British Columbia Hansard — Monday, February 20, 2017

20170220pm-Hansard-v41n10

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Sixth Session, 40th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) THE HONOURABLE LINDA REID, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281 (P rint) ISSN 1499-2175 (Online) Monday, February 20, 2017 Afternoon Sitting Volume 41, Number 10

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

Rich Coleman Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ......................................................................................................... Hon. John Rustad Minister of Advanced Education ............................................................................................................................... Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Minister of Agriculture ........................................................................................................................................................ Hon.

Norm Letnick Minister of Children and Family Development .......................................................................................................Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and Minister Responsible for TransLink ................ Hon. Peter Fassbender Minister of Education ............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

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

Michael de Jong, QC Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations......................................................................................Hon. Steve Thomson Minister of State for Rural Economic Development ..................................................................................................................Hon. Donna Barnett Minister of Health ............................................................................................................................................................... Hon. Dr.

Terry Lake Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism ...........................................................................................Hon. T eresa W at Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour ...................................................Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Justice ...................................................................................................................................................... Hon.

Suzanne Anton, QC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General ................................................................................................................. Hon. Mike Morris Minister of Small Business and Red T ape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch ........................................................................................................Hon. Coralee Oakes Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation..............................................................................................Hon.

Michelle Stilwell Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services ................................................................................................ Hon. Amrik Virk Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................Hon. Todd Stone Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness ....................................................................................................................Hon.

Naomi Y amamoto LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition ...................................................................................................................................................John Horgan Deputy Speaker .............................................................................................................................................................................. Richard T. Lee Assistant Deputy Speaker ...............................................................................................................................................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

Surrey-Fleetwood Fleming, Rob (NDP) .......................................................... Victoria–Swan Lake Foster, Eric (BC Liberal) .......................................................Vernon-Monashee Fraser, Scott (NDP) ............................................................Alberni–Pacific Rim Gibson, Simon (BC Liberal) ............................................. Abbotsford-Mission Hamilton, Wm. Scott (BC Liberal) .................................................Delta North Hammell, Sue (NDP) ....................................................

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

Juan de Fuca Hunt, Marvin (BC Liberal) ....................................................Surrey-Panorama Huntington, Vicki (Ind.) ..................................................................Delta South James, Carole (NDP) .........................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................Esquimalt–Royal Roads Krog, Leonard Eugene (NDP) ............................................................. Nanaimo Kyllo, Greg (BC Liberal) ........................................................................ Shuswap Lake, Hon. Dr.

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

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

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

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

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

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

North Vancouver–Seymour Throness, Laurie (BC Liberal).................................................Chilliwack-Hope Trevena, Claire (NDP) .................................................................... North Island Virk, Hon. Amrik (BC Liberal) ............................................. Surrey-Tynehead Wat, Hon. Teresa (BC Liberal) .............................................. Richmond Centre Weaver, Dr. Andrew (Ind.) .......................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Wickens, Jodie (NDP) ..........................................Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Wilkinson, Hon.

Andrew (BC Liberal) ........................ Vancouver-Quilchena Y amamoto, Hon. Naomi (BC Liberal) ................ North Vancouver–Lonsdale Y ap, John (BC Liberal) ......................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Mission ......................................................................Simon Gibson Abbotsford South ..................................................................... Dr. Darryl Plecas Abbotsford West ...................................................... Hon.

Michael de Jong, QC Alberni–Pacific Rim .......................................................................... Scott Fraser Boundary-Similkameen ................................................................ Linda Larson Burnaby–Deer Lake ................................................................... Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Edmonds ..........................................................................Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Lougheed ...................................................... Dr. Jane Jae Kyung Shin Burnaby North ..............................................................................

Richard T. Lee Cariboo-Chilcotin ..............................................................Hon. Donna Barnett Cariboo North .................................................................... Hon. Coralee Oakes Chilliwack ......................................................................................... John Martin Chilliwack-Hope ....................................................................... Laurie Throness Columbia River–Revelstoke ..................................................

Norm Macdonald Comox Valley.....................................................................................Don McRae Coquitlam–Burke Mountain .......................................................Jodie Wickens Coquitlam-Maillardville........................................................... Selina Robinson Cowichan Valley ................................................................................ Bill Routley Delta North .........................................................................Wm.

Scott Hamilton Delta South...............................................................................Vicki Huntington Esquimalt–Royal Roads .....................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ...................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Fraser-Nicola.................................................................................... Jackie Tegart Juan de Fuca .....................................................................................John Horgan Kamloops–North Thompson ............................................ Hon. Dr.

Terry Lake Kamloops–South Thompson ..................................................Hon. Todd Stone Kelowna–Lake Country ..................................................... Hon. Norm Letnick Kelowna-Mission .............................................................. Hon. Steve Thomson Kootenay East .......................................................................... Hon. Bill Bennett Kootenay West ............................................................................ Katrine Conroy Langley.......................................................................................Hon.

Mary Polak Maple Ridge–Mission ..................................................................... Marc Dalton Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ........................................................ Dr. Doug Bing Nanaimo ........................................................................... Leonard Eugene Krog Nanaimo–North Cowichan ......................................................... Doug Routley Nechako Lakes ........................................................................ Hon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Melanie Mark Vancouver–Point Grey .........................................................................David Eby Vancouver-Quilchena ................................................ Hon. Andrew Wilkinson Vancouver–West End ...............................................

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

Hon. Christy Clark Party Standings: BC Liberal 47; New Democratic 35; Independent 3

CONTENTS Monday, February 20, 2017 Afternoon Sitting Page Routine Business Introductions by Members ................................................................................................................................................... 13655 Introduction and First Reading of Bills .............................................................................................................................. 13657 Bill M218 — Increasing Y outh Participation in Elections Act, 2017 R. Fleming Bill M219 — Recall and Initiative Amendment Act, 2017 Bill M220 — Election Amendment Act 1, 2017 A.

Weaver Statements (Standing Order 25B) ....................................................................................................................................... 13659 Senior Care Providers’ Day L. Reimer Marine conservation area and protection of orcas G. Holman Vancouver Foundation and West Vancouver Community Foundation R. Sultan Tri-Cities Moms Group J. Wickens Trevor McDonald J. Martin Joy Coghill G.

Heyman Oral Questions ....................................................................................................................................................................... 13661 Staffing levels for sheriffs M. Farnworth Hon. S. Anton B. Ralston Wait times for hip replacement surgeries J. Darcy Hon. T. Lake IHealth electronic records system at Nanaimo Hospital D. Routley Hon. T. Lake D. Eby Vancouver Coastal Health Authority information technology project M. Mungall Hon. T. Lake Negotiations for federal health care funding S. Simpson Hon. T. Lake Care standards at seniors care facilities S.

Robinson Hon. T. Lake C. James Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................. 13666 A. Weaver Reports from Committees .................................................................................................................................................... 13666 Special Committee of Selection, report, February 20, 2017 Hon.

M. de Jong Petitions .................................................................................................................................................................................. 13666 R. Fleming

Reports from Committees .................................................................................................................................................... 13666 Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, report on the estimates process and establishment of select standing committees, October 2016 J.

Martin Motions Without Notice ....................................................................................................................................................... 13667 Powers and role of Health Committee Powers and role of Children and Y outh Committee Hon. M. de Jong Orders of the Day Throne Speech Debate (continued) ..................................................................................................................................... 13668 J. Rice Hon. S. Anton G. Heyman L. Reimer N. Simons D. Bing K. Corrigan D. Plecas J. Wickens Hon. T. Stone

MONDAY , FEBRUARY 20, 2017 The House met at 1:35 p.m. [Madame Speaker in the chair.] Routine Business Introductions by Members J. Darcy: It is an enormous pleasure today for me to introduce a very special guest from my community, the New West Y outh Ambassador Society. This is a group of youth volunteers who are out there in the community supporting everybody in the community at a whole lot of different community events — really, youth leaders of today and leaders of tomorrow. I would like to introduce them to you. First, the co - ordinators: Lynn Radbourne and Bill Radbourne. With them is the guide dog Siku.

This is the second and only time that a guide dog has been introduced in the B.C. Legislature and made it into Hansard. They’re very proud of that. The youth ambassadors are Meghan Connor, Ben Osborne, Giselle Whittaker, Julie Ruggenberg, Cole Thiessen and Jonah Wright, and the chaperones are Victoria Henssler, Florence Earle, Barbara Palen, Linda Cooper and Rick Steinson. Their trip here has been made possible by the New Westminster Firefighters Charitable Society. Could the House join me in welcoming that this amazing group of young people.

I have one other introduction, probably the one the Health Minister’s also going to…. Okay. I’ll let the Health Minister go first, and then I’ll come in second. Hon. T. Lake: Today, we’re very lucky to have joining us 19 guests from the B.C. Care Providers Association that represent 50,000 senior care professionals. They’re in Victoria today to celebrate their fourth annual B.C. Care Awards and also to celebrate today, February 20, being proclaimed Senior Care Providers’ Day in the province of British Columbia. Tonight I will have the pleasure of presenting awards to the 2017 B.C.

Care Award winners, including Mari Green from Beacon Community Services, Care Provider of the Y ear in home care; Bruce Devereux from Sunshine Coast– Powell River, the Good Samaritan Society’s Christenson Village, Innovation of the Y ear; Tom Crump from Surrey- Cloverdale, the Elim Village facility, for the Ed Helfrich Long-Service Excellence Award. I’ve saved the best for last — Tasia McLean Warren from my own riding of Kamloops–North Thompson, who works at the Hamlets at Westsyde. She is being awarded Care Provider of the Y ear in residential care. Can everyone please join me in welcoming the B.C.

Care Providers and their guests here today. J. Darcy: On behalf of members on this side of the House, I’ d like to join the minister in welcoming the B.C. Care Providers today. I want to also make special mention of the wonderful people I had the opportun - ity to meet with earlier today who will be receiving awards tonight. These are the people who care for our seniors, for our frail elderly, 24-7, 365 days a year. They’re the unsung heroes and heroines of our health care system. Please join the minister and all of us in welcoming the people from the B.C. Care Providers today. Hon.

