British Columbia Hansard — Wednesday, May 14, 2008

H0514pm-05

British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)

Fourth Session, 38th Parliament OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (HANSARD) Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Afternoon Sitting Volume 33, Number 5 THE HONOURABLE BILL BARISOFF, SPEAKER ISSN 0709-1281

PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Entered Confederation July 20, 1871) LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR His Honour the Honourable Steven L. Point, OBC FOURTH SESSION, 38TH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Honourable Bill Barisoff EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Premier and President of the Executive Council ............................................................................................................Hon. Gordon Campbell Deputy Premier and Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy...................... Hon.

Shirley Bond Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation ........................................................................................................ Hon. Michael de Jong Minister of Advanced Education and Minister Responsible for Research and Technology ........................................... Hon. Murray Coell Minister of Agriculture and Lands.......................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Pat Bell Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism............................................................................... Hon. Wally Oppal, QC Minister of Children and Family Development ................................................................................................................Hon. Tom Christensen Minister of State for Childcare ........................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Linda Reid Minister of Community Services and Minister Responsible for Seniors’ and Women’s Issues........................................... Hon. Ida Chong Minister of Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative and the Olympics.................Hon. Colin Hansen Minister of Employment and Income Assistance ...........................................................................................................Hon.

Claude Richmond Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources .......................................................................................................Hon. Richard Neufeld Minister of State for Mining......................................................................................................................................................Hon. Kevin Krueger Minister of Environment and Minister Responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities ...............Hon.

Barry Penner Minister of Finance.......................................................................................................................................................................Hon. Carole Taylor Minister of Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for Housing ............................................................................. Hon. Rich Coleman Minister of Health ......................................................................................................................................................................Hon.

George Abbott Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services ......................................................................................................................................Hon. Olga Ilich Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations............... Hon. John van Dongen Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform............................................ Hon.

Rick Thorpe Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts ......................................................................................................................................Hon. Stan Hagen Minister of State for ActNow B.C. ............................................................................................................................................ Hon. Gordon Hogg Minister of Transportation...........................................................................................................................................................Hon.

Kevin Falcon LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Leader of the Official Opposition .........................................................................................................................................................Carole James Deputy Speaker ....................................................................................................................................................................................Sindi Hawkins Deputy Speaker ...........................................................................................................................................................................

Katherine Whittred Assistant Deputy Speaker.....................................................................................................................................................................Sue Hammell Deputy Chair, Committee of the Whole................................................................................................................................................. Harry Bloy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly .........................................................................................................................E.

George MacMinn, OBC, QC Clerk Assistant.........................................................................................................................................................................................Robert Vaive Clerk Assistant and Law Clerk .......................................................................................................................................................Ian D. Izard, QC Clerk Assistant and Clerk of Committees ....................................................................................................................................... Craig H.

James Clerk Assistant and Committee Clerk ..........................................................................................................................................Kate Ryan-Lloyd Sergeant-at-Arms............................................................................................................................................................................. A.A.

Humphreys Director, Hansard Services ...................................................................................................................................................................Jo-Anne Kern Legislative Librarian ..................................................................................................................................................................................Jane Taylor Legislative Comptroller...............................................................................................................................................................................Dan Arbic

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

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

Gordon (L) .........................................Vancouver–Point Grey Cantelon, Ron (L)..............................................................Nanaimo-Parksville Chong, Hon. Ida (L) .................................................... Oak Bay–Gordon Head Chouhan, Raj (NDP) ...........................................................Burnaby-Edmonds Christensen, Hon. Tom (L) ................................................. Okanagan-Vernon Chudnovsky, David (NDP) ......................................... Vancouver-Kensington Coell, Hon.

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

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

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

Colin (L) ..................................................Vancouver-Quilchena Hawes, Randy (L).......................................................... Maple Ridge–Mission Hawkins, Sindi (L) ............................................................... Kelowna-Mission Hayer, Dave S. (L) ................................................................ Surrey-Tynehead Hogg, Hon.

Gordon (L).....................................................Surrey–White Rock Horgan, John (NDP)......................................................Malahat–Juan de Fuca Horning, Al (L)........................................................... Kelowna–Lake Country Ilich, Hon. Olga (L)...............................................................Richmond Centre James, Carole (NDP).......................................................Victoria–Beacon Hill Jarvis, Daniel (L)..................................................

North Vancouver–Seymour Karagianis, Maurine (NDP) ........................................... Esquimalt-Metchosin Krog, Leonard (NDP)......................................................................... Nanaimo Krueger, Hon. Kevin (L) .....................................Kamloops–North Thompson Kwan, Jenny Wai Ching (NDP)........................... Vancouver–Mount Pleasant Lali, Harry (NDP)........................................................................

Yale-Lillooet Lee, Richard T. (L)....................................................................Burnaby North Lekstrom, Blair (L).............................................................. Peace River South Les, John (L)........................................................................ Chilliwack-Sumas Macdonald, Norm (NDP).................................... Columbia River–Revelstoke MacKay, Dennis (L)....................................................

Bulkley Valley–Stikine Mayencourt, Lorne (L).......................................................Vancouver-Burrard McIntyre, Joan (L).................................................West Vancouver–Garibaldi Neufeld, Hon. Richard (L) .................................................. Peace River North Nuraney, John (L).............................................................Burnaby-Willingdon Oppal, Hon. Wally, QC (L).......................................... Vancouver-Fraserview Penner, Hon. Barry (L)...........................................................

Chilliwack-Kent Polak, Mary (L) ....................................................................................Langley Puchmayr, Chuck (NDP)...................................................... New Westminster Ralston, Bruce (NDP) ............................................................. Surrey-Whalley Reid, Hon. Linda (L) ................................................................ Richmond East Richmond, Hon. Claude (L).............................................................

Kamloops Robertson, Gregor (NDP) ................................................Vancouver-Fairview Roddick, Valerie (L).......................................................................Delta South Routley, Doug (NDP)..................................................... Cowichan-Ladysmith Rustad, John (L) ........................................................

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

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

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

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

Bob Simpson Cariboo South..............................................................................Charlie Wyse Chilliwack-Kent ..................................................................Hon. Barry Penner Chilliwack-Sumas............................................................................... John Les Columbia River–Revelstoke................................................. Norm Macdonald Comox Valley........................................................................ Hon.

Stan Hagen Coquitlam-Maillardville..............................................................Diane Thorne Cowichan-Ladysmith ................................................................. Doug Routley Delta North ...................................................................................Guy Gentner Delta South ............................................................................. Valerie Roddick East Kootenay................................................................................

Bill Bennett Esquimalt-Metchosin.........................................................Maurine Karagianis Fort Langley–Aldergrove ..................................................Hon. Rich Coleman Kamloops.....................................................................Hon. Claude Richmond Kamloops–North Thompson ............................................Hon. Kevin Krueger Kelowna–Lake Country.................................................................. Al Horning Kelowna-Mission ......................................................................

Sindi Hawkins Langley ...........................................................................................Mary Polak Malahat–Juan de Fuca .................................................................. John Horgan Maple Ridge–Mission ................................................................ Randy Hawes Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows ..................................................... Michael Sather Nanaimo......................................................................................

Leonard Krog Nanaimo-Parksville .....................................................................Ron Cantelon Nelson-Creston .............................................................................Corky Evans New Westminster .................................................................. Chuck Puchmayr North Coast....................................................................................

Gary Coons North Island ...............................................................................Claire Trevena North Vancouver–Lonsdale................................................Katherine Whittred North Vancouver–Seymour..........................................................Daniel Jarvis Oak Bay–Gordon Head ........................................................... Hon. Ida Chong Okanagan-Vernon......................................................... Hon. Tom Christensen Okanagan-Westside..............................................................Hon.

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

Nicholas Simons Prince George North.................................................................... Hon. Pat Bell Prince George–Mount Robson ............................................Hon. Shirley Bond Prince George–Omineca................................................................ John Rustad Richmond Centre......................................................................Hon. Olga Ilich Richmond East........................................................................Hon.

Linda Reid Richmond-Steveston...........................................................................John Yap Saanich North and the Islands ............................................ Hon. Murray Coell Saanich South ........................................................................ David Cubberley Shuswap............................................................................Hon. George Abbott Skeena.......................................................................................... Robin Austin Surrey-Cloverdale............................................................... Hon.

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

Gordon Hogg Vancouver-Burrard..............................................................Lorne Mayencourt Vancouver-Fairview.............................................................Gregor Robertson Vancouver-Fraserview .................................................Hon.

Wally Oppal, QC Vancouver-Hastings .................................................................Shane Simpson Vancouver-Kensington.......................................................David Chudnovsky Vancouver-Kingsway ......................................................................Adrian Dix Vancouver-Langara ........................................................... Hon. Carole Taylor Vancouver–Mount Pleasant........................................ Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver–Point Grey ................................................Hon.

Gordon Campbell Vancouver-Quilchena.........................................................Hon. Colin Hansen Victoria–Beacon Hill...................................................................

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

CONTENTS Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Afternoon Sitting Routine Proceedings Page Statements..................................................................................................................... .......................................................... 12407 Deaths in Cranbrook helicopter accident Hon. G. Campbell C.

James Introductions by Members ....................................................................................................... ............................................ 12407 Introduction and First Reading of Bills........................................................................................ ....................................... 12409 Fair Ferries Act, 2008 (Bill M210) G. Coons Statements (Standing Order 25B) .............................................................................................................................. ........... 12410 Sullivan mine accident N.

Macdonald Campaign to Control Cancer S. Hawkins Belmont Secondary School and youth climate change Arctic voyage J. Horgan Nurses in B.C. M. Polak Hyack Festival in New Westminster C. Puchmayr Asian Heritage Month R. Lee Oral Questions................................................................................................................. ....................................................... 12412 Government action on forest industry C. James Hon. R. Coleman Hon. G. Campbell N. Macdonald B. Simpson D. Routley Disclosure of documents in B.C. Rail court case L. Krog Hon. W. Oppal B. Ralston M.

Farnworth Health care on northern Vancouver Island C. Trevena Hon. G. Abbott Petitions...................................................................................................................... ............................................................. 12417 C. Wyse

Second Reading of Bills........................................................................................................ ................................................. 12417 University Amendment Act, 2008 (Bill 34) (continued) B. Ralston C. Wyse Hon. M. Coell Protected Areas of British Columbia (Conservancies and Parks) Amendment Act, 2008 (Bill 38) Hon. B. Penner S. Simpson M. Sather G. Coons Hon. B. Penner Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Vehicle Emissions Standards) Act (Bill 39) Hon. B. Penner S. Simpson Hon. K. Falcon M. Karagianis D. Chudnovsky Hon. B.

