2013 Legislative Session: Fifth Session, 39th Parliament

HANSARD

The following electronic version is for informational purposes

only.

The printed version remains the official version.

official report of

Debates of the Legislative Assembly

(hansard)

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Afternoon Sitting

Volume 41, Number

ISSN 0709-1281 (Print)

ISSN 1499-2175 (Online)

CONTENTS

Page

Routine Business

Tributes

Firefighters

Hon. S. Bond

J. Horgan

Introductions by Members

Tributes

Hardial Singh Grewal

R. Chouhan

Introductions by Members

Tributes

Clyde Hertzman

Hon. D. McRae

C. James

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

Bill 2 — Provincial Sales Tax Transitional Provisions and Amendments Act, 2013

Hon. M. de Jong

Bill 3 — Destination BC Corp. Act

Hon. P. Bell

Bill 6 — Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2013

Hon. B. Bennett

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

Firefighters memorial

H. Bloy

L. Popham

Chambers of commerce and awards in Cariboo area

D. Barnett

150 th anniversary of Congregation Emanu-El

C. James

Poole family farm and Century Farm Award

J. Rustad

First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition

C. Trevena

Oral Questions

Government advertising during pre-election period

A. Dix

Hon. C. Clark

Government advertising campaign and spending priorities

C. James

Hon. P. Bell

Job creation and government advertising campaign

J. Kwan

Hon. P. Bell

Government advertising campaign and spending priorities

M. Farnworth

Natural gas revenue projections

B. Ralston

Hon. M. de Jong

J. Horgan

Reports from Committees

Special Committee to Appoint a Conflict of Interest Commissioner and a Merit Commissioner

C. Hansen

Motions Without Notice

Appointment of Merit Commissioner

C. Hansen

Appointment of Conflict of Interest Commissioner

Hon. C. Clark

Petitions

J. Slater

Ministerial Statements

Anti-violence initiative by aboriginal men

Hon. I. Chong

S. Fraser

Orders of the Day

Throne Speech Debate

D. Barnett

D. Horne

N. Macdonald

Hon. S. Thomson

A. Dix

Hon. P. Bell

C. Trevena

Hon. B. Stewart

[ Page 12719 ]

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2013

The House met at 1:37 p.m.

[Mr. Speaker in the chair.]

Routine Business

Prayers.

Tributes

FIREFIGHTERS

Hon. S. Bond: Today I rise to welcome some of British Columbia's finest — firefighters from around the province, and their families. Today outside the Legislature it was a very moving service, an opportunity to unveil a memorial to those firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Firefighters risk their lives to keep us safe, and in a disaster they are a beacon of hope to those in great pain or mortal danger. We can never, ever thank them enough for keeping us safe. And to the families who have lost a loved one, we can never repay you. We can, however, as we did today, pay tribute to their memory.

I would ask all members of the House to show their gratitude to these fine men and women who serve us and also to make them welcome here in the House today. [Applause.]

J. Horgan: On behalf of the official opposition, I want to join with the Attorney General in thanking and giving our utmost gratitude to the men and women who are joining us here today to celebrate the work of firefighters right across this province.

Mike Hurley, the president of B.C. Professional Fire Fighters, has been a leader in bringing firefighters' issues to this Legislature in a non-partisan way — in a way where all 85 of us can grow and better understand the incredible work that our neighbours, our brothers and our sisters and everyone in our community put into safety, fire prevention and, most importantly, have an understanding and grasp of the challenges that these men and women face each and every day selflessly on behalf all British Columbians.

Again, on behalf of the official opposition, I join with the Attorney.

To those that were at the presentation today: thank you very, very much for your service and your continued contribution to the people of British Columbia.

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Introductions by Members

Hon. J. Yap: We have some special guests in the gallery today. Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Canada; Shahin Soheili, member, national executive and director at large, Armenian Apostolic Church of Canada Diocese; Hasso Essmailian, member of board of trustees, Armenian Apostolic Church of Canada Diocese, and Vancouver parish representative; Armen Martirosian, Vancouver parish representative on the Diocesan Assembly, Armenian Apostolic Church Diocese; and Shant Tersakian, member, parish council, St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church. Would the House please extend a warm welcome to our special guests.

S. Fraser: I'm pleased today to introduce Paul Lacerte. Paul is a champion of aboriginal off-reserve rights and justice, well known to both sides of the House and respected. He's the executive director of the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, and he's visiting us today. Please make him feel very welcome.

C. Hansen: We're joined on the floor of the House today by two of our esteemed officers of the Legislature. Our conflict commissioner, Paul Fraser, and our Merit Commissioner, Fiona Spencer, are here. As we all in this chamber face questions about our job security in the coming months, we're here to provide some answers to these officers with regard to their job security later in these proceedings.

C. James: I have seven visitors in the gallery from Congregation Emanu-El. I'll have a little more to say about that later, but I would like the House, please, to recognize Rabbi Harry Brechner; Frances Aknai; Janis Diner-Brinley; Alan Rutkowski, who is an amazing person in his own right, but some of you may recognize him from a former staff person who worked in the Legislature — this is Jim Rutkowski's dad; Zelda Dean; Tim Humphreys; and one of my daughter's all-time favourite teachers from Central Junior, Barbara Pelman. Would the House please make them very welcome.

Hon. I. Chong: I want to thank the member for Alberni–Pacific Rim for introducing Paul Lacerte. I, too, would like to acknowledge his presence in the House today and, just by way of background, indicate that he is a member of the caribou clan and a citizen of the Carrier Nation in north central British Columbia.

He is here today not just on his own. I believe he has brought his family, so I would ask the House to please make Paul, his partner Asma and their four daughters and one son that are joining us today very welcome.

M. Karagianis: It has become a bit of a tradition in the House to introduce new grandchildren. I would like to introduce my newest grandchild, Caladan Baird Hennebery, who was born on November 28, to my daughter Aubrey and her partner, Brendan. I hope we will make this new baby welcome. That makes my eighth grandchild. I know I can't catch some members of this House, but that's my eighth, anyway.

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Mr. Speaker: We should just automatically go to Chilliwack.

J. Les: Indeed, I rise today to update the House on two additional grandchildren that my wife and I have been blessed with since the last session of the Legislature. On June 29, 2012, Gavin David Les arrived. He's a little brother for Airyn and Lyndon. His parents are our son Chris and his wife, Carina. On November 28, 2012, Kyle Matthew Kooyman was born. He's a little brother for Nicholas and Ashlyn. His parents are our daughter Sharon and her husband, Ron.

We are delighted with these additions to our family, and I would ask the House to please join me in welcoming them to our great province.

An Hon. Member: What's the grand total?

J. Les: Seventeen.

Mr. Speaker: I'm not certain I heard that correctly. Did the member say 17?

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J. Horgan: We have gratitude to the member for Chilliwack for reminding us just how long it has been since we sat here — approximately nine months, plus or minus a few weeks. But again, as always, congratulations to the member and the growing constituency of Chilliwack.

I, however, am rising to introduce the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed interns that arrived with hope in their hearts and a sense of the importance and dignity of this place. Of course, they hadn't been introduced to the lodgings that we were going to give them in the bowels of the building, right beside the infrastructure to keep the computers going. Nonetheless, that's what we've got.

Joining us on the opposition side…. I'm sure my colleague from Shuswap will have some words to say about the government members, but joining us in the 2013 list of interns are Katie Dittrich, Emma Fraser — who may be related to the member for Pacific Rim; we're not sure — Kate Russell, Rebecca Whitmore. Braeden Wiens rounds out the team.

Would the House please make them very, very welcome and ensure on this, their first question period, that we have all the answers to the question that we ask.

H. Bloy: I have three staff from my office visiting me today. I have Barbara Spitz, Ed Sem and Laura Yin. Would the House please make them welcome.

G. Coons: Two guests in the gallery today from Prince Rupert, two firefighters, IAFF Local 559 members: Remo Pomponio and president James Daniele. Could the House please make them welcome for all the hard work that they do — and all firefighters in the province.

G. Abbott: I'll just carry on from the Opposition House Leader with respect to the legislative interns. We've had the pleasure in this Legislature now for 37 years of hosting the legislative internship program. This is the 37th class of interns that will be joining us for a few months. I know they're the 37th because I was a member of the inaugural group 37 years ago. Sometime in the last distant century, apparently, I was a member of it.

But it is a great opportunity for us to learn from them, and also an opportunity for them to learn some of the processes of this very beautiful and important place as well. I would like to introduce Thomas Lattimer, Stephen Satterfield, Maya Fernandez, Vanesa Tomasino Rodriguez and Jared Marley, who are joining the B.C. Liberal side of the House.

I would also like to take a moment, Mr. Speaker, because the program operates so very well because of the support of people like Paddy Smith of Simon Fraser and Karen Aitken, who works in the assembly here to coordinate the program. They do wonderful work, and we look forward to learning much and enjoying the company of the 37th class of legislative interns.

R. Fleming: Joining us in the gallery today are members of the Jordan River Steering Committee, which is an alliance of citizen volunteers and groups from the Juan de Fuca electoral area and greater Victoria, with representation from the Wilderness Committee, the Sierra Club, the Sea to Sea Greenbelt Society and other community organizations. With us are Vicky Husband, Nitya Harris, Rosemary Jorna, Saul Arbess, Torrance Coste and Ray Zimmermann. I would ask the House to make all of these individuals welcome here in the gallery today.

Hon. P. Bell: I'm really pleased today to be joined in the House by three distinguished members of the tourism industry association, provincial destination marketing organization task force. These individuals worked long and hard to come up with an industry-led, formula-funded organization that's going to help support tourism into the future. Joining us today are Lana Denoni, who is the chair of the Tourism Industry Association, Christine Stoneman and James Terry. Would the House please make them very welcome.

Tributes

HARDIAL SINGH GREWAL

R. Chouhan: I would like to pay tribute to a man because of whom I am here in Canada, my father-in-law, Mr. Hardial Singh Grewal, who passed away on February 3 very peacefully. He came to Canada in 1959. When he arrived here, like many other people, he worked in sawmills. He became a very active member of IWA. He also served as the director of IWA Credit Union for many

[ Page 12721 ]

years, and he was also president of the Khalsa Diwan Society in New Westminster.

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During his life in Canada he also helped very many people to raise funds to buy medical equipment for Royal Columbian Hospital. He was also a small business man. So please join me to say my best wishes to our family — especially my wife, who really misses him.

Introductions by Members

J. Thornthwaite: In addition to welcoming the firefighters from the district of North Vancouver — Mark Dear and Brian Leavold — I'd also like to recognize Tim Schindel, our legislative chaplain. I just noticed he was up there.

Thank you for the work that you do.

Tributes

CLYDE HERTZMAN

Hon. D. McRae: As the Minister of Education, I'm honoured to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the late Dr. Clyde Hertzman. British Columbia has lost a leader, a teacher, a scientist and an innovator. Dr. Hertzman's intelligence, coupled with his passion for learning and research, has led to an invaluable contribution to early childhood and human development. He strove to make quality early childhood education accessible to as many young British Columbians as possible.