M. de Jong: In the gallery today, Mrs. Madelyn Craven is here. Mrs. Craven, for years and years, was married to Roy Craven. Roy Craven, before he passed away, was a lifelong educator and taught me math in high school. So on the eve of the budget, I plead with mem - bers, to the extent that they find the sums problematic, the equations not balancing or the decimals out of place, that the fault is mine and in no way Roy Craven’s. [1340] I want to welcome, and I know all members will want to welcome, Madelyn Craven here today. As well, at least two former members are in the assem- bly with us today.

Katherine Whittred was first elected in 1996 and served with distinction in this chamber until 2009. She represented Vancouver-Lonsdale and served in the cabinet of the province of British Columbia — as I say, with distinction. It’s great to see her here, along with Olga Ilich, who served in the government from 2005 to 2009, also in the cabinet, representing the folks from Richmond Centre.

I know they would want me to say, on their behalf, how proud they are to be attending a function that you are hosting, I believe this evening, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the achievement of the vote by women in British Columbia, and at the same time, honouring all women who have served with distinction in this Legislative Assembly. I know all members will want to make our former colleagues Katherine and Olga welcome. K. Conroy: I, too, would like to introduce a former MLA to the Legislature. I don’t often get an opportunity to introduce guests, especially this one.

I think he’s been here twice since I’ve been elected. He’s a former MLA for Rossland-Trail and was the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries; the Minister Responsible for Rural Development; as well as B.C. assets and Crown land, the Columbia Basin Trust and the Columbia Power Corporation. He’s one of my greatest supporters, gives me all kinds of great advice and puts up with all the idiosyncrasies of this job. I think I can safely say he’s one of the few spouses that we have, for all of us here, that really, truly understands this profession.

Please join me today in welcoming my husband, Ed Conroy, to the Legislature. 13655

British Columbia Debates13656 Monday, February 20, 2017 Hon. P . Fassbender: We often talk about people who leave the province of British Columbia. We know many are coming back. I have some very dear friends who left British Columbia to join their family in the province of Saskatchewan, and I am delighted that they are able to be here today in the House. Brent and Penny Kirkpatrick are joined by my wife, and I want to welcome them back to B.C. We will always welcome you back. I would like the House to make them feel welcome today. D.

Eby: It’s a great pleasure to introduce to the House my sister, who’s in the gallery today — my little sister. She’s only six feet tall. Interjections. D. Eby: Members, I hear some nervous laughter. Two Ebys in the same House are always cause for trouble. I’ll let you know if we get three or four in the same House. Today there are only two though, so you should be all right. R. Sultan: It gives me great pleasure to introduce three individuals who’ve contributed enormously to the civic life of this province, the first being Nancy Farran.

Nancy graduated from UBC, went into the investment business, joined RBC Dominion Securities in ’96 and currently is a vice-president and wealth adviser with RBC. Nancy is an active volunteer and has served the municipality of West Vancouver on the police board, on the financial advisory commission, on the finance and audit committee and on the Fiscal Sustainability Task Force. She is currently chair of the West Vancouver Community Foundation. The next person I would be honoured to introduce is Dr. Audrey Sojonky. Audrey’s professional career fo- cused on educational research and public policy analy - sis.

She told me today that she did original policy work under the aegis of Minister David Anderson in Ottawa, where she got to know a little bit of the early career of our Premier.

She has had a long and successful record and board leadership in the community, serving as a director of the West Vancouver school board, the Vancouver Public Aquarium, the Vancouver Foundation, the Port of Vancouver, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Kay Meek Centre, the West Vancouver Memorial Library and, in her spare time, the West Vancouver Community Foundation. [1345] The third person I would ask to you welcome is Tiana Farran, who lived in West Vancouver in her earlier years, attended UVIC, got her bachelor’s degree in fine arts, never went back to the North Shore.

She currently lives in James Bay and is admissions team lead at the Royal B.C. Museum. Would the House please welcome these three distin - guished women. M. Mungall: Well, there is no shortage of good things that I could say about Jack and Bertha Smith, who are visiting us today in the Legislature. They are amazing volunteers in the Kootenays. They have contributed so much to British Columbia.

I could be here all afternoon telling everybody about all that they’ve done, but of course, I don’t want to get in the way of the most important business of the day — that cabinet waits for every day — which is question period. May the House please make them very, very welcome and join me in thanking them for everything that they do for B.C. D. Plecas: In the gallery today, we have two wonder - ful visitors from Abbotsford South, my constituents. The first is Stacey Somerville. She is a branch manager of Assante Capital.

She is also a director of Abbotsford Hospice and a very, very important non-stop volunteer in our community. We also have with her, her partner, Kevin MacDonald. He’s a videographer. If you’re someone who’s been in the media — interviewed by the news, filmed by the news — in Abbotsford, it was probably Kevin who did it. Please welcome them to the House. C. Trevena: In the gallery today is George MacPherson. He is the president of the B.C. Shipyard General Workers Federation. Mr. MacPherson really understands the con- cept of a jobs plan.

He would like to see that B.C. ferries are actually built here in B.C., rather than jobs being shipped over to Poland and Germany. I hope the House will make Mr. MacPherson very welcome. A. Weaver: It gives me great pleasure to introduce three guests today, two of whom are constituents. The first is Ned Taylor — he’s a Reynold’s Secondary School student and the author of a petition I’ll be introducing momentarily — along with his father, Matt Taylor, and his friend Jordan Reichert. I might say, for those of you are from Victoria, you will know that there is no such thing as two steps of sep- aration from people.

There is only one. It turns out that Ned’s sister was in grade one and kindergarten with my daughter and that his father’s sister went to high school with me and graduated in 1979 from Oak Bay. Would the House please make them feel very welcome. L. Throness: It’s always a pleasure to have family visit, and it’s a real honour to have my beloved brother, Lyndon Throness, and my sister-in-law Heather come all the way from Surrey to visit me today. Would the House please make them welcome. L. Popham: Today, we have St. Joseph’s Elementary School visiting from Saanich South. Their teacher Mr.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 20, 2017 13657 Mitch Zuback is here with 23 amazing grade 5 students. Please make them feel welcome. D. Ashton: Thank you very much for the opportunity to introduce two people from the area I represent. First of all, Karla Kozakevich. Karla is the chair of the regional dis- trict of Okanagan–Similkameen. Karla lives in Naramata, home of the infamous and famous world-renowned Naramata Bench. Sorry, that was a bit of a tongue-twister for me, but I did get it out. And there was no wine at lunch.

Also, with Karla today is Ian Wilson, vice-president of Wildcat Helicopters, an incredibly innovative helicopter flight company based here in British Columbia and oper- ating also in the South Pacific. Could the House make them very welcome please. D. Donaldson: I have a couple of quick introduc - tions today. The first is Kerri Bassett, who is the direc - tor for the B.C. Association of Child Development and Intervention. She’s going to be attending the budget lock- up in that capacity. Kerri is also the executive director of the Bulkley Valley Child Development Centre located in Smithers.

It serves an incredible region, all the way from Atlin to Vanderhoof. If you jumped in a car, it would take you 20 hours straight to drive that region. She works hard, and she’s in Victoria to continue work- ing with the provincial government on moving Project Pinwheel forward — their capital campaign. I would ask the members of this chamber to join me in welcoming Kerri to the Legislature. [1350] For the first time in more than 35 years and the first time under this modern-day format, the Gitxsan women’s basketball team has won the All-Native Basketball Tournament women’s title in Prince Rupert on Saturday.

The Gitxsan Mystics prevailed over the Haisla team from Kitimat, 56-46 in the final. I was there, and it was nerve-wracking. The Haisla team got within two points in the third quarter. The Mystic showed what can be accomplished when you stick together as a team. Well done. Lugul um. Would the House join me in congratulating the 2017 All-Native Basketball women’s champion, the Gitxsan Mystics. Hon. B. Bennett: It’s my pleasure to introduce the par- ents of my chief of staff Eric Wallace-Deering, Gene and Kathleen Wallace-Deering. They’re up there somewhere.

I’m not sure where they are, but you have a very fine son. Thank you for joining us today. V . Huntington: I have two separate introductions I’ d like to make today. I, too, would like to welcome and join the member from Oak Bay–Gordon Head in welcoming Ned Taylor. Ned has been a tireless advocate for the welfare of egg- laying hens. The petition that the member from Oak Bay–Gordon Head will present today is testament to his commitment. Secondly, I would like to introduce a good friend of mine, Antony Tsui, who has now for three years worked in my constituency office during the summers.

Antony is in his final year at UBC — undergraduate, at least — and is accompanied by three other students, Liann Badiong, Lauren Badiong, and Stephanie Mah, all of whom are in the precinct today from the University of British Columbia. Will the House make them all welcome. N. Simons: I just want to add to the comments of the Minister of Health and my colleague from New Westminster to welcome the B.C. Care Providers and, in particular, Bruce Devereux, innovator of the year.

The community is very proud of the work he’s done, and, of course, the arts community that’s been involved in his work is also lifted up by this recognition. I look forward to this evening where his accomplishments will be honoured. J. Rice: I must concede here to my colleague to my left. It is long overdue that a team from his riding did take a championship in the All-Native Basketball Tournament. However, I would like to acknowledge another team in my constituency. The Skidegate Saints took it for the sixth year in a row, I believe — the defending champions.

It was a very close game with another constituency commun - ity, Kitkatla. It was neck and neck, sitting at the edge of your seat. With seconds on the clock, it was tied and went into overtime and, again with just seconds, the Skidegate Saints defended their championship. Thank you. It was a great All-Native Basketball Tournament. Introduction and First Reading of Bills BILL M218 — INCREASING YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS ACT, 2017 R. Fleming presented a bill intituled Increasing Y outh Participation in Elections Act, 2017. R.