Penner Proceedings in the Douglas Fir Room Committee of Supply............................................................................................................ ................................................. 12446 Estimates: Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Hon. M. de Jong S. Fraser J. Horgan M. Sather D. Routley

12407 WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 The House met at 1:34 p.m. [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] Prayers. Statements DEATHS IN CRANBROOK HELICOPTER ACCIDENT Hon. G. Campbell: I rise today on behalf of British Columbians to offer our sincere condolences to the friends and loved ones of the four victims of the helicopter crash yesterday in Cranbrook. Four people perished in that incredible incident: B.C. Hydro employees Dirk Bentley Rozenboom and Robert William Lehmann, pilot Edward William Kyle Heeb and College of the Rockies student Isaiah Otieno of Kenya.

Their loss will be felt by their home commu- nities, across the province and all the way back to Kenya, I'm sure. I know the thoughts and prayers of all British Columbians and all members of this House go out to the families and friends of those four men. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you send our condolences to them on behalf of the House in British Columbia. [1335] C. James: As well, I add words of condolences from the official opposition to the Premier's words to the families and to the communities. We'll be watching and are sending our condolences as well. Introductions by Members C.

James: I have two guests to introduce, Mr. Speaker. With us here today are tw o former MLAs from this Legislature. The first is Joan Sawicki, the former MLA for Burnaby- Willingdon who was Speaker of the Legislature and Minister of Environment. Dave Zirnhelt is the former MLA for Cariboo South, who was Minister of Forests, of Economic Development, of Agriculture and Fisheries, and of Aboriginal Affairs. Would the House please make these two former MLAs very welcome. Hon. M. Coell: Earlier in the week I introduced some military police from CFB Esquimalt.

They're ac- tually here today, and I wo uld like to introduce them: LCdr. Lucie Tremblay, who is the provost marshal of Pacific region and commanding officer of the military police at CFB Esquimalt, Sergeant Kwiatkowski, Master Corporal Jodrey, Master Corporal Donohue, Corporal Edwards and Corporal Pettinger. All are veterans of the war in Afghanistan. They have been given the General Campaign Star f o r t a k i n g p a r t i n o p e r a t i o n s i n t h e p r e s e n c e o f a n armed enemy while fighting the Taliban in that coun- try. Some have taken

part in NATO operations in the Balkans and wear medals for those missions. The MPs even initiated a Boy Scout unit in Kosovo. Others have been given the Special Service Medal for their service in humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Central America, assisting those in dealing with natural disasters which have befallen them. They have performed regular police duties and have assisted in the training of the civilian police in Afghanistan. All are dedicated, brave members of the Canadian Forces and deserve our gratitud e for their service.

It is because of people like these and others, who are will- ing to put themselves in harm's way, that we live in a peaceful, free and wonderful country. Would the House please make them welcome. G. Coons: I'd like to recognize three people today who are down here for the May 14 Cancer Day of Action and their proactive push toward an interministerial cancer control strategy. Plea se recognize Jerry Cannon from Vancouver and Cathie Wilson from Kelowna, with a special thank-you and recognition of Sally Isaksen from Ocean Falls.

It's not too often one of my constituents comes down from the north coast and the central coast, so I'd like to have a really special round of applause for Sally. Hon. G. Abbott: I have the honour to make three sets of introductions today. Today at noon hour, members from both sides of the House were able to gather in the rotunda to help celebrate National Nursing Week. It was our opportunity to salute and say thank you to the over 40,000 nurses in British Columbia who 365 days a year provide us with the best of care.

You'll know them in the gallery because they are wearing one of these beautiful boutonnieres, just as I am. I'd like the House to make all of the nurses welcome. As the member for North Coast noted, members are aware that yesterday even ing and today individuals from the Campaign to Control Cancer are in the Legis- lature meeting with MLAs — a very impressive group of individuals from across British Columbia, who raise awareness, advocate for co ntinued vigilance and also celebrate the good work of the B.C. Cancer Agency. That's an agency that I'm sure all British Columbi- ans are enormously proud of . The B.C.

Cancer Agency has made British Columbia the best province for both cancer care and outcomes. Join me in welcoming to the Legislature in particular Dr. Islam Mohamed, a radia- tion oncologist from Kelown a, and Jane Akazuki from the Lower Mainland. Finally, I also have the pleasure of introducing two individuals from the Ministry of Health. In the Legislature today are two students pursuing their doctor of pharmacy degrees. They are doing part of their rotations in pharmacy practice at the Ministry of Health to fulfil their degree requirements.

Please, if all mem- bers would join in welcoming Joey Mattingly and Fong Huynh. [1340]

12408 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES W EDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 J. Horgan: Joining us in the gallery today is a good friend of my legislative assistant Angela Giuliano. Her name is Vida Jarman. She's from Victoria. She's a retired Hospital Employees Union worker, and she's spending her leisure time looking at us working here in the Legislature. Would you all please make her very, very welcome. R. Sultan: We are graced in the galleries today by John and Elizabeth Burley, two friends from my riding.

John started his ca reer as a young man being commis- sioned as a flight officer with the RAF, and he continues to be very active in the RAF Club. He spent most of his career representing British aerospace industry interests in Moscow, and for those services he was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Would the House please make them welcome. C. Puchmayr: I, too, rise to acknowledge a nurse who is in the gallery today from my community regional hospital in New Westminster, Royal Columbian Hospi- tal. Please make Sarah Hudson extremely welcome. Hon. S.

Bond: I have the pleasure, on behalf of my colleagues from Prince George, to welcome a very spe- cial nurse to the precinct today. Her name is LaDonna Fehr. LaDonna is one of the outstanding northern nurses, who works in the regional cancer unit in Prince George. She was recognized today for her significant contribu- tion to health care in nort hern British Columbia. Please join me in making LaDonna feel very welcome and thank her for her work. H. Bains: I am pleased to introduce to the House stu- dents from Brookside Elementary, grade 4 and grade 5.

They are accompanied by their teachers Cindy Walker and Arlene MacDonald, and a number of parents are with them. So please join me and extend a warm welcome. Hon. R. Neufeld: It is my pleasure today…. It's not often I get to do it. A nurse is visiting the Legislature today from Fort St. John, Barb Marsh. I'd like to say thanks to her, and I'm sure she's as excited as I am about the new hospital that will be built in Fort St. John within the next few years. M. Farnworth: In the gallery today is a constituent of mine who also happens to be a nurse and is here for National Nursing Week. That is Roseanne Hampel.

Would the House please make her most welcome. Hon. I. Chong: I, too, would like to welcome three nurses from the Victoria area, who are here to celebrate Nursing Week as well. They are Donna Mears, who is a clinical nurse educator in medicine; Joanne Solomonson, who is executive director of Luther Court; and Pat Hillis, who is a community registered nurse. Would the House please make them welcome. R.

Fleming: With us in the gallery today is a con- stituent of mine who is a University of Victoria student and has just safely returned from down south, where he was a participant observer or a political tourist, if you will, in North Carolina. It's wonderful to have Ben Johnson back among us. Will the House please make him welcome. J. McIntyre: I, too, am honoured to have this beau- tiful corsage, this beautiful rose, on today as a symbol of the celebration of the work that nurses do in our province each and every day.

I was hoping that the House would make one of the honourees at lunchtime particularly welcome today. Her name is Janice Snowy. She's a registered nurse, and she works at the Pemberton Health Centre in my constitu- ency. I was hoping the House would make her feel very welcome, along with the other nurses who are here today. K. Conroy: I, too, have a nurse here from my con- stituency. Cheryl Brothers is here to celebrate National Nursing Week. I'd ask all members to please join me in making her welcome. [1345] J.

Yap: We have with us in the legislative precincts 35 grade 6 students from Ecole Elémentaire Tomekichi Homma in my riding. They're here as part of their social studies and Legislative Assembly and parliamentary procedures studies with five chaperones led by Mr. Don Allison, their teacher. Mr. Allison invited me recently to go to their class to talk about what it is like to be an MLA, and today they're here to see it in practice in Victoria in our Legis- lative Assembly. Would the House please join me in welcoming them. S. Simpson: I am very pleased.

We have here with us today a Chinese parents group from Hastings Elementary School, and they 're here visiting for the first time in the Legislature. We have Wai Liang Ru, Bill Yang, Kim Au, Idy Leung, Feng Qing Huang, Sandy Yu, Shirley Sung, Ann Yu, Stella Fan, Sau Kin Dong, Jenny Thong, Mai Li, Anita Li, Mona Ninh, Guan Huan Yan, Tammy Lew, Aliaa Al-Musawi and Betsy Alkenbrack. Would the House please make them welcome. J. Nuraney: In the gallery today we have my long- time friend Jim Favaro, who is accompanied by Ashifa Hulda, Caroline Mcgillivray and Fiona from the cancer clinic in Surrey.

They are all here to advocate for cancer control, and I would like the House to please join me in giving them a very special welcome. G. Gentner: In the gallery today is Donna Mears. I know the Minister of Community Services has already recognized her. She is a nurse, and she is not a constituent of mine. But I have to tell the House that she is also my landlord, and the cheques are always on time. Hon. B. Penner: I, too, have the privilege of intro- ducing a nurse from my constituency. His name is

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 12409 Sean Young, and he practises at the Agassiz community health centre. That is a fac ility that opened about five years ago. While I don't attend there, my constituency assistant does, and she tells me that Mr. Young provides just excellent service. Would the House please make Mr. Young welcome. I. Black: I'm not sure how many people are left to be introduced, but three of them are friends of mine.

I had the pleasure of having lunch today with two delightful young girls, Alysha Gillis and Adriana Corrado, who attend Hampton Park Elementary School in the Westwood Plateau region of my riding. They're accompanied by their diligent father George Gillis, who is a friend of mine. But more importantly, he coaches with me in the North Coquitlam United Soccer Club. Would the House please join me in making them feel most welcome here today. Hon. K. Krueger: Joining us this afternoon in the chamber is a registered nurse from Kamloops, Sue Janson.

Our community is very grateful to have Sue working at the Hillside Psychiatric Centre, one of many hard-working registered nurses of the Inte rior Health Authority. The vital role she plays in our community is very much appreciated. I'd like the House to, last but not least, make her very welcome. L. Mayencourt: Well, not so fast, hon. Members. We do have more people to be introduced.

