First Session, 43rd Parliament

Official Report

of Debates

( Hansard )

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Afternoon Sitting

Issue No. 44

The Honourable Raj Chouhan , Speaker

ISSN 1499-2175

The HTML transcript is provided for informational purposes only.

The PDF transcript remains the official digital version.

Contents

Orders of the Day

Second Reading of Bills

Bill 5 — Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2025 (continued)

Brennan Day

Rosalyn Bird

Scott McInnis

Korky Neufeld

Bruce Banman

Tony Luck

Sheldon Clare

Larry Neufeld

Lynne Block

Bryan Tepper

Ward Stamer

Speaker’s Statement

Relevance of Debate on Second Reading of Bill 5

Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room

Committee of the Whole

Bill 7 — Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act (continued)

Kiel Giddens

Hon. Niki Sharma

Rob Botterell

Steve Kooner

Peter Milobar

Gavin Dew

Korky Neufeld

Brennan Day

Tuesday , April 15, 2025

The House met at 1:32 p.m.

[The Speaker in the chair.]

Orders of the Day

Hon. Mike Farnworth : In this chamber, I call continued second reading debate of Bill 5.

In the Douglas Fir Room,

Section A, I call continued committee stage on Bill 7.

[Lorne Doerkson in the chair.]

Deputy Speaker : We’ll call this chamber to order, and we will be contemplating Bill 5 comments today.

Second Reading of Bills

Bill 5 — Budget Measures

Implementation Act, 2025

(continued)

Brennan Day : Today I rise on Bill 5, the so-called fudge-it budget measures implementation act,

Let’s talk about that word, implementation. It suggests action, direction and maybe

even a touch of responsibility, but what this government has tabled with Bill 5 is

anything but. There’s no plan, no course correction, and it certainly doesn’t show

much leadership. What we’ve been handed is the legislative equivalent of a shrug —

a limp, reheated version of last year’s record-setting deficit budget, this time with

a slightly different haircut and some new buzzwords.

This isn’t a budget to meet the moment. It’s a smokescreen, a document crafted not

to lead us out of crisis but to paper over the fiscal mess of their own making. Unfortunately

for this government, the bond markets have caught the scent of the smoke.

Just days after this budget was released, while families, business owners and taxpayers

across British Columbia were still reeling from what they saw in the fine print, we

learned that not one but two major credit-rating agencies had downgraded our province’s

credit standing. This isn’t a warning shot across the bow. This is the financial world

throwing up red flags.

A downgrade is not just an abstract metric. It’s a flashing neon sign that says: “We

don’t trust this government’s numbers. We don’t trust their plan.” Because there isn’t

one.

[1:35 p.m.]

Let’s be absolutely clear for the record. That downgrade affects real people. This

isn’t just about spreadsheets and bond yields. This is about trust. This is about

consequences. This is about the cost of living, and it’s about the increasing burden

being quietly dumped on the backs of everyday British Columbians. Because when your

government loses credibility, the cost of everything goes up — borrowing, building,

living. That’s the price of this government’s broken promises and fiscal fantasyland.

Let’s unpack that a little. Two credit downgrades don’t just make for bad headlines;

they make life more expensive for everyone in British Columbia. They mean our already

ballooning provincial debt — a debt fuelled by this government’s reckless, record-breaking

spending — just got even harder to manage.

It means that every borrowed dollar now carries a bigger price tag. It means that

trying to fix our collapsing health care system, already brought to the brink by years

of mismanagement, just got a whole lot harder. Every MRI machine, every ambulance,

every surgical suite now comes with a higher cost just to finance.

And who’s footing the bill? Not the Premier. Not the Finance Minister. It’s the people

of British Columbia: families, workers, seniors and small businesses who are being

forced to pay more and getting less.

Let’s talk about schools. The dream of getting kids out of portables in Courtenay,

Surrey, Chilliwack and Sooke just got kicked even further down the road with this

credit downgrade. Thousands of children are learning in plywood boxes parked in fields,

trailers jammed in gravel lots, because this government can’t build schools fast enough

to keep up with the communities they claim to care about. Now, instead of investing

in classrooms, we’re burning taxpayer dollars just to serve as the interest on our

ballooning provincial debt.

In Courtenay-Comox, the story is the same, or worse. Our schools are over capacity.

Portables are multiplying like weeds. We’re not building skyscrapers of portables

like Surrey yet, but per capita, we lead the province.

Parents are tired of the excuses. They want a plan. They want timelines. They want

action. What they’re getting instead is the slow drip of decline. Now, thanks to this

downgrade, the odds of meaningful infrastructure investment just took another hit.

Then there’s health care. Just this week I spent hours in estimates trying to get

straight answers out of the ministry. I asked about transport delays in the north

Island, where patients can wait hours, sometimes an entire day, just to be moved to

a hospital with space. I asked about the ER nurse and doctor shortages. I asked about

seniors clogging up acute care beds because there’s nowhere else to go. I asked about

the decaying state of long-term care in this province and the huge cliff that we are

facing in terms of numbers.

What did we get in return? Vague talking points, dodged questions, little in the way

of timeline, very little in the way of numbers. No real plan. Just recycled slogans

from a government that has run out of ideas and credibility.

Here’s the truth: this budget drains the cupboards dry with no plan to refill them.

It kicks every major problem further down the road while loading up the cart with

more debt, more risk and more empty promises.

Now we know why, because even as we sat in that chamber asking tough, necessary questions,

this government already knew what had happened. They already knew the downgrades had

come in. They already knew the numbers in this budget did not add up. They already

knew their house of cards was collapsing.

Moody’s is now forecasting a provincial deficit of $14.3 billion. Let me say that

again: $14.3 billion, with a b. That’s not a typo. That’s a train wreck, a record-setting

train wreck.

This budget is selling out my son’s future because this government is unwilling to

make the hard decisions required to ensure sustainability and prosperity in the future.

We need creative ideas, and we need to meet the moment.

Both rating agencies have made it clear that more downgrades are likely. Why? Because

this government has no credible plan to balance the books, no path over the next three

years to fiscal recovery, no willingness to make hard choices — just vibes, slogans

and spreadsheets built on sand.

I’ll say it again for the record. This Finance Minister and this Premier are the downgrade

British Columbians were worried about.

This bill, the so-called Budget Measures Implementation Act, is supposed to be the

mechanism by which the financial backbone of this province is laid out and reinforced.

[1:40 p.m.]

This is the bill that enacts the tax and revenue measures proposed in this budget.

It should be foundational. It should be bold. It should be something that meets the

scale of the very dangerous moment we are in as a province. But what does it contain?

Not a plan, not a reset, not a single sign that this government understands the gravity

of the crisis we are in, outside of the flag-waving and virtue-signalling that has

become a habit.

What we have before us isn’t a roadmap. It’s a pamphlet. Most years this document

is a thick, detailed and substantive piece. This year it could be mistaken for a flyer

taped to a lamppost. As my colleague from Kamloops–North Thompson so rightly observed,

this thing is a quarter-inch thick and mostly revolves around the film industry. That’s

it. And honestly, it’s appropriate because this budget is itself little more than

political theatre. A stage prop. A photo op wrapped up in political spin.

There’s nothing in this bill that addresses the $3 billion revenue crater exposed

in the budget since its release. No corrective measures. No cost savings. No course

corrections. No vision. Just a faint outline of some pre-election window dressing

while the fiscal foundations of this province crumble beneath it.

This government is flying blind. They’ve charted no direction, there’s no fiscal compass,

and this bill, this hollow, anemic document, is their flight plan. If this is what

implementation looks like, then British Columbians should be worried, because we’re

being taken for a ride with no map, no gas and no brakes.

Let’s zoom in on just one piece of this implementation bill, a small

section but one

that screams volumes about this government’s priorities and their hypocrisy. The government

has decided to hike provincial sales tax on used zero-emission vehicles, the very

same things they’ve been touting for the past eight years. Yes, you heard that right.

The same government that never misses a chance to preach about its climate leadership,

families for making the responsible choice to drive electric.

This isn’t a tax on luxury Teslas, which I’m sure many members of this House own.

This isn’t going after millionaires with shiny new Rivians. This is a direct hit on

the used market, the LEAFs, the Bolts, the entry-level EVs that real families in places

like the Comox Valley are scraping together to afford — the ones who want to reduce

emissions but still need a reliable way to get their kids to work, to school and to

hockey practice.

Here’s the reality. If you’re trying to do the right thing on a modest budget, if

you’re a young family, a senior on a fixed income or a worker in a community with

unreliable public transit, as is so common in rural B.C., this government has a message

for you: you’re going to pay more.

What kind of message is that? It’s not green, it’s not just, and it’s not even rational.

It’s punishment for doing the right thing, dished out by a government that’s far more

interested in sounding good than doing good. It’s the kind of policy-making that looks

great in a press release and falls apart in real life.

British Columbians, they see it. They feel it. They know exactly what this is —not

climate policy but a cynical cash grab dressed up in greenwashed language, not environmental

justice but fiscal hypocrisy.

This bill is full of moments like this — policies that say one thing and then do another.

The government calls it implementation. I call it deception. And I’ll stand here every

day and call it out for what it really is.

There is one, and only one, major tax cut in this entire bill. Is it for struggling

seniors? No. Is it for working families? No. Is it for small businesses just trying

to keep the lights on? No. This government found room for a $45 million tax credit

for the digital animation sector, a sector formerly led, conveniently, by the government’s

newly appointed deputy minister.

Now, let’s be clear. Nobody, including myself, is questioning the cultural value of

digital media. British Columbians are proud to see our landscapes, our talents and

our creativity on the world stage. But pride doesn’t pay the bills. So I ask: is this

really meeting the moment?

[1:45 p.m.]

When seniors in Port Hardy and Cumberland are rationing medication just to keep a

roof over their heads, when emergency room nurses and doctors in Courtenay and Campbell

River are hitting their breaking point, when families from Kelowna to Courtenay are

being forced to choose between fueling up the car or putting food on the table, this

government combed through every line of this legislation and decided that the only

group they could afford to help was a well-connected industry with a direct pipeline

to senior leadership. That’s not economic stewardship; that’s insider baseball.

Let’s not kid ourselves. This is not targeted relief. This is political favour trading.

It’s a golden handshake disguised as a policy tool. While front-line workers are crying

out for support, while communities are buckling under the weight of inflation, the

NDP’s response is to hand $45 million to their friends in film. The disconnect is

not just glaring; it’s offensive. It certainly is to me.

In normal times, you wouldn’t just skip over a tax credit like this one. It would

be buried amongst other relief for other sectors. But this one is only notable in

that it stands alone in a sea of red ink. This bill could have offered relief. It

could have signalled that this government finally understands the scale of hardship

facing ordinary British Columbians. Instead, it signals that if you don’t have a good

lobbyist, you don’t count. Frankly, British Columbians deserve better than this.

Let’s not sugarcoat this. The parking tax hike, which is also included in this bill,

isn’t a parking policy. It’s a commuter tax. Full stop. This tax doesn’t hit luxury

vehicles or high flyers. It hits working people. It hits the nurse commuting into

Vancouver General at 6 a.m. It hits the parents trying to make it to daycare pickup

before late fees kick in. It hits the senior who has to drive hours to reach a specialist

appointment because their own community was never given the resources they needed.

This is what you get when a government rips a $2.7 billion hole in its revenue stream

with the sudden elimination of the carbon tax without a real plan to control spending

or boost growth. They’re scrambling now, and they need to fill the gap. Surprise,

surprise. Whose pockets are they again reaching into to fill this hole? Yours and

your children’s.