As the director of the human early learning partnership at UBC's college for interdisciplinary studies, Dr. Hertzman studied the connection between biological and socioeconomic factors that impact children in their early stages of development. Concerned about children being vulnerable by the time they entered kindergarten, Dr. Hertzman's applied research in early childhood development has not only measured early developmental health but helped communities, parents, teachers and school boards all work towards improving learning environments at school and at home.

Not only does Dr. Hertzman leave a legacy for his fellow researchers and scientists in his field of study, but his embodiment of leadership also serves as inspiration for all British Columbians to follow. I extend my deepest sympathies to Dr. Hertzman's family.

C. James: I want to echo the words of the Education Minister and add, on behalf of the opposition, our thoughts to Marcy and to their family, to Clyde's children. I think it's an extraordinary legacy that he leaves in this province.

When I think back to my days as a school trustee and the work that Clyde has done to be able to assist people making decisions around resources, making decisions in schools, making decisions on early childhood education…. Children's lives in this province are better because of Clyde Hertzman's work. Children's lives have been improved. Families' lives have been improved because of Clyde's work.

And while I know this is a very difficult time for his family, and our thoughts go out to them, I also know that that incredible legacy will give them some comfort as they're going through this difficult time.

Introduction and

First Reading of Bills

BILL 2 — PROVINCIAL SALES TAX

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND

AMENDMENTS ACT, 2013

Hon. M. de Jong presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Provincial Sales Tax Transitional Provisions and Amendments Act, 2013.

Hon. M. de Jong: I move the bill be introduced and read a first time now.

Motion approved.

Hon. M. de Jong: This bill completes the legislation required for the reimplementation of the PST, a tax that will apply to the same goods and services and provides the same permanent exemptions as the old PST and hotel room tax did prior to the implementation of the HST on July 1, 2010. The PST will be implemented pursuant to this and other legislation, effective April 1, 2013.

The bill provides transitional provisions for the PST for transactions that straddle April 1, 2013, transitional provisions for the Motor Fuel Tax Act and for the Consumption Tax Rebate and Transition Act, Hotel Room Tax Act and the Social Service Tax Act, consequential and related amendments to various other acts, amendments to the New Housing Transition Tax and Rebate Act and, finally, amendments to the Provincial Sales Tax Act itself.

I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 2, Provincial Sales Tax Transitional Provisions and Amendments Act, 2013, 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.

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BILL 3 — DESTINATION BC CORP. ACT

Hon. P. Bell presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Destination BC Corp. Act.

[ Page 12722 ]

Hon. P. Bell: Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill 3 be introduced and read a first time now.

Motion approved.

Hon. P. Bell: B.C. faces fierce global competition for each and every tourist dollar, but we also have an incredible opportunity to move into new markets and emerge with new opportunity. Our new tourism Crown corporation, Destination B.C., will strengthen collaboration with the tourism industry so that we take full advantage of the opportunity to market B.C. as a world-class destination and compete on a global scale.

Although Destination B.C. was established in November of 2012 under the Business Corporations Act, establishing it as a corporation through statute provides greater transparency and funding certainty for the industry, stakeholders and the public.

This legislation sets out a framework for Destination B.C. that will enable greater responsiveness to the tourism industry and increase accountability to taxpayers. It is expected that Destination B.C. will help the tourism industry in British Columbia grow and increase tourism revenue, visitor numbers and job creation across the province.

I move that Bill 3 be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 3, Destination BC Corp. Act, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

BILL 6 — LOCAL GOVERNMENT STATUTES

AMENDMENT ACT, 2013

Hon. B. Bennett presented a message from Her Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2013.

Hon. B. Bennett: I move that the bill be read for the first time now.

Motion approved.

Hon. B. Bennett: I am pleased to present the Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2013. This legislation responds to a request from British Columbia local governments to allow them to send property tax notices electronically. This will be a service municipalities can now offer to taxpayers. It will be at the request of the taxpayer and is voluntary.

There are also four minor amendments to the Vancouver Charter that were requested by the city of Vancouver. They include, briefly, providing the option of being able to pay for parking with a credit card or phone, closing a loophole in relation to tax sales, authorizing city council to use up to five years for land assessment averaging to calculate annual property taxes, and clarifying the city's power to regulate the days and hours of operation of licensed restaurants.

I move that the Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2013 be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill 6, Local Government Statutes Amendment Act, 2013, 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.

Statements

(Standing Order 25B)

FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL

H. Bloy: For our province's firefighters, recognition is not an important part of the job. What is important is keeping their community safe and helping those who need their support. So it is fitting that many of us don't really think about them until we realize we need their help.

Unfortunately, due to the dangerous nature of their job, B.C. firefighters often put their own lives in danger to protect the lives of others. Every once in a while a firefighter gives his or her life to save another. Seventy-six firefighters have lost their lives while on the job, committing the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow British Columbians. Today they will get the recognition they deserve.

For the past three years our government has worked with the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Association to create a monument to our province's 76 fallen heroes. I'm very proud that we were able to find a permanent home for the monument here on the legislative grounds.

I would like to thank the Premier and you, hon. Speaker, for your full support on this project in making it a reality. As well, I would like to thank Mike Hurley for all the work that he, as president of the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters, put in to make this a reality, and Jay Brownlee, who worked tirelessly to make this ceremony today such an incredible event.

Because of everyone's collective efforts, every British Columbian will know the bravery of our firefighters and the sacrifice some make to keep others safe. With this monument, they will always be remembered.

[1400]

L. Popham: Today British Columbia firefighters travelled to the Legislature to attend the BCPFFA 2013 Fallen Firefighter Memorial service. This memorial service remembered those professional firefighters who have given the ultimate sacrifice in service of their communities and have died in the line of duty.

[ Page 12723 ]

This year six firefighters' names were recognized, making 76 the number of British Columbian firefighters who have given their lives for us. Today the last alarm rang for Bruce, Ron, Leister, Terry, John and Sidney. As with the inaugural ceremony in 2011, this one was emotional and moving. The monument that was unveiled will be a welcome place for friends and families who have lost loved ones. It's a place to remember, and it's a place to grieve.

I feel very connected to the B.C. firefighter family, as my husband, Jon Popham, of the Oak Bay fire department, and my brother, Guy McKintuck, of the Delta fire department, have each dedicated over two decades of their lives to their profession. My father, Henry McKintuck, and my cousin David Bjorkman have also served in a volunteer capacity for fire departments around the province. My life is full of these courageous people who have devoted their lives to protecting us.

This poem was written by a firefighter in 1973, and it's called The Last Alarm .

My father was a fireman.

He drove a big red truck,

and when he'd go to work each day,

he'd say: "Mother, wish me luck."

Then Dad would not come home again

until sometime the next day.

But the thing that bothered me the most

was the things some folks would say:

"A fireman's life is easy.

He sleeps and eats and plays,

and sometimes he won't fight a fire

for many, many days."

When I first heard these words,

I was too young to understand,

but I knew when people had trouble,

Dad was there to lend a hand.

When my father went to work one day

and kissed us all goodbye,

little did we realize

that night we all would cry.

My father lost his life that night

when the floor gave way below.

I wondered why he'd risked his life

for someone he didn't know.

But now I truly realize

the greatest gift a man can give

is to lay his life upon the line

so someone else might live.

So as you go from day to day

and pray to God above,

say a prayer for your local fireman.

He may save the ones you love.

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

AND AWARDS IN CARIBOO AREA

D. Barnett: March 9 marks celebrations for the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce as well as the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce in my riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin.

The South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating its 19th annual Business Excellence Awards and Citizen of the Year awards recognizing the invaluable contribution that both business and citizens have made to our communities. On the same evening, the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce will also be celebrating their 18th annual Business Excellence Awards.

These excellence awards are a great way to recognize the achievements of local business and citizens and to demonstrate our appreciation for all the hard work they do to make our communities a better place to live.

I would like to acknowledge Chamber of Commerce Week, which is next week, from February 18 to 22. Chambers of commerce play an integral role for businesses in our communities, often offering economic seminars, networking events, economic development initiatives and Shop Local programs. These services not only play a supportive role for businesses but, in turn, positively affect all members of the community by contributing to a strong economy.

I encourage everyone to take the time next week and participate in their local chamber of commerce events during British Columbia Chamber of Commerce Week. It is an opportunity to support and appreciate work that chambers do supporting businesses across B.C.

150 th ANNIVERSARY OF

CONGREGATION EMANU-EL

C. James: In 1863 Congregation Emanu-El was established as a spiritual home for Victoria's Jewish settlers. The construction of a synagogue was a tremendous undertaking, and it succeeded in no small measure due to the support of the wider community, including other local churches.

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Today, 150 years later, the historic synagogue on Blanshard Street is a rare surviving example of 19th-century Romanesque revival architecture and is the oldest synagogue in continuous use in all of Canada. In 1983 it was designated as a national historical site.

What a long and proud journey it has been. Early Jewish settlers in Victoria were actively involved in public life, and the congregation has celebrated many historic firsts. In 1859 Selim Franklin was elected to the B.C. Legislature, the first Jewish person to take a seat in any legislature in British North America. In 1865 his brother Lumley Franklin was elected as the second mayor of Victoria, and in 1872 Henry Nathan Jr. was the first Jewish Canadian to be elected to the House of Commons.

Today Congregation Emanu-El continues its involvement in the wider community. Members provide hot meals to those in need, and in the winter months they convert their social hall into an Out of the Rain Youth Night Shelter. The congregation also provides rent subsidies to families at risk of homelessness, and they run

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educational and cultural programs throughout the year.

June 2 is the 150th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone. It will be commemorated with public events and celebrations spanning several months. Congregation Emanu-El is also raising the almost $1 million needed to restore the synagogue, and I'm certain that our community will once again step forward to help this magnificent historical building to stand for another 150 years at least.

I hope all members will join me in saying mazel tov , congratulations, to Congregation Emanu-El on its 150th anniversary.

POOLE FAMILY FARM

AND CENTURY FARM AWARD

J. Rustad: The Century Farm Award honours agricultural organizations that have contributed to B.C.'s legacy of food production and agriculture for a century or longer, as well as pioneers whose farms have been in the family for 100 years or more.

I'm proud to say the Poole family in my riding is a recipient of this award, and I'd like to share their story.

In 1912 Charles and Alfred Poole, alongside their families, travelled to B.C. searching for good farmland and successfully located an area in the Mapes district, southeast of Vanderhoof.

Ever since Charles Poole obtained a pre-emption claim for the property in 1913 and a certificate of title in 1924, the land has remained in the Poole family. In 1955 the property was transferred to Charles's daughter Grace, the second-generation Poole family to own it. She worked the land with her brother Hubert, and in 2012 the land was then transferred to Hubert's son, Alfred Poole, and Poole Farms Ltd.

Although the majority of the responsibilities fall on Alfred and his son Dale, Hubert and his wife, Edna, are still involved in the day-to-day running of the farm, even after retirement. The family's commitment to working the land demonstrates their investment in the agricultural industry and attachment to the area.

The original property of 160 acres is now a 3,500-acre operation where the family continues to raise cattle. The Poole family exemplifies hard work and dedication to food production in our great province, making extensive contributions to B.C.'s economy.

