British Columbia Hansard — Monday, February 20, 2006 (38th Parliament, 2nd Session) (H0220pm-06) (H0220pm 06)

H0220pm-06

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Second Session, 38th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) Monday, February 20, 2006 Afternoon Sitting Volume 6, Number 6 THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOFF, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR Her Honour the Honourable Iona V. Campagnolo, CM, OBC SECOND SESSION, 38TH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................Hon. Gordon Campbell Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations .......................................................................................................... Hon.

John van Dongen Deputy Premier and Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy...................... Hon. Shirley Bond Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation .......................................................................................................Hon. Tom Christensen Minister of Advanced Education and Minister Responsible for Research and Technology ........................................... Hon.

Murray Coell Minister of Agriculture and Lands.......................................................................................................................................................Hon. Pat Bell Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism............................................................................... Hon. Wally Oppal, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ..........................................................................................................................Hon.

Stan Hagen Minister of State for Childcare ........................................................................................................................................................Hon. Linda Reid Minister of Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues........................................... Hon. Ida Chong Minister of Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative and the Olympics.................Hon.

Colin Hansen Minister of Employment and Income Assistance ...........................................................................................................Hon. Claude Richmond Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources .......................................................................................................Hon. Richard Neufeld Minister of State for Mining............................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Bill Bennett Minister of Environment and Minister Responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities ...............Hon. Barry Penner Minister of Finance.......................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Carole Taylor Minister of Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for Housing ............................................................................. Hon.

Rich Coleman Minister of Health ......................................................................................................................................................................Hon. George Abbott Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services .......................................................................................................................... Hon. Michael de Jong Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General................................................................................................................................Hon.

John Les Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Deregulation ...................................................... Hon. Rick Thorpe Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts .........................................................................................................................................Hon. Olga Ilich Minister of Transportation...........................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Kevin Falcon LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition .........................................................................................................................................................Carole James Deputy Speaker ....................................................................................................................................................................................Sindi Hawkins Assistant Deputy Speaker.....................................................................................................................................................................Sue Hammell Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole.................................................................................................................................................

Harry Bloy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly .........................................................................................................................E. George MacMinn, OBC, QC Clerk Assistant.........................................................................................................................................................................................Robert Vaive Clerk Assistant and Law Clerk .......................................................................................................................................................Ian D.

Izard, QC Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees ....................................................................................................................................... Craig H. James Clerk Assistant and Committee Clerk ..........................................................................................................................................Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms............................................................................................................................................................................. A.A.

Humphreys Director, Hansard Services ..................................................................................................................................................Anthony Dambrauskas Legislative Librarian ..................................................................................................................................................................................Jane Taylor Legislative Comptroller...............................................................................................................................................................................Dan Arbic

Party Standings: Liberal 46; New Democratic 33 ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS Abbott, Hon. George (L) ..........................................................................Shuswap Austin, Robin (NDP)...................................................................................Skeena Bains, Harry (NDP)....................................................................... Surrey-Newton Barisoff, Hon. Bill (L)...............................................Penticton–Okanagan Valley Bell, Hon. Pat (L) ..................................................................Prince George North Bennett, Hon.

Bill (L) .....................................................................East Kootenay Black, Iain (L) ..................................................................Port Moody–Westwood Bloy, Harry (L).....................................................................................Burquitlam Bond, Hon. Shirley (L).......................................... Prince George–Mount Robson Brar, Jagrup (NDP)..........................................................Surrey–Panorama Ridge Campbell, Hon. Gordon (L) ..............................................

Vancouver–Point Grey Cantelon, Ron (L)................................................................... Nanaimo-Parksville Chong, Hon. Ida (L) ......................................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ................................................................Burnaby-Edmonds Christensen, Hon. Tom (L) ...................................................... Okanagan-Vernon Chudnovsky, Dave (NDP).................................................Vancouver-Kensington Coell, Hon. Murray (L) ..........................................Saanich North and the Islands Coleman, Hon.

Rich (L)................................................Fort Langley–Aldergrove Conroy, Katrine (NDP) ............................................... West Kootenay–Boundary Coons, Gary (NDP) .............................................................................North Coast Cubberley, David (NDP)................................................................. Saanich South de Jong, Hon.

Michael (L) ........................................Abbotsford–Mount Lehman Dix, Adrian (NDP) ..............................................................Vancouver-Kingsway Evans, Corky (NDP)......................................................................Nelson-Creston Falcon, Hon. Kevin (L) ............................................................

Surrey-Cloverdale Farnworth, Mike (NDP) ....................................Port Coquitlam–Burke Mountain Fleming, Rob (NDP) ...................................................................Victoria-Hillside Fraser, Scott (NDP) ...................................................................Alberni-Qualicum Gentner, Guy (NDP)............................................................................ Delta North Hagen, Hon. Stan (L) ......................................................................Comox Valley Hammell, Sue (NDP) ........................................................

Surrey–Green Timbers Hansen, Hon. Colin (L) .......................................................Vancouver-Quilchena Hawes, Randy (L)............................................................... Maple Ridge–Mission Hawkins, Sindi (L) .................................................................... Kelowna-Mission Hayer, Dave S. (L) ..................................................................... Surrey-Tynehead Hogg, Gordon (L)................................................................... Surrey–White Rock Horgan, John (NDP)...........................................................

Malahat–Juan de Fuca Horning, Al (L)................................................................ Kelowna–Lake Country Ilich, Hon. Olga (L)....................................................................Richmond Centre James, Carole (NDP)............................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Jarvis, Daniel (L)........................................................North Vancouver–Seymour Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) .................................................Esquimalt-Metchosin Krog, Leonard (NDP)..............................................................................

Nanaimo Krueger, Kevin (L)................................................... Kamloops–North Thompson Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP)................................ Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Lali, Harry (NDP)..............................................................................Yale-Lillooet Lee, Richard T. (L).........................................................................Burnaby North Lekstrom, Blair (L)................................................................... Peace River South Les, Hon. John (L)....................................................................

Chilliwack-Sumas Macdonald, Norm (NDP)......................................... Columbia River–Revelstoke MacKay, Dennis (L)......................................................... Bulkley Valley–Stikine Mayencourt, Lorne (L)............................................................Vancouver-Burrard McIntyre, Joan (L)...................................................... West Vancouver–Garibaldi Neufeld, Hon. Richard (L) ....................................................... Peace River North Nuraney, John (L)..................................................................Burnaby-Willingdon Oppal, Hon.

Wally, QC (L)............................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Penner, Hon. Barry (L)................................................................ Chilliwack-Kent Polak, Mary (L) ......................................................................................... Langley Puchmayr, Chuck (NDP)........................................................... New Westminster Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ...................................................................Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon. Linda (L) ..................................................................... Richmond East Richmond, Hon.

Claude (L)...................................................................Kamloops Robertson, Gregor (NDP) .....................................................Vancouver-Fairview Roddick, Valerie (L)............................................................................ Delta South Routley, Doug (NDP).......................................................... Cowichan-Ladysmith Rustad, John (L) ..............................................................Prince George–Omineca Sather, Michael (NDP)..............................................

Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Simons, Nicholas (NDP) ........................................ Powell River–Sunshine Coast Simpson, Bob (NDP).......................................................................Cariboo North Simpson, Shane (NDP) ......................................................... Vancouver-Hastings Sultan, Ralph (L) .........................................................West Vancouver–Capilano Taylor, Hon. Carole (L)..........................................................

Vancouver-Langara Thorne, Diane (NDP) ......................................................Coquitlam-Maillardville Thorpe, Hon. Rick (L)............................................................Okanagan-Westside Trevena, Claire (NDP) .......................................................................North Island van Dongen, Hon. John (L)..................................................Abbotsford-Clayburn Whittred, Katherine (L).............................................

North Vancouver–Lonsdale Wyse, Charlie (NDP) ......................................................................Cariboo South Yap, John (L)........................................................................Richmond-Steveston LIST OF MEMBERS BY RIDING Abbotsford-Clayburn ........................................................ Hon. John van Dongen Abbotsford–Mount Lehman................................................Hon. Michael de Jong Alberni-Qualicum ...............................................................................

Scott Fraser Bulkley Valley–Stikine ................................................................ Dennis MacKay Burnaby North................................................................................ Richard T. Lee Burnaby-Edmonds............................................................................. Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Willingdon ........................................................................John Nuraney Burquitlam............................................................................................

Harry Bloy Cariboo North....................................................................................Bob Simpson Cariboo South................................................................................... Charlie Wyse Chilliwack-Kent ....................................................................... Hon. Barry Penner Chilliwack-Sumas ........................................................................... Hon.

John Les Columbia River–Revelstoke ......................................................Norm Macdonald Comox Valley .............................................................................Hon. Stan Hagen Coquitlam-Maillardville................................................................... Diane Thorne Cowichan-Ladysmith .......................................................................Doug Routley Delta North........................................................................................

Guy Gentner Delta South...................................................................................Valerie Roddick East Kootenay ............................................................................Hon. Bill Bennett Esquimalt-Metchosin ............................................................. Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove....................................................... Hon. Rich Coleman Kamloops ......................................................................... Hon. Claude Richmond Kamloops–North Thompson..........................................................

Kevin Krueger Kelowna–Lake Country .......................................................................Al Horning Kelowna-Mission ............................................................................Sindi Hawkins Langley................................................................................................

Mary Polak Malahat–Juan de Fuca........................................................................John Horgan Maple Ridge–Mission ......................................................................Randy Hawes Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows...........................................................Michael Sather Nanaimo ...........................................................................................Leonard Krog Nanaimo-Parksville..........................................................................

Ron Cantelon Nelson-Creston.................................................................................. Corky Evans New Westminster ........................................................................Chuck Puchmayr North Coast .........................................................................................Gary Coons North Island.................................................................................... Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale ....................................................

Katherine Whittred North Vancouver–Seymour .............................................................. Daniel Jarvis Oak Bay–Gordon Head.................................................................Hon. Ida Chong Okanagan-Vernon ..............................................................Hon. Tom Christensen Okanagan-Westside................................................................... Hon. Rick Thorpe Peace River North ...............................................................Hon.

Richard Neufeld Peace River South ..........................................................................Blair Lekstrom Penticton–Okanagan Valley...................................................... Hon. Bill Barisoff Port Coquitlam–Burke Mountain................................................. Mike Farnworth Port Moody–Westwood .........................................................................Iain Black Powell River–Sunshine Coast.....................................................Nicholas Simons Prince George North .........................................................................Hon.