Fleming: I move introduction of the Increasing Y outh Participation in Elections Act for first reading. Motion approved. R. Fleming: It gives me great pleasure to reintroduce this bill, which, if enacted, would allow for the automatic registration of British Columbians at the age of 16 to vote when they are eligible voters at the age of 18. This pre - registration will help improve election participation rates and remove barriers to participation in our democracy.

British Columbia Debates13658 Monday, February 20, 2017 In the last provincial general election, 18- to 24-year- olds had the lowest level of registration of voters and the lowest level of voter participation. A 2014 report to this House, from our independent Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Keith Archer, recommended that voter registration be lowered to the age of 16, as per this bill. This change was also previously recommended by the Chief Electoral Officer in 2011, prior to the 2013 general election.

The ef- fect of this bill would be to allow Elections B.C. to work with schools and B.C. ’s driver licensing program to in - form and register young people about the sacred and hard-fought right of citizenship in our country. [1355] Restricting voter registration to 18 years of age means that when youth become eligible to vote, they may have already left school and home and be very difficult to enumerate. Under this bill, youth would already be pre - registered, and it would encourage young voters to take their civic duty to heart.

The evidence from other jurisdictions like Quebec sug- gests that measures like this see a significantly higher voter participation rate amongst youth. Y outh in my constitu- ency that I have consulted with have demonstrated unani- mous support of this measure, as have non-partisan youth organizations like CIVIX, who endorse this measure. I look forward to second reading and debate of this bill. I move that this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting day of the House.

Bill M218, Increasing Y outh Participation in Elections Act, 2017, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. BILL M219 — RECALL AND INITIATIVE AMENDMENT ACT, 2017 A. Weaver presented a bill intituled Recall and Initiative Amendment Act, 2017. A. Weaver: I move that a bill intituled the Recall and Initiative Amendment Act, 2017, of which notice has been given, be introduced and read a first time now. Motion approved. A.

Weaver: It gives me great pleasure to introduce this bill, which is designed to empower British Columbians so that their voices can be more effectively heard on environ- mental reviews of major projects such as oil pipelines. If we are to re-engage British Columbians in our demo- cracy, we need to actively seek their view on far more of what we debate in this Legislature. We also need to pro- vide them with additional tools to hold their govern - ment to account. The Recall and Initiative Amendment Act is one such tool.

British Columbians have lost faith in the federal review process, particularly as it pertains to oil pipeline proposals. The province has not listened to their voices. This bill would offer British Columbians an opportun- ity to ensure that their voices are indeed heard. If an in - itiative were to pass under the proposed changes in the Recall and Initiative Amendment Act, it would require government to pull out of an existing environmental equivalency agreement for a particular project and hold its own made-in-B.C. review of, for example, a proposed heavy-oil pipeline.

I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House. Bill M219, Recall and Initiative Amendment Act, 2017, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. BILL M220 — ELECTION AMENDMENT ACT 1, 2017 A. Weaver presented a bill intituled Election Amend- ment Act 1, 2017. A. Weaver: I move that a bill intituled the Election Amendment Act, 2017, of which notice has been given, be introduced and read a first time now. Motion approved. A.

Weaver: In this bill I’m introducing today, I would propose lowering the voting age to 16 in the province of British Columbia. There’s a lot of evidence to suggest that the earlier in life a voter casts their first ballot, the more likely they are to develop voting as a habit through- out their life. It’s also a common misconception that 16-year-olds are not as informed on and engaged in political issues as older voters. The research, however, says otherwise. These young citizens of British Columbia are old enough to drive, pay taxes and sign up for the military.

In fact, the notion of taxation without representation is one that is not founded within our democracy. We require rep - resentation with taxation. Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Germany and parts of the U.K. have extended voting rights to 16-year-olds, and it’s time that British Columbia did the same. I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. Madame Speaker: Hon. Member, was that No. 1 or No. 2? A. Weaver: That was No. 1. I’m sorry. Thank you, hon. Speaker.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 20, 2017 13659 Madame Speaker: No worries. Bill M220, Election Amendment Act 1, 2017, intro - duced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on or - ders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today. Statements (Standing Order 25B) SENIOR CARE PROVIDERS’ DAY L. Reimer: It’s my pleasure today to recognize British Columbia’s senior care providers, including 19 members of the B.C. Care Providers Association who are joining us to mark the proclamation of today, February 20, 2017, as B.C. Senior Care Providers’ Day.

Almost one-sixth of our population is over the age of 65, and the number of seniors in British Columbia is expected to rise to an es - timated 1.4 million over the next 20 years, which means there’s a great and growing demand for the kinds of ser- vices our seniors care providers offer. Already, thousands of British Columbians — our par - ents and grandparents, our friends and our neighbours — depend upon the compassionate, professional and gen- erous care they receive from our senior care providers.

These women and men work hard every day to improve quality of life for our seniors and ensure that their needs are met with the dignity and respect that they deserve. By holding the industry to recognized standards-of-care excellence and advocating on behalf of its members, the association has given a voice to our seniors and those who care for them. [1400] Today the association continues to provide valuable support to its more than 300 members as they carry out their important work in residential care, assisted living, home support and commercial care.

The proclamation of B.C. ’s Senior Care Providers’ Day this year is a fitting tribute to the great work that our sen- ior care providers do every day as they brighten the lives of our seniors and help to ease the challenges of aging. I hope the House will join me in showing our appreciation to the senior care providers we have here today, and to all of B.C. ’s senior care providers. MARINE CONSERV ATION AREA AND PROTECTION OF ORCAS G.

Holman: I want to revisit two related issues I’ve raised here before: the proposed national marine con - servation area for the southern Strait of Georgia and its endangered resident orca population. The south Salish Sea is one of the planet’s most pro - ductive marine ecosystems, home to more than 3,000 species. Parks Canada considers it the most at-risk natur- al environment in Canada, which includes our southern resident orcas threatened by water and noise pollution and diminished chinook stocks.

The now 14-year-old B.C.-Canada agreement on the NMCA and federal species-at-risk laws reflect our collect- ive obligation to protect the Salish Sea and the orca. The consent and partnership of First Nations is also essential. There is some progress on the NMCA. We now have protection targets for Canada’s marine waters, and newly hired Parks Canada staff are consulting with First Nations and re-engaging stakeholders in affected sectors. The southern resident orca are still at grave risk, with recent deaths reducing the population to 78.

Research by Raincoast indicates that the Kinder Morgan project may, in fact, extirpate the southern resident orca even with - out a major spill. The Steelhead LNG proposal in Saanich Inlet could be another ecological blow. While we dither on protecting the orca and the south Salish Sea, we proceed apace with industrial projects. We must do better.

For example, we could facilitate an NMCA through a reconciliation approach with First Nations to provide them immediate economic and cul - tural benefits, including, for example, protection of Owl Island, another Coast Salish burial islet in the Gulf Islands facing development. We have a responsibility to protect the most endan - gered marine environment in Canada and avoid the destruction of its most iconic inhabitants. The path to fulfilling these obligations is through reconciliation and collaboration with First Nations. V ANCOUVER FOUNDATION AND WEST V ANCOUVER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION R.

Sultan: Here are bits of wisdom. Chaucer said from little acorns, mighty oaks grow. Piketty said in the 21st century, wealth grows faster than economic output. In 1943, a Vancouver woman named Alice MacKay passed away. She had saved $1,000 from her secre - tary job and wanted to help homeless women. Her will stipulated that only income, but not principal, be used. This attracted the attention of titans of B.C. industry: VanDusen, Ronald Graham, H.R. MacMillan, Kidd, Malkin, McHattie, Spencer, Williamson and Woodward.

Today the Vancouver Foundation, which she started, has grown to over $1 billion and has dispersed another bil - lion along the way. There’s another acorn not yet fully grown. The West Vancouver Community Foundation — assets, $13 mil - lion. It is chaired by a wealth management expert from the Royal Bank, Nancy Farran, who sits in the gallery today. It supports community projects and scholarships in such categories as the North Shore 100 Women Who Care en- dowment fund and the aboriginal youth sport legacy fund, and a report card on the vital signs of our community.

British Columbia Debates13660 Monday, February 20, 2017 You might think investing money is the hard part and giving it away, easy. But my own experience at the McConnell Foundation suggests the opposite is true. Thank you to the benefactors and volunteers who show us how to both accumulate and disburse our wealth wisely to benefit everybody in our society. TRI-CITIES MOMS GROUP J. Wickens: Some people say that it’s moms who rule the world, and I agree.

So many of the fearless advocates and social change makers I know are mothers who re - fused to accept anything but what was best and right for their children. [1405] Today there’s a lot of pressure on mothers: pressure if you’re a working mom, pressure if you’re a stay-at- home mom. Do you breastfeed or bottle feed? How many activities do you put your children in? How much screen time do your children have? I never realized how much pressure I would feel to do all and be all until I became a mom. That is why it is so important for moms to have a com- munity to lean on and get support from.

The Tri-Cities Moms Group is an on-line group of over 5,500 moms in our community. This group has been instrumental in bringing moms together for support, advice and, some - times, the social interactions needed that moms feel themselves alienated from once they have children. Heather Hooten started the online group so that moms would have a place to ask each other questions and gain support. I often see her posting, at all hours, anonymous member questions for moms who don’t feel comfortable to ask those questions themselves.

The group has pulled together to raise funds for moms who find themselves in times of need. They have pub nights, Christmas parties, and this year they are having their very first Tri-Cities Moms Group retreat. I’m really sad that I can’t go. The Tri-Cities Moms Group is a perfect example of women supporting women and finding a 21st-century way to address the pressures of parenthood. Thank you to all the tri-city moms who have spent so much time em- powering this community and their fellow moms. TREVOR McDONALD J.

Martin: Trevor McDonald, called Chilliwack’s most prolific music maker by the Chilliwack Times, was recent- ly given a prestigious honour. During the 21nd annual Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards held last month, a special presentation was made to honour Trevor’s commitment to the community of Chilliwack. There, he was presented the Stan Rogers Legacy Award, sponsored by the Legacy Pacific group of companies. It’s an award given annually, named after great Chilli- wack business leader and developer Stan Rogers, who passed away suddenly in 2014.