Here it is, the parking tax hike. This is just the beginning. Everyone in this House

knows where this is heading: road pricing, per-kilometre tolling, a tracking device

on your wallet. If you drive to work, drive your kids to school or drive your parent

to a care home, this government wants to bill you for the privilege.

They say it’s about climate, but if they were serious about reducing emissions, they’d

invest in real public transit options instead of throwing transit agencies under the

bus. They’d fix the broken permitting system that delays green projects. They’d help

families upgrade to cleaner vehicles. Instead, they go after commuters, the hard-working

men and women who have to show up for a 9-to-5 to put food on the table.

What do people outside Metro Vancouver get in return? In Courtenay-Comox, we’re not

getting the new schools. We’re not getting the hospital upgrades or the seniors’ homes.

What we’re seeing is the same pattern again and again. We pay more, and we get less.

We borrow more and get nothing but IOUs that our children and their children will

continue to pay off on our behalf.

This government continues to commit to doing better next time, just after the next

election. This budget is more of the same. This government is asking British Columbians

to foot the bill for its own mismanagement, and instead of facing up to the consequences

of their unsustainable spending, they are quietly laying the groundwork for even more

invasive and regressive forms of taxation. British Columbians are not ATMs, and this

government needs to stop treating them as such.

Here’s the truth. British Columbians are facing the most punishing affordability crisis

in a generation. Rents are skyrocketing. Grocery bills are through the roof. Heating

costs are up. Insurance costs are up. Property taxes are up. Everyday working families

are being forced to make impossible choices just to stay afloat. What has this government

brought forward in response? Not leadership, not urgency, not even a tacit recognition

of the scale of the crisis that they could see coming from miles away.

This government has failed to meet the moment. The Premier likes to say he understands

the pressures people are under. But if words were enough to pay the bills, British

Columbians would be thriving. Instead, they’re drowning. The Finance Minister insists

she’s investing in people. But ask anybody outside of this chamber — the families

I’ve spoken to in Black Creek, the seniors I’ve met in Port Hardy, the exhausted front-line

health care workers in Campbell River — and they’ll all tell you the same thing. They

feel forgotten. They feel like government has left them behind.

[1:50 p.m.]

We saw it clearly during the estimates process, ministry after ministry, file after

file. This side of the House asked for timelines, for metrics, for real answers, something

we could point to next year to say: “Look, we’ve seen progress.” What did we get?

Shrugs, buzzwords, bureaucratic fog. No clarity, no urgency and no real plan.

Take health care. We asked direct questions about rural ER closures, ambulance staffing,

surgical backlogs. The response? Vague reassurances, no targets, no dates and no accountability.

On housing, we pressed for details on timelines for affordable builds, on accountability

for B.C. Housing failures, on relief for renters. Again nothing. No course correction,

no urgency.

This isn’t just incompetence; it’s a lack of will, a lack of connection to what people

are living through on the ground.

The so-called Budget Measures Implementation Act. It’s the final proof. A bill that

should be a blueprint for recovery, for relief, instead reads like a government on

autopilot: drifting, directionless and disconnected. It’s not that they can’t lead;

it’s that they’re incapable of it. And British Columbians deserve better than a government

that governs without a compass.

British Columbians deserve better than this. They deserve a government that doesn’t

just acknowledge the seriousness of the moment but one that rises to meet it; a government

that leads with clarity, not confusion; one that understands that photo ops won’t

build hospitals and hashtags won’t house families. They deserve a government that’s

focused on outcomes, not announcements; on measurable progress, not press conferences;

on impact, not image. They deserve a government that will restore fiscal credibility

and rebuild trust — not with more hollow promises but with real, transparent, accountable

action that improves the lives of everyday people across this province.

That means confronting the debt spiral before it buries the next generation in ever-growing

interest payments and a broken system. It means investing where it matters: in front-line

health care, in education, in seniors care, in safe communities; not in growing the

bureaucracy, not in padded communications budgets, not in another glossy advertising

campaign or rebranding exercise to try and slap some paint on an old B.C. ferry that

just needs to be replaced.

We need more than spin; we need substance. It means telling British Columbians the

truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, having the humility to admit when your plan has

failed and having the courage to change course before more damage is done. We don’t

need a government that hides behind the spin cycle and throws blame around like confetti.

We need one that rolls up its sleeves and gets to work, that listens, that acts, that

leads.

The problems we’re facing are not theoretical. They are real, they are urgent, and

they are getting worse, not better. We need leadership that matches the seriousness

of the challenges we face. We need accountability that goes beyond empty words. British

Columbians are ready for it.

This isn’t just a bad bill. It is the living legacy of a government that has utterly

lost the plot and has fallen out of touch with the very people that put them there.

A government that came to power promising affordability and delivered austerity for

everyone except their well-connected friends, it would seem. A government that promised

transparency and gave us canned talking points regurgitated by a bloated communications

department.

A government that promised bold leadership and delivered stagecraft, slogans and the

slow, dwindling erosion of trust in our institutions and our elected officials. They

said they’d be different. They ran on being different. They promised this time it

would be better. Instead, they’ve turned out to be just like every tired, cynical,

out-of-touch administration that came before them, only with slicker ads and far larger

deficits.

What makes this moment more than frustrating, what makes it infuriating, is that British

Columbians believe them again. They believed the promises. They believed the Premier.

They believed this government when it said it would make life better and more affordable.

They believed they would get the much-needed $1,000 grocery rebate cheque. But it

turned out that campaign bribe didn’t even last to the first cut in this government’s

fiscal dumpster fire.

Now they’re paying the price: two credit downgrades, a projected $14.3 billion deficit,

skyrocketing costs, broken services and a province being run like a bad PR campaign.

With all that staff that you’ve recently hired, I would presume you could do better,

at least on that one file.

[1:55 p.m.]

What do we get with this Budget Measures Implementation Act? No plan, no pivot and

certainly no clear path forward for British Columbians. Just red ink and a lot more

recycled spin.

To the members opposite, I ask you plainly: what exactly are we doing here? Since

this House sat, I’ve seen the government pivot into a shadow of itself, adopting conservative

positions, flailing in the dark, looking for solutions. I’ve seen them filibuster

their own housekeeping bills because they weren’t ready with meaningful legislation

to meet the moment.

Is this the leadership that you promised British Columbians? Is this what you meant

by investing in people? Because this bill doesn’t invest. It doesn’t fix. It doesn’t

deliver. It delays, it deflects, and it doubles down on eight years of fiscal mismanagement

and failure by this government. It isn’t pragmatic, it is certainly not forward-looking,

and it is definitely not in the best interests of British Columbians.

And if you won’t pull it back, if you won’t even acknowledge the damage that this

budget does, then, at the very least, have the courage to call it what it is: a broken

promise wrapped in red ink, sold with a straight face and a smile. British Columbians

are not smiling.

I cannot and I will not support this bill. British Columbians definitely deserve better,

and I will not stop fighting until they get it.

Rosalyn Bird : I rise today to speak against Bill 5, the Budget Measures Implementation Act. As

a member of the opposition, the MLA for Prince George–Valemount, a proud veteran and,

above all, a British Columbian, I believe it is my duty to shed light upon the failures

of this government, which are only further illuminated by this bill.

When we stand here today discussing the future of British Columbia, we cannot ignore

the profound impact that the actions of this government are having on everyday British

Columbians. I am deeply disappointed in the direction this government has taken us

in. Bill 5 is not a technicality. It’s not some routine procedural bill. It is the

legislative mechanism that gives teeth to this government’s flawed fiscal plan.

Over and over, I hear the same concerns from British Columbians, from the cities to

the rural corners of our province. The affordability crisis is worsening, opportunities

are dwelling, and too many are being left behind. People are struggling to make ends

meet as the cost of living continues to rise. Yet this government’s response is to

create more of a financial burden rather than offering any meaningful relief.

This bill, like the budget it enacts, fails to address the very challenges British

Columbians are facing every single day. It does not create a plan, and it certainly

doesn’t provide hope for a better tomorrow.

I’ve heard from people in my riding of Prince George–Valemount and from across the

province — good people from all walks of life. They are asking us what happened to

the promise of a brighter future. Every time I’m asked about how this government is

doing, I must tell them the truth. It’s unreliable, and it’s reckless.

Families are feeling the strain. Parents are finding it harder to provide for their

children as inflation continues to outpace wage growth. Seniors are worried about

whether or not they’ll have enough to retire on. All we see are growing deficits and

greater financial strain on the people who can least afford it.

Meanwhile, the government responds with growing deficits and legislation like Bill

5 that compound the hardship. The affordability crisis that has been stoked by this

NDP government is universal, and people are desperately looking for a solution. Is

that what this budget does for British Columbians? The answer is a resounding no.

This budget is not the solution; it is part of the problem. It is unreliable for small

businesses, it’s unreliable for families, and it’s unreliable for all British Columbians.

This government’s approach has been to bury our future in debt, hoping it will somehow

go unnoticed, hoping that people won’t feel the weight of the decisions being made

today.

[2:00 p.m.]

I will not sit idly by while this government continues down a path that will only

hurt the people of British Columbia. The people I represent, the people of Prince

George, deserve better. We need a government that will listen, a government that will

prioritize the needs of British Columbians and one that will work towards real solutions.

The current path is not one we can afford to stay on.

This budget tries to neatly wrap a $10.9 billion deficit and present it as a gift

for British Columbians. Oh, my apologies. According to Moody’s, it is now a $14.3

billion deficit. To that, I ask: where is the gift receipt? Because this government

is offering not a gift. It’s a burden, and one that will be felt for years to come,

one that will be felt by my family and my family that follows, my grandchildren.

The people of British Columbia did not ask for this, and they certainly didn’t ask

to be saddled with this kind of debt without any meaning of relief in return. Let’s

cut through the government’s rhetoric and break down the harsh reality of Bill 5.

British Columbians deserve to know exactly what this bill is all about.

The Budget Measures Implementation Act represents the government’s attempt to legislate

tax changes in British Columbia. On the surface, this may seem like a routine procedural

matter. However, let’s be clear. This bill is more than just a set of technical adjustments.

It is a direct reflection of this government’s priorities, and it’s a failure to address

the real concerns of British Columbians.

Instead of offering meaningful tax reforms to stimulate growth, create jobs and alleviate

financial pressures, this bill perpetuates the status quo, one that is leading to

higher deficits and greater financial instability. It’s a bill that serves the interests

of a government that continues to prioritize its own fiscal policies over the well-being

of all British Columbians.

This bill is not just about tax changes. It’s about a government that continues to

put its own interests ahead of the needs of British Columbians instead of focusing

on the people who are struggling to make ends meet. This government has used Bill

5 to prioritize policies that will only add to the financial burden on hard-working

families and small businesses.

Take, for example, the tax hike on electric vehicles. This is a government that claims

to care about climate action but at the same time imposes a tax increase on the very

vehicles that are supposed to be part of the clean energy future. It is a contradiction

that hurts those that are trying to make environmentally conscious choices.

Then there’s the tax for the Minister of Finance’s previous employer. This is a glaring

example of a government more concerned about pleasing its allies than addressing the

real issues facing the public. And let’s not forget the increase to parking taxes

in Metro Vancouver at a time when people are already burdened with rising costs.

Fundamentally, Bill 5 will be making life harder for those who are already living

paycheque to paycheque. It’s about people who are $200 away from not being able to

pay their bills. This government seems content to make their situation even worse

while giving their friends and insiders a break.

Let’s talk about taxes again. This proposed piece of legislation fundamentally alters

how taxes are managed in British Columbia. While there is one tax cut included in

this bill, let’s be clear. This change will do little, if anything, to improve the

lives of everyday British Columbians. It won’t make life more affordable for the families

struggling to make ends meet, nor will it provide any meaningful relief to those grappling

with rising costs across the board.

