.-produced end products. Our government has also commi tted to revitalizing the agricultural land reserve and Agricultural Land Commi s- sion, to bring them into the 21stcentury.

This is in opposi- tion to the way the previous governmentremoved protection from 90 percentof the ALR in 2014 withoutproperly con- sulting farmers, a move thatwas fairly opposed by the B.C. Agriculture Council. 2866 British Columbia Debates Monday, February 26, 2018

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Itis also importantto mention the impactof the wildfires that swept through the province in 2017, displacing thou- sands of peopleand levellinghundreds of acresof productive land. In September, our government, in concert with the government of Canada, announced a $20 million AgriRe- covery program to help affected B.C. farmers get back on their feet. In December, our government additionally announced the AgriStability enhancementprogram, to help producers who were hit especially hard during the wildfires.

In closing, I justwantto say thatthis governmentrealizes the importance of the B.C. agricultural industry. We are investing in B.C. farmers and farming familiesin orderto build a stable and more sustainable British Columbia. D. Ashton: It gives me great pleasure to support this motion regarding B.C. agriculture. Iteven gives me greater pleasure to stand here today in this wonderfulHouse repres- enting my riding from Penticton to Peachland, a riding rich in farms, vineyards and wineries,ashining exampleof B.C.’s agricultural industry.

Unfortunately, as of late, the agriculture business in my riding, and the wine industry specifically, has been strug- gling. Why is that? Because of the government’s decision to treat a $2.8 billion industry as a politicalpawn in a spat with the Alberta government.Insteadof standing up forthe hard-working growers, bottlers and distributors of wine in this province, they governmentchose to letthem sufferfor a blatant miscalculation on the part of theirparty and the Minister of Environment. Thankfully, the hon. Premierblinked. He knew the restof the country was watching, and he backed down.

The Premier of Albertathen lifted the boycotton B.C. wines. I wouldlike to comm end the Premieron

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20180226am-Hansard-n86
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20180226am Hansard n86
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
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