Stan was well known for his community involvement, and each year the Chilli - wack Chamber of Commerce honours someone who shares those values. Trevor is a leader in Chilliwack’s art and culture scene, easily recognized as the emcee and entertainment organ- izer for the downtown Party in the Park, Canada Day fes- tivities and numerous other events. Trevor uses his talent and his personality to improve our community. His love of Chilliwack brings people together working toward a common goal and encourages a sense of success and pride in every event he is a part of.

Through his amazing one-man show, he brings to life songs of ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and the ’80s and entertains at lit- erally hundreds of public and corporate shows every year. His involvement in jam nights at numerous Chilliwack establishments has encouraged many other local artists, young and old, to share their talents as well. Many have gone on to perform in large and small venues all across the province thanks to Trevor’s inspiration.

When it came to organizing Chilliwack Senior Secondary School’s Hello, Goodbye Reunion, as the old high school was set to be demolished and the new state-of-the-art facility unveiled in 2013, of course it was Trevor at the centre of the action. We’re so fortunate to have a citizen of Trevor’s cali - bre in our community. If you’re ever visiting Chilliwack, please be sure to check out his busy performance sched- ule and maybe congratulate him on his Stan Rogers Legacy Award recognition. JOY COGHILL G. Heyman: Later this afternoon, her many friends will celebrate the rich life of Joy Coghill.

On January 20, B.C. and Canada lost a legendary actor, director, teach - er and mentor. Joy was a trailblazer for actors and for women in the arts. In 1953, Joy founded Canada’s first professional chil- dren’s theatre company, Holiday Theatre. Joy took pride that over half their productions were original, and the company was one of the first to commission new Canadian plays. Generations of young people took lessons and the op- portunity to express themselves onstage and backstage. I was one of many who found a creative channel for youth- ful energy.

Joy was the first woman artistic director of Vancouver’s Playhouse Theatre, where she commissioned George Ryga’s The Ecstasy of Rita Joe , and initiated Stage 2 to showcase new Canadian playwrights. She was the first woman to head the National Theatre School’s English section. [1410]

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 20, 2017 13661 To watch Joy work was to see an inquisitive, experi - mental, energetic approach to theme. She brought new perspective to many roles, including the title character in Shakespeare’s King Lear. She played Emily Carr in Song of This Place , which she also wrote. In later years, she founded a company for older actors, Western Gold, and developed The Alzheimer Project. Concerned that performing arts workers were often destitute in their senior years, Joy co-founded the Performing Arts Lodge as a residence that includes per - formance space.

Joy was honoured with the Order of Canada and a Governor General’s Award in Performing Arts. This Legislature appointed Joy to the inaugural B.C. Arts Council. Last November, Joy accepted the Union of B.C. Performers ACTRA Woman of Distinction Award. Younger actors applauded Joy’s undiminished pas - sion for theatre and film and her recognition that unions make performers’ lives better. Joy was passionate about both politics and community. In her own words: “I really spent my whole life believ- ing that the health of our nation depends on the health of the arts. ” Oral Questions STAFFING LEVELS FOR SHERIFFS M.

Farnworth: Last year, we saw a record number of overdose deaths in the province of British Columbia. Y et just this past Friday, here in Victoria, an accused drug- dealing thug walked free because of a lack of sheriffs for the courts here in British Columbia. Can the Attorney General tell this House how letting an accused drug-dealing thug walk free because of a lack of sheriffs is good for justice or keeps the public safe? Hon. S. Anton: It is my priority and the priority of court services, of the judiciary, to make sure that courts run smoothly.

And the vast majority of time in British Columbia, they do run smoothly. Nobody wants to see the case dismissed. The member opposite doesn’t, I don’t, and the public certainly doesn’t. Nobody wants to see cases dismissed for what, in this case, was a technical reason, not a reason on the facts of the case. But I think we do need to know a little bit more about the case itself. I’m informed that this was a case where the accused should have been in court on the Monday, failed to appear and came into custody during the week.

The case was rescheduled later in the week — a late scheduling — so that on Friday morning, right at the time the court opened, the resources were not available right then. It did turn out that they were available just a short time later in the day, but they weren’t available right at that time. That is not a situation that anybody likes, and that’s why we are increasing the sheriff resources in British Columbia, because my goal is to ensure that courtrooms are staffed and that cases go ahead appropriately around British Columbia. Madame Speaker: Member for Port Coquitlam on a supplemental. M.

Farnworth: Well, we’ve just heard the Attorney General learn from the Finance Minister the fine art of gibberish. The Attorney General can stand in this House and say that it was a technicality. It is not a technicality when an accused drug-dealing thug walks free in the province. It is a direct result of the choices of this government to en- sure that we don’t have enough sheriffs in the province of British Columbia. Five years ago, there were 500 sheriffs in this province. Now there are around just over 400. There were 35 in Victoria. Now there are just over 21.

It’s because of those choices — a failure to put public safety first. It’s the rea - son this drug-dealing thug got to walk free. My question to the Attorney General is: when and how is she going to fix this unacceptable situation? Hon. S. Anton: As I said, it is my goal to make sure that courtrooms function smoothly and with the ap - propriate staff and staff as needed, especially sheriffs, throughout British Columbia. That’s why we are, in fact, adding a second class of re- cruits this year. There are often 24 a year.

This year there will be 48 — and over the next couple of years — so that we do have plenty of sheriff resources around the province. [1415] But as I said, this was a case where there were actually re- sources available a short time later. It was a late-scheduled case. But nobody…. As I said, I don’t want to see accused persons go free for a reason such as this, nor does the pub- lic, nor the whole court system. That is why we are work- ing very hard to ensure that the right resources are in place at the right time in the courtrooms of British Columbia. B.

Ralston: The minister has tried to minimize the facts of this particular case, but let’s listen to what the judge in the case had to say. The drug dealer walked free. “ A lack of provincial will to provide the necessary re - sources” — that’s what the judge said. A lack of provincial will to provide the necessary resources — not minimiz - ing the facts but directly pointing at the government and at the minister herself. It’s hardly a new issue. In January 2016, another drug dealer nearly walked away from a charge due to the lack of a sheriff.

At that time, Dean Purdy of correction and sheriff services said: “It’s like playing roulette with secur- ity as well as the safety of the public. ” Knowing all this, and for all that time, why didn’t the Attorney General take action?

British Columbia Debates13662 Monday, February 20, 2017 Hon. S. Anton: As I said, we have taken action. There is an additional class of recruits going through the system this year and next. We will put more sher - iffs into the system so that the courtrooms are ready to go as needed. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. S. Anton: We are tackling this in other ways as well by taking things out of courtrooms — in other words, freeing up court time. The impaired driving cases — 6,000 cases no longer going into courtrooms. The civil resolution tribunal.

Very shortly, the minor small claims matters will no longer be in courtrooms. So we are free - ing up court time in other ways so that when there are criminal cases that need to go ahead, the resources are there so that those cases can go ahead as needed in all of the courtrooms of British Columbia. B. Ralston: We aren’t talking traffic tickets here. There are a number of high-profile cases involving gang mem- bers that have dragged through the courts for many years. These are people accused of vicious gangland murders, and they could walk free because of courtroom delays. This isn’t theoretical.

In Alberta in October 2016, a first- degree murder charge was dropped by the court because of lengthy court delays, delays that are very common in British Columbia. My question to the Minister of Justice: how many gang members and drug dealers will be let free before she takes action? Hon. S. Anton: Last year, there were seven cases stayed because of delay. That’s out of about 60,000 cases in the system, for a sense of proportion. No one wants to see a case stayed because of delay, but let me assure the House that that number is down significantly over the years. The number has gone down steadily.

The Jordan case requires that criminal cases be heard in a timely way. The criminal justice branch of this government is work - ing very hard to make sure that our cases do go through in a timely way, because no one wants to see cases stayed because of delay. As I said, in British Columbia — only seven last year. But it is being monitored very carefully, because nobody wants to see those cases stayed. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. S. Anton: None of those seven cases pleased anybody, and we are watching this very carefully to en - sure that the number stays very low or to zero if possible.

W AIT TIMES FOR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERIES J. Darcy: Lee Horn from Osoyoos has been living with excruciating pain for three years. He waited seven months for a CAT scan, almost an entire year then for an MRI, and then another very long wait in order to see a surgeon be- fore he finally learned that he needed a hip replacement. It has been over 15 months since he got that assessment, and Lee still doesn’t have a date for his surgery. Lee’s wife, Gaye, is in the gallery today.

Will the Minister of Health please tell Gaye and her husband, Lee, if he thinks it’s acceptable that Lee has had to wait almost three years in excruciating pain to get his hip surgery? [1420] Hon. T. Lake: There is no question that a growing and aging population puts demands on the health care system here in British Columbia. We recognize that, in some parts of the province particularly, there are unacceptable wait times — in some cases for MRIs, in some cases for surgery. We are working very hard to get to the people that have waited the longest.

We infused $25 million into a surgical initiative last year on top, of course, of the hundreds of millions of dollars that we spend year over year on sur - gery alone — another $25 million, as well as an MRI pro- gram, including four new MRIs, and more procedures all around the province of British Columbia. Madame Speaker: The member for New Westminster on a supplemental. J. Darcy: The Minister of Health acts like it’s some kind of surprise that we have an aging population. We’ve known that for decades in the province of British Columbia, and the minister’s job is to be prepared for that.

But the outrageous thing is that Lee isn’t alone. There are thousands more people like him who are wait- ing in pain for years. Because of this government’s fail - ures, British Columbia has the second-worst — meaning the second-longest — wait times for hip and knee re - placements in Canada. This unacceptable wait has completely disrupted Lee and Gaye’s lives, and they’re unable to continue running the photo tour operation that they used to so much enjoy running in their community. Lee has been languishing in pain for 903 days — 903 days, hon. Speaker.