At a time when people are dealing with the fallout of an affordability crisis that

this government has played a significant role in creating, you would expect them to

prioritize the needs of ordinary citizens. Instead, this government has chosen to

reward the Minister of Finance’s former employer, DigiBC, with a generous $5 million

tax break.

This is not the kind of priority that British Columbians need right now. This decision

is a missed opportunity to help those in need. It’s an alarming indicator of where

this government’s priorities lie.

[2:05 p.m.]

On this side of the House, we are not against supporting industries that contribute

to the economy. However, in times of economic hardship like these, when British Columbians

are being squeezed from all sides, handing out taxpayer money to industry is a glaring

example of misplaced priorities. The people of this province deserve far better than

to see their hard-earned dollars directed towards an organization that doesn’t address

the immediate needs of the public.

In times like these, British Columbians need a government that will focus on helping

them directly. They need affordable housing. They need more accessible health care

and tax policies that will provide real, meaningful relief. Unfortunately, Bill 5

does none of this. Instead, it reflects the government’s true priorities. Those priorities

are not with the people of this province.

Another tax change under this bill. How about the proposed tax hikes on electric vehicles?

This is yet another glaring example of the hypocrisy of this government. For a government

that constantly claims to champion electric vehicles and environmental sustainability,

their decision to make EVs more expensive is incomprehensible. Instead of incentivizing

British Columbians to transition to electric vehicles, they are now making it more

difficult, more costly and out of reach for many individuals who are trying to make

environmentally conscious choices.

This is not just about luxury electric cars like those from Elon Musk’s brand. It’s

about everyday British Columbians who are trying to make the shift to EVs and this

government increasing taxes and making it harder for individuals to own the very vehicles

they claim to encourage.

It’s not even surprising, given the level of hypocrisy from the government surrounding

this issue. On the one hand, they claim to advocate for the widespread adoption of

electric vehicles, and on the other hand, they impose tax hikes that make EVs even

more out of reach for everyday folks. It’s a classic case of saying one thing and

doing another. This is hypocrisy at its finest.

In the same vein as making things more expensive under this government, let’s talk

about yet another increase they are proposing. This time it’s taxes on parking in

Metro Vancouver.

Now, I don’t know who this government is listening to, but I can tell you the people

I’ve spoken with certainly aren’t saying: “I wish I could pay more to park my car.”

But that seems to be the pattern with this government. There is an affordability crisis

staring them in the face, people are crying for relief, and their response is to make

basic, everyday things like parking more expensive.

Parking in Metro Vancouver is already difficult and extremely expensive. For working

people commuting to the city, for families going to medical appointments or for small

business owners trying to stay afloat, it’s another hit to their wallets. Instead

of working to ease that burden, the government chooses to pile on. They talk about

affordability and about helping families, and then they turn around and push forward

policies like this. It’s unintelligible and irresponsible, plain and simple.

While regular people are asked to pay more and more, we continue to see this government

handing out $1,000 paycheques to their friends, insiders and politically connected

allies. At this point, they might as well start handing out blank cheques for them

to fill in, because it sure looks like those who this government is working for are

not everyday British Columbians. So let’s call this what it is: a cash grab that hits

the middle class and working families the hardest.

It’s one more example of a government completely out of touch with the people it’s

supposed to serve. The people of Metro Vancouver and across this province deserve

better than to be nickel-and-dimed by a government that refuses to get its own fiscal

house in order.

The only thing unprecedented about this budget is the deficit. We are not the only

ones to sound the alarm bells. Two credit downgrades in one day — two. This is not

just a minor concern. It’s a loud and clear signal that something is deeply wrong

with this government’s fiscal management.

[2:10 p.m.]

When credit-rating agencies lower their outlooks on the province, it’s not just an

abstract concept. It affects real people. It means higher borrowing costs, less investor

confidence and, ultimately, more financial strain on people in British Columbia. It

sends a stark message about the direction we’re heading and the financial state of

this province.

It also means that B.C.’s deficit just grew substantially. The $10.9 billion deficit

we were initially presented is now a staggering $14.3 billion, according to Moody’s.

Despite this alarming increase, what do we hear from the minister and this government

when asked about it? No answers and empty platitudes. There is no real explanation,

no meaningful response to questions that British Columbians are asking.

How did we get here? What’s the plan to fix this? How will this impact our province’s

future? Instead of addressing the growing crisis head on, we’re told vague talking

points, given a budget that does nothing to ease the anxiety that so many British

Columbians are feeling.

In fact, this government has proven, time and time again, that they’re overachievers

and not in a good way. Two credit downgrades aren’t enough for this minister. No,

now we’re being told to expect even more downgrades to this government’s credit rating.

And these downgrades can’t simply be contained within the scope of this government’s

budget. This government has downgraded public confidence in its ability to govern,

the accountability of this budget and the transparency of their actions.

What else do we hear from Moody’s? They make it clear that despite what the Minister

of Finance may say, they have no expectation that this government will be able to

balance this budget. The reality is that under this government’s current approach,

we are stuck in a cycle of unchecked deficits with no clear plan to turn things around.

Not only are we facing an unprecedented deficit, one that continues to grow with each

passing day, but there is also no end in sight.

The people of British Columbia deserve more than a never-ending cycle of deficits,

rising debt and a government that cannot commit to a fiscal responsible path forward.

Instead of offering hope for a balanced budget, we are left with uncertainty, continued

financial instability and the looming threat of even more downgrades.

Unfortunately, to get yourself out of a hole, you can’t just keep digging. And we’re

not talking about a small hole here. We’re talking about a massive financial hole

that this government has been digging for years. Yet, instead of halting reckless

spending or taking the necessary steps to reverse the damage, this budget continues

to pour money into the abyss, hoping that it will somehow solve itself. But it won’t.

The consequences will be felt by future generations who will inherit the debt and

the broken promises of this government.

What are the three things that should be prioritized above all when it comes to government

handling hard-working taxpayers’ dollars? Well, above all are transparency, accountability

and efficiency. Unfortunately, not only with this piece of legislation, this government

fails to satisfy all of those criteria.

On this side of the House, we believe that British Columbians not only need but deserve

a government that is prepared to rise to the occasion and face real challenges we

are currently living with. These aren’t distant problems or hypothetical concerns.

These are cries that affect people’s day-to-day lives, cries that this NDP government

has not only failed to address but, in many cases, has actively made worse.

British Columbians are looking for leadership. They’re looking for action, not more

talking points. They want a government that doesn’t just speak about affordability

but one that delivers on those promises. They want a government that not only talks

the talk but actually walks the talk. Unfortunately, what they’re getting from the

NDP government is more of the same: grand rhetoric, flashy announcements and very

little meaningful follow-through.

[2:15 p.m.]

Bill 5 is just the latest example of this government’s ongoing failure to meet the

moment. This bill does nothing to make life more affordable for British Columbians.

It does nothing to ease the burden on families who are already struggling to pay rent,

buy groceries and fill up their gas tanks. In fact, in many ways, it makes things

worse through increased taxes and misplaced priorities.

British Columbians don’t need another empty promise. They need a government that shows

up for them, that listens, that leads and that delivers results. We need a government

that understands the urgency of this moment and acts like it — a government that backs

up its words with concrete, effective action. That’s not what we’re seeing. That’s

why Bill 5 is a missed opportunity and why British Columbians deserve better. B.C.

residents need a government that doesn’t just say it will act but does.

Where does this bill leave us? It leaves us with more questions than answers. It leaves

us without meaningful solutions to the affordability crisis. It leaves us with tax

changes and fiscal decisions built on the shaky foundation of a budget that is not

only unreliable but already outdated, as loss of carbon tax revenue is not accounted

for. I have spent time in this House debating a budget that isn’t even accurate. That

alone is a striking representation of how this government operates — disorganized,

disconnected and fundamentally irresponsible when it comes to financial stewardship

of this province.

Time and time again, this government has proven it is not up to the task, it is not

competent, it is not accountable, and it is certainly not prioritizing the people

of British Columbia. To that, I say: when someone tells you who they are, believe

them. And this bill tells us everything we need to know. It showcases this government’s

fiscal mismanagement, its obsession with spin over substance, and a set of tax changes

that benefit a narrow slice of industry, predominantly the film and digital media

sectors, while doing absolutely nothing for hard-working British Columbians I represent.

The Minister of Finance has stood in this House and said that this budget reflects

“a moment in time.” Well, we know exactly what that moment of time is. It is a moment

of recklessness, a moment of missed opportunity and a moment that will be remembered

as one of the most disappointing chapters in British Columbia’s fiscal history. This

budget is not a reflection of prudent financial planning or responsible governance.

It’s a reflection of a government that is out of touch with the realities facing its

people — a government that continues to ignore the warnings and the calls for action.

British Columbians deserve transparency. They deserve action. They deserve a government

that puts their needs above photo ops and insider deals. Bill 5 offers none of that.

For this reason and many more, I urge all members of this House to vote against this

bill.

Scott McInnis : I rise today to speak on behalf of the wonderful people I represent in the Columbia

Valley and Revelstoke — hard-working, everyday British Columbians who are doing their

very best to make ends meet in a province that’s becoming less and less affordable

by the day. I rise today not only as a Member of the Legislative Assembly but as someone

who has watched with growing concern the fiscal mismanagement that this government

continues to perpetuate.

I rise in opposition to Bill 5, the Budget Measures Implementation Act, not out of

partisanship but out of principle, because this bill fails to meet the moment. And

worse, it actively makes life harder for those who are already struggling the most.

[2:20 p.m.]

Now, let me be clear. Budget measures implementation bills are not inherently bad.

They’re standard legislative tools. They’re supposed to implement the tax and revenue

changes presented in a provincial budget. But when the budget behind the bill collapses

under scrutiny, when it no longer reflects fiscal reality, then the bill that flows

from it is compromised. That is exactly the case with Bill 5.

We learned, shockingly, shortly after the Finance Minister tabled the budget, a budget

she asked British Columbians to trust, that she had already been informed of not one

but two impending credit downgrades. Not one but two financial institutions looked

at the government’s fiscal track record and found it so lacking that they dropped

our province’s credit rating.

Let’s not mince words. A credit downgrade is not just an embarrassment. It’s a cost

— a cost borne by the taxpayer, a cost that drives up the price of borrowing — that

makes investments in health care, education and infrastructure much more expensive,

a cost that ultimately makes life less affordable for British Columbians.

While the Premier and Finance Minister were busy patting themselves on the back, the

financial world was sending a very different message. This government’s fiscal plan

isn’t credible, isn’t balanced and isn’t sustainable. Moody’s, one of the largest

credit agencies, now expects our provincial deficit to balloon to $14.3 billion —

$14.3 billion. That’s money we just don’t have being spent with no clear plan to pay

it back.

And worse, neither Moody’s nor the other agency expects this government to balance

the budget anytime soon. In fact, both agencies suggest further downgrades may be

on the way. That’s not just a warning. It’s a 5-alarm fire.

Let’s return for a moment to the matter that should concern every single member of

this House, and that is these credit downgrades that our province just suffered. This

isn’t just a financial footnote. This isn’t a technical adjustment that ecosystems

whisper about behind closed doors. This is a concrete, painful development that will

affect every taxpayer, every parent, every senior, every patient waiting in line at

an emergency room and every child sitting in a portable classroom. This is real, this

is serious, and this is the direct result of this government’s choices.