Pat Bell Prince George–Mount Robson................................................. Hon. Shirley Bond Prince George–Omineca .....................................................................John Rustad Richmond Centre .......................................................................... Hon. Olga Ilich Richmond East ............................................................................ Hon. Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston ............................................................................... John Yap Saanich North and the Islands..................................................Hon.

Murray Coell Saanich South..............................................................................David Cubberley Shuswap ................................................................................ Hon. George Abbott Skeena ...............................................................................................Robin Austin Surrey-Cloverdale ....................................................................Hon. Kevin Falcon Surrey–Green Timbers.....................................................................

Sue Hammell Surrey-Newton ....................................................................................Harry Bains Surrey–Panorama Ridge...................................................................... Jagrup Brar Surrey-Tynehead .............................................................................Dave S. Hayer Surrey-Whalley ............................................................................... Bruce Ralston Surrey–White Rock..........................................................................

Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Burrard .................................................................. Lorne Mayencourt Vancouver-Fairview.................................................................. Gregor Robertson Vancouver-Fraserview ...................................................... Hon. Wally Oppal, QC Vancouver-Hastings...................................................................... Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington ........................................................... David Chudnovsky Vancouver-Kingsway...........................................................................

Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara.................................................................Hon. Carole Taylor Vancouver–Mount Pleasant .............................................Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey..................................................... Hon. Gordon Campbell Vancouver-Quilchena ............................................................. Hon. Colin Hansen Victoria–Beacon Hill ........................................................................Carole James Victoria-Hillside................................................................................

Rob Fleming West Kootenay–Boundary ............................................................ Katrine Conroy West Vancouver–Capilano ............................................................... Ralph Sultan West Vancouver–Garibaldi............................................................. Joan McIntyre Yale-Lillooet ..........................................................................................Harry Lali

CONTENTS Monday, February 20, 2006 Afternoon Sitting Routine Proceedings Page Tributes ....................................................................................................................... .............................................................. 2333 Canadian Olympic athletes Hon. G.

Campbell Introductions by Members ....................................................................................................... .............................................. 2333 Statements (Standing Order 25B) .............................................................................................................................. ............. 2333 Mudslide in the Philippines R. Lee Stanley Daniels C. Wyse Investment in mineral exploration R. Sultan Heritage Day G. Gentner Preparations for 2010 Olympics J. McIntyre David Stupich L.

Krog Oral Questions................................................................................................................. ......................................................... 2335 Reinstatement of Children's Commission C. James Hon. G. Campbell A. Dix Hon. S. Hagen Action on recommendations of Port Alberni inquest L. Krog Hon. J. Les Investigation of cases of missing women on Highway 16 J. Brar Hon. J. Les Funding for women's centres D. Thorne Hon. I. Chong Incentives for staff at Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance C. Trevena Hon. C.

Richmond Coverage of bank account charges for income assistance recipients J. Horgan Hon. C. Richmond Committee on agricultural policy B. Ralston Hon. P.

Bell Tabling Documents.............................................................................................................. .................................................... 2340 Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, report regarding 38th provincial general election, 2005, Referendum on Electoral Reform Reports from Committees........................................................................................................ ............................................... 2340 Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services Annual Review of the Budgets of the Inde pendent Officers of the Legislative Assembly B.

Lekstrom M. Karagianis J. Kwan

Motions without Notice ......................................................................................................... ................................................. 2342 Powers and role of Finance and Government Services Committee Powers and role of Public Accounts Committee Powers and role of Crown Corporations Committee Powers and role of Education Committee Powers and role of Health Committee Powers and role of Aquaculture Committee Powers of Special Committee to Appoint a Merit Commissioner Powers of Special Committee to Appoint an Ombudsman Hon.

M. de Jong Throne Speech Debate (continued) ............................................................................................................................... .......... 2345 L. Mayencourt N. Macdonald J. Yap H. Bains D. MacKay J. Brar D. Jarvis

2333 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 The House met at 2:03 p.m. Tributes CANADIAN OLYMPIC ATHLETES Hon. G. Campbell: Let me start by saying that I'm sure everybody in this House sends our thanks and our congratulations to Canada's women's hockey team, who have come home with the gold. Now, I certainly don't want the opposition to read the wrong thing into this, but sometimes women do lead. We do hope that the example set will be followed by Canada's men's hockey team. I'm sure the House would want to congratulate Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, who won silver, along with other members of his pursuit team.

Of course, Sara Renner from the town of Golden — born in Golden — has also won a medal. Canada's athletes are doing extremely well, and I know everyone in this House would like to send them our congratulations. Introductions by Members Hon. G. Campbell: I'd also like to introduce in the House today Patricia and George Beatty from Mark- ham, Ontario, parents of CTV's senior provincial politi- cal reporter Jim Beatty. I want both Patricia and George to know that Jim demands that we call him CTV's sen- ior provincial political reporter.

They are accompanied by their friends Jack and Linda Cohen, also from Markham, Ontario. [1405] I hope they'll let all of their friends from Ontario know that February is a great time to visit British Columbia. It's a lot friendlier; it's a lot warmer. It's a lot more hospitable than Ontario, so keep on coming back. C. Puchmayr: I have in the gallery today a constituent of mine. His name is Chris Harwood, a new constituent of New Westminster. Please make him feel welcome. Hon. J. Les: I have four guests in the gallery today.

There is Kevin McIntyre, wh o is the president of the Insurance Brokers Association of British Columbia. He is also president of underwriters insurance group in Kamloops. In addition to him, there is Doug Guedes, who is the vice-president of the Insurance Brokers As- sociation of B.C., and he is a partner in Seafirst Insur- ance Brokers Ltd. in Sidney. As well, we have Jim Bar- ton, who is the president and CEO of Hub Interna- tional Barton insurance br okers in the beautiful com- munity of Chilliwack.

Lastly, we have Chuck Byrne, who is the executive director of the Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. and who is located in Vancouver. They will be inviting members to a reception later on today and are engaged in various meetings as well. I would ask the members of the House to please make these gentlemen welcome. D. Chudnovsky: In the gallery today are two con- stituents of mine, Tali Roels and Maggie Rader. I first met Tali and Maggie during the election campaign last May when I knocked on thei r door. Tali, who is and was eight years old, questioned me rather seriously about a number of importan t issues.

She did a terrific job. I think she will join this House one day. Would you please make Tali Roels and Maggie Rader wel- come. Hon. G. Abbott: I have three guests in the gallery today. My wife Lesley is here. She is accompanied by, for me at least, not one but two sisters-in-law: Kathryn Temple, who is from Cresto n, and Kathleen Johnson, who's from White Rock. I' d like the House to make them all welcome. A.

Dix: It is my pleasure to introduce in the gallery today a former member of this assembly, a former Member of Parliament and the person who was the minister responsible for sport when British Columbia, Vancouver-Whistler, won the Canadian Olympic bid in 2000. I would like to introduce my friend Ian Waddell. D. Routley: Could I have the members of the House help me welcome a constituent and friend, Rob Dawes from Duncan. B. Ralston: I would ask the assembly to welcome Alan Ip, who's a Vancouver lawyer appearing here today in the Court of Appeal.

But more importantly for this place perhaps, he is an alumnus of the B.C. Youth Parliament and its current registrar. Statements (Standing Order 25

B) MUDSLIDE IN THE PHILIPPINES R. Lee: The world reacted with heartache on Friday as a mountain on the Philippine island of Leyte col- lapsed and covered the tiny village of Guinsaugon in up to 30 metres of mud and debris. The 800-metre Mount Kanabag, weakened by two metres of heavy rain that fell in two weeks, was turned into a field of mud that covered 40 hectares of the village. It's believed that only three out of the village's 300 homes were not buried by the mud. It is estimated that this catastrophe has cost over 1,000 lives, including 250 children and their teachers who were buried in their school.

According to the most recent reports, only 100 bodies have been recovered. This human tragedy has moved people all around the world. Pictures and re ports describing survivors digging through the mud with their bare hands, trying to rescue their friends and families, are a poignant re- minder of the fragility of our existence compared to the forces of nature. [1410] In Canada there are an estimated 350,000 people who trace their roots to the Philippines. Many of these

2334 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 Filipino Canadians call British Columbia home, and their communities have been in mourning since the events unfolded. As parliamentary secretary for the Asia-Pacific Ini- tiative and on behalf of my colleagues, I would like to offer my condolences to British Columbia's Filipino community for their loss. Our hearts go out to them at this time of tragedy and grieving. STANLEY DANIELS C. Wyse: Today I rise in the House to recognize a grade 12 student from 100 Mile House.

In addition to having been chosen as the role model for first nations youth in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, he was chosen as one of nine youths selected from across Canada to participate in the Gemini Project. This project is a leadership train- ing program hosted by Royal Roads University. Stanley Daniels is a member of the Canim Lake first nations community. Daniels's performance at another leadership program in Victoria placed him at the top of a list which included 300 other youth whose names were submitted for consideration for this project.

The Gemini Project is a reciprocal mentorship idea where people from two very different sets of experi- ences come together to learn from, challenge and sup- port each other. Stanley was paired with the Deputy Minister of Forests and Range. The deputy minister brought forward the issue faci ng him at that time: get- ting to know a new minister. I wish to quote this grade 12 student of Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School as he described his experi- ence to the 100 Mile House Free Press. "All of these prob- lems were real life.

I worked with the Deputy Minister of Forests, coaching him on problems he was having with the minister. It was really intense because this was their real life, and here I was, a 17-year-old from 100 Mile, trying to help. I was holding onto a table to keep myself from running away, I was so scared." I don't know whether he had any insights into what was about to unfold for all of us, but I also expect that the deputy minister may ha ve chosen quite different words to describe the situation that they were both in.

Since then, Stanley has used his new-found skills to resolve a situation that developed in his home commu- nity, pulling youth and his chief and council together to…. Mr. Speaker: Thank you, member. C. Wyse: Please rise and recognize this individual for his achievements. INVESTMENT IN MINERAL EXPLORATION R. Sultan: A statement on the TSX Venture Ex- change. When the Vancouver Stock Exchange disap- peared into the east in 1999 , pessimists believed entre- preneurial finance was perm anently impaired in this town. Not so.