Nurses from Vancouver who were receiving cer- tificates today at the 150 years of nursing in British Columbia celebration were unable to make it for the actual ceremony, but we are enormously proud of each of them for their accomplishments. Frances MacDougall is a re gistered nurse responsible for surgical services at B.C.'s Children's Hospital. Connie Deugau is a registered nurse and clinical nurse educator at Providence Health Care at St. Joseph's Hospital. Then in my neighbourhood, Irene Goldstone is a regis- tered nurse at Providence He a l t h C a r e a t S t .

P a u l ' s Hospital, and Linda Brazier is a nursing instructor at BCIT. Finally, I have Alison Lafo nd, who is a registered nurse in sub-acute medicine at Vancouver General Hospital. Would the House make all of these ladies welcome. [1350] Finally, on behalf of my new colleagues in the ridings around Prince George, I am also very proud to introduce Suzanne Johnson. Suzanne is the vice-president of North- e r n H e a l t h A u t h o r i t y i n P r i n c e G e o r g e a n d h a s b e e n a n enormous help and ally in the work that we're doing at Baldy Hughes therapeutic community.

Suzanne has been involved in therapeutic commu- nities in other parts of Canada and, in understanding that, has helped to bring us stability by giving us a nurse clinician and a nurse practitioner and also by helping us with some of the psychiatric needs of our clients. We are very, very proud — all four of us from Prince George — to welcome Suzanne to the precinct. Mr. Speaker: If there are any other nurses that we failed to recognize, welcome. Introduction and First Reading of Bills FAIR FERRIES ACT, 2008 G. Coons presented a bill intituled Fair Ferries Act, 2008. G.

Coons: I move introduction of the Fair Ferries Act, 2008, for first reading. Motion approved. G. Coons: It gives me great pleasure today to be introducing an important piece of legislation, the Fair Ferries Act, 2008. This act amends the Coastal Ferry Act to provide ferry-dependent communities with some hope in their struggle for a safe, reliable, accountable and affordable ferry system. The Fair Ferries Act increases the accountability of B.C. Ferries to both the government and the public.

As ferry fares head skyward and ferry traffic drops below predictions, lost revenue must be made up, meaning even greater fares in the long run. This act requires that the public interest be taken into account when rates are charged. The Fair Ferries Act will help mitigate the serious situation facing ferry users in coastal communities in British Columbia. High fares have forced residents and tourists to travel less, and they have significantly impacted the cost of all goods and services. The cost of access to essential service is becoming prohibitive for some island communities.

The act requires that fares on designated routes would be set with consid- eration of ridership, the public good and limited op- tions for transportation by some ferry-dependent communities. This act rolls back the salaries of directors to a more fair and reasonable compensation and requires legislative approval of subsequent salary increases. It also brings B.C. Ferry Services Inc. and the B.C. Ferry Authority under the power of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Ombudsman Act.

The act requires the authority to report annually to the minister responsible, where Members of the Legislative Assembly can scrutinize their operations. With this act, B.C. recognizes that ferries not only should serve the public interest but should be account- able to both the government and the public. After all, B.C. Ferries is our marine highway. I move that this bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting after today.

Bill M210, Fair Ferries Ac t, 2008, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

12410 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES W EDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 Statements (Standing Order 25B) SULLIVAN MINE ACCIDENT N. Macdonald: It's approaching two years since Doug Erickson, Bob Newcombe, Kim Weitzel and Shawn Currier died in a small shed on the site of Kimberley's Sullivan mine. The Legislature, at the time, expressed sympathy to the families of those who died and recog- nized the impact of their deaths on the communities of Kimberley and Cranbrook.

On July 9 of last year a coroner's inquest was held in Kimberley to determine what happened and to make recommendations that would prevent such a tragedy in the future. The families and community wanted this, and I'm hopeful it has provided part of what the fami- lies needed. There is no question that it was a difficult process for them. Kimberley has consistently shown how special a community it is. The people of Kimberley have looked out for the victims' families and joined them not only in griev- ing but also in the search for truth about what happened. The strength of the families has been truly amazing.

They have been resolute and incredibly articulate. It's important to mention the paramedics union and the Steelworkers union. They provided the legal sup- port that allowed families to fully participate in the inquest, and they also push ed for the inquest, as did the B.C. Federation of Labour. I want to thank the coro ner's jury, the coroner and his staff, who were very professional. I also want to take this time to thank the MLA for New Westminster and the Minister of Labour for their work. The inquest led to findings which have been put in front of this House with the expectation that they will be acted on.

That has only partially happened. My commitment to the Sullivan mine families is to see that all recommendations are acted on. The people have a right to expect those who go to work to come back safely. I know I speak for everyone here when I say that our thoughts are with the families on what will again be a very difficult day. [1355] CAMPAIGN TO CONTROL CANCER S. Hawkins: Today in six provinces, including B.C., the Campaign to Control Cancer is holding a national day of action to control cancer. Last evening we were welcomed by the B.C. Campaign to Control Cancer.

They held a reception for members of the Legislature. Today they're meeting with all of us to share their ideas on how to achieve a shared goal, and that is "More con- trol, less cancer." It is a fact that we have the most favourable cancer outcomes in Canada, and we celebrate that. Women in B.C. have the lowest mortality rate and the lowest inci- dent rate for breast and colorectal cancer in the country and the lowest overall mortality rate for cancers in Canada.

B.C. men have the lowest overall mortality rate for cancers in Canada; the lowest mortality rate for prostate, colorectal and lung cancer; the lowest overall incident rates for cancer in Canada; and the lowest incident rate for lung and colorectal cancers. In 2007 the Cancer Advocacy Coalition reported that western provinces, and B.C. in particular, have the best access to publicly funded cancer drugs. Our B.C. Cancer Agency offers a comprehensive screening mammography program free for all B.C. women aged 40 to 79. B.C. has shown leadership in the cancer control area, and we have much to celebrate.

But there is more we can do. That is why I support the Campaign to Control Can- cer coming here today, sharing their knowledge, sharing their ideas and putting strategies and proposals in front of us to think about and act on if we can get there. The Campaign to Control Cancer recognizes that there is more to do, and their goal for "More control, less cancer" is certainly achievable. We will be presented with proposals for discussion and ways to reduce the incidence of cancer and cancer deaths. Mr. Speaker, 20,000 people a year get diagnosed and about 9,000 people die every year from cancer.

By all of us working together, I think we can achieve the goal of "More control, less cancer." I, too, welcome the Campaign to Control Cancer to the Legislature today. BELMONT SECONDARY SCHOOL AND YOUTH CLIMATE CHANGE ARCTIC VOYAGE J. Horgan: Before the clock starts, I'd like to say how delighted I am to be following the member for Kelowna-Mission today. Things have certainly changed since we were in school. I can remember that back in my days at Rey- nolds high school, an outstand ing field trip was a trip to the Royal B.C. Museum. How times have changed.

For one student at Belmont Secondary School from my community of Langford, the totally awesome field trip this year will be an Arctic expedition as part of the youth climate change Arctic voyage. Students and staff at Belmont applied to the British Council Canada and were one of 15 Canadian schools accepted to participate in an amazing international adventure this coming September that will bring stu- dents, artists, scientists and educators together for a trip through the Arctic.

Their route will take them from Reykjavik, Iceland, around Cape Farewell on the southern tip of Greenland and along the coast of Baffin Island to Clyde River. They will be travelling on the motor vessel Akademik Shokalskiy, which I am told is a perfect vessel for educa- tion and entertainment. The vessel is equipped with a lecture hall, a library, a lounge, a sauna, an open bridge, kayaks and Zodiacs. It sounds like the Speaker's office, hon. Speaker.

The expedition will make almost daily stops for science and arts projects an d community visits, all of this focused on the impact of climate change on the Canadian Arctic. Belmont was the only sch ool chosen from British Columbia — save and except Carson Graham, which

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 12411 was a late entry. Their proposal was so integrated within the whole arts and science curriculum at Bel- mont that the British Council Canada accepted that proposal. The plan calls for Belmont students and staff to communicate its project work not only with students within Belmont but with ot her schools in Victoria and right across the province. Early this summer, after several months of prepara- tion, the expedition organizers and school staff will select from the ground crew that one student who will get to have the totally awesome Arctic adventure.

The voyage will equip young Canadians for all the challenges of the Arctic and will provide them with the tools to be ambassadors for climate change. Would the House please congratulate Belmont and that one student who will be selected to be an ambas- sador for climate change in British Columbia. [1400] NURSES IN B.C. M. Polak: Florence Nightingale, the lady with the lamp, would have celebrated her 188th birthday had she still been alive this past Monday, May 12.

In British Columbia we're celebrating 150 years of nursing in our province, 150 years of caring that's dispensed by men and women who are far more than health professionals. The ve ry special role played by nurses across the country is acknowledged this week during National Nursing Week. It goes without saying th at the nursing profession has undergone tremendous ch ange since the days of Miss Nightingale. There are now more than 41,000 men and women with a practising licence in B.C.

These include not only registered nurses but also nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses and reg- istered psychiatric nurses. Nursing is an exciting and growing profession in British Columbia, with close to 5,000 new nurses join- ing the ranks since 2001 — almost 1,300 in this past year alone. The theme of Nursing Week 2008 is: "Think you know nursing? Take a closer look." It is intended to challenge our perceptions of the role of nurses in our health care system. The diverse responsibilities they take on are essential as we work to provide the best in health care for British Columbians.

But by far the most important aspect of nursing is the same today as it was in the days of Florence Nightingale. A famous news report of the day described her this way: "She is a ministering angel, without any exaggeration, in these hospitals, and as her slender form glides quietly along each corridor, every poor fellow's face softens with gratitude at the sight of her.

When all the medical officers have retired for the night and silence and darkness have settled down upon those miles of prostrate si ck, she may be observed alone, with a little lamp in her hand, making her soli- tary rounds." I know my colleagues will join me in expressing our humble thanks for the caring and dedicated nurses who give so much of themselves each and every day. HYACK FESTIVAL IN NEW WESTMINSTER C. Puchmayr: This Saturday is the launch of the New Westminster Hyack Festival. Hyack is a Coast Salish word meaning hurry up, so I will hyack and tell you about this longstanding tradition in my community.