It's hard to imagine what life was like 100 years ago or all of the challenges and joy that come with working the land over that time. Mr. Speaker, it's a pleasure to recognize the Poole family's achievements. Please join me in congratulating their receipt of the Century Farm Award.

FIRST CALL

CHILD AND YOUTH ADVOCACY COALITION

C. Trevena: For 20 years B.C. has been lucky to have an immensely active advocacy coalition, First Call, out fighting for B.C.'s children and youth, and the need has never been greater.

It's First Call that every year publishes the child poverty report card showing the dismal state of childhood in our province. Every year it highlights how poorly we serve our children by letting them grow up in poverty. It's First Call that brings together organizations from around the province to help advocate for high-quality, low-cost public child care for our youngsters so they and their families can get on with a life fulfilled.

It's First Call that's leading the campaign to end child labour in B.C. The laws were changed by this government to allow kids as young as 12 to work, often in dangerous situations without supervision. First Call is willing to stand up to fight that jobs plan and make sure that children and youth are not exploited by force of circumstance.

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It's First Call that's championing the living wage campaign. That's an effort to get communities to commit to everyone receiving a living wage — not the minimum wage but a wage that families can live on, can feed their kids and get them clothes, can pay the rent and their hydro bills.

First Call, a non-partisan organization, has been on the front lines for 20 years. It's committed to early childhood education. It supports strong transitions from childhood to youth and from youth to adulthood. It wants to see economic equality, and it wants safe and caring communities. Its three-strong staff, headed by the amazing and award-winning Adrienne Montani, continue to guide the coalition through the maze of public policy and partisan stands.

Essentially, none of what First Call advocates for should be a fight. Their positions, if adopted, would enhance the fabric of our society. High-quality, affordable and accessible child care makes sense. Children having to go to work to help their families make ends meet is an insult to all of us, and having kids and families living in poverty demeans us all.

It is, as they say, a no-brainer. We either invest our children now so that they can have a good start in their lives and become active participants in our communities and our society, or we pay the price later, picking up the pieces and seeing our society diminish.

Oral Questions

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING

DURING PRE-ELECTION PERIOD

A. Dix: It's obviously going to be a very interesting session of the Legislature. It feels like we were here about 8½ months ago, and indeed, we were.

My question is to the Premier. As the Premier will know, the government is engaged in an unprecedented partisan

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ad campaign around its jobs plan, ads that should be paid for by the Liberal Party and not the taxpayer. We don't know when the ad campaign will end, however. As the Premier will know, her predecessor, Mr. Campbell, took the view that government shouldn't be doing this four months before an election campaign.

My question to the Premier is simple. Can the Premier confirm that her government wants to continue this taxpayer-funded campaign through at least the end of March?

Hon. C. Clark: Indeed, it is nice to be back.

I would just want to start by clearing this up. The Leader of the Opposition should certainly know that it's not unprecedented in British Columbia, first of all.

Second, when we talk to British Columbians about getting engaged in skills training, for example…. The government has made a $75 million investment in skills and trades training, connecting people with those opportunities all across the province — job fairs that have happened, which the opposition has also opposed, where people have been connected with jobs on the spot. That is the work that government needs to be engaged in.

If we stick to our plan, if we play our cards right, British Columbia is facing an incredible opportunity to grasp prosperity for this generation and future generations. We need to attract that investment, we need to create the jobs and the economic environment here in British Columbia, and we need to make sure that British Columbians are connected with those jobs so that we can deliver that prosperity for the people of our province.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Opposition has a supplemental.

A. Dix: Even though it was 8½ months ago, I remember question period. It's good to show up, probably, with the questions and the answers.

In light of that answer, I have a document from the government that shows that its $16.4 million ad campaign…. The intent of the government is actually to ramp up this campaign, contrary to what Mr. Campbell did, through the end of March.

What is its purpose, when you think of all the things that government is not supporting right now? The purpose of this campaign, according to the government document, is to help "decrease the credibility gap" of the government.

So $16.4 million — yes, it's an ambitious goal. The reality is that the government appears to want to continue to pour it on in this pre-election period and to spend more and more money on government advertising.

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Interjection.

A. Dix: You know, Mr. Speaker, it's interesting. I just want to say, at this point in the session, how much I'm going to miss the member for Kamloops–South Thompson.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

A. Dix: When he's gone, I'm sure we're all going to miss him, and me, surely, more than most.

The question to the Premier is simply this: will the Premier join with the opposition and change the government's approach? Will she put a stop today to this waste of public trust?

Hon. C. Clark: I recognize that the information the government is putting out offers some uncomfortable facts for the opposition, including the fact that in the first year of the jobs plan we were number one in job creation of any province in Canada, including the fact that we have maintained our triple-A credit rating in the face of a terrible economic downturn and including the fact that we have the lowest personal income taxes in the country for most taxpayers in British Columbia. Those are uncomfortable facts.

Those are facts. As we enter this next age, where today and tomorrow and over the next year we are going to be making the pivotal decisions that will determine whether or not our province grasps the opportunity for prosperity that is promised by liquefied natural gas…. As we move into that era, we won't be just talking about those facts. We'll be talking about some of the facts, the uncomfortable facts, about where the NDP stands on those issues as well.

Mr. Speaker: The Leader of the Official Opposition has a further supplemental.

A. Dix: Where we stand on this issue is to end this kind of misuse of public funds. The government, on the record….

Interjections.

A. Dix: Well, the members opposite will have the opportunity in this session to join with me in legislation that will ensure that every government ad is approved by the Auditor General. The government will remember the Auditor General. To say no to all government advertising in a pre-election period — that's a good idea. Premier Gordon Campbell supported it. Why doesn't the government today?

There was $3.9 million in ads in late 2011-2012…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

[ Page 12726 ]

A. Dix: …and $5.1 million for nine 15-second ads. The only way we could be number one in job creation is to ignore the existence of seven other provinces.

So $2 million for the domino ad that's currently running, $1.5 million for two ads about skills training that are currently running and — here it is — $4.1 million for post-budget ads that will start next week. Apparently, the government doesn't believe the budget will sell itself.

My question to the Premier is simple. Does the Premier think that enough is enough — that we should change the way we deal with government advertising and ensure that the partisanship is taken out of it once and for all?

Hon. C. Clark: It's always interesting to see the member do an about-face on just about every issue — on this one, on all of their positions that they've taken with respect to liquefied natural gas. "Yes, we'll have Site C. No, we won't have Site C. Yes, we'll have green power. No, we won't have green power" — all of their positions that they've taken all across the board. Of course, this one is no different.

In British Columbia here we are with one of the best economic track records you will find anywhere in the world. That did not happen by accident.

[1420]

It happened because we planned for the long term, because we were disciplined, because we were committed to doing what we said we were going to do, and that has delivered thousands of jobs for people all across this province.

Mr. Speaker, as you could detect from the throne speech yesterday, we are just getting started.

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

AND SPENDING PRIORITIES

C. James: The Premier mentioned the throne speech. Yesterday's throne speech actually laid out some revenue projections that seem to be based on some fantasy world. Today we learn that the advertising numbers, in fact, also were not exactly accurate.

Originally, we heard the government say they'd be spending ten million taxpayer dollars on these partisan ads. Then the number went up to $15 million, and now we hear it's $16.4 million or more. British Columbians are already outraged at this waste of money, and now they find out they're spending more of taxpayer dollars.

When the Liberal government is actually looking at cutting resources for forest health, when we see the shameful statistic around child poverty in this province, the priority of this government is to spend taxpayer dollars on partisan advertising.

I ask the Premier today: how does she justify spending that money on partisan advertising to simply boost her own political gain?

Hon. P. Bell: Apparently, what we have with the opposition is a case of: "Don't do as we did. Do as we say." I was just scanning the blue book estimates for the 1990s, when the NDP also had an advertising budget. A quick scan of it from 1993 to 2000 points out that the $16.3 million that we have budgeted this year is less than any given year in that entire period of time.

You know what? There is a standard that has been set by certain opposition members, which is below anything that I could comprehend in terms of partisanship. In fact, we have ads here from the member for Fraser-Nicola that use not only his constituency office and his MLA title but also the B.C. NDP website in exactly the same ad. That's partisan advertising. The opposition needs to acknowledge that they're far more guilty in this than anyone else.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

C. James: The documents that the Leader of the Opposition referred to show that the next set of ads will be aimed at selling the Premier's budget. Now, I understand, given how far from reality the 2009 pre-election budget was, that's going to be quite the sales job that's going to be needed on this budget.

British Columbians expect their government to provide services that they need, not waste tens of millions of dollars on partisan advertising. That's why British Columbians support the New Democrats' direction to ban this kind of partisan advertising.

I ask again today: will the Premier…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

C. James: …do the right thing? Will the Premier cancel this ad campaign and direct that critical money into services for seniors, children and people who need them the most?

Hon. P. Bell: For me to take this member seriously, she would need to stand up and also admonish the Leader of the Opposition, who — when you go back to the election period when that member was the chief of staff — spent $28.4 million in advertising, not the $16 million.

For me to take that member seriously, she needs to stand up and admonish the member for Fraser-Nicola for spending constituency funds on an ad that he now says was just a mistake. We can't take these folks seriously. They don't do as they say. They do as they did, and that's very, very damaging.

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[ Page 12727 ]

JOB CREATION AND

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

J. Kwan: Clearly, these partisan ads are a waste of taxpayers' money.

Now, let's do something that the Liberal government is not used to doing. Let's look at the substance of the jobs plan ads. The $16-million-plus ad claims that British Columbia is leading the nation in job creation, when in fact this is categorically false. It has since been that case when the jobs plan was announced back in September 2011. Statistics Canada's labour survey study released last Friday actually shows that B.C. is eighth in the country in overall job creation.

Will the minister stop wasting taxpayers' money…

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Member.

J. Kwan: …and put a stop to these partisan ads?

Hon. P. Bell: I know there are some uncomfortable facts for the members opposite in the ads that are running. The first point, the very first point, in the dominoes ad that's running right now is that there are economies around the world that are in a fragile state — very clearly articulated. I know the members opposite actually don't want to admit that. They'd like to think that things are rosy around the world. In the European Union, the United States and other provinces — very, very challenging economic times.

The second point that's likely uncomfortable for the members opposite is that this province, as a result of its judicious management of fiscal resources, still has a triple-A credit rating.

Mr. Speaker, people are nervous in British Columbia right now. But I'll tell you why they're nervous. It's because the members opposite have not disclosed their hidden agenda. What are their plans? What are their strategies to generate the revenues that are required to pay for the services that they're talking about?

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

J. Kwan: Speaking of uncomfortable facts….

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Member, just take your seat for a second.

Continue, Member.

J. Kwan: Speaking of uncomfortable facts, the latest figures actually show the overall jobs numbers have been stagnant since the jobs plan was introduced in September 2011. In the private sector alone, where the job plan is supposed to target, we have seen a dramatic loss — a job loss of 37,000 jobs since the job plan began. That is actually the worst in the country — 37,000 private sector jobs lost. And the government is still spending millions of dollars, taxpayers' dollars, with their partisan ads. This kind of waste is exactly why British Columbians want to see a ban on government advertising.