Led by persons such as Brown, Giustra and Telfer plus Dickenso n, Johnson and Catherine McLeod, not to overlook Tognetti and many, many others, Vancouver regrouped, determined to rebuild on the basis of its proven excellence in risk capital. They succeeded spectacularly. Today Vancouver is the mineral exploration financ- ing capital of the world, easily surpassing New York, London and Toronto. Last year well over $2 billion of mine exploration finance took place right here. Is all of that mining money destined for B.C.? Well, actually, no.

In the 1990s, faci ng a less than friendly government at home, our entrepreneurs and geologists simply switched their attention abroad through ven- tures ranging from Mongolia to Peru, from Africa to Spain. Today British Columbians create mines globally and, once again, in B.C. too. They also extend their skills to other sectors. Today B.C. tech and B.C. biotech are backstopped by the self- same merchant bankers, lawyers and accountants as the mining industry.

It turn s out that using health sci- ences to discover gold in a test-tube is not so very dif- ferent from using geoscience to find gold in a mountain range. [1415] What happened to the good old VSE? Well, it's alive and kicking under a new name — the TSX Ven- ture Exchange. While domiciled in that other town east of the Rockies, almost half of its market cap is right here. Hats off to Howe Street — a good and respected name, creating prosperity for all British Columbians and the world. HERITAGE DAY G.

Gentner: Today is Heritage Day, a day to cele- brate and encourage the preservation and promotion of our significant historic, architectural, natural and scenic history. Heritage is our collective treasure given to us to bequeath to our children. Contrary to what many may claim, B.C.'s heritage is very rich. In B.C. we have sites of great historical importance, but we cannot allow historically significant heritage sites such as Kilby Store or Barkerville to fall into disrepair. These are pu blic cultural assets that need public attention.

In my community one very important archaeologi- cal site is threatened by development and neglect. In north Delta alongside the proposed South Fraser pe- rimeter road, under the muck of the Fraser River, lies one of North America's oldest wet archaeological sites, Glenrose. When the ice age receded, the river along north Delta was the mouth of the Fraser. Eight thou- sand years ago there was no Richmond or Lulu Island or Ladner or a floodplain, but there was a fishing vil- lage.

When the province built the Alex Fraser Bridge and changed river currents, the province mothballed the site by placing boulders where what now remains. We may talk about new relationships and new freeways, but today let's thin k about preserving or at least excavating and documenting that valuable heri- tage we should so much enjoy. Today we should con- sider local governments that have incorporated suc-

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 2335 cessful conservation planning strategies, like Nelson and Revelstoke. We need to recognize a renewed strat- egy of incentives for preservation in light of record real estate prices. Heritage is our responsibility — everyone's: all communities' and the province's — to preserve our culture. Today we must act before it is all gone. PREPARATIONS FOR 2010 OLYMPICS J. McIntyre: With the 2006 Winter Olympics un- derway in Turin, it marks only four short years until British Columbia hosts the world.

A week ago Sunday I joined crowds in Whistler to celebrate the start of the countdown. However, the Olympics are about more than sport and competition. The Olympics bring peo- ple across the globe together to celebrate not only our athletes but our arts, cult ures and our communities' volunteers. Right across the province, February 3 to 10, over 70 g r o u p s h o s t e d m o r e t h a n 2 3 0 e v e n t s a s p a r t o f t h e i r Spirit of B.C. Week celebrations.

These activities de- velop local programs and events that demonstrate the five elements that define the spirit of B.C. — achieve- ment, effort, inclusion, celebration and excellence. Other related government programs are also benefit- ing our communities. The $20 million Olympic Live Sites program, Olympic viewing venues, recreation centres and sporting facilities in communities outside the Greater Vancouver and Squamish-Whi stler corridor are now underway. Currently more than 70 live sites have been funded.

Through the Arts Now program, 69 organiza- tions in 23 B.C. communities are receiving funding to promote and celebrate their unique arts and culture. In West Vancouver, I just had the privilege of at- tending the inaugural WinterSong Festival celebrating diversity in human voice. Our hosting the games will also provide us an op- portunity to showcase our unique first nations heritage and culture, and the Squamish Lillooet cultural centre in Whistler, for example, will provide a boost to our cultural-based tourism efforts. Lasting legacies will be here for all British Colum- bians to experience.

World-class sporting facilities will be created. Our Tourism Mi nistry will advance to- wards its goal of doubling revenues and creating 84,000 new jobs by 2015 through our enhanced reputa- tion as a location for hosting vacations, conventions and sporting events, just like our very successful junior world hockey tournament. The excitement is building to 2010 as we cheer on our 22 British Columbians and all Canadians in Turin. Go, Canada, go. DAVID STUPICH L. Krog: I speak today about a former member of this Legislative Assembly and former Member of Par- liament.

David Daniel Stupich was born in 1921 in Nanaimo to a Croatian miner father and Scottish Ca- nadian spouse, thus uniting two of Nanaimo's most important communities. He served in this assembly from 1963 to 1969 and from 1972 until 1988. [1420] He, like other politicians, had a great reputation clouded by scandal. Sir John A. Macdonald, the Pacific Railway scandal. Even a former Premier of this prov- ince, by court proceedings that followed his premier- ship, Bill Bennett. He was more than a scandal.

He was the Minister of Agriculture who early in his days in this Legislature, long before he became a mem- ber of a government, advocated for the agricultural land reserve. It is probably one of the most significant pieces of legislation passed in the 20th century in this province, and it has left a lasting and positive legacy for British Columbians. So I ask this House today to pay tribute to a man who, like all of us, was mixed but in sum paid a great price in the public for whatever sins he may have committed in his life.

I ask this House to honour a man who left behind, in my view, a better community and a better province than he was born into. Oral Questions REINSTATEMENT OF CHILDREN'S COMMISSION C. James: This past Friday saw recommendations come forward from the corone r's jury in Port Alberni. The jury made 19 recommendations, one for each month of the little girl's life. The last recommendation, number 19, was a direct recommendation to the Pre- mier: reinstate the Children's Commission. My question is to the Premier.

Will this government acknowledge that getting rid of the commission was a mistake, and will they admit in principle that having the independent commission is necessary to protect children at risk? Hon. G. Campbell: First of all, I appreciate the work that was done by the coroner's jury in examining this tragic case. But I think even members of the coroner's jury would say to us that they would expect us to wait for the report of the independent child and youth officer, to wait for the report of Mr. Ted Hughes.

We will con- sider all of those recommendations, and then we will act on behalf of the children of British Columbia to do what's best for the children of British Columbia. This is important. We all believe in this House that children should be protected. We all believe in this House that we have to have the kind of responses to these challenges that are comprehensive. I believe the most reasonable and responsible action for us to take is to wait in respect for the work of Ms. Morley and Mr. Hughes, as well as of the coroner's jury, to make sure we do what is best for B.C.'s children. Mr.

Speaker: Leader of the Opposition has a sup- plemental. C. James: I'm pleased we finally, finally, have those reviews going on after months and months of other

2336 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 voices. The inquest jury was not the only voice. Those voices were added to social workers' voices, to foster parents' voices, to child advocates and to countless editorials. I will ask the Premier again: will he in prin- ciple acknowledge that getting rid of the Children's Commission was wrong and that putting in place an independent office will assist children at risk in this province? Hon. G. Campbell: I join with the Leader of the Opposition and other members opposite in saying that this is a critically important issue.

It's important enough that everyone unders tand what is currently in place in British Columbia. There is an independent officer. She is the independent child and youth officer in British Columbia. There are three reviews that are taking place, and we are going to pursue those re- views. Let me simply say this. The Ministry of Children and Families has done some pretty exceptional work over the last four years in British Columbia. I think that the workers we have that have been providing us with advice and taking us forward in British Columbia have done very good work, just as others have done very good work.

We owe them the respect. We owe all of those people who we've asked to undertake this review the respect that they deserve — that we wait for the reviews to come in. As a government, we will consider all of the recommendations, and then we will act in the best interests of the children of British Columbia. Mr. Speaker: Leader of the Opposition has a fur- ther supplemental. [1425] C. James: I would like to remind the Premier that w h e n h e w a s o n t h i s s i d e o f t h e H o u s e , h e s t o o d u p and supported the implementa tion of an independent Children's Commission.

In fact, he stood up and urged this House to put the resour ces in place now to assist children at risk, not to wait so that more children would be at risk. W e h a v e s e e n a m i n i s t e r t h a t i s t o t a l l y o u t o f c o n - trol of his ministry, does not understand what's going on in this ministry. I would like to ask the Premier: will he get control of his minister and the ministry, or will he replace him and put someone in the job who can do the job on behalf of the children…? Hon. G.

Campbell: First, let me say unequivocally to this House: I have complete confidence in this minis- try and, equally important, in this minister. This minis- ter would not be in cabinet if I did not have confidence in this minister. Let's start understanding this. Every member in this House is concerned about th e tragedy that took place in 2002 in Port Alberni — every single member. Let's be clear on that, and let's be clear on what the government has tried to do for the children of British Columbia.

We've done what every international expert would tell us is the best thing to do: keep children with their fami- lies. That's exactly what this government has done. That's why there are 2,000 fewer children in care today than there were in 2001. That's 2,000 lives that we're providing support and opportunity to, who will have healthier, fuller lives as they go through the next num- ber of years. We have increased the support for social workers in British Columbia. There are more social workers being trained today.

In fact, if you look back — and I think all of us should do that — you'll find that turnover in the ministry amongst social workers has been reduced by 30 percent over the last four years. Does that mean that we don't have problems? Of course there are problems. Does that mean we won't face tragedies? Unfortu- nately, on occasion there are tragedies that we have to face. But this is what's import ant. Let's work together, let's look at the facts, let's in vest in our kids, let's invest in the services, and let's make sure that British Colum- bia kids have the kind of future they all deserve by working together.

That's what we're trying to do on this side of the House. A. Dix: Well, my supplementary to the Premier, then. Since the Premier talk s about international ex- perts, can he name one international expert who would h a v e s a i d i t w o u l d h a v e b e e n a g o o d i d e a t o c u t t h e Ministry of Children and Family Development by 23 percent in January 2002? Can he name one interna- tional expert who would say it's a good idea when you're trying to keep families together to cut services to families?

Can he name one international expert who would say that it's a good idea to lower child protec- tion standards? Can he name one international expert who wouldn't agree with the jury in Port Alberni that we should reinstate an independent Children's Com- mission? Hon. S. Hagen: Let me say, first of all, that we do respect the recommendations and will consider the recommendations from the jury, but in context with the other reviews that are going on by the Hon. Ted Hughes and by the child and youth officer.