Starting this Victoria Day, the Hyack Festival Asso- ciation presents dozens of free events to residents and visitors alike. From tournaments of lacrosse, baseball, tennis, swimming, bowling and skateboarding to street dancing, fireworks, pizza-eating contest, antique show, amusement rides and the rapidly selling-out heritage home tour, the Hyack Festival truly has something for everyone. This Sunday at Queen's Park Stadium, join us in the ancient and honourable Hyack anvil battery salute to Queen Victoria's birthday. This has been a tradition in New Westminster since 1860.

Two anvils are placed together centred by an ounce and a half of gunpowder and then set off with a long, hot poker. With a loud boom , the top anvil, weighing almost 200 pounds, rockets into the air as car alarms go off and neighbourhood dogs bark. This is repeated exactly 21 times. Next Wednesday is the maypole dance and races with participants from all of New Westminster's ele- mentary schools. This is the longest-running May dance in the Commonwealth. It dates back to 1870. On Saturday the 24th we participate in the Hyack International Parade.

With 140 entrants, this is the largest international parade in British Columbia. So on behalf of the community that I call home, I invite everyone to come and enjoy the events that all of our volunteers and community groups have put together and provided for you, and see firsthand the community spirit that has lived in my community for one year short of 150 years. ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH R. Lee: Asian Canadians have a long and rich history in Canada, and every May communities throughout the country celebrate Asian Heritage Month.

This is an oppor- tunity for everyone to share in the history, culture and contributions of the Asian community to our society. While Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States for almost 30 years, it's a relatively new celebration here in Canada, starting in Toronto in 1993.

Officially recognized by the government of Can- ada in 2002, Asian Heritage Month continues to be an important opportunity to gain people's understanding of the Asian community through music, literature, art, film, dance and lectures. [1405] In Metro Vancouver the 12th annual explorAsian Festival celebrates Asian Heritage Month with a month-long festival of events for the whole commu- nity. Presented by the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, their theme of "Many cultures, many languages, one celebration" describes not only the di- versity of cultures in our society but also the diversity

12412 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES W EDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 in the Asian community. In the spirit of cultural har- mony and community diversity, the festival promotes cross-cultural understanding. This festival would not be possible without the hard work of the volunteers and staff of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. I would like to recognize executive director Don Montgomery, co-presidents Joy Lin Salzberg and Dr.

Jan Walls, and boar d members Brian Sullivan, Ayah Ouziel, Mo Dhaliwal, Winnie Cheung and Sarah Kim for their efforts in organizing and coordinating the many exciting events for this year's festival. I would like to invite all the members of this House and all British Columbians to celebrate Asian Heritage Month by taking

part in one of the many events across the province this month. Oral Questions GOVERNMENT ACTION ON FOREST INDUSTRY C. James: On Monday the Minister of Forests said that any efforts to help B.C.'s forest workers in forest- dependent communities were just false hope. Yesterday he said that workers and the communities will have to wait until after the election. "Things will turn around," he said. "Trust me. No plan — I don't plan to do any- thing. Just trust me." Well, the people of British Columbia don't trust this minister. He promised action in 2005, and he didn't deliver.

Now he's making vague statements about "wait until after the election, and everything will be fine" in order to avoid taking action today. He hasn't got the job done. He's wasted years of opportunity. My question is to the Pr emier. He wouldn't answer yesterday, so I'll try again today. Does the Premier have confidence in this Minister of Forests? Hon. R. Coleman: I recognize that the member opposite doesn't actually want to read Hansard or look at the real quotes and wants to paraphrase what may be said.

That's entirely he r prerogative in question period, but I don't think that $129 million over three years is a small amount of money to be investing in B.C.'s forest workers today. Maybe the member opposite is just opposed. Maybe you're opposed to…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Continue, Minister. Hon. R. Coleman: Maybe you're opposed to $17.25 million going to tuition for displaced forest workers so they can upgrade their skill s while an economic down- turn is taking place.

Maybe you don't believe that older forest workers should have the opportunity to be able to bridge to pension with an $85.5 million transition for an older worker fund. Maybe you don't believe that $26.25 million should go into job opportunities and communities. Maybe you don't believe in the other funds we're putting into forestry in British Columbia. Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition has a supplemental. C. James: Craig Campbell of Pricewaterhouse- Coopers said last week that B.C. should expect more blood on the floor. He said: "There are more closures to come. There will be more job losses.

There will be no recovery until at least after 2010." That flies completely in the face of what the minister said yesterday: "Just wait until after the election." The minister keeps tripping over himself, and he refuses to admit that it's B.C. Liberal forest policies that caused the problems we're seeing today. It was this Liberal gove rnment that broke the tie between communities and companies. It was this Liberal government that doubled raw log exports. We can't afford to wait until 2009 or 2010. We can't afford to wait until the next cabinet shuffle. My question is to the Premier.

Will he get rid of this minister today? [1410] Hon. R. Coleman: Well, to the member opposite… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Continue, Minister. Hon. R. Coleman: …10,000 jobs lost and 38 mills closed during the tenure of the NDP in the 1990s — 10,000 jobs lost, 38 mills closed. An Hon. Member: And that makes it right. Hon. R. Coleman: It doesn't make it right, hon. Member.

But I can tell you that when the forest changes came into place in British Columbia, record capital investment went into our industry — $3 billion over a three-year period into modernization of our mills so that we could compete with the rest of Canada and North America on a level to be able to sustain our industry in the future. Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition has a further supplemental. C. James: All we see from this minister is to point fingers somewhere else and then try and take credit for money that has actually come from the federal government, which has nothin g to do with this gov- ernment.

The $129 million is federal money. In fact, the minister won't even match it. The only thing he's… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 12413 C. James: …doing is actually messing up the entire aid package. Now if workers want to get tuition, they will actually lose their EI. They're going to become ineligible for that assistance. To get that federal money, under this government, they're bounced between the Minister of Labour, the Min- ister of Income Assistance and Service Canada. If they find their way through the maze, they'll lose the benefits that will actually help them pay their mortgages. Time is running out for these workers. They're los- ing their benefits already.

My question is again to the Premier. This minister has bungled the file from the start. Will he ask him to get out of the way? Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. Hon. G. Campbell: There's no one in this House that doesn't recognize the challenges that are being faced by forest families across British Columbia. There's no one in this House that doesn't understand the challenges faced in terms of communities in British Columbia that are directly dependent on forestry.

So the government has taken a number of steps to try and not just provide su pport for those workers but reach out to those communiti es and provide them with a sense of commitment, not just for the short term but for the long term. I want you to understand, Mr. Speaker, and I want the House to understand that for- ests have a long-term exciting future in the province of British Columbia. This government has invested over $640 million in trying to secure the long-term future of communities that are directly impacted by the pine beetle by encour- aging diversification of their economies.

That supports workers in the province of British Columbia. This government has said clearly that when the taxpayers are providing support for community de- velopment trusts, that will be supporting forest workers in British Columbia, forest communities in British Co- lumbia, people who are retired or looking to their long-term future in British Columbia. That's what this government is committed to, and it will remain com- mitted to that.

For those in British Columbia who are concerned about forestry jobs, they understand that every forest job in the northwest of this province would be closed down if we didn't have log exports in British Columbia. We are going to protect forest jobs in the northwestern part of this province. Go to Terrace. Go to Stewart. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. Continue, Premier. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. Minister. Continue, Premier. Hon. G.

Campbell: If the members opposite don't understand that those jobs in the northwest part of our province depend on log exports, I can tell you that there are a lot of logging families and forestry families in the northwest that are going to be disappointed. [1415] Finally, let me say this. I understand that all of us are concerned about the forest industry in British Colum- bia. We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars. We will continue to invest in forest families. We will continue to invest in forest communities.

We will continue to invest in the future of forestry in this province, because that is the future of British Columbia — a strong and vibrant forest industry in British Columbia. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. N. Macdonald: What every single person in British Columbia knows is that this Premier and this govern- ment have destroyed the most important industry in British Columbia. This is a Premier… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. N. Macdonald: …that came to power promising to increase the number of jobs, but it is 46 mills gone and 20,000 jobs lost. It is abject failure by any standard.

Step one for a recovery plan is to fire that minister. He asked us to have a look at Hansard. So let's go back and see what he said yesterday. Yesterday in question period the Minister of Forests said — and the Premier can judge the standard of his minister — that the provincial government funded a $120 million aid package. That's not true. It is all federal money. B.C. Liberals have done nothing — zero. The minister said yesterday that we should direct a permanently laid-off worker in Kamloops to access a t u i t i o n p l a n t h a t ' s p a r t o f t h a t f e d e r a l m o n e y .

I f t h e worker was to find that website, which is difficult, they would be directed to Enquiry B.C. Enquiry B.C. refers them back to the website, wh ich then refers them back to Enquiry B.C. in some endless circle. So that's the advice of the minister. Mr. Speaker: Could the member put the question, please. Member, put the question, please. N. Macdonald: The minister is wrong on two counts about the eligibility. So the question is this. The government has failed. That minister has failed. Step one is to fire that minister. When are you going to do it, Mr. Premier? Hon. R.

Coleman: I like the way the member quotes. I wonder if he would like to also quote that his colleagues yesterday were using a bovine compliment

12414 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES W EDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 towards me and suggesting that I be tasered as the Minister of Forests in this House. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. R. Coleman: I don't have a…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Minister, just take your seat. Members. Members. Members from both sides. Continue, Minister. Hon. R. Coleman: It's interesting how excited they get when you tell them the truth, so I'm going to tell them a bit more truth.

The truth of the matter is that yesterday I said to the media that the international forest analysts said that as we came down this downturn, B.C.'s forest in- dustry would be one of the strongest in the world. That's the truth. The truth of the matter is that members opposite don't want to recognize the economic downturn in the United States and don't want to recognize the housing starts. What they also don't want to recog- nize is a significant investment that's been made in forestry by the province of British Columbia — $642 million to the mountain pine beetle epidemic in communities.

That's in co mmunity action coalitions to build an economic base for the future of forestry and opportunities in thos e communities and addi- tional investment all over the province of British Columbia. Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. N. Macdonald: The minister wants us to feel sorry for him. The people that we are concerned about and that he is responsible for are 20,000… Mr. Speaker: Through the Chair, please. N. Macdonald: …workers that have been displaced by B.C. Liberal policies.

If we're talking about truth, yesterday in question period the Minister of Forests very specifically said that the NDP should be referring an older worker who wanted to retire to a plan that the minister said was in place. The minister said there was a plan in place for transition to retirement. [1420] There is no plan ready. You go to the website, and the website says that the details of the plan are still being worked out and will be available in the months to come. In three paragraphs yesterday, three para- graphs from Hansard, there were three factual errors from this minister.