Let’s be crystal-clear on what a credit downgrade means for a province like British

Columbia. When credit agencies lower a province’s credit rating, they’re not doing

it for fun. These are not partisan organizations. They’re cold, analytical, evidence-driven

institutions that evaluate fiscal risk the same way they do for corporations or municipalities.

And what they saw in B.C.’s budget in this government’s trajectory alarmed them enough

to hit us with two downgrades in one day.

Now, what does this actually do? First, and most directly, it makes borrowing much

more expensive. Just like a family that misses credit card payments and sees their

interest rates go up, a province that fails to manage its finances sees its borrowing

costs climb. Given the size of B.C.’s debt and the $14.3 billion deficit forecasted,

that increase is going to cost us dearly.

Every time this government issues a bond, it will now have to pay higher interest

to investors to compensate for the perceived risk. That means millions and millions

of extra dollars out the door just to service the debt, not to pay for new nurses

or schools or wildfire response, which are extremely important where I come from.

This is just to pay the interest. That’s taxpayer money flushed down the drain because

this government can’t balance the budget.

Let’s put this in real-world terms. When our debt becomes more expensive, that creates

a cascading effect across every major public investment. Want to build a new hospital

in the Interior? It just got more expensive. Want to replace aging schools in Surrey

or Chilliwack? That just got more expensive. Want to expand long-term care beds in

rural communities? That, too — more expensive. Even the borrowing required for much-needed

wildfire mitigation or climate resilience projects will now cost us more because our

government did not protect our fiscal credibility.

That’s the thing about interest payments. They don’t build anything. They don’t solve

anything. They don’t reduce classroom sizes or wait lists. They don’t build homes

or fix roads. They just take away our options, our flexibility and our future. And

here’s the real injustice. It won’t be the government that feels this pain. It will

be everyday British Columbians who pay the price, because when borrowing costs rise,

governments typically have two choices: cut services or raise taxes.

[2:25 p.m.]

We’ve already seen which direction this government is leaning — parking taxes up,

used EVs more expensive, no meaningful plan to protect the most vulnerable from the

cost of inflation. They were already reaching deeper into the pockets of families

who are $200 away from financial collapse every month. And now, because of these credit

downgrades, they’ll have to reach even further.

What will it be next? Higher property taxes to plug the hole? Service fees tacked

onto ICBC or hydro bills? More climate levies that somehow never make it to emissions

reductions?

The worst

part is these downgrades didn’t come out of nowhere. They were predictable

and preventable. The warning signs had been flashing for months. British Columbians

had been watching the size of government spending balloon, even as the quality of

services declined. Yet the Finance Minister tabled a budget on the very day she knew

the downgrades were coming and made no meaningful adjustments, no plan to correct

the course, no strategy to regain credibility — just more spending, more borrowing

and more wishful thinking.

Let’s not forget, these downgrades are not necessarily the end of the story. Both

agencies indicated they expect this government’s rating to be downgraded again if

there’s no material change in approach. We’re not just dealing with today’s higher

borrowing costs. We are standing at the edge of a cliff knowing full well we might

be pushed further if this government continues down this reckless spending path.

Some may argue, well, British Columbia has a relatively strong credit rating. That’s

like saying a healthy person shouldn’t worry about high cholesterol because they haven’t

had a heart attack yet. Downgrades are the warning. They are the red flag. They are

the fiscal equivalent of smoke in the engine compartment.

Here’s what’s so disappointing. British Columbia used to be a leader in fiscal discipline.

Investors in financial institutions used to look to our province as a model of sound

budgeting, proof that you can invest in health care and education without losing control

of the books. But not anymore. Under this government, B.C. has become a cautionary

tale — a province that burned through its surplus, blew through past budgets and dragged

its people into debt without results to show for it.

This is not just a financial failure. It’s a moral failure, because every wasted dollar

is a dollar not spent on the people who need it the most. Every point of interest

we pay is a point of pressure on the single mom looking to afford daycare. Every downgrade

is another door closed on the next generation of British Columbians who will inherit

this debt, this burden and this diminished trust.

Let’s talk about that trust. Credit ratings are not just about money; they are about

credibility. They are a signal to investors, developers, entrepreneurs and business

leaders that this is a government they cannot count on — that B.C. as a stable, reliable

place to build and grow no longer exists.

Our credibility has taken a hit, and once lost, credibility is incredibly hard to

earn back. It takes time. It takes discipline, and it most definitely takes leadership.

Unfortunately, that’s precisely what’s missing from this government. The Finance Minister

could have used the budget as a moment to pivot, to acknowledge that the economic

outlook has changed, to prioritize investment that builds long-term growth, not short-term

popularity. But instead, she handed out tax breaks to some of her industry colleagues.

British Columbians deserve better than that. They deserve a government that earns

trust, not squanders it. They deserve a government that protects their future, not

mortgages it, that keeps its financial house in order so families can keep their house

in order.

These credit downgrades aren’t just numbers on a chart; they’re a siren warning us

that the current course is not sustainable. If we ignore them, if we treat them as

politics instead of policy, we will all pay the price, especially the working families

this government claims to be fighting for.

That’s why I oppose Bill 5, because it’s built on a budget that lacks credibility,

because it ignores the growing storm clouds on the fiscal horizon and because it does

nothing to repair the damage already done by this government’s refusal to lead. What

has been this government’s response? To continue spending recklessly while failing

to produce meaningful results.

Our hospitals are overwhelmed. Our schools are overcrowded. Crime continues to rise

in urban and rural centres.

[2:30 p.m.]

Rural communities struggle to access the basic services. In the middle of all this,

in the middle of this fiscal crisis, this government has decided now is the right

time to raise taxes on parking, raise costs for used electric vehicles and hand out

tax credits to digital media industry players. Let me talk about that for a moment.

The government would have you believe that Bill 5 is a modest set of adjustments,

a few minor tweaks. But that’s not the case. The implications of this bill are far-reaching,

and they reflect this government’s misguided priorities.

One of the most notable changes in this legislation is a tax hike on used electric

vehicles, used EVs. This from a government that has spent years telling British Columbians

to switch to electric. This from a government that claims to be a climate leader.

Yet they are making EVs more expensive to own — not for the wealthy elite, not for

those buying the latest off the production line, but for ordinary families trying

to afford a reliable, efficient, secondhand vehicle.

I don’t know how else to say it. This makes no sense. It is a policy without logic,

a tax without principle, a contradiction in motion. For years, we’ve heard this government

champion the shift to electric vehicles as part of their climate agenda. They’ve wrapped

themselves in the rhetoric of sustainability, told British Columbians that driving

an EV is the responsible thing to do. In many cases, it is, but here’s the catch.

While they are regulating and pushing people toward EVs and mandates and advertising

what they would like to see, they are simultaneously making it more expensive for

working families to own one. What message does that send? This is a government that

has mandated by law that all new-vehicle sales in B.C. must be zero emissions by 2035.

They have introduced the CleanBC Roadmap, which encourages rapid electrification of

the transportation sector.

They have even offered subsidies in the past to help people make the transition. But

now they’re taxing used electric vehicles, the most accessible affordable point of

entry into the EV market for regular, middle-income British Columbians.

Let’s be honest. The vast majority of people in this province cannot afford a brand-new

EV. They can’t drop $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 on a shiny, showroom-fresh EV. They’re

not shopping for luxury. They’re shopping for something reliable that fits their budget

and helps them meet the government’s climate expectations. What does this government

do in response? It punishes them.

We’re not talking about luxury vehicles. We’re talking about a family in Langley trying

to replace their aging minivan with something more efficient, a young tradesperson

in Vernon trying to reduce their fuel bill, a retiree in Kimberley who wants to do

the right thing for the environment but can’t spend half their savings to do it.

By making used EVs more expensive, this government is saying the quiet part out loud.

checking a climate policy box without doing the hard work of helping real people through

the transition.

Let’s look at the bigger picture for a moment. Major auto manufacturers around the

world — Ford, GM, Volkswagen — are scaling back their EV production. Why? Because

consumer demand is slowing. Because people are hesitating. Because the infrastructure

isn’t ready. Because these vehicles don’t work in cold weather. Because they’re too

expensive. And the reality of daily life for the majority of Canadians still includes

long distances; long, cold winters; and limited charging options.

Yet here in British Columbia, the government is moving full steam ahead — not with

supports, not with rebates but with more taxes. It is as if they have decided to push

a policy agenda no matter what it costs, no matter what it breaks and no matter who

gets left behind.

We are at a pivotal moment in the transportation sector, and instead of offering leadership,

this government is offering confusion. On the one hand, they regulate combustion engines

into extinction. On the other, they slap a tax penalty on the very EVs people are

expected to switch to. This is not an incentive. This is a barrier. This is not how

you build momentum toward a more sustainable future. This is how you breed resentment

and skepticism.

Let’s not forget the EV market is already facing challenges in B.C. Once again, the

infrastructure remains patchy, especially outside of the Lower Mainland.

[2:35 p.m.]

Wait times for certain EV models stretch into months. Battery degradation and cold

weather remain a real concern for those in the Interior, the North and the Kootenays.

And now, just to add insult to injury, this government is deciding that if you can

finally afford a used EV, you should have to pay even more for it.

This isn’t just bad policy; it’s bad economics. Higher costs mean fewer sales. Fewer

sales mean slower adoption. Slower adoption means we don’t meet the targets the government

itself has enshrined into law. So we tax people trying to comply with the law, which

causes fewer people to comply, which then becomes justification for more regulation,

more interference and, yes, more taxes. It’s a cycle of failure, a feedback loop of

poor planning.

Let’s also consider equity. The EV transition has been subsidized primarily for those

who can afford new cars, urban dwellers with access to chargers, and people with stable

incomes. Used EVs are the bridge, the only bridge, for lower- and middle-income families

to participate in the transition. Taxing them is a direct hit to the very people who

are least able to absorb it.

Who benefits here? Not the environment, because fewer EVs on the road slows emissions

reductions. Not the consumer, because their costs go up. And not small used-car dealers,

because demand falls off when prices spike. There is no policy justification for this.

None. It is punitive, it is incoherent, and it is completely out of touch with economic

reality and consumer sentiment. If the government truly wants to encourage a shift

to electric vehicles, then it must remove barriers, not create new ones. It must make

that shift easier, not harder. It must work with the market, not against it.

The fact this tax exists at all in Bill 5 tells us everything we need to know about

this government’s approach. They’re not planning; they are reacting. They are not

supporting; they are punishing. They are not leading; they are stumbling. British

Columbians want real solutions. They want to be part of the clean economy, but not

if it means financial disaster and certainly not if the rules change every few months,

punishing those who try to play by them.

We cannot ask people to transition to electric vehicles while increasing the cost

of doing so. We cannot say “go green” while emptying their wallets in the process.

It’s not fair, it is not consistent, and it is not the way to build public trust.

This component of Bill 5 is not just flawed. It is self-defeating. It undercuts the

very goals it claims to support. And for that reason alone, it deserves to be struck

from this legislation.

This tax will disproportionately affect working-class families, students and seniors.

It sends the message that sustainability is only for the rich, that owning an electric

car is fine, as long as you can pay the premium.

This bill also includes an increase in parking taxes for Metro Vancouver. Let me ask

this chamber a sincere question: who in this province is asking to pay more for parking?

I’ll tell you who: nobody. No one is walking up to their MLA saying: “I wish I could

pay an extra dollar or two every time I go to a doctor’s appointment or to drop my

kids off at the rink.”

This isn’t policy driven by public demand. It’s policy driven by a government that

sees the people of this province as a piggy bank. We have British Columbians — seniors,

young families, small business owners — who are barely holding on. Instead of offering

much-needed relief, this government is looking under the couch cushions for coins.