Will the min- ister please tell Lee and Gaye when Lee can expect to get this surgery that he has needed for a very, very long time? Hon. T. Lake: The reality is that between 2001 and to- day, the number of knee replacements has gone up 176 percent and the number of total hip replacements over 100 percent. That is outpacing the growth of the popu - lation. Cataract surgery is up 79 percent. Angioplasty is up 66 percent.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 20, 2017 13663 We know, as the hon. member for New Westminster mentioned earlier today, that when people need emer - gency surgery, there are no waits, but we understand that there are some people waiting too long for some of these elective surgeries. We are working hard — 5,000 extra surgeries conducted with the $25 million from last year, another 5,000 extra surgeries this year. We will continue. Y ou will see tomorrow, I’m sure, continued investment in the health care system in the province of B.C. IHEALTH ELECTRONIC RECORDS SYSTEM AT NANAIMO HOSPITAL D.

Routley: Last week we learned that the PharmaNet system was hacked. Patients’ personal information was put at risk for the second time in two years, and the best explanation the Health Minister could muster was: “In the age of data and cybertechnology today, this is a risk of the 21st century. ” On Friday afternoon, the minister’s inability to ensure that health care IT systems protect patients was on dis - play yet again.

On Friday, the CEO of Island Health told staff at Nanaimo Regional Hospital that they were going to cease using key elements of the minister’s new $50 mil- lion IHealth system because physicians said it was putting patients at risk — serious risk. Can the minister explain why he waited so long to acknowledge that IHealth was putting patients at risk? Hon. T. Lake: Well, in fact I didn’t wait. I went to Nanaimo. I met with the medical team at Nanaimo. I met with Island Health. We commissioned a report by Dr. Doug Cochrane, a B.C. patient care quality officer, who listed recommendations and a workplan.

We set up an oversight committee. But it, despite best efforts…. I will say this, hon. Speaker.

The physicians and the med- ical team at Nanaimo and the people at Island Health in charge of this project all have a common interest in mak- ing sure we get a product that delivers a single electronic health record for the people of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital that keeps patients safe. [1425] There are a number of physicians at Nanaimo, as the member well knows, that still have some concerns, so we are working with them, with Island Health and with the doctors and other medical staff to ensure that this sys - tem remains safe for patients while those improvements are taking place. D.

Routley: In between the minister’s rhetoric, threats made against doctors and nurses, and all of this mess coming to the minister’s desk, patients are at risk. The people we represent are lost in the battle. They feel that the IHealth system puts patients in serious danger of re- ceiving the wrong medication. Finally, the minister has been forced to acknowledge that these health care professionals’ concerns are valid. Can the minister explain why he ignored the real con - cerns of doctors and nurses at Island Health for so long? Hon. T. Lake: I’ll repeat: I did not ignore those con - cerns.

In fact, I personally went and met with the phys - icians and other medical staff members at Nanaimo. I, along with my deputy, met with the Island Health board and the senior executive team last week. There are varying views on this system. Dr. Cochrane did not recommend that the system be taken down while the improvements were made. Two other experts were brought in, neither of which made that same recom - mendation.

The important thing is that physicians and others at Nanaimo did not have the confidence in the system, so we have to work with them in a collaborative way to ensure that the member’s constituents and patients at Nanaimo are cared for, that the physicians and other medical staff that use the system have confidence in the system. We’re all going to work together to achieve that goal. D. Eby: Y ou just have to look at the record to under- stand the problems with what the minister is saying.

It was May of last year when the doctors and nurses that were front-line went to the media and said that this sys - tem was producing medication errors. They were put - ting patients at risk. It was November of last year that this minister’s own report that he commissioned said that this computerized provider order entry system be “revalidated” to ensure it was safe. Y et where are we now? This minister shut down the system Friday of last week. My question to the minister: how many patients were put at risk, and were any patients injured? Hon. T. Lake: The system has not been taken down.

There are physicians, 112 members of the medical staff association — I believe there are 175 members in total — that still had some concerns and asked for the computerized provider order entry system to be put aside while that revalidation occurs. Dr. Cochrane did not recommend that. Other experts have not recom - mended that. We are going to walk through what that process looks like with the medical staff association and the members of the health care team in Nanaimo. If that is the best thing to do, we will do it.

But we will ensure that that pro- cess does not endanger patient safety, and we will walk together in a collaborative way to accomplish our goal of one electronic health record for every patient. Madame Speaker: The member for Vancouver–Point Grey on a supplemental. D. Eby: Whether the minister says that the system was put aside or shut down, the fact is that doctors and nurses

British Columbia Debates13664 Monday, February 20, 2017 are going back to pen and paper. They said from the very beginning that this system is not safe for patients. When they said that, the minister said to them: “I don’t have a concern about the structural integrity” of this sys- tem. Then after he got the audit, he hedged a little bit: “No one is doing this to a level that they were hoping to get with this, so this will all get us to a better place. ” But we’re not in a better place. The doctors and nurses are still worried about patient safety.

The minister and his experts can say there’s no problem, but the people treating patients say that there are medication errors taking place. Again to the minis - ter: how many patients were put at risk, and were any patients injured? [1430] Hon. T. Lake: The member, as he is wont to do, is put- ting words in my mouth. I did not say that Dr. Cochrane or other experts said that there were no problems with the system. They recognized that there were challenges with the system, but they did not recommend putting it aside while those revalidation processes occurred.

The reality is that people working at Nanaimo — a large number of people, a significant number — still don’t have the confidence that is necessary to go forward with the system. So we will walk with them to look at the pro- cess of setting aside the system and discover to what ex - tent that will affect patient care. We’re going to do it in a collaborative, cooperative way. The member, I know, can think back to other challenges in electronic systems around the world. This is a challenge, but we shouldn’t be daunted by challenges. We shouldn’t give up.

We need to get to an electronic health record that provides a single patient re- cord, for the safety and effective delivery of care in the province of British Columbia. V ANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECT M. Mungall: I mean, the minister ought to know that we don’t need to look beyond British Columbia’s bor - ders if we want to see boondoggle after boondoggle after boondoggle. When it comes to IT systems, B.C. is no - torious. The really troubling

part in all of this…. No sur - prise, there’s a twist in another one of these B.C. Liberal stories of IT failures. The troubling

part is that after the minister’s $500 mil- lion Vancouver Coastal IT project went sideways and the minister fired IBM, he went out and hired Cerner to fix it. Now, that’s the same company that produced this system in Nanaimo that’s failing. So why on earth would British Columbians have any confidence that this min - ister’s repeated bad decisions — bad decision after bad decision — aren’t going to make things worse for patients in Vancouver Coastal? Hon. T.

Lake: I’m not sure I can match that commun- ity theatre performance, but let me tell you that Cerner was always the system being contemplated in the CSC program in Vancouver Coastal and PHSA. Across the globe, there are 5,400 hospitals and 45,000 physicians using Cerner systems. This isn’t a system that is new to the health care scene. In Canada alone, 34 health sys - tems use Cerner-based computerized provider order entry. This is a well-used system. It has to be customized and tailored to our local hospitals. That’s what we’re all working hard to do. NEGOTIATIONS FOR FEDERAL HEALTH CARE FUNDING S.

Simpson: On December 22, the Health Minister had this to say about the accord with the federal govern- ment on health care. His exact words were that we’re “not going to negotiate a side deal. ” Now he has cut a side deal, one that leaves B.C. short on health funding. Can the minister please explain why he gave up on get- ting a good deal? Or did the Premier do the deal against his advice? Hon. T. Lake: They are called negotiations for a reason. Y ou actually have one side advocate one thing, one side advocate another. Here is where we were…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. T.

Lake: The former federal government was cutting the Canada health transfer from 6 percent to 3 percent. That’s where we started. We — the province of British Columbia and other provinces and territories — advocated for a 5.2 percent increase. With the agree - ment that we’ve come to with Ottawa, we get 4.4 percent increases, which is halfway in between where we start - ed and where we wanted to be. That’s often the result of negotiations. But I’ll tell you this. It means $1.4 billion more for mental health and substance use and home care and residential care in the province of British Columbia.

Madame Speaker: Recognizing Vancouver-Hastings on a supplemental. [1435] S. Simpson: Let’s repeat the minister’s other words of that day and time for him. As he said: “The offer — let me be clear — means that over a ten-year period, the share of federal funding for health care would decline. ” He then said that he would not participate in “a divide- and-conquer tactic with other provinces. ” Then he gave up in less than two months and walked away from that process with other provinces, doing exactly that.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 20, 2017 13665 Did the Health Minister give up on standing up for B.C. health care, or was he thrown under the bus along with the rest of British Columbians by the Premier? Hon. T. Lake: The reality is that we had very intense negotiations with the provinces, territories and the fed - eral government. It became clear that we needed to get to a place where we were putting the money into action on behalf of patients in the province of British Columbia. This deal gives us $1.4 billion over ten years…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members, the Chair will hear the answer.

Hon. T. Lake: Thank you, hon. Speaker. This deal gives us money for mental health and substance use and, im - portantly, a national framework for opioid response and $10 million directly to the province of British Columbia to help us with the very real public health care crisis that we are facing. The members will see tomorrow how much and how important health care is to this govern - ment as we invest further in the care of patients in British Columbia. CARE STANDARDS AT SENIORS CARE FACILITIES S.

Robinson: The government today announced that today is Seniors Care Providers’ Day, and in the gallery are some of the front-line workers who do their best to take care of our parents, our grandparents and our loved ones. Unfortunately, this government isn’t giving them sufficient resources to provide the care that our seniors need. Last year the seniors advocate reported that only 18 percent of our publicly funded residential care facilities were meeting the benchmark of 3.36 care hours per resi- dent per day, and last year the Minister of Health said that they were going to do better.

This year that same report showed that only 9 percent of those same facilities were meeting that benchmark. Will the minister please tell the House why his gov - ernment is continuing to fail seniors as we look after our most vulnerable citizens? Hon. T. Lake: As I mentioned, the agreement that we reached with the federal government will provide addi - tional increased supports for home care improvements in the province of British Columbia. Again, the mem - bers will see in the budget that we continue to increase the number of resources available for caring for our vul- nerable seniors.