I t i s w e l l p a s t t i m e t h a t t h a t m i n i s t e r i s f i r e d . T h e Premier should stand up and do that today. Hon. R. Coleman: I think the point I was trying to make is that you can call me whatever you want. I'm still going to do what's best for the forest workers in the province of British Columbia. Now, if the member opposite would like to do… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. R. Coleman: …a little research, he'll find out that the website for all of those programs goes live tomorrow. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Member, just take your seat. We're not continuing until there's quiet.

B. Simpson: Every day, more and more forest work- ers in this province are running out of their benefits. M a n y o f t h e m h a v e a l r e a d y r u n o u t o f t h e i r m e d i c a l benefits. More are running out of EI. They're being forced onto income assistance. They're in a position where their homes are threat- ened. They cannot pay the mortgages, and they may have to leave the towns — and many have already left the towns — that they wanted their children to grow up in. That's the reality this minister is avoiding. I went on that website.

I spent yesterday morning and today talking to people in Service Canada and talk- ing to people in the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance. The Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance has nothing on their intranet about how to provide this service to those forest workers. Even if they did, it doesn't address the issue that they cannot pay their mortgage and cannot keep their kids in the town they wanted them to grow up in. This minister is offering false hope. This minister is being dishonest with the people of British Columbia, as he claims that we are. My question is to the Premier. Mr.

Speaker: Member. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. Member for Cariboo North…. B. Simpson: I will withdraw the "dishonest" remark. Yesterday the minister said to the Leader of the Opposition that she could direct somebody to a web- site, as if it was live and active. We find out today that it's not live till tomorrow. That was my point. My question is to the Premier. The people of British Columbia have lost confidence in this minister. The Premier was asked a specific question by the Leader of the Opposition, and I note that he never mentioned the minister once.

He went on the same rhetoric as the minister.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 12415 So my question to the Premier is this. Does he have confidence in this minister? Is this the right person for the job at this critical juncture in the forest industry? Hon. R. Coleman: Well, the comments from the member opposite are particularly disturbing to me, com- ing from that member, who actually claims to have had some experience in the forest industry. He would know about the cyclical nature of the industry. He would know about the importance of markets to actually drive the benefit of jobs and opportunities within the industry.

To get up and try and make the comment that a gov- ernment in a market of four million people can control the North American market is quite disingenuous to the people of the province of British Columbia. We have invested $25 million in international mar- keting in China, Korea, India and other countries so that we can expand the markets of British Columbia. I don't know where the members opposite want to see…. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Continue, Minister. Hon. R.

Coleman: I guess they're opposed to the fact that $120 million has gone into mitigating the im- pact on roads in the mountain pine beetle area so our people can continue to harvest and have a future in forestry in British Columbia. Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. [1425] B. Simpson: Does the Premier have confidence in this minister? Hon. G. Campbell: Let me say, Mr. Speaker, that this is the minister who actually helped to negotiate a softwood lumber agreemen t that brought $2 billion back to the province of British Columbia.

This is the minister who understands that that $2 billion is helping to create jobs in forestry, investment in forestry and a long-term future for forestry in British Columbia. This is the minister who brought in the coastal revi- talization plan in the province of British Columbia. This is the minister who's expanding foreign markets, which that opposition's government ignored for ten years, so that forestry would have a future in our province.

This is the minister who's expanding our product line, creat- ing billions and billions of dollars of opportunities, and this is the minister who is working in community after community after community to find a way that we can get through this difficult time for forest families and for the future of our province. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. D. Routley: This is a Premier who stood by and watched successive Forests ministers disable and break our industry.

This is a Premier who stood by while the forest policies of his successive Forests ministers have closed 46 mills and lost 20,000 jobs — 3,000 of them in the last three week s. Mills with markets are being forced to close by that Premier and that Forests Minister's policies — the loss of key infrastructure, the auction of thousands of pieces of equipment, the bank- ruptcy of logging contractors. Now a minister of this government… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. D. Routley: …brags about job fairs — job fairs where Alberta pulp mills are coming to recruit our workers. This is proof of failed policy.

This is proof of a failed minister. Will that Premier stand up and fire that minister now? Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. Just take your seat, Minister. Continue. Hon. R. Coleman: T h i s i s t h e g o v e r n m e n t t h a t a t - tracted $3 billion in capital investment because of the changes that were made in th e forest sector. This is the government that made the changes that were necessary to put our market in a position to compete in world markets long term.

When th e downturn in the forest industry turns around, this will be the jurisdiction in North America and the world that will be able to com- pete better than anybody else because of those changes. DISCLOSURE OF DOCUMENTS IN B.C. RAIL COURT CASE L. Krog: On May 28, 2007, this Premier spoke in this House at length about the disclosure process in the B.C. Rail corruption investigation. The Premier said at that time: "The Premier's office won't be checked with on this." He was very clear and repeated this several times.

"The Premier's office won't be checked with on this." [1430] Now we know that this was not the case. Will the Premier admit that his statement was incorrect, his office was checked with and the investigation was tainted by this abuse of th e process approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia? Hon. W. Oppal: I would have thought that that member would know better by now. He's a lawyer. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. Interjections.

12416 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES W EDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 Mr. Speaker: Members, just…. Interjection. Mr. Speaker: The member for Yale-Lillooet. Don't refer to members' names, please. Hon. W. Oppal: The member well knows that this matter is before the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The judge in that case will make appropriate findings of fact. It is totally inappropriate for anyone in this House to make any reference at all to what's going on in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. I'm not going to comment on that.

I've said before that it would be totally improper for me or for any other member of this House to comment on what's going on in a courtroom. Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental. L. Krog: I'd remind the Attorney General that this matter has been before the courts for four years. It was last spring, and the Premier had no problem talking about it then, did he? He said last year right in this House that the Premier's office would not be checked w i t h t o e n s u r e " t h e r e b e n o p o l i t i c a l i n t e r f e r e n c e , " b u t the Premier's office was checked with. Mr.

Dobell has said publicly that he was under no obligation not to disclose the substance of his discus- sions. Who did he talk with, and when did he talk? Was the Premier made aware of the RCMP's concerns? Was Mr. Collins? Was Ms. Reid? How far up did this interference go? Hon. W. Oppal: We respect the independence of the courts, and we will not comment on matters that are before the courts. B. Ralston: Mr. Dobell, the Premier's Deputy Minister and his alter ego, viewed and discussed critical documents in the B.C.

Rail corruption trial investigation — this despite the fact that he was not authorized to do so under a protocol approved by the B.C. Supreme Court. On May 28, 2007, the Premier in this House said: " T h e P r e m i e r ' s o f f i c e w o n ' t b e c h e c k e d w i t h o n t h i s . " After talking at length last year, the Premier is now suddenly reluctant to explain this contradiction. Can the Attorney General advise: was the Premier wrong to discuss this matter here in this House last year? Hon. W. Oppal: Well, if there are contradictions, I'm sure the judge is capable of dealing with them. Interjections. Mr.

Speaker: Members. The member has a supplemental. B. Ralston: On November 24, 2004, the lawyer for the Premier and cabinet, Mr. George Copley, QC, wrote a letter to Mr. Dobell. He addressed it to "Ken Dobell, Deputy Minister to the Prem ier, Premier's office." Mr. Copley confirmed that the two had met earlier to dis- cuss documents that were critical to the investigation — so critical, in fact, that the RCMP were planning to interview Ministers Gary Collins and Judith Reid about those very documents. Three weeks later, on December 14, Gary Collins abruptly resigned and left politics.

Can the Premier assure this House that there was no connection be- tween Mr. Dobell's viewing of those documents and Mr. Collins's departure? Hon. W. Oppal: I have the same answer. M. Farnworth: The Attorney General stands in this House and says he cannot comment, so I'd like him to try and answer the question once again. The Premier has stood in this House and answered questions on the issue. Mr. Dobell has stood outside the House and answered questions on this issue. Has he given any advice whatsoever to the Premier not to comment, and has he given any advice to Mr. Dobell whatsoever not to comment? Hon. W.

Oppal: The Premier understands that the judges are independent of the Legislature. We don't comment on what they're doing. [1435] Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Members. Member has a supplemental. M. Farnworth: My question, then, again to the At- torney General, is: does he think it's appropriate for the Premier to comment in this House on this issue, and does he think it's appropriate, then, for Mr. Dobell to make comments on this matter outside this House, given his repeated statements in this House? Hon. W.

Oppal: What is really inappropriate here is an opposition that has absolutely no respect for the courts. None. HEALTH CARE ON NORTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND C. Trevena: The crisis in health care in the north Island is profound. Both Po rt Hardy and Port McNeill are short of doctors, and th e emergency rooms at those hospitals are open on alte rnate days. But instead of trying to solve the problem, VIHA said doctors who are worried about trying to make the system work are being unprofessional, and they threatened to stop the doctors accessing remote first nations communities, where health care is vital.

I'd like to ask the Minister of Health to tell this House who is being unprofessional: doctors trying to serve people in remote communities or the health authority, which is saying that the system isn't broken.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 12417 Hon. G. Abbott: It's the opposition member that's being unprofessional. I'm glad to answer that question right off the top. The Vancouver Island Health Authority works tirelessly to recruit physicia ns to the north end of Van- couver Island through Heal th Match B.C., through a variety of other initiatives, through the Family Physi- cians for B.C. program and a range of other programs. VIHA and Health Match B.C. are working tirelessly to recruit physicians to the no rth end of the Island.

Simi- larly, the physicians on the north end of the Island work tirelessly to provide the best of services to the good people of the north end of the Island. The people who failed are the people across the floor, who, throughout the 1990s, failed to graduate enough physicians and nurses in this province. We've doubled the number of physicians that we're graduat- ing in the province of British Columbia. We've doubled the number of nurses. It is the opposition that ought to be ashamed of themselves. [End of question period.] Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. C. Wyse: I seek leave to present a petition. Mr.

Speaker: Proceed. Petitions C. Wyse: Mr. Speaker, 36 members of the Clinton and District Cattlemen's Association support private member's Bill M202, to be enacted as legislation in the province of British Columbia, the B.C. Rail Corridor Safety Act, 2008. Orders of the Day Hon. M. de Jong: I call in this chamber continued second reading debate on Bill 34, University Amend- ment Act, 2008, and in

Section A, Committee of Supply, for the information of members, the estimates of the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. Second Reading of Bills UNIVERSITY AMENDMENT ACT, 2008 (continued) B. Ralston: I rise to address Bill 34, which is before the House for second reading. This bill creates a new definition of a "special purpose, teaching universi ty" and designates certain colleges as universities.