Parking taxes are a regressive tax. They hit low-income earners hardest. They hurt

small businesses. They hurt tourism, and they punish people for trying to live their

lives.

While this government continues to pay consultants and insiders handsomely…. We’ve

seen $1,000-a-day contracts handed out like candy while nurses are burning out, while

teachers are struggling, while paramedics work 14-hour shifts with no relief in sight.

What message does that send? This government has lost its way, and nowhere is that

clearer than in Bill 5.

[2:40 p.m.]

Let me be clear. We’re not opposed to supporting industries like film and digital

media. These sectors contribute to our economy, our culture and our international

profile. But the timing and the manner of the tax change matter. When the rest of

the budget is based on flawed projections, what is the priority?

Oh, sorry, sir.

Deputy Speaker : Thank you very much.

A reminder to rise if you’d like to be addressed.

But thank you, Columbia River–Revelstoke, for the pause, and we’ll make sure we protect

your time.

Member for Vancouver-Langara.

Sunita Dhir : Hon. Speaker, I seek leave to make an introduction, please.

Leave granted.

Introductions by Members

Sunita Dhir : Thank you, everybody.

Today I have some very special friends sitting on this side of the House visiting

us from all over the Lower Mainland. They all are members of Renmin University of

China Alumni Association of Canada, and this is their very first visit to the precinct.

I’m very pleased to introduce them here. We have Hu Minghan, Xiao Nan, Cui Wei, Men

Jingyang, Xing Guoxin, Liu Yuebing, Li Xufeng and Li Qun.

May I request everyone to make them feel welcome here in the House.

Deputy Speaker : Thank you very much, Member.

Apologies, Columbia River–Revelstoke. Take it away.

Debate Continued

Scott McInnis : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No apologies necessary.

Welcome to our guests.

At the core of my opposition to Bill 5, and what I believe should be at the core of

every member’s concern in this House, is the simple, unavoidable reality that British

Columbia is on a collision course with a fiscal reckoning. This government is doing

nothing meaningful to stop it. In fact, with this legislation, they’re stepping on

the gas.

Let’s face the facts as they are. Our provincial deficit is projected to soar to $14.3

billion. That’s not a rounding error. That’s not temporary fluctuation. That is a

structural, long-term financial chasm, the largest deficit in our province’s history.

This isn’t driven by a recession. It’s not driven by an economic shock. It’s driven

by government decisions, a deliberate choice to spend more, borrow more and plan less.

At the same time, our debt is climbing at a rate that should alarm every British Columbian.

We’re on track to more than double our provincial debt over the coming years.

The consequences of that debt are not theoretical. They are real, they are measurable,

and they will hit us hard. By 2028, we’re forecasted to be paying over $2 million

an hour — an hour — in interest payments on our debt. That’s $48 million a day or

$17 billion a year. Not one penny of that goes to building a new school, hiring a

nurse, opening a new mental health bed or preventing wildfires.

That is money gone, burned, disappeared into the pockets of banks and bondholders,

not because of a natural disaster or a war, but because this government refused to

rein in its own spending. That kind of interest burden is more than unsustainable.

It’s immoral, because those payments aren’t abstract. They represent the programs

we won’t be able to fund. They represent the services that will be cut when the money

runs out. They represent higher taxes that will inevitably come, not for politicians

or high-paid consultants but for working families, small business owners, seniors

on very fixed incomes and young people trying to build a life here.

We need to change course, and we need to do it now — not next year, not after the

next election, now. That begins with rejecting Bill 5, not as a symbolic gesture but

as the first real act of fiscal responsibility we’ve seen in this chamber for far

too long.

If we don’t, if we let this debt spiral continue unchecked, the next generation will

look back and ask: “Where were you when the warning signs were flashing red? Where

were you when the interest payments reached $2 million an hour? Where were you when

the future was slipping away?” I want to be able to tell them that I stood up, I said

no, and I fought for something better.

[2:45 p.m.]

As we examine Bill 5 and the broader fiscal plan this government has laid before us,

one thing becomes painfully clear. Rural British Columbia has once again been left

behind — more specifically, resort municipalities, those vibrant, hard-working communities

that drive one of B.C.’s largest economic sectors. They’ve been treated not as partners,

not even as stakeholders, but as cash machines for a government that sees their success

only as a source of revenue, not a call for reinvestment.

In Columbia River–Revelstoke, where I represent, I have five of the province’s 14

resort municipalities, and this is exactly how they feel. Whether it’s Revelstoke,

Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, Kimberley or Fairmont, these communities are

the economic backbone of B.C.’s multi-billion-dollar tourism industry. These communities

attract millions of visitors every year from Alberta, the Lower Mainland, the United

States, Europe and Asia.

What do those visitors bring with them? Spending, jobs, economic opportunity. They

eat in the restaurants. They rent hotel rooms. They visit shops, book tours and pay

taxes on fuel, liquor, accommodation and meals, all of which goes straight into the

provincial coffers.

Let’s be honest here. The B.C. tourism economy is rural-led. It doesn’t live in a

downtown office tower. It lives in our mountains, in our lakes, in our forests and

along our coasts. It is stewarded not by big corporations or bureaucrats but by small

businesses, volunteers, seasonal workers, families and municipalities that are trying

their best to do more with less year after year.

Despite this enormous contribution to provincial revenues, resort municipalities received

almost nothing in return. They bear the full burden of servicing those tourists —

emergency services, water, infrastructure, waste management, bylaw enforcement, road

maintenance and environmental protection — on the backs of their limited tax base.

These are small towns with humongous responsibilities.

Every long weekend their populations triple or quadruple. Yet when they ask this government

for support, they are met with silence. Take the resort municipality initiative, a

modest provincial program, at best, meant to provide some reinvestment back into these

communities. It hasn’t seen meaningful increase in years. It doesn’t come close to

addressing the real needs.

This year there’s no mention of any expansion or new infrastructure funding in Bill

5 for resort municipalities. No help with affordable housing for seasonal workers.

No transit support to connect rural resort areas with regional centres. No targeted

investment in emergency services for communities whose call volumes spike in the summer

and winter tourist seasons. Nothing.

Instead, this government continues to download responsibilities onto these towns while

extracting revenues they generate to spend elsewhere. This is extremely frustrating

for the resort municipality communities I’m here to represent. These communities are

not just underfunded; they are being exploited. This budget, and the legislation implementing

it, treats their economic contributions as a one-way street.

Let’s do some math. British Columbia’s tourism industry contributed over $22 billion

in pre-pandemic revenue. A massive share of that comes from tourism anchored in resort

municipalities. Yet when these same municipalities ask for help for the lift operators,

the servers, the paramedics and the seasonal maintenance crews, they’re told to wait.

When they ask for help managing the influx of tourists during wildfire season or extreme

weather, they get a press release and a pat on the head. When they ask for long-term

infrastructure investment — bridges, waste facilities, fire halls — they’re told there’s

no room in the budget.

Yet somehow there’s always room in the budget for tax breaks. Somehow there’s always

room for $1,000-a-day consultants. Somehow there’s always room to grow the bureaucracy

while ignoring the communities that actually generate revenue for this province.

[2:50 p.m.]

What kind of economic stewardship is this? What kind of government takes and takes

from rural B.C. without ever giving back? It’s not just unfair; it’s dangerous. These

municipalities are at a breaking point.

Deputy Speaker : Just a couple of friendly reminders to have our electronic devices on silent.

Also, just a general reminder to be careful of some of the words we choose to use

in this room. Let’s stay away from anything that might be unparliamentary this afternoon.

Korky Neufeld : I’m privileged to represent Abbotsford West and to be here this afternoon to speak

to this Bill 5.

I have to say that the community of Abbotsford is a resilient bunch. We have a city

in the country. We have farmlands. We have businesses. We have innovation. We have

aerospace. We have a lot of opportunities for growth. But what I’ve seen over the

last, let’s say, ten years is the negative impact of policies and decisions being

made by this present government.

It used to be known as a gem in the Fraser Valley, the City in the Country. Today

we’ve seen an influx of big-city issues that plague not only Abbotsford…. I would

say it plagues every community across our province.

I just had the opportunity over lunch to meet with a group of law enforcement people.

Four of us from Abbotsford sat down and met with them, and they just talked to us

about some of the challenges they’re facing. And they’re real. The front-line workers

are facing real challenges, and I think it behooves all of us in this House to make

sure that when we make decisions, we contact and communicate with those who are on

the front lines to make sure that our policies aren’t hindering them or hurting them

or impeding them from doing their jobs.

I rise to address a critical piece of legislation that affects the very foundation

of our province and the lives of British Columbians. The Budget Measures Implementation

Act, commonly referred to as Bill 5, is not just a mere formality. It encapsulates

the priority and, dare I say, the failures of our current government.

Let us reflect on the events of last week, when the Minister of Finance presented

a budget that was predicated on not one but two credit downgrades. This is a staggering

development, a clear signal that fixing British Columbia’s broken health care system

just became considerably more expensive. It’s a troubling harbinger of what’s to come.

It means that our deficit, already distressingly high, is poised to increase.

Moody’s, one of the credit-rating agencies that downgraded our province, now anticipates

that our deficit will soar to an alarming $4.3 billion. The implications of that are

profound. We stand in a landscape where not only is there no expectation of a balanced

budget but where further downgrades are on the horizon, as predicted by both credit-rating

agencies.

Well, let’s just talk about some of the areas that are going to be impacted because

of this. We all know that our health care system in British Columbia is in a state

of crisis. The Budget Measures Implementation Act paints a grim picture of our financial

state, and the future investments will be hard to come by. Yet this government continues

to speak of long-term strategies and future investments.

The question is: how? How will they pay for it? Will they just increase our debt?

There’s no plan to build our economy so we can pay for these much-needed services.

British Columbians are suffering now, today. They have been suffering, and they continue

to suffer under this government’s lack of leadership. Across the province, we’re witnessing

the consequences of years of underinvestment, mismanagement and delay. And it’s not

just policy that’s failing; it’s people. Patients, families and front-line workers

are paying the price for a system that’s buckling under pressure.

Let’s be honest. There are not enough health care workers. We’re in the middle of

a staffing crisis across hospitals, clinics, long-term care and community health.

Nurses are burned out, doctors are leaving, and those who remain are stretched beyond

capacity.

[2:55 p.m.]

All you have to do is visit one of our hospitals. One million British Columbians don’t

have a family doctor. That’s one in five people without the basic access to care,

forced to rely on walk-in clinics or overcrowded emergency rooms just to get the help.

I have witnessed this. I have been in those clinic lineups with my mom at age 91,

92 and 93. By the time you get to the door…. The doors close at 11 or 12 o’clock because

they’ve met their cap. They have to close.

Now we have to go to the emergency room. Now emergency rooms are clinics or doctors’

offices. That’s why we have the overcrowding — forcing many to use ER as clinics and

family doctors.

Wait times are growing, and that is why. They’re not shorter; they’re getting longer.

Whether it’s to see a specialist, receive diagnostic tests or get much-needed surgery,

people are waiting weeks, months and even years. In some cases, the wait is the difference

between recovery and irreversible harm.

Emergency rooms are overcrowded and overwhelmed, closing altogether in some communities.

Think about that for just a second. A province as developed and prosperous as ours

unable to keep the doors open at the most critical point of care. Let that sink in.

Now, if you haven’t experienced it, you need to experience it — being rejected. You

have to drive hours when you’re not feeling well. You may be ill. You may be injured.

Now you have to travel hours just to get the basic care.

Mental health and addiction services remain under-resourced even as an overdose crisis

continues to climb on record levels. This is not a system that needs tweaking; this

is a system in need of transformation. Again, Bill 5 and this budget give little comfort

to British Columbians that this will improve.