Will the minister just do the right thing? Will he just confirm what everyone already knows — that is, that the jobs plan is a complete failure — and save taxpayers' hard-earned money and cancel the jobs advertising?

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Just take your seat for a second, Member.

Reminding members that this is the first question period, but let's listen to the question, listen to the answer and show a little bit of respect on both sides of the House, please.

Hon. P. Bell: Another uncomfortable fact for the opposition. When that member that just asked the question, actually, was last in government, the unemployment rate in Canada was 7.2 percent. Ironically, last year the unemployment rate in Canada was also 7.2 percent.

[1430]

The uncomfortable part of the fact is that when that member was last in government, the B.C. unemployment rate was half a point higher than Canada's. The other side of the uncomfortable fact: the B.C. unemployment rate is now half a point lower than the rest of Canada.

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN

AND SPENDING PRIORITIES

M. Farnworth: Let's talk about another uncomfortable fact — that the priorities of this government are clearly not the priorities of the public of British Columbia.

The priorities of this government around things such as seniors care. Can you imagine how much seniors home support could be provided for more than $16 million?

Can you imagine how many miners could have been trained for more than $16 million, how many educational opportunities could have been given to young people in this province for more than $16 million? Can you imagine what $16 million would do in developing an anti-bullying program in the province of British Columbia?

Will this government admit that its priorities around advertising are wrong, that this ad campaign is a gross misuse of taxpayers' dollars and get on side of the public? Pull these ads, and put that money where it could be doing real use, which is services for the people of British Columbia.

[ Page 12728 ]

Hon. P. Bell: Today is, unfortunately, a day of uncomfortable facts for the NDP. I'm glad they continue to put up members that were actually in government in the 1990s, because I can point out some uncomfortable facts during that point in time.

The government communications department of the day actually had an interesting name. The member opposite will likely remember it was called Cupcakes. What was interesting about that — when that member was in charge, when that member sat in cabinet — is that the budget for Cupcakes was $39.28 million, and there were 322 FTEs in that department. I guess that's the idea of NDP job creation, from what I can tell.

Now, the budget today for that particular department is 33 percent lower than it was when that member was in government. The FTE count is 37 percent lower than it was when that member was in government. The advertising budgets have shrunk significantly. We need to make sure British Columbians know where we stand.

What I would like to know is what the hidden agenda is that the members opposite have and why it is that they are so hesitant to tell us what their economic plan for this province is.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

Take your seat, Member.

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: It's your time, Members.

The member has a supplemental.

M. Farnworth: We're talking about 2013, when people are concerned about the spending of their taxpayers' dollars. They don't like this advertising. They've made that abundantly clear.

Let's look at what the attitude of this government is. Their own document says, "All parts of the campaign work together and drive one another. No one ad works alone, and no piece of creative operates outside a media buying and targeting strategy" — a strategy that involves ramping up taxpayers' dollars from now till the end of March.

Well, the government doesn't want to listen to the opposition or the public, but perhaps the Premier will listen to one of her own members who understands how grotesque this strategy is. The member for Cariboo-Chilcotin gets it, because when she was asked a direct question about whether this spending on government advertising was excessive, she replied correctly: "Yes." There's one member on that side who gets it. It's a shame the rest of them don't get it.

[1435]

Will the Premier, if she doesn't want to listen to British Columbians across this province, at least listen to the member for Cariboo-Chilcotin — who gets it that this orgy of government advertising should end — and cancel the campaigns?

Hon. P. Bell: I'm wondering if Cupcakes perhaps wrote that particular speech for the member opposite.

The members opposite would like to deny the history that they bring with them. In fact, when I look across the aisle, I see people like the member for Fraser-Nicola, the member for Vancouver–Mount Pleasant, the member for Port Coquitlam, the member for Nanaimo and, of course, the Leader of the Opposition, who was not necessarily elected at the time but sat in a very important power as the chief of staff to the Premier of the day.

The facts are very, very clear. When I look up the numbers, $28 million, $22 million, $18 million, $19 million, $21 million was spent on advertising by the NDP each and every year that they were in power.

For me to take that member seriously, I need to hear him stand up and say: "We were wrong. This is completely contrary to what we believe, and we support the model that we're currently operating under."

NATURAL GAS REVENUE PROJECTIONS

B. Ralston: Yesterday's throne speech showed this Liberal government is clearly out of ideas. The centrepiece of the speech was the empty promise of a fantasy windfall of revenue up to 30 years away.

But British Columbians know they can't trust this government to project revenue with any degree of precision. Over the last four years natural gas revenue projections were consistently off by hundreds of millions of dollars, most dramatically last year.

Will the Finance Minister answer why British Columbians should accept the Liberal government's fantasy fund and LNG revenue projections over the next 30 years when they were inaccurate in projecting natural gas revenue over the last 12 months?

Hon. M. de Jong: The investment that is taking place in the liquefied natural gas industry, for the members' information, is real. The opportunity that exists for British Columbia to access markets where the product we have in abundance, the resource that we have in abundance in British Columbia, is being purchased at a dramatically higher price than is available in the continental North American market is real.

There is a third thing that is real. If we squander this opportunity, if we do not move quickly to ensure that the infrastructure is in place and the agreements between the private sector and the government are in place so that we can begin to move this product offshore into those more lucrative markets, then we will have to look our children and grandchildren in the face and answer for that.

[ Page 12729 ]

There is nothing mythical about the opportunity that confronts us today. British Columbians will know, and they will have an opportunity to choose the group that is best equipped to take us to that reality.

Mr. Speaker: The member has a supplemental.

B. Ralston: Well, last year the then Minister of Finance had to revise his estimates of natural gas revenue, which is domestically traded and traded in the United States as well, down by $1.1 billion over three years. I appreciate the confidence of the minister, and one looks forward with optimism to the capital projections of those companies that are assessing the opportunity in the LNG industry. But it is a global market and at a price that's set globally.

Will the minister acknowledge that given his failure to project revenue accurately over the last 12 months, projecting revenue of those measures over 30 years gives no confidence whatsoever to the public and that it is simply a B.C. Liberal…

Interjections.

Mr. Speaker: Members.

[1440]

B. Ralston: …fantasy designed as a lure in the election campaign to come?

Hon. M. de Jong: I think it's troubling that the member and many of his colleagues appear to have been as dismissive of this opportunity as they are — which I say, again, is very real.

I will say something else. Pursuing this opportunity will require a singular commitment on the part of government, on the part of communities and on the part of industry, because there is competition — there is competition in Australia, in Russia, in Africa — and the opportunity will be lost.

We have heard the conflicting comments from members of the opposition — some who say it's a good idea, some who say it's a bad idea and some who don't know.

We know. We know that there is an opportunity to take advantage of a price differential that exists in the markets overseas for liquefied natural gas, and we're going to go get those opportunities on behalf of all British Columbians.

J. Horgan: I don't want to quibble with the Finance Minister's view of the 30-year horizon, but I will just pose this series of simple questions.

If I understood the throne speech yesterday, the mythical prosperity fund will have zero dollars in it in 2013, zero dollars in it in 2014…

Interjection.

Mr. Speaker: Member.

J. Horgan: …zero dollars in 2015, zero dollars in 2016. If I'm not mistaken, we will be into the second election cycle before we see one scintilla put into a prosperity fund.

Again, in light of the abysmal record of judging what revenue we will get from natural gas in a North American market, why in the world would British Columbians believe a government that thinks they have the answers 30 years out? It's ridiculous. Admit it.

Hon. M. de Jong: Well, to my friend the Opposition House Leader, I agree with one aspect of what he said. The bulk of the revenue opportunity that will flow from this extraordinary opportunity will flow into British Columbia and into B.C. coffers after the electorate has had a second opportunity to reject the NDP.

Look, I will say this. The member chooses — and I understand why he and his colleagues talk about 30 years…. This is happening now. In the same way that when the Olympics were awarded in 2003 and we thought, "Oh my goodness, 2010 is a long time off," seven years happen very quickly. That's the window for beginning to realize the benefits on liquefied natural gas.

The fact that the members opposite scoff in the way that they do and dismiss this opportunity in the way that they do fills me with trepidation, except for one fact, and that is because British Columbians this May will have an opportunity to choose who is going to lead British Columbia into the future.

[End of question period.]

Reports from Committees

C. Hansen: I have the honour to present the report of the Special Committee to Appoint a Conflict of Interest Commissioner and a Merit Commissioner.

I move that the report be taken as read and received.

Motion approved.

Mr. Speaker: Continue, Member.

C. Hansen: I ask leave of the House to suspend the rules to permit the moving of a motion to adopt the report.

Leave granted.

Mr. Speaker: Please proceed, Member.

C. Hansen: I move that the report be adopted.

[ Page 12730 ]

This report constitutes the committee's unanimous recommendation for the appointment of a Conflict of Interest Commissioner and a Merit Commissioner for British Columbia. On behalf of the committee, I am delighted to put forward this unanimous report to the House recommending the reappointments of Paul Fraser and Fiona Spencer. [Applause.]

[1445]

Mr. Fraser was first appointed Conflict of Interest Commissioner in 2008. Members have all benefited from his sound judgment and advice. Mr. Fraser's continuing commitment to his statutory responsibilities impressed the committee members.

Since her appointment as Merit Commissioner in 2010 Ms. Spencer has shown a continued dedication to the principle of merit. Committee members recognized and particularly appreciated the knowledgable and professional manner in which Miss Spencer has undertaken her duties.

I will be moving a motion requesting the Lieutenant-Governor appoint Miss Spencer as Merit Commissioner.

Section 14(2) of the Members' Conflict of Interest Act requires that the Premier move the motion respecting the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

Once the House has dealt with my motion regarding the Merit Commissioner, I will take my seat and the Premier will move the motion respecting the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

Mr. Speaker: The question is adoption of the report as read and received.

Motion approved.

Mr. Speaker: Continue, Member.

C. Hansen: I ask leave of the House to permit the moving of a motion requesting the Lieutenant-Governor to appoint Ms. Spencer Merit Commissioner of the province of British Columbia.

Leave granted.

Mr. Speaker: Proceed, Member.

Motions Without Notice

APPOINTMENT OF MERIT COMMISSIONER

C. Hansen: I move:

[That this House recommend to Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor the appointment of Ms. Fiona Spencer as a statutory Officer of the Legislature, to exercise the powers and duties assigned to the Merit Commissioner for the province of British Columbia pursuant to the Public Service Act (RSBC 1996,

Chapter 385).]

Motion approved.

Hon. C. Clark: I ask leave of the House to permit the moving of a motion requesting the Lieutenant-Governor to appoint Mr. Fraser Conflict of Interest Commissioner for the province of British Columbia.

Leave granted.

Mr. Speaker: Continue, Premier.

APPOINTMENT OF

CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMMISSIONER

Hon. C. Clark: By leave, I move:

[That this House recommend to Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor the appointment of Mr. Paul Fraser, QC as a statutory officer of the Legislative Assembly to exercise powers and duties assigned to the Conflict of Interest Commissioner for the province of British Columbia pursuant to the Members' Conflict of Interest Act (RSBC 1996,

Chapter 287)]

Motion approved.