In particular, the former Uni- versity College of the Fraser Valley becomes the University of the Fraser Va lley, Kwantlen University College becomes Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and Malaspina University College becomes Vancouver Island University. Capilano College becomes Capilano University, and the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design is renamed the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. [1440] Now, it's perhaps not surprising and not a long step to a move from calling an institution a university college to calling it a university.

But it appears that the minister and the government have agreed with the point of view that I'm not sure merits the kind of sup- port, publicly, that this bill exhibits. [K. Whittred in the chair.] The post-secondary education system in British Columbia has, up until recently, been an articulated and integrated system, and the colleges and the univer- sities each had their role to play. They worked together towards providing a total system of post-secondary education.

Probably, the first step was taken with the redesignation of David Thompson university from Cariboo College and the subsuming of Okanagan Col- lege into the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus. Those steps have, I think, begun to move the whole system in a different direction. I think it's fair to say that the change in the first three — Fraser Valley, Kwantlen and Malaspina — is probably understandable. Recently I have met with the college board at Kwantlen and the president. The ar- gument that they put was more a matter of the name rather than….

At least, the plan was not to change the functions of the institutio n. The reason was that the public — some parents, and particularly those students who the institutions might draw from overseas — was more confident of the designation "university" than they were of "college." If this argument has been accepted, it's perhaps a bit unfortunate because the college designation for a post-secondary institution has a long and venerable tradition. Indeed, there's no thing in the American ex- perience that would suggest that Americans hold the description of college in an y disrepute.

When an un- dergraduate applies to Harvard for admission as an undergraduate student, and if they're admitted, they're admitted to Harvard College. If a student applies to Yale and they're accepted as an undergraduate, they're admitted to Yale College. Indeed the Premier himself, according to his biog- raphy on the website, attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, which is a well-known and well- regarded liberal arts college in New Hampshire. The Minister of Health himself taught at Okanagan University College. The Minister for ActNow has a master's degree from Antioch College, if the website is accurate.

The Minister of Education has an arts and science diploma, according to the website, from the College of New Caledonia. The member for Bulkley Valley–Stikine served on the board of the Northwest Community College. So there are connections among government members and colleges, and there's certainly no reason to think

12418 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES W EDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 less of the designation and of their efforts because of their association in the past with colleges. I understand the recomme ndation that Mr. Plant has made. I understand the desire of the government to act upon it, at least as far as those first three institutions are concerned, but it does seem to be really a matter of opinion as to whether the term "college" carries less of a connotation, less of an aura than the term "univer- sity." I would suggest that that opinion, certainly, in the United States would be divided.

It's a very common expression to speak of students going to college, and the term university is far less frequently used. [1445] That aside, I do have some specific concerns where it concerns the Kwantlen institution. Kwantlen University College is to be renamed Kwantlen Polytechnic Univer- sity.

It is the only one of the group to be given the term "polytechnic university." I have been asked by those who teach and parents of those who might attend there what the reason is for the addition of the term "polytechnic." Given the track record of the government in breaking its three-year commitment on budgets for post-secondary education, which my colleague from Victoria-Hillside has set out in some detail previous to me, I guess the concern is: is that designation one which will in the long run at- tract less funding? Is it somehow in a different category?

There doesn't appear to be any explanation as to why that was chosen. In Great Britain there were a number of post- secondary educational institutions which were called polytechnics. In fact, that was a term that was used widely. Then, succumbing to some of the same pres- sures and temptations, I suppose, as the minister has succumbed to in this bill, they were all redesignated and renamed as universities. I'm at a loss to understand the combination of uni- versity and polytechnic.

I'm sure that at committee stage, should we ever get there, the minister will want to explain that, because there is some anxiety that that means less funding in the long run. One of the strengths of the university colleges and the college system in general has been their ability to offer small classes in academic subjects.

The board at Kwantlen is justifiably proud of the fact that in the univer- sity transfer program, those students who are educated in first and second year at Kwantlen and who then are accepted at, for example, Simon Fraser University, where their credentials and their accomplishments are recog- nized…. Their academic performance is as good as those students at SFU who took their first and second year at Simon Fraser itself. The classes are smaller. There are no big, lecture- type courses in which there are 100 or 150 students in a first-year lecture.

The teaching aspect of the colleges has been something that I'm su re that the minister will want to preserve. The other thing about the colleges is that they do offer a broad range of education. Just yesterday in the Committee on Public Accounts, the committee was reviewing a report from th e Auditor General about the progress of the government in achieving literacy goals. C o l l e g e s , i n s o m e o f t h e p r o g r a m s t h a t t h e y h a v e o f - fered up till now, although there's financial pressure….

Some of these very excellent programs are going to be forced to be closed by the minister not keeping his three-year commitment on the budget. There are a number of excellent programs which deal with and help those adults who wish to improve their literacy skills, their ability to read and write. What the report from the Auditor General said is that some 40 percent of adults in British Columbia don't read and write at a level that's compatible with the kinds of de- mands that we face in contemporary society. In other words, they need some help in increasing their skills. Colleges provide that kind of education.

They also provide education in a broad range of pre-trade courses, which prepare people for taking a trade. They also pre- pare people for acquiring trade credentials, and some of those programs are very successful. Last year the Finance Committee visited briefly at the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook. There were some welding courses there, which were oversubscribed, where employers were looking to hire the graduates.

Virtually as they walked out the door on the last day of school, they walked into full-time employment. [1450] These are very effective institutions in meeting some of the demands that employers have and meeting the aspirations of students and their families. The pres- sure to change to universities…. I suppose, again, the anxiety is that….

Although they are designated teach- ing universities, the concern among many of those who teach, some of those who attend and in the broader community is that a university implies more of a focus, understandably, on academic programs and less of a focus on the broad range of programs that the college system in British Columbia so effectively offers. So it is to be regretted if that is the intention and the direction that the government chooses to take.

I suppose one would ask from the perspective of those remaining colleges, of which there are many: h o w i s o n e t o b e v i e w e d a s a c o l l e g e t h a t c o n t i n u e s with the title "college"? Of course, there are a number. I mentioned the College of the Rockies in Cranbrook. I could mention Douglas College, Langara College, the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, the North Island College, Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek, Northwest Community College in Terrace and Selkirk College in Castlegar.

How are these institutions going to be viewed in the future, when the minister is moving some of those institutions in the direction of being called teaching universities? Is there a stratification that's taking place? And is a new tier of institution being created, which will attract the momentum for its own funding that will be different and greater than those of the existing colleges? If the argument about colleges being held in less esteem is one to which there's credence given….

How are those colleges to meet the challenge of attracting students and continuing to offer the programs that they do if the message that's being sent out, directly or indirectly,

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 12419 subtly or subconsciously, is that somehow they are institutions which are inferior? I n o t e t h a t m y c o l l e a g u e f r o m S u r r e y – P a n o r a m a Ridge appears to have an introduction to make. I will give way briefly for him to do that. J. Brar: I seek leave to make an introduction. Deputy Speaker: Proceed, Member. Introductions by Members J. Brar: Visiting us today up in the gallery, we have 30 grade 5 students from Panorama Park Elementary School in the Surrey–Panorama Ridge riding. They're also accom- panied by teachers and parents.

I will ask the members from both sides to please make them feel welcome. Debate Continued B. Ralston: The concern is that those institutions that remain, of which there are many…. I haven't recited a complete list, but they are set throughout the province. They're actively engaged in offering a wide range of programs to citizens.

They will be viewed in a different light, and their task — in developing their curricula, in attracting students, in building strong faculty and in satisfying the wishes of employers and the aspirations of students — will be made more difficult by this stratifica- tion of institutions that the minister is introducing. Really, I suppose the crux of the concern is that with this new designation comes no more money.

It's ironic, indeed, as the member for Victoria-Hillside has pointed out, that at a time when the minister has not honoured his commitment of a three-year budget, there's no further money coming to any of these institutions, despite the change of name. The minister, in his response, always said: "Well, the budgets have increased." Indeed they have, but the critical point for budget planning is that there was a commitment made. There was a three-year expectation.

A three-year budget was se t out, and the colleges and institutions and universities were encouraged to believe — because they accepted wh at the minister and his staff said — that that opportunity and their budget plans could rest secure in the knowledge that that funding was forthcoming. [1455] Setting out a budget and cr eating a budget….

As all legislators here know, and those who follow politics or those who have even done a budget in the parent advi- sory committee or for the soccer team or anything like that, setting out a budget is not always something that's easy and can be adjusted at the snap of a finger. C e r t a i n l y , w h e n y o u ' r e t r y i n g t o p l a n f o r w a r d , i t becomes very difficult when your expectations of pro- grams that you're going to offer are confounded by a sudden and inexplicable reversal by the minister con- cerned.

That's the position that colleges and institutions have found themselves in th is spring, notwithstanding the commitment that was made previously. I want to quote from a few people who are very knowledgable and who are leaders in the field of educa- tion in the province, who make submissions regularly to the Finance Committee and to the minister. For example, Robert Clift, who works with the Federation of Post- Secondary Educators, says: "Given the funding cuts at this point, it sounds to me like they're getting something in name as opposed to substance. The main thing that would concern me is….

If the government wants to create new universities, fine. They should be moving to create good, quality universi- ties. At this point in the game, it looks to be a bit more window dressing than substantive." That's a very measured response, as one might expect from someone in his position, but it's certainly a pro- found disagreement with what the minister has said and really, I suppose, a meas ure of disappointment at the direction that's being taken here. He went on to say: "We have a number of exis ting universities now which have less money than they were supposed to.

Not that the folks in these communities don't deserve university education — they certainly do — but the question is: are they going to get it under the current funding restrictions?" I, in pursuit of my duties as a member of the Legisla- ture, have met with the senior officials, the president and the people responsible for Simon Fraser University in Surrey. They have made the point that the student body that has been attracted to the Surrey campus of Simon Fraser is at least 50 percent of students who live in Surrey.

When one looks at the st atistics about participation in post-secondary education, that particular geographic area south of the Fraser is under-represented by stu- dents in post-secondary education. So there is a real need for post-secondary education at the university level in the south-of-the-Fraser region. What experts confirm is that for lower-income students, for working-class parents, for middle-class parents whose budgets are pinched, the closer the institution is to the home of the student, the easier it is to attend university and gain that education.