Our parliamentary secretary has been working closely with the office of the seniors advocate, with B.C. care pro- viders, with other organizations around the province to ensure that the seniors here in British Columbia get the very best care, the care that they deserve. Madame Speaker: Coquitlam-Maillardville on a sup- plemental. S. Robinson: Well, responding about home support when, in fact, the question was about residential care not being properly funded is really, I think, very disrespect - ful to the people here in this gallery who are actually do- ing that work.

Now 91 percent of publicly funded facilities that care for our seniors don’t have the staff that they need. That’s 91 percent. This leaves those on the front lines with moral distress and frustration about not being able to provide the care that they know seniors need. Last year when my colleague asked about this, the minister said that staffing levels weren’t much of a problem. When we asked about the 3.36 hours of care per day per resident, the minister said:”It’s not a requirement; it’s a guideline. ” So this government believes that ad - equate care of seniors is just a guideline.

Why is the minister allowing our vulnerable seniors to have less than adequate care, and when will he make quality care a requirement? Hon. T. Lake: The 3.36 hours per resident per day is, in fact, a planning guide that all health authorities should be working to as an average across the health au- thority. Seniors aren’t widgets; they’re individuals. Their care should be based on an individual care plan based on their RAI score. [1440] In terms of home care, I’m sure the member will learn that if you can support people in their home with more home care supports, that reduces the demand on residen- tial care.

We are committed to our seniors in the province of British Columbia, and that means that we’ll con - tinue to do the hard work necessary. Our Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors will continue to do that work. We will continue to make investments and, along with the deal that we have signed with Ottawa, increase invest- ments even further so that people can stay in their home — whether that’s their home, whether that’s assisted liv - ing, or whether that’s residential care — in a safe and ap- propriate manner. C. James: I heard the Health Minister say that these are standards they should be working to.

Well, it’s very clear that they aren’t working to these standards. Nine percent of facilities met the guideline — 9 percent, Minister. That is a vast majority of facilities that are not able to provide basic care to seniors. My colleague from Victoria–Swan Lake and I held a seniors forum about three weeks ago — an overflowing

British Columbia Debates13666 Monday, February 20, 2017 room — and the issue of care for seniors came up over and over and over again. We had families in tears because they can’t get the kind of care that their seniors deserve. We had workers in tears because they aren’t able to pro- vide the kind of care that they need. This is clearly a pattern with this government. We heard the Minister of Children and Families last week say that she wouldn’t take responsibility for enforcing guide- lines — and now the Minister of Health.

Why will the minister not ensure that these guide - lines — and the facilities that need the resources for these guidelines — happen for seniors in every facility in British Columbia? Hon. T. Lake : This government has invested all around the province in new residential care facilities. It wasn’t that long ago that you could not find any resi - dential care facilities. We have changed that, and we’ve made important changes to the Community Care and Assisted Living Act that allow people to stay in assisted living longer.

I have heard today member after member on the op - posite side stand up and say: “More resources, more re - sources. ” Y et they stand in the way of every single piece of economic development… Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. T. Lake: …that would flow resources into the ser- vices that government should be providing. They should be ashamed of themselves. They should be ashamed. They just say no, just say no to every piece of economic development. That’s, hon. Speaker, not what we should be doing in the province of B.C. [End of question period.] Petitions A.

Weaver: I’m very pleased to stand to present a pe - tition against the use of inhumane cage confinement in the egg industry. This petition, which has over 33,000 sig- natures, was started and organized by Ned Taylor, a con- stituent who’s attending grade 12 at Reynolds Secondary School in Victoria. In Ned Taylor’s words: “This petition stands firmly against battery cages, enriched cages and all other cages in the egg industry because chickens deserve to roam freely for their health and well-being. Battery cages are cages used in our egg industry that confine egg-laying hens for their entire lives.

In these cages, the hens have no space to move or spread their wings, nor do they have a place to perch. ” Reports from Committees Hon. M. de Jong: I have the honour to present the first report of the Special Committee of Selection for the sixth session of the 40th parliament. I move, Madame Speaker, that the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. Hon. M. de Jong: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the report. Leave granted. Hon. M. de Jong: I move that the report be adopted. Motion approved. [1445] Petitions R.

Fleming: I rise to present a petition to secure permanent funding for rural education, where the under- signed urge the government to recognize that all kids in B.C. ’s public school system deserve secure, stable and pre- dictable education funding and call on the government to invest in rural communities by properly funding our schools. I would note that the petition was brought to this House by somebody who’s in the gallery today, with your indulgence, Madame Speaker. Ms. Brenda Dorosz is here. She’s a long-time resi - dent of beautiful Osoyoos.

She is a locally renowned person for standing up and organizing to save Osoyoos Secondary School. Welcome to the House, Ms. Dorosz. Madame Speaker: If you’re introducing, Member for Victoria–Swan Lake, in future, seek leave to make an introduction. Reports from Committees J. Martin: I have the honour to present the report of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills. I move that the report be taken as read and received. Motion approved. J. Martin: I ask leave of the House to move a motion to adopt the report. Leave granted. J.

Martin: Thank you so much, Madame Speaker. In moving adoption of the report, I would like to make

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 20, 2017 13667 a few brief comments. The report summarizes the results of the committee’s review of the practices and procedures relating to the referral and consideration of estimates by Committee of Supply and the establishment of select standing committees for the life of a parliament. The committee affirmed the importance of the es - timates process and felt that the careful consideration should be given to improving the estimates process in or- der to make it more efficient and effective for all members.

The committee also recognized the importance of par- liamentary committees and agreed that select standing committees should be established for the life of a parlia- ment, rather than on a sessional basis. Moving forward, committee members feel that continued deliberations on ways to adapt and strengthen the standing orders will serve the interests of members and further improve the efficacy of their work. I would like to thank my fellow committee members, including the deputy chair, the member for Nanaimo, for their collaboration and their hard work during this process. With that, I move adoption of the report.

Motion approved. Motions Without Notice POWERS AND ROLE OF HEALTH COMMITTEE Hon. M. de Jong: By leav e, I move that the Select Standing Committee on Health be empowered to con - tinue their work, a two-part mandate identifying poten- tial strategies to maintain a sustainable health care system for British Columbians and consider health care capital funding options. This is work that the committee was engaged in under the previous sitting. The usual powers are provided to the committee to continue that work. By leave, I would move the motion. [That the Select Standing Committee on Health be empow - ered to: 1.

Identify potential strategies to maintain a sustainable health care system for British Columbians; and 2. Consider health capital funding options. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Health, the committee shall be em - powered:

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee and to delegate to the subcommittee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

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

c) to conduct consultations by any means the committee con- siders appropriate;

d) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and

e) to retain such personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved. POWERS AND ROLE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH COMMITTEE Hon.

M. de Jong: Secondly, that the Select Standing Committee on Children and Y outh be appointed, and the mandate under which they have been operating is con - tinued in this motion…. Interjections. Madame Speaker: Members. Hon. M. de Jong: …as are the powers that will enable the Select Standing Committee on Children and Y outh to continue that work. Again, by leave, I would move the motion. [That the Select Standing Committee on Children and Y outh be appointed to foster greater awareness and understanding among legislators and the public of the BC child welfare system, and in particular to: 1.

Receive and review the annual service plan from the Representative for Children and Y outh (the “Representative”) that includes a statement of goals and identifies specific ob - jectives and performance measures that will be required to ex - ercise the powers and perform the functions and duties of the Representative during the fiscal year; 2. Be the committee to which the Representative reports, at least annually; 3. Refer to the Representative for investigation the critical injury or death of a child; 4.

Receive and consider all reports and plans transmitted by the Representative to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia; and, 5. Pursuant to

section 30 (1) of the Representative for Children and Youth Act, S.B.C. 2006, c. 29, undertake a comprehensive review of the Act or portions of the Act by April 1, 2017 to de - termine whether the functions of the representative described in

section 6 are still required to ensure that the needs of children and young adults as defined in that

section are met. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon Select Standing Committees of the House, the Select Standing Committee on Children and Y outh be empowered:

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcommittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee and to delegate to the subcommittee all or any of its powers except the power to report directly to the House;

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

c) to conduct consultations by any means the committee con- siders appropriate;

British Columbia Debates13668 Monday, February 20, 2017

d) to adjourn from place to place as may be convenient; and

e) to retain personnel as required to assist the committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Leave granted. Motion approved. Orders of the Day Throne Speech Debate (continued) J. Rice: I’m very honoured to rise today to speak to the throne speech.

I’ d like to start by recognizing my legisla- tive assistant, Robert Hill, for his commitment to north- ern and rural issues and to ensuring that I get on the right plane at the right time. [R.

Chouhan in the chair.] Thank you, Rob, and thank you to my constituency as- sistants Kaeleen Foote and Carrie Thorpe, back in Prince Rupert, who are assisting record numbers of people with housing and affordability issues who are desperately try- ing to find resources to refer struggling families to. [1450] I’ d also like to acknowledge my former constituency assistants, Alexie Stephens — or Lexi, as she is known — and wish her all the best in her new endeavours, travelling the world and experiencing the joy of being a new auntie.

There is too much influence of big money and politics and not enough commitment to middle-class and work- ing families reflected in this throne speech. The throne speech is about the vision of the current government, yet the throne speech does not reflect the priorities of British Columbians, let alone my constituents in North Coast. How is this government going to make life more affordable for everyday people? When will this govern - ment take action to help our most vulnerable assets: our children? The Representative for Children and Youth just re - leased a report called Broken Promises.

This title speaks to the B.C. Liberal record of governing for this province. This government has given a $1 billion tax break over the last four years to the top 2 percent in this province. Y et report after report demonstrates that we are failing in child welfare, and B.C. ’s child poverty rate is higher than the national average. There are still over 163,000 children living in poverty in British Columbia. At the current rate, it would take until the year 2053 to eliminate child poverty in B.C. We are still the only province in Canada without a poverty reduction plan.