However, let me say right at the start that we recog- nize how difficult the last two weeks have been for the people in Port Alberni. We recognize how difficult they've been for the family. We recognize how difficult it's been for the community and, most particularly, for the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation. I want to say that I've had discussions with the leadersh ip of the Nuu-chah-nulth over the last while, several months, and we acknowledge how difficult it is. Having said that, the family has said to us: "Let's use this tragedy to learn from.

Let's see what we can learn." That's exactly what we're saying as government. We have Mr. Hughes out there examining the child protec- tion issues in B.C. We expect to get some recommenda- tions from Mr. Hughes. We have the child and youth officer as an independent person out there who has filed her report, which will become public in due course.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 2337 [1430] Mr. Speaker: The member for Vancouver-Kingsway has a supplemental. A. Dix: I agree with the minist er to this extent. The two weeks in Port Alberni were very challenging, and the courage shown by witnesses from the family and social workers to participate in that hearing and to tell the truth in a very difficult

chapter should inspire all of us to want to do better. One of the many upsetting moments in the testi- mony at the coroner's inquest was hearing social work- ers describe the impossible ch allenge of implementing the negligent and impossibly flawed guidelines sent out by the Ministry of Children and Family Develop- ment in 2002. This is what happens on the ground, I say to the Premier, when the cabinet doesn't take these issues seriously. Can the minister explain why, three and a half years later, all child protection social workers across B.C. have not received formal training in

section 8 kith- and-kin agreements? Hon. S. Hagen: Let me talk about some of the im- provements that have been made since 2002. We've already heard that there are 15 percent fewer children in care. That's good news. Those children are better off with their families. The nu mber of adoptions in the province since 2001 has doubled. That's excellent news for those children. Social workers now require kith-and-kin caregivers to undergo an additional record check through the B.C. Corrections CORNET databa se. This provides addi- tional information necessary to ensure the safety of every child.

Training and orientation precedes the im- plementation of new polici es. A new audit process as- sures that every delegated agency presently has its own operational standards audited every three years. The core training and orient ation period for delegated agency staff now meets that of ministry social workers. ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF PORT ALBERNI INQUEST L. Krog: At the conclusion of the inquest, the jury made several other key recommendations, including the duty of police and other public officials to report suspected child abuse under

section 14 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act. Additionally, they made specific recommendations with respect to the RCMP and the follow-up that they should have done in this case with the pathologist and social workers, especially in regard to the placement and leaving of a second child in an unsafe home. These recommendations echo the observations made in the director's case review of April 26, 2005. My question is: as this case showed a clear and tragic failing to protect children as demanded under

section 14 of the act, what plans does the Solicitor Gen- eral have to follow up with the RCMP to implement the recommendations made by the jury in the Port Al- berni inquest? Hon. J. Les: I appreciate the fact that members op- posite are very interested in the recommendations that the coroner's jury made the other day. I was, frankly, somewhat taken aback a few weeks ago when the member for Vancouver-Kingsway was very dismissive of the coroner's inquest process and publicly drew into question whether the process had any utility whatso- ever. I think we appreciate the recommendations that were made the other day.

They are being studied closely by both the coroner's office and the RCMP, and the appropriate actions will be taken. Mr. Speaker: The member for Nanaimo has a sup- plemental. L.

Krog: If I can draw the Solicitor General back to the observations made in the director's case review: "When a child dies, and there is no immediate evidence available to confirm the cause of death, a team of pre- identified health and social workers should be avail- able to be consulted to determine the appropriate course of action, if any, to be taken with regard to any other child welfare concerning the home." My question to the Solicito r General, again, is: does he support these observations, and will he act on them? [1435] Hon. J.

Les: As I have already said, these recom- mendations that come from the coroner's inquest are extremely important recommendations. We intend to work with all agencies to which they apply, such as the RCMP and such as the coroner's office, to ensure that going forward, children in B.C. are absolutely pro- tected to the best of our ability. INVESTIGATION OF CASES OF MISSING WOMEN ON HIGHWAY 16 J. Brar: About three weeks ago I met with a number of representatives of various organizations in the Prince George area to discuss the women missing on Highway 16, which is also known as the highway of tears.

The people told me very clearly about their dis- appointment with regard to the inaction by the Solici- tor General's ministry. Last week we saw the body of another young woman who had gone missing on the highway. My question is to the Solicitor General. Can the Solicitor General explain his plan to increase the safety of these women living around Highway 16? Hon. J. Les: Like all British Columbians, we cer- tainly are shocked at the murders and apparent mur- ders that are occurring along Highway 16.

It is a prior- ity of the authorities to get to the bottom of this and find out who the perpetrators are and to bring them to justice. At the moment so me 22 members of the RCMP are dedicated to this investigation, as well as a consid- erable number of other members who are reviewing all

2338 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 of the files that have occurred along that corridor over quite a number of years, to see whether there are any commonalities in any trends or anything at all that m i g h t b e l e a r n e d f r o m a n y o f t h o s e f i l e s . S o i t i s v e r y m u c h a p r i o r i ty o f o u r g o v e rn m e n t . I t i s v e r y m u c h a priority of the RCMP to ge t the facts and to bring the perpetrators to justice. Mr. Speaker: The member for Surrey–Panorama Ridge has a supplemental. J. Brar: I understand exactly what the RCMP is do- ing.

In fact, I also met the regional chief of the RCMP when I was in Prince George. What I don't understand is the priority of this government. I am not asking what the RCMP is doing. I'm asking: what is the vision of this government? That's my question. Again to the Solicitor General. I would like to ask: what additional and proactive measures are being taken to ensure the safety of these women around Highway 16? Hon. J. Les: I can report to the House that our government has actually been a national leader in terms of the integration of police resources.

In fact, when we look at an investigation such as this one around Highway 16, for example, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team will be very much in- volved in that. We have made it a priority of our gov- ernment to ensure that all of the police resources that we have across British Columbia are as integrated as it is possible to be, in order to get the results that we need for the people.

As well, we have invested significant new resources in policing — to $125 million, which was just an- nounced by the Premier less than a year ago, which over time will result in the addition of 400 more police officers across British Columbia. I think our govern- ment has taken the lead in terms of keeping our com- munities safe in British Columbia. FUNDING FOR WOMEN'S CENTRES D. Thorne: My question is to the Minister of Com- munity Services and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues. Advocacy and preven tion were two of the key mandates of B.C. women's centres.

Advocacy and pre- vention are part of the work that needs to be done to prevent further tragedies around the highway of tears. Will the minister commit today to restore funding to the women's centres across this province? [1440] Hon. I. Chong: Our commitment to protecting women fleeing abuse and ch ildren witnessing abuse has been a priority of this government. Last year we provided an additional 30-percent increase in the fund- ing for those direct essential services for women.

Also, recently we announced an initiative that would allow us to focus on prevention of violence, and more initiatives that the local communities can access, so that they can work towards providing some initia- tives that deal with safety which target specific groups. We will continue to do that. Our commitment is about focusing services to protect women. We will continue to do that. Mr. Speaker: Member has a supplemental. D. Thorne: Last year on March 31, all 37 women's centres in British Columbia had their funding cut by 100 percent — a paltry $1.7 million in savings to an uncaring government.

Recently our caucus met with women in Prince George. They complained of the lack of funding to deal with th e issues around the highway of tears. One-off and sporadic project funding, to which the minister has just referred, does not provide the resources for any ongoing and sustained advocacy and prevention work. Again, I ask: will this minister commit today to the restoration of core funding to women's centres so that they can get on with provid ing the leadership needed on issues of advocacy and further prevention of vio- lence towards women? Hon. I.

Chong: As I've indicated, we increased the base funding for women's services, direct services to women, by a record $12.5 million per year — the larg- est increase in a decade. You know, the opposition can speak to increases for services all they wish. But when they had the opportu- nity to do so, when they supposedly balanced the budget, did they provide th at increase? No, they did not. We did. We will continue to provide direct ser- vices focusing on women to prevent violence and to provide services for counselling. We've increased that. That is occurring around th e province.

I have visited a number of transition houses and a number of resource centres, and they continue to receive funding from this ministry to provide those services. INCENTIVES FOR STAFF AT MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME ASSISTANCE C. Trevena: I have a question for the Minister of Employment and Income Assistance. I would like to ask him to confirm that his ministry staff are receiving incentives — rewards of free dinners or free luncheons — if they deny people the benefits and crisis grants that they are legally entitled to. Hon. C. Richmond: I don't think I quite heard all of the question.

It was somethin g to do with free lunches or incentive grants to staff. Maybe if the member could elucidate and just be a little bit more explicit. I must have missed something. Mr. Speaker: Member for North Island. This isn't a supplemental. C. Trevena: This is not a supplemental. This is the same question.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 2339 I wanted to ask the minister whether he can con- firm that staff in his minist ry offices around the prov- ince are receiving rewards of free lunches and free din- n e r s i f t h e y d e n y p e o p l e t heir benefits and their crisis grants. Hon. C. Richmond: I didn't think I'd heard the question right the first time. Now that I have heard it right, I think it's absolutely absurd. If it is happening, it's certainly without my knowledge. But I doubt it very, very much. Mr. Speaker: Member for North Island has a sup- plemental. C.

Trevena: Again for the Minister of Employment and Income Assistance. Minist er, we know that in Port Alberni, Nanaimo and Powell River alone, staff have been offered incentives if they come in under budget — effectively denying people their assistance. I would like to ask the minister…. [1445] Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. C. Trevena: I would like to ask the minister whether he doesn't agree that moneys should be going into benefits and crisis gr ants, not into gimmicks and rewards. Hon. C. Richmond: I honestly feel that the question is preposterous, but I would ask the member to name names.

Give me the name of someone who is doing this, if you have such a name, and I will look into it. COVERAGE OF BANK ACCOUNT CHARGES FOR INCOME ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS J. Horgan: My question is also for the Minister of Employment and Income Assist ance. It refers to last week's gimmick — the gimmick of free socks and travel mugs for income as sistance recipients who would sign up for direct-deposit payments. My question is straightforward and simple, and if his seatmate wants to add some utility to this process, perhaps the minister can answer the question di- rectly.