It's much more difficult when it becomes necessary to pay for a separate residence or to pay…. Particularly these days, with the plethora of taxes on the cost of gasoline for commuting, the further distance you have to travel, the more expensive it becomes. At that point, participation by those students who are under-represented in po st-secondary education…. Certainly, the institutions have expressed the concern that they don't participate at the same rate and are anx- ious to attract them to po st-secondary education. The absence of spaces at that level becomes a problem.

Yet Simon Fraser University, SFU, is faced with the same kind of budgetary tightening and restrictions. They've expressed this publicly. Mr. Warren Gill, for ex- ample, who is a senior vice-president at Simon Fraser, has expressed the concern that the breaking of the budgetary commitment of the three-year time line is forcing Simon Fraser University to make those kinds of cutbacks. [1500] The substitution of the university designation at Kwantlen, now Polytechnic University…. Because there won't be any additional funding, there won't be

12420 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES W EDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 any new spaces. The programs will continue the same. They, too, are facing the same 2.6 percent reduction of their anticipated funding. It will compound the problem. Indeed, business leaders south of the Fraser who have been anxious and advocated…. SFU Surrey, originally a separate technical university, came about because there was a citizens' movement, not only in that part of Surrey but in the Fraser Valley, asking that a university be established there for all the rea- sons that I've set out. There is a demand for it. There is community support for it.

Unfortunately, the steps that the government is taking here are, in the wo rds of Mr. Clift; "more win- dow dressing than substantive." So the concern that I have is shared in the riding that I represent and in the Fraser Valley, generally south of the river. The other concern that I want to raise briefly before I close is that, typically, in a university…. A university is an institution. The first universities in Europe were established, I think, in Bologna in the 11th century, in Paris in the 12th century and in Oxford and Cambridge probably around the same time.

I'm not sure of the time exactly, but they were medieval institutions which possessed a high degree of autonomy. That tradition continues in the sense that, even despite the linkage with government and the funding that comes from government, there's a certain measure of autonomy in governing their own affairs. One of perhaps the symbolic acts of independence is the elec- tion of the chancellor, who is the titular head of the university.

But in this act, chancellors of these univer- sities — contrary to the tradition of virtually, I sup- pose, 1,000 years — w i l l b e a p p o i n t e d r a t h e r t h a n elected by the alumni, the faculty and the students. That may sound to some people as though it's a minor quibble or it's really a matter of form and not substance, but it is symbolic in expressing the man- ner in which these new universities are viewed by the government. It really is , as Mr. Clift said, more about window dressing than substance.

If they were creating, indeed, high-quali ty universities in the tradition of universities, that kind of step wouldn't b e t a k e n . T h a t f a i l u r e t o permit chancellors to be elected is really symbolic of the whole action of the government in promulgating and putting forward this legislation. So there are concerns that must be raised at com- mittee stage — particularly, in my case, why Kwantlen is being called Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Is there is any significance to that in terms of the prospect of future funding or the regard with which the institu- tion is held by the administra tion at the ministry or in the plans for its development or the range of curricula that it will be able to offer in relation to others? It's the only one in the group, and it's so far the only one in the province. Although I've met regularly, at the invitation of the board and the president of Kwantlen over the years…. I've never heard that particular name floated before. So I would, at committee stage, like an answer to that.

I thank the Speaker for the opportunity to speak to this. I think I've now concluded my remarks on this bill, and I will turn to any colleagues who wish to add their comments to the debate. [1505] C. Wyse: It is indeed my pleasure to stand up here and address the House on Bill 34, the University Amendment Act. With what I did in a former life, education to me has always been an enabling situation. It's an opportu- nity that has provided to in dividuals a chance to open many doors for themselves ri ght through their lives, at whatever times in their lives they may decide to pursue various aspects.

With that in mind, I rise to speak to this particular bill because of a concern I have. This is simply a bill that is rebranding existing organizations and, in re- branding them, actually hasn't changed the situation at all. In actual fact, it may have created a different set of compounding aspects for education. I w o u l d l i k e t o c o m e b a c k t o m y r i d i n g o f C a r i b o o South, where the minister and I have had a number of opportunities to discuss this particular aspect of post- secondary education and its significance.

We have had conversations about the dist inction between providing capital costs and providing operating costs. It is the pro- vision of the operating costs that actually provides the programs, and it's the programs that are the enabling aspect of this post-secondary education. When we look at operation versus capital, we need to have a look at the operating funds — their limitation and their availability. Recently there was an an nounced reduction of 2.6 percent in the operating funds that had been promised to the existing post-secondary education facilities across the province.

In Cariboo South that is a concern. The long- term stability over three years, which is very important to providing for programming, became jeopardized once more. The community has been very appreciative of the support that the minister has shown in the capital as- pect in Williams Lake. However, that is separate from establishing the population to fill those buildings, to make it available. Now, this particular campus has the function of providing this post-secondary training closer to home.

Therefore, the costs become remarkably reduced for the student — whether it be a single par- ent, whether it be a senior , whether it be a recent graduate from high school. Those are some of the aspects that I referred to earlier about the enabling part. I become concerned because at this moment in time we do not know yet the effect as a result of these funding cuts on the programs that will be offered in the Williams Lake campus. In speaking about this

part icular bill, I don't wish to leave the impression that I'm here simply throwing some stones at a name change. But there are other peo- ple that are also more directly connected with these facilities likewise raising the same concern that I'm bringing forward here in the House about the reduc- tion of operating capital funds available.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 12421 I would like to take a moment to share with you one of the concerns from one of those individuals. This is from Mr. Nilson, the pres ident of Malaspina Univer- sity College, who supports the bill but discusses the funding aspect of it.

"No funding came with this an- nouncement, but what it does is it allows us to compete and partner with other institutions in other ways that I think is really going to provide us with some exciting opportunities." He identifies the underlying aspect about the lack of funding that is accompanying the name change. [1510] I'm from an area that ha s been experiencing what happens when the programs are not funded. It doesn't allow that particular building to develop and grow and satisfy and look after the needs of its community.

The area that I'm from — as you're very familiar with, Madam Speaker — is undergoing one of the most traumatic social changes that it has experienced. It is undergoing major challenges in the forest industry, which we have been debating time in and time out in this House. It is that enabling retraining that has been referred to as being crucial for re-empowering the peo- ple that are being affected by what is happening in the forest industry. How are we, here in this House, reconciling all of these contradictions? On on e hand, we say that we support these things being available.

Yet four weeks ago the funding was reduced. It is that lack of consis- tency — the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing — that concerns me. It isn't the necessity of changing the names, but it's this aspect of simply not providing the long-term stability and the operating fu nds so that the programs become established and the communities know that they will exist and be ther e on an ongoing basis and they, in turn, can do their planning around staying and using those facilities in their own communities.

If we're not looking after the facilities that we already have in place, if we're not funding them as per the plans set by the government and treasury, how can we expect the communities to develop the stability to use those facilities? That is why I'm here speaking on Bill 34, the University Amendment Act. Names changes in themselves are potentially harm- less.

However, if in changing the names all we are doing is creating false security, if in changing names all we're doing is rebranding, if in changing names all we're doing is attempting to distract from what the left hand is doing — reducing operating funds, from the commu- nity being able to understand what is really happening in their post-secondary education…. It is those concerns that concern me. I have nothing but the greatest respect for the Min- ister of Advanced Education. Earlier I acknowledged his efforts. Earlier I acknowledged what he has done to this point in time.

But I still do not see, nor am I con- vinced, that this componen t around operating funds has been satisfactorily addressed for my area and my constituency. [1515] It is with that, Madam Speaker, that I am here in front of you, appreciating the opportunity that you have provided. I could talk about changes to the inde- pendence of universities. Universities generally are independent and work independently. That is some- thing that has existed with those organizations for a very, very long time, as long as we can go back in our culture.

It has been the practice that universities are run somewhat at arm's length from government. I be- come concerned when I look at the bill and I see con- tained within the bill that the chancellor now becomes an appointee of the government, whoever the govern- ment may be. The credibility of these particular organizations requires that independence. That is how they develop and grow their reputations. That is how they develop and strengthen their programs. To have the chancellor become an extension or an appointee of any government, I would question.

I've appreciated this opportunity to stand in the House and raise these concerns. I've raised them with the minister on the area of operating funds. I would seek his assurances that those distinctions will be made, that these communities, likewise, will not be misled, that this is not simply a rebranding and meant to throw up some smoke on that significant part. Deputy Speaker: Seeing no more speakers, I call on the Minister of Advanced Education to conclude debate. Hon. M. Coell: I can say that I am shocked and appalled by the comments of the critic for Advanced Education. I have been in th is House 12 years.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone insult so many people in such a short period of time. The critic speaks for the NDP. He speaks for every one of those members over there. When he calls the bill "hard to take seriously," "a bit of a farce," "cheap political theatre," he's speaking for all the members over there. I want to ask the member for Nanaimo: does he agree with his critic that Nanaimo should not have a univer- sity? Well, on this side of the House we believe Nanaimo deserves a university, and we're making sure they get one. I can tell you that Nanaimo….

When a thousand people show up — the faculty, the students, the board, the chambers of commerce…. The people of that city want a university. They deserve a university. And this side of the House is going to give them a university. Interjection. Hon. M. Coell: The member from Cowichan speaks. Would you not like to have a university cam- pus in Duncan? That's what you're going to get — a university campus in Duncan. The critic insults the entire community of Duncan, of Nanaimo. His words will come back to haunt him. I guarantee it. All I heard was opposed to the bill. As I said: "The bill can't be taken seriously.

It's a bit of a farce. It's cheap political theatre."

12422 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES W EDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 [Mr. Speaker in the chair.] I'd ask the members from Surrey: do they not need a university in Surrey? Do they not support a university in Surrey? I don't know why the members would let the critic oppose a bill. He spoke in opposition for over an hour, spoke in opposition to everything about new universi- ties. I have not seen anyone insult so many people. When we went to the Fraser Valley, there were a thousand people there — students, faculty members, members of the community. The critic, who speaks for the NDP, says that it's hard to take them seriously?

Well, if the critic can't take the University College of the Fraser Valley seriously and he can't have it being made into a university, I think that's a little hard to take for the people of the valley. [1520] He said he just couldn't understand Capilano. Why would the member from the Sunshine Coast actually sign the petition to have it become a university? But it's not good enough for the critic. He insults that entire community right up the North Shore to the Sunshine Coast, to Pemberton, to Whistler.