Petitions

J. Slater: I have a petition to present from 250 people in the South Okanagan, Oliver-Osoyoos area, on the operations of the South Okanagan General Hospital.

Ministerial Statements

ANTI-VIOLENCE INITIATIVE

BY ABORIGINAL MEN

Hon. I. Chong: Today I rise in the House to make a statement with respect to an event that will be taking place this Friday, February 15. On that day, I will have the honour of participating in a very special event taking place here in Victoria. It is the second annual gathering of aboriginal men standing up against violence toward aboriginal women and children.

The event is part of the moosehide campaign initiated by Paul Lacerte and the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. The campaign encourages men to wear a small piece of pinned moosehide to raise awareness and signify a personal commitment to ending violence against aboriginal women and children.

The gathering is a call to action and an invitation for brothers, uncles, fathers, grandfathers and sons to stand together to help end violence against aboriginal women and children. It is a remarkable event and one that speaks to the importance of the voice of men and the community-based approach to ending violence against aboriginal women and children, whether they are First Nation, Métis or Inuit.

Violence against aboriginal women and children is a complex issue, and solutions are not easily found. We know that solutions must be community-driven, community-led

[ Page 12731 ]

and respectful of culture, traditions and language.

It is an honour for me to be able to be part of the gathering of aboriginal men event on Friday, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Paul Lacerte and all those who worked hard to make this event happen.

[1450]

Violence against aboriginal women and children is not just a woman's issue. We must include men in the discussions and in solutions.

S. Fraser: Hon. Speaker, I would first like to apologize to you and the House. I wore a moosehide patch in the House today, and of course, that's against the rules. I apologize for doing that, but the cause is a good one.

I want to join the minister in congratulating Paul Lacerte and the moosehide campaign for taking a leadership role — men against violence against aboriginal women and girls — in the province of British Columbia. It's an important and powerful statement, considering the Human Rights Watch report that came out today that highlights, again, the issues in the north — violence against women and girls, missing women, other issues.

I think it's just so timely that Paul Lacerte…. The moosehide campaign is underway, and they were ahead of their time on this. I think we should all learn.

I will also be attending, and I urge all members who are available on Friday to also attend the events. I think it's between 12 and three o'clock, but…. I stand corrected on that.

Orders of the Day

Hon. M. de Jong: I call continued debate on the Speech from the Throne.

[1455]

[L. Reid in the chair.]

Throne Speech Debate

D. Barnett: It is my honour to move today, seconded by the member for Coquitlam–Burke Mountain, the following motion:

[We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in session assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech which Your Honour has addressed to us at the opening of the present session.]

It was with great interest that I listened to the Speech from the Throne yesterday. The central theme of the throne speech was seizing on economic opportunities and securing the future of British Columbia families, and nowhere is this more important than in rural areas of British Columbia.

As the parliamentary secretary for rural issues, I represent not only my riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin but also the interests of rural communities across our province. Representing rural British Columbia is a responsibility that I take very seriously, and I consider myself privileged to speak on behalf of the communities that make up the backbone of the province of British Columbia.

While much of the population of our great province lies in urban areas such as the capital region and Metro Vancouver, it is the rural areas that give British Columbia its unique characteristics.

Rural and urban regions in our province depend on each other, but the fact is that many rural areas in British Columbia are going through a difficult period as a result of the global economic downturn of the past few years. This includes many regions which will become the focus of our province's future economic growth, with the development of resources such as natural gas.

But it is important to remember that rural B.C. is not a uniform region with the same resources or the same needs everywhere. There are major differences between the issues facing different rural areas. While some areas have seen a boom as a result of oil, gas and mining, many have seen slow population growth and relative economic stagnation.

As the parliamentary secretary for rural issues, addressing this is very important to me. The fact is that while the unique needs of rural communities in our province are often acknowledged, what is really needed is a discussion of what could be called for….

Systemic changes facing rural B.C. We need a clear picture of these challenges if we are really to improve the economic standing of rural communities in our province, ensuring that they experience growth proportional to that which is benefitting urban centres.

Last month the Rural B.C. project, which I am involved in through my work with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, released a discussion paper entitled The Pathway to Prosperity in British Columbia Runs Through its Rural Places: A Long-Term Strategy for Rural Development . This paper was focused on setting out a long-term strategy for investment in the social and economic development of our rural regions.

I'd like to take some time to talk to you about this paper and work on the Rural B.C. project, which is relevant for all rural British Columbians. The Rural B.C. project is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the issues that are faced by rural B.C. It uses a non-partisan, cooperative approach, presenting a picture of the needs of rural communities free of any political agenda.

It was launched in 2010 through contributions from each of the three regional beetle action coalitions in our province: the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, the Southern Interior Beetle Action Coalition and the Omineca Beetle Action Coalition. These three beetle action coalitions, each supported by $1 million a year in provincial funding for a period of three years, have worked together to create the B.C. rural project.

[1500]

The paper released by the Rural B.C. project last month, which is the result of a great deal of research into this subject,

[ Page 12732 ]

proposes a long-term strategy to support social and economic development in rural communities.

The report recommends working with existing organizations for economic and social development and collaborating with First Nations and non–First Nations communities as part of the decision-making process. Government must commit to long-term investment in rural regions, appoint a provincial cabinet minister responsible for rural issues and engage local rural stakeholders to adopt public lands and a resources management strategy. Using the resources of post-secondary institutions is a key asset. Venture capital and business support are required.

The needs of rural British Columbians are diverse, and each also has different strengths. My region, the Cariboo-Chilcotin, relies on several key industries, including forestry, mining, agriculture and tourism. Our forest industry is alive and well despite the damage caused by the pine beetle infestation. We are working with business groups and First Nations to ensure that our forest policies are both economically and environmentally sustainable.

Last month our government issued a First Nations woodland licence to the Tsq'escen' people of the Canim Lake Band, allowing the band to harvest up to 20,000 cubic metres of timber per year. This is only the second First Nations woodland licence agreement to be signed in the province, and I'm proud it was in the Cariboo-Chilcotin. We are also working with business groups to promote a sustainable forest policy in the region.

This past week I had a chance to visit Quesnel, where I dropped by the College of New Caledonia campus. I had the chance to see the trades and training program in action, a program that has been running for two years. I attended a ceremony for the joint program being run by West Fraser Mills and the College of New Caledonia. It has West Fraser employees receiving training at CNC and improves access to courses for students in the region.

West Fraser Mills and CNC are working together to design and deliver programs that help meet the needs of the industry and provide jobs for new graduates — for example, as millwrights. In 2013-14 over 140 students will be participating in apprenticeships through this program.

Not surprisingly, the newest building on the CNC campus in Quesnel is officially named the West Fraser Technical Centre. West Fraser Mills is investing $250,000 over a period of ten years, or $25,000 a year, in CNC.

This is just one of many examples of the way that our government is producing partnerships with the private sector. We understand business, and we are providing businesses the opportunity to grow prosperous, benefiting our provincial economy and B.C. families.

This is in sharp contrast to the NDP record on forestry management, exemplified by the breach-of-contract court case brought by Carrier Lumber in the Cariboo. In that case, much of the work took place during the hon. member for Vancouver-Kingsway's tenure as chief of staff for the government in the 1990s, ending up costing taxpayers close to $150 million in compensation after a 1999 court ruling found that the NDP government concealed evidence and manipulated administrative procedures to get its way.

[1505]

With a record like this, how can we even say the NDP has a viable forest policy? What about an economically viable mining policy?

[H. Bloy in the chair.]

In yesterday's throne speech one of the main themes was the economic opportunity that presents itself to our province at the present time and the chance to create a legacy that will benefit our children and grandchildren through the prosperity fund. The prosperity fund presents a wonderful opportunity for securing the economic future of our province, providing a legacy for our children and grandchildren. Paying down our provincial debt, for example, will save our province $2.5 billion a year — money which can be reinvested in the economic development of B.C., including its rural area.

In my riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin there is another prosperity project, and it also offers a promise of a lasting legacy that can benefit all of the surrounding communities now and for future generations. The project I am talking about, of course, is the Prosperity mine. The Prosperity mine would bring strong and far-reaching economic benefits to our region, but it has been delayed by an ongoing federal environmental review.

Our province has the highest environmental standards, and we value our environment. That is why we demand full environmental impact assessments before allowing projects to go forward, secure in the knowledge that when a project is approved, that project has been evaluated in a fair and thorough manner. And when these assessments have been completed and the project is approved, we know it is safe from an environmental point of view.

The Prosperity mine project has undergone a thorough evaluation, and the B.C. environmental assessment office has once given it a conditional approval. Our environmental experts looked at the project objectively and ruled it met the most stringent environmental standards, yet the Prosperity mine is not moving forward at this time. And a project that could be worthy of its name, for a region that has been affected in the last few years by the global economic downturn and the devastation of the pine beetle infestation, has been stalled.

I hope to see this issue resolved in the near future and to see the project move forward, and while I find myself disappointed to see a project that could have such a positive impact in our region held up, I am even more disappointed to see the political posturing of the opposition around this issue. A project such as Prosperity mine, which can help revitalize the economy of our entire region, should not be

[ Page 12733 ]

held hostage by what is politically convenient.

When built, Prosperity would create 500 full-time jobs and over 1,200 indirect jobs and would spend $200 million every year during the 22-year anticipated life span of the mine. That's why it disappoints me to see the NDP opposing this beneficial project, which could have such a positive economic impact on our region. The NDP remains opposed, both literally and figuratively, to prosperity.

Agriculture is an important industry in my region and all over rural B.C., with farms ranging in size from a few acres to over 30,000 acres, and the beef sector is a major part of our economy. I have been fortunate to sit on the Ranching Task Force, looking at the many important issues facing our agriculture industry, such as predator control and range issues and meat inspection.

Another important industry in the Cariboo-Chilcotin is tourism. Last month I was honoured to be asked to write the introduction to the Guide to Williams Lake and Area . Our region provides so many amazing opportunities, and I am very proud to represent this region with so much to offer.

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I have been working with the Cariboo-Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association to improve tourism opportunities in our region and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future. The tourism industry requires a quality transportation system to function properly, and I was thrilled to see the completion of $8.5 million worth of regional road improvements in my region, with the resurfacing or seal-coating of many of our most important transportation arteries.

Yesterday's throne speech focused a great deal on leaving a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren, but it is important to remember our elder citizens as well. That is why I'm proud to note some of the great investments government has made to help seniors in my riding.

This includes the opening of a DriveABLE assessment service in Williams Lake. This means that drivers who have been recommended for the assessment as a result of medical practitioners' concerns about an individual's cognitive abilities in regards to safe driving can now complete the assessment close to home.

Another great investment for seniors has been the renovation of Deni House in Williams Lake and the expansion of Fischer Place in 100 Mile House.

It is important for our government to continue to invest in this type of care for our elderly citizens, to ensure that they have access to the best services available. Our support for seniors is boosted by the age-friendly grants recently received by Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. So 100 Mile House received $19,967 and Williams Lake received $20,000 to support age-friendly planning and projects benefiting seniors.

This program, which our government runs in partnership with the Union of B.C. Municipalities, is just one way that we are supporting seniors and families.