Will he cover the costs of bank charges for those income assistance recipients who sign on for this new program? Hon. C. Richmond: Once again, I think the mem- bers opposite have lost sight of what we're trying to do with this program. We are tr ying to keep their subsis- tence money out of the hands of those who prey on them every cheque dispensation day. If we can encour- age these people to go to a direct-deposit system to keep these people who prey on them away from them by offering them five pairs of new socks, then I think it is well worth it. Mr.

Speaker: The member for Malahat–Juan de Fuca has a supplemental. J. Horgan: Y e s , a g a i n t o t h e M i n i s t e r o f E m p l o y - ment and Income Assistance. I don't deny for a second that it would be a useful policy to get people away from direct cheque-cashing companies and other ne- farious activities the minister touched on last week. But this is a simple question. It can be answered with a simple answer. Will your ministry cover the service charges? Banks are going to be making more money out of this, potentially, than the cheque-cashers. Will you commit to do that today? Interjections. Mr.

Speaker: Members. Members. Hon. C. Richmond: First of all to the member, the money marts who now cash their cheques charge con- siderably more than the banks do to cash the same things. Secondly, we have arrangements with several fi- nancial institutions around the province, and specifi- cally in the downtown east side, to assist these people, and their charges will be minimal. Perhaps the member is suggesting that we should open a bank down there. I think maybe he should look into the history books to find out how successful the Four Corners bank was in the downtown east side. COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURAL POLICY B.

Ralston: My question is for the Minister of Agri- culture and Lands. On Friday his ministry announced the formation of a committee to begin the study of an agricultural policy, which would be accompanied by a provincewide consultation. The news release calls this committee a committee of the Legislature; however, the minister has appointed only Liberal MLAs to this committee. Now, I welcome the Liberal Party's interest in agri- cultural policy, but shouldn't the Liberal Party pay for this provincewide tour rather than the taxpayers of British Columbia? Hon. P.

Bell: I am sure the member will recall the conversation I had with him in the hallway, suggesting that we would embrace the vision of the opposition in terms of the development of a long-term agricultural plan for the province of British Columbia. We take this business very, very seriously, unlike the opposition. It was mentioned seven times in our Speech from the Throne. [1450] This committee is going to go out and do some very, very important work for the province. We think it is appropriate, in fact, that our caucus funding process will work to support this along with some ministry work.

2340 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 But we look forward to the opposition bringing forward their recommendations, and certainly we will incorporate that as part of our plan. Mr. Speaker: The member for Surrey-Whalley has a supplemental. B. Ralston: The reports, in the previous administra- tion, of these Liberal-only committees which toured the province — mining, invasive plants and land use plan- ning — ended up as reports to the cabinet and were confidential and never released to the public. Will the minister commit today to release that report publicly rather than holding onto it ?

Who knows what's in it? Perhaps some secret recommendations on the agricul- tural land reserve. Hon. P. Bell: I would encourage the member to look at the work as an example of some of the other activities. The Small-Scale Salvage Committee — there's an excellent piece of work that was put up on the website. Certainly, some of the work that was pro- duced through the Results-Based Code Committee was key work that's very, very productive and has led this government forward.

As I said — and I'm not sure what's complicated about this — I've encouraged the members, as I did last week, to bring forward their recommendations in terms of what they propos ed for agriculture in the province, and we'll be incorp orating their thoughts in regards to this in the report. [End of question period.] Tabling Documents Mr. Speaker: Hon. members, I have the honour to present the report of the Chief Electoral Officer regard- ing the 38th provincial general election, 2005, Referen- dum on Electoral Reform. Reports from Committees B.

Lekstrom: Today I have the honour to present the second report of the Select Standing Committee on Fi- nance and Government Services for the first session of the 38th parliament entitled Annual Review of the Budgets of the Independent Officers of the Legislative Assembly. I would move that the report be taken as read and received. M. Karagianis: I stand as the Deputy Chair of that committee to say that the opposition is in support of this report, but I do have several issues that I would like to speak on today with regard to the report.

I think, first and foremost, that it's very important for us to ensure that statutory officers of government are properly resourced. In each of these cases, these are bodies that act on behalf of the public. Therefore when they come to us with requests for resources, those are serious, and government should do its utmost to make sure that all of those statutory officers' duties are ade- quately funded and resourced. There is a growing need and concern by the public for oversight of government activities. We will see that continue in the future, and in fact it will grow.

The public has become more concerned, more interested, more attentive to government spending, and their de- mands for oversight of that will continue. It is a re- sponsibility of both sides of this House to ensure that that oversight is provided. Therefore, I would like to voice our concern about some funding requests that were not granted to a par- ticular statutory department, and notice that in the fu- ture there will be a demand for those particular services within government.

The Auditor General has in fact shown an inclination to provide the kind of oversight to the public that is requested by the public and that is the responsibility of government to give to the public. I t i s m y d u t y h e r e t o s a y t h a t w e h a v e s o m e c o n - cerns with the funding that was not granted to that o f f i c e , a n d w e ' d l i k e t o b e o n r e c o r d a s s a y i n g t h a t when the public comes and as ks for that oversight and we are unable to present it, we have let them down. Motion approved. B.

Lekstrom: I ask leave of the House to permit the moving of a motion to adopt the report. Leave granted. [1455] B. Lekstrom: I move that the report be adopted, and in moving the adoption of the report, I wish to make the following statements. This has become an annual review by the Select Standing Committee of Finance and Government Ser- vices on the three-year ro lling service plans and the budgets for each of the statutory officers. The commit- tee deposited its report with the Office of the Clerk on December 20, 2005.

Therefore, th is is one of the earliest opportunities that the committee has had to present this report to the House. I would like to thank the statutory officers for their presentations to the committee and work in this process. I would also like to thank all of the members who worked so hard on this committee to deal with this. In responding, this is what I find a very important committee of this Legislative Assembly.

We deal not only with the prebudget consultation paper, but as we see in this report, the statutory officers, which are in- dependent officers of this Legislative Assembly who truly are the oversight for the public of British Colum- bia. As in all cases, we have budgets presented to us, our committee reviews them, goes through formal dis- cussions with the independent officers and, through our deliberations as a committee, comes with our recommendations to this floor, being the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. It has been certainly a worthwhile project.

I do want to point out that although the budgets have been

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 2341 presented here today in our report, we look forward to the budget of British Columbia being presented tomor- row. It's important to note — a n d I w a n t t o j u s t r e - spond to the issue of the Auditor General's request — there was a significant lift in the Auditor General's budget this year to the tune of half a million dollars. That's a significant amount, so I don't want to leave any British Columbian with the thought that the budget for the Auditor General was decreased in any manner. It was increased.

The Auditor General, as well, can approach our committee at any time throughout the year — and it's our duty as the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services — should he have any con- cerns with his budget, requiring additional funds to investigate further issues for British Columbians as they bring them forward. That's a very important point. At no point can the Auditor General be held to the budget. If he wants, he can come and present to our committee again.

We then as a committee — as we've done in the due process that we have taken on so seri- ously for this Legislative Assembly and for all British Columbians — will evaluate, determine and, through discussion with the Auditor General or any other inde- pendent officer of this province, make our decision and report back to this Legislative Assembly. J. Kwan: T h a n k y o u , M r . S p e a k e r , o n b e h a l f o f t h e Finance Committee. I wish to also just respond to the report that has been tabled and, particularly, to respond to the Chair of the committee in his reporting out.

Let me just state very clearly — and let me also quote from the report — that the Auditor General actu- ally came forward and asked the Finance Committee for two sets of funding increases. One was the $800,000 increase.

That would simply allow the Auditor Gen- eral's office to do the examination to the "rigorous qual- ity assurance standards be ing implemented with the accounting and auditing community," which would allow the Auditor General's office to continue "finan- cial statement coverage over the broader government reporting entity which now includes school districts, universities, colleges and health organizations." Let me just pause from quoting from the report for a moment here.

With that change, it increased the work to the Auditor General significantly, and therefore that $800,000 increase was essential for him to do the basic w o r k t h a t i s r e q u i r e d a n d e x p e c t e d o f h i m f r o m t h a t office.

"The $800,000 also provided for additional tools and supports, such as training and development, to ensure the office retains the skills and expertise needed to carry out the work plan." Let me just pause for a moment here because as we all know that across Canada now, we have a situation whereby we have a major skills shortage, and that is no exception amongst the accoun ting world as well. The Auditor General is experiencing that, and he needed some of that $800,000 to retain and to train the staff so that they could do the job that they are expected to do.

Last but not least, more timely audits in certain risk areas are essential for the government to be held to account. I think on behalf of all British Columbians…. For that's what the Auditor General's office does. The Auditor General is an officer of the Legislature.

His job is to ensure that the government is held to ac- count on the things they say they will do — more to the point, on the $500,000 that the Auditor General's office asked for, which was denied by the committee that was comprised of the majority of the government members, just so that the Auditor Gene ral can do two risk audits in areas that are experienci ng fundamental changes in the way in which the government operates. [1500] In the area of privatization we've seen fundamental changes in the direction this government wants to go in, but the government does not want the Auditor General's office to have the funding to look into those areas to see if they're delivering what they say they are.

The other piece that I would say is essential for the Auditor General's office to get funding for is, of course, this looming skills shortage, which impacts significantly on the capital projects and the cost overruns. Why wouldn't the government, which says that it's open and accountable and responsible, want the Auditor General's office to go in and make sure they're doing the work that they are doing to give British Columbians the kind of reassurance they want — that the government is, in fact, managing their resources well? With that, I simply want to highlight these points.

The Auditor General's office deserves that $500,000, and I urge the Minister of Finance to consider that for tomorrow's budget. B. Lekstrom: As the Chair, I would like to close the debate with a couple of words. I think, as I indicated earlier, all of our independent officers are vitally important to how our province runs and how it has the independent oversight for British Columbians of how government operates in the pro- jects it takes on. The Auditor General is no exception to that. He presented his report.

We as a committee discussed it, we debated it, we talked with the Auditor General, we reached our conclusion within our committee unani- mously to present to this House, we brought it to this House, and today we're presenting the report. I'm going to reiterate my thanks to the members of the committee for the work th ey put into this. There's a great deal of learning. There's a great deal that has to go into the work of the Finance Committee in order to come to the point we're at today in presenting this report. The issue I want to clos e on, though, is to make sure that every British Columbian is clear.

The Auditor General in British Columbia received a significant in- crease in this year's budget. He also has the ability to approach the Select Standing Committee on Finance should he require additional funds to do the work of the province of British Columbia on their behalf. The issue is that committee will then make recommenda- tions to the floor of this Legislature.