That member has insulted every member of that community, and I hope the member for Powell River–Sunshine Coast will set him straight. I hope he'll set him straight. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. M. Coell: You know, one of the biggest in- sults…. A couple of members of the opposition, who speak for all of the NDP, commented about Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. It's 83 years old, solely degree-oriented, has produced some of the great artists in Canada, and they don't think it should be a univer- sity. They speak in opposition.

How could you insult the entire arts community of British Columbia by say- ing that it can't be taken seriously, that it's a bit of a farce, that it's cheap political theatre? Maybe the member should check the Hansard and see what else he said that might come back to haunt him, because I can't remember a time when one mem- ber insulted more members in this House and more British Columbians…. Interjections. Hon. M. Coell: Well, Members, I think the critic, who speaks for the NDP, should go back and read Hansard… Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. M. Coell: …and just see how many people they insulted.

The thousand s and thousands of people who showed up at these announcements weren't there just for cheap political theatre. They weren't there for just no reason. I think you should have been there. In speaking in opposition, I hope they have the guts enough to vote in opposition . It's one thing to sit there and say: "Oh, these aren't g ood ideas. Oh, these people don't deserve universities in their regions, and the arts community certainly doesn't deserve a university of Emily Carr." I don't know what the members are talking about, but they certainly weren't speaking in favour of this mo- tion.

This is a motion that creates five new universities in the province of British Columbia, and the communities want them. The individuals who attend them want them. I don't know how he co uld insult the students in five of our institutions by saying they're not worthy of having a university. How could he say that? I can't believe it. Interjections. Mr. Speaker: Members. Hon. M. Coell: The NDP can talk a bad lot…. Interjection. Hon. M. Coell: The member, again, for Cowichan- Ladysmith doesn't want to see a university college campus or a university campus in Duncan? I would certainly hope he would.

I certainly hope you'd support the students in your riding. I'd certainly hope you support the faculty and the staff who all want to see these become universities. Let's talk about funding. A 40 percent increase in my budget in our term in government. A billion and a half dollars in infrastructure in my ministry. The funny thing is that they all vote d against that too. The NDP voted against every bit of it. They talk against every- thing. They vote against everything. I said I was shocked and appalled at the comments of the critic, the member for Victoria-Hillside, and the insults that he has made.

Believe me, they've been heard. This is a great opportunity for British Columbia. We have a great post-secondary education system in this province, and it's going to get better in the years to come. I would move second reading. Motion approved. Hon. M. Coell: I would move the bill be referred to Committee of the Whole for the next sitting of the House after today. Bill 34, University Am endment Act, 2008, read a second time and referred to a Committee of the Whole House for consideration at the next sitting of the House after today. S. Simpson: Leave to make an introduction? Mr. Speaker: Proceed.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES 12423 Introductions by Members S. Simpson: H o n . S p e a k e r , I a m p l e a s e d . I b e l i e v e we've been joined here by some students, I think 29 students, and five teachers and adults from Our Lady of Sorrows School, who are here visiting us and enjoy- ing the lively debate of the Legislature. I hope you'll all make them welcome. Hon. B. Penner: I now call Bill 38, Protected Areas of British Columbia (Conservancies and Parks) Amend- ment Act, 2008, for second reading.

Second Reading of Bills PROTECTED AREAS OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (CONSERVANCIES AND PARKS) AMENDMENT ACT, 2008 Hon. B. Penner: I move that the bill now be read a second time. With Bill 38, the Protected Areas of British Columbia (Conservancies and Parks) Amendment Act, 2008, our province is once again demonstrating interna- tional leadership in the establishment of protected areas. Bill 38 will add more than 990,000 hectares of British Columbia, an area approximately twice the size of Prince Edward Island, to B.C.'s parks and protected areas system, establishing 70 conservancies and 11 class A parks. [1525] [K.

Whittred in the chair.] These amendments repres ent one of the largest single additions to the parks and protected areas sys- tem in the history of British Columbia, both in terms of the area and the number of sites. In fact, I believe that it is the single largest number of protected areas estab- lished at one time. These new conservancies and parks have, for the most part, been identified through a multi-stakeholder land use planning process and extensive government- to-government discussions with first nations in the plan areas.

The establishment of these new conservancies and parks is an outstanding example of what can be achieved when individual citizens, environmental groups, resource industries, first nations and local governments are committed to the task of land use planning. These amendments continue the implementation of land use decisions for the central coast and north coast that the Premier announced in February 2006. Hon. Speaker, 24 new conservancies were designated in that year, and a further 41 conser vancies identified in the north coast and central coast land use decisions were legally designated in 2007.

With these amendments th at we're debating today, another 50 new conservancies will be created as a result of those discussions, and two existing conserv- ancies will be expanded. These new conservancies and additions will cover 660,000 hectares. In addition, two existing protected areas established under the Environment and Land Use Act will be converted to conservancies.

These conservancies, as with all conservancies, recog- nize the importance of these areas to first nations by ensuring that they will be able to use the resources in these areas to sustain thei r communities and their cul- tural connections to the land. These new conservancies also enhance the protection of the environment and the opportunities for sustain- able recreational uses, such as wildlife viewing, for all British Columbians and people from around the world. These areas include intact and functioning ecosystems, including old-growth forests that support keystone species such as salmon an d grizzly bears.

There are also features that draw interest for recreational activity, such as hot springs and anch orages that provide safe havens for boaters. Just to give the House a flavour of the outstanding natural, recreational and cu ltural landscapes that are being protected in these new conservancies, I would n o w l i k e t o r e a d a f e w d e s c r i p t i o n s o f s o m e o f t h e s e special places. This is a part of my legislative duties that I face with some trepidation every year, as I seek to make my best efforts in accurately pronouncing a number of the terms and names in the legislation.

So please bear with me. I ask for the members' forgiveness in advance. Lucy Islands conservancy is in the north coast planning area. This conservancy contains a number of small islands and rocky islets located in Chatham Sound. There's a quiet lagoon enclosed by sandy beaches, and many reefs and wooded lands. Lucy Islands and the surrounding rocky islets provide prime seabird colony habitat. An estimated 50,000 birds use the area, includ- ing something known as the rhinoceros auklet and black oystercatcher colonies.

The shallows south of the islands offer excellent fishing, making the Lucy Islands a popular destination for Prince Rupert residents. These islands are also fre- quented by kayakers crossing from Prince Rupert to the Melville and Dundas islands. This conservancy is an important area for first nation resource-gathering and is within the asserted traditional territories of the Coast Tsimshian First Nation. The Ksgaxl–Stephens Island conservancy, at 14,018 hectares in size, is in th e north coast planning area.

The large, sheltered marine inlets of this conservancy are important wetland habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl, including many red-listed and blue-listed species. Recreation opportunities in this conservancy include camping, kayaking, fishing and diving. The conservancy is also an important area fo r traditional gathering. The conservancy is within the a sserted traditional territory of the Coast Tsimshian First Nation. The Upper Kimsquit River conservancy is being established pursuant to the land use decision for the central coast planning area.

The Upper Kimsquit River conservancy is the hi ghest-ranked watershed for

12424 B RITISH COLUMBIA DEBATES W EDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008 biodiversity on the central coast. This conservancy will protect the unique grizzly bear habitat feature not found anywhere else in British Columbia. After spawning in Kimsquit Lake, adult sockeye salmon carcasses often freeze in the lake in winter. As they thaw in the spring, they become an important source of protein for grizzly bears as they emerge from hibernation.

This is in the area of the Kitlope, Fiordland and Tweedsmuir areas, and the bears gather in the Upper Kimsquit River area to take advantage of this feeding opportunity. [1530] The Upper Kimsquit also receives extensive use by deer and mountain goat populations and is one of the few coastal drainages that support a resident moose popula- tion. The conservancy is within the asserted traditional territories of the Nuxalk and Heiltsuk First Nations. The Gitxaala Nii Luutiksm–Kitkatla conservancy, located approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Prince Rupert, is being expanded by 1,489 hectares.

This addi- tion includes a key recreational anchorage at Welcome Harbour and important cultural and heritage uses in the Henry Island and Dancey Island areas. The total area of the conservancy will be 29,539 hectares. In addition, this bill will complete the implementa- tion of new protected areas id entified in these historic land use decisions. Overall, approximately 1.9 million hectares of spectacular and ecologically rich land in the world's largest intact temperate rain forest will now be protected for the enjoyment of this generation and fu- ture generations.

In addition to completi ng the implementation of the central coast and north coast land use decisions, Bill 38 implements the protecte d areas arising from the Morice land and resource management plan. These amendments establish six new class A parks and seven new conservancies, totall ing more than 132,000 hec- tares in the Morice plan area north of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park.

The Morice LRMP is a result of the province's collaborative partnerships with the Office of the Wet'suwet'en, the Lake Babi ne Nation, the Nedo'ats hereditary chiefs and the Yekooche First Nation, as well as industry and local communities. [S. Hammell in the chair.] These new conservancies and parks protect impor- tant recreation sites on Babine Lakes — areas that are important first nation cultural values — and representa- tive forest communities, wetlands and river ecosystems. Through these amendments our government is also beginning the implementation of the Sea to Sky and Haida Gwaii land use plans.

In the Sea to Sky land use planning area, which encompasses over one million hectares around the communities of Pemberton, Squamish and Whistler, nine new conservancies are being established, and two ex isting class A provincial parks are being expanded with these amendments. The nine new conservancies account for over 44,000 hec- tares of new protected area. In addition, 627 hectares are being added to Birk- enhead Lake Provincial Park. This addition further protects important habitat for a variety of wildlife, in- cluding spotted owl, mountain goat and grizzly bears.

The total area of the park will be 10,441 hectares or, translating it to a term that other people may better identify with, about 26,000 acres. Another 1,953 hectares are being added to Duffey Lake Provincial Park to further protect wildlife habitat for mountain goats and bears. This addition virtually doubles the size of the existing park. This area is cul- turally important to first nations and provides impor- tant resource-gathering and harvesting opportunities. The total area of the park will be 4,048 hectares. Once a

Document details

Collection	British Columbia — Debates (Hansard)
Citation	H0514pm-05
Type	hansard
Volume / chapter	H0514pm 05
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	PROVINCIAL
Identifier	a0e3c5a401748d4fa2c7b189282ae1e7d9020ab2

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