Having celebrated Family Day earlier this week, we are reminded of the importance of supporting British Columbia families and ensuring that they can rely on a strong economy and well-paying jobs both now and in the future. Nowhere is securing this legacy more important than our rural communities — our mining communities, our forestry, our tourism, our agriculture and more.

I hope to see all the members of this House working together for the good of our rural regions, which will keep B.C. strong.

D. Horne: It's with great honour that I rise in the House today to second the motion from the hon. member for Cariboo-Chilcotin.

The throne speech provides a vision of the future and an understanding of the direction this government intends to lead British Columbia this year and into the future, with the support of the people of British Columbia this May 14.

Mr. Speaker, 2013 is a pivotal year in the history of British Columbia with one of the most important elections in many years, and the people deserve to fully understand and appreciate the choices before them. The issues that are important to British Columbians and the residents of Coquitlam–Burke Mountain, those I represent, are public safety, education, access to health care, jobs, transportation and family finances.

Before I go more in-depth on each of those issues, I'd like to speak a little bit about the last four years, the time since I've been elected — particularly my wife, Larissa Horne, who joins us in the gallery today — and the support that we each receive from our family.

My wife, Larissa; our two daughters, Liza and Victoria; my mother, Phyllis; my father, Neil; and my stepmother, Joyce — I have to say that the support of one's family is so important when one is in elected life. We spend a lot of time at events and different functions, and without the strong support of our family I think it would be very, very difficult for each of us on both sides of the House to do the work that we currently do.

As well, I'd like it say how proud and honoured I am to represent and serve the people of Coquitlam–Burke Mountain. I thank all of the residents for their support and confidence in me.

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It's a spectacular place in the province that I represent. Coquitlam–Burke Mountain is over 600 square kilometres. Where the people actually live I think I can drive in less than ten minutes. So I represent a lot of trees and a lot of bears but also the spectacular ability for large towers.

Currently in the Coquitlam city centre we have many towers over 30 storeys. We currently have one tower under construction that's 43 storeys. We have several more towers of that height that are currently in the planning stages. It really makes for a remarkable community — a place

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that's so close to nature yet so urban, with all of the amenities and things that come along with that.

We also have the wonderful development of Westwood Plateau, which I also represent, that was developed by Wesbild. Wesbild is now developing a further community on the Burke Mountain side. Their vision for the community there is much the same as Westwood Plateau, a wonderful place with the nature and the housing and the wonderful amenities that we have there as well.

I have to say the support that Wesbild and Mr. K, who is the chairman of Wesbild, have given to the community — they continue to give to the community — and all of the work that they do really does make the place that I represent and the place where we all live just that much better. It's wonderful to have an opportunity to represent the people of Coquitlam–Burke Mountain.

We meet and attend many community events each year — Canada Day; citizenship ceremonies; walks and fundraisers for our local hospice, Crossroads, and foundations and organizations that promote health and awareness, like the Michael Cuccione Foundation and the dinner and the soccer tournament that they host each year in support of the great work they do for childhood cancer research and their efforts; as well as the Aga Khan Foundation and the World Partnership Walk; and many walks for the cancer society, the kidney foundation and many others.

I have to say that one of the highlights of my year is also the teddy bear picnic and the parade — such a wonderful time with all of the families and young children. Promoting literacy, promoting…. Each year from my booth there I give out hundreds of books and promote reading and the imagination and the excitement that reading generates. I have to say that it's one of the highlights of my year. It's one of the things that I really say, when I have a chance to meet all of the people, how wonderful it is.

One of the things that I think is very important to the residents not only in Coquitlam–Burke Mountain but also to the residents across British Columbia comes to public safety and safety within our communities. Since 2001 our government has more than doubled the annual provincial policing budget. It's up by $167 million, and it's helped increase the officer count across British Columbia by more than 2,100 — a budget that is increased by $66 million over the next three years and supports the anti-gang strategy and maintains 168 officers hired in Prince George, Kelowna and the Lower Mainland.

This is something of particular interest to those in the Tri-Cities. As recently as last fall we saw a gang-related incident and shooting in the Tri-Cities. It's this type of work — it's working with gang-related task forces; it's working with integrated task force — that really allows us to address this problem and work together to ensure that our streets are safer.

Our government currently invests more than $1 billion annually in the justice system. Last fall we also launched a reform initiative led by Geoffrey Cowper, QC, to identify actions that the government and judiciary and the legal profession and the police can take, all working together. I think, really, that's the key. It's a key to many things that we do. By working together, by communicating, by actually talking and trying to find the answers that make sense for all of British Columbians, we create a far better province.

As well, this government created a new civilian independent investigations office that will investigate serious incidents involving police in B.C. In December 2011 Richard Rosenthal was appointed as the chief civilian. The independent investigations office is currently setting a standard for independence in police investigations in Canada.

I think that one of the other great things on the public safety side that we see is the return of 100 percent of the net traffic fine revenue to B.C. municipalities, providing an additional $493 million in 2012, since 2001. They can put that to local crime prevention, policing. Last year Coquitlam received over $800,000 under this program.

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As well, other provincial programs that Coquitlam also benefitted by…. For example, there's a program that's funded under the traffic fine initiative for Bike B.C. to build biking infrastructure and bike paths. Coquitlam was one of the beneficiaries of that program last year.

I think one of the main issues that many think about when it comes to safety is also drinking and driving. There has been a 40 percent decrease in drunk-driving-related fatalities on British Columbia's roads. The addition of the primary goal of a tougher approach is meeting the other key goals. During the first year of the tougher new drinking-and-driving laws the number of drinking-driving cases being referred to Criminal Code prosecution has dropped by 75 percent, freeing up much-needed capacity within our court system.

Police enforcement time spent processing drivers found drinking and driving has also dropped by approximately 75 percent, with the amount of time required to process a driver under the new law taking less than an hour compared to 4½ hours previously under the Criminal Code system. We also are working to make a fix that's required to maintain the success that we have had in saving lives in British Columbia.

Public safety is a key issue to many British Columbians and making certain that we make criminals pay for what it is that they've done and not to…. One of the things about the gang lifestyle that many find enticing is the fast cars — and the money and all of the accoutrements that they see coming with a gang lifestyle.

I'm proud to say that, through the civil forfeiture law that was put forward, the proceeds of unlawful activity are now taken away from these people. More than

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$23 million to date has been obtained from the sale of seized assets.

B.C. was one of the first provinces to have a law. Today there are seven provinces operating under this. I think that's hugely important. It's being able to take back the proceeds of criminal activity and not really having the enticement of the ability to keep that as time goes on.

I think one of the other key issues for British Columbians, as well, comes to education and health care. One of the things that really, truly is important to many on the health care side is the huge shortage of nurses and physicians that we've seen in the past. Certainly, that is not a problem that's been solved, but it's one that's been addressed considerably.

Currently we've added 4,500 new student seats for training registered nurses in British Columbia since 2001. I think this does a great deal to make certain that we have the medical professionals that we need.

It goes also to the fact that we need to train skilled professionals to provide the services that we need, not only in the health care system but for the jobs in mining, the jobs in the liquefied natural gas sector, the jobs in the many other sectors that will really drive and build the economy as we move forward.

Key to this, as well, is the number of doctors graduating per year in British Columbia. This has doubled since 2001.

Currently we also have over 100 trades in which apprenticeship training is available in British Columbia and over 33,000 apprenticeships in trades and training — more than double the numbers since 2004.

It's also important that we talk about how this is all paid for. I meet oftentimes with post-secondary students, and they talk about the cost of post-secondary education and how it's a very difficult situation for many. The costs facing, just for housing and many of the other issues, is very, very difficult.

One of the things, actually, that I found difficult when I met with one group of students was…. There was the group of students. There was one person in the group that was firmly convinced that we, as a government, actually made money off post-secondary education and that the tuition fees that they were paying were actually profiting the British Columbia government and that we were using this money elsewhere.

I think it's by sitting down with people and communicating with people and building a better understanding that we actually have a much better dialogue as we move forward to try to find solutions to things. This person was very shocked when they realized that almost 70 percent — actually, in many institutions about 72 percent — of the cost of the education is already borne by the province of British Columbia. Really, students are only paying 30 percent — less than 30 percent — of their education.

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It's important. The training and building post-secondary education are extremely important. It's an extremely important issue. But it's something that we have to understand and rationalize how it is that we pay, how we make it accessible, how it is that we train the people that we need, but also that we train the people that we need for the skills that actually get them a job and get them what they need to be able to be employed at the end of the process. That, sometimes, is something that we need to think more about as well.

You know, oftentimes…. I remember, at the time when I was in my university years, it was interesting because people would either go into BCIT or trades training or they'd go into university. It's funny now because you go and you read the Peak newspaper at Simon Fraser University, and there are ads within the Peak newspaper for trades training for those that, once they graduate from university, want to get further training to be able to be involved in the economy. So things change. Things change dramatically over time, but it's very, very important that we continue to fund and we continue to stress that.

I also want to talk about the K-to-12 sector and the importance of that. I look to my own area, and I think one of the most important things facing Coquitlam–Burke Mountain right now is to do with schools and the funding of schools and, really, where we're at when it comes to education.

I found one thing disheartening in the last year. There was a poll done last year — I actually think I spoke in this House to that poll last year, earlier — and that was a poll of British Columbians. The question was asked: "Do you believe the government of British Columbia has systematically reduced or cut funding to education over the last ten years?" In response to the poll, two-thirds of British Columbians, 66 percent of British Columbians, said: "Yes, that is a true statement. The government of British Columbia has systematically cut funding to education."

It's very, very difficult. I chair the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. We toured the province as well. I can remember one teacher who came before the committee, an extremely passionate gentleman — you know, really cares about education, was someone that really went above and beyond the call of his profession and really cared substantially. He gave a presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance. During the presentation he talked and used the words "cuts to education" 32 times.

At the end of it I was a little bit shocked, and I mentioned to him the fact that in the province of British Columbia, overall, we have 63,000 less students than we had ten years ago, but despite the fact that we have 63,000 less students than we had ten years ago, we still spend $1.4 billion more on education than we did ten years ago.

So the fact that there have been cuts to education is simply unfounded in fact, but we hear it over and over again. That's one of the difficulties. Oftentimes we hear these things over and over and over again, and as they're repeated over and over again, they become the truth.

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They become reality. You know, I've actually been challenged by people on the fact that we've cut funding to education.

Hon. B. Bennett: People over there believe it.

D. Horne: People over there certainly believe it.

You know, it's difficult because the fact of the matter is…. I look to only my own district, and I look to the per-student funding, the fact that we've had a decrease in enrolment. This year we're actually challenged because there are less students in our district than was anticipated, and that's caused some difficulties on the funding side. But I have to say that our school board works very hard to try to deal with these issues, and so in working together and in working collaboratively, we can get things done.

I think that's one of the things best highlighted on the capital program. Since 2001 more than $4 billion is committed to school capital and maintenance programs throughout British Columbia. This includes 93 new and replacement schools, 150 additions, 27 renovation projects and 22 site acquisitions throughout British Columbia. I have to say that one of those site acquisitions is for the new Burke Mountain secondary school that we look forward to.