What’s most frustrating is this many of these problems aren’t new. It’s not because

of the tariffs. We’ve been warned for years. The signs were here. Health care workers

raised the alarm. Patients have told their stories. Experts have presented solutions.

But still, action from this government has been too slow, too reactive, too focused

on headlines instead of outcomes.

It’s time for accountability. We need immediate investment in front-line staff, not

just in training future professionals but in retaining the exhausted ones we already

have. If the bucket, in the bottom, has got holes in it, and you pour water in it,

it won’t stay. If the back door is as big as the front door…. It doesn’t matter how

many people you’re adding to the system if they’re leaving as fast as they’re coming.

You’re not adding; you’re subtracting.

A real transparent strategy to ensure every British Columbian has access to a family

doctor or primary care team…. Well, let’s talk about how our post-secondary institutions

need to prioritize the training of health care workers today — not tomorrow, not a

year from now — because it takes seven to ten years before one of those physicians

will be able to serve the public.

We need bold reforms to reduce surgical and specialist wait times, not in five years

but starting today. Infrastructure that matches our population growth, including more

hospitals, more community clinics, more long-term-care beds. Above all, we need leadership

that listens not just to advisers to whom they pay an exorbitant amount of money,

not just to another committee meeting, another report but to the people on the ground.

In order to pay for this, we need to unleash all of our province’s potential to create

wealth. Health care is not a luxury; it’s a right. In a province as wealthy and resourceful

as British Columbia, there is no excuse for this system to be as broken as it is.

To this government, we don’t need more press conferences; we need action. We don’t

need more promises; we need performance. British Columbians deserve better, and it’s

long past time that you deliver it.

While being a trustee for over 16 years in the public school system…. Another issue

that affects all of us — whether you’re a student, a parent, an educator or a community

member — is the state of our public education system in British Columbia. B.C.’s public

education system is one of the cornerstones of our society, shaping the minds and

future generations. Despite the dedication of our teachers and school staff, the system

is under significant strain.

[3:00 p.m.]

Let’s start with the major issue, teacher shortage. Across the province, we’re facing

a growing lack of qualified educators. This shortage has led many school districts

to rely on uncertified teachers. In Abbotsford alone, we have over 50.

Many school districts are forced to do this because there are just not enough educators

coming out of our post-secondary system. The end is also an increase in class sizes,

which can negatively impact the quality of education and the support each student

receives.

Closely tied to this is the problem of inadequate funding. Public schools are struggling

to keep up with the rising costs. Per-student spending hasn’t kept pace with inflation,

forcing many schools to make difficult budget cuts. Here are some of the budget cuts:

libraries, extracurricular programs. Many of these extracurricular programs keep some

kids in school. This is the only thing that keeps some kids in school — a sport program,

an arts program, a drama program. This is being cut in schools because they have no

choice.

Student services often are the first things to go. As a result, classrooms are becoming

more complex. More and more students come with diverse needs, including those requiring

specialized support. Unfortunately, the resources and staffing to properly support

these students simply aren’t there.

We also need to talk about school infrastructure. I love what this government has

done. They have taken the school facilities and put it under the Ministry of Infrastructure.

So when I ask the Minister of Post-Secondary certain questions: “Oh, you need to ask

the Minister of Infrastructure for that.” We’ve done that also with training of doctors

and nurses. It’s under the health care. So when you actually want to ask the questions,

they punt the question between two ministries, and no one ends up answering the difficult

questions.

Portable classrooms meant to be temporary solutions have become a long-term reality

in far too many communities. We’ve seen more and more portables in Abbotsford, and

look at the high-rise portables they’re building in Surrey. These conditions are not

conducive for learning or to create a safe, welcoming space for students.

Let’s not forget post-secondary education, of which I am critic. Institutions across

the province are facing financial pressures, affecting the quality and availability

of programs. This is a real concern for me. When they have to make budget cuts, I

hope they’re not dropping programs that are employable programs. I hope they’re dropping

programs that are just the peripheral programs that aren’t going to be impacting our

economy and the workforce that we desperately need.

According to the British Columbia Federation of Students, students are worried about

So what does all this mean? It means we’re at a crossroads. Does Bill 5 speak to these

issues? No. Again, the silence is deafening.

We must make public education a priority not just in words but in action and investment.

This is about more than policies and budgets. It’s about the future of our province

and the opportunities we provide for our young people, and it directly ties to our

economy. We owe it to our students, and we owe it to ourselves to build an education

system that is strong and well supported.

Well, another pressing issue that affects every fabric of our lives here in British

Columbia is transportation and infrastructure. Our beautiful province — and I’ve driven

it from border to border, east to west — characterized by its breathtaking landscapes

and diverse communities is faced with significant transportation challenges that require

our immediate attention and collective action.

First and foremost, we must acknowledge the limitations of our public transit system.

While urban centres have access to a network of reliable transit options, many rural

and remote communities, particularly in the heartlands, find themselves with inadequate

transportation alternatives. This reliance on private vehicles not only places a financial

burden on families but also creates transportation deserts that isolate residents

from essential services, employment opportunities and social connection. We cannot

allow transportation barriers to hinder the livelihoods of our citizens.

Furthermore, we must confront the reality of our aging infrastructure. Years of neglect

have taken their toll on roads and bridges, particularly in the Interior, where deteriorating

conditions pose safety risks for drivers and pedestrians alike. These shortcomings

not only threaten our safety but also impede economic activity. Poor infrastructure

is a barrier to growth, and it’s our duty to pave the way for a prosperous future.

[3:05 p.m.]

Also, with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, we are witnessing firsthand

the vulnerability of this infrastructure. Flooding, landslides and other natural disasters

disrupt services and create hazards for those who depend on our roads and public transit.

We saw that firsthand in November 2021 in the Fraser Valley. Our Highway 1 was completely

cut off.

We need to take proactive steps to adapt our infrastructure to withstand the impacts

of these disasters when they occur. I just read last week that the province has decided

they will not invest in any flood prevention with this budget, yet two-thirds of the

Sumas flats require infrastructure to be built.

The next flood, the same thing is going to happen — this happened in 1990; it happened

in 2021; when’s the next one going to happen? — unless we take action and build that

infrastructure that’s so needed for the farmers and the food that it produces that

each one of us has on our kitchen tables each and every day.

Moreover, the interregional transit connections that bind our communities together

often fall short. Infrequent and expensive public transit options hinder the movement

of people across regions. We must strive for a system that makes it easy and convenient

for all residents, regardless of where they live, to travel freely for work, education

or leisure. In many communities, basic infrastructure such as a bus stop shelter or

washrooms is lacking, further complicating the transit experience for users.

We must also prioritize creating user-friendly information systems and investing in

the necessary infrastructure to serve the needs of all citizens. We need to be committed

by ensuring our transportation infrastructure is resilient to natural disasters.

Does Bill 5 speak to the transportation and infrastructure needs in our province?

Again, silence is deafening. Together we can build a transportation network that connects

our communities, supports our industries and fosters economic growth, if we had a

government that had the foresight instead of only being reactive. Let us invest in

our future, ensuring that every resident has access to reliable, safe and efficient

transportation.

Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our local economy. They bring

character to our streets, provide jobs to our neighbours and drive innovation from

the ground up. But right now many of them are under serious pressure.

One of the biggest challenges small businesses face today is attracting and retaining

workers. In B.C.’s tight labour market, where unemployment is low and the workforce

is aging, it’s becoming harder for small employers to find and keep staff. This shortage

doesn’t just affect hiring. It impacts operating hours, service quality and, ultimately,

revenue. And if they can’t make money, they’re not going to stay.

Higher wages are necessary, but they can also be hard for small enterprises who are

already stretched thin. Inflation has also left a lasting mark. Even though the inflation

rate has slowed, the cost of goods and services remains high. For small businesses,

this means squeezing margins and constant uncertainty. They’re paying more for supplies,

they’re paying more for utilities, and they’re paying more for rent, while trying

to avoid passing those costs on to local consumers.

Let’s not forget the financial burdens of overtaxation and bureaucracy that many small

businesses face. So many small businesses took loans to stay afloat during COVID.

Now repayment deadlines are approaching, and not all have the resources to meet them.

Without any additional support or flexibility, we risk seeing more closures — not

from poor business practices but from circumstances beyond their control.

I have seen this in our city, in Abbotsford. We’ve seen some really, really great

businesses having to shutter their doors because of bureaucracy, because of all these

other issues they’re facing on a daily basis. They can’t stay open.

Competition from larger companies, especially those with massive online platforms,

adds another layer of difficulty. Small businesses must keep up with digital marketing,

e-commerce and evolving consumer expectations, just to stay in the game, and they

often have to do it with fewer resources.

Other external pressures, like public safety concerns…. I’ve gone to many establishments

in Abbotsford where I see the owner. Before he is able to open up his shop, he’s got

to show up a half an hour early to clean up needles, to clean up excrement from the

front of the door, whether it’s vomit or it’s other disgusting things.

Unpredictable supply chains and fragile global economy only add to the daily stress

of running a small to medium-sized business in B.C. Again, does Bill 5 speak to any

of these concerns? No. Just silence.

[3:10 p.m.]

Now more than ever they need our support, whether it’s shopping local or advocating

for policy changes. When we support small businesses, we’re investing in our neighbours,

in our neighbourhoods, in local jobs, in a stronger, more vibrant British Columbia.

So let’s stand with them, because when small businesses succeed, we all do.

Then there are the challenges facing our small and rural communities in British Columbia.

These challenges are not just statistics. They are everyday realities for countless

individuals and families who call these areas home. As we navigate the complexity

of modern society, we must recognize the unique struggles our rural communities face,

which include economic instability, infrastructure gaps, limited access to essential

services.

Let us start by addressing the issues of economic instability. Many of our rural communities

rely heavily on single industries, which leaves them particularly vulnerable to economic

downturns. We’ve seen the closing of many of these industries throughout our interior.

This dependence can lead to job losses and higher unemployment rates, ultimately destabilizing

households and families.

Again, this bill, in the form of a budget, left small and rural communities behind.

Compounding this issue is the state of the infrastructure. Aging roads, aging bridges,

aging utilities hinder not only economic development but also the quality of life

for residents. Let’s not forget the tune “Quesnel Bridge is Falling Down.” Our communities

deserve access to reliable, safe infrastructure that supports their lives and enables

economic growth. It is imperative that we prioritize the revitalization of these essential

assets.

We must also confront the reality of limited access to services. Rural residents often

face significant barriers when trying to access health care, education and other vital

services. The recognition of services all but designed to reduce costs can exasperate

these challenges as residents find themselves travelling long distances to receive

the care or support. We must ensure that every resident of British Columbia has access

to the services they need without invasive travel.

As we reflect on the demographics of our rural communities, we must consider the impact

of aging population and workforce. With fewer young people and skilled workers, we

face challenges in delivering services and maintaining our infrastructure. We need

to invest in attracting and retaining talent in our rural areas, ensuring a bright

future for our communities. Again, nothing in this bill or budget addresses educational

institutions in small and rural communities.

Housing shortages further complicate the landscape. The influx of workers due to industry

projects often drives up housing costs, leaving local residents struggling to find

affordable housing. This issue demands attention as we strive to create sustainable

communities where people can live, work and thrive.

In addition to these challenges, we must address the digital divide faced by some

of these rural areas. Inadequate digital connectivity limits access to information,

online services and opportunities for remote work and business development. In today’s

world, digital access is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. We must work diligently to

bridge that gap.