Children are dying in government care, like Alex Gervais, the latest victim of a failed priority of this government. While there is money to give away to those that need it the least, those like Alex suffer the consequences. Not one word in this throne speech mentioned child care. Yet we have one of the worst situations when it comes to child care costs and availability. There is scant reference to the key issues that are im - portant to First Nations in this throne speech, when it’s a very important time in history in regards to aboriginal peoples’ rights.

We have the UN declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. We’re no longer talking about recommendations here. We’re talking about calls to action. And the courts are telling us to do so in cases like Delgamuukw and Tsilhqot’in. There’s no mention of that.

It took four years and the revelations that political staff in the Ministry of Transportation’s office were purposefully deleting emails about missing and murdered indigenous women to get this government to bring safe transportation for fam - ilies who live along Highway 16, otherwise known as the Highway of Tears. The throne speech does not touch on the staggering number of aboriginal kids in care — at 60 percent — even though they represent less than 10 percent of B.C. ’s popu- lation.

The recent children’s report valuing early interven- tion with indigenous youth as well as kinship care and cultural connections was absent from the throne speech. The throne speech says: “In the coming weeks, your government will implement a new rural economic de - velopment strategy that begins with an unwavering com- mitment to get to yes on building projects that create jobs in rural communities — projects like Site C and LNG. Secondly, investments to create jobs through necessary infrastructure improvements. ” Well, I eagerly await this announcement.

Just ask the city of Prince Rupert how it’s managing its infrastruc - ture needs. Lead in the drinking water, a failing dam, no sewage treatment, crumbling roads and yet not one LNG agreement made with the municipality to support the supposed influx of workers from the coming LNG bon - anza promised four years ago by the Premier. Nothing for Prince Rupert to prepare for industry, yet the burden falls to the city to support this industry. In this throne speech, the government boasts about their jobs numbers.

There’s certainly some evidence to say that while British Columbia is leading the way in job growth, we know that it’s actually not accurate when you think about the kinds of jobs that are being created. In fact, B.C. actually led Canada in growth of below-aver - age-wage work over the last number of years. When you have low-wage, part-time workers who can’t pay their bills, whose MSP is going up, whose ICBC is

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 20, 2017 13669 going up, then they’re falling farther behind. While the numbers may look good on paper, the economic real - ity in the homes and lives of real people is not as pretty.

The government boasts about low taxes, but what’s really interesting is that over these last 16 years under this current government, there have been significant tax cuts to personal income taxes, but they’ve been replaced with regressive taxes like MSP premiums and ICBC premiums. [1455] When you add up all the taxes that people pay — all of it: income tax, PST, MSP , fuel, property tax — the people paying the bulk of the taxes in this province are the bot- tom of our income earners. That’s an unfair burden to our lower earners in our province. Who’s benefiting from all this? Well, it’s the wealthy.

The top-earners are actually paying less tax — a lower effective tax rate than everybody else. We have an un - fair system, where the tax burden is placed on the bot - tom earners. When you call it a fee, it is a tax. It’s a regressive tax. Whether you make $400,000 a year or $40,000 a year, you’re still paying the same fee. This is simply not fair. The B.C. Liberals only include income taxes in their numbers, while ignoring MSP , Hydro, ICBC and more — hidden taxes that everyone has to pay. When you add those costs, B.C. isn’t the lowest in taxes. We have one of the highest costs of living.

These increases cost the average family at least $1,000 bucks per year. That’s a $1,000 more. A year ago the seniors advocate said 82 percent of care homes in British Columbia weren’t meeting the govern- ment’s own standards of 3.36 hours of direct care per day. The government said: “We need to do better. ” But things have gotten worse, not better. Now it’s 91 percent of care homes that aren’t meeting that standard. In my own com- munity, seniors are being woken up very early in the mor- ning and often have to sit two, three hours before they’re able to eat breakfast.

They’re not being toileted in time, and they’re suffering the incredible indignity of having to sit in soiled diapers. In the Acropolis Manor in Prince Rupert, when it comes to bathing — something we all take for granted — it’s the first thing to go. Sometimes residents don’t get the one bath they’re allowed a week. Often the care aides are too busy. They’re overworked, short-staffed, and they don’t get to the bath. It could go two or three weeks or more before someone gets a bath in Acropolis Manor.

There’s not one single mention of improving this kind of care for seniors in the throne speech, let alone improv - ing the situation for workers that are being run ragged and burning out. The throne speech stated: “Y our government will work with B.C. Ferries to provide a new seasonal ferry service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola. ” Well, the Premier announced this in September to be implemented in 2018 after scrapping it two years ago. Ferries are only men - tioned in the context of tourism. The B.C.

Liberals ignore completely all those who live in coastal communities, who rely on ferries for work and the needed connection to services and their families. Just ask the people of Sandspit on Haida Gwaii how their economy is going or how easy it is to get their kids to school with the cuts this government has made to their ferry service. Let’s talk about the prosperity fund. The government says: “World markets may go up and down, but bring - ing home the generational opportunity of LNG remains within reach because of the work that has been done in our province….

And your government has made a down payment for all of us. The British Columbia prosperity fund already has $500 million — a savings plan for the future and to pay down our debt. ” Let’s talk about broken promises with the prosperity fund. Broken promises include that it will contribute to making B.C. debt-free. In fact, under this government, British Columbians’ public debt has increased 45 percent, from $45.2 billion in 2011 to $63.5 billion today — the largest increase under any one Premier in B.C. ’s history. That $100 billion from LNG will flow directly into the prosperity fund — another promise.

In fact, the Premier has taken $400 million from MSP hikes and the overheat- ed real estate market to create a pre-election slush fund. Another broken promise: that the prosperity fund could help eliminate the sales tax. In fact, the government took $6.5 billion from PST this year. The prosperity fund will accelerate the paydown of B.C. Hydro and for the Port Mann Bridge. In fact, B.C. Hydro’s debt has grown from $11.7 billion to $19.5 billion under this government. [1500] The B.C. government has significantly scaled back their LNG expectations in this throne speech.

The Premier promised British Columbians 100,000 jobs, an LNG plant up and running by 2015 and five by 2020. The Premier promised $100 billion prosperity fund and a debt-free B.C. None of those promises have been kept. In the 2013 throne speech, LNG was to eliminate our debt, eliminate the PST, and create 100,000 jobs and a trillion dollars in economic activity. In 2014, the throne speech said that LNG was a chance, not a windfall. In 2015, the throne speech said LNG was still a generational opportunity but was barely mentioned otherwise in an ef- fort to change the channel. In 2016, in the throne speech, the B.C.

Liberals finally admitted that their timelines could not be met and whined that the government have done all that they can, but “global conditions are posing new challenges. ” Although LNG…. “Success is not for quitters” was the change of the channel there. This year, LNG needs “global markets to thrive, but unforeseen headwinds have created challenging condi - tions, ” and reminding us that world markets may go up and down and that the very best they can do is insist that bringing home that generational opportunity of LNG re- mains within reach.

British Columbia Debates13670 Monday, February 20, 2017 Quite a change in tune since the 2013 throne speech’s grandiose promises. [R. Lee in the chair.] I’ d like to wrap up by talking about education. The throne speech states, “ Average per-pupil funding is now over $8,900, the highest ever, even with an increase of 10,000 students in the past two years. ” Well, B.C. ’s per- pupil funding is $1,000 lower than the national average. Since the time this Premier was Education Minister in 2002, B.C. has gone from the second-best-funded educa- tion system in Canada to the second-worst.

Again, I quote from the throne speech: “This gov - ernment has worked with the Teachers Federation to achieve the longest negotiated settlement in history, ensuring six years of labour peace in our classrooms so that our children can learn without interruption. ” Like this was some sort of fun picnic that the government had with the teachers. Not only did this Premier de - liberately provoke a strike with B.C. teachers in 2012; she oversaw the longest school strike in B.C. ’s history in 2014.

When the Premier was Education Minister in 2002, she illegally ripped up teachers’ contracts, taking away their right to bargain for class size and composition. For 15 years, her government spent millions to battle B.C. teachers in court. In the end, it took the Supreme Court of Canada less than 20 minutes to decide the Premier had it wrong all along. But now, a generation of B.C. kids spent their time in our public education system in over- crowded and undersupported classrooms because of this Premier’s decisions. I’ll return to the theme of broken promises.

The throne speech says: “To keep our students safe, your government has committed $1.7 billion in new infrastructure over the next three years and invested $1.3 billion in more than 160 completed school seismic projects, with more to come over the next three years. ” Well, in 2005, the B.C. Liberal government promised that all schools would be seismically upgraded by 2020. In 2015, they pushed that deadline back to 2025, and 2030 for schools in Vancouver. Before the last election, this government promised that 45 high-risk schools would be seismically upgraded by 2016.

The Premier is now using excuses, like low enrolment, to delay these necessary upgrades. As of January 2017, 118 schools haven’t even started to receive seismic up - grades that they muchly need. That includes the Prince Rupert Middle School, where students are waiting to be assessed, lack support from specialist teachers, have com- plex classroom compositions and are experiencing over- crowding, safety concerns in labs and shop classes and foods, especially. Secondary students can’t get all of the classes they need to graduate unless they complete on- line learning. Parents are outraged.

Let me return to the seismic upgrades. At Prince Rupert Middle School, parents, students and teachers need to see follow-through. Prince Rupert has three emp- ty school buildings due to school closures to reach that so-called 95 percent capacity that’s required. The only middle school, PRMS, desperately needs replacement. Still, families are waiting. [1505] The building needs $8 million in seismic upgrades and $9 million just to upgrade the delayed building repairs. A new building would cost $22 million. I’m hearing parents’ concerns weekly. It’s dire.

The building is sinking in the rear because it’s on a toxic dump site. Asbestos is still in the walls. Fumes from the sludge below are seeping into the classrooms. They used to dump the toxic sludge out, but after 1995, all the fish in the nearby stream died, so now it still festers underneath the students’ classrooms. Now, WorkSafe did test the substance and deemed it safe to stay below the classrooms, but parents and teach- ers are questioning these fumes. They bubble up intermit- tently, and rooms need to be vacated. This is happening right now in Prince Rupert.