2342 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 Again, I'm proud to have been the chair of this committee. I'm proud of the work the committee mem- bers did on behalf all Brit ish Columbians, and I think it's a tremendous report. Motion approved. Motions without Notice Hon. M. de Jong: For the information of members, I have a series of motions that relate to the committee structure. Just in terms of the procedural niceties of this, what I propose to do today, and I think my friend the Opposition House Leader is aware, is charge the committees and, in most instances, recharge the com- mittees.

A committee of selection will then meet later this week, assuming we can arrange that at a mutually convenient time, and deal with the task of assigning individuals to the committees. Today these motions are designed to charge or re- charge the committees, most of which, if not all of which, were functioning when we last met during the fall session. POWERS AND ROLE OF FINANCE AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE Hon. M. de Jong: By leave I move firstly that: [The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Gov- ernment Services be empowered: 1.

To examine, inquire into and make recommenda- tions with respect to the pre-budget consultation re- port prepared by the Minister of Finance in accor- dance with

section 2 of the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act and, in particular, to: (

a) Conduct public consultations across British Colum- bia on proposals and recommendations regarding the provincial budget and fiscal policy for the com- ing fiscal year by any means the committee consid- ers appropriate, including but not limited to public meetings, telephone and electronic means; (

b) Prepare a report no later than November 15, 2006 on the results of those consultations; and 2. (

a) To consider and make recommendations on the annual reports, rolling three-year service plans and budgets of the following statutory officers: • Auditor General; • Chief Electoral Officer; • Conflict of Interest Commissioner; • Information and Privacy Commissioner; • Ombudsman; • Police Complaint Commissioners; and, (

b) To examine, inquire into and make recommenda- tions with respect to other matters brought to the Committee's attention by any of the Officers listed in 2(

a) above. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, the committee shall be empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number one or more subcom- mittees and refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the committee; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is ad- journed and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be conven- ient; and (

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the com- mittee, and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or fol- lowing 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 pe- riod of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] With further leave, it is the same motion that was passed previously, and I will move that that committee be charged with its task, as has become the regular format here. Leave granted.

Motion approved. [1505] POWERS AND ROLE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE Hon. M. de Jong: Similarly, by leave I move that: [1. The reports of the Auditor General of British Colum- bia deposited with the Speaker of the Legislative As- sembly during the Second session of the Thirty-Eighth parliament be deemed referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, with the exception of the report referred to in

section 22 of the Auditor Gen- eral Act, which is referred to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. And, in addition, that the following reports of the Auditor General of British Columbia be referred to the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts: a. Government of BC and Office of the Auditor Gen- eral Report An Assurance Program for BC: A Pro- gress Report on the February 2002 Recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee of BC Related to Building Better Reports (September 2004). b.

Auditor General Report No. 6, 2004/2005 Leading the way: Adopting Best Practices in Government Fi- nancial Reporting — 2003/2004 (November 2004). c. Auditor General Report No. 8, 2004/2005 Follow- up of 2002/2003 Report 5: Managing Contaminated Sites on Provincial Lands (November 2004). d. Auditor General Report No. 9, 2004/2005 Follow- up of Two Health Risk Reports (December 2004). e. Auditor General Report No. 12, 2004/2005 Third Follow-up Report of Management Consulting En- gagements in Government (March 2005). f.

Auditor General Report No. 13, 2004/2005 Build- ing Momentum for Results-based Management: A Study about Managing for Results in British Columbia (March 2005). g. Auditor General Report No. 1, 2005/2006, Follow- up of the Recommendations of the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts contained in its Fourth

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 2343 Report of the 3rd Session of the 36th Parliament: Earth- quake Preparedness; Performance Audit (May 2005). h. Auditor General Report No. 2, 2005/06, Joint Follow- up of 2001/2002: Report 1 Managing Interface Fire Risks and Firestorm 2003 Provincial Review (May 2005). i. Auditor General Report No. 3, 2005/2006, Audit of the Government's Corporate Accounting System:

Part 1 (June 2005). 2. That the Select Standing Committee on Public Ac- counts be the committee referred to in sections 2, 6, 7, 10, 13 and 14 of the Auditor General Act. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Committee be empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcom- mittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee; (

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

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be conven- ient; and (

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the Com- mittee, and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or fol- lowing any adjournment, or at the next following Ses- sion, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its re- ports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sit- tings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] This, again, is the motion by which these reports are referred to that committee.

The motion then, as is standard, provides the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts with the usual powers to conduct those examinations, and I with leave so move. Leave granted. Motion approved. POWERS AND ROLE OF CROWN CORPORATIONS COMMITTEE Hon. M. de Jong: Next, again, a standard motion for the session with respect to the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations — t h a t i t b e a p - pointed to review the annual reports and service plans of B.C. Crown Corporations and that its mem- bers be provided with the usual powers to do so.

I move that: [the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations be appointed to review the annual reports and service plans of British Columbia Crown Corporations. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations, the Committee be empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcom- mittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is ad- journed and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be conven- ient; and (

d) to retain personnel as required to assist the Com- mittee, and shall report to the House as soon as possible or fol- lowing any adjournment, or at the next following Ses- sion, as the case may be; to deposit the original of its re- ports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sit- tings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Motion approved. POWERS AND ROLE OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE Hon.

M. de Jong: The next committee, the Select Standing Committee on Education, was originally charged in the fall of 2005 to be empowered to exam- ine, inquire into and make recommendations with re- spect to finding effective strategies to address the spe- cific challenge of adult literacy and, in particular, to conduct consultations to consider successful strategies from other jurisdictions on the promotion of adult lit- eracy and, secondly, specific strategies to improve lit- eracy rates among aboriginal people, English-as-a- second-language adults and seniors.

Again, that com- mittee and its members are provided with the usual powers, and it is charged with the task of reporting to the House not later than November 30, 2006. I move that: [The Select Standing Committee on Education be em- powered to examine, inquire into and make recommen- dations with respect to finding effective strategies to ad- dress the specific challenge of adult literacy and, in par- ticular, to conduct consultations to consider: 1. Successful strategies from other jurisdictions on the promotion of adult literacy. 2.

Specific strategies to improve literacy rates among abo- riginal people, English-as-a-Second-Language adults, and seniors. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Education, the Committee shall be empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcom- mittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is ad- journed and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be conven- ient; and (

d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the Committee, and shall report to the House no later than November 30, 2006, 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 Legisla- tive Assembly.]

2344 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 Motion approved. POWERS AND ROLE OF HEALTH COMMITTEE Hon. M. de Jong: Next, by leave, the Select Standing Committee on Health, again, originally charged in the fall of '05 to conduct an examination and inquiry and make recommendations with respect to finding effective strategies to change behaviour and encourage children and youth to adopt lifelong health habits that will im- prove their health and curb the growing rate of obesity.

The committee is charged with four specific terms of reference which are duplicated in this motion from that which it was charged in the fall of '05.

Again, the com- mittee and its members are provided with the standard range of authorities and powe rs and asked to report to the House no later than November 30, 2006. [ T h e S e l e c t S t a n d i n g C o m m i t t e e o n H e a l t h b e e m p o w - ered to examine, inquire into and make recommenda- tions with respect to finding effective strategies to change behaviour and encourage children and youth to adopt lifelong health habits that will improve their health and curb the growing rate of obesity to achieve the great goal of leading the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness.

The Committee is also empowered to conduct consulta- tions and to: 1. Report on recommendations from the Select Standing Committee on Health Report from 2004 titled The Path to Health and Wellness: Making British Columbians Healthier by 2010. 2. Conduct research into other successful childhood health and wellness promotion campaigns in other jurisdictions to analyze their potential effective- ness in BC. 3.

Undertake discussions on how to promote childhood health and wellness including the appropriate use of incentives and disincentives to help influence behav- iour, particularly as it relates to healthy nutrition and physical activity. 4. Undertake discussions with experts and if neces- sary undertake research into the factors contribut- ing to unhealthy eating and physical inactivity in youth of today. In addition to the powers previously conferred upon the Select Standing Committee on Health, the Committee shall be empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcommit- tees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is ad- journed and during any sitting of the House; (

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

d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the Committee, and shall report to the House no later than November 30, 2006, to deposit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly during a period of adjourn- ment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative As- sembly.] Motion approved. POWERS AND ROLE OF AQUACULTURE COMMITTEE Hon. M. de Jong: In the fall a Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture was charged. This motion, with leave, simply duplicates that assignment from the fall session.

Members will know that this committee was asked to report to the House as soon as possible but not later than May 31, 2007. I move that: [A Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture be appointed to examine, inquire into and make recom- mendations with respect to Sustainable Aquaculture in British Columbia and in particular, without limiting the generality of the foregoing to consider: 1. The economic and environmental impacts of the aquaculture industry in B.C. 2. The economic impact of aquaculture on B.C.'s coastal and isolated communities. 3.

Sustainable options for aquaculture in B.C. that bal- ance economic goals with environmental impera- tives, focusing on the interaction between aquacul- ture, wild fish and the marine environment. 4. B.C.'s regulatory regime as it compares to other ju- risdictions. 5. Solicit and consider written and oral submissions from any interested person or organization by any means the Committee considers appropriate; The Special Committee so appointed shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and is also empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcom- mittees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee; (

b) to sit during a period in which the House is ad- journed and during any sitting of the House; (

c) to adjourn from place to place as may be conven- ient; (

d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the Committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible but no later than May 31, 2007 or following any adjournment, or at the next following Session, as the case may be; to de- posit the original of its reports with the Clerk of the Leg- islative 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.] Motion approved. [1510] POWERS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO APPOINT A MERIT COMMISSIONER Hon.

M. de Jong: B y l e a v e a g a i n , t h i s r e l a t e s t o a special committee that was appointed in the fall of '05, a committee of selection to unanimously recommend to

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 2345 the assembly the appointment of an individual to hold office as the Merit Commissioner — again, the stan- dard set of powers for th e committee of selection and to report to the House as soon as possible. I so move: [A Special Committee be appointed to select and unani- mously recommend to the Legislative Assembly, pursu- ant to

section 5.01 of the Public Service Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 385, the appointment of an individual to hold office as the Merit Commissioner for the Province of British Co- lumbia, and that the Special Committee so appointed shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee, and is also empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcommit- tees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee; (

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

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

d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the Committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or fol- lowing any adjournment of the House, or at the next fol- lowing 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 the resump- tion of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Motion approved. POWERS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO APPOINT AN OMBUDSMAN Hon. M. de Jong: Finally.