Transportation is another critical aspect of this discussion. Limited public transportation

options can impede rural residents’ ability to access essential services, including

health care and job opportunities. We need to invest in reliable transportation solutions

that connect our communities and ensure that every resident can reach the services

they require.

Furthermore, the regionalization of services must be approached with caution. While

intended to streamline services, it can create additional barriers for rural residents

who may not have the necessary transportation or support system in place.

We must prioritize local input and ensure that our rural voices are heard in the decision-making

processes that directly impact their lives. But this government’s focus is on Metro

Vancouver, leaving small and rural communities far, far behind and to fend for themselves.

We cannot overlook the unique perspectives and needs of Indigenous communities in

our rural regions. These communities often face distinct challenges and have rich

histories that must be taken into account in service delivery and policy development.

It is our responsibility to engage with Indigenous leaders and communities, integrating

their insights into our path forward.

We must also recognize that the regionalization of services has had an unintended

consequence: a decline in community engagement. When decisions are made far away,

like in Victoria, far from the affected area, it diminishes the voices of the rural

residents. We need to foster an inclusive environment where community members have

the opportunity to participate in shaping the future of their own community.

[3:15 p.m.]

The challenges facing our small and rural communities in British Columbia are significant,

but they are not insurmountable. That is why, on this side of the House, we will continue

to advocate for innovative solutions, prioritize local needs and invest in the future

of our rural areas.

This government needs to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all residents

of British Columbia, including small and rural communities. I invite the members opposite

to drive in the Interior this summer with their cars so they can see firsthand the

condition of our infrastructure, see the shuttered businesses, see how their decisions

here in Victoria are impacting the Interior.

How will this government hope to ever invest in our province while carrying such a

large deficit? The two credit downgrades should alarm us all. The real downgrade is

not merely a reflection of our credit rating. It is emblematic of our government,

which has lost its way. The Minister of Finance and this Premier have proved time

and time again that they are the real downgrade. Their governance is lacking the foresight

and accountability we so desperately need.

Now let’s talk about Bill 5. This legislation is meant to codify tax changes in our

province, a process that should prioritize the well-being of all British Columbians.

However, the proposed tax hikes on used electric vehicles are indicative of a misguided

approach.

While the government extols the virtues of electric vehicles and aims to encourage

adoption, it simultaneously imposes a financial burden that makes ownership more expensive.

This isn’t a mere taxation of luxury vehicles. It’s a tax that will impact average

British Columbians seeking to make environmentally conscious decisions.

To add insult to injury, while this bill does include a single tax cut — a change

long resisted by this government until the former head of DigiBC, the creative technology

industry association of B.C., assumed the mantle of Finance Minister — one cannot

help but question the timing and intent behind it. In a moment when British Columbians

are struggling financially, this minister chooses to reward former employers with

a staggering $5 million tax cut.

This is a clear prioritization of interests of a select few over the needs of many.

British Columbians are just $200 away from paying their bills and going under, yet

here we are, facilitating immense financial gains for the film industry at a critical

juncture. Not only does the film industry need tax cuts; many other industries and

sectors need tax cuts as well. We cannot cherry-pick.

Furthermore, let us not overlook the tax increases on parking in Vancouver. This is

yet another instance of a government that seems disconnected from financial realities

faced by its constituents.

British Columbia is in desperate need of a government that not only acknowledges the

crisis created by its own action but also actively seeks to address them. We require

leadership that translates promises of action into real, tangible results. This Budget

Measures Implementation Act fundamentally fails to do just that. As my colleague the

member for Kamloops Centre succinctly stated: “There’s a budget measures implementation

bill with a few tax changes, predominantly for the film industry. That’s about it.”

We are left with a document that lacks accuracy, plagued by a $3 billion revenue shortfall

with no clear adjustment made to the expenses that would ensure accountability and

oversight. The budget we debate today is no longer a reliable financial document,

reflecting a government that operates in a state of confusion and disarray.

In conclusion, let us not forget the urgent need for a shift in leadership, one that

prioritizes the needs of all British Columbians and acts decisively to alleviate the

pressures they face.

Bill 5 is a reflection of the status quo, a status quo that must change if we are

to find our way back to fiscal responsibility and social equity. I will not be supporting

this bill, and I encourage my members to do the same.

Bruce Banman : It is, indeed, a pleasure at any time to stand in this House. It’s a privilege, in

fact, to stand in this House and be able to respond to any bill that this House puts

on the floor.

We live in rather interesting times, and the concern that I have heard from the residents

of my riding, and around the province for that matter, is the accumulating debt that

has happened underneath this NDP government since they took office eight years ago.

[3:20 p.m.]

The NDP did inherit a debt. They inherited a surplus in their budget of approximately

$6 billion, which vanished. The total debt that they inherited was almost $65 billion.

That’s when they took office in 2017. Over the next three years, we are now forecasting

the debt to increase by $75.8 billion, almost $76 billion — and that’s with a b, not

an m.

That’s more than all of the debt that has been accumulated since British Columbia

joined Confederation 153 years ago. That’s worth repeating. That is more debt since

the government took office, in eight years, than in 153 years. Then David Eby now

expects that the province’s total debt….

Deputy Speaker : Member, we don’t use names of our members.

Bruce Banman : I apologize. The Premier, rather. The Premier. Thank you for the correction, Mr.

Speaker. It is always a pleasure to be corrected, and I apologize for using a name

in this House. A lot of people actually watching at home don’t know that one of the

rather interesting rules about being in this House is we can say, “the member from

such-and-such a riding over there,” but we’re not allowed to actually use names in

the House, and I transgressed.

The Premier now expects that the province’s total debt is to more than triple since

the NDP took office between 2017 and 2028. The reason that that’s important is that

most likely this government will not be around to actually fix that problem.

You know, it reminds me of, “Hey, let’s go out for dinner,” with a bunch of friends.

It’s your idea. We’ll all go out for dinner. And then when it comes time to pay the

bill, you conveniently get up and go to the washroom and leave everybody else hanging

with the bill. That’s effectively what’s going to happen here.

This government will not be around to actually clean the mess they created. That will

be left to whatever government takes place or replaces them. The burden of this debt,

when it gets into these kinds of numbers — I don’t know that I’ll be around long enough

to see it paid off.

Sadly, it will be future generations that are saddled with paying off the debt because

this government doesn’t know how to balance a chequebook. They’re great at making

promises, but when it comes time to pay the cheque, they’re going to go to the washroom,

I guess, and they just won’t be around to pay it off.

There are consequences to not paying off a debt. Everybody is used to having a credit

card. What happens if you are a bad credit risk, if you’ve ever gone to try and get

a car or try to get something — from an RV or a boat, one of those things, those “I

want,” not an “I need,” necessarily…? Well, you may need a car to get to and from

work, actually. But if you have been poor at managing your debt, you end up having

to pay more interest.

Well, governments are no different. A lot of people back at home think: “Well, it

doesn’t matter. It’s the government. They can just…. You never have to pay it off.

They can just keep borrowing.” Well, it does not work that way. This government has

seen its ability to borrow money, the interest that government does pay…. Governments

do get a great deal on interest. They really do. But now what’s happened is we have

seen five downgrades since this government took office.

[3:25 p.m.]

What does that actually mean? Well, it means that the interest rate went up.

The reason I bring up a credit card is because they have some of the most brutal interest

rates that everyday, hard-working British Columbians face. Now, the average British

Columbian is $200 away from being able to pay their bills on most months. That means

that a lot of…. If you take a look at the debt across Canada, more and more families

are increasing their debt. As they increase their debt, if they’re using their credit

cards, they have to pay a much higher rate of interest than they would if it was a

line of credit, for instance.

Governments are no different. We now know that there are millions of dollars that

this government will pay in interest. How is that important to this? Well, it means

that for every dollar we pay in interest on the debt, that’s a dollar less that we

have to go towards health care. It’s a dollar less that we have to go towards teachers

or programs that we need, a dollar less that we can put towards fixing our roads.

We heard today the dire straits in which the roads and bridges and infrastructure

in this province are. Anyone who has driven up and down the No. 1 Highway of late

has been phoning me up and saying: “Why the heck are we not fixing the potholes?”

It’s not just the No. 1 in my area. We heard a rather interesting rendition of “London

Bridge is Falling Down” a few days ago. It was sung slightly off-key, in my opinion,

but that’s all right.

The message was sent loud and clear that the bridges in the North are literally decaying

and falling apart. There is concrete that is falling into the river.

[Mable Elmore in the chair.]

The interest that we are now going to pay, the higher interest rate that we are now

going to pay because this government mismanaged the debt, means that we actually have

less real dollars, less tax dollars collected to actually go towards the things that

are important, such as bridges, such as so-called imaginary tunnels at this point

that replace the Massey Tunnel, for which, as of yet, there is still not a proper

plan in place.

It gets to the point where, if you have a household budget, every dollar that you

pay towards the credit card to pay off the debt that you have makes it more difficult

to actually put the everyday common things you want to put in front of yourself. Governments

are no different. It affects all kinds of things, including Bill 5.

This year the per-capita debt for British Columbia is expected to hit, for every man,

woman and child…. This House has gone to great lengths to welcome newborns that our

members have had into this House, and I welcome that. It is the future. But that newborn

child, thanks to the mismanagement of this government, now owes approximately $27,425.

So you get born in British Columbia, and the gift from this Premier to that child

is a debt of $27,000, and it’s growing. Think about that. An innocent child has now

had this government basically burden them with almost $30,000 in debt.

[3:30 p.m.]

It’s selfish, it’s incompetent, and it certainly is not right. This is 100 percent

directly responsible because this government cannot dial in its spending. In this

current budget, we know that it’s going to be excessive. We are now faced with…. Who

knows what’s going to happen with our neighbours to the south? There has been much

talk and much to-do about tariffs, yet this budget doesn’t mention tariffs at all.

Furthermore, it doesn’t even talk about where and what cuts are going to be made.

We know that corporate tax revenue is expected to also drop. It’s no wonder we have

businesses that are leaving the province. We have things like the forest sector. Merritt,

for example, had six sawmills when this government took office. It’s my understanding

that the last one closed.

The forest sector is pretty much vanishing in this province. That’s not because of

wildfires. As a matter of fact, the forest companies have said: “You know what? After

a wildfire, please let us in. Expedite the process to get in there, and not only will

we harvest the wood before it goes bad, but we’ll help reforest on the way out to

speed up the recovery of these areas.”

So business taxes are dropping, and now, for the first time, we are seeing approximately

one out of three people that are either considering leaving the province…. We are

actually seeing people leave the province in existing numbers. Worse than that, we

are seeing businesses leave because they cannot afford to make a living in this province

anymore. There is no point for many of them. They look at the stark reality of: “We

have to move or we’re going to go bankrupt.”

Now that corporate tax I was talking about…. They expect that revenue to drop another

9 percent next year. That adds up to $5.7 billion, almost $6 billion lost in corporate

taxes alone, and that does not include the carbon tax, which there was no accommodation

for, no planning for. There has been no planning for the tariffs. There has been no

planning for the carbon tax. There has been no planning for this alone.

Yet our spending is going to just keep on merrily rolling along with zero adjustments.

That’s the equivalent of you and me still going out for dinner every night thinking

life is just a bowl of cherries. The fact that I’ve lost my job or I’ve been reduced

to part-time hours, yet I do not adjust my spending one little bit, and I think that

magically the tooth fairy is going to come along at night and pay the bills at the

end of the month…. It doesn’t work. There is a disconnect from reality to imaginary….