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I also have to talk locally in my own area. I was very pleased at the beginning of my term to be able to open the Glen Elementary School; Heritage Mountain middle school, which was actually mentioned during the throne speech yesterday; Pitt River Middle School, which is currently under construction; an addition to Bramblewood School in my area.

Only a week and a half ago I opened the brand-new James Park Elementary. I have to say that one of the things that was most exciting about opening the new James Park Elementary School is that this is a school that is in the member for Port Coquitlam's riding and has actually existed for more than 100 years. It was a very old school and a wonderful place.

I think one of the most interesting things about the way we design schools and the way that children learn and the way that we move forward is that the new James Park Elementary School has the ability to be a community school. It has partitions within the school so that other community groups can use it in the evening time. The school can use those spaces during the day. Really, it becomes a centre in the community that is used both for much more hours and for much more opportunity for the community than we've seen in the past.

As well, I think one of the most exciting things was…. We were in the gym when we opened the school. The Minister of Education said, as he was there…. He pointed out the fact that the gym of the school actually has windows, large picture-frame windows. If you've been in the average gym of a school, usually you'll have a nice, big solid wall, usually with a nice picture of the school's mascot on the side of it, but it's a very sort of closed, almost dark place. In the new schools this wonderful new light and wonderful huge new windows just enhance the space so much and so dramatically.

I've been working very hard. One of the things that I think we're finally in the place of is that the schools up Burke Mountain…. I mentioned Burke Mountain secondary, which we've already purchased the land for. To get a new elementary school up there I see as one of the huge priorities and something that needs to be done in the short term. So I've been working very hard. It's been in the capital budget to have it built in 2017-2018, by the time students go there. I've been working very hard. I think we're finally in a position, or will be shortly, to be able to fast-track that school and have it built much, much sooner.

Having schools within our community, having places that children can go but that also can be centres of communities, as with James Park, is just a fantastic thing.

Also, I attended recently, at the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, a speech by the Leader of the Opposition. It was interesting, and many of his colleagues were there as well. He spoke during the speech as to the economic record of the NDP government during the 1990s and our government over the last 12 years.

One of the things that seems to be forgotten…. If you look at the independent view of the world, it is forgotten. We have a triple-A credit rating in the province of British Columbia, and that's not our saying that we have a triple-A credit rating. That is independent bond-rating agencies saying that you have fiscally been responsible and that you are managing the finances of the province of British Columbia in a very good way.

To actually bring substance to what a triple-A credit rating is, we have today a higher credit rating — in other words, we're more credit-worthy — than the United States of America. So to stay that we are more credit-worthy than the United States of America, I think, is saying quite a bit. It goes fundamentally to where we stand in the world and the fact that the United States of America doesn't have a triple-A credit rating and the fact that many other countries around the world — France and, obviously, Greece — do not have a triple-A credit rating.

You know, you go to where we are in the world, the fact that we've had a very turbulent global economy, one that is slowly…. The United States has been doing better over the last little while, but it's not a fait accompli that we're out of the woods at this point.

Prudence is extremely important, and managing the government's budget and balancing the budget is just respectful of taxpayers and something that I think we all need to work towards.

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I have to say the Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee and myself worked very hard. I have to say of all of the

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achievements since I've been elected, I think one of my proudest accomplishments — and one of the things that really talks to how we should work together — is the report of the Finance and Government Services Committee from last fall. It was one of the few times that the committee actually reached a unanimous report.

That shows that when we actually do work together, when the opposition and the government work together for what is best for British Columbia, which is why we all should be here, we can actually achieve results that British Columbians believe we should achieve and have the best interest of British Columbians on the whole.

Paramount to that, and the key recommendation of that report — and as I say, the opposition members of the committee agreed with this as well — is that we should have a balanced budget, because a balanced budget is so important, not for us but for future generations.

I've told this story many times. You have a couple. Let's say you have an older couple that's retiring. They've worked very hard all their lives. You know, many older couples, as they come to their retirement, think it might be nice to get themselves a nice RV, and they go in the RV, and they go and travel around the province, travel around Canada, travel around the United States. Many believe, as they come into their retirement ages, that not only do they deserve that but that that's their entitlement.

So we have our older couple. They believe that they deserve that. They believe that's their entitlement. Quite frankly, for the hard work that they've done, it's a wonderful way to spend one's retirement years.

Unfortunately, the couple that I'm speaking of doesn't quite have the money to be able to pay for the RV. One of the options they have is they go to their kids. They say to their children: "You have good jobs. You're doing very well. I think you'll do better in the future. Really, right now we'd like to be able to spend this money, so will you co-sign the loan for our RV?" I can tell you that most children in the province of British Columbia and in Canada would look at their parents like they were completely nuts at that point and say: "What planet are you on?"

And that's what balancing the budget for the province of British Columbia is all about. When we don't balance the budget, we are asking our children, our grandchildren and subsequent generations to co-sign the loan for our spending today. Quite frankly, that's not fair.

They have their own priorities. They have their own objectives as to what they see as important to them. We take their options away from them when we don't balance the budget, when we aren't fiscally responsible, and when we don't do things that are important.

The other issue that we saw today — we saw it during question period — was the talk about liquefied natural gas — the future, the prosperity, the opportunity and the revenue that liquefied natural gas represents to British Columbia. We heard some from the opposition side say: "Oh well, don't worry about that. That's years down the road. You won't even see any revenue from that for four years. Quite frankly, if you're not seeing any revenue from that for four years, what difference does it make today?"

What difference it makes today is…. Well, we plan for the future. While we may not see revenue from it for four years, if we don't start it today, we won't see anything from it in four years. Quite frankly, if we don't start it today and we lose the opportunity, and if the Australians and many others from around the world seize the opportunity and move forward so that they push us out of the marketplace and don't allow us to achieve the advantages that the liquefied natural gas plan can accomplish, then basically, we would never see it.

So we can look, and we can, as the opposition says, study this further, and we can look at whether or not it makes sense to move forward with this plan, or we can seize the moment, we can move forward, and we can make sure that future generations of British Columbians will have the options, will have the financial stability and will have the choices that they deserve.

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It's really a pivotal change as we move forward. You look at Alberta today. You look at Saskatchewan today compared to where they were a decade or so ago, and it's night and day because they see the advantages. They've been able to seize the opportunity on the oil revenues that they now enjoy. That has taken their economy and moved it to a new level — and Alberta in the same way, with the revenues they enjoy.

We have to be proud in British Columbia. You look at the production of energy and the use of natural gas compared to other fossil fuels, compared to coal. In China today, Shanxi province has a huge amount of coal that's burned for energy. By moving into that market and having a transfer from energy derived from coal to energy derived from natural gas, the greenhouse gas effect on that is massive as well. It's much cleaner burning, as well, so the particulates that you get from burning coal are no longer in the equation.

Really, that's the choice. We talk about the choices that are before British Columbians, the choices that they're going to have to make over the next few weeks, at this point. To understand those choices and understand what they're really being asked…. From what I see, as I hear it over and over again, they understand the opportunities that are before us. They understand that we've been managing this province in a very fiscally prudent fashion, that we've been keeping taxes and tax rates low — having the lowest personal income tax rate in Canada for those that make up to $120,000 a year and keeping other levels of taxes down as well.

You know, I think that's one of the things, when it comes forward as we move forward, that we really have to understand and look at more. We say it oftentimes in government, but we need to really put more credibility to it. There is only one taxpayer. We really need to appreciate that.

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When it comes to civic taxation, when it comes to provincial taxation, when it comes to federal taxation, it's all the same person that pays all of these taxes. You can only put your hands in that same person's pocket enough times before, quite frankly, it makes it difficult so that they can't make the choices themselves that they'd like to make.

I think a perfect example of that, too, is…. Unfortunately, as a society, I know that all of us are guilty of this to a certain extent. It's all right to do something as long as it doesn't affect me. If it doesn't affect me, then it's probably all right. It doesn't affect me, so I really don't care.

For example, the NDP has said, point-blank, that should they become government, they'll put a capital tax on banks in place that basically kills banks. The average person goes: "Well, that's a great thing, because that doesn't really affect me. I think it's great. The banks make billions of dollars. They make huge amounts of money, and they should be paying a little bit more tax."

Then you tell the average person: "Hey, why don't you take a look at your RRSP? Why don't you take a look at your pension fund? Why don't you take a look at the ways that you plan on funding your retirement, those things that really are important to you in the retirement years?" We just went into the fact that you'd like to buy an RV and go and be able to relax and enjoy your retirement years. The top investment in the average pension fund and RRSP in Canada is, oh, a bank. The No. 2 investment in the average pension plan or RRSP is a bank. Oftentimes, in many pension plans the third investment is also a bank.

So taxing the profitability on these banks: what does that do? Oh, that basically makes it so that you put in peril the income of the banks. What does that do? It lowers the value of the stock of the bank, which basically lowers the value of the RRSP.

Now we're actually affecting average people. When the average person does the math and says, "Well, okay, by doing that, you're actually attacking my pension income," that doesn't sound like such a great idea anymore.

Actually, we don't really have to worry about that too much. I said what I've just said to a senior vice-president of a large bank in Canada. He said: "Well, no, we're not really all that worried about that, because no, it wouldn't affect the value of our stock at all. That really wouldn't come into issue at all, Doug, because all we'll do is we'll increase our fees to British Columbians to recover the cost."

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In a perfect and direct sense, should the NDP become government and put this new capital tax in place, British Columbians can rest assured that they will be paying those fees, will be paying that tax. Quite frankly, it will affect them whether they like it or not.

That's the thing that, really, British Columbians need to understand. Within the economy, when we talk about all of these issues — when we talk about liquefied natural gas, when we talk about other opportunities within the economy — it affects each and every one of us.

It is something that affects us all. It is something that — when we build the economy, when we build jobs, when we create all of the things that are important to all of British Columbians — affects us all. Really, that's how we all have either a comfortable lifestyle with a growing economy and the jobs that we all deserve, or we don't, you know?

I'll take another perfect example of sort of working together and being part of one. It's something that's very, very important to our area but something that oftentimes people forget. That is transportation.

If you take a look at the investments that this government has made in transportation since 2001, this government has delivered $14.3 billion in vital transportation infrastructure throughout the province. I look to my own area, with the gateway transportation program. I look to the new Pitt River Bridge. I look to the new Port Mann Bridge. I look to the Evergreen line, which is now under construction, that I'm so proud of and pleased.

You know, it's something that really does benefit all British Columbians, because it's not only personal travel across the Port Mann Bridge that is enhanced by the new Port Mann Bridge and the fact they have ten lanes on the new bridge, but it's also commercial traffic. It's moving goods faster. It's making our economy move and perform better than it has in the past.

As I mentioned before, during my time as Chair of the Finance Committee we went and travelled around the province. I have to say that the member for Surrey-Tynehead mentioned over and over and over again — so I would be very remiss if I didn't mention it — that the Port Mann Bridge is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the widest bridge in the world.

I have to also talk about funding for the Evergreen line, as I mentioned. You know, this is a project that went on for years and years and years. Actually, it's funny, because you can probably make it even longer. My understanding of the original concept and plan for the Millennium Line that we have and that was built under the NDP government in the 1990s…. The original plan for that Millennium Line was that it would come into the Coquitlam town centre, but unfortunately, as it was finally designed, it wasn't the case. So we've now….