Again, last fall a special committee of selection was appointed to unanimously recommend the appointment of an Ombudsman to this assembly — the usual set of powers with the request that the committee report to the House as soon as possible. I so move. [A Special Committee be appointed to select and unani- mously recommend the appointment of an Ombudsman, pursuant to

Section 2 (2) of the Ombudsman Act (RSBC 1996 c. 340), and that the said Committee shall have the powers of a Select Standing Committee and in addition is empowered: (

a) to appoint of their number, one or more subcommit- tees and to refer to such subcommittees any of the matters referred to the Committee; (

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

c) to adjourn from place to place as many be conven- ient; and (

d) to retain such personnel as required to assist the Committee; and shall report to the House as soon as possible, or fol- lowing 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 dur- ing a period of adjournment and upon resumption of the sittings of the House, the Chair shall present all reports to the Legislative Assembly.] Motion approved. Hon. M. de Jong: For the information of members, all of the motions will be on deposit, and my friend the Opposition House Leader has them as well.

If there are any questions…. Interjections. Hon. M. de Jong: I know some members are trans- fixed by my oratory when I deliver these and regret the passing of the moment, but I do not. The motions will be available, and the committee of selection will, I hope, meet later in the week to confirm the names of members who are assigned to do these tasks. I think that's all. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: I call continued debate on the throne speech. Throne Speech Debate (continued) L. Mayencourt: I t ' s a g r e a t p l e a s u r e t o r i s e a n d speak to the Speech from th e Throne.

This short docu- ment lays out a blueprint for where British Columbia is headed over the next year, and I want to say that I'm very, very proud to stand in this Legislature and speak in favour of it. Before I begin, I would like to also thank my con- stituents. As the member for Vancouver-Burrard, I have the pleasure of representing about 90,000 people in the downtown peninsula. It's a great neighbour- hood, and it's made up of several different communi- ties. It is that mixture of communities that makes it so diverse and such a wonderful place to be. [S.

Hawkins in the chair.] Whether you're standing on the shores of Coal Harbour and looking at the lands that have been de- veloped by the Bayshore community, where we now have the brand-new performing arts lodge being built or seaside affordable housing for our neighbourhood, it's just a great place to be. Of course, we've got a won- derful community centre there. Coal Harbour is growing quite rapidly, and that means we will soon be needing to deal with some of the issues that come with a growing neighbourhood.

One of those is that we've got a little bit of a baby boom happening down there, so we're going to be needing a school pretty soon. We already have a number of young children in that neighbourhood,

2346 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 but I expect that this tr end will continue and that soon we will have need of a Coal Harbour elemen- tary school somewhere. Yaletown, by contrast, has already got its brand- new school. Elsie Roy is a school that I'm very, very proud of. It is named after a very wonderful teacher from the Vancouver school system. Elsie Roy has a wonderful principal. Isabel Grant is the principal there, a wonderful person that has made quite a difference in the neighbourhood. Elsie Ro y Elementary School is home to about 400 new students right now.

Many of them come through the ea rly childhood development programs at the neighbouring Dorothy Lam Centre. Yaletown has become really a model community. It's become a place where people know they are appre- ciated, where different views are understood, and it's got kind of an energy to it. [1515] One of the more traditional neighbourhoods in my neighbourhood is, of course, the West End. It is home to about 40,000 people — about half of the constituency — and a great community as well. We have a couple of schools there.

I think it's im portant I note that one of our principals, Patti Lefkos, who has been instrumental in creating the Vancouver inner-city educators commit- tee, retired this December. It is a great loss to all of us in the neighbourhood because Patty was a really great individual. She really understood inner-city education. She was someone with a great passion for it, and she brought about a lot of change, not just in my neighbourhood but in neighb ourhoods to the east and neighbourhoods to the south.

All of the schools that I've been working with in my neighbourhood — Elsie Roy, King George high school, Lord Roberts and Roberts Annex — have been working very, very hard together to make sure that kids in the downtown core are getting the very best opportunities as far as education goes. I've been very involved in trying to make sure that we do a good job as a province in dealing with some of the unique challenges that exist in the Vancouver school board.

Recently I had the opportunity to host a forum which included members of both sides of this House and members of the Vancouver school board — school trustees — and some staff and some parent advisory committee members. We had a wonderful opportunity to sit down and talk about so me of the challenges that are facing us in Vancouver. One of those, of course, is English as a second language. Now, I had the opportunity to work with a number of people who are concerned with this. There is actu- ally some concern within the ESL community about whether they're able to deliver services as adequately as they want to.

One of the things that happens in our ESL program is that it's about teaching kids English, but there's much more to ESL than that. You see, many of these kids come from China or the Philippines or Germany or B o s n i a o r w h a t h a v e you, and they come to Vancouver. Of course, yes, they need to learn English, but their families come here with them, and their families need to find a way to settle into our community, to become part of the community and to understand what our school system is like, how our government works and how parents are expected to be involved in our school system in British Colum- bia.

That's not something that's generally accepted in other countries, but in British Columbia we want par- ents involved, and so settlement services have become a very important issue in my neighbourhood. I had the opportunity just recently to meet with individuals from an ESL consortium as well. The ESL consortium is composed of six school districts. North Vancouver, Vancouver, Ri chmond, Burnaby, Coquit- lam and Surrey take almost 95 percent of the immi- grant populations into the province, and so it means that there are lots of things that need to be done.

There's a great organization, this consortium of ESL providers, working to make sure that we provide the right level of services there. I'm also very pleased. We recently had the class- size survey, which was completed in this district of Vancouver. I was very glad to see that British Colum- bia was doing very, very well on class size but, most particularly, that the school district I'm in, Vancouver school board, was being very accountable to parents and that it had below averag es for class sizes. I think that was really, really important.

I took the opportunity this last little while to work on a special project in Va ncouver-Burrard. I've men- tioned it once or twice before, and that is the Dalai Lama centre for peace and education. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] As many recall during the Dalai Lama's visit in 2004, I had the privilege of being able to work with the organizing committee to make his visit reach as many British Columbians as was possible, and I was very grateful for the opportunity to do that.

It was a great experience to meet His Holiness, it was a great experi- ence to work with a terrific bunch of volunteers, and it was a great experience to see 40,000 British Columbians get to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama over the course of a five-day visit.

Members of that volunteer committee have de- cided that they want to go a step further with the Dalai Lama, and we have started work with the prov- ince, with the city of Vanc ouver and with a lot of dif- ferent community organizations, particularly colleges and universities in British Columbia, to create the Dalai Lama centre for peace and education in Van- couver. [1520] This is an initiative that I am very, very proud of, and I've been working with a large number of people to make sure that it happens.

We've also been touched by the generosity of British Columbians that see this as a valuable initiative to have in our community. The Dalai Lama's mission of recognizing basic hu- man values has also been something that resonates in Vancouver, and it resonates in Vancouver because we've always been a community that really appreci-

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 2347 ated the issues of peace. We, of course, have been the location where a lot of peace rallies have occurred, so this is very nice to see this sort of work continuing on. I'm very optimistic that wh en the Dalai Lama returns to Vancouver in September of 2006 that not only will he be visiting here and engaging in wonderful dia- logues with people in our community, but also perhaps we'll have the opportunity to take out a shovel and make a ground-breaking ceremony for the Dalai Lama centre.

While the Dalai Lama is here, we're going to be doing some very interesting things, and I'm proud that by working on that committee I'm able to help out in that. We're going to have a dialogue that will bring together 500 of the leading businesses in North Amer- ica, bring them into a conversation with the Dalai Lama and other Nobel prize laureates so that we can talk about the role that business has in creating safe, caring communities. That's somethin g that is very important to me, and it's very important to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well.

The other part of this that's going to be very, very interesting is we're going to host a forum on mental health and addictions. This is something that…. Of course, in Vancouver there's no escaping the fact that we have issues around mental health and addictions and that we have to try harder. We continue to try very hard to ensure that we provide the services that people need so that they can deal with those addictions and so that they can get the services they need through the mental health system.

As members will know, I've had a great affection for the downtown east side and some of the challenges that are being faced there. Of course, as we look at the issues of mental health and we look at the issues of addictions and stuff, I thought it was re ally important to see if we could do something a little bit differently. I had the op- portunity over the Christmas break to visit a couple of intentional communities.

By "intentional communities" I mean these are communities th at exist for one specific purpose, one of them being an eco-village up in northern Scotland and another that I want to focus on for a few minutes — that is San Pietro, which is in central Italy. San Pietro is a village of 2,200 recovering drug ad- dicts. These drug addicts live in this village and work in this village. They stay th ere for three to five years. They work on their recovery , but in addition to that they become part of an active community, a govern- ance community. They become engaged in how their community is going to look.

They are all taught trades or are offered the opportunity to get grade 12 or to go through university or take an apprenticeship program. San Pietro is a marvellous example of what people can do when they get out of the box, when they understand that there are ways of healing from addictions, healing f r o m m e n t a l h e a l t h i s s u e s , a n d p a r t o f t h a t i s j u s t b e - coming part of a community.

One of the things that I noticed when I spent a few days on the streets of Vancouver was that many of the homeless people, many of the people with addictions, are completely disconnected from our community, and that's really something that stunts people's growth. It stops them from having the opportunity to participate. It stops them from being able to feel like they are val- ued in the community, and through low self-esteem and other things, they end up in a cycle of addiction and dependence and what have you. So I'm very inter- ested in seeing us look at this kind of a model in British Columbia.

The past year meant that we had a civic election, as well, and I want to offer my congratulations to our new mayor, Sam Sullivan. Sam is obviously in Torino today because he's going to be accepting the Olympic flag for Vancouver and for British Columbia. I know that Sam is a great guy who has done a lot for the city of Vancouver. I want to pay tribute and also thank very much Mayor Larry Campbell, now Senator Larry Campbell, for his contributions to our city and also to ind i vi du a l s , s u ch a s J im G r een , wh o hav e don e a lot of work in the downtown east side.