They’re working with an air quality specialist, because parents don’t believe they test- ed the gases adequately. Staff and students are experien- cing reactions, such as lung and asthma issues. The school desperately needs replacement. The throne speech is quite vacuous and, I believe, failing everyday British Columbians, especially and most nota - bly our children. Hon. S. Anton: It’s a pleasure to be here to respond to the Speech from the Throne. [R.

Chouhan in the chair.] I would like to start off by acknowledging some of the people in my life — my husband of 36 years, who is always my strongest support, and my children. I will mention the new members of my family, my new daughter-in-law Sarah and her son Austin, who became very welcome members of our family when she married my son Angus last September. We are, of course, thrilled with that. I’ d like to recognize as well my constituency staff — Tanya Tan, who’s on maternity leave, having had a little boy called Mason, and my staff Dawn Escobedo and Catherine Kwan.

Also my constituents from V ancouver-Fraserview. What a fantastic constituency I live in. I know many people feel this way, but I just always am thrilled at the number of people who come into our office who give us their opin- ions, who ask for help. And when we can help people and do something for them, it really is probably the most grati- fying thing that any of us do. It certainly is for me. I’m in a diverse community and a fascinating com - munity. I love every minute of my job, both being min - ister and also being an MLA in my constituency.

British Columbia DebatesMonday, February 20, 2017 13671 In Fraserview this year — very recently, as a matter of fact, on the ninth of January — we finally had the great moment of the groundbreaking of our seniors centre, which is a centre that’s been talked about for many years. The province put in $2½ million, including the $1.2 mil- lion that I was able to get for the centre to top up the prov- incial commitment. Now we’ve had the groundbreaking. I’ d like to acknowledge Lorna Gibbs, who is a long-time leader of that process, and also her friend and colleague, Keith Jacobson.

Keith Jacobson, unfortunately, died of cancer last year. He’s much missed. Everybody really feels his loss at the time of this centre being built, recognizing his leadership for so many years in leading that project. We’ve got school projects in the neighbourhood. All of these things that I’m about to talk about now, includ- ing the seniors centre, all come about because we have a strong financial position in British Columbia. We’ve got a balanced budget — now, tomorrow our fifth balanced budget. We’ll have our fourth surplus announced shortly.

That strong financial position allows us to do the seismic upgrades that have been long committed to. Kingsford- Smith is getting a seismic upgrade, and Sir Sandford Fleming Elementary — just on the other side of my riding but serving my riding — is getting a brand-new school. We put $2 million into Fair Haven United Church Homes to build a new 139-unit apartment building for low-income or affordable housing for seniors, just a block away from my constituency office, and the community is thrilled to have those 139 new units replacing about 50 old units.

The German-Canadian home, a long-time, long-term-care home right on the south slope, has re - ceived the go-ahead from Vancouver Coastal to rebuild. That is thrilling news for them. They’ve been working very hard on that for many, many years. [1510] I have, in Vancouver-Fraserview, more co-op housing than any other riding in British Columbia. It was very welcome news the other day from our Housing Minister and announced by myself…. A certain group of those oc- cupants at the co-op housing were going to be fairly dis- advantaged by the loss of the subsidies.

So we have been able to put $2 million in to help those co-op residents so that they can stay in their units without a big price in - crease. Those are all the kinds of things that having a bal- anced budget lets us do. I would like to mention the Ross Street Temple, which is a historic institution in Vancouver-Fraserview. It start- ed, actually, in Kitsilano in 1906, home of the Khalsa Diwan Society, which is the oldest non-profit Sikh society outside of India. They now make their home and form a real community in the Ross Street Temple.

They suffered a very significant and serious fire in 2016 and are working very hard. I really compliment the temple. The fire happened at midnight, and by three in the morning, they were operational again right across the road. It was a remarkable tribute to the resilience of that community and also a remarkable tribute to the im- portance of community to that community, in that they needed to get their kitchen up and running again so that they could continue providing meals to people, really without even a break, notwithstanding the terrible fire they had suffered.

Turning from my riding to my ministry, the Ministry of Justice, let me talk a bit about the things that the speech said and then how they apply to the Justice Ministry. Certainly, the Speech from the Throne reflects what a fantastic time it is to be in British Columbia. No wonder nearly 60,000 people moved to British Columbia last year. This is a place where you can get a job, a family-supporting job. The statistics are so good for the province. We have the lowest unemployment in Canada. We have the highest rate of growth in Canada. We have the best health outcomes in Canada.

These are all pretty good statistics, I’ d say. We have the best education outcomes, in some ways, in the world. Our students are the best readers in the world, and they’re top in many — science, math, and so on. Certainly, when I go to the graduations that I go to at Killarney high school and David Thompson high school, I see those students — in each case about 350 — walking across the stage. Those are students ready for the world. I feel so proud of them, and I know their parents, of course, are proud of them and their schools and their community. Our schools are doing an absolutely terrific job for them.

We have a diversified economy. We have a strong econ- omy. It lets us do things like help people who really need help. I heard the member opposite, a moment ago, talk - ing about a poverty reduction plan. Poverty in British Columbia, child poverty, has gone down by 50 percent in the last ten years, so 79,000 less children are living in poverty than lived in poverty in 2006. That is a remarkable statistic, and that is a testament to the hard work that government does to make sure that we’re in a prosperous situation in British Columbia, that the minister does to make sure that families are looked after.

We are in this position because government is in a strong financial position. Part of the purpose of being in a strong financial pos- ition is so that we can look after people who need help. We need to do health care and education, and we need to help people who need more assistance To have all those children come out of poverty really is fantastic. That is not to say that the goal is over. We need to keep working. On the Ministry of Justice, we were challenged some years ago to not just keep coming back and saying that we’ve got growth and we need more money.

We were challenged to be innovative, and have we been innova - tive. When I go across the country, when I meet with my colleagues from across the country, there is more going on in British Columbia and we are doing more in British Columbia in innovation than you see in any other jurisdiction.

British Columbia Debates13672 Monday, February 20, 2017 We have, for example, the Justice Summits where all of the partners in justice come together in one room to talk about particular issues. Last year it was mental health and addiction. How do you look at those issues in the context of the whole justice system — judiciary, police, defence counsel, Crown counsel, service providers, health, edu - cation, and so on. Y ou put all of those people in the room and you come up with, first of all, some conclusions and, second of all, some challenges for all of us in terms of how to improve our overall justice system.

It is a very excellent concept, and it’s turning out well in British Columbia. [1515] We have about $100 million in Justice that goes into programs for lower-income British Columbians. For ex- ample, Legal Services Society, which delivers what you might call the traditional legal aid — $74.7 million, and in addition, last year another $1.08 million from the fed- eral government. On top of that, in the last three years, Legal Services Society was challenged to be innovative. We have what we call the JITI projects, the justice in - novation and transformation initiatives. We have four of those.

The Parents Legal Centre, helping parents who are faced with child protection matters, helping them early to find a good resolution. We have the Family LawLINE. If you have a family issue, you have six hours of a law - yer’s time. Y ou can take that six hours at different times — an accumulated six hours of advice. We have the crim - inal duty counsel, which supports early resolution of less-complex cases, and we have the family duty coun - sel, which gives advice and coaching to clients on how to resolve matters earlier and outside of court wherever possible.

We can add judges and courtrooms forever that cost an awful lot of money, or we can figure out ways to take things out of court that don’t need to be in court. If you can resolve family matters out of court or you can find a mediated solution or a solution between the parties, that is a better solution than going into court and having a court-imposed solution. That’s Legal Services Society. Then on top of that, there’s another $30 million spent on justice services, in- cluding 21 family justice centres, three justice access cen- tres — Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver. We’re looking at adding a fourth.

We have the family maintenance enforcement pro - gram, which is a program that gets support for families from a spouse who may not be that keen on paying it. The family maintenance enforcement programs make sure that money is paid. Last year they collected $211 million, which was transferred to the family recipients. In the last 26 or 27 years, that program has reached and received, on behalf of families, $3.45 billion. That’s a very successful program and very well received, of course, by the families who are having trouble getting the mainten- ance that they are due.

Those are things that we do in terms of legal services and legal aid. At the same time, we do things to take mat- ters out of court, such as the immediate roadside pro - hibitions so that 6,000 impaired driving cases a year no longer go into a courtroom. That saves a lot of court time. Really transformational, we have the civil resolution tribunal coming. The civil resolution tribunal is the world’s first on-line dispute resolution tribunal, the only one in the world that is tied into the public justice system.

Right now it’s hearing strata disputes, and shortly, the small claims disputes will go into that tribunal. The strata disputes…. Everyone in this room, if they don’t live in a strata, has a friend who lives in a strata. We all know that strata disputes have been the kinds of dispute that can go on for a long time and can cause real grief in the strata. How have we been able to change that? By creating a dispute resolution tribunal for those strata disputes. That is the civil resolution tribunal. Y ou can go on line and see the first set of cases that have now been decided, have been adjudicated.

Y ou can see the kind of pressure it has relieved on those stratas that have been involved, the kind of solutions that they’re able to give to strata owners. It is a remarkable transform- ation of justice, the civil resolution tribunal, and as I said, the first in the world. I feel very proud of that, and I really compliment all the people who have worked so hard on it, including our partners in justice, who have helped us along the way with their thinking about it, with their critique, with their assistance and with their advice.

At the same time, of course, we are a growing province, so we have got court expansion. The Surrey law court expansion is underway right now. We just very recently announced $157 million for a brand-new Abbotsford courthouse. Anyone who has seen the courthouse in Abbotsford anytime recently will know that it is desper - ately in need of replacemen

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	20170220pm-Hansard-v41n10
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	20170220pm Hansard v41n10
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	8b8f4d7130143741ac90e4df9cfd16e2ef27cca7

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