It just doesn’t seem to work, and there has been no one that has actually said: “Hey,

you know what? We need to dial this in. We need to ensure that there’s actually a

way to pay off the promises that we have made. And maybe we need to make some changes

in the meantime so that I’m not saddling my kids and grandkids with the bill that

I have, that I’ve spent.” That’s what it appears to be with this government and how

they look at the budget.

These are not imaginary numbers. I know there are a bunch of zeros, and it’s hard

to comprehend for a lot of people. But when you put it into the basics, we have to

sort out our “I needs” from our “I wants.” This government has not done that.

[3:35 p.m.]

Now, I mentioned that we have seen jobs disappear. In my neck of the woods, agriculture

is a big thing. In my riding is the most productive farmland in all of Canada. It

is a huge economic generator for the province and especially for my riding. Agriculture

is big business. We produce two-thirds more per acre for farm-gate sales than any

other area of Canada. The next-closest is actually the Niagara region. What’s available

in agriculture in my area is quite profound.

There is a very troubling shift that is happening in the agricultural sector across

the province. We’ve lost 7,300 jobs in the agricultural sector. Yet these are the

folks that actually work and put food on our table and help to do that and actually

produce. Yet what was government’s response in the very same period? The bureaucracy

has exploded by 41 percent.

Now, why is that important, you might ask. Well, those that are actually producing

are the ones that are actually paying for the bureaucracy. You need to have a strong,

robust economy to pay for the bureaucracy that provides the “I wants” and the “I needs.”

Now, you’ve got to sort those out. This government has not done so in this budget

whatsoever.

The government is growing and growing and growing, while those that are paying for

it are either shutting up shop or disappearing. Those that are producing the taxes

to pay for the other are going…. It goes back to…. It’s like I had a full-time job,

and the boss phones me up and says: “You know what? Times are tough. You’re going

to go from five days a week down to three. I’m sorry. I don’t want to do it, but I

have to do it.” That happened to someone very dear and close to me.

Yet this government keeps rolling along as if they’re producing overtime and things

are just rolling along fantastic. And they’re not. There’s a disconnect from the real

world. There’s a disconnect from those that actually produce the income tax required

to run this House and run much of the stuff in this province. You then add on to that

that interest rates are increasing. It is a recipe for disaster. It’s reckless.

As I mentioned, people are leaving the province. Five thousand residents, approximately,

went to other provinces, mainly to Alberta. That breaks my heart.

I’ve said in this House before that I have three grandchildren, one of which is getting

a PhD. I’m very proud. He’s getting a PhD in sports management, as a matter of fact.

I doubt that he will come back to this province because we have talked and the expenses

and the costs of this province. He just doesn’t see a future for himself here. But

that remains to be seen yet. We’ll see whether or not he ends up becoming a professor

or whether he goes into sports management itself. That’s yet to be determined. He’s

close to his PhD, but not quite.

The other one is a marine biologist, and her specialty is raising sharks. As I mentioned,

a few sharks may be swimming around these buildings, but not the kind that a marine

biologist would be involved with. She’s looking at an opportunity to work on the Great

Barrier Reef of Australia. For a marine biologist, it’s a dream come true. Again,

she does not see the ability to purchase a house or a home in British Columbia.

The third one, he’s 12, and he’s…. I worry about him very much. I worry because I

don’t want to ever stand in front of him as I’m loading up his stuff in his car and

have to explain to him why I didn’t fight for his future.

[3:40 p.m.]

The job of opposition is…. Well, to oppose is not exactly positive. It is what we

do in this House. The job of opposition is not only to just oppose, and quite often

we vote with government. You’ll see us do that on regular occasions. It is also our

job to say: “Hey, slow down a minute. What you’re doing is going to do harm. Have

you thought about the consequences of the decisions that you’re currently making?

You’re not going to be around to pay the bills that you’ve been charging.”

It’s not right, and it’s not fair to future generations that are going to come into

this province. You’ve actually set us up for failure, not success, simply because

you didn’t rein in the spending. You add it all up: businesses are shutting down,

bureaucracy is skyrocketing, the amount of money that this government is spending

is skyrocketing, and offices’ budgets are exploding to an all-time high.

At a time when we hear an awful lot of praise to front-line workers in our health

care industry, for instance, what does the Premier do? He increased his personal office

budget by $1 million so he could go hire some spin doctors. I think the Premier is

pretty good at spinning his own stuff. I don’t think he really needs…. At a time when

we have ERs closing, is it really what we should have been putting our money towards?

That’s just one of literally millions of dollars’ worth of examples I could give this

House, as to why this budget and Bill 5 are a problem.

As I mentioned, we saw 7,300 jobs lost in the agriculture sector. In this House, for

instance, the Premier made sure that every single individual got a pay bump, on that

side of the House, by either assigning them a special duty, assigning them a special

title, making them a minister or expanding the bureaucracy of government itself. Every

single member on that side of the House saw a minimum increase of $18,000 a year.

Now, if you’re an average British Columbian, you’re $200 away from not being able

to pay for food, or worse, at the level where it’s: “Do I rob Peter to pay Paul? Do

I let the cell phone bill go for a month so I can pay the hydro bill? Or instead of

buying what I want for my kids, do I go and buy the no-name stuff, instead of the

brand that I would really like?”

Yet this government’s response was to make sure that every single member got an $18,000

pay raise. I am sure there are a bunch of families at home that would love to have

had an $18,000 bump. Must be nice. Must be nice.

We have not seen any new capital projects expand for rural connectivity, to speak

of, let alone paying for the infrastructure of the bridges that were brought up in

this House, the one just outside of Quesnel and also the Taylor Bridge. Literally,

I’ve seen a picture where someone is sticking their hand through the rust of steel

girders that hold that bridge up.

Our roads are in disrepair. Our ERs are closing at random. We’ve now found out what

government should have been spending money on — to protect people’s personal data.

Some 28,000 employees of Interior Health have had their data breached, sold for a

crummy thousand bucks.

[3:45 p.m.]

We now know, from listening to investigative journalism — the name of the program

escapes me for a minute — that there have been fraudulent loans and also fraudulent

income tax returns that have been placed. Government had an obligation to protect

their data, and they did not. They failed that.

The Premier can spend a million bucks on his own personal budget, but where was the

money to protect people’s personal data in the nightmare that is now going to happen

as a result of that? These poor individuals will be looking at years to try and get

their name and their credit back.

There is that old saying: “You can be penny-wise and dollar-foolish.” Well, I believe

we should have been spending money on more important things. We could have been spending

money on ensuring that we had education assistants for children that really need it.

We could have been spending the money on ensuring that less portables were being put

up and, actually, money going towards more new schools that desperately need to be

built.

It’s fine for that side of the House. What they love to do is blame a government that

doesn’t even exist anymore, that has long since disappeared now, yet they go back

past eight years or longer and make up excuses. You know what? That side of the House

has had eight years to get their act together.

When are they going to start taking accountability for their own mess-ups? When are

they going to take accountability for saying: “You know what? Yep. We got it wrong,

and we’re going to get it right.” We don’t hear that. We continually have finger-pointing:

“It’s not me; it’s everybody else.” It has been almost an entire decade, for crying

out loud. British Columbians deserve better than this.

The promises that were made…. The $1,000 health rebate. You know, it’s fine to promise

the world when you need the vote. I would say to the people that are watching: don’t

fall for it again. You fell for the $400 rent rebate, and then the red tape basically

eliminated that for anybody that’s a renter. Then the $1,000 one. “Oops, we’re going

to blame that on Trump.” The tariffs hadn’t even been implemented, and we’re already

finding somebody else as a scapegoat on that one, yet there was no mention of it in

the budget whatsoever.

In the few seconds that I have left, I want to say that British Columbians deserve

better than they have seen over the last eight years. I get that we want to promise

things, and we want to make life better for everyone, but more important than words,

the actual action and plan mean something. What we’ve seen in eight years are failed

budget after failed budget that have increased the debt.

As government has grown by 40 percent, it’s not like we’re getting 40 percent better

service. We’re seeing ERs closed down. The vital things that you should be counting

on are falling apart. Our health care system is falling apart. The forestry sector

is falling apart. The agricultural sector is in trouble. Our roads are in trouble.

This budget is in trouble. I wish I could stand here and applaud government. Based

on the track record, I cannot.

Tony Luck : Thank you to my colleague for stepping in at a moment.

Thank you very much, fellow Member, for stepping in for me.

I rise in this House today, not only as an elected member for Fraser-Nicola in British

Columbia, but as a father, a grandfather and a proud British Columbian who cannot

and will not be silent any longer while this government drives this province into

economic ruin, uncertainty and fiscal irresponsibility.

[3:50 p.m.]

This is not the kind of speech I ever wanted to have to give. I had hoped that in

my first full year in Legislature, I could be talking about progress, about rebuilding

Lytton, improving health care in Merritt and Logan Lake, strengthening local infrastructure

and delivering real outcomes for the families I was elected to represent.

Instead, I stand here today responding to Bill 5, the Budget Measures Implementation

Act — a bill that, quite frankly, says everything about this government’s priorities

and very little about the people of Fraser-Nicola and British Columbia.

This bill isn’t a blueprint of recovery. It’s not even a roadmap of stability. It

is a political shield for a government that has maxed out its credit, exhausted public

trust and is now trying to spend its way out of accountability. It’s a fiscal document

so bloated and so disconnected from the everyday realities of rural communities like

mine that it reads like a wish list of ministries, not a budget for British Columbians.

I say this not out of partisanship but only out of duty. I cannot walk the streets

of Merritt or attend a community meeting in Lillooet or visit a farm in the Nicola

Valley and pretend that everything in this province is heading in the right direction.

British Columbians are paying more, getting less and wondering how long they can keep

holding on. Families are falling behind. Communities are being left behind. Meanwhile,

this government keeps moving forward with its press releases, its talking points and

its misplaced priorities.

Let me tell you something. People in Fraser-Nicola are not asking for special treatment.

They are asking for basic special needs. They are asking for basic respect, for functioning

hospitals, for a rebuilt Lytton, for tax dollars that go towards tangible assets and

results, not campaign-style spending. The budget doesn’t offer them that, and Bill

5 codifies that failure into law.

Fraser-Nicola is one of the most geographically diverse and economically vital regions

in the province. From the resource-rich terrains of the Interior to the rich agricultural

valleys of the Fraser Valley and Nicola rivers, this region feeds British Columbia,

powers our economy and preserves the cultural traditions that make this province what

it is today. We are home to dairy farms that supply the Lower Mainland and the rest

of the province; to ranches that export beef across the continent and to forestry

workers, those that are left still working; who for decades have kept the sawmills

running and the province’s economy alive.

Yet we are nowhere to be found in this government’s priorities. Merritt has lost five

of its six mills over the last decade. Hundreds of workers have been displaced. Families

have been forced to leave regions in search of opportunities. And what support has

come from Victoria? Not targeted forestry reform, that’s for sure. Not workforce transition

plans. Just silence.

Meanwhile, Lytton lies in ruins. Nearly four years after it was burned to the ground,

families are still living in temporary accommodations, and Indigenous communities

are still waiting on funding. Promises have been made, announcements have been staged,

but when it comes to results, there is nothing.

This government loves to talk about reconciliation, but wouldn’t rebuilding a town

where multiple First Nations were displaced…? Wouldn’t that be a priority? That is

not reconciliation. It’s public relations. This bill offers nothing, absolutely nothing,

for communities like Lytton. No specific rebuilding funding, no emergency infrastructure

accelerations. Just another year of paperwork, bureaucracy and delays.

I want to be very clear. This isn’t just about what’s missing from the budget; it’s

about what’s in it as well. At a time when small businesses are closing, hospitals

are understaffed, and infrastructure is falling apart, this government has