I'm sorry that they won't be sitting on city council, but I know that their legacy will live on, and I'm sure that we will h a v e o p p o r t u n i t y t o h e a r f r o m b o t h o f t h e m i n t h e future as well. [1525] I had the pleasure of looking over the Speech from the Throne, and I want to talk for a minute about some of the initiatives that are th ere. One of them that has really touched my heart has been our relationship with first nations. Just a couple of weeks ago we had a press conference, and the Premier announced the land use strategy for the north coast and for the mid-coast.

We had that event at the Pan Pacific downtown in Vancouver, and hundreds of people came to it. One of the great things was that there were a lot of first na- tions bands represented from all up and down the coast. I heard these individu als, leaders within their communities, talk about the importance of the coopera- tive relationship that has developed between our gov- ernment and first nations.

I sat beside the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and said to him as we were sitting there: "What a long way we have come." There's a new kind of attitude in British Columbia around first na- tions, and it's reflected in just as simple as the word "reconciliation." I'm really proud of what our Premier and my colleagues on this side of the House have done in regards to first nations. It's a great triumph. It is the right way that we are heading — to make sure that all people in British Co- lumbia are part of our community, that all of us have an opportunity to be at the table.

That's something I'm very, very proud of. I'm also proud of some of our Asia-Pacific initia- tives. I think it's very im portant that we now under- stand we are reaching out to communities well beyond the borders of Canada to give us prosperity, to have us learn from their cultures, learn from their business practices, to be able to invest and trade with them, to share our culture. I think it's very important, and I'm very pleased with the initiatives that have been launched by this government on the Asia-Pacific.

2348 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES M ONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 The Premier is often quoted as saying: "There's only one Asia-Pacific province in Canada, and that is British Columbia." We are the link between central Canada and China, Hong Kong and many other nations over on that side. I am particularly pleased because we have finally had an opportunity to work with our federal counterparts and work with civic leaders to create something called the Gateway project. The Gateway project will be debated in this House many times, I am certain.

We started off talking today about it, and I want to just say how inspiring it is to see that our government has moved from 2001, where we didn't really have much to work with, to a time when we can make a commitment of $3 billion to ensure that British Columbia actually benefits from the Asia-Pacific connection we have. We are able to get in there and trade with Asia-Pacific, not merely so that Vancouver can prosper but so that our entire province can prosper — so people in Prince Rupert, in Cranbrook, in Daw- son Creek and all around the province can benefit.

Even more so, all of Canada benefits by our strong links to the Asia-Pacific. People in Sudbury will benefit from it. People in Nova Scotia will benefit from it. Peo- ple all across Canada will benefit, because we have a link to billions and billions of people over on the other side in Asia-Pacific that want to do business with Can- ada, that need fast access to ports and markets not just in Canada but in North America. I'm very, very proud of the work that our Minister of Transportation and our Premier have done in regards to this. I know that tomorrow is a big day for us.

Tomor- row is the day that we'll be talking about our budget, and I want to say I have a lot of respect for the people that have worked together to make British Columbia prosperous. We've come a long way from 2001, as I said, when quite frankly, we were in the hole.

We've had an opportunity to build up our strength, to grow, to become a have province instead of a have-not prov- ince, and it's a great privilege for me to wait for the budget tomorrow. [1530] I have great hopes for all of the opportunity that lies ahead for British Columbia, and I know our Finance Minister has worked steadily with people from every sector of our economy to ensure that what we are doing keeps us on the right track. We need a continued thriv- ing economy in order to grow and be able to meet the challenges that are before us.

We need to keep a strong economy so that we can afford to look after kids, so that we can afford to look after the homeless, so that we can look after those most vulnerable in our society. We had a debate earlier this morning around home- lessness. I want to tell you about a program that has been initiated in my neighbourhood, which has been very, very successful and that I hope will spread to other neighbourhoods. As members will know, there are particular chal- lenges in reaching some of the folks that are homeless in our communities.

The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance launched an initiative three months ago, and it's been a pilo t in my neighbourhood. What happens is each night members of that ministry have gone into the streets in Va ncouver-Burrard. They have talked to homeless people. They have said, "Listen, let's go have a cup of coffee or breakfast or a smoke" — whatever it takes to get them engaged in a conversa- tion.

Once they've had a chance to establish a rapport, a chance to work with those individuals to gain some trust, they have taken them before the offices have opened over to the Ministry of Employment and In- come Assistance. They've got them signed up and done an emergency intake on them so that they can get ac- cess to welfare, so that on that very same day they can find a place to live. Now, this is a great project. It's called the home- less outreach program, and I think we just need an "e" on the end because what it stands for is hope. It's hope for people, and it's been very, very successful.

As I said, it's modest, but in my neighbourhood we've taken 60 individuals off the street. Sixty individuals have been lifted up from their doorway in some abandoned building or a squat in some park or somewhere. They've been brought into a system that says: "Look, we can try and help you. We can be of help to you." [S. Hawkins in the chair.] Of those 60 individuals, 53 of them today are still in housing. That's amazing. Th ere are 53 of them still there. That's a big challenge. That's something that these people have not been able to accomplish in years.

I talked today with the executive director of the MEI program in Vancouver, and he tells me that we've still got some problems. Eight of those individuals are still at risk. They are not quite fitting in or settling into the housing that we found for them, and there's some fear that they might yet again end up on the street. What it does tell me is that out of 60 people in three months, we have now 45 fewer homeless people on the streets of my community, and that is a triumph. That is a sign of a government that is willing to get out of the box and try and do something about homelessness in our communities.

I a m a l s o v e r y e x c i t e d t o b e p a r t o f a g o v e r n m e n t that's been so tremendously influential in getting the Olympics here for 2010. I want to tell you, as was men- tioned earlier today, I congratulate all the medal winners in the Olympics that represent Canada and in particular our women's hockey team. I think they did a terrific job. They could be very, very proud of the medals that hang around their necks, and we can be proud to be Canadi- ans because of the efforts that they have made. We have a number of representatives from Van- c o u v e r i n t h e O l y m p i c s .

W e h a v e M a n u e l O s b o r n e - Paradis in the alpine skiin g, the downhill combined and Super-G. We have Mira Leung who's in the singles in figure skating. We have Aaron Lowe from mixed- dance figure skating and Megan Wing. We have Jeffrey Christie in the men's singles, and many, many more British Columbians are part of this.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2006 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 2349 We have a lot of companies that have joined in with us, as well, to be part of this. I'm very excited to be working with partners like Bell, Lululemon, Ainsworth Lumber, Culinary Capers, Electronic Arts, Instyle Ce- ramics — people that have made a commitment to our Olympic movement here in British Columbia. I'm very proud of the work that we're doing on the Olympics. I'm proud of the work we're doing in reach- ing out to those that are mo st vulnerable.

I'm proud of the initiatives we've launched in terms of making sure that ESL programs are available for recent immigrants. [1535] I want to talk about another program that I had the opportunity to be involved with, with many mem- bers, actually — the member for Richmond-Steveston, the member for Burquitlam, the member for North Vancouver–Seymour and many, many others. That was dealing with some of the issues around international medical graduates. People that were watching us last session will know that this has been an important thing for us.

We had only six trai ning spaces for those peo- ple, and we wanted to ma k e s u r e w e c o u l d e x p a n d that. We were able to do that this year. We now have an additional 18 spaces. That means that a lot more people are going to be able to be trained in British Co- lumbia, brought up to speed with our credentials here. That means people around this province will have greater access to primary care physicians as well as to specialists. I think it's important that people under- stand that we are not just bringing in general practitio- ners.

We had the opportunity to make sure that we brought in specialists as well. There are a couple of things on my agenda as we head towards the rest of this session. As you know, I have a couple of bills on the order paper that I hope to advance. The first one is the apology act. I introduced this bill ini- tially last fall, and it was a very, very important step. I think that when you look at things like reconciliation, those things don't happen until someone says sorry.

When we have in some way harmed someone, it is a very natural, compassionate and moral thing to do to say: "I'm sorry." We've had opportunities here in this very Legislature to talk to people that were interned during World War II — the Japanese that were in- terned in British Columbia — and the Doukhobors who had their children taken away from them during the '50s and early '60s. We have certainly a lot of ground to cover when it comes to first nations. The apology act is a piece of legislation that enables us to actually do those sorts of things, but it goes even further than that.

It goes on to help people with a vari- ety of other issues, and I think it's a piece of legislation whose time has come. Interestingly, the very first day of the session this past week the Ombudsman tabled a report recommending that British Columbia adopt an apology act. This is something that's been used in Cali- fornia, and of course, member s will know that it's been used extensively in Australia. It means that people have the opportunity to apologize without increasing their liability, without offending someone. I think it is very important for us to be able to do that.

The second act that I hope to introduce in this ses- sion is to deal with bully ing, harassment and intimida- tion in our school system. I believe that it is time for British Columbia to act decisively and firmly about issues of bullying, harassment and intimidation in our school system. I had the opportunity to travel this province. I've met with th ousands and thousands of kids in British Columbia, hundreds and hundreds of teachers. We all know we have to do something better to protect children from the very silly but dangerous things that happen to us in our school system.

I hope that members on both sides of the House will understand that this is an important piece of legis- lation and that they'll support i t a n d t h a t i f t h e y c a n find ways of enhancing it, they'll be able to offer that to us. It's a great opportunity that I've experienced to in- troduce a couple of private members' bills before. I think it's really wonderful that members, whether we're on the opposition side or on this side, have that opportunity, and I would hope that we will have a great opportunity to debate both of those bills in the near future.

I want to once again thank all of the people that were involved in getting me re-elected. As you'll know, this was kind of a squeaker for me. Interjection. L. Mayencourt: Yeah, I like the landslide tag. I've got to tell you, winning by 11 votes is a very humbling experience. You get to have a real sense of how important each person is. I really feel that. I've got to tell you I love this job that I have here. I think some days I'm pretty good at it, some days I'm real good at it and some days I'm not. But on balance…. Interjection. [1540] L. Mayencourt: Yeah, thank you. I appreciate the love.

I think that this is a grea t job, and it's a great privi- lege. For those 11 people, I want to thank you. For the other 12,000, I want to thank you too. I want to thank all the people that live in Vancouver-Burrard. We have an opportunity quite often to get together and talk about things. Boy, I've got some really nice people in my neighbourhood — people that I'm really, really proud of, people that are community-minded and car- ing, people that are tr

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	H0220pm-06
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	H0220pm 06
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	99ed2acb3b62701236bf6f8ff8a6d68def4bcfc5

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