Interjection.

D. Horne: No, no. It was moved into two phases. I'm being reminded by the member from Port Coquitlam that it was in two phases. But before it was in two phases, it was actually in one phase that included just coming to the Tri-Cities. Then, when the second plan was created, it was created in two phases, where the Evergreen line became the two phases, which is, as I say, the extension of moving it forward.

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I have to say, the province took a huge leadership role in making this happen — establishing the project officer, establishing the engineering, moving the thing forward and trying to pull everyone together. I have to say, it's a difficult thing for us all when you're dealing with a group of mayors on the Mayors Council and the way that currently we deal with the regional transportation within the Lower Mainland. It's very, very difficult.

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I think one of the most difficult parts of that was the mayor of Port Moody at the time. Throughout the entire process he was incredibly negative and spent an incredible amount of time explaining why the project wasn't going to move forward, explaining why he didn't like the project, explaining why he didn't like SkyTrain as an option.

Actually, I'll read a quote from some time ago. A Port Moody councillor at that time moved a motion "that the GVRD and GVTA be advised that Port Moody council is opposed to any SkyTrain line through Port Moody and strongly supports the alternative route along Lougheed Highway to Coquitlam Centre, to the east end of Port Moody." That was moved by the then councillor and current member for Port Moody–Coquitlam.

In 2001 that member also mentioned that if we were to tunnel through Port Moody — and I'll quote him at this point — the tunnelling through the city of Port Moody

would be done "with the residents of Port Moody lying in front of their bulldozers."

Luckily and fortunately for all, we are moving forward with the Evergreen line. We will be tunnelling so that it will actually arrive in Port Moody. It will be a great thing for all Tri-Cities residents and a great thing, quite frankly, for the Lower Mainland — rapid transit and moving people around and making it convenient for people.

Look at the Canada Line that was built under our government and the opportunities that the Canada Line has created and the number of people…. It's far ahead of expectations.

Lastly, talking locally about health care, I'm proud to say that this last fall we expanded the number of beds at the Eagle Ridge Hospital. That has really allowed people to move from the emergency room into being admitted into the hospital and really cleared the logjam. We now have a plan moving forward to expand the Eagle Ridge Hospital emergency room. As I say, I think health care is fundamental to a strong and good community.

With this throne speech, a vision for our future, a vision for where we're going but also a vision on how we're going to pay for it. Through the liquefied natural gas plan and the prosperity fund, we really do have a plan on how British Columbia and future generations of British Columbians will have a strong economy, will have the jobs they need and will have the opportunity that all British Columbians deserve.

N. Macdonald: I need to start by extending best wishes to the deputy critic for forestry and the MLA for Cowichan Valley. He had his valves cleaned out like an old Ford. That's the way he described it. In any case, he's doing well. As everyone knows, he's a great friend of mine and a powerful advocate for sustaining the land base and for protecting the interests of those who make a living from our forests.

We're thinking of you out there. I know he's watching today.

I want to take the time that I have today to talk about forestry. This was a topic largely ignored in the throne speech. Forestry is, of course, very important not only to Columbia River–Revelstoke, but it's critically important to all of rural British Columbia.

The forestry critic role is one that I've had for four years now. I also served as the Deputy Chair of the mid-term timber supply committee that was active last spring and summer. That the throne speech ignored the committee's work bothers me, because it was an expensive committee. It was an expensive exercise, and 650 groups or individuals took the time to participate, thinking it would inform decision-makers. People will see that it certainly has supported and informed NDP thinking.

As we head into a provincial election, B.C. New Democrats will be seeking a mandate from the public on many things, but certainly, an important part of it will be investing in our public lands. One of the key things that I've heard from people in communities across British Columbia is that there needs to be an attitude shift in Victoria towards better stewardship of the land. How we achieve that stewardship has to be viewed in context, starting with the fiscal realities that we face.

The B.C. Liberals, in the throne speech, asserted that they were all about balancing the budget, but the truth is that the budget for the province is in deficit. It has been in deficit since the B.C. Liberals last won the election, and you would need to be significantly naive to believe that we will not be in deficit going forward into this year's budget.

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Provincial debt has been increased, under the B.C. Liberals, from $33.8 billion to $57.4 billion. That's a 70 percent increase. As well, there is the off-the-book debt, which has risen from nothing in 2001 to $96 billion. These are the contractual obligations, the energy purchasing agreements, the P3s and so on.

The next government will be significantly constrained financially. Despite that, New Democrats believe it is crucial to invest in the land. We have to invest in the land because it is our most valuable asset and because there is a great need. The B.C. Liberals have taken from the land without putting resources back for most of the past decade.

As I've said, I was Deputy Chair of the Special Committee on Timber Supply. What we heard in community after

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community was similar to what was made clear in reports from the Auditor General, the Forest Practices Board and the association of B.C. foresters. What we heard is that the B.C. Liberals have made choices to underfund stewardship efforts for this province from the moment they came to power. The results of those decisions were predictable, and they are now evident for all to see.

Let's first talk about timber and non-timber inventory. As you know, what you do not count and measure, you cannot manage. A current reliable inventory tells us not only how many trees we have but what species and size and where they grow.

In 2002 the B.C. Liberals rescinded legislation in the Forest Act requiring the chief forester to conduct and maintain a current and reliable inventory of the lands and forests of the province. As a result of relieving themselves of the legal obligation to maintain and conduct inventories, the B.C. Liberals, by their own account, have purposefully allowed just under three-quarters of the province's forest estate, 74 percent, to degrade where the inventory is 30 years or more out of date.

Consider this. In the 1990s budgets for inventory averaged $23.6 million — $23.6 million on average. Compare that to an average of only $8.5 million under the B.C. Liberals.

As well, in 2010 the ministry assumed the additional responsibility for conducting and maintaining 34 TFL inventories — so even more work with budgets well under what forest professionals identify as the minimum needed to do inventory work properly. Forest professionals, by the way, say that $15 million is the minimum that is needed — money better spent, I think many would agree, on inventory than partisan ads.

The B.C. Liberals intend to cut budgets for inventory work going forward in the upcoming budget. What I'm told is that the budgets for inventory will be around $7.5 million, about half of what it needs to be, at a minimum.

We have to ensure that all management unit inventories are current within ten years to the VRI standard, the vegetation resources inventory standard. We've been told time and again that inventories that are more than ten years old don't have much worth. There are exceptions to that standard, but it's clear that government needs to make inventory work a priority once again. This includes updating units for gross depletion such as logging, large-scale pest infestations and major roads.

We also know that current and reliable inventories for non-timber inventories such as wildlife, soils, water, recreation and visuals are essential. This is the work that the timber committee recommended be done. It is the first practical step towards properly managing our land.

Next we need to talk about silviculture and replanting in particular. The Council of Forest Industries — which represents many of the Interior's major licensees such as West Fraser, Canfor and Gorman Bros. — in their presentation to the Timber Supply Committee cited the need for urgent action by the government to restock our public lands. Of course, COFI's comments echo the recommendations made by the Auditor General and the Forest Practices Board.

We have an NSR crisis in the province, not sufficiently restocked. NSR describes the land that should be replanted, that hasn't been replanted, that is a provincial obligation.

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Again, some history. In 2002 the B.C. Liberals rescinded legislation requiring the province to assess NSR land and to replant it if feasible. The B.C. Liberals then cut the budget by 90 percent.

Predictably, a vast area now sits unplanted that should have been planted. The Forest Practices Board, in a June 2012 report, pointed out that the total NSR that was feasible to plant, that this government neglected to plant, was over one million hectares. The B.C. Liberals have not invested in replanting in a meaningful way.

After doing no planting for a few years, the B.C. Liberals started Forests for Tomorrow in 2005. I was here in the House when that was announced. The B.C. Liberals at that time, and for years subsequent to that, promised the rate of planting would reach 50 million — five-zero — seedlings a year by 2012. But the truth is that the government planted about 16 million seedlings last year — one-six — and they intend to cut funding in this upcoming budget. I have heard it will be cut by 30 percent.

[D. Black in the chair.]

This continues the degradation of the last decade. We know we will realistically need four to five years to get to a meaningful level of replanting, and we know that we need to start now. Consistent with the timber committee's recommendations, consistent with the public interest, New Democrats will improve inventory, New Democrats will replant, and furthermore, we will re-establish the research branch.

What we're talking about is the past, the present and the future. Inventory work represents understanding what has happened on the land base. Reforestation and silviculture are today's investment in the land base, reflecting the information we've gathered in the inventory stage. The third leg of the stool is research, which prepares us for the future of the forested land base.

In a time of climate change we manage credibly only if information is evidence-based, science-based and grounded in long-term sustainability. A renewed and vigorous science program lays the foundation on which decision-makers can base policies to sustain the land base for the next generation.

New Democrats also recognize the need to review land use plans and sustainable resource management plans. This would be done first within the 12 timber supply areas

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worst affected by the mountain pine beetle.

This work has to be done involving rural communities and First Nations groups to make sure that the plans are reviewed and reported on regularly. Rural British Columbians, it was clear to us again and again, want a say in land use decisions that impact them and their communities. New Democrats believe that wisdom about the land sits in our communities, and they need a voice where decisions are going to be made.

Finally, New Democrats also recognize that better insect and disease monitoring and treatment, forest and range evaluation as well as strengthened restoration and landscape management are needed.

I started my comments with the province's fiscal state. At the same time, as I just outlined, the need for action is essential. I recognize that many will be impatient for change, and I understand that. I want to assure people that there will be change focused on the health of our forests and the practical steps that we need to take towards proper stewardship and ensuring that there are boots on the ground to do the work. These would be priorities for a New Democrat government.

Ecosystems are changing with the impacts of climate change, so there's no question that the work we need to do is incredibly complicated. But we have capable people that are able to do this work if government shows leadership. At the same time, we can be excited about the challenge that is there. We know that we can add value to our lands through efforts in forest health.

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I also think that we've only begun to tap into the value-added products that can come from our forests. There are still many more opportunities in engineered wood products. Nanocrystalline cellulose technologies are opening up all sorts of possibilities that are new. As well, we have our traditional excellence in structural wood products.

The truth is that markets are picking up. Russell Taylor and the International Wood Markets Group have reported on the market improvements. We need to remember that U.S. property markets collapsed to the tune of $6 trillion not that many years ago. But the fact is that that market is coming back, and with new markets in China, there is a tremendous amount to be excited about. All of these are powerful reasons to look after our forests.

I'll switch now to the next area where we need to improve. We need jobs from our logs. The B.C. Liberals have lost over 30,000 forestry jobs since 2001. Vancouver Island and the northwest have been particularly hard hit; 33 mills have closed since the B.C. Liberals took power. At the same time, the volume of raw logs exported has grown from one million cubic metres to almost six million cubic metres exported as raw logs. That represents 32 percent of the coastal harvest.

Now, for those that are less familiar with the terms used here, a cubic metre is the size of a telephone pole. Six million cubic metres put on logging trucks, if they were placed end to end, would stretch from Victoria to Thunder